Day 14 - Juice feast

I have so much catching up to do. I guess that's what I get for not blogging in a week. On top of it all, my shoulder is frozen so typing is a challenge, (to say the least). I want to let you know that I am still going strong. So, if you were thinking that I had given up....... not true. In fact I'm thinking of never going back to real food. This is too good to give up. Actually, I think the truth is, that I'm afraid of going back to eating food because I'm worried that I will feel like I have to make up for lost time. I'm planning on taking the next two weeks to prepare foods( raw) that i can eat once the fast is over. I'll explain this later.
I noticed that I have become extremely sensitive to other peoples eating habits and i have had a Revelation, ready............... EVERYONE HAS SOME KIND OF ISSUE AROUND FOOD. There I said it. I think that we eat an abundance of foods that are not nutritious, causing our body to cry out for better choices. It's not until we give our body what it truly needs, that the craving for food ends. The secret is, to get it right, so that the spell is broken. How do we do this? By eating whole foods. Foods, that the body can recognise as fuel. Foods, that nourish and sustain us. These foods do not come in boxes, cans, or cellophane wrappers. They come from the earth. They're what nature provides. I promise you that If you follow this rule you will have a much better relationship with food. You'll also look and feel better. I can't wait to share my reveal with you. So you can see for yourself how taking care of you rewards, like, you never imagined. So for now I continue with my journey. I'll keep you posted:)

Christmas day recipes

Baked chicken with veggie medley

organic whole chicken( cut into pieces)

1 large sweet onion

2 large organic carrots

fresh minced garlic

fresh or frozen organic corn

fresh or frozen organic sweet peas

2 large sweet or russet potatoes peeled and sliced

dried Italian seasoning

fresh parsley

In a saute or fry pan add 2-3 tbs of good quality olive or sunflower oil

add garlic and onions- cook until softened

remove from pan

add chicken and potatoes

cook til browned on both sides

transfer to a baking dish

add remaining ingredients

bake @ 350 for 30-45 minutes

you may just put all raw ingredients in a baking dish to cook in oven instead

if so, bake @350 for 75-90 minute

Baked apples

4 large ( any sweet variety will work)

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup raisins

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

put all ingredients in a baking dish

bake @ 350 for 45 minutes

Banana-Strawberry Ice Cream

4 ripe organic bananas

1 pt.organic strawberries

1 tsp vanilla

optional-1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut-found in health food section

There is some prep involved with this recipe

peel and cube all 4 bananas

put in freezer bag and freeze overnight

In a blender add frozen bananas, strawberries and vanilla

blend until smooth

remove and add shredded coconut

if too soft- put into freezer safe container and freeze for 1 hour

serve with warm apples

enjoy!

Day 6 of the juice feast

This morning I was planning on going for my second colonic but I decided to try for tomorrow,because of the weather, instead. For those of you who may be wondering what a colonic is -it's a process of cleaning out the colon(large intestines). A technician monitors a slow flow of warm water which goes through a nozzle which is inserted into the rectum. The water gently loosens stool which is in the colon. This enables the body to release built up waste and toxins that may be trapped(even as high as the small intestines).It also helps to eliminate gas. Which feels really good. It is recommended that one have several colonics during a juice feast. For the reason that it helps to rid the body of toxins a lot quicker than would be possible without the assistance. After the 1-1/2 hour long treatment you may feel that you need to use the bathroom for several minutes. It's also recommended that you hydrate well afterwords. I noticed that my stomach( because of the gas release ) felt soft and flat.Oh well, I'll try for tomorrow!

Later on in the day my mom called. She was in a dilemma about what to do for Christmas. She didn't want to be tempted by all the food that she knew she shouldn't be eating. She wanted some ideas on what she could bring to eat instead. So my daughter and I proceeded to come up with quick and easy dishes that she could prepare with the limited stock of food she had on hand. A cooked dish that is nutritious and that would work for a party. This is what we all decided on; baked chicken with mixed veggies(onion, potatoes,corn,carrots and peas). She's also bringing; baked apples which will be served with homemade ice cream(made from frozen bananas and strawberries). Sounds yummy to me! She was so excited about it all, that she's making it now to sample. The best part is that it's a mix of cooked and raw foods.It's a nice balance.So if you want to stay on track and you're not sure how to do it. You may try these dishes ( see recipes)or drop me a note and I'll help you sort it out. Peace and Love- Good health to all, Rawsome health

My Comfort Zone

by author unknown

I used to have a comfort zone

where I knew I wouldn't fail.

The same four walls and busywork

were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,

But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that i wasn't doing much.

I said I didn't care for things like commision checks and such.

I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,

but deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.

I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.

I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,

I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you're in a comfort zone,

afraid to venture out,

remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.

A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile;

success is there for you!

Yesterday a friend of mine asked"Why are you blogging? This is not you. You are too private." Well, the answer to this is that so many people have been instrumental in getting me to this place. I want to honor them by SHARING what I have learned with all of you. If any of you are STRUGGLING to better your health and you have tried EVERYTHING then this may be what you have been searching for. Here I am, on day five. Feeling just as good and motivated as I was on day one. There are so many things that I have noticed about this experience .The first is how little food I actually do need to be nourished. Yesterday I only had two 16oz. juices and although I don't recommend this, I felt fine. How is this possible I wondered? Well I think it's because with drinking only juice your body reacts differently. Digestion is immediate! There is no lag time. Causing me not to have an appetite. Never before have I experienced this. I do have hunger but no appetite. Because if this, I eat for sustainability. Freeing both my mind and my body. I've been able to accomplish so much during my waking hours that for two days I wasn't able to find the time to write in my blog. How's that for accomplishment! At a time of the year when most of us are frazzled and nutrition is the last thing on our minds. I am doing something even I would have never thought of. But in hind sight this was actually the best thing I could have done. I will admit that I have limited the number of parties I have attended and the cook books are collecting dust on the shelf. But I feel fantastic and right now that's what matters most. So as I sit at my computer waiting for the snow to fall, sipping my green juice( which consists of kale,red pear,celery and ginger) Cheers, wishing you all good health .

*Rawsome Health*

Day 2 - hurray ! things are going amazingly well. I'm not saying that I don't think of food because that would be a lie, but it's fleeting. Had a busy day. Again, started the day at the gym, went home to walk my girls( bella and ruby). Then discovered that the fruit and veggies are going fast. Over the years I've learned, (having been on different diets) planning and stocking is very important. So off I went to my favorite market to stock up. The one thing I already notice is how much energy I have. So much so that early evening I decided to take a ride(30 minutes from my house) to do some holiday shopping. Here it is 10:45 and I'm not the least bit tired. The other thing I notice is that the flavor of the juice stays on my pallet for quite some time. I am amazed at how fulfilling the juice is. Never would have thought that I would be feeling so satisfied. I guess when you give the body what it needs it responds in kind. Someone had asked me today"are you taking any protein supplements?" The answer is no. There is an adequate amount of protein in the greens .Supplements are not necessary.So there you have it. Another great day. Tomorrow is haircut day:). So you know it will most certainly be a good day.

Great First Day Of Juice Feast:)

So many firsts today!
Besides the obvious- starting this JUICE feast, I'm also in the throngs of starting this blog! Which I never imagined that I would ever be doing.
So if my writing skills are a bit rusty, please bare with me, I'm sure they will improve. Without boring you with what brought me here(this will come later). I would like to say that this is an endeavour that I never imagined that I would be taking on. If I can inspire just one of you to try this then all of my trials and tribulations will be worth it.
It's now 7:30p.m. on my first fasting day and I must say things went better than I expected. I got up this morning, went to the gym, took a water aerobics class, had a very inspiring conversation with my aerobics instructor, came home and made my first juice.
It consisted of:
apples(2)
ginger
Love**

This first juice didn't turn out as I had hoped. You see, I 'm using a brand new(Just out of the box) juicer and needed to acquaint myself with its workings.

The second juice I made( which was a couple of hours later) turned out much better. My favorite juice thus far was the forth(I've had 5) it consisted of:
blackberries
strawberries
carrots

yummmm!

So far, I'm finding that I like the fruit based juices best- no surprise. I'm not having any food cravings even though I made dinner for my family. No adverse reaction thus far. I will keep you posted ;-)
Love and Peace,
RAWsome Health