Sunday, Feb. 8
I found the most wonderful website for women, The Raw Divas. It's so encouraging and enlightening. It's chock full of recipes, ideas, insights, stories and everything you need to help you get started on your journey to a new you. They have a variety of different programs you can sign up for where they send you an encouraging email everyday with links to some of their pages with more great information. Some are free, the 3-day Green Smoothie challenge is only $5.00.
I signed up for the smoothie challenge, but I actually started making and eating Green Smoothies before the challenge even started. Smoothies are a great and fun way to get a huge dose of your daily requirements for fruits and veggies. Plus you can add a bunch of different greens into your smoothie and get even more power packed nutrients. I don't really have a favorite yet, I'm still trying so many different combinations of fruit and greens. I bought some Kale and put that into a couple of my smoothies. I didn't even know what kale was, nor had I ever eaten before.
The benefits of greens:
Dark green leafy vegetables are, calorie for calorie, perhaps the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small , amounts of Omega-3 fats. (taken from About.com, author Laura Dolson).
Don't be afraid to try them. So far I've found that the fruit covers the taste of most of the greens and you don't really notice them (some are stronger than others). Also, start out with a small amount of greens and then increase them as you learn to love them more. If the green color turns you off, which for most people it does, try sipping it through a straw, or put the drink into a cup with a lid and straw.
My favorite so far is:
2 bananas
1 apple
a handful of berries (strawberry, blueberry, blackberry)
1-2 handfuls of spinach or kale (more or less to taste)
2 cups of ice
Yummy!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
30 days_the beginning of Raw Food
Jan. 22, 2009
It's been almost 30 days now since I started my new lifestyle. I'm going to stop saying diet because it has such a bad cogitation. Diet is a four letter word. We're forever on one and then were off one. It's a vicious cycle.
A couple of weeks ago I felt like I wasn't loosing weight fast enough so I decided to up the ante. I got into eating "raw" living foods. I started eating less and less cooked foods and started making myself eat more raw food, salads, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds. I haven't gone 100% raw yet, I still eat some cooked foods, but if I do, its all natural, organic, whole wheat choices.
I've been reading a lot on the Internet about the benefits of eating raw. Benefits like, weight loss, clearer skin, looking younger, improved memory, better concentration, more energy and much , much more. So I decided to do it myself. I mean what can be more natural and normal than eating close to the earth and close to the way God intended for us? God has given us a wonderful abundance of foods to choose from, why eat anything else? Here's a quote I got from the Raw Divas website,
Okay, so I've discovered another trigger that makes me want to eat bad foods.
I got mad at my husband the other day, I mean really mad. I was frustrated and boy did I want to eat. I wanted to shove every fattening thing into my mouth that I could find, it was really hard not to, but I resisted. I popped some popcorn (okay, not a raw food), and I ate that instead (again, another victory).
I went to Souplantation the other day and the muffins looked awfully good. But again I didn't eat any...I took one bit of a piece of Indian grain bread, but I didn't want it after that and I pushed it aside and I didn't eat it.
I've been really hungry the last couple of days. I haven't cheated, it's not that. But it might have something to do with the fact that my period lasted 8 days and on the 9th day I was still having cramps. I definitely think my hormones affect my appetite and the way I feel.
I'm eating about 50% raw now. A couple of years ago I went on a "diet" and I ate almost all fruits and veggies. I lost weight and everyone said I looked so fresh and my hair was even shiny. (Note: that diet didn't stick, if it did I would have been writing about it by now!) I didn't realize back then that I was eating raw, but I was. Now I know why I looked and felt so much better.
My goal is for 75-100% raw. I need to start getting recipes so that I can start making more interesting dishes. If I get variety in my diet, I think I'll be more successful. I just bought Carol Alt's book, "Eating in the Raw". I read the entire thing. There aren't a lot of recipes in it, but it's a start. There are tons of recipes on the Internet though, so no worries there.
It's been almost 30 days now since I started my new lifestyle. I'm going to stop saying diet because it has such a bad cogitation. Diet is a four letter word. We're forever on one and then were off one. It's a vicious cycle.
A couple of weeks ago I felt like I wasn't loosing weight fast enough so I decided to up the ante. I got into eating "raw" living foods. I started eating less and less cooked foods and started making myself eat more raw food, salads, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds. I haven't gone 100% raw yet, I still eat some cooked foods, but if I do, its all natural, organic, whole wheat choices.
I've been reading a lot on the Internet about the benefits of eating raw. Benefits like, weight loss, clearer skin, looking younger, improved memory, better concentration, more energy and much , much more. So I decided to do it myself. I mean what can be more natural and normal than eating close to the earth and close to the way God intended for us? God has given us a wonderful abundance of foods to choose from, why eat anything else? Here's a quote I got from the Raw Divas website,
"Why not trust the Creator of human life with food as well? Why not recognize the laws of nature instead of looking for a way to go against them? To process food is an arrogant notion - we seem to be saying that God’s menu needs improvement."
Sorry divas, I can't remember which one of you said this.
Most of the food in the grocery store that we consume is overly processed, filled with preservatives, dyes and carp that we shouldn't have in our bodies and that we were not intended to ever eat. We humans mess everything up. In our selfish need to make things faster and easier, we have stripped our foods of vital life giving properties! We desperately need the minerals, vitamins and enzymes that we get from raw uncooked food, it is vital for our health and life! Again from the Raw Divas website:
"
Okay, so I've discovered another trigger that makes me want to eat bad foods.
I got mad at my husband the other day, I mean really mad. I was frustrated and boy did I want to eat. I wanted to shove every fattening thing into my mouth that I could find, it was really hard not to, but I resisted. I popped some popcorn (okay, not a raw food), and I ate that instead (again, another victory).
I went to Souplantation the other day and the muffins looked awfully good. But again I didn't eat any...I took one bit of a piece of Indian grain bread, but I didn't want it after that and I pushed it aside and I didn't eat it.
I've been really hungry the last couple of days. I haven't cheated, it's not that. But it might have something to do with the fact that my period lasted 8 days and on the 9th day I was still having cramps. I definitely think my hormones affect my appetite and the way I feel.
I'm eating about 50% raw now. A couple of years ago I went on a "diet" and I ate almost all fruits and veggies. I lost weight and everyone said I looked so fresh and my hair was even shiny. (Note: that diet didn't stick, if it did I would have been writing about it by now!) I didn't realize back then that I was eating raw, but I was. Now I know why I looked and felt so much better.
My goal is for 75-100% raw. I need to start getting recipes so that I can start making more interesting dishes. If I get variety in my diet, I think I'll be more successful. I just bought Carol Alt's book, "Eating in the Raw". I read the entire thing. There aren't a lot of recipes in it, but it's a start. There are tons of recipes on the Internet though, so no worries there.
3 weeks and I'm finally on my way!
Jan 17, 2009
It's been 24 days now (over 3 weeks) and I've been eating healthy everyday. I stopped eating ALL junk food and I have not gone back. I've been eating lots of fruit and vegetables, salads, eggs, and nuts. I have had some dinners, like stew, falafels and other stuff., but all homemade cooked foods and made with natural ingredients. My husband and I went to a buffet the other day and I did excellent! (Yeah, I'm so proud of myself). I ate salad, salmon, an avocado with crab salad and veggies. I didn't even eat any sweets at all for dessert...I ate all fruit only for dessert!
God gave me a revelation one day when I was in the car with my family. I had to get to the point where I didn't want chocolate or sweets anymore. Not that I couldn't have them (meaning I really wanted them, but couldn't have them). No, I had to get to the point that I didn't want them anymore. You know it's funny...every since I said that out loud and God gave me the that heavy, reavy...I haven't wanted my old treats as much. It's amazing!
Check this out. I've had chocolate candy bars in the fridge since Christmas day, and I have not eaten any of them! If you know me, you know that isn't like me at all! If there is chocolate or anything sweet in the house, I eat it. And not just one piece, the whole thing, the whole bag of candy or cookies! If you know me, you know that is a miracle for me. Praise the Lord, thank you Jesus!
Now here's the second part to the chocolate tale:
We went to Disneyland about a week ago, and I wanted a churro and a piece of fudge. Not because I was hungry, but just because we were there. I always get a churro and a piece of fudge when I'm at Disneyland. The same feeling came over me when I was at the mall, I wanted a piece of See's Candy and a Cinnabon. Again, not because I was hungry, but just because I was there and that's what I always used to get. Good news, I didn't eat any of those things, no churro, fudge, Sees candy or Cinnabon. I just told myself no, I don't eat that way anymore. I was tempted (not a lot really), but it was actually pretty easy to resist.
So I've discovered that "places" can be a trigger. An old habit of always eating this or that...just because I'm at "that" place. The movies can be another "place" (popcorn)! I'll have to replace the old habits with new ones. I need to find other good, healthy things to eat to replace the old ones. Some of my ideas and favorites are, smoothies and wheatgrass shots.
Another discovery...my period. I was craving meat yesterday. Meat, that's really weird for me luckily I didn't give in, but i did have two cheese quesadillas and some yogurt. I was trying to find substitutes, things that my body needed at that time. (I'll have to find out more and food cravings and periods).
I'm definitely more in tune with my body now. My needs, cravings and desires.
Just one more quick note that I haven't mentioned before. I know I've lost a few pounds. My pants and tops are little looser and I don't get heartburn anymore. Hooray for that!
It's been 24 days now (over 3 weeks) and I've been eating healthy everyday. I stopped eating ALL junk food and I have not gone back. I've been eating lots of fruit and vegetables, salads, eggs, and nuts. I have had some dinners, like stew, falafels and other stuff., but all homemade cooked foods and made with natural ingredients. My husband and I went to a buffet the other day and I did excellent! (Yeah, I'm so proud of myself). I ate salad, salmon, an avocado with crab salad and veggies. I didn't even eat any sweets at all for dessert...I ate all fruit only for dessert!
God gave me a revelation one day when I was in the car with my family. I had to get to the point where I didn't want chocolate or sweets anymore. Not that I couldn't have them (meaning I really wanted them, but couldn't have them). No, I had to get to the point that I didn't want them anymore. You know it's funny...every since I said that out loud and God gave me the that heavy, reavy...I haven't wanted my old treats as much. It's amazing!
Check this out. I've had chocolate candy bars in the fridge since Christmas day, and I have not eaten any of them! If you know me, you know that isn't like me at all! If there is chocolate or anything sweet in the house, I eat it. And not just one piece, the whole thing, the whole bag of candy or cookies! If you know me, you know that is a miracle for me. Praise the Lord, thank you Jesus!
Now here's the second part to the chocolate tale:
We went to Disneyland about a week ago, and I wanted a churro and a piece of fudge. Not because I was hungry, but just because we were there. I always get a churro and a piece of fudge when I'm at Disneyland. The same feeling came over me when I was at the mall, I wanted a piece of See's Candy and a Cinnabon. Again, not because I was hungry, but just because I was there and that's what I always used to get. Good news, I didn't eat any of those things, no churro, fudge, Sees candy or Cinnabon. I just told myself no, I don't eat that way anymore. I was tempted (not a lot really), but it was actually pretty easy to resist.
So I've discovered that "places" can be a trigger. An old habit of always eating this or that...just because I'm at "that" place. The movies can be another "place" (popcorn)! I'll have to replace the old habits with new ones. I need to find other good, healthy things to eat to replace the old ones. Some of my ideas and favorites are, smoothies and wheatgrass shots.
Another discovery...my period. I was craving meat yesterday. Meat, that's really weird for me luckily I didn't give in, but i did have two cheese quesadillas and some yogurt. I was trying to find substitutes, things that my body needed at that time. (I'll have to find out more and food cravings and periods).
I'm definitely more in tune with my body now. My needs, cravings and desires.
Just one more quick note that I haven't mentioned before. I know I've lost a few pounds. My pants and tops are little looser and I don't get heartburn anymore. Hooray for that!
Small beginnings_3 days in
Dec. 29, 2008
Well, it's been over a month since I started my "diet" journal and needless to say, I did not stick with the program. That is very typical for me. I get really excited about starting a new diet, I talk about it a lot, but then it never gets off of the ground. But now I want to start again and there's no day like today.
I started eating healthy 3 days ago. I think I got inspired by some of the Christmas gifts I got, Burt's Bees products, organic pillowcases (I know, weird, huh?) and a cute purse that says "Recycle" on it.
I get really excited when I think about going back to my 'grassroots', my old hippie days. I remember when I first discovered health foods back in 1979 at a yoga class I took in college. They gave us a lot of organic healthy recipes and I really liked them. I remember going to this little cafe that served sandwiches in Pita bread, with avocado and alfalfa sprouts inside. I fell in love with alfalfa sprouts then. I remember feeling so good about myself, my healthy, alternative lifestyle.
I continued eating healthy for about a year, through my pregnancy with my first son and a little thereafter. I started reading Adele Davis' books. I even made the barely tolerable "Pep Up" drink. Does anybody remember that drink?
Through the years I've gone back and tried eating healthy, time and time again, but I was never able to stick with it. I think my love for sweets and sugar is so strong that it pulls me back every time. I'll eat really healthy for several weeks, or even months and then something triggers me and I go back to my old way of eating.
I'm 52 years old, but I know I can change. I don't have to always be fat. I can be healthier, look better, have fresher and healthier looking skin and hair, look younger, feel better and have more energy. And I am going to fit into normal size clothing, buy cute clothes and feel good again!
I want to make better, wiser choices. I want to live and live life more abundantly, just like Jesus promised us!
Well, it's been over a month since I started my "diet" journal and needless to say, I did not stick with the program. That is very typical for me. I get really excited about starting a new diet, I talk about it a lot, but then it never gets off of the ground. But now I want to start again and there's no day like today.
I started eating healthy 3 days ago. I think I got inspired by some of the Christmas gifts I got, Burt's Bees products, organic pillowcases (I know, weird, huh?) and a cute purse that says "Recycle" on it.
I get really excited when I think about going back to my 'grassroots', my old hippie days. I remember when I first discovered health foods back in 1979 at a yoga class I took in college. They gave us a lot of organic healthy recipes and I really liked them. I remember going to this little cafe that served sandwiches in Pita bread, with avocado and alfalfa sprouts inside. I fell in love with alfalfa sprouts then. I remember feeling so good about myself, my healthy, alternative lifestyle.
I continued eating healthy for about a year, through my pregnancy with my first son and a little thereafter. I started reading Adele Davis' books. I even made the barely tolerable "Pep Up" drink. Does anybody remember that drink?
Through the years I've gone back and tried eating healthy, time and time again, but I was never able to stick with it. I think my love for sweets and sugar is so strong that it pulls me back every time. I'll eat really healthy for several weeks, or even months and then something triggers me and I go back to my old way of eating.
I'm 52 years old, but I know I can change. I don't have to always be fat. I can be healthier, look better, have fresher and healthier looking skin and hair, look younger, feel better and have more energy. And I am going to fit into normal size clothing, buy cute clothes and feel good again!
I want to make better, wiser choices. I want to live and live life more abundantly, just like Jesus promised us!
My Confession - The beginning
Nov. 22, 2008
I want to lose weight!
I want to be healthier!
I want to live longer!
I'm overweight and I don't like it! I hate the way I look and feel My weight has caused me to have high blood pressure and constant heartburn. It affects the way I feel everyday.
I feel embarrassed and ashamed. I don't even like going out in public because I hate the way I look and fell. All of my clothes are getting really tight and they look like crap on me.
I know that I have abused my body and not taken care of it. God gave me this body and i am abusing it. He's given me good healthy food to eat and I've chosen to eat junk (crap)! Lord forgive me! I want to change!
I'm sick and tired of the way I look and feel and I want to change. Lord help me!
My short term goals:
1) Pray each day for God's help
2) Stop eating junk! Chips, candy, Little Debbies, etc. (what the world has made)
3) Eat what is healthy for me (what God made)
Think fresh! Think natural! Think God!
4) Exercise! What kind I'm not really sure yet, but here are some of my ideas:
Some inspiring thoughts form Joel Osteen:
I want to lose weight!
I want to be healthier!
I want to live longer!
I'm overweight and I don't like it! I hate the way I look and feel My weight has caused me to have high blood pressure and constant heartburn. It affects the way I feel everyday.
I feel embarrassed and ashamed. I don't even like going out in public because I hate the way I look and fell. All of my clothes are getting really tight and they look like crap on me.
I know that I have abused my body and not taken care of it. God gave me this body and i am abusing it. He's given me good healthy food to eat and I've chosen to eat junk (crap)! Lord forgive me! I want to change!
I'm sick and tired of the way I look and feel and I want to change. Lord help me!
My short term goals:
1) Pray each day for God's help
2) Stop eating junk! Chips, candy, Little Debbies, etc. (what the world has made)
3) Eat what is healthy for me (what God made)
- fruits and vegetables
- organic diary products in moderation
- no white flour (breads, tortillas, rolls, etc.)
- no white sugar
- cut out all fried foods
- cut down or out, all processed foods.
Think fresh! Think natural! Think God!
4) Exercise! What kind I'm not really sure yet, but here are some of my ideas:
- daily walk
- swimming
- racquetball
- dancing
- playing drums
- horseback riding
- DDR with my daughter
Some inspiring thoughts form Joel Osteen:
- This is where I am but this is not who I am!
- Do not take ownership of my being overweight.
- I might be fat, but this is only temporary.
- Reprogram my thinking. Don't exaggerate my situation, this is not permanent.
- God's favor will last a lifetime.
- Don't say or believe the lie, "I will always be fat!" That is a lie!
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