JOURNAL: Pampering and DE PLAGUE! DE PLAGUE!

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On Friday, my husband gave me one of the best gifts I've ever been given: a spa afternoon with my best friend, Kathryn!  We received a 2 1/2 hour massage and facial at A Healthy Choice Massage and Day Spa in Lincoln, NE.  AAH!  I was amazing!  Neither of us had a massage or a facial before and we were each awed by how great we felt afterward!  We both lost all sense of time and felt extremely renewed by the experience. 

Another thing that surprised me about the massage and facial is they made me want to care for my whole body.  I wanted to drink smoothies, eat greens, and really care for the inside of my body as well as the outside.  Usually I eat all kinds of junk food and fast food when traveling, but instead I stopped at Super Target (wow, another first and I'm in love!), picked up a large container of organic spinach and some fat-free basalmic vinagrette (with all recognizable ingredients), a few bananas, and a bottled vegan smoothie (not raw, but better than french fries and a soda!).  I felt so good when I got home instead of bloated, tired, and sick from all the greasy, processed food I usually eat when on the road.

I think that it was Divine Inspiration that also steered me toward these foods.  When I got home, my son's cold had turned into the flu.  My husband also started getting sick a few hours later and at one time I thought I may have to take him to the ER because he passed out a later had what appeared to be a small seizure.  I received a text message from Kathryn and she had the flu.  After a call to my parents (who we spent Saturday afternoon with), I learned my mom was also ill.  Uh oh. Since I was the only one in my family to see Kathryn, apparently I was the one spreading it, though I felt great!

Determined not to get sick like the others, I ate raw fruits and greens and drank as many smoothies as I could.  I completely avoided dairy and meat.  I also insisted that our roommate, 19 year-old Clay, drink smoothies and eat raw fruit before eating anything else (he's an omnivore and eats like a typical teenage boy). 

Although I had lots of muscle aches, fatigue, and a headache yesterday, I still haven't thrown up or had diarrhea, both violent symptoms of this strain of flu.  My three year-old has vomited about five times over the past four days, but his illness seems mild compared to that of the others.  I believe this is due to his vegan diet with lots of fruits and little processed food. 

I hope you can use your diet to prevent illness too!

Have you ever noticed how you stay healthier based on the food you eat?

Have you had a massage or a professional facial?  Are you addicted to them like I am now?

Elle

BOOK REVIEW: The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose

 The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss

By Natalia Rose, author of Detox for Women (2010), Raw Food Life Force Energy (2008), and The New Energy Body (2007).  

Pages:  288
Publisher:  Harper

Genre:  Non-Fiction

Topics covered: Raw food and recipes, Detox, Healthy Living, Vegan

Since more than 70 million adults in the U. S. are obese, books about losing weight should be popular.  This book, however is different.  In addition to discussing how to quickly lose weight and keep it off without deliberate exercise, counting calories, carbs, or grams of fat, Natalia Rose also promises liberal amounts of satisfying foods, and possible improvements in other areas of your life.  

In the beginning, Rose addresses myths of raw food, such as needing to go 100% raw right away to see results.  She reassures readers that sprouting, dehydrating, and soaking are not absolutely necessary, nor is becoming a "health nut."

This book is divided into five parts:  an introduction to the raw food diet, menus, recipes, real-life scenarios, and revelations of the "aspiring raw foodist."  Rose breaks down the raw food diet into five steps which include avoiding toxic foods, eating in quick-exit combinations, flooding the body with live enzymes, detoxing and elimination, and categorizing the reader's diet into one of five levels. The next section lists sample menus for each level, starting with someone who typically eats fast food, as the reader works his or her way to a primarily raw diet.  Recipes follow the menus, including the essential appliances needed by an aspiring raw foodist.  "Real life" scenarios provide the reader with solutions to common problems as he or she transitions to a healthier diet.  The final section of this book is devoted to "revelations" of the raw foodist, clarifying topics addressed earlier and focusing on applying principles to ensure optimum effectiveness.  The book also includes an appendix with resources on raw products, raw restaurants, shops, and stores.  

This book has provided me with a great road map to becoming a raw foodist. After reading it, I began referring to myself as an "aspiring raw foodist," on my way, but not quite there yet.  I also appreciate Rose's suggestion to transition to a raw food diet, instead of extreme changes in diet which can often lead to failure.  I have lost weight while applying these principles to my life.  Most importantly for me, however, is even when I'm eating unhealthy foods, I always try to balance them with raw foods.  Most of the recipes in this book are easy to make, although I sometimes have difficulty finding all of the ingredients here in the rural Midwest.  I have adapted her "green lemonade" recipe into a refreshing smoothie that I drink every day.  

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to lose weight, increase energy and stamina, prevent illness, and have a clearer complexion.  It can be a great resource for someone who is interested in raw foods and natural health and wellness.  

The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss By Natalia Rose

Natalia Rose works with some of the world's most health- and body-conscious men and women. Her private practice is in the heart of midtown Manhattan, where she is sought after by a wide variety of clients, including models, actors, socialites, and media personalities. She has been in private practice for more than ten years and has also served as the nutrition director for the Elizabeth Arden Spa on Fifth Avenue and the Frederic Fekkai salons and spas. [amazon.com]

Raw Food Success on the Road

I had an absolutely great weekend!  My husband and I had some much-needed time alone, dined alone, spent an hour in the bookstore (where I read Alicia Silverstone's new book, The Kind Diet and put it on my "must own" list!), and watched a movie together.  We had such a great time!

As you may have read, I started a detox last week.  Wow!  I felt amazing after two days!

Unfortunately, then we went out of town for the weekend.  Did I mention that I live in the Cornhusker State, where there are more than 3 cows for every human?  Healthy eating out is difficult and raw eating out is nearly impossible.

Since I knew how tough it would be, I planned ahead, making vegetarian sandwiches for my husband and leftover raw zucchini pasta and a raw wrap for myself, then packing them in the cooler.  I added bananas, granola bars, and almonds for snacks.  We are going to eat well on this trip.  I thought.

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However, while we were away I ate deep fried sushi, fried bean burritos, a fried buffalo chicken sandwich and fries, ice cream, and more.  Ugh.  By Monday night, I was back to feeling awful.

Now I'm doing what I should have done then, researching the best travel and eating out tips for aspiring raw foodists.  Here are the top seven.

1.  Look for a health food store.  When you arrive at your destination, look in the yellow pages for a natural foods store.  It will be one of your best chances to find food that will make you feel good on your trip!  Happy Cow also has a great search engine directory of health food stores. [thebestofrawfood.com]

2.  Take along powdered superfoods.  By taking powdered superfoods, it will help you get the fresh greens you easily grind at home in your blender.  You can be creative with your containers, using divided sealed dishes or jars.  Make sure you take a bottle or glass with a lid and mix them in your room with water/juice/etc.  Taking small containers in a back pack or other bag will help you avoid temptation (if you still have it) while you are away from your room. [welikeitraw.com]

3.  Research restaurants in the area.  Make up a list of all the vegan and vegetarian restaurants.  You can also call ahead to make sure they are still open.  Smoothie and juice bars can also be great while on vacation.  Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Ethiopian, and other ethnic food restaurants may also have vegan selections.   See also the Happy Cow directory.  [raw-food-repair.com]

4.  Take a good supply of dehydrated foods and nuts and bars.  These are much easier to get through airports and easy to carry.  Dried fruits, nuts, and bars are an easy option that can be bought in advance.  I am in the process of experimenting with dehydrated veggie chips, which I think would be great to have while traveling, too.  [Fredric Patenaude]

5.  Eat less.  Especially if there is lots of sitting involved, the extra eating most of us do on vacation causes our digestion to back up.  Drink more water or juices instead of eating.  Less time digesting means more energy for you to enjoy your trip! [rawfoodswitch.com]


6.  Invest in a small "travel" blender.  A blender this small will easily fit into your suitcase and allow you to have quick smoothies in a traveling cup that fits into most cup holders.  Although I don't want to live at home without it, carting my Vita-Mix Vita Prep 3 all over the country in and out of hotels doesn't sound like a vacation to me! [rawmazing.com]

7.  Eat fresh fruit.  Raw veggies and meals can be hard to find sometimes, but fresh fruit is now available at convenience stores, free hotel breakfasts, and even some fast food restaurants.  [choosingraw.com]

Are you like me, someone who struggles to eat healthy on trips?  Do you have any tips to add?

RECIPE: Fruit and Nut Truffles (Raw vegan)

Sometimes after dinner I get a severe craving for sugar.  I need something sweet!  These truffles do just the trick, plus they are good for you!  I've noticed that I usually don't overeat them since they are filling.

FRUIT AND NUT TRUFFLES 

Fruit and Nut Truffles. Delicious!

Ingredients:

1/2 c. dates, chopped

1/4 c. shredded young coconut

1/4 c. dried cranberries

1/4 c. raisins

1/4 c. pecans, chopped     

1/4 c. raw almonds

1/4 c. and 1/4 c. golden flax seed, separated

Directions:

1.  Blend all ingredients and 1/4 c. of golden flax seed thoroughly in a high speed blender, like a Vita Mix with a tamper.  Use tamper to press down mixture as it blends.

2.  Roll into bite size balls and press into remaining 1/4 c. of flax seeds.

3.  Enjoy!

                               

Tips:

1.  Stop blender as soon as all ingredients are thoroughly blended.  Processing too long may heat mixture.

2.  Using a small cookie scoop will ensure uniform portions and impress guests!

3.  Check the labels of the dried fruits since many included chemical additives or sugars.

Variations:

1.  Use other dried fruits or nuts to come up with your own favorite recipe!

2.  Truffles may be flattened to make raw "cookies."

3.  Running this recipe through a food processor instead of a high speed blender will make a great "raw" cereal to enjoy with nut milk.

                       

Becoming a Raw Foodist, Day by Day

"I've been eating a lot of junk food," I said. "My face has broken out and I haven't felt well."

My son's caregiver at the YMCA replied, “I’m glad to hear that you’re human too. You sound like you eat so perfect all of the time.”


Wow. I thought. I must have really been misrepresenting myself! Of course I’m human! I struggle with eating processed foods, fast food, and junk food. I crave meat (especially fried chicken) and pizza.

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(And sometimes I even eat it.)


Lately, in fact, I've had a real difficulty with my cravings and succumbing to them. I'm an aspiring raw foodist and the only one in my home who even wants to eat this way.

When I started learning about raw foods a year ago, it was much easier. I just wouldn't buy "junk" food.  Since it wasn't in the house, I was rarely tempted to eat it.

As I ate more and more raw foods and less cooked, processed, and convenience foods, I didn't want them anymore.

Now that we have a 19 year-old living with us, he wants chips, cookies, Pop Tarts, and oven pizzas. The temptation to eat these foods is just too great for me most days too.



Negative thoughts enter my mind. Why can't I just stop eating all this junk? Where is my willpower? It's hopeless. I'm such a hypocrite.


Whoa. Calm down, I tell myself. Get real. Become rational and think about things objectively


What I'm doing right:

1. Dairy-free

2. Almost bread and starch-free

3. Green lemonade nearly every day.

4. Fresh fruit always in my home.

5. Occasional exercise.

6. Occasional prayer and meditation.


What I need to work on:

1. Eliminating fast food from my diet.

2. Eliminating cookie dough from my diet (this has become a daily struggle!)

3. Regulating meal times

4. Eliminating coffee from my diet

5. Eating more veggies

6. Eliminating "junk" food from my diet

7. Earlier bed time, more regular schedule

8. Regular exercise (make it a priority every day)

9. Prayer and meditation daily


I may not be "perfect," but I am striving to treat my body and soul better. 

Where are you at in your journey? What are your goals? How are you working to get there?

Wasted Week

Over the past year, I have lost 38 lbs. This week I have put back on 7.5 lbs. I started at 193.5 lbs. last June and was down to 155 lbs. I'm at 163 this morning. I have to say this is a wasted week.

Initially, I went on the South Beach Diet and lost about 10 lbs. I got bored with it, tired of feeling sick after eating, and I started to go back to eating junk.

One day after a troubling night of overeating and morning of weight gain, I thought my body needed a detox. This is when I found The Raw Divas FREE 7-Day Detox. I got started and was hooked on raw food.

The most exciting part for me was all of the fruit! On South Beach, I was never able to have fruit. I was always going back on phase 1 or whatever, trying to take off weight that I had put back on during an eating binge.

I've been 80-90% raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts for almost a year now. Since last August, I haven't been ill. I didn't get a cold or the flu this winter. In fact, my husband didn't either! Our three year-old son has only had two colds in the last year, both of which only lasted about three days each!

My health and well-being is the greatest evidence to me that this raw food diet is ideal. I'm also a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, so I am used to the idea of diet directly affecting health, especially flesh foods though I do love some steak and fried chicken strips sometimes!

This week was wasted. My husband and I had our class reunion on July 3. I felt so great, wearing a hot dress and losing almost 30 lbs. from what I weighed in high school. I had been working hard changing my diet and exercising to look good for that reunion.

Sadly, as soon as the reunion was over, my motivation was also!

Over the past week, in addition to gaining weight from eating chips, nachos, cookies, ice cream, and fast food, I have experienced the following:

--Acne breakout on my face, sides and back of my neck, and upper back
--Yeast infection
--Difficulty sleeping at night
--Tiredness and fatigue
--Stuffy nose
--Constipation and bloating

I started making sure that I at least had a green lemonade smoothie (except I use spinach, frozen apple slices, and celery instead of the romaine). My acne is starting to clear up and the yeast infection is gone thanks to the natural remedy of using plain yogurt with live cultures.

I'm hoping to go back to 90% (at least!) raw and get rid of all these conditions again.