Confessions of a Naturalista

Hi Folks!  I consider my self a "Naturalista".  Not just because of how I wear my hair (which is what the term is mostly used for), but because of my personal philosophy on what living a natural life means.  I hope you all know by now that I am very transparent.  I wear my heart on my sleeve and it's hard for me to hide anything.  I'm a very bad liar.  Not very good at pulling the wool over people's eyes.  Which leads me to my confession.


My confession:
I have been living a double life.  My life is split 50/50 between eating healthy good food.....and eating junk! Ever since Thanksgiving I've been lacking my normal "food filter".  All that darn blueberry cobbler I made for Thanksgiving desensitized me.  Now I will say that I was a beacon of healthy food for my family - making stir fry , soup, fresh juice, smoothies and chia porridge during the entire vacation.  I even helped my mother combat a cold she got while I was visiting with herbs, food and juice.  I gave food advice and taught my sister to fix Caleb's seed milk in hopes that she would make some for her own children.  But that darn blueberry cobbler got me!

Darn Blueberry Cobbler!

50% of what I eat is good for me:
The thing is: every morning I start off REALLY WELL!  I consume: smoothies, fresh juice, oatmeal, etc.  By the time noon hits I find myself munching on something really sweet and naughty!  Not only that, but as my food filter gets clogged, my exercise filter has just stopped working all together!  What I haven't posted about recently was that in November I sprained my ankle and could not exercise.  Because of babying my ankle I've relaxed about getting my work outs in.  And I feel like a creaky old Ford that needs a tune up.....and an oil change.

I was doing so well in November with the Detox for a Diva program and my liver cleanse that got derailed because I caught a 2 week cold.

Mr. Foolery:
I've still been eating my CSA veggies, and vegan meals (as posted).....I've just been following them up with what I like to call: TOM FOOLERY.  And having something sweet displayed on festive holiday platters calling my name loudly every where I go does not help!  I can hear the sweets now: "Zahra!? Zaaaaahraaaaaaa! Over here!! Come get a little taste...Just a pinch! It won't hurt." It's a snowball effect. Loss of self control in one area of life trickles into other areas.

The combination of too many sweets and no exercise despite the healthy food has not been good.  My pants are getting tight, and I'm noticing a belly bulge! It's not just about looking good either.  I don't feel good when I eat all that junk!  I hate to be so cliche and talk about New Year's Resolutions: but I'm changing my 50/50 ways for the new year.  After knowing what it feels like to have endless energy and self control I feel hypocritical about my food choices recently.  I've succumbed to the holiday pitfalls most of us experience.  Moderation is fine...but I've exceeded that principle! It's like I've been cheating on nourishing food for disease causing crap.

Okay! Now that I've exposed myself who is still with me? The fact that I know better means I MUST do better.  Pitfalls are a part of the journey.  What we eat can heal us or kill us.  It's time to put down the sweets and get myself together. Can anyone relate to my tales of woe?

Coming up for 2014:
1. Liver cleanse (FINALLY!)
2. Exercise 3-4 times a week
3. Food filter overhaul
4. Self control tune up

What are your health and wellness goals for the new year??

Peace and blessings!

The Health Journey: The Raw Detox Aftermath.......

Hi folks....

It's been a week post the raw 30 day challenge.  You are probably wondering what I've been doing, what I've been eating....and how I feel. I provided the 13 main lessons learned from the challenge last week and I'm still absorbing the learnings and converting to a new lifestyle.  So far so good!

What I've been doing:
I'm still training for my Duathalon (biking, running, lifting weights).  I've also been using my self control and perseverance muscles to help me through some personal struggles.  I keep thinking about the resolve I had to last 30 FULL DAYS! That blessing is keeping me focused!

What I've been eating:
I've been eating both cooked and raw foods.  I would say most days I've been 75% raw.  They say it takes 21 days to form a habit....I went hard (minus the rebellion) for 30 straight days.  I have definitely formed a habit! A good one at that! Some examples of my meals include:

• chia porridge with hemp milk, seeds and nuts
• more bruchetta (this time on veggie pasta)
• salads (with added rice on occasion)
• more smoothies and juices
• mashed potatoes
• vegetable Pad Thai
• CHIPS!!! But just enough to wet my appetite.
• lots of fruit!
• lots of nuts!
• chocolate cake (C'mon! It was Independence Day! And it was GOOD! - Big up Xan!)

I have not had: ice cream, SNICKERS!, tons of bread, and a lot of other processed foods.  My taste buds have been slightly reformed.

How I'm feeling:
I noticed a strange thing the other day: I now have a bionic nose and tongue.  My sense of smell and taste are heightened.  For example: I ate slices of conventional and organic apples at the same time and I COULD taste the soap/pesticides on the conventional apple! I have NEVER been able to tell the difference before.  Just call me Super Zahra!

The other thing is that I am way more aware of my body.  The slightest tinge of pain does not go unnoticed.  My libido has also increased! Okay...TMI (too much information)...but you know what? It's true and a great benefit from CLEANING out my system!

So folks - I'm pressing on the upward way...new heights I'm gaining everyday!  Yesterday I overate....and I COULD FEEL IT.  All I ate for the remainder of the day was good ole watermelon (More Watermelon Please!)

Thinking about detoxing?  What program are you going to try??

Peace and blessings!