The Health Journey: PMS - friend or foe?

Ladies, ladies, ladies!  Most of you probably read this article title and guffawed at the audacity I had for questioning if  PMS could even be considered a "friend"! For most women "that time" of the month is riddled with pain, discomfort, fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes and uncontrollable crying or laughing.  That's what we tenderly (or angrily) call: Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).  I've suffered from PMS since my cycle started when I was a wee age of ten.  I've never had bad cramps, but since I was 22 years old, I've suffered from the dreaded night sweats.  Years ago at an annual check up, my doctor asked me to explain my PMS symptoms.  I spoke of my crazy mood swings and she gave me some pink pills that would "help" me.  I've never been a fan of pill taking, but I took the sample anyway.  I never used the mood altering pills, and never actively sought a remedy for my PMS woes. I just dealt with the hand I was given month after month.   After I entered motherhood my body CHANGED!  My breasts didn't get as tender anymore and my energy levels were pretty stable but the night sweats came back and the mood swings I used to have turned into small anxiety attacks which currently scare the daylights out of me!

So what can I do??? Well I started researching PMS and natural remedies to manage my night sweats and increased anxiety. 

Here's what I found:

1. There are over 150 symptoms linked to PMS.  In addition to what I listed above there are: headaches, acne, swollen feet, depression, joint pain, insomnia, impatience, dizziness, constipation, hemorrhoids.  I'm sure you can think of 20 more!
2. PMS can occur 1-2 weeks before menstruation occurs.
3. Bearing children or being married can increase the likelihood of suffering from PMS and it can be a major cause of divorce.
4. Hormonal imbalance is the main cause of PMS.  Estradiol is a type of estrogen that builds up in the body if not eliminated.  When there is too much estrogen and not enough progesterone in your body fluid gets retained which affects circulation and impedes oxygen and nutrient flow to the brain and female organs. 
5. Diet is key to managing/minimizing PMS.  Women who eat a lot of refined sugar, fat, dairy, and salt suffer more severe symptoms.
6. During the premenstrual period the body wants more sugar for fuel.  When you over overindulge because of the craving  blood sugar levels shoot up then plunge which can trigger fatigue, mental fog, and emotional imbalance.
7. If you are regularly constipated, your liver cannot get rid of excess estradiol effectively.
8. Women who consume a lot of caffeine are more likely to have severe PMS.
9. Most of our meat and diary products contain hormones.  Since PMS is all about hormonal imbalance the more hormones you ingest, the more severe your symptoms will be.  Food treated with hormones lack progesterone and have excessive estrogen.
10. Vegetarian women eliminate 2 - 3 more times estrogen in their feces than non-vegetarians.  Which makes sense, because the meat containing hormones is not consumed.

Wowzers!!!!!! Last month my night sweats were unbearable and my anxiety and mood swings were on another level!!!!   I was under a ton of stress and was feeding the frenzy with junk food.  No wonder I had bad night sweats. I felt like I was LOOSING MY MIND! Can I get a witness???  This month I started early with my stress relief practices, eliminated junk and started drinking my herbal Hormone tea.  My night sweats were BETTER!

7 ways to cope with PMS the natural way:

1. CHANGE YOUR DIET! If you are eating a lot of fat, sugar, salt, caffeine and diary products, then stop it.  Try it for two months and see what happens.
2. You must start making changes early in the month.  Don't wait until the week of your period to make changes.  Start 2 weeks prior. 
3. Eliminate meat and other hormone laden foods.  Don't put the extra estrogen in your body.
4. Eat more fiber and drink lots of water so you can keep your system going....and going....and going.  Gotta help your liver get rid of the excess estrogen.
5. Exercise regularly.  Walking, running, playing sports or dancing is a great way to increase your oxygen intake which aids nutrient absorption and the elimination of toxins.
6. Get out in the sun.  Sunlight boosts melatonin and serotonin which help you sleep.
7. Start using herbs for relief.  You can used herbal remedies in so many format such as ointments for aches and pains, teas, slaves or aromatherapy.

Herbs for PMS (I know there are many more):

• Wild yam
• Angelica
• Chasteberry - can balance hormones
• Skullcap - can relieve nervous tension and irritability
• Raspberry - good for the uterus
• Ginger - can be a substitute for chocolate
• Dong quai
• Fennel seed
• Black cohosh
• Sarsaparilla
• Squaw vine
• Blessed thistle

My herbal Hormone tea (Original Herbal Remedies) is composed of the following herbs: Black cohosh, Sarsaparilla, Ginseng, Licorice root, Blessed Thistle, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Dong quai, Black Haw bark, Fo-ti. 

I'm a firm believer that NATURE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS!

Have you found natural ways of dealing with PMS?

Men - please share this with the lovely ladies in your life! Remember...we love you in spite of what come out of our mouths....It's the hormones talking! :)

Peace and love!

 

 

Reference: Natural Remedies Encyclopedia - Vance Ferrell and Harold Cherne, M.D.

Confessions of a Naturalista: Emotional Eating

I never considered myself an emotional eater until after I completed the Daniel Fast.  I've been in denial and truth be told I felt a bit superior to people who accepted that title.  What I've learned about myself is that I don't eat very much when I'm depressed,  and I do eat junk food when I'm stressed or feeling inadequate. Why junk food and not fruit, vegetables and nuts??? Because junk food = comfort food.  Comfort food makes you feel good because it tastes good and is familiar. The problem with eating junk food to ease stress is that it's not good for you, adds unnecessary fat, calories, sugar and salt to your diet and promotes weight gain. Both situations  (not eating and eating junk food) shine light on unhealthy coping skills.

Since 2014 started my stress levels have been through the roof! I think I bit off more than I can chew.  I feel it in my body and I SEE it when I look in the mirror.  Since I've admitted my emotional eater status, I've been making calculated moves to NOT indulge in junk food and look for alternatives.  I bathed in essential oils and salts three times in one week - it was awesome!  I'm also sharing an article (more for me than you) I wrote last year on ways to relieve stress.  I came up with 11 natural and low cost ways to eliminate stress.  I'll definitely be trying all of these out AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Stress is a killer and I need to get rid of this emotional eating baggage!

11 Natural Ways to Eliminate Stress:

1.     Eliminate the effect of foolishness on your mind.  You cannot control people, but you can control how they affect you. Turn the volume down on the outside "noise" or mute it altogether.  (free)

2.      Pray/meditate. (free)

3.     Find ways to RELAX: bubble baths, massage therapy, aroma therapy. My favorite essential oils for relaxation are: lavender, chamomile and sage.

4.    Have fun! Watch funny TV shows or movies, go to comedy shows, and hang out with amazingly positive people who are invested in your well-being.  This means there will be no drama or sharing of conversations with anyone who has no right to be in your business (!!!).  (mostly free)

Amazing friends work wonders for eliminating stress

5.     Get involved in things outside yourself: volunteer for a cause.  Make sure you are helping somebody with something EVERYDAY. (could be free)

6.     Re-awaken the hobbies or activities you REALLY ENJOY.  Reading, crafts, travel, etc.

7.      Get in the gym or on the track, trail, tennis court, kick ball field, or roller skating rink…. and work it out!  Allow your body to release endorphins that will put some pep in your step and calm your nerves. 



Cricket???



 8.    Don’t let your undies get in a bunch and don’t sweat the small stuff.  If your undies are always bunched up or you find yourself sweating too much….evaluate how you are reacting to people and situations around you.  I consider myself a “reactor”.  I react in some way shape or form (internally or externally to EVERYTHING).  I am learning to TRULY pick my battles and to be less reactive. Thank you Lord!  It’s so much easier this way.  I feel more balanced.  You will still have to address pertinent issues…but the situations will be more controlled. (free)

 

9.  Eliminate/Manage stress factors:  You know what the stress factors are in your life.  I know what mine are, and I have to manage them in order to be sane. (free) Some examples include:

•  Crazy drama filled friends – who needs the extra drama? Just watch SCANDAL J
• Pressure from work - set boundaries so you don’t lose your mind or over commit.
• Hyper children - do not feed them any sugar, make sure they have a well-balanced diet and are in bed as early as possible.  That leaves more down time for you and provides an opportunity to get other things done.

10.   EAT GOOD, NOURISHING FOOD.  This tip is in capital letters because we don’t realize how important our diet is to our emotional and mental health.  We overlook what we put in our mouths and focus on the external stress factors.  Eating well will help.  Stress is an emotional reaction and can manifest in the physical and mental arenas of our lives.

An apple a day keeps the stress away (Robert Couse-Baker)

 

Too much refined sugar, caffeine, salt and dead food puts us on a mood swing roller coaster and does not provide the nourishment our minds and bodies need to be strong, quick and sharp.

11.    Get plenty of rest.  This is something I am still struggling with.  When I do sleep well I can tell the difference! (free)


 

The Daniel Fast.....It's time to pull myself together!

Hi Folks...it's been awhile since I've posted anything.  My life has been an utter and complete roller coaster of sleepless nights, challenging work projects and deadlines, toddler behavioral "fun", bouts of all night eczema parties...allergic skin reactions........and Doritos and Ben and Jerry's (have mercy!!). 

So to help put things into perspective and clear my mind, body and soul I've decided to do the Daniel Fast.  It's a 21 day fast that consists of eating vegetables, legumes, grains, fruits and water.  No sugar, processed foods, meat, dairy, juice or leavened breads.

Daniel, a biblical character upon being captured by the Babylonians and brought into the King's service refused to eat the food that was offered (the King's meat and wine).  Instead Daniel and his friends requested to eat only vegetables (think vegan diet) and drink water.  After 10 days, they were proven to look more nourished than the young men that consumed the King's food.

After some friends told me about it, I bought the book to learn more about it.  After reading the first few pages I knew it was something I had to do. I like doing these "programs" or "challenges" because it drives and motivates me to accomplish a goal.  It's going to be tough because of my philandering ways.  I envision the 21 days to be like a detox program, with spiritual enlightening and faith building. 

I'm on day #2 and can already feel the detox symptoms coming on.  I'm no stranger to detox challenges.  After the dry brushing...and 30 Day Raw Challenge and Detox for a Diva, I feel almost like a pro.  This Daniel Fast will be different from the others.  The purposeful seeking to gain clarity and deliverance from my deepest darkest ailments are in the forefront of this program.  I'm game and definitely in need. Because our mind, body and soul are connected there is no way to clean one and not the other.  The other "challenges" provided enlightenment and mental strength and fortitude too, but I considered those to be secondary to the primary goal of strengthening my physical health.  Welp.....I'm forecasting this one to be a humdinger and a much different experience.

Here is what I hope to gain:
1 - mental clarity on how to reach my life goal (personally and professionally)
2 - deliverance from spiritual bondage
3 - improvements in time management (personally and professionally)
4 - weight loss (loose the Dorito jiggle).
5 - emotional healing for me and physical healing for Caleb

Whew! Deep stuff guys!

Has anyone out there tried and accomplished the Daniel Fast? 

Peace and love!

Seeds: The Undercover Super Food!

Hi Folks!  Seeds are the building blocks of all plants and powerful foods that we should include in our diets!  In my first guest post on My Faith and Fitness blog written by Minister Crystal Cochren  I provide 7 reasons why seeds should have the SUPER FOOD title.  Click the link below to check out how you can incorporate them into your life! 

Seeds: The Undercover Super Food - Article

Are you eating seeds?

Peace and blessings!

Another great snack: Apple Chips!

We've all heard the saying: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" right?  Here's another one: "Chips made of apples can keep inches off your hips".  Okay.  It doesn't really rhyme, but you get the point! :)

I made some apple chips last night that I am happy to share with you as another snacking alternative. This is my first time actually making them, but not my first time consuming them.  They are great for children as well. 

Check out how I made these delicious treats!

Step 1 - Gather all tools and ingredients.  Since this was my first attempt I only used two apples (red delicious).  Three are pictured, but one was rotten.  Other ingredients used: ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

 

 

 Step 2 - Remove the apple core.  I didn't have a fancy device.

 

 

Step 3 - Slice the apples using a mandolin (straight ,1/8 inch blade).  PLEASE BE CAREFUL.  The blades are super sharp.  I recommend using the veg/fruit holder.  The last time I used it I cut my fingers (not fun!).  Slicing 2 apples took 2 minutes and my slices were nice and even.

 

Step 4 - sprinkle spices onto apple slices for desired taste.  Use hands to coat evenly.  Note I did not measure anything...just sprinkled and tasted.  I only added spices to 1/2 of the slices just in case Caleb does not like the extra kick.

 

 

 

 Step 5 - place coated apple slices onto dehydrator trays starting at the bottom.

 

 

Step 6 - set dehydrator to 135 deg F (recommended for fruits and vegetables).  I kept the apples in the dehydrator for 18 hours.  Depending on the thickness of your slices and desired moisture level the timing could change.  I wanted thin, crisp chips so 18 hours was perfect!

 

 

 Step 7 - Remove chips from dehydrator

 

 

 

 Step 8 - Enjoy!

 

I hit a home run for my first attempt.  These chips are the bomb diggy!! :) This was so easy to do and totally healthy! Another guilt free snack!

 

Peace and love!

The Food Journey: Raw and Delicious!

I ate some really delicious RAW food that I want to tell you about.  I attended a dinner at Original Herbal Remedies this past weekend and it was superb! If you are in the NYC area and are interested in exploring raw cuisine please stop by.
 I forgot to take pictures of the appetizer, but see below for the menu and pictures of this scrumptious meal.

Appetizer
Kale and cabbage salad with kale crackers and nut cheese
Mango salad

Entrée:
Cauliflower rice with spicy cheese topping
Stuffed tomatoes with cashew sour cream
Brazil nut sunflower meatballs in tomato sauce
Bulgur cabbage on abed of power greens with avocado

Desert:
Raw carrot cake
Orange and chocolate ice cream
Coconut chocolate macaroons

If it sounds like a lot of food....it was!! :)  I was stuffed to the brim! 



The Entrée



 

Dessert - chocolate and orange ice cream, coconut macaroon and carrot cake

 

What I love most about eating raw food is that it's alive!  All of the nutrients the food has to offer is being added to my body system. None of the nutrients have been degraded by heat making the food more nourishing.  A few months ago I wrote a piece on raw foods after taking my first raw food preparation class.  Here is an excerpt I want to share again (with slight modifications):

1. RAW FOOD = LIVING FOOD
2. When we cook food, the nutrients  are degraded and in some cases totally destroyed.  Leaving the food we eat on a daily basis with little nutrition.  Most of us supplement with vitamins we take orally.  If we eat well we can get all the nutrients we need solely from our food.
3. Raw food is SO FLAVORFUL (if prepared right)! Oftentimes we think of raw, vegan food as gross, cardboard-ish and boring. 
4. Raw food is very FILLING!
5. Start slow.  Pick a recipe and perfect it before moving on to more complicated dishes.
6. You can adapt cooked recipes to a raw version. 
7. Our taste buds are dead and traumatized by all the processed food we eat.  We can revive them by eating better wholesome foods...and when you do , it will be hard to go back.
8. If cooking using conventional means add oils and pepper last.  Oils and peppers can degrade while cooking and interrupt digestion.

After the  30-Day Raw Food Challenge I conquered this summer I felt like a new person.  I believe in raw foods and enjoy making and eating them.  If you've eaten a vegetable or fruit salad then you've had raw food! :)   Explore the concept a little further to really see what raw foodism entails.  I don't think I will ever be 100% raw, but I love the cuisine and encourage you all to eat one full raw meal very soon!

 Peace and blessings!

The Powerful Pawpaw

The Pawpaw - AKA the papaya (or melon fruit) is a powerful digestive aide.  I'm sure most of us have over indulged (just a wee bit) this holiday season.  The papaya is a great food to infuse into your diet to help your digestive system stay nimble and quick. 


Pawpaw, Papaya, Melon fruit

Here are 5 reasons to befriend the powerful pawpaw:
1. High in vitamin C (100 g of pulp = 103% of RDA - recommended daily allowance)
2. High in vitamin A (100 g of pulp = 18% of RDA)
3. Contains an enzyme called Papain that loves to break down protein.  This enzyme is sold as a supplement, but it's better to eat the whole fruit where possible.
4. Can help with skin disorders like eczema and acne due to the high vitamin A content.
5. Aides in healing digestive disorders such as:
    a) Irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers due to it's antiseptic effect on digestive mucosa
    b) Helps ease gastric inflammation, heart burn, and hernia by neutralizing excess gastric acid
    c) Can take action against intestinal parasites

How I use the Pawpaw:
1. I mainly use it in smoothies.  Because of Caleb's digestive issues, I try and sneak it in smoothies I give to him.
2. Fruit salads (not as often as smoothies)
3. I also cut it up and freeze it if I can't use it all before it gets spoiled (I actually have some in the freezer now).



Fruit salad with papaya

I don't really like the taste of the papaya, but I know how good it is for me.  That's why I'm all about making smoothies with this awesome fruit (I can mask the taste). Even though it's winter, you can still find papayas in most grocery stores (thank God for global imports).  I prefer to eat it raw, as enzymes are very sensitive to heat and I want the ultimate benefit from this slightly smelly fruit.

I saw a cooking show that used the papaya in a barbecue sauce.  It looked good, but I'm sure the vitamins and enzymes were totally zapped.

So, while you are filling your belly with turkey, Tofurkey, ham, veggie loaf or pot roast, think about adding some blended up pawpaw to the holiday punch to give your digestive system a kick.

What other ways can I use this powerful fruit? 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!!!


Reference for this post: The Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power - Dr. Roger Pamplona

I'm in Love with BS - Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are in the cabbage family and even look like mini green cabbages.  Due to participating in the CSA this fall I finally (first time in life!) tried  Brussels sprouts.  I am in LOVE!

Why do Brussels sprouts get such a bad rap?  They are packed with nutrition (more protein than any other cabbage) and very tasty when prepared properly.  I used a recipe from a co-worker that turned out to be delicious!

Recipe:
1 bag of fresh Brussels sprouts
Balsamic vinegar
Salt
Olive oil
Red pepper flakes
(I didn't really measure any ingredients - just added to taste)

Preparation (sorry no prep pictures - I got too carried away and forgot):
1. Cut sprouts in half
2. Place on baking sheet
3. Season with salt (garlic salt is preferred)
4. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar
5. Follow with olive oil
6. Broil for 10 minutes
7. Add red pepper flakes

Time: 20 minutes (tops!)

Any other Brussels sprout recipe I should try?

Peace and blessings!

The Food Journey: C - Blast Smoothie

I created my new favorite smoothie for the 2013 cold weather season.  Yes...I know it's really cold and nice warm mugs of tea,  hot chocolate or lattes are SO good this time of year...but my body is still yearning for a BIG fresh vitamin hit.  Just like our juicer that is whirring away our blender is still in business too.  The C - Blast smoothie (C = vitamin C) hit the spot this morning! I created a powerful nutritious breakfast with a few simple ingredients.  Take a look:

Ingredients:
1 cup strawberries (frozen)
1/2 cup cranberries (fresh)
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
4-5 dates
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

You can add water to reach your desired consistency.  I didn't add any water to this recipe...it was definitely straw worthy.

Here are some nutrition facts on the ingredients used:

Nutrient Profiles of C -  Blast Ingredients
Nutrient	Strawberry 1 cup	Cranberry 1 cup	Orange Juice 8 oz	Dates  5 - 6 pieces	Pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup
Vitamin C	120%	10%	137%	0%	0%
Fiber	16%	10%	0%	2%	12%
Iron	2%	0%	2%	0%	15%
Protein	n/a	0%	0%	0%	9g
Fat	0%	0%	0%	0%	22%

% Daily values are provided in the chart based on serving sizes from nutrition declarations on pack.

 

Packed with fiber and vitamin C!! A great immune system booster. Try it and tell me what you think!!

 

Peace and blessings!
 

Communty Supported Agriculture (CSA) - Week 3

It is week three of our CSA journey.  Everything we've received so far as been awesome!  I will admit, I'm a bit intimidated by some of the veggies....I'm not sure what to do with them! Here is what we got this week:

• white potato
• butternut squash
• unknown yellow squash
• purple kale
• green cabbage
• carrots
• spinach
• mushrooms
• parsnips
• beets
• white cauliflower

CSA pickup #3

This week we've made: vegetable Udon soup, stir fry, pumpkin/split pea soup, and Pumpkin Delight.

Tomorrow morning the juicer is getting fired up!!


Peace and blessings!

The Multi-purpose Chinese Apple

Hi Folks! Chinese apples.....AKA...POMEGRANATES are back in season and can be found in most grocery stores now.  My husband loves them and more recently I've grown to enjoy the fruit as well.  This fruit has so many benefits, eating one will serve many purposes and nourish many areas of your body. 

Chinese Apple...aka..Pomegranate

History:
1. The pomegranate is originally from the near east.  It is grown in Iran, Turkey, Mediterranean countries, Brazil and California.
2.  Arab people promoted the cultivation of this fruit, giving it royal symbolism.
3. King Solomon compared the cheeks of his beloved to the pomegranate 3,000 years ago.

8 Health benefits:
1. Rich in vitamins - C, E, B6, B1, B2 and niacin
2. High in antioxidants - anthocyanins are the reddish or bluish pigments that act as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory substances in the digestive tract.  They can also effect the ageing process and have anti-caner properties.
3. Can alkalize the body.
4. Can help protect the arteries from aging/clogging (arteriosclerosis) due to vitamins C and E.
5. The levels of potassium allow this fruit to combat high blood pressure.
6. Can help fight anemia due to it's high iron content.  It can enrich and nourish the blood.
7. The white casing that covers the seeds and walls contain a substance called vermifuge that helps eliminate intestinal parasites.
8. It's a great morning snack and a good alternative to sugary foods.

Whew! Those 8 benefits alone should make everyone run out buy some pomegranates!
Plus when you get a REALLY good one....woooo wee! The rich, juicy flavor is amazing!

How to eat the Pomegranate:
I "release" the seeds from the casing/walls and chew everything up! Some will just suck the juice from the seeds and spit the seeds out...that's too much work for me! Others I know will eat everything but the skin (the walls, seeds and white casing).  The walls are too bitter for me.

How I like to eat the Pomegranate...

 

How do you eat the pomegranate?

Peace and blessings!

References:
1. The Encyclopedia of Food and Their Healing Power - Volume 2 - Dr. Pamplona Roger

Saving Money....Saving the Earth - Community Supported Agriculture

Hi Folks! 

I've been silent for a few weeks.  No the liver detox did not wipe me out (Liver Onions and Divas), but a two week cold virus did. Plus Caleb got the bug and I've been in quarantine -- I mean cooped up in the house for 5 days straight!! Can you say stir crazy!

Well this post is all about sharing the Community Supported Agriculture love - aka CSA.

I joined one this fall and I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!  First of all I will be saving approximately $500 over the next 7 weeks on my grocery bill.  Second of all it's good to give back and keep small farmers alive.  Did I say that everything is ORGANIC and FRESH????

So here is the bounty from the first week:

Pumpkin, garlic, beets, tomatoes, sweet potatoes (white and orange), leek, spinach, chard, turnips, green leaf lettuce, cabbage (unknown variety), radish

I've been charged with making great dishes with all of these wonderful veggies...but I've never prepared turnips, radishes or leeks....so I'm going to need some help.

Here are some meals I started with: 

Yellow split pea soup with garlic and spinach

Vegetable soup with awesome Asian inspired broth and thin rice noodles.  Broth contained: vegetable stock, miso, soy sauce, honey, red pepper, coconut oil, lime, ginger, garlic) CSA veggies used: unknown cabbage, spinach.  Other veggies used: carrots, green onions

 Other items I made this week (not pictured) were:

• green juice with (kale, chard, dandelion greens, green apples, ginger and lime)
• salad with unknown cabbage, chard, kale, green apples, carrots, sprouts, dill, green onion (dressing: garlic, olive oil, salt, lime, honey)
• pasta using  the CSA tomatoes and garlic

I'm just hoping we won't let any of this good food go to waste.  Neighbors beware! We're gonna come a knocking if the bounty begins to overflow! :)

Any good turnip, radish and leek recipes out there???

Peace and blessings!

Detoxification: Liver, Onions and Divas!

Hi Folks!

It's time for another detox experience.  This year I did a dry brush and a raw food detox.  Both left me in good shape.  I was sharper, leaner, stronger, softer (skin wise) and focused. 

One of the things I've been wanting to do is a liver cleanse/detox.  The liver is the powerhouse of our bodies.  It helps our digestive system, filters out toxins and secrets hormones that we need to keep living.  It often gets overlooked and ignored, but without it we would not be alive. 

So...I want to give my liver a BIG hug and KISS!

The Power House

To do this I will be drinking teas and cleaning up my diet.  This liver cleanse is sponsored by Herbal Bush House.  I have coupled this liver detox with another program called Detox For a Diva  sponsored by Soul Food Therapy. 

The Liver Cleanse:
The liver cleanse I'm doing consists of 4 weeks of preparation.  The prep work consists of  drinking a series of teas, taking a product called Gut Buster Pro and cleaning up my diet.  This is where Detox for a Diva comes in.  The recipes provided are nutritious and most of all DELICIOUS!

After 4 weeks of prep the 5th week will consist of all raw food (including juices, smoothies and fasting).

Detox For a Diva:
To help me get ready for the 5th week of the liver cleanse, I've been a part of the Detox for a Diva program.  Along with the great recipes/food, the regimen consists of dry brushing, drinking lemon water every morning, and taking nice cleansing baths.  So far I'm behind the rest of the ladies but I'm hanging in there! 

I'm also doing well with drinking my teas.  I've just completed week #1.

More to come!!!  Mr. Detox and I have gotten reacquainted! Whew! I was on a slippery sweet, salty slope these last few weeks.  Time to put on my big girl panties and get it together!! :)

I will say it did not take me long to get in swing of both programs (Liver cleanse and Detox For a Diva) due the progress in self control and commitment I've made by finishing the raw food detox challenge (Raw Food Diet is Over!).  Plus...I LOVE doing the right thing for my health.  It supersedes any cravings for munchkins  I may get! :)

Stay tuned.........

Peace and blessings!

The Health Journey: Becoming your body's BFF....

Hi Folks....

I took a break from writing over the last week because I have been EXTREMELY EXHAUSTED.  I have been totally void of all that good raw energy I became acquainted with over the last few weeks during the 30 Day Raw Food Challenge .  So tired in fact that I started having flash backs of my first trimester while pregnant with Caleb.  I went for walks outside to clear my head and I could have fallen asleep while walking.....I was done....finished.....way-layed.....

Confession time:  I fell asleep at my desk.........AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TASK.......that is some serious fatigue.....

Granted I was working with 4 to 6 hours of sleep per night but I was also incorporating cooked foods back into my diet.  I've gone off of 4 to 6 hours a sleep per night before and have NEVER felt this crazy! So I can only deduce that it was the food! It had to be the food! And no..I was not chowing down on oxtails and mac and cheese!

I was talking to my girlfriend who did a three day juice fast a few weeks ago and as she began to incorporate food back into her diet a similar thing happened.  She was bloated...and sick....and EXHAUSTED! She recognized that certain foods were NOT jiving with her system (namely bread and some grains)....and has vowed to STAY AWAY from them.  I'm using all these capital letters to EMPHASIZE the point I'm about to make. 

Here it is: Once you clean your system up and begin to reintroduce food (especially the food that you should not have in the first place) your body will REBEL.  It will talk to you.  It will let you know what it can and cannot handle.  Brain fog or the "itis" is NOT cute and it signals that you ate the wrong thing.  In order to truly be healthy you have to be your body's BFF (Best Friend Forever).  Pay close attention to the headaches, joint pain, bloating, constipation, acne and all other ill effects that may come from eating and drinking things your body does not need.  Keep a food journal to track reactions.  PAY ATTENTION! Sometimes we suffer with headaches and other ailments and have just accepted them like that's how our bodies are supposed to feel. We do not have to suffer as much as we do.   I ignored chronic leg pain for years and just suffered through it.  

After a cleanse your body is more sensitive and fresh.  It will tell you immediately if you've consumed something you should not have.  LISTEN.  If you do not listen it's like committing  suicide.  Everyday   people  are   killing themselves slowly with what they put in their mouths. Because dairy products make me feel sick...I have to completely eliminate dairy from my diet.  If I don't then I'm causing unnecessary injury to my body.  I'm making my body confront known offenders...ON PURPOSE...and to me that's lunacy. To cope with the lost of ice cream I'll be buying an ice cream maker in the next few weeks so I can get my cream on this summer with elements that will NOT make me sick.  Enough is enough. 

So I had to go back to eating MOSTLY ALL raw foods (80 - 90%) to give my body a break and a chance to bounce back!  I'm not mad....I'm actually happy about it.  I like feeling light on my feet, alert after eating and full of energy.

I have a new BFF and she is pretty cool!

Are you friends with your system???



Peace and blessings!

The RAW FOOD Challenge is OVER: 13 Lessons for Journey

Hi Folks -  The 30 Day Raw Food Challenge is Over!

Picture me doing the happy dance (what ever happy dance you do....that's what I'm doing.....lol!)

How do I feel?
I feel great.  I was relieved when the last day ended.  I feel free...free from the bondage of Raw Food Land. But you know, 30 days is a long time, and I have formed some eating habits that will ensure a healthier food experience for me as this Journey progresses.  Physically: I feel stronger, I'm leaner (I lost about 5 to 6 pounds), and my skin has cleared up.  Emotionally: I have a better resolve to keep my reactions in tact when the going gets rough.  Mentally: I feel the same, but I know I have more self control.  All the expectations I had at the beginning were met 100% (30 Day Challenge Part 1). I have more energy, lost some jiggle, and cleaned up my system.

Lessons learned:
1. I CAN control my cravings.  I can exhibit self control and abstain from eating junk food when necessary - which should be ALWAYS (The Food Journey: Cravings!).

2. I have expanded my culinary repertoire. There are many items that I would not have combined in the past that I combined during this challenge.  Now I feel more empowered in the kitchen to NOT have to turn on the stove to have a great meal.

3. I maintained my duathalon training over the 30 days.  I supplemented with more protein and calories where necessary to keep me going.  The myth that you NEED meat or animal protein to get stronger and have a good exercise life is not true (for me).  Did you know Serena Williams (the tennis star)  is a VEGAN?

4. I can control my emotions. 

5. I didn't have very good eating habits at night or when stress hits.  I am a true blue snacker.  I love to munch.  During this challenge I munched on food that was GOOD for me...and I was satisfied. 

6. I CAN make better food choices (especially when it comes to snacking).

7. I CAN withstand peer-pressure.  When faced with French fries, Jamaican food or nay sayers I stayed on the raw food path.

8.  I CAN STAY COMMITTED to anything I decide to commit to.  This lesson, is going to be applied to ALL areas of my life. I could have given up...even when I broke rank and ate those potato chips and veggie burgers (Rebellion in Raw Food Land), I got back on the wagon and finished strong.

9.  Everyone reacts to detoxification differently.  There were 19 people doing the challenge.  All had a different experience. I'm now more aware of my body...and the changes it goes through.  We have a better "connection" now.

10. Detoxification is not just physical.  It's mental, emotional and spiritual and something that everyone should do at least one time.

11. Alternatives to the Standard American Diet (SAD) exist but you MUST think outside the box to find things that taste REALLY good!

12.  I can make it through tough challenges! I am WOMAN hear me ROAR!

13.  Everything in life is a choice. Getting married...staying married.  Eating the right food...or eating junk.  Making exercise a routine... or living a sedentary lifestyle.  Losing control and letting anger reign....or staying calm and being mature (no matter what the situation).  Being patient with a toddler....or feeling overwhelmed.  We have the ability to make the right choices concerning our health.  Your health is your command!


In summary:
The bottom line is that: I have to take control and RESPONSIBILITY for the choices I make on this Journey.  I feel good.  I feel accomplished.  I feel proud.  I'm thankful.  I feel empowered. I am awesome for making it though!

I recommend that you find a way to clean up your system.  Challenge yourself to grow, learn, and expand.  You will not regret it in spite of the hard times that will arise.  Push through until you reach the finish line. 

Since I started the 30 day challenge, my mom did 7 days of raw food and a close friend did 3 days of juicing (Detox by Juicing). Now I have two more friends that want to do the 30 day raw food challenge.

YOU CAN DO IT TOO! Start with a week, or 3 days.  See how you feel! Go for it!

Contact me if I can be of help! I would love to share more about what I've been though these last 30 days.  I also have a ton of raw food recipes to share!

Yaaay!!!! MOMMY DID IT!!! :)

One more thing: I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Herbal Bush House for running this program and providing a wonderful meal plan for the entire 30 days!

Peace and blessings!