The Health Journey: More Watermelon Please!

Hi Folks -

Summer time has hit with a vengeance and my favorite fruit to eat, and what I yearn for every summer, is WATERMELON!

I love watermelon.  It's the most refreshing, filling, enjoyable fruit that has come into my life. Nice, cold, sweet, watermelon! Does anyone else drink the leftover juice in the bowl??? That's my favorite part! Although I do not use a "method" to pick my watermelons (thumping, smelling, etc.), 90% of the time I get a pretty good one.  I love the kind that has slightly mealy pulp, sweet flavor,  good color and less than a 1/4 inch of rind. 

A few years ago we tried to grow some in our garden.  Watching them grow was like going to a theme park for me! It was amazing to see the growth process (see below).

Watermelon emerging from the vine

Baby melon

Starting to take shape. mmmm good!

Melons in general have an excellent cleansing effect.  They alkalize the body and will hydrate you after a long run or day in the sun better than a sports drink.  My mother always raves about how much energy she received from eating watermelon after a long day working on their farm (in the Dirty South). 

Here are some other facts about watermelon:
1.  It can remove toxins from the blood.
2.  It should be eaten between meals - not right after because the water content can affect digestion.
3.  It can be tolerated well by diabetics due to it's low sugar content (but it tastes so sweet!).
4.  It can help fight urinary conditions such as kidney stones.
5.  Eating watermelon is a good way to loose weight.  It fills you up and satisfies cravings for something sweet.

So, eat up this summer season......I know I will!  Most melons in the US are grown in the Southern states and are a watermelon lover's DREAM! Watermelon is Caleb approved and a good way for him to hydrate, especially the days where he refuses to drink pure water. 

May I have more watermelon please??

What is your favorite summer fruit?

 

 

Rebellion in Raw Food Land (30 Day Challenge - Part 6)

Folks......

I had a wake up call today (just now actually).  All day I had a spirit of rebellion towards living in Raw Food Land. There was almost a coup at lunchtime as pizza from one of my favorite local joints was ordered for a lunch meeting.  I called myself being prepared by having a salad ready...but the revolution was already beginning because I added a vegan veggie burger to my salad to "jazz" it up...to give me a different mouth feel....to spice it up a lil!

The rebellion:
Pizza (especially from my favorite places) is a TRIGGER for me! As posted on The Food Journey: Eating Out, this sista right here can eat a whole pizza without any assistance!

Even though I was tempted, I did not partake in the pizza resting just a few feet away.  The salad (with the veggie burger) was actually quite satisfying. 

I have something else to tell you:  Last night I ate potato chips....more than three! This morning I finished Caleb's soup (it was only 2-3 tablespoons left) because I didn't want to throw it away!

I confess! I have been weak!  I let my mind cravings hijack my commitment to the challenge.  I consumed things I should not have. I don't feel guilty, just slightly hypocritical, but now I have a new resolve to finish this challenge strong. 

Every attachment to food has been tested during this challenge.  I'm spent....but not willing to let the rebels in my mind take complete control.  I'm calling in the reserves and fortifying the castle. 

Who pulled the fire alarm?
What led to this wake up call?  Well, I started following a blog called The Raw Raw Life
and the author, Carla, has been doing a 30 day juice fast during the entire month of June.  Her post today was EXACTLY what I NEEDED to HEAR! She reintroduced me to why I started this challenge in the first place:  to have a better life!

It's time to focus!
Wake up ya'll!  If you are making life changes to heal yourself and to straighten up your life, don't turn back! Employ radical practices to catapult you to the gold mine of excellent health. Keep moving toward the positive goal and enjoy the blessings you will receive by getting through the hard parts.

I am a witness that bad habits CAN change! You can do better. Positive change, although hard to do, is worth it for a better body and better health which ultimately leads to a better life.

I want a life as healthy and vibrant as this beautiful red rose!  It's going to take some work to get there, but I'm moving in the right direction!

5 more days!  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Has anyone ever struggled with making life changes for health reasons?  How did you do it?


Peace and blessings!

30 Day Raw Food Challenge (Part 5)

Hi Folks....we are ALMOST FINISHED with this challenge (8 more days to go).  I'm having mixed emotions.  On one hand I'm impressed with how I've been handling the challenge (sticking to the regimen VERY well) and on the other I'M READY TO EAT COOKED FOOD! This last week has been emotionally and mentally tough.

The cloud of irritation I posted about last week (Raw Food Land...Not a Happy Place To Be!) lifted this past weekend and although my desire for cooked food has dwindled, I gained more determination to finish this challenge.  I went out to eat with family this past weekend, and was tempted by the piping hot, crispy French fries that were ordered.  Hmmm mmmm! I've had a long standing relationship with French fries....(love them!!).  But I did NOT cave.  The NBA finals brought pizza to my kitchen table. But I did NOT consume any.  The memory of being refreshed by a creamy, cold Oreo cookie Blizzard from Dairy Queen tickled my senses on a steamy humid June evening.  But I did NOT indulge! Last week was tough...but going through that fire is keeping me on track for this last lap.

Along with all the detoxing and cleansing this challenge has rendered (mind, body and spirit) I'm really pleased at how I have been able to train for my duathalon with no performance issues.  I'm physically stronger and have been making progress in biking and running.  I rode 10 miles today (first time on a bike in over 10 years!!) then went on a brick run for 1 mile, lifted weights after that and ate a HUGE salad filled with greens, nuts, seeds and other veggies.

Due to the sour attitude I had  last week, I did not keep a good picture diary of what I've been eating (I was NOT in the mood). But I'll share with you what I did capture.

Day #17 - I honestly don't remember what I ate on this day......all I know is that I was exhausted and went to sleep before 9:30pm.

Day #18 - Breakfast tahini yogurt with blueberries and lunch was chickpea pilaf. Dinner was celery soup. Again...I was exhausted...so I was in bed before 10pm.

Breakfast for Day #18 - Tahini Yogurt (lemon juice, hemp seeds, chia seeds, blueberries, almonds, pumpkin seeds)

Lunch for Day #18 - Chick pea pilaf (onions, garlic, cilantro, tomato and avocado, other spices, lemon juice)

Day #19 - I was not really able to stick to the planned menu but I kept it raw (ALL DAY LONG).  Had a smoothie for breakfast, a huge salad for lunch and don't remember what my dinner was.  I also began to bulk up on nuts and protein shakes (made with seeds, nuts,  coconuts and cocoa). One of my co-workers had a canister full of raw almonds.  I ate 90% of the container......Plus with my training, I needed more calories. 

Day #20 - Kale salad was the special of the day. Quite yummy (I added pumpkin seeds and cranberries for more calories)! It contained kale, dandelion greens, spinach, vinegar, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt.

Day #21 - This day was tough from a time management perspective.  Again....I wasn't able to stick to the planned menu but I had a great fruit salad for breakfast drank banana cocoa smoothies for lunch and snacks. Now I did indulge on a Chitpotle salad on the go......it was great! And MOSTLY raw...I added black beans (oooops!!!!!!)

Breakfast for Day #21 - (papaya, pineapple, watermelon, strawberries, peach,  hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, orange juice)

Day #22 -  Smoothies were for breakfast and I made some sushi wraps for lunch.  Dinner was watermelon, cherries and water.

All the fixings: Nut pate (almonds, lemon, garlic, ginger, broccoli), carrots, lettuce, avocado, peaches, cilantro

Finished product!

Whew!

Overall -- a decent week.  8 more days to go! But what am I going to do then?  I don't want to put the toxins back in.....but I'm ready for something more! Oxtails? Mac and cheese?  Oreo cookie Blizzard?????   I have to work out a plan for the next steps. 

Any advice?

Peace and blessings!!

The Hair Journey....more coping skills!

Hi Folks!

My fabulous growing tresses have been molded into a closer replica of a Mohawk! I love it!

I blew it out to get enough length to braid....then I twisted the rest of it! Love it!!! I'm so excited about my new do!

The pictures below show the "released" version.  I felt a bit like Coolio with the straight twists. Plus releasing the twists gives more body to the style.

As usual there have been looks and comments about the new look....most of which have been extremely positive.  If I may be transparent, I am a tad bit concerned about this not being a "professional" look.  I work in corporate America and although things are relaxed (people come to work in jeans and sneakers...maybe a spandex skirt here or there)....I still feel a bit strange rocking such a radical (Afrocentric) style.  My faux-hawk from last week was "boss approved"....but I don't know....

Yes...this means I've been brainwashed....just a little....but I do believe in looking the "part" while you are in the workplace.  I've never straightened my hair for a job interview since I've been natural. I've always worn it, in it's natural state.  But I've never had this style before.........

Well....the braids are NOT coming out...sooooo....I'll just see what kind of response I get! :)

I'm walking on the wild side!!

What do you think about my new look?

Peace and blessings!