Successful Juice Fast / Feast
7:35 AM Posted In fasting , health , Juice Feast , nutrition , weight loss Edit This 0 Comments »
This was by far the best I have felt in a long, long time! I am so excited that I made it to the end of my 6 days! Funny, on the 6th day I was feeling so good that I wasn't sure I wanted to start eating food again! I did though. I ended up having a salad with only apple cider vinegar as dressing! Delicious!
I am so thrilled with the results that I am planning to do this more often. I am also planning to undertake a longer Juice Feast. Yes, I said, Juice Feast! I have always heard that the 3rd day is the hardest, but for me it was the 4th. I got past that and then I had no problems at all. I think it will be easier the more times I do it too. One great idea I had was to do a 6 day Juice Feast on the first 6 days of each month. I was so certain that I would want to do this again, that I actually wrote it on my calendar for next month.
Now, can you believe this, I am actually looking forward to the next one! If you are interested in Juice Feasting (because you really aren't FASTING you are FEASTING on nutrients), check out the links on this page. Just click on the words Juice Feast anywhere in this post. Let me know what you think! Do you want to Juice Feast together? Let me know!!
Day 5 of 6 Day Juice Fast
4:13 AM Posted In fasting Edit This 0 Comments »
This morning is the 5th morning of my juice fast. It's going good. I made myself a glass of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice this morning (I've been having mainly vegetable juice, with the only fruit so far being one or two granny smith apples juiced and a lemon with my greens to cut the "green" taste). Let me tell you, nothing on earth tastes so good as grapefruit juice! I won't do it, but just going by the taste alone, I feel that I could drink a bag of juiced grapefruits! One problem is that my stomach wouldn't hold it! I feel much fuller after drinking an 8 ounce glass of juice than I used to!
Yesterday (day 4) was probably my "healing day" cause I felt pretty bad. I was blessed to go to Andrea Vance's house to watch her teach us how to can green beans. What a fabulous time we had enjoying her beautiful home and her wonderful hospitality! Another dear friend (Hi JoAnne!) had brought some lovely Gazpacho and Haley had brought some jalapeno bread, so while they ate lunch, I drank my juice (swiss chard, carrot, lemon, ginger and an apple). I felt really tired and kept having to sit down. So I was a little bummed that I was fasting when she brought out her smelling good Pecan Macaroon Cookies! I just smelled them, and they smelled wonderful...but you know, this grapefruit juice tastes so good, I can't imagine eating a cookie now!
Anyhow, I'm praying today will be the "energy boost" day and I will feel great. Tomorrow will be my last day of fasting, I will eat a small piece of fruit tomorrow for supper. I haven't decided what fruit I will eat yet. I'm going to give my body a chance to "tell me" what fruit to break my fast with.
I am planning to only eat raw fruits and vegetables on Friday. Beyond that, I haven't thought. So, I'll be thinking of that over the next few days.
Where to get Heirloom Seeds
1:17 PM Posted In gardening , survival Edit This 0 Comments »
Baker's Creek Heirloom Seed Co.
and
I just wanted to post these two links for the ladies in Andrae Vance's class last week. We were talking about hybrid seeds vs. heirloom seeds. Please check out the top link to purchase your seeds. The second list is more along the lines of what we were discussing about survival. It wouldn't hurt for a few families to have this on their shelf!
What is your favorite vegetable to grow? To eat?
Juice Fasting
12:07 PM Posted In fasting , green smoothie challenge Edit This 0 Comments »
Finished the Green Smoothie Challenge! Yay! I hope that everyone enjoyed some health benefits from taking the challenge. It was so much fun to get together with everyone and encourage one another. Thank you all for being so supportive. I know that there are several ladies who would like to go round two and start a second challenge. Let me know when, I'm in!
Now that #6 will be one year old (on the 6th), I am undertaking a 6 day juice fast. For health purposes. This is my second day. It has been much easier than the first day.
Juice fasting is just like water fasting, with the one exception being that you are allowed to drink juice! (Not blended foods like green smoothies, but literally JUICE with the fiber removed.) I also drink a little bit of herbal tea, like chamomile. Plenty of water must be consumed in addition to the juice.
So far some of the juices I have used are:
Carrot, straight up!
8 stalks Kale/1 head Romaine/1 Lemon/small knob Ginger/1 Fuji Apple
4 Cucumbers/1 Granny Smith Apple
Tomato/Celery (with a dash of hot sauce)
So, basically, any time I feel a little hungry, I just down a big glass of water or juice. I have been trying to focus on other things to keep my mind off food. Things like reading (but not about food!) taking walks, working, cross-stitch, talking to friends, spending extra time with the children, listening to sermons and resting. (yeah, right, rest?! Seriously, I'm trying!)
What do I hope to accomplish? I am really just trying to break through some health issues that I have been having. I would also like to break my addiction to sweet things, like honey or maple syrup.
I think I should be able to make it to August 6th with only juices and water. I'll keep updating!
Magazine Subscription on my wish list!
1:48 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
PURELY DELICIOUS...Been wanting to get this one...maybe someday soon. Maybe if there's any money left after I purchase this year's curriculum for school!
Check it out, you may want to subscribe too!
Garlic Butter with Coconut Oil
4:20 PM Posted In health , recipe Edit This 1 Comment »
Peel two bulbs of garlic and toss in your blender, throw in a bit (maybe 1/2 tsp) of sea salt, then add enough coconut oil to cover this all up well. Blend well. Keep this in a jar and spread on toast or add to salads. If you or someone in your family starts to feel sick, just start taking a few spoonfuls of this. It will fight off a cold better than any medication out there!
I also like to "spiralize" a zucchini and just toss it in the "garlic butter." Yum-O
Berries in Green Smoothies
1:27 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
If you really want to boost the nutritional value of your green smoothie, add 1/2 cup of blueberries per quart green smoothie! Blueberries are a superfood, full of antioxidants that will help you to stay healthy all year round. While they are in season, pick up a flat or two and freeze them for your fall and winter green smoothies.
Warning: Using blueberries will turn your green smoothies purple!!
HERB SALAD RECIPE
8:46 AM Posted In children , nutrition , weight loss Edit This 0 Comments »
This is one of Shawne's favorites:
one bunch of parsley
2 sprigs basil
extra small bunch fresh chives (or pinch of dried)
one red onion
three tomatoes, chopped
one avocado
1 habanero pepper
3/4 cup raw alomonds
drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
raw honey
a lemon
Chop up parsley and basil, half the onion, avocado and tomatoes in a bowl. Blend the almonds to a flour like consistency in your blender or food processor. Add the other half of the onion and second avocado, to the nut mixture and then add to the herbs. Add to that the lemon juice, olive oil, about a tablespoon or two of the honey and salt to taste. Chop up the habanero (I use more if no one else is eating it!) and soak in olive oil for a little while, maybe 5-10 minutes. Then add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to the herb salad mixture. This is delicious and nutritious!
This meal has a nice balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is not properly combined, if you follow food combining rules. So I try to consume this as my last meal of the day if I am going to eat it, so that I have several hours before bedtime to digest it and then my body has all night to work on it before I begin eating again the next morning.
Remember healthy plant based fats like avocadoes and nuts, as well as olive oil are just as important when you are trying to lose weight as ever. Just eat moderate amounts. That is why "fat free" dieters have to "diet" forever because while a body can lose weight while on a fat free diet, the weight will always come back (usually with a vengance) once the "normal" diet is resumed.
That is why it is so important to eat healthy balanced meals as a habit for a lifetime. Teaching young children to eat whole foods rather than processed foods is one of the most important things a parent can do. We must lead by example, teaching our children that looking a certain way is not the goal, but being healthy for Him (God) is the ultimate goal. When we treat our body as the temple it is, then it is ready for service to Him.
Green Smoothie Challenge and Salad Class Musings
2:42 PM Posted In green smoothie challenge , recipe , salad Edit This 0 Comments »
How's everyone doing on the Green Smoothie Challenge? I have only missed one day so far, that was today, but I still have time. I guess it's not a total loss if I still have my green smoothie for supper instead of breakfast.
The salad class was fun. We missed everyone who did not show up though.
I promised a recipe for Hummus, so here it is:
one bulb of garlic (roasted)
6 cups of garbanzo beans
8 tablespoons of lemon juice
5 tablespoons tahini
1/4 cup olive oil
Sea Salt to taste
Dash or two of cumin if you like it
Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until slightly thinner than the consistency you prefer. (It will thicken as it cools)
We like to put it on fresh baked bread, eat it with flax chips, or baked Garden of Eatin' Chips, or just by the bowl! I like mine warm, if you wish you can drizzle olive oil over your personal serving and sprinkle paprika on it. Sometimes I put a dollop of it beside my salad! Yummy.
Green Smoothie Baby
1:31 PM Posted In baby , children , food , green smoothie Edit This 0 Comments »
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Blessings Multiplied
3:40 AM Posted In God's blessings , green smoothie challenge , greenhouse Edit This 1 Comment »
In my Bible Reading this morning I came across something that I didn't realize I was struggling with, but God showed me that I was worrying and He reassured me.
After much prayer about doing health related classes, I decided to do something on a much smaller scale than I had orginally wanted to do. I started a Green Smoothie Challenge Support Group (of sorts!) The first two classes were great! I used some greens from my greenhouse and garden and purchased all the fruit, cups, straws, etc. Being financially challenged in this stage of my life, I am surprised at what peace I had in doing this. I don't believe that I ever worried about buying the ingredients or running out of food.
After the first two classes here's what happened:
- a friend gave me a huge bag (maybe 15 pounds?) of garbanzo beans. We make a lot of hummus, so this was perfect. She also gave me red lentils (for making birthright stew), a 50 lb bag of oats w/ 7 other grains (for making granola), a box of Nutritional Yeast (for yucky popcorn for Harm) and a few other items
- an acquaintance gave us about 10 bags of various kinds of beans (Shawne eats beans all the time)
- our church gave us 6 bushels of peas/beans
- my mom brought us some blueberries & for the meat eaters, steaks
All this food, without us asking for one thing. Hmmmmm. You think that He is trying to tell me that He will take care of me?
Now, I am planning the salad and dressings class and refresher course and God shows me Hebrews 6:10: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. What's cute about this lesson is that I called our support group "HEALTHY FOR HIM."
I guess I had started to worry a little about where things would come from and He just wanted to remind me that He is in control.
Green Smoothie Recipe For People Sensitive to Sugar
4:42 PM Posted In cancer , diabetes , green smoothie , green smoothie challenge , hypoglycemia Edit This 0 Comments »Some folks can't tolerate sugars, even fruit sugar, like me, a hypoglycemic. Other people need to watch sugar intake (diabetics, arthritics, cancer patients...) So this recipe would be suitable for Low Sugar diets.
1 granny smith apple, washed, not peeled
4-5 stalks celery, ends & tips removed, use leaves
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
½ of a large avocado
½ bunch parsley
approx 3-4 cups clean drinking water
Chop vegetables into 1 inch pieces for easy blending. Fill blender with 3-4 cups filtered water (more or less water depending on how thick you desire your shake). Add all ingredients into blender. Puree till smooth or desired consistency.
* You can also add the juice from one half of a lemon or lime and even ¼ tsp sea salt and/or cayenne pepper.
(this recipe originated from www.bodyecology.com)
Weight loss, Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics
8:06 AM Posted In digestive enzymes , green smoothie challenge , probiotics Edit This 0 Comments »
I don't use these particular brands, but I there is so much good information in here, that I feel led to share this article (he is trying to sell his brands, but you can get yours from a respectable supplement company...ask your doctor). Remember this is point # 7 in our 10 point program, so this is the "why" behind what we are doing in the green smoothie challenge!
Where do you get your protein
7:23 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
There are people all over this issue. I am posting this to so that my friends will understand something that my New Doctor recommended I do. As I did a little research (which I highly recommend everyone do before they make any changes in their lifestyle) and I realized that I get enough protein.
Here is what she recommends:
If you want to be absolutely certain that you are getting enough protein, you should eat food combinations which form a complete protein, such as:
- Legumes + seeds
- Legumes + nuts
- Legumes + grains
Good complete protein combos:
- Beans on toast
- Corn and beans
- Hummus and pita bread
- Nut butter on whole grain bread
- Whole Grain Pasta with beans
- Rice and beans, peas, or lentils
- Split pea soup with whole grain or seeded crackers or bread
- Whole grain tortillas with beans
- Veggie Burgers on whole grain breads
Easy enough!
Finding a Good Doctor
6:58 AM Posted In doctor , health , vitamin d Edit This 1 Comment »
At the second night of the first Green Smoothie Challenge kickoff, I promised the ladies I would be the guinea pig for checking out a doctor we had all heard about.
With a fair amount of apprehension, I made the appointment. As the appointed day grew closer I wondered if this would be yet another waste of time and money. I prepared for the day by much prayer and also by gathering all my personal info; everything I thought she would need to know about my history.
When I walked in to her office, I just had a sense of peace. Everyone was friendly enough, very helpful. I filled out the paperwork and headed back to wait. While I was waiting I noticed lots of posters for various medications, so I felt the visit could go either way. She came in and sat down and talked to me (actually listened and heard what I was saying, as opposed to doing ALL the talking and then thinking of what to say next while I talked... very refreshing). She didn't have to "act like a doctor." I was impressed.
Just avoiding going into great detail about my own personal issues here; but she reassured me that I was on the right track with things I was doing to improve my health and prevent further illness. She also recommended adding certain vitamins to what I was already doing. We talked about what I eat and my doctor's recommendation, what I need to add to my diet...agreed on all that. It was good. Very good.
I did have my blood drawn to test for Vitamin D deficiencies, something I have been wanting to do for a while and something everyone should do, in my opinion. As a society, we are indoors too much and do not get adequate Vitamin D (comes from sunshine.) To read more about Vitamin D testing, why you need it and much more GO HERE.
As I was leaving I saw someone I recognized, but haven't seen for YEARS... a cousin of mine, Rhonda Burgess! Talking with her was further confirmation that this was a God-cidence. (there are no coincidences) I firmly believe that God works all things together for good...and looking back, I can see step by step how he led me to finding a new doctor, that I would not have to travel across three states to see! Praise God. I am so thankful for everyone he used to get me there.
Verdict: Go see Dr. Jill Wallner at Pinnacle Health. You won't be sorry.
Kicking off another Green Smoothie Challenge
2:56 PM Posted In green smoothie challenge , greenhouse , salad , weight loss , whole food diet Edit This 0 Comments »
Ok ladies, we're kicking off phase two of the green smoothie challenge! For all of you ladies who were interested and didn't make it the first time, AND for all of you who want to start over, we are having a refresher course on July 20th. Also, we will be learning how to make home made salad dressings to go on our own delicious home made salads.
The goal will be to eat at least ONE huge salad daily. But preferably one before lunch and supper! We will be adding this to our green smoothie that we have each morning.
We will be talking about the benefits of eating greens, raw foods, whole foods diet for the family, sharing recipes, support and much more! So be there.
Email, call or get with me on Facebook for details!
Also, Shawne is getting together the materials for a class on building / taking care of your own green house, so let me know if you are interested in that as well...
How to eat more Raw Foods
2:41 PM Edit This 0 Comments »- Go to farmers markets, take it home, wash it and eat it! Fun.
- Change your idea of condiments: try raw cashews and other nuts. Dates are sweet and delicious. Seaweeds, nut oils, olive oil, raw nori sheets to wrap veggies in!
- Pudding. Blend an avocado, a very ripe banana and cocoa or carob powder! (if you are a real sweet tooth, you may need to add raw honey)
- Fresh Salsa. Fresh Gazpacho. How to make it? Blend tomato, cucumber, vinegar, other veggies you like, pour in a bowl, top with diced avocado. Yum.
- Start having one all raw day weekly!
- Start every meal with either a green smoothie or green salad.
- Play with smoothies. It is so much fun to create smoothies! Buy a bunch of fruit and make a different one every morning!
Green Smoothie Challenge Day.....
2:30 PM Posted In granola , green smoothie challenge , water , weight loss Edit This 1 Comment »
I'm losing track of the days! I didn't bother posting over the weekend, but I held up my 10 points. The only thing I did that was not part of the plan was the night of our anniversary. Shawne took me to Wasabi's. Yum. I did undereat though, and that is a huge improvement for me, as Wasabi's is my favorite place to eat, and I only get to go there a few times per year.
Today
- Still need a quart of water! But I can do that, I've got a few hours left!
- Drank my "new favorite" Green smoothie: swiss chard, pineapple and banana.
- Raw veggies for lunch and salad for supper.
- I had some walnuts, millet, oats, and 7 other grains today.
- Still out of coconut oil. I am stopping on my way to church to pick some up!
- Kelp and Dulse on salad. (this is so easy, so if you are not doing this, pick some up and sprinkle it on your food.)
- Took all my scheduled Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics
- White foods. Macey made some whole grain chocolate chip cookies. They had some sugar in them, and I ate
onetwook, three. Yeah, I'm not perfect. - I think I have not eaten enough raw today, because I also made my famous granola and it is baked. It is so delicious it is hard to stop eating it! But I have eaten plenty of 7 grains plus millet! I use molasses so it has iron (sounds good, huh?)
- Sweat. Yes.
How's everyone else doing?
Laughter for Health
2:12 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Ok. We talked about how being happy is a huge part of maintaining your health. Here are some suggestions for fun:
Sit outside with a timer and, for 10 minutes, just laugh. This is so much fun. If you don't think you can, just fake it for a bit and suddenly you'll be laughing up a storm. Hopefully, your neighbors won't call the people with the little white coat to take you away!
Do something for someone else. This always makes me happy.
Take a nap ouside in a hammock, if you do't have one, just take a nap in the grass!
Plant a seed with a youngster and help them make it grow, this is so much fun.
Have a campfire during a full moon.
Do something for someone else. This always makes me happy.
Take a nap ouside in a hammock, if you do't have one, just take a nap in the grass!
Plant a seed with a youngster and help them make it grow, this is so much fun.
Have a campfire during a full moon.
What's some things you do to contribute to your happiness?
Michael Pollan's 12 Commandments of Food
3:51 AM Edit This 0 Comments »- Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
- Avoid products containing ingredients you can't pronounce.
- Don't eat anything that won't eventually rot.
- Avoid food products that carry health claims.
- Shop the peripheries of the supermarket;stay out of the middle.
- Better yet, buy food somewhere else: the farmers' market or community supported agriculture.
- Pay more, eat less.
- Eat a wide variety of species.
- Eat food from animals that eat grass.
- Cook, and if you can, grow some of your own food.
- Eat meas, and eat them only at tables!
- Eat deliberately, with other people whenever possible, and always with pleasure.
Day 5 Green Smoothie Challenge
6:21 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
Any one besides me busy this week?
- Water: I met my goal today!
- Green Smoothie: Spinach/Peach blend, 1 quart
- Huge Salad for lunch
- I made some homemade granola for snacking...plenty of oats and walnuts.
- Coconut Oil: Actually I let myself run out, but I'm picking some up tomorrow!
- Sprinkled dulse on my oriental salad at lunch today! Yummy.
- I took all my Digestive Enzymes and probiotics today as scheduled.
- No white stuff. OH, except for a small scoop of boiled potatoes.
- I'd say 90% of what I ate today was raw.
- I have still not worked out...Day 5 and I haven't worked out. Bummer. Tomorrow I will take a 2 mile walk AND jump rope... I promise!
Now, I have to fulfill that LOW stress requirement and go chill with my kids and a movie! Hope ya'll have a great weekend!
Coconut Oil
11:31 AM Posted In coconut oil , hypoglycemia , weight loss Edit This 1 Comment »
Coconut oil, despite it's bad reputation, is a wonderful addition to a healthy diet. Coconut oil has a thermogenic effect. Basically, it raises your body temperature which increases your metabolism. Middle Chain Fatty Acids (the type of fat in coconut oil) actually uses up energy as they are being metabolized, this is why it is good to add a moderate amount of coconut oil to your daily menu plan.
Coconut oil also contains high amounts of lauric acid, a proven antiviral, antibacterial, antifungl and antiparisitic agent. The only other place lauric acid has been found is human milk. Lauric acid is converted in the human body into monolaurin which helps your body to defend itself agains viruses (like herpes, measels, HIV), and bacteria (such as staph infections and listeria that causes food poisoning) as well as parasites.
Coconut oil is perfect for many types of cooking or uncooking! It is solid when below 72 degrees and oil when warmer. It is the perfect oil for sauteeing because it doesn't create trans fats at high temperatures like most oil (including canola, vegetable and olive oils.) Coconut oil is great for making raw desserts as well as baking breads and cookies! You can use it in place of any oil or lard in cooking, with good success.
Coconut oil is great for people suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, AIDS, gallbladder disease, osteoporosis, Crohn's Disease, and hypoglycemia (which is what I take it for.) I have even heard people say that coconut oil helps them to kick the sugar habit!
So, if you have margarine, shortening, lard and vegetable oils in your pantry get on the healthy bandwagon and replace them all with coconut oil!
Want to learn more about coconut oils benefits? Check to see if your library carries a great little book called The Coconut Oil Miracle. Concerned about saturated fats in coconut oil? Great video!
There are some great deals on coconut oil out there, just make sure you do not purchase hydrogenated coconut oil!
Day 4 Green Smoothie Challenge
2:31 PM Posted In green smoothie challenge , health , nutrition Edit This 1 Comment »
Encouragement of the day: Eat the Rainbow every week using Fruits and Vegetables
- Water...still need to do better here. I think I am a glass or two short.
- Green Smoothie: Drank up the last of the Demo Green Smoothies. The Margaritaville was the last to go ;o)
- Raw veggies and fruits...ate a huge salad for lunch with a Raw Pizza (yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, olives, sun dried tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and walnuts...)
- Whole grains, nuts, legumes, seeds: ate walnuts and sunflower seeds at lunch. Macey made homemade hummus...I'm having about a cup of that for my supper tonight with another BIG salad.
- Coconut Oil: put it on my Raw Pizza
- Sprinkled dulse on my lunch food instead of salt. You know you can purchase kelp and dulse at Mountain Air Natural Foods in town. It is so very good for you, so go out and pick up some of this stuff soon. It's not very expensive but it packs a lot of nourishment to your thyroid, and we all know that we need our thyroid in peak performance to keep our metabolism revved up.
- Probiotic and Digestive Enzymes: Check...do you all know where to get these? I really like these probiotics, and I take these Digestive Enzymes (my doctor in FL has had me on them for about 3 years now).
- I am doing ok today with skipping the white foods and flesh. I have been doing that for YEARS, so it usually isn't too hard for me. It's one of those baby step things and you do gradually get used to it. The hardest time of course, is when you are in a social setting, and everyone is eating the white stuff...
- Everything I have eaten today so far has been raw, so I am doing great. For supper I am eating the salad followed by hummus. Here's a little tip. When you are making your green smoothie in the morning, or even when you are making yourself a salad, go ahead and make two and pop one in the fridge for later. I make as much green smoothie as will fit in my blender and drink part now and part later... Same with salads. Just make double the amount and you will have an easy supper starter, because we are all eating a salad before our supper meal, right?
- I am NOT doing good on the sweat thing...I have been working all day but I have not taken the time to exercise. Please nag me! Are you all working out? What kinds of workouts do you gals like to do?
Here's something to think about. According to Dr. Gary Null, Food is only 20% of the equation for longevity and health, happiness accounts for 40%, exercise for 20% and managing stress 20%. So if we are happy and have the food and exercise down we are well over halfway to good health! Put a smile on your dial and eat those Green Smoothies girls!
New Favorite Smoothie Recipe
2:20 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Swiss Chard
Fresh Pineapple
Mango (fresh or frozen)
Banana
Ice and water to desired consistency
OH SO YUMMY
Day 3 Green Smoothie Challenge
12:13 PM Posted In coconut oil , exercise , green smoothie challenge , probiotics , raw foods , water , weight loss Edit This 1 Comment »
Well, I've decided I will post how I am doing with the 10 points to the Green smoothie challenge here. I will also add some recipes, ideas, plans and hopefully some encouragement here too!
- Water: I do pretty good drinking my water up until crazy hour (4p.m. to about 8p.m.), so tomorrow I am going to try to drink most of my water before then. How do you make sure you are getting your 8-12 glasses?
- One QUART of Green smoothie. Check. I have all the leftovers from the demo nights!
- Consumption of raw veggies and fruits. Check. Haley made me a HUGE salad for lunch, it had romaine lettuce, vidalia onions, tomatoes, green and black olives, cucumbers, sun dried tomatoes, pink sea salt and lemon juice.
- Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds: see #5 nut butter
- I put coconut oil in a smoothie (not my green smoothie..here's what I did, frozen bananas, 1 tablespoon carob powder, dash of salt, scoop of coconut oil, 1 spoonful of nut butter and vanilla...yummy)
- Kelp, dulse, nori or seaweed...will sprinkle some dulse on my suppertime salad.
- I took Ultimate Defense upon arising this morning (with two glasses of water) and I take another one at bedtime.
- Oops...at lunch I did eat a taste of the homemade spaghetti the kids made. I guess that was flour pasta, so I messed up on that one!
- After my supper salad I will have had 3 meals with the largest percentage being raw. I did have a snack, the banana smoothie.
- I took a long walk with Macey today, but I wouldn't say I pushed myself. I really have to think of what I can do for exercise. Any ideas or suggestions? I like to play tennis but I don't have the equipment. I am open to any one who wants a work out partner, but it can't be expensive. I need some support and suggestions here!
Okay gals, now it's your turn! In the comments post your suggestions or how you have done with the 10 points today. Any other ideas or thoughts as well. Lets encourage each other and make it through the 30 days.
Interesting things to throw in a green smoothie? Well, try 1/4 to 1/2 of a raw beet! (If they look good you can also add the beet greens, they are very nutritious) The smoothie will no longer be green, but it will be sweeter and more nutritious!
Remember Eat to Live, not Live to Eat.
Green Smoothie Challenge
11:51 AM Posted In green smoothie , SAD , weight loss Edit This 2 Comments »
The Standard American Diet has failed us. Why? There are lots of reasons in my opinion, but this week we will focus one: too many cooked foods. Did you know that the average American today goes one to two weeks without consuming raw fruits or veggies? It is very important to eat raw foods because when food is cooked it often becomes acidic, devoid of nutrients and enzymes. All things that our body needs to survive and fight!
What can we do about it? I am all about adding things into our lives before taking things out, especially where children (and sometimes husbands) are concerned! So let's add in green smoothies!
What is a green smoothie? Basically a green smoothie is a fruit smoothie with lots of dark leafy greens added in for fiber, vitamin and mineral content. Did you know that greens are also an excellent source of protein? Green smoothies are awesome in that they taste great and are powerful when it comes to sweeping out toxins and increasing healthy elimination.
How does one make a green smoothie? Here is a great video demonstrating how to make a delicious green smoothie that kids and beginners will enjoy: beginners and kids
Here is a more detailed video which explains the how and why of green smoothies!
One more video...
So, let's get started adding the wonderful drink Green Smoothie to our diets today!!
30 Day Green Smoothie Challenge
12:19 PM Posted In diet , green smoothie , health , weight loss , whole foods Edit This 1 Comment »
Anyone game? Here's the rules: (taken from www.greensmoothiegirl.com)
This is a simple 10-point program called THE GREEN SMOOTHIE CHALLENGE for losing weight that will simultaneously nourish your body’s organs that you need to support you, your whole life (8 do’s and only 2 don’ts).
1. Drink 8-12 glasses of water daily (between meals, not during). Start with two glasses of water when you first wake up, since you wake up dehydrated. For that first water in the morning, add a teaspoon of Sole. Read about the importance of getting mineral-rich salt in your diet here:http://www.
2. Drink 1 quart of green smoothie daily—drink as much as you want!
3. Eat 8-10 raw vegetables and fruits daily (with most of those being vegetables including plenty of greens).
4. Eat freely of whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds—soak them whenever possible for maximum nutrition.
5. Eat 1 oz. or more of coconut oil daily (dramatic evidence has documented its positive effect on weight loss and thyroid support).
6. Add kelp, dulse, nori, or seaweed to a green smoothie, soup, or salad every day (to nourish the thyroid, critical to metabolism)—or, it’s easier to add green drink with greens, kelp, dulse, and probiotics to your water.
7. Take a good probiotic daily, and digestive enzymes with any meal that isn’t mostly raw.
8. Avoid processed sugar, white flour, animal flesh, and coffee/soft drinks (including diet drinks) or other stimulants using NutraSweet (aspartame) and caffeine.
9. Eat three meals daily that are 60% raw or more—have a salad or green smoothie FIRST in the meal to provide enzymes and help fill you up. Avoid snacking (if you must snack as you’re transitioning to three meals a day, have a green smoothie as a snack). Keep the treats to once a day, after a meal. Eat until you’re satisfied.
10. Break a sweat once a day, 5-6 days a week—do both aerobic and weight bearing exercise, and push yourself.
Food Storage / Stockpiling Food
1:21 PM Posted In food , food storage , health , nutrition , stockpiling Edit This 2 Comments »
To start out, I thought it would be fun to share my stock pile list. These are the things I like to keep in storage...just in case. If disaster strikes, I don't want to be eating JIF peanut butter and 500 pounds of wheat. So, here's my goal list:
Sprouting seeds, such as Alfalfa, Broccoli Seeds, Chia Seeds, Clover, Radish, Peas for Pea shoots (stock up on your favorites)
Nutritional Yeast
5 gallon buckets of coconut oil
Extra virgin olive oil
Lots of nuts and seeds, such as raw almonds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts (most of these are cheaper if you purchase them in bulk anyways)
Gallon jugs of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
Canned coconut milk
Canned coconut juice
Raisins, no sulphur dioxide
Brown Rice (great deals at Oriental Food Markets)
Rolled Oats and/or Oat Groats
5 gallon bucket of Raw honey (local is best!)
Maple Syrup (the lower the grade, the more nutrients it still has, so go for Grade B or even C)
Gallon jugs of Blackstrap Molasses (visit the Amish or Mennonite communities)
Bulk spices: Cinnamon, Baking powder, oregano, cayenne, sea salt, thyme, rosemary, etc.
Beans: Whatever your favorites are. Ours are pinto, garbanzo (for hummus), black, red, and northern
Popcorn (cause it's just so fun to have on hand, in case of power outages, the kids can even pop it over a fire...with adult supervision, of course!!)
Dehydrated fruits with no sulphur dioxide (you know, prunes, apricots, pineapple, banana chips, no sugar coconut flakes, etc.)
Marinara Sauce with no sugar, no MSG (monosodium glutamate)
Canned tomato products (home canned or store bought, just be careful to watch the ingredient list for hidden MSG)
Whole grain pastas (100% whole wheat must be listed in the ingredient section...remember lables are deceptive)
Black olives, canned
I also like to keep these on hand:
Probiotics, my personal favorite is Tummy Tune Up by Beeyoutiful or PB8
Liquid chlorophyll, mint flavor
AIM's Barley Life Powder (I try to keep about 12 containers of this in my closet...you really could LIVE on the stuff if you had to, and remain healthy and energetic)
Powdered/Crystal Vitamin C
Of course, it would be a good idea to stock up on any necessary vitamins that you can't live without. For me that is my Digestive Enzymes and Betaine / Pepsin.
This is a great start for staying healthy during "survival." Or to quote the Captain on WallE, "I don't wanna survive, I wanna live!"
