Thursday, May 13, 2010
That Damn Dairy!
I have one hold up preventing me from going vegan...DAIRY!!! It has already been proven to have addictive qualities which is why the calf keeps returning until they are weaned. It normally also has pus in it because the cows are over-milked which are a former breastfeeding mother I can imagine to be true. Nothing is made to be milked by machine all day. Knowing all this, WHY CAN'T I GIVE IT UP?!?!?! It's not the milk, by the way, it's the stuff that the milk is in like cheese, dressings, and sauces. They are so soothing. Maybe I will be never be anymore than a lacto-vegetarian...*sigh*
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Getting healthy in small steps
Okay so I'm writing this because some of you have asking me about my lifestyle changes. Let me start at beginning and then I will give you some tips. At my heaviest I was 180+ pounds. I never had low self esteem, but I was too big for my height of 5'2". I had the very active job of being a second shift CNA so I was moving, but my body had become accustomed to that level of activity so I gained weight steadily to reach that 180+ that I mentioned earlier. I ate fast food all the time, I was an emotional eater, and a glutton. The only thing I didn't eat was pork. I didn't drink any water, mostly sweet tea. I was a staunch advocate for plate cleaning. LOL
I don't remember process that I went through step by step, but that doesn't matter, because you are going to take these tips and make them your own. You will be able to do any one of these and if done consistently and later increasingly, you will see results. Sidebar--I will tell you this. I tried slim fast and it does NOT work...at least not long term. Because of the fiber without enough water most people, including me, just get gas and want to eat real food anyway. These tips can be utilized in any combination or alone. I told someone last night that I think you should choose one, stick with it until it has become a habit, and then add something else.
1. Water- I have always hated water until recently. I am up to a gallon a day now. I didn't get there overnight though. The way I did it was to set measurable goals for myself. I started with about one 20oz bottle a day. Then I gradually increased it. Any extra water you can do will do you lots of good. For weight loss I have used this "equation". Take 1/2 of your body weight and drink that amount of water in ounces. It worked, and my skin and hair loved me for it. Make sure to drink plenty of water in the cold weather too, which can be hard to remember but it is still very necessary.
2. Move!!!-Any amount above what you normally would do is good. Take the stairs. Don't park so close to the building. If you are a television watcher, march in place during commercials. Dance! Drive to your local arts district and walk around and look. Walk the trails or Greenways at your local park. Sit on the floor to watch television and stretch while your down there. Need anymore ideas? Message me.
3. Reduce Portion Size-Okay this one was/is REALLY HARD for me. The only way I am able to do it consistently is to change my plate size. If I know we have some food from my Mama's house I have to reduce portion sizes. I will normally use on of the kid's plates. A lady even told me once that she doesn't let her food touch and of course that will keep portion sizes down. If you are still eating fast food don't biggie size, get the kids size, replace fries with salad or something, get water instead of soda, or drive past the drive through and go home and cook. LOL
4. Reduce Meat Portions-I don't eat chicken, pork, or beef, but I don't eat sea food once in a blue moon. I don't expect everyone to give up meat, although it would make your life much easier, but do reduce the amount. The suggested portion is a deck of cards, but I say even less. I would suggest that you even have a vegetarian day once a week at least. Try this website for some ideas. http://www.meatoutmondays.
5. Reduce Unhealthy Oil Intake-okay so you know that commercial about the "Buttertons"? Okay, well I was Mrs. Butterton. I could easily use 2-3 sticks of butter in one dinner. First of all look for cold compressed oils that can be found at your local health food store. On the label it will tell you if they can be used at a high temperature or not. Try different oils because they all have different flavors. DO NOT COOK WITH OLIVE OIL!!! Apparently when it is heated to high temps it changes and is very unhealthy. I like to use coconut oil. I haven't heard anything bad about cooking with it yet.
6. Reduce Make Eating Decisions in Advance-So your on your way to a family dinner or restaurant to eat, what are you going to limit yourself to? This would be a good time to eat vegetarian so that you don't go overboard too much or you should use a kid's plate. Whatever decision you make should be made BEFORE walking in the door and smelling all the food. If you want a rich desert, eat a light meal. If you want to eat a heavy meal, drink water, and get a healthy desert. You can take these suggestions and make them your own of course.
7. Don't Overcook Your Veggies-One of my clients just bought me a steamer and I love it!!! If you don't have one you can still achieve similar results. Put just a little water in the pot, use fresh veggies when possible, and cook until just tender. You shouldn't see all the vegetable's color in the bottom of the pot. It shouldn't be floppy when you take it out. Things like cabbage and spinach can even be stir fried in coconut oil and balsamic vinegar and eaten. Also add as many raw veggies to your meal as possible.
8. Try New Veggies-Every week try a new vegetable. You can try it alone or mixed in with a familiar veggie, but either way just try it. Look for vegetable recipes. There are entire sites devoted to vegetarian recipes.
9. Try New Recipes-This will encourage you to eat at home more and in turn will help you eat healthier. Learn to substitute high fat ingredients for lower in fat and healthier ones. Now is a good time to make soup since it is cold out. Most times you can look around your kitchen and find stuff to make a quick healthy soup out of. You'd be surprised. LOL
10. Find Restaurants with Healthy Choices- Find out who has a healthy choice menu and try to go there. Even if they don't have a healthy choice menu, ask to make substitutes. Look their menu up online before you go so that you can make a clear decision about what you want to eat, before the sights and sounds lull you into a bad meal choice.
11. Fast-You should shoot to fast at least once a year for at least 7-10 days. The optimal fasting routine that I know of is 4 times a year during the solstices and equinoxes for 10+ days, which will give you 40+ days of fasting per year. Fasting is a way to give your body and digestive system a rest. There are all kinds of fasts as you may well know. My thought process is that you fast to improve your health, so when you come off you shouldn't go back to your normal diet. Your diet should improve every time in some way until you see no room for improvement. I used Master Cleanse to help me get started. I used it to get my body clean to get rid of headaches. Some people have used it for weight loss, but if you go back to your normal diet, you will also go back to your normal weight probably with a little extra. You can try juice fasts, green smoothie fasts, fruit and veggie fasts, or even water fasts.
I really hope this helps and give you a jump start for your healthy eating journey.
I don't remember process that I went through step by step, but that doesn't matter, because you are going to take these tips and make them your own. You will be able to do any one of these and if done consistently and later increasingly, you will see results. Sidebar--I will tell you this. I tried slim fast and it does NOT work...at least not long term. Because of the fiber without enough water most people, including me, just get gas and want to eat real food anyway. These tips can be utilized in any combination or alone. I told someone last night that I think you should choose one, stick with it until it has become a habit, and then add something else.
1. Water- I have always hated water until recently. I am up to a gallon a day now. I didn't get there overnight though. The way I did it was to set measurable goals for myself. I started with about one 20oz bottle a day. Then I gradually increased it. Any extra water you can do will do you lots of good. For weight loss I have used this "equation". Take 1/2 of your body weight and drink that amount of water in ounces. It worked, and my skin and hair loved me for it. Make sure to drink plenty of water in the cold weather too, which can be hard to remember but it is still very necessary.
2. Move!!!-Any amount above what you normally would do is good. Take the stairs. Don't park so close to the building. If you are a television watcher, march in place during commercials. Dance! Drive to your local arts district and walk around and look. Walk the trails or Greenways at your local park. Sit on the floor to watch television and stretch while your down there. Need anymore ideas? Message me.
3. Reduce Portion Size-Okay this one was/is REALLY HARD for me. The only way I am able to do it consistently is to change my plate size. If I know we have some food from my Mama's house I have to reduce portion sizes. I will normally use on of the kid's plates. A lady even told me once that she doesn't let her food touch and of course that will keep portion sizes down. If you are still eating fast food don't biggie size, get the kids size, replace fries with salad or something, get water instead of soda, or drive past the drive through and go home and cook. LOL
4. Reduce Meat Portions-I don't eat chicken, pork, or beef, but I don't eat sea food once in a blue moon. I don't expect everyone to give up meat, although it would make your life much easier, but do reduce the amount. The suggested portion is a deck of cards, but I say even less. I would suggest that you even have a vegetarian day once a week at least. Try this website for some ideas. http://www.meatoutmondays.
5. Reduce Unhealthy Oil Intake-okay so you know that commercial about the "Buttertons"? Okay, well I was Mrs. Butterton. I could easily use 2-3 sticks of butter in one dinner. First of all look for cold compressed oils that can be found at your local health food store. On the label it will tell you if they can be used at a high temperature or not. Try different oils because they all have different flavors. DO NOT COOK WITH OLIVE OIL!!! Apparently when it is heated to high temps it changes and is very unhealthy. I like to use coconut oil. I haven't heard anything bad about cooking with it yet.
6. Reduce Make Eating Decisions in Advance-So your on your way to a family dinner or restaurant to eat, what are you going to limit yourself to? This would be a good time to eat vegetarian so that you don't go overboard too much or you should use a kid's plate. Whatever decision you make should be made BEFORE walking in the door and smelling all the food. If you want a rich desert, eat a light meal. If you want to eat a heavy meal, drink water, and get a healthy desert. You can take these suggestions and make them your own of course.
7. Don't Overcook Your Veggies-One of my clients just bought me a steamer and I love it!!! If you don't have one you can still achieve similar results. Put just a little water in the pot, use fresh veggies when possible, and cook until just tender. You shouldn't see all the vegetable's color in the bottom of the pot. It shouldn't be floppy when you take it out. Things like cabbage and spinach can even be stir fried in coconut oil and balsamic vinegar and eaten. Also add as many raw veggies to your meal as possible.
8. Try New Veggies-Every week try a new vegetable. You can try it alone or mixed in with a familiar veggie, but either way just try it. Look for vegetable recipes. There are entire sites devoted to vegetarian recipes.
9. Try New Recipes-This will encourage you to eat at home more and in turn will help you eat healthier. Learn to substitute high fat ingredients for lower in fat and healthier ones. Now is a good time to make soup since it is cold out. Most times you can look around your kitchen and find stuff to make a quick healthy soup out of. You'd be surprised. LOL
10. Find Restaurants with Healthy Choices- Find out who has a healthy choice menu and try to go there. Even if they don't have a healthy choice menu, ask to make substitutes. Look their menu up online before you go so that you can make a clear decision about what you want to eat, before the sights and sounds lull you into a bad meal choice.
11. Fast-You should shoot to fast at least once a year for at least 7-10 days. The optimal fasting routine that I know of is 4 times a year during the solstices and equinoxes for 10+ days, which will give you 40+ days of fasting per year. Fasting is a way to give your body and digestive system a rest. There are all kinds of fasts as you may well know. My thought process is that you fast to improve your health, so when you come off you shouldn't go back to your normal diet. Your diet should improve every time in some way until you see no room for improvement. I used Master Cleanse to help me get started. I used it to get my body clean to get rid of headaches. Some people have used it for weight loss, but if you go back to your normal diet, you will also go back to your normal weight probably with a little extra. You can try juice fasts, green smoothie fasts, fruit and veggie fasts, or even water fasts.
I really hope this helps and give you a jump start for your healthy eating journey.
Let 'em hang!
This note is going to be about breast health or at least a small issue in breast health. I ran across a couple of sites some time ago that talked breast health as it pertains to bra wearing. http://www.all-natural.com
Let me say this first of all I have always hated buying bras, because I have never been well endowed and so paying $10 for a bra was my limit and even that seemed like too much for the little bit of fabric required to make my bras. My reasons for wearing them are probably the same or similar to many of you.
1. rite of passage- getting your first bra is a BIG deal--even if your lil' nibblets weren't.
2. proper undergarments-you just plain old have to wear one cause your Mama told you to.
3. saggy boobs-at some point the girls start to hang. If you have breastfed this may be even more pronounced.
4. western ideals-in most "developed" countries we like to keep up the appearance of youth and so we fight anything that doesn't look youthful tooth and nail. This is the main reason that so many where underwires and pushups and have red marks and shoulder marks.
I have gotten to the point that I wear a bra maybe once a week for a couple of hours. I have been bracing myself for my husband to say something but I think he has thrown in the towel on many things and simply lets me be me, bless his heart. I mostly wear the tshirts with the tittie sling in it, but some days I literally let 'em hang. I understand that some of you still work outside the home and aren't able to do such things. Maybe you are just blessed abundantly in the area of boobage and don't feel comfortable with them being unleashed. Whatever the cause just try to cut back on some of your bra time. I learned from hanging with my cousin as she went through breast cancer that the lymphatic system in one of the first things they check after diagnosis. You can do your own research, but let's just say that your breast need to be able to be flushed out by this system regularly and underwires and pushups are too constricting to allow for good flow of lymph.
The normal movement of you body when you are sans bra will encourage lymph flow. When you unleash them after a long day massage is good to make up for the lack of flow all day. This can be done by you for you (bufu) or you can have your husband do it for you which will probably be more fun.
I have tried to make light of this subject, but breast health is really serious especially if you are in my matrilineal gene pool. Please take this seriously as a precaution and do your own research. We have been fooled into thinking that breast are only sexual objects, wombs are unimportant, and menstrual flow is unclean. We have to teach our daughters better than we were taught.
Here is one of the links and if you google you can find some others. By the way don't be naive enough to think that the medical field is going to back this one up. If you aren't sick they are broke.
Peace, light, love, & balance
Let me say this first of all I have always hated buying bras, because I have never been well endowed and so paying $10 for a bra was my limit and even that seemed like too much for the little bit of fabric required to make my bras. My reasons for wearing them are probably the same or similar to many of you.
1. rite of passage- getting your first bra is a BIG deal--even if your lil' nibblets weren't.
2. proper undergarments-you just plain old have to wear one cause your Mama told you to.
3. saggy boobs-at some point the girls start to hang. If you have breastfed this may be even more pronounced.
4. western ideals-in most "developed" countries we like to keep up the appearance of youth and so we fight anything that doesn't look youthful tooth and nail. This is the main reason that so many where underwires and pushups and have red marks and shoulder marks.
I have gotten to the point that I wear a bra maybe once a week for a couple of hours. I have been bracing myself for my husband to say something but I think he has thrown in the towel on many things and simply lets me be me, bless his heart. I mostly wear the tshirts with the tittie sling in it, but some days I literally let 'em hang. I understand that some of you still work outside the home and aren't able to do such things. Maybe you are just blessed abundantly in the area of boobage and don't feel comfortable with them being unleashed. Whatever the cause just try to cut back on some of your bra time. I learned from hanging with my cousin as she went through breast cancer that the lymphatic system in one of the first things they check after diagnosis. You can do your own research, but let's just say that your breast need to be able to be flushed out by this system regularly and underwires and pushups are too constricting to allow for good flow of lymph.
The normal movement of you body when you are sans bra will encourage lymph flow. When you unleash them after a long day massage is good to make up for the lack of flow all day. This can be done by you for you (bufu) or you can have your husband do it for you which will probably be more fun.
I have tried to make light of this subject, but breast health is really serious especially if you are in my matrilineal gene pool. Please take this seriously as a precaution and do your own research. We have been fooled into thinking that breast are only sexual objects, wombs are unimportant, and menstrual flow is unclean. We have to teach our daughters better than we were taught.
Here is one of the links and if you google you can find some others. By the way don't be naive enough to think that the medical field is going to back this one up. If you aren't sick they are broke.
Peace, light, love, & balance
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Forget this!!!
My stomach is still a train wreck! I still have cramps which I don't usually have when I am eating a vegan diet. I can take the MC symptoms and I can take menstrual symptoms but the two combined is too much. I am conceding defeat and just going on to my vegan diet. Not to mention that the MC headache has already started. It's not that I can't do this, but I am choosing not to torture myself unnecessarily.
Here are the lifestyle changes
Here are the lifestyle changes
- Walk at least 9 miles per week
- Eat a vegan diet, but may make vegetarian pescatarian exceptions for special occasions.
- Continue with chlorophyll daily
- 1 gallon of water minimum daily
- Fruit/fruit juices and water before noon
- Vegetables from noon prior to evening meal
- Light vegetables, fruit, or smoothie for dinner
Senna is a beast!!!
The last time I did MC I swore that I would never use the saltwater again. I have to admit I tried a weaker version yesterday to no avail. Which is why I used the prune juice which did what it was supposed to do and did so naturally and painlessly. Now, last night I drank a different brand of laxative tea. Yogi brand. I was snatched out of a deep sleep by pain. I mean that pain that causes you to rock and moan. I couldn't lay down, my stomach was going crazy with cramps and bloating. It was horrible. I started feeling kind of weak and was about to tell my husband to call 911--suddenly came sweet relief. I burped and kept burping. Now, usually that much gas and bloating means that you have something in your body that your digestive system is having a hard time with. I kept hearing the Creator say, "Listen to your body". I heard it loud like someone was sitting there talking me through that situation. Anyway, it passed and I was able to sleep. Needless to say, I won't be doing that again. I'm not sure if I will even complete this cleanse. Not because it's hard, but because I've changed it so much to accommodate my body I'm not sure that there is even a purpose behind it. If I do, I will just be having prune juice, 1 gallon of water per day (as usual), and the lemonade. I also plan on beginning to shop according to Dr. Sebi's suggestions. I will post a list below of recommended foods.
RECOMMENDED FOODS
VEGETABLES - Dr. Sebi says, “Avoid using a microwave, it will kill your food”.
Amaranth greens – same as Callaloo, a variety of Spinach
Avocado
Asparagus
Bell Peppers
Burro Bananna
Chayote (Mexican Squash)
Cucumber
Dandelion greens
Garbanzo beans (chick peas)-optional
Izote – cactus flower/ cactus leaf- grows naturally in California
Jicama
Kale
Lettuce (all, except Iceberg)
Mushrooms (all, except Shitake)
Mustard greens
Nopales – Mexican Cactus
Okra
Olives
Onions
Poke salad -greens
Sea Vegetables (wakame/dulse/arame/hijiki/nori)
Squash
Spinach (use sparingly)
String beans
Tomato – cherry and plum only
Tomatillo
Turnip greens
Zucchini
NUTRTIONAL GUIDE
RECOMMENDED FOODS
FRUITS - Dr. Sebi says,” no canned or seedless fruits”.
Apples
Bananas – the smallest one or the Burro/mid-size (original banana)
Berries – all varieties- Elderberries in any form – no cranberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Currants
Dates
Figs
Grapes -seeded
Limes (key limes preferred with seeds)
Mango
Melons -seeded
Orange (Seville or sour preferred, difficult to find )
Papayas
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Prunes
Raisins -seeded
Soft Jelly Coconuts
Soursops –Latin or West Indian markets)
Sugar apples (chermoya)
ALL NATURAL HERBAL TEAS
Alvaca
Anise
Chamomile
Cloves
Fennel
Ginger
Lemon grass
Red Raspberry
Sea Moss Tea
NUTRITIONAL GUIDE
RECOMMENDED FOODS
SPICES & SEASONINGS
Mild Flavors
Basil
Bay leaf
Cilantro
Dill
Marjoram
Oregano
Sweet Basil
Tarragon
Thyme
Pungent & Spicy Flavors
Achiote
Cayenne
Cumin
Coriander
Onion Powder
Sage
Salty Flavors
Pure Sea Salt
Powdered Granulated Seaweed
(Kelp/Dulce/Nori – has “sea taste”)
Sweet Flavors
100% Pure Maple Syrup – Grade B recommended
Maple “Sugar” (from dried maple syrup)
Date “Sugar” (from dried dates)
100% Pure Agave Syrup – (from cactus)
NUTRITIONAL GUIDE
RECOMMENDED FOODS
NUTS & SEEDS -(includes Nut & Seed Butters)
Raw Almonds and Almond butter
Raw Sesame Seeds
Raw Sesame “Tahini” Butter
Walnuts/Hazelnut
Additional Resources
Purityfoods.com
Wholefoods.com
Dr. Sebi has recommended the foods that are listed here for the reversal of disease for over 30 years. If your favorite food is missing from the list, our research and results have proven that it has no nutritional value and may be detrimental to your health.
GETTING STARTED
ALMOND MILK/WALNUT MILK AND HAZELNUT MILK
Whatever nut-milk you choose to make use the following ingredients.
Ingredients:
Whatever Recommended Nut you should choose. e,g Almond, Hazelnut or Walnut
Spring Water
Real Vanilla Extract
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:
Blend ¼ lb of the recommended nut of your choice. (unsalted)
Add 2 ½ cups spring water
Blend for 5 minutes
Strain – this your milk replacement
*Tip: Add maple syrup if you need to “dress up” the taste.
JOYFUL DRESSING
Ingredients:
Limes
Cayenne pepper
Sea salt
Maple syrup
Dill weed
Olive oil
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a bowl
Squeeze two limes into bowl
Add ½ tablespoon of maple syrup to bowl
Add a dash of dill weed, cayenne, and sea salt to bowl
Mix and add to your favorite salad greens. Enjoy!
It is no surprise that many people have “wheat-allergies”, because wheat is not a natural grain;
it is a hybrid product created by science and it is acid-based. Natural Growing Grains are alkaline-based; it is recommended that you consume the following instead of Wheat:
Amaranth
Black Rice
Kamut
Quinoa
Rye
Spelt
Tef
Wild Rice
These grains can be found at Whole Foods
Market (or any health food store) in the form
of breads, flours, pastas and cereals.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
MC-Day 1 Year 2
So here I am again, up at 5am. We'll, to be honest my body wanted me up at 4:30, but I didn't get up until 4:44 exactly. Anyhoo, I'm here. Day one of the MC. I can't find a part to my citrus juicer which can be a problem if your 10 year old has taken over washing dishes and you haven't used it since last year. It's not a part that's essentials though...I don't think.
This year I am drinking prune juice in the mornings rather than salt water. Why? Because I feel like it. I hate the salt water flush and prune juice gives me the same explosive results. I haven't made my lemonade concoction yet, but I will in a minute. Just wanted to check in, before the bowel movement party gets started.
Yesterday my cycle started, which for me means that my bowels are a little more active than usual. Then add to that I ate something last night that got the bowels really bumpin', and now prune juice this morning. This seemed at first to be such an injustice, it's better than having it in my body. Boy, this is going to be ugly!
This year I am drinking prune juice in the mornings rather than salt water. Why? Because I feel like it. I hate the salt water flush and prune juice gives me the same explosive results. I haven't made my lemonade concoction yet, but I will in a minute. Just wanted to check in, before the bowel movement party gets started.
WARNING: TMI
Yesterday my cycle started, which for me means that my bowels are a little more active than usual. Then add to that I ate something last night that got the bowels really bumpin', and now prune juice this morning. This seemed at first to be such an injustice, it's better than having it in my body. Boy, this is going to be ugly!
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