April is flying by. New fruits and veg are popping up in the organic sections of our local grocery stores and the farmers' markets are getting geared up to begin. This is the time of the year that I have been looking forward to the entire winter long! Mangoes are quickly becoming a favourite staple in our kitchen. Pears too are great!
Green smoothies are tasting better and better every day. It's so much fun when you have this type of choice and variety.
The body enlightenment system is going well. Due to the very low fat factor my cravings and cleansing have gone to a new level...I am craving stuff I haven't had in ages! I have to be honest. I was at the movies and tried popcorn for the first time in a year and almost a half. It tasted horrible. I felt like I was eating cardboard, truly! I will never feel like I am missing anything again when I see or smell popcorn, my body just doesn't have a taste for it anymore.
Usually if I try a cooked food again, sometimes it is heavenly (sweet potato or yam fries-homemade in the oven-are the only things in this category at the moment) and most the time it is like a switch has gone off and told me that really these foods are not nourishing to my body and therefore I no longer actually want to eat some things, even if I crave it. The other reason I won't eat them is that I know for a fact that it makes me feel terribly right away or later on the next day so why put my body through that.
Energy levels are soaring, the house is getting cleaned like never before, projects are starting to come together, other projects are getting done and therefore each day is the best day ever! I've also been listening to a lot of David Wolfe's work and it's inspiring me as well.
Made a raw tabouli like recipe for the family tonight, although it was put over couscous. They also had hummus with celery and carrot sticks as well. They didn't really like the couscous and salad mix but my son loves hummus!! These types of meals are hard to pass up, being vegan but I ate a lot of the salad and felt full and satiated by the end of the meal.
I am going to reorganize the kitchen tonight after I get home from my run. We are tapering now as the event is on the 20th of April. Ten days to go. I am looking forward to it. I ran 10km on Sunday and it was hardly a blip in the radar. Ask me if I could have said that four months ago and I would have laughed at you. I am excited to be able to run and feel good at the end of it. My cardio is amazingly great eating and training the way that I am.
This message is quite long and scattered...so many things floating through my mind right now and just wanted to get them out on "paper".
I am doing a kitchen gutting - cut throat here...must make room! SPACE!
Stop Preparing Around a Cluttered Environment!
or
Stop Procrastinating About Cluttered Environment!
Better run, it's going to be a looooong night!
Eat Raw, Live Well!
Melinda
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
BES - Day 3
Today was a beautiful day! Sunshine always gives me the energy and helps me to feel my happiest.
I had a blender drink of 4 bananas and three cups of water for breakfast. Never thought I'd like it but it was delicious! Add some oranges to that and it'd be like an orange julius!
I was full until lunch time when I had a green smoothie. Chard, celery, strawberries (frozen) two bananas as well as three oranges. It was good!
I went out to Maple Ridge for my colon hydrotherapy and it was a good session with lots of release of old matter! I only wish the session was longer as I know there was more to come out! Then on the way home I checked out Roots, a local organic grocery store. I found it more expensive than Planet Organic, but it did have some things that the "Planet" does not carry regularly. I got some items I would need for my dinner and tomorrow's meals. I ate a snack of one pint of tomatoes.
I really wish I could shop each morning for the day. Can you imagine having fresh local produce each morning? Of course it would be from a farmer's market. I also would have them bring me their weeds for my green smoothies. Wild edibles are a new interest of mine since seeing Sergei Boutenko speak last month. Raw BC organizer, Clive says that they are looking for someone well versed in local wild organic plant life to take us on a hike looking for them. Can't wait.
I ate a huge salad for dinner. Dressing was mango, lemon juice, water and tomatoes blended.
The salad was organic greens mix with grated carrot, and grated zucchini, with the dressing over top. It was not my favourite, but still tasted good.
Trained for the Sun Run. Ran 8 min. walked one min., six times. I felt good, cardio is not a problem as it has been in the past for me. I was out for almost an hour altogether. Did some stretching and my leg seemed fine. My knee bothered me after last Thursday's run, but seemed good today, thank goodness. I think I ran slower without the gang to run with. We'll see how Thursday goes.
Snacking this evening...when I got home after the run I was not hungry until after the kids were in bed. I am trying not to eat past 9pm. I ended up having five dried pineapple rings which are not on the menu plan for our BES. I also added an avocado to my salad, and realized that also was not on the menu until Friday! I must follow it closely to get the type of results they are talking about.
Watched Biggest Loser (a secret that's now out!) and also, while tidying up I watched bits of Barbara Walter's Live to 150 special. Everything was geared towards how science can keep us from aging...pills, operations, cryogenics, etc. Only once did they mention what you put in your mouth and that was the CR diet. A calorie restriction diet where you eat very little, only a couple times a day, if that. The people they interviewed did cook some of their food, looked good for their ages and seemed healthy. Sounds interesting. If you eat a low fat, raw diet I am sure it would fall under this category as well. It's all about not overtaxing the body and letting it do what it must do to heal any ills.
Now it's time for a 15 min. declutter. I can do anything for 15 min. or so my Flylady coach tells me. My family room has been a disaster for at least three months now and it is time to stop thinking and start doing! I need to follow that advice in all areas of my life!!!
Soak up those rays!
Eat Raw, Live Well.
Melinda
I had a blender drink of 4 bananas and three cups of water for breakfast. Never thought I'd like it but it was delicious! Add some oranges to that and it'd be like an orange julius!
I was full until lunch time when I had a green smoothie. Chard, celery, strawberries (frozen) two bananas as well as three oranges. It was good!
I went out to Maple Ridge for my colon hydrotherapy and it was a good session with lots of release of old matter! I only wish the session was longer as I know there was more to come out! Then on the way home I checked out Roots, a local organic grocery store. I found it more expensive than Planet Organic, but it did have some things that the "Planet" does not carry regularly. I got some items I would need for my dinner and tomorrow's meals. I ate a snack of one pint of tomatoes.
I really wish I could shop each morning for the day. Can you imagine having fresh local produce each morning? Of course it would be from a farmer's market. I also would have them bring me their weeds for my green smoothies. Wild edibles are a new interest of mine since seeing Sergei Boutenko speak last month. Raw BC organizer, Clive says that they are looking for someone well versed in local wild organic plant life to take us on a hike looking for them. Can't wait.
I ate a huge salad for dinner. Dressing was mango, lemon juice, water and tomatoes blended.
The salad was organic greens mix with grated carrot, and grated zucchini, with the dressing over top. It was not my favourite, but still tasted good.
Trained for the Sun Run. Ran 8 min. walked one min., six times. I felt good, cardio is not a problem as it has been in the past for me. I was out for almost an hour altogether. Did some stretching and my leg seemed fine. My knee bothered me after last Thursday's run, but seemed good today, thank goodness. I think I ran slower without the gang to run with. We'll see how Thursday goes.
Snacking this evening...when I got home after the run I was not hungry until after the kids were in bed. I am trying not to eat past 9pm. I ended up having five dried pineapple rings which are not on the menu plan for our BES. I also added an avocado to my salad, and realized that also was not on the menu until Friday! I must follow it closely to get the type of results they are talking about.
Watched Biggest Loser (a secret that's now out!) and also, while tidying up I watched bits of Barbara Walter's Live to 150 special. Everything was geared towards how science can keep us from aging...pills, operations, cryogenics, etc. Only once did they mention what you put in your mouth and that was the CR diet. A calorie restriction diet where you eat very little, only a couple times a day, if that. The people they interviewed did cook some of their food, looked good for their ages and seemed healthy. Sounds interesting. If you eat a low fat, raw diet I am sure it would fall under this category as well. It's all about not overtaxing the body and letting it do what it must do to heal any ills.
Now it's time for a 15 min. declutter. I can do anything for 15 min. or so my Flylady coach tells me. My family room has been a disaster for at least three months now and it is time to stop thinking and start doing! I need to follow that advice in all areas of my life!!!
Soak up those rays!
Eat Raw, Live Well.
Melinda
Monday, March 31, 2008
Day 2 of BES
I got to eat today...after 32 hours (longer than the 24 hours the BES program suggests) and man did the apples I eat this morning ever taste amazing. We bombard our taste buds with so much that it's not often that something tastes SO amazing!
Here's what I ate today:
Morning: 2 apples, had another one there but never cut it up, I was stuffed at two apples.
Noon: 5 bananas
Snack: half a cucumber
Snack: 4 grapefruit
Dinner: dinosaur kale, 3 bananas, rainbow chard, 2 cups of water (blended)
Snack: 3 bananas, head of romaine lettuce, green kale, 2 cups of water (blended)
I am hungry right now, it's 11:11pm. I am trying not to eat past 9pm. They don't say anything about timing your meals on the BES plan that I have read so far. Really it's about eating until you are satisfied. I was to do monomeals today except for the dinner one and after dinner another green smoothie was good.
Satisfied with all the food I ate today. Will have to shop tomorrow or Wednesday as I think I will need to replenish the stock on hand. Having food available is so important to being successful.
I had MAJOR cravings today. Avocado, crackers, chocolate, Lara bars, raw desserts, avocado again. I am sure that if I didn't have these foods in the house that I would not be tempted or craving them, really. It's a See Food and Want Food type of ordeal for me I think. As I write this a DQ blizzard is coming to mind. I really liked those pre raw and haven't had one since before my son was born I think.
Energy levels were high and I went back to Bootcamp with Nadia (Back to Basics) and was running faster and with less exertion than all the others there. They were all full of complaints, much of them warranted I am sure. They were all talking about botox, detox, and trips where they were spending 1000's of dollars to get in better shape, and feel better. They just don't know that the answer is under their noses. I have been living proof of that, and yet they still do not listen.
I mentioned that they should drink green smoothies daily and one said "But I need my meat". Maybe her body does in fact need meat right now, but if she were open minded about trying raw for even a week I am sure she'd come out of it with a totally new and different perspective.
My husband even had a green smoothie this morning. Apples, Kiwi and Kale, with 2 cups of water. He liked it. He is not a fan of bananas so I have to be creative when making his smoothies. I love bananas so they are a staple in my smoothies!
I feel like I am on track. Lost 4 of the 8 pounds that I gained eating bad for me cooked foods this last month, so that's also another added bonus to this new program. I will have to see what the scale says tomorrow as I am sure most of that is from the little fast. I loved how light I felt this morning though and the great elimination I had all day. One full day without eating and still today had massive amounts leaving my body, wow.
I have colon hydrotherapy tomorrow. It's a gentle, clean way to cleanse your colon with water by a professional. I go to West Gate Wellness Centre, and Elizabeth Mazzei is who I see there. She is great and full of ideas.
Until tomorrow,
Eat Raw, Live Well.
Melinda
Here's what I ate today:
Morning: 2 apples, had another one there but never cut it up, I was stuffed at two apples.
Noon: 5 bananas
Snack: half a cucumber
Snack: 4 grapefruit
Dinner: dinosaur kale, 3 bananas, rainbow chard, 2 cups of water (blended)
Snack: 3 bananas, head of romaine lettuce, green kale, 2 cups of water (blended)
I am hungry right now, it's 11:11pm. I am trying not to eat past 9pm. They don't say anything about timing your meals on the BES plan that I have read so far. Really it's about eating until you are satisfied. I was to do monomeals today except for the dinner one and after dinner another green smoothie was good.
Satisfied with all the food I ate today. Will have to shop tomorrow or Wednesday as I think I will need to replenish the stock on hand. Having food available is so important to being successful.
I had MAJOR cravings today. Avocado, crackers, chocolate, Lara bars, raw desserts, avocado again. I am sure that if I didn't have these foods in the house that I would not be tempted or craving them, really. It's a See Food and Want Food type of ordeal for me I think. As I write this a DQ blizzard is coming to mind. I really liked those pre raw and haven't had one since before my son was born I think.
Energy levels were high and I went back to Bootcamp with Nadia (Back to Basics) and was running faster and with less exertion than all the others there. They were all full of complaints, much of them warranted I am sure. They were all talking about botox, detox, and trips where they were spending 1000's of dollars to get in better shape, and feel better. They just don't know that the answer is under their noses. I have been living proof of that, and yet they still do not listen.
I mentioned that they should drink green smoothies daily and one said "But I need my meat". Maybe her body does in fact need meat right now, but if she were open minded about trying raw for even a week I am sure she'd come out of it with a totally new and different perspective.
My husband even had a green smoothie this morning. Apples, Kiwi and Kale, with 2 cups of water. He liked it. He is not a fan of bananas so I have to be creative when making his smoothies. I love bananas so they are a staple in my smoothies!
I feel like I am on track. Lost 4 of the 8 pounds that I gained eating bad for me cooked foods this last month, so that's also another added bonus to this new program. I will have to see what the scale says tomorrow as I am sure most of that is from the little fast. I loved how light I felt this morning though and the great elimination I had all day. One full day without eating and still today had massive amounts leaving my body, wow.
I have colon hydrotherapy tomorrow. It's a gentle, clean way to cleanse your colon with water by a professional. I go to West Gate Wellness Centre, and Elizabeth Mazzei is who I see there. She is great and full of ideas.
Until tomorrow,
Eat Raw, Live Well.
Melinda
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Body Enlightenment System
Today I have completed a 24 hour fast. I drank water all day and nothing else. I felt hungry twice, but drank some water and it dissipated. I was really edgy early in the day as I stopped eating around 11pm last night. It really wasn't as hard as I thought it may be. In September I did five days on water only and it's amazing how fast you get into the rhythm of things.
You might ask why would I do such a thing? Well, I joined the Raw Divas with their Body Enlightenment System. It's an amazing system that will help me to maintain 100% raw and get on track to where I want to be physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am looking forward to this 30 day process. They even give you an hour consultation as part of the program. It's not free, mind you but I really like what they are about and will review the whole process as I go through it. They advocate lots of greens and fruit which is where I seem to be heading as well, feeling my best when I eat a lot of these foods.
So today I fasted and soaked in as much sunshine as I could. Other than the irritability in the morning, I also felt weak in my leg muscles and a little shaky overall, muscle wise. I did not get a headache, stools were loose, I believe I had two or three today, forget it at the moment.
Even with all the water I put in my body, my urine was never clear, which to me means that lots of waste was coming out of the body, good. I am not tired yet and it's 11:15pm. I feel like I could stay up all night but will go to bed after I blog here.
I need to find a rebounder! I know how good it is for the body and since mine broke three months ago I have not rebounded!! Missing it.
More tomorrow!
Eat Raw, Live Well.
Melinda
You might ask why would I do such a thing? Well, I joined the Raw Divas with their Body Enlightenment System. It's an amazing system that will help me to maintain 100% raw and get on track to where I want to be physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am looking forward to this 30 day process. They even give you an hour consultation as part of the program. It's not free, mind you but I really like what they are about and will review the whole process as I go through it. They advocate lots of greens and fruit which is where I seem to be heading as well, feeling my best when I eat a lot of these foods.
So today I fasted and soaked in as much sunshine as I could. Other than the irritability in the morning, I also felt weak in my leg muscles and a little shaky overall, muscle wise. I did not get a headache, stools were loose, I believe I had two or three today, forget it at the moment.
Even with all the water I put in my body, my urine was never clear, which to me means that lots of waste was coming out of the body, good. I am not tired yet and it's 11:15pm. I feel like I could stay up all night but will go to bed after I blog here.
I need to find a rebounder! I know how good it is for the body and since mine broke three months ago I have not rebounded!! Missing it.
More tomorrow!
Eat Raw, Live Well.
Melinda
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sergei Boutenko's coming to town!
So I am reading through Sergei and Valya Boutenko's newsletter and it mentions he is touring BC this month!! Yikes! So anyhow here's the details:
Sergei is the reason why the Boutenko family went raw in the first place as he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. His mother didn't want him to have to take insulin for the rest of his life so she researched until she found her answer in raw foods. They all healed what ailed them on the SAD diet they ate before raw foods. They live in Oregon and have various books out. See my raw resource blog as I've listed them there.
So I am thrilled.
Also there's a great event happening up in Courtney, B.C. on March 20th - 22nd. They have an amazing raw group up there and they have put together the RawQuest Festival. Sergei will also be there as a keynote speaker but they have a great line up there as well. I'll add more info as I get it.
CLASS IN
Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Main Hall
Monday, March 24th 6:30 - 9:30pm
Cost: $15 at door.
$10 RawBC members (membership available at event)
Contact: RawBC (778) 737 - 8852
email: info@rawbc.org
Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Main Hall)
Address:
Lots of parking available on the nearby streets. Read signs.
Close to Granville and Broadway bus routes.
Sergei is the reason why the Boutenko family went raw in the first place as he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. His mother didn't want him to have to take insulin for the rest of his life so she researched until she found her answer in raw foods. They all healed what ailed them on the SAD diet they ate before raw foods. They live in Oregon and have various books out. See my raw resource blog as I've listed them there.
So I am thrilled.
Also there's a great event happening up in Courtney, B.C. on March 20th - 22nd. They have an amazing raw group up there and they have put together the RawQuest Festival. Sergei will also be there as a keynote speaker but they have a great line up there as well. I'll add more info as I get it.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
4 cups of water
one cup of ginger, lemon, honey tea - for tea I boil water then let it cool to about 105 degrees F.
avocado with lemon, Celtic sea salt and tomatoes for lunch.
1 cup of water
Raw banana bread (from Angela Stokes)
2 cups of carrot apple beet pulp
5 bananas
8 tbsp. ground flax seed
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Put bananas in processor and process.
Add pulp and process again.
Add ground flax seed and process again.
Put into a medium sized bowl and add raisins and walnuts, stir them in.
Voila, a delicious way to use the pulp from juicing your carrots, apples and beets. The more carrots, the better. I am turning orange as I write!
I am pretty good now at being able to tell by just pouring it over my fingers...it is luke warm to the touch.
Woke up feeling slightly in a fog. Did my skin brushing and had a shower and felt much better. Some mucus leaving the body today, which is a good thing. Some minor coughing, not like the rest of the family, that's for sure.
Began reading Dream Healer by "Adam".
Feel as though a huge weight is off my shoulders after finishing my report comments. After tonight hopefully they will be all completed! That will be even better. Most teachers are sick and extremely tired during this phase of the school year. We tend to eat worse, sleep less and not take care of ourselves in order to get these things done. It's not a healthy way to be. At least I have been taking care of "me" in that I have been taking time to relax, detox, and have been eating well for a change.
one cup of ginger, lemon, honey tea - for tea I boil water then let it cool to about 105 degrees F.
avocado with lemon, Celtic sea salt and tomatoes for lunch.
1 cup of water
Raw banana bread (from Angela Stokes)
2 cups of carrot apple beet pulp
5 bananas
8 tbsp. ground flax seed
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Put bananas in processor and process.
Add pulp and process again.
Add ground flax seed and process again.
Put into a medium sized bowl and add raisins and walnuts, stir them in.
Voila, a delicious way to use the pulp from juicing your carrots, apples and beets. The more carrots, the better. I am turning orange as I write!
I am pretty good now at being able to tell by just pouring it over my fingers...it is luke warm to the touch.
Woke up feeling slightly in a fog. Did my skin brushing and had a shower and felt much better. Some mucus leaving the body today, which is a good thing. Some minor coughing, not like the rest of the family, that's for sure.
Began reading Dream Healer by "Adam".
Feel as though a huge weight is off my shoulders after finishing my report comments. After tonight hopefully they will be all completed! That will be even better. Most teachers are sick and extremely tired during this phase of the school year. We tend to eat worse, sleep less and not take care of ourselves in order to get these things done. It's not a healthy way to be. At least I have been taking care of "me" in that I have been taking time to relax, detox, and have been eating well for a change.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Juicy Goodness
Must be report card season...all my time has been spent doing my reports, contacting parents about behaviours and much more, all school related. It's just midnight here and I have finished my report comments. Have to go into school on my day off to finish them off with my teaching partner, tomorrow. But, then it's done and I can get on with the rest of things that have been on the back burner...of the dehydrator that is!
Yes, my dehydrator finally came in a week ago. I got it on the night of the full moon eclipse! I like to believe that's a great omen! So far we've only made banana chips but with a few extra moments in my day I am just salivating to try out some recipes I have waited so long to try. Speaking of banana chips...I just found out why mine didn't turn out like the store bought ones...turns out they are DEEP FRIED in oil!!!!! I never knew!! They are dried to a point (much too high temperatures also) and then they are deep fried to make them so crispy. Buyer beware!Ours were soft and chewy and reminded me a little of the square caramels my grandma Howlett used to give us as kids. My children loved them as well.
Something I mentioned in an earlier blog is that the Global Juice Feast was about to start...well it did on March 1st and will run through to June 1st. I wanted to be a part of this somehow, so what I will be doing is, every Monday I will be joining the world in Juice Feasting. I will be juicing all day on Monday and will make sure that I have one or two juices a day otherwise. I always feel better on days when I have more of the green juice in me. I am powered by green!
Check out the blog athttp://juicefeasting.blogspot.com/
Drank Today:
16 oz. green juice spinach pineapple
20 oz. green juice mixed greens and pineapple
20 oz sweet potato, apple, celery, carrot juice
16 oz. carrot, beet, apple juice
2 grapefruits
Tomorrow back to solid foods. Could not wait. Just after finishing my reports I had a grapefruit and then waited a half hour and then had a favourite...raw nut butter and honey on a banana. Well, it was 24 hours really because I haven't had anything but juice since before midnight yesterday. Had a great day too, mellow, and full of energy.
After eating so late though I am very tired and my body is begging for sleep. I also feel a bit of a cold coming on. My kids have been sick for two weeks with a terrible cough and my hubby came down with it a few days ago. Here's hoping it doesn't hit me fully, with the way I eat I should think not. Juicing made me feel better all day and now I am not full of energy, just heavy food...hmm...not the best choice.
So it's off to bed for me and more juice in the morning to offset any cold symptoms that may creep up!
Juicy goodness,
Melinda
Yes, my dehydrator finally came in a week ago. I got it on the night of the full moon eclipse! I like to believe that's a great omen! So far we've only made banana chips but with a few extra moments in my day I am just salivating to try out some recipes I have waited so long to try. Speaking of banana chips...I just found out why mine didn't turn out like the store bought ones...turns out they are DEEP FRIED in oil!!!!! I never knew!! They are dried to a point (much too high temperatures also) and then they are deep fried to make them so crispy. Buyer beware!Ours were soft and chewy and reminded me a little of the square caramels my grandma Howlett used to give us as kids. My children loved them as well.
Something I mentioned in an earlier blog is that the Global Juice Feast was about to start...well it did on March 1st and will run through to June 1st. I wanted to be a part of this somehow, so what I will be doing is, every Monday I will be joining the world in Juice Feasting. I will be juicing all day on Monday and will make sure that I have one or two juices a day otherwise. I always feel better on days when I have more of the green juice in me. I am powered by green!
Check out the blog athttp://juicefeasting.blogspot.com/
Drank Today:
16 oz. green juice spinach pineapple
20 oz. green juice mixed greens and pineapple
20 oz sweet potato, apple, celery, carrot juice
16 oz. carrot, beet, apple juice
2 grapefruits
Tomorrow back to solid foods. Could not wait. Just after finishing my reports I had a grapefruit and then waited a half hour and then had a favourite...raw nut butter and honey on a banana. Well, it was 24 hours really because I haven't had anything but juice since before midnight yesterday. Had a great day too, mellow, and full of energy.
After eating so late though I am very tired and my body is begging for sleep. I also feel a bit of a cold coming on. My kids have been sick for two weeks with a terrible cough and my hubby came down with it a few days ago. Here's hoping it doesn't hit me fully, with the way I eat I should think not. Juicing made me feel better all day and now I am not full of energy, just heavy food...hmm...not the best choice.
So it's off to bed for me and more juice in the morning to offset any cold symptoms that may creep up!
Juicy goodness,
Melinda
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