Raw Girl too!

Live on Juice

2011-08-12T13:15:00.005-04:00

I have been away for way too long :( I promise to update you on where I am at, what I am doing and where I have been.

In the meantime, I will be attempting a 30 day Juice feast and I am hoping to document it along the way.... so, here some preparation:

I have been bringing a collapsible cooler to work this week. I bought it last year when I was juicing a lot, but forgot about it until I cleaned out my garage this weekend :) I'm sure I didn't pay any more than $10 for it! It is nice and light weight to take to work!

It easily stores enough greens and fresh ingredients to make possibly three 32 oz mason jars of green goodness. I have been bringing enough to make two juices this week. I am also fortunate to have brought an old juicer of mine to work, so I can make fresh juice daily..... two meals replaced this week, and hopefully three next week :)

And the front pocket is great for all my loose leaf teas that I will also be enjoying on this feast (caffine free) :)

Please keep in touch and cheer me on...

Karen Knowler LIVE!!!

2010-06-28T12:17:00.003-04:00

If you struggle with sticking to raw, you are going to LOVE this!

Karen Knowler's The Journey of Raw Transformation:

"The 7 Key Secrets to ULTIMATE Raw Success That You Absolutely Need to Know"

Don't miss out... I always get extremely inspired by Karen's teleseminars. This is the first one she has done in a while, so sign up today. Even if you can't make the call live, the teleseminar is available in a recorded version immediately after the call has ended.

I will be curling up with a nice smoothie by my computer tomorrow night to listen to the recorded call, hope you can join me :)

Never enough time....

2010-03-04T11:59:00.010-05:00

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed with life? We all have. There is the kids, the laundry, the overtime at work, the groceries, the cleaning, the driving, the “non-cooking”... the list goes on and on.

I have to admit, I’ve always been one to put myself last. I think that is the definition of a mother. Although there are different needs with teenagers versus babies, or any other ages, I find myself just as busy, but just in different ways.

My life has evolved over the years; from the stay at home mom with a two year old and three in diapers, to the part-time working mom with every other day off to volunteer at the school, to the single working mom of four teenagers. At each stage of motherhood, I have found my joys and my challenges, but the nice thing for me, is somehow when I look back, the joys far out weigh the challenges.

The biggest challenge that I find in my life at this moment is finding time for me. Being a single mom, there is no one around to share in the car pooling, sporting events, school meetings, driving to friends houses, etc. Please don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change my life for anything, but somehow doing all of this on your own, I think that sometimes “I” get lost in the shuffle.

The odd time that their father takes them for the night (he lives out of town), I find myself with more on my “to-do” list than physically possible. They are all of the “for me” things that I want to get to, but never have time. My list would consist of “trip to the farmers market, start that book I just bought, pull out the dehydrator and “cook” for the day”. But the simplest pleasure on these days is to fill up a bubbly bath, and soak in there until the water goes cold :)

It seems to be a challenge at best to work “me” time in.

There are a few things that I have on my “to do” list at the moment. The first is the WISH Summit, starting on March 8th. There are so many inspirational people lined up, I will make a list of my favourite, and make sure to listen to those calls. If you have never signed up for an event like this before, I strongly suggest that you do. The benefits are amazing. This event is free to register before March 8th.

And speaking of Inspirational people, the top of my list right now is Terilyn. Please check out her latest video. This gal is truly an inspiration to us all. One of the things that I am thankful for in life, is the “online” friends that you develop along the way. There are a few people that I am happy I can call “online friends”, if that is politically correct - hmm, think they are real or imaginary friends? Terilyn is also offering a free give away on her website, who can resist that???

I think that maybe someday, “meeting my online friends” would be a great thing to put on my “to do” list :)

Back to Basics...

2010-03-01T15:45:00.005-05:00

Sorry Tim, but I have to admit, nothing beats a mason jar to carry around my green smoothie in my books :)

I have even made it an adventure to find unique and antique mason jars. I remember years ago, my mother buying me one for my birthday because it had my year of birth on it. Haven’t gotten out to quite as many antique or flea markets as I would like to, but the nicer weather is coming :)

I’ve met a woman in the area that makes and sells raw food, and her website inspired my cupboards as well (although I have to admit, mine are still a work in progress). You should check out the photos! Now if I could only find someone to put up the old rustic shelves for me I’d be all set!!!

I had a panic day the other morning; upon waking, I noticed that there were no bananas for my green smoothie! Guess I’ve inspired a few smoothie makers in my household. Uh oh, what was I going to do? I am becoming accustom to my breakie of choice. I guess maybe I am an extremist, I packed up my blender and off I went to work, stopping only long enough to pick up pineapple, bananas and spinach at the grocery store. I must admit that I forgot a mason jar at home to keep at the office, and contemplated going back just for one (strike two for extremist, or maybe that is just anal) :)

So, the day was saved, I now am the proud owner of two blenders; one at home and one at the office. The girls at work are getting quite used to me carrying around mason jars, so the addition of a blender full of green goop to the office kitchen really wasn’t much of a surprise. Just call me Vicky ;)
:)

If Mr. Horton only knew....

2010-02-24T08:38:00.009-05:00

If Mr. Horton only knew that his insulated mug was being used for a cup full of goodness I wonder what he would think?

I know that in the times of the great hockey legend, a green smoothie had never been heard of. Mr. Horton will forever go down in history as a coffee, timbit and donut guy, at least by my generation. The former generation of Canadians will no doubt remember him for his hockey career, but unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for me, I'm not quite that old :)

My day usually begins with a mason jar full of greens or a coffee from Tim Hortons; unfortunately lately it has been the java in my mug. I remember when I first introduced green smoothies many years ago, the immediate results I noticed were incredible. I'm not sure if this is because my diet was lacking at the time, or maybe it is because I continually include greens in my diet now, but just like everything else, your body becomes accustom to what it puts in (good or bad) and we don't feel the results/consequences of our actions as well.

One thing I have always been grateful for, is that I can take or leave coffee. I do enjoy it, but when I stop drinking coffee, I don't get any of the usual side effects of the withdrawal. Maybe this is because I am replacing my morning drink with a green smoothie instead.

Today I am embarking on a green smoothie mission. I have to admit I love my green smoothies. I am not much of a reader, but if you have not yet read Green for Life I strongly suggest that you do. It just may change your attitude on your morning beverage. My mission is to start every morning with a green smoothie, and bring as many people along for the ride as I can :)

Today's smoothie is simple, a couple of bananas, some strawberries and a few dates in a blender, and then add the spinach.

I honestly believe that nothing can replace the ease and benefits of a green smoothie in the morning. Come join me on my adventure.... try and replace your morning coffee with a green smoothie, I would love to know how you do. Maybe even Mr. Horton would approve of the switch, although I'm sure the franchise would beg to differ :)

2009-06-11T13:01:00.004-04:00

Some days are a challenge with the smell of microwave dinners in the kitchen at work, or the "left over" birthday cake that someone brings into the office. I also know that being a "Raw Mom" creates a different type of challenges.

Even though my kids are teenagers, which brings a whole new meaning to motherhood, I'm still signed up for the "Raw Mom Summit"... care to join me?!??! (simply click on the link above)

I have to stop shopping :(

2009-04-01T15:24:00.002-04:00

Well, at least for clothing, and that is not a bad thing :o)

Quick update: I'm enjoying my lemonade still!!! I bring two jugs to work with me everyday, and enjoy one glass at home before I leave the house. I am enjoying a raw vegan dinner every night, and even some fresh fruit after 3:00 at work if I feel hungry (which I do in most cases)....

I did make one GREAT purchase lately. I took part in a survey at work a few weeks back, and was sent a gift certificate to Chapters. I, of course, bought the book attached to that link, which I have had my eye on for quite some time! Dinners in my house have been pretty tasty lately!

Oh yes, but the reason that I have to halt my clothes shopping, the two new pairs of jeans that I bought on the March break with my kids (March 17th) are now too loose. PS - they were "snug" when I bought them, but I wasn't about to go up a size. GO ME!!!!!

This has been a very interesting week!

2009-03-27T13:03:00.005-04:00

I am still on a modified Master cleanse. I didn't think I could go the week with preparing meals for my kids and not eating myself, that seemed a bit torturous for me. I decided to "Cleanse" during the day, and enjoy an evening meal with my girls each night. This process worked really well. I am still "detoxing" (probably at a slower rate) and I'm still shedding pounds. Although, funny thing about detoxing, my daughter asked me last night if I was "letting myself go" from the new facial spots (I don't think I've had this much acne since I was a teenager!). I guess in a matter of speaking, I am "letting things go"... :o) I have to say that I really look forward to that first glass of lemonade in the morning; somehow there is a refreshing feeling to it. I'm not entirely sure what I am going to do over the weekend, but I am sure that next week from Monday to Friday I will be on the same path. I think I will try the full cleanse when I don't have the children for 7-10 days in the summer.

Some times I really like "Crazy people". There was a few incidents in a near by town where someone had into at the grocery store. Well, they weren't exactly lunch meat packages I guess, but the news reports on the radio were saying they were. My children have never been big "sandwich" eaters, but this week, we tried a new tactic to replace the lunch box sandwich.... fruit. Now, they always get fruit in their lunches, but this fruit came with a twist, it was the main focal point of the lunch, so it was a fruit salad, or dehydrated apple sandwiches or chopped apples in cinnamon. So far, no complaints. I think this will be a continuing trend in my house, just hope the creativity keeps up on my part.

I have also successfully eliminated Milk this week... the cheese is still there... baby steps right? But I replaced the regular cows milk with a commercial Almond Milk. Eventually I hope to make nut milk that will be the main form of milk in my house, but I haven't gotten there yet... baby steps for me too.

Have a safe and happy weekend.... I'm out of Maple Syrup and have to make another trip to my favourite store!

When life gives you lemons....

2009-03-20T10:26:00.004-04:00

I quit smoking almost four years ago. It was probably the fourth or fifth time that I had tried to quit. There are some things that you can try and try again and never be successful, and then that one time you are.

I think that you have to be ready, and you have to be doing it for the right reasons. A person will not quit smoking successfully if their heart is not into it; they will not quit if they are pressured or if it is a New Years Resolution or if someone threatens lung cancer. They have to come to a place in their mind where they are empowered by the decision.

The reason that I am telling you this, is that I feel the same way with my cleanse. On day two, I feel empowered by the process, I know I am going through this for me. I’m cleansing because I want to detox and get a fresh start, not because the entire world is doing it, or because it is the latest fad. I think that when you have that empowerment, whatever you are concurring becomes easy. Empowerment is such a powerful thing, I wish I could bottle this feeling!

I was surprised at how much energy I had this morning when I woke up. I felt awake and alive, not sluggish as I normally do in the morning. I have a good start under my belt, and I am still surprised at how satisfying the lemonade is, although I will confess that I did have a handful of cashews yesterday afternoon. Funny thing about those cashews, I could have taken or left them, I think it was more of a need to put something in my mouth and chew.

I have not done the saline flush yet. I thought I would be able to avoid that because I have never had a problem with my system :o) but on day two, I’m starting to think that my initial hopes were wrong. I think that I will try the flush tonight, when I am at home, safe and close to everything required at the time.....

So, looking ahead to this weekend, I’m making lemonade....

Spring is in the air!

2009-03-19T09:04:00.003-04:00

There is something about that first warm breeze in the air. This past weekend I had my clothes on the line and began raking the lawn and cleaning the gardens. I remember thinking when I was younger that it was a funny thing to "spring clean", but I think that maybe there is something inherent about it.

Even though the air has a slight chill, I am the first one to open my windows and throw caution to the wind.... something about the long cold winter being gone and new sunny warm days ahead.

I think there is something about wanting to clean and renew both inside and out, both our surroundings and our selves. This year I have opted for the "Master Cleanse". Last year around this time it was the "Global Juice Feast" (or at least a mini version of it).

I am starting today, with lemons in my system and spring in the air and a new bounce to my step, a good cleaning from the inside out is exactly where I need to be right now.

I enjoyed my tea last night, I had my first glass of lemonade today. I was surprised at how good it tasted, and even more surprised at the fact that it was satisfying (hmm, lets see if I still think it is satisfying on day three when I am starving) :o)

The kids have gone to their fathers for the next five days (spring break); therefore, by the time they get home (hopefully) I will have the first five days under my belt.... I think that by the time they get home, my kitchen cupboards may be detoxed too, they might not like that too much :o)

Happy Spring Cleaning!

My Journey

2009-03-11T13:30:00.007-04:00

I have been invited to join the "Raw Food Transition Carnival" and I was thinking about what type of article I would contribute to this forum.

I have decided, that just like Nathalie at Raw Food Switch maybe it would be a good article to write about how I started with Raw Food, and what changes have occurred in my life as a result. I found it co-incidental that Nathalie began her raw food journey on a quest after a tragic event in her life. The same can be said about me, but for different tragic events. Things happen in life for a reason, and we need each stage and excitement and disappointment to carry us on our journey and to learn and grow from and ultimately make us the people that we are and will become.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at an early age, but it wasn’t until I went to a Naturopath that I realized the correlation between what I was eating and what I was feeling. Seems pretty easy to understand, but when you put your faith in the medical community, sometimes you lose your common sense. I knew that I couldn’t tolerate wheat/gluten or dairy, I was tested for Celiac disease and Lactose intolerance. Both turned up negative and I was told that I could continue to eat those foods, which I did for years. It took a naturopath to take out the food groups and introduce them gradually for me to realize that a piece of paper with a test result on it didn’t matter. I even remember telling her that I COULD eat dairy because I was tested and I wasn’t lactose intolerant. It was the lightbulb moment when she said "but why would you want to if you know what it does to your body, regardless of what the test results showed".

I had been experimenting with food for a number of years, I was also experimenting and questioning my spirituality. Much of this was happening during the later years of my marriage. At the time, things were bad at home and I believe that I was "looking" for something I could put my faith in and then it was what I clung to after my marriage fell apart. It gave me something to focus on and learn about.

I discovered Raw Food by doing an internet search about detoxing; After about two years of being a vegetarian, eating whole grains and making healthy diet choices, I was hospitalized with a bowel obstruction and told that I would have to eat meat, white rice, white bread, basically anything that was "processed" because it was easier for my system to digest, no more "raw" veggies or fruit, everything had to be cooked. I was devastated. How could a medical community that I had put my trust in be telling me such things? They also put me on prednisone.

While I was searching for a "detox" to get the drugs out of my system from that week in the hospital I came across The Raw Divas’ Detox Program . I had never heard about "Raw Food" before..... this discovery changed my life, my diet, how I viewed the world and everything in it. That week in the hospital changed my life, be thankful for everything in life, even the "bad". Sometimes we don't see the forest through the trees.

I hope to get to write another article about the benefits that I have experienced on a Raw Food Diet.... I’ll save that story for another day.

Happy Carnival,
Kathy

Flaxing Away!!!

2009-03-11T08:58:00.009-04:00

I finally did it!!! Yes, I ordered my dehydrator.... I was having one of those "down" weeks, where everything was seeming to go wrong. For a gal with a credit card and a wish list, there is definitely one way to make her feel better. I ordered my dehydrator from Upayanaturals and once again, I was very impressed with their service. If you need to order items, and live in Canada, I strongly suggest them.

I have to say, that dehydrator ran non-stop for the first week. Apples and Bananas were the first to be tested, along with grape tomatoes and mushrooms. I know, mushrooms seem like an odd choice. I was in the grocery store, explaining the wonders of the dehydrator to the kids and told them they could pick out something to dehydrate that weekend. Kristen picked mushrooms. I had my doubts, but I have to say that they reminded me of pizza. Strange but true... try a few for yourself and you will see what I mean.

After over a year of trying to be totally raw, falling on and off the bandwagon a few times... I must admit that having a dehydrator is a must for anyone who truly wants to be raw. I know it is an expensive purchase, and one that I contemplated for over a year, but also one that I am 100% satisfied that I purchased, and one that I know will keep me on my raw journey.

My favorite experiment (and great for guacamole or salsa):

1 cup flax seeds soaked in 1 1/2 cups water

3 vine ripened tomatoes

3 green onions

2 cloves garlic

4 soaked sun dried tomatoes

Sesame seeds

Process all through a food processor and dehydrate on Teflon sheets. I have found, through trial and error, that the thinner you can make these crackers the better (although there is such a thing as "too thin") :o)

Happy Dehydrating - can't wait to have my next batch with some home made sauerkraut!

PS - Still looking for a REALLY GOOD homemade salsa recipe... let me know if you have one, please

And humbly, I must say, that I am honoured to have made the "Top 50 Raw Food and Lifestyle Blogs". It is an honour to be mentioned alongside such amazing blogs! I think that maybe I shouldn't stay away so long next time.... so although it is well past New Years, here is to a New Year of Raw Food and Blogging....

Who wants chocolate pudding for breakfast?

2009-01-27T11:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I can tell you that got a very excited response in my house. However, it was soon followed by a "this must be raw isn’t it"... which didn’t have the same exciting ring to it.

I can proudly say that two of my children enjoy a healthy lifestyle, at least food wise, one is a meat and potatoes type, and the other is a sugar junkie. As long as they have an open mind and are willing to try new things, I am proud of all of them. My chocolate and banana pudding was eaten by two and tried by two. A mother couldn’t ask for more.

I have every-other weekend "free" (the children are at their father’s house), so I enjoy trying new raw food recipes during those times. I recently ordered recipe books from Kristen’s site. I am looking forward to an experimental weekend in the near future to try some of her recipes. It has been an uphill battle getting back to raw, but one worth striving for.

I may not know where protein comes from...

2008-11-29T11:10:00.003-05:00

... But I KNOW a Vegan does not eat eggs!!!!

Funny thing, I had my yearly physical a few weeks back, and my nurse practitioner always has you back for the results. This week I had that appointment....

When she was looking at my blood results, I did inquire about my iron levels as they were low last year, and I happened to make the comment that I don't eat meat.... Hmm, well she asked if I was a vegetarian, sometimes I think it is just as easy to say yes to this question, so that is what I did. She asked if I ate fish or eggs? I told her I was actually more of a vegan than a vegetarian. Well that was okay, she told me, because vegans ate eggs, so I should eat more of them to get my protein. Funny, this lady thinks I should see a nutritionist to make sure I get all I need, but I had to have a ten minute discussion with her and explain the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian.... and for those that don't know, a vegan does not eat eggs.

I do not know exactly where my protein comes from, or the carbohydrates, or the iron or the vitamins, I never have been very knowledgeable in that aspect of food. All I know is that my blood levels were great, including my iron, cholesterol and triglycerides. The only thing that was on the low side was my Vitamin D, and I'm pretty sure I don't get that from food anyways, but I have to research that one some more....

Happy Saturday Everyone, I'm off to lay in the sun....

A Healthy Start!

2008-11-09T12:52:00.004-05:00

"Always be prepared" I think that is the boy-scout motto, I think it should also be a raw foodist’s motto. However, I must admit, that phrase has me thinking about cookies lately, thanks to Rawdorable’s website.

My 30 days started out rocky, so I figured a new week, a new beginning and a fresh start! Also, it gave me the chance to get "prepared" over the weekend.... plan some meals, make some "emergency" food and stock the fridge for the next week (or the next few days at least).

Also, I think that Monday is always a good start for anything new regarding food, at least for me. I don’t have the distraction of the weekend, or the kids, or having to prepare three meals a day for everyone. Day number three, which is always the hardest for me, will hit mid-week, when I still only have to make one meal at home (unless Grandpa is feeding the kids this week, which he often does for me *smile*), and by the time the weekend hits again, I will have five days under my belt, so temptation is not as strong. Plus, this upcoming weekend, I am "kidless" and therefore, I can prepare all the raw pasta I want, with no scrunched up noses; although I will miss looking at those scrunched up noses.

I have also loaded the fridge with lots of "treats", because for this to work for me, I can’t feel deprived at all, therefore there is raw chocolate, nuts, seeds and a variety of other things to help me feel satisfied to get this "kick-start" I need. I will wean these foods out down the road.
Also, this upcoming weekend, I have a date, with my little step-sister Robin, we finally going to have lunch at one of the Raw Food Restaurants in Toronto... its been a long time coming for us, and I’m looking forward to it! Now, do I attend Live Organic Food Bar or Rawlicious???

Who put the Guac in the Guacamole?

2008-11-09T11:35:00.005-05:00

This weekend was spent trying lots of recipes to fill the fridge with yummy treats and snacks for the following week. Guacamole and Salsa are some of my favorite things, and of course, a dehydrator would come in really handy to make some chips to go with that dip!!

The chip in the dip is not raw, but it is a healthy alternative to the regular processed chips. Kristen is about to enjoy her "requested" chips and dip cuddled on the couch with a nice movie. I got a nice compliment from her today, one that put a smile on my face. She said "this is what I love about your house mom, we always get healthy food".... sometimes in life, there are signs along the road that tell you that you are headed in the right direction. Thanks Kristen <3

For those who are interested in getting compliments for the best Guac around, here is my (not so) secret recipe: Groovy Guacamole. It is nice to hear your kids fighting sometimes "hey, pass me some, you have had more than enough... hey, come back here!"
PS - my 30 days will start tomorrow, November 10th... :o)

Dangle that carrot!

2008-11-05T20:37:00.004-05:00

I will admit, sticking to a raw food diet is not always easy...

It has many difficulties... the biggest I find is the end of the day "dinner" meal, when I am cooking for my family, and a big green smoothie isn't going to cut it for them. I am thankful (in a strange sort of way) for the Listeria outbreak this year in Ontario. I send my condolences to all of those people who lost loved ones in this ordeal, and I am truly thankful that this incident did not touch me personally; however it did make my children "vegetarians"... although, I keep telling them that "vegetarian" means that you eat vegetables, not that you just don't eat meat :o)

The Raw Food Diet is an uphill battle, but one that I have personally seen the rewards of getting to that summit and staying there... not always easy, but definitely worth the fight.

Sometimes it is necessary to dangle a carrot in front of this rabbits nose, so I have made a deal with myself.... ready, don't tell anyone, it is a secret, although it would be nice if you send some encouraging words my way....

FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS, I WILL REMAIN 100% RAW... IF I CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, I WILL BUY THAT CARROT (DEHYDRATOR) THAT I HAVE HAD MY EYE ON FOR AWHILE NOW! (**lets hope the sale lasts for the next 30 days).

Now, with any goal, it is always easier if you tell someone, then you are accountable, and I know I have my internet friends here to support me, and provide me with lots of company, reading, and great recipes in the next 30 days!!!

I also think it is important to have small goals... so, if I can resist the chocolate cookies in the kitchen at work for the next couple of days, I'm going to order some peppermint truffles from Alissa Cohen, they are my favourite, and will be a well deserved treat!

I am also going to be re-reading Rawdorable and picking a few favourite recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth over the weekend!!!

I'll keep you posted... lets get on with "day one"....

Who ever said raw food was boring...

2008-10-20T19:04:00.006-04:00

.... doesn't know Heidi!

Well, actually, I don't KNOW Heidi either, but she sends me emails everyday to inspire me and help me along on my raw food journey (boy, I must be important)!

Actually, Heidi from Raw Food Right Now has started a new raw food support system via daily emails and encouragement. I must admit, I am very impressed with the content and effort that she puts into each one. I can also ask her anything I want, and she always responds!

If you would like to see what I am talking about, go check out Raw Success Right Now and Heidi can be your best friend too! Look what she helped me make for dinner on the weekend, can't beat having a friend like Heidi!

Also, great pod-casts being heard this week, go check them out... they are free and very inspiring: Rawkathon. You know, I think my new best friend Heidi should have been a speaker too :o)

Oh, and can't wait to hear from my friend Elizabeth, aka Tigerlily about New York....

An Apple a Day.....

2008-10-11T16:54:00.002-04:00

Kristen, my daughter always makes the best salads. I love her "kitchen sink" approach to salad making, and I often wonder why people stick to the standard lettuce, tomatoe, cucumber, when there are so many more exciting things to add flavour and texture to a salad. I am happy to report that the 'Standard salad' never makes an appearance in our house. There is always the addition of nuts or seeds and fruit. Kristen's favourite addition to a salad is apples or strawberries. I remember the first time that she put an apple into the salad, I thought to myself "that is an odd thing for a salad", but if you never have added a cubed apple to your salad, I suggest you do it soon!

Today, we took a nice walk to the grocery store together. We brought our own cloth bags, had a nice talk on the way there, did our groceries, and had a nice chat on the way back home. The grocery store is probably a twenty minute walk from my house. It was great to enjoy the fresh air and the company. I hope this is something that we continue to do with each other, but we are enjoying probably the last "nice weather weekend" of the year, cold weather will approach soon.

My friend Elizabeth is off to New York next week, can't wait to hear about her trip! When she gets back, we will be partaking in the Raw Divas Detox program again... it has been a long summer, and I'm looking forward to getting back on track, with good friends and good salads in tow.

For the love of Green Juice

2008-07-17T21:08:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm happy to report that my juicer was once again making the familiar "varoom-crunch-crunch-varoom" noise, this morning. I bet if the world knew the potential of "green juice" the coffee shops would be put out of business!!!!

I remember drinking green juice in the evening of my juice feast, and I also remember being WIDE AWAKE all night long!!! I have never forgotten that lesson. So, what better time of the day to have green-juice then upon rising... the coffee drinkers of the world don't know what they are missing.... (I also remembered, what a bunch celery can do to your body too!).

Today was a great day!!! Green Juice in the morning, Carrot Juice for lunch, I had an apple mid afternoon, and then a salad for dinner... I feel better already!!! No sugar in this blood-stream today, and I am happy to report that no pulling out my hair looking for it either!!!

Off to the cottage for the weekend... that could be a challenge... wish me luck, juicer in hand!

It's blogging thyme again!!!

2008-07-15T20:28:00.011-04:00

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho Rosie, and thanks for stopping by to say "hi".... to all my loyal "fan club" (both of you) I'd like to report that I am alive and well...

It has been a very busy, stressful, interesting, creative... you name the adjective, you could probably add it to describe how my life has been in the past few months. There has been so much going on that I am sorry to say that my "raw" eating habits have taken a bit of a "back seat" to life.

It is always amazing to me how hard it is to get back on the "healthy" band wagon, you would think that your body would relish the fresh foods and nutrients that are going in... however, today I find that my body is just saying "where is the sugar....". I can report that I am slowly creeping back into my "good-old" eating habits, and as you can tell from that last statement, my body is hitting the withdrawal today. Rosie's "hello, hello" couldn't have come at a better time :0)

Things happen in life with a purpose and a reason, sometimes we don't know what they are, and sometimes they are as simple as a "hello, hello" from across the computer... but sometimes that is all you need to know that you are on the right path again, and that you have friends to help you along the way.

So, I am happy to report, that with the addition of my new herb garden, it is blogging thyme again! Two feet forward, never looking back, here is to good friends and good thymes and good food... can life get any better????

Kathy

PS - and I am happy to report that along with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, there is lots of fresh mint growing in my herb garden, I sure do love those chocolate-mint smoothies!

Chocolate Mint Smoothie and Moving Day!

2008-04-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Well, the day is fast approaching.... Moving Day!!! I have been planning/sweating/dreading/dreaming about this day for months. This friday, it will be here.

This will be my last post for awhile, I won't have internet access for a bit, and I'm sure that I will have lots of other things on my plate to keep me occupied!!!

And for those who are wondering, from the responses on my previous post, my "green" chocolate Mint smoothie goes something like this:

I add two bananas, fresh mint (usually a lot, I like mint - about 12-15 leaves and stem), crushed ice, water, 1-2 tsp cacao powder (easy on this one, too much is yuck) and spinach, and blend away.

I have to thank The Raw Diva's Green Smoothie Challenge for that recipe!

Rosie, hope yours was delicious! The one on the prior post, I added coconut butter to it (the white stuff), but I don't think I would do that again, I didn't like it very mucch.

My Lightbulb Smoothie Moment

2008-04-11T20:47:00.001-04:00

This has been my breakfast all week, my green chocolate-mint smoothie.

I had my own little light bulb moment yesterday. It happened when I read Angela Stokes blog (I had just recently subscribed to it, so it just appeared in my inbox!).

I took a look at her daily intake of food/juice/etc. I have been noticing a lot lately, with my own diet, that if I do not make an effort to include the greens (smoothies or juice), I don’t feel as well as I could (less energy, etc.).

I have to admit, it takes a lot to eat all the greens that you need in a day, and I do find that I often "grab and go", like the banana, strawberries and nuts, making the "green" intake somewhat more of a challenge. I think that has always been my challenge with the raw food.

If I look at the daily intake of raw food, for this highly successful raw foodist, I notice that a lot of her green intake is done via juices. After reading "Green for Life", I know that it is hard for our bodies to process and break down the greens that we eat without proper chewing, and that green juices and green smoothies are the best way for our bodies to absorb these nutrients.

But for some reason, it took reading the blog, and reading the daily intake for the light bulb to go off.

So, more green smoothies and green juice, here we come..... Sometimes it takes me awhile!

Thanks to Rosie for referring to me in her blog!!! I'm glad you are feeling better, and would love to compare notes when the pollen flies!

Marinated Mushrooms

2008-04-09T20:34:00.001-04:00

I tried a wonderful recipe (and easy too) this past weekend. It was from Gone Raw.

Mushrooms are one of my favorite things, raw or cooked, and a raw marinated mushroom is something that definitely worth the little effort it takes to prepare.

I simply put the mushrooms in a glass dish and covered with the marinate, and enjoyed in the evening. Two marinated mushrooms was too much to eat, so I enjoyed the smaller one for lunch the next day. Definitely better than any steak that I have eaten!

I love Gone Raw when I am in need of a new recipe. It is really worth a look. I like to look there when I am looking for something that I think the kids will eat (although the mushrooms where totally for my benefit!)

This recipe is one that has made its way into my "Raw Recipe Binder". Yes, I finally got around to making one!

Good Clean Living....

2008-04-08T07:37:00.000-04:00

In January, I took my oldest to see "Mamma Mia" as part of her Christmas gift. Last night, I took my two youngest girls and my sister to see Avril, as part of their Christmas Gift.

I have been nursing a cold over the weekend (hence the post about the French Vanilla and the sore throat). Yesterday morning, I woke up with the cold finding its way into my sinuses and giving me a nice sinus headache for the day. Thankfully it didn't last the whole day, and by 5:30, we were on the road for Toronto, strawberries and bananas and water bottles in hand!

I did really enjoy the show, I do like her music and to see my girls having such a fun time was "priceless". We got back home about 11:00 last night.

So, this is where the good clean living comes in.... I have been very, very tired all weekend long. I have been sleeping in late, taking naps in the afternoon, and still tucking myself in bed by about 9:00. Yesterday at work, someone even commented that I looked tired.

As I was getting ready for work this morning (and of course, I had very little sleep last night), I was putting on my eye make-up and noticed... no bags... hey, thats strange..... I fully expected to see large bags under my eyes due to the cold and lack of sleep, but nope, nodda!

The only thing I can pin that one on is "good clean living"... thank goodness for those bananas and strawberries!

Hello, my name is Kathy....

2008-04-03T07:33:00.010-04:00

... and I am an addict. I am addicted to comfort food.

Every time I get a cold, I want a Tim Hortons French Vanilla to soothe the sore throat. When I am feeling down, I want a McDonalds Cheeseburger. When I have had an upsetting day, I want Ice Cream. When I eat out at a nice restaurant, I want cheesecake for dessert... the list could go on and on...

Nothing makes this more apparent than raw food.

I can compare raw food to smoking (as a former smoker). When you are smoking, your body is so used to the ill effects, that you no longer notice anything wrong. It isn’t until you quit smoking, and even then the return to "normal" is so gradual, that you do not notice too much good being done to your body, only the bad (withdrawal). It is when you break down, and you have that first cigarette after being smoke-free for a period of time, that your body informs you that it isn’t good for you. I remember trying to quit, and when I would return to smoking, that first cigarette caused my lungs to hurt, gave me a head-rush and made me feel sick to my stomach. However, I also remembering finishing that same cigarette, and grabbing for the next, as I was a nicotine junkie. I have been smoke free for three years now, and glad for it.

I can use this in order to relate to another addiction; in this case food.

It is much the same with raw food. It is hard for the first few days, your body craves the carbohydrates and sugars, then after you are done with the initial cravings, you feel great. Your body feels an amazing well being. It is something that has to be experienced in order to truly understand, much like quitting smoking.

Then, the thought of the ice cream at the end of an upsetting day pops up; and you think, "well, I’ve been so good, what harm is a tiny bit of ice cream going to do?" That is when your body truly lets you know that raw food is superior (if you surrender to the ice cream). You begin to feel rotten. In my case I get a stomach ache, and I pay for it for the next few hours (I’m convinced that I am somewhat lactose intolerant). And, just like an addiction, the thought of the comfort outweighs the thought of the consequence the next time around. Not only will I attack the ice cream again, but I will think, "oh well, I’m being bad, lets see how MUCH ice cream I can consume before I start to feel sick"... sick is the right word here....

So, I have come to admit, totally with the help of raw food, that I am an addict.

Some days I wish that I was addicted to lettuce or celery.

But some days I think I am... When I don’t juice for awhile, I crave the carrots and celery, my body actually misses it... but much in the same way it will forget it just as quickly if I make bad food choices.

Luckily there is help out there! I have ordered the Raw Divas Guide to Cravings and Emotional Eating and in between packing and yard cleaning, diving into this program is how I intend to spend a good part of my weekend. I am also hoping to go to Chapters and look for Victoria Boutenko’s "12 Steps to Raw Foods" which I hear deals with some of these issues as well.

Wish me luck... I am an addict....

I love Shopping!

2008-04-02T07:38:00.002-04:00

Especially when it involves raw chocolate and new tankies!

I ordered from Alissa Cohen’s Raw Food Store, and as usual, the package arrived in record time! I can’t wait to start non-baking with the raw coconut and coconut butter, and of course, I have already been enjoying the peppermint truffles!

I can’t wait to wear my new tankie. Of course, if this "deep freeze" doesn’t end soon, I just might have to wear it around the house as jammies for awhile! The next time I order from Alissa Cohen’s Raw Food Store, I just might sneak a Tote Bag in. There is a cute picture of Heathy with her Cherry Tote in this post (maybe if I get the tote, the trip to Bahamas will follow!)

I absolutely love Alissa’s book. It was one of the first things I bought on my raw journey, and highly recommend it. My friend Elizabeth also recommends Victoria Boutenko’s "12-Steps to Raw Foods". I think I will have to add that one to my "book wish list" for the next time Chris and I go to Chapters. I keep imagining a big bookshelf in my new kitchen for all the Raw Food Books that I am enjoying so much! I know that is a dream that I can soon make a reality.

Well, I guess I’m not the "fooling around" type. I missed the perfect opportunity yesterday and didn’t pull any April Fool’s Jokes. I liked Shannon’s, but I especially liked all the responses to her "Oops"! I even fell victim to a few April Fool’s jokes myself. Next year I will be better prepared.

Earth Hour

2008-03-31T06:01:00.004-04:00

How did you spend Earth Hour?

I originally thought a nice candle lit dinner would be nice, sitting around with the kids, talking, laughing; but one of them brought to my attention that 8:00 in the evening would be pretty late for dinner. Guess they had a point :0)

We went to get movies for the night and I dropped my oldest off at a friends house for a sleepover, and as we looked at the clock, it was 8:02 before we got home. To make it count, we celebrated our Earth Hour from 8:02 to 9:02. As we were driving home, Kristen had fun enjoying who had their lights out and who didn’t. In my neighbourhood it was about a 50-50 split. I wonder if it was because they didn’t want to participate, or because they hadn’t heard of Earth Hour, I will assume it was the latter.

We celebrated by making cheesecakes; one raw and one unraw. Kristen went by Grandma’s trusted recipe, and I went by Michael’s Famous Cheesecake . We couldn’t totally prepare them in the dark, so we did what we could by candle light, and then put the final touches on them and cleaned up after 9:02. I was so much fun. We enjoyed the cheesecakes at our Sunday night dinner, which wasn’t as "raw" as I originally planned. Think I might try a tea-party like Shannon’s next.

My son was at my sisters house, and he spend his earth hour in the hot tub looking at the stars!

Hope you had a fun "Earth Hour". My kids did ask me why Earth Hour wasn’t celebrated in April together with Earth Day. I wasn’t sure about that one. It’s a good question.

Juicing: A Family Affair

2008-03-28T07:34:00.005-04:00

Last week, my daughter participated in a 30-hour famine that was organized by her high school. She went without eating from 11:00 on Wednesday evening, until 10:30 Friday morning when the school served the kids a continental breakfast. In order to participate in the famine, you had to raise $100 in pledges to donate to the cause. The kids would attend classes like normal on Thursday, but had to remain at the school until Friday morning (Good Friday).

So, on Thursday morning, I dropped her off, sleeping bag and mason jars in hand. See, the nice thing about this famine, was that the kids were aloud to bring water and juice to drink! Seeing as I had just ended my Juice Feast, and was still using my Juicer, it was just a "no-brainer". Last Thursday, I woke up early and made her some fresh juice. She was a little upset about the "mason jar" approach, but she went with a citrus juice and a carrot juice none-the-less. I think that when the hunger set in, she really didn't care too much about what the juice was in!

She had shown an interest in my Juice Feast, and wanted to participate in one herself. I told her that she would have to wait until she was older, but agreed to this "mini-feast" for a worthy cause.

Every day since, the juicer has made the familiar "varooom-chunk-chunk-crunch-varooom" noise. I have had the opportunity to hear this from another room in the house, as she is rather enjoying fresh juice every day and creating all the new flavours that come with experimenting.

I hate to admit this, but I think my Juicer has replaced my smoothie-maker as appliance of choice on my kitchen counter. It was the best $120.00 that I’ve ever spent!

I love when my children follow my lead (on healthy choices anyways!) and I am very proud of her for participating in this Famine!

I'm "Krauting"

2008-03-26T07:31:00.003-04:00

Our Traditional Easter Dinner, coming from a Polish Family, consists of sticks, cabbage rolls, perogy and sauerkraut. Now, years ago, my favorites and my dinner plate would certainly consist of the first three, I was never much of a sauerkraut eater.

I have heard about, and toyed with the idea of "raw sauerkraut", and this years Easter Celebration was all I needed to attempt my own. Now of course, I didn't have it ready for Easter, in fact, it is sitting on my kitchen counter as we "speak", but I am "krauting" none the less!

I had a hard time finding a raw sauerkraut recipe on the web, but I ended up basically shredding the cabbage (boy, am I thankful for my food processor) and adding salt and caraway seeds, smashing the cabbage and placing it in a mason jar. From what I read, it will be ready in three to seven days.

I especially like the idea of making raw sauerkraut because of the health benefits. I hope this recipe works well, and if not, in three to seven days, I will be looking for another one!

And of course, with all that shredded cabbage around, I just had to have an Asian Pear and Cashew Salad for dinner!

If you haven't noticed, I've finally figured out how to add the "subscribe to" button on my site! Hope it works!!! (Sometimes I'm a bit computer challenged!)

Miss Teensie Weensie Bikini

2008-03-24T08:01:00.003-04:00

I have been tagged.

The rules of the game are that you reveal 5 things about you that others may not know. Okay guys, I have been stressing over this one! Everyone that has been "tagged" that I have read, have really interesting and exciting things in their lives. So, what is there for me to write? Let's see...

1. On July 26, 1972 I was Miss Teensie Weensie Bikini. I still remember my mom making a kazillion tissue paper flowers, and I distinctly remember the one tie to my butt! I think that was one of the only times that I have been seen in public in a bikini! My mother, won the same prize that year (in her own age group) After two babies, I think that was quite an honour for her, and one I know she is still proud of.

2. I have one sister and three step-sisters! There where five of us girls growing up. I lived with my dad, my sister lived with my mom and her new husband and his three daughters. I think I have teenage hormones running around my house! Geez, I don't know how my mother did it!

3. I love Fall and Thanksgiving. I was a thanksgiving baby, born on thanksgiving day at 11:47 at night. My grandfather wouldn't eat his turkey until he new that my mother and I were safe and sound. That story always makes me smile. Every year for my birthday, I don't have the traditional birthday cake, I have always had Pumpkin Pie. My mother has the best recipe, and every year, makes me my very own! It made me smile when my youngest daughter was also born in early October. She isn't a thanksgiving baby, but I am thankful for her, and I now share my pumpkin pie. I'm hoping that Shannon has a raw version of a pumpkin pie on her site before Thanksgiving, and Shannon, our thanksgiving is about a month earlier than yours :o)

4. When I was pregnant with my twins, I was afraid to have a little boy. The thought of toilet training was too much for me (maybe hormones had something to do with that one). I can proudly say that my son gives me so much joy, and I honestly couldn't imagine the world without him. I will always remember driving down the highway, and him asking me what certain trucks where called, and I always referred to them as "Mighty Machines". He quickly began correcting his mother! The world is exciting through the eyes of another.

5. For my 40th birthday, I wanted a tattoo and I wanted to spend (the thanksgiving) weekend in New York City. Neither happened for my 40th... maybe for my 45th :0)

So, there it is, five things about me that you may not have known.

Hope everyone is enjoying this Easter Monday! And I have to admit... Raw dinner for Sunday Evening didn't happen as planned this week, understandably, but this week for sure! I loved Keely's idea to have the kids pick out a recipe and help with the preparation! I will ask Laurenne if she would like to be in charge of the menu plan for this weeks celebration (hopefully!)

Green Juice for St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-18T07:29:00.000-04:00

The Green Smoothie Queen has arrived and is in full green-mode! I celebrated yesterday with green smoothies and of course, a green juice of cucumber, celery and pears.

I love how Shannon has a "raw" food night once a week, and tries to get her family to enjoy the "fruits" of her labor, so I mentioned this to my kids.... the noses immediately went up, and the thought of a "raw food dinner" didn't get too many excited responses, until I brought out the fondue pot - I figured that I'd better start out with something good!

I immediately got two thumbs up at the thought of a raw chocolate fondue for dinner (but I had to make some good old KD for back up)... This was lots of fun and I was given the okay to create a totally raw meal once a week.

And of course, my "leftover" fondue ended up in my juicer Sunday Morning!!

The Green Smoothie Queen once more!

2008-03-14T05:30:00.002-04:00

Okay, Keely, I’m in.... (not that you had to talk me into it too hard!)

I’ve re-signed up for The Raw Diva’s 3-Day Green Smoothie Challenge.

I won’t have to dust the dust off of my Raw Diva Jug though, this handy little jug accompanies me on most days, filled with water and slices of lemon. It will once again be filled with wonderful green smoothies come Monday.

The Green Smoothie Challenge is a wonderful way to add "greens" to your daily diet in their most natural form. According to Green for Life, they are more easily absorbed by the body when they are blended up; our bodies cannot chew and break down the greens as they once could, so when the greens are already broken down for us, our bodies can absorb all the wonderful nutrients in them.

Green Smoothies.... "does a body good!" (Sorry, have that catch phrase in my head)

The BEST part about the Green Smoothie Challenge is that you don’t even have to be "raw" to join! My dad joined me in the last challenge, and he has continued to add green smoothies to his diet every day! You can simply add one green smoothie to you day, or you could replace all your meals with green smoothies... choice is your’s! Once you sign up, you will get a letter and daily support emails from The Queen herself (trust me! Its true) filled with wonderful tips, encouragement and recipes!

So, if you want to "do your body good", hurry and sign up today... you can join me for the best St. Patrick’s day yet!

ps - if you have signed up, let me know how you are doing! I'd love to hear from you!

Carrots and Celery

2008-03-11T18:03:00.002-04:00

Every time I drink my carrot juice, I remember the Magic School Bus episode where Arnold turns orange from eating too many "seaweedies". Think you would have to be in your teens, or have kids in their teens to remember that one. My favorite combination for juice is carrots, celery with an apple thrown in. Wonder if I will turn orange, or at least look like I have a nice tan before the summer comes!

Do you have a "kindred spirit"? I think Elizabeth is mine. Even though we are worlds away, and have never met, we seem to experience the same things and go through or do the same things without knowing what the other is doing.

It seems that we both ended our juice feast over the weekend, for different reasons, without knowing what the other was doing. I enjoyed feasting for 7 days, and I would do it again in a moment, with the intentions of carrying it farther. It was an experience to remember, and one that my body thanks me for.

Even though I have technically stopped my Juice Feast, I guess I am doing a modified juice feast at this time. I have been juicing and bringing my juice to work with me, but I am enjoying a meal either at lunch time, or in the evening, depending on the day.

So, for those of you, who are continuing their juice feasting, I wish you luck and I send you good intentions for keeping it up! For those of you like me, who have chosen to end their feast, congratulations for juicing for as long as you did, for me at least, it was definitely worth every juice of it!

Michelle asks, "I might have to try that ginger tea. How did you make it?"

Well Michelle, I have to credit my friend Elizabeth with this one, but I ground fresh ginger (about 1 tsp), placed it into a mug and added boiling water, I let it steep, then I had to filter out the ginger (I used a coffee filter). I added about 1/2 tsp of raw honey. Just a word of caution - don't steep for too long, my daughter tried to make her own tea, but the ginger is really strong if left for too long!

And Shannon says that she makes her own ginger-ale by mixing the ginger with agave and sparkling water. Thanks Shannon, have to give that one a try! But first, think I might give her newest post a try this weekend!

I have to say, that I love Charissa's idea of a binder for all her favorite raw recipes. Sometimes simple ideas have to be shown to us before we think of it! I think I'll run out and get my pretty binder this week! Just like when Raw Food Right Now did an article on growing your own herbs inside! Still haven't started my pot... but my excuse is I'm waiting for my new house!

Day Seven: Ginger Tea

2008-03-07T15:51:00.001-05:00

"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Mark Twain. Have you caught my quote theme yet - its gonna get harder and harder!
Seven Days to Create the World, Seven Chakras, Seven Signs, Seven Sacraments, Seven Wonders of the World, Your Body Renews every Seven Years, Seven Interior Mansions to the Soul (can you tell I'm a Carolyn Myss fan).

In the Book of Revelations there are seven churches, seven spirits, seven stars, seven seals, and the list goes on from there. The Number seven is said to symbolizes Spiritual Perfection. Did I ever tell you that Seven was my favorite number?

I think there is something to be said for the number seven... exactly what, I’m not entirely sure, but it does seem to follow a spiritual path... I think there is something profound about making it to the seventh day on this Juice Feast. So for everyone out there, who has come this far, congratulations, and for those of you who have decided to end your feast earlier, congratulations for listening to your body. That is the most important thing you can do.

Thank you for all the well-wishes I received yesterday. I'm happy to report that I'm feeling better today, still a bit queasy, but better. My friend Elizabeth suggested that I brew myself some ginger tea to help with my stomach dilemma. It did wonders! I think ginger tea is something that I will have on a more regular basis, no pun intended.

Chris from Far Far Away asks "If you eat natural food, will you die a natural death?"

Well, Chris, not too sure about that, but I do know, if I eat natural food til the end, I'll look damn good in that coffin - no cakey makeup for this gal!

That's all for today folks! Off for a nice relaxing weekend... so until Monday... Happy Juicing!!

Day Six: Water Water Water

2008-03-06T12:33:00.007-05:00

“Sometimes I wish I could go back to the days when I was six and my biggest problem was what kind of dress to put on Barbie" Author unknown

Today I don't feel well. I was up all night long with a rather upset stomach and this morning it wasn't any better.

I woke up this morning, jumped in the bath (didn't juice prior), jumped out of the bath and right back into bed. I think this is the firt time I have called in sick in about 3 years. I spent half the day in bed, and I still felt a little queasy after I woke up.

It's a funny feeling in my tummy. It is upset, but I'm not sure what it wants. It doesn't want food, it doesn't want juice, I will just have to let it be and see what happens. I think it may be too many greens inflicted too fast, too much MSM or maybe a bit of a stomach flu.

Today's consumption: Water, Water and more Water.

Readers Question: (hmm, heres a new concept, think I like it...if this keeps up, may have to change my blog to "Dear Raw Abbey..."

Robin from Nantucket asks "What is MSM?"

Well Robin, (not that I'm a medical expert, or any expert for that matter) MSM stands for Methylsulfonylmethane (I can't even begin to pronounce that one, glad I'm blogging and not speaking!).

It is a Natural Source of Sulphur. It is one of the main components in our bodies. From what I gather (and again, I'm no expert), a diet high in fruits and veggies a person gets their MSM naturally, but by juicing, the pulp is removed and I am assuming we are either getting less or none at all, therefore the addition of MSM to the water in the morning. MSM is absorbed best with the addition of vitamin c, that is why the lemon and MSM are added to the water. It detoxifies and regenerates...

I have also purchased MSM lotion, which is said to be good for the skin and joints. I have noticed a significant difference on fine lines and wrinkles (boy, do I sound like a commercial) from using it everyday on my face. It is also suppose to help heal and repair scars and damaged skin (hmm, think about that one!).

Here is a link if you want a more medical answer, and here is a link if you want a more simpler answer.

This is where I get my MSM humor from:

"On the Juice Feast: Up to 1 Tablespoon in your Morning Water, and 1-2 more Tablespoons during the day in your water. If you are new to MSM, make sure to place lemon juice in your water, and begin with 1 teaspoon per quart and work up. MSM is completely non-toxic: it has a toxicity level the same as water. However, you can, early on, use more than your body knows how to access. This will result in loose stools..." - I would change those last two words to something a bit stronger if they were my words!

Oh, and for something really exciting! Check out Raw Food Right Now today! I couldn't believe my eyes!

So, dear readers.... keep coming with your questions, and I will do my best to keep you entertained...

Okay, and today I guess I need a real disclaimer.... I'm not a doctor or medical professional. All of the posts are for informational and mostly entertainment purposes only. This site cannot be held responsible for any consequences regarding your use or intended use of any information provided. Always check with your medical professional before making any changes to your diet, especially if you are considering any type of juice fast or juice feast.

Day Five: Juicing 101 (written by a novice)

2008-03-05T18:55:00.002-05:00

"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses" Hanna Rion

****Disclaimer: What you are about to read is true and has been tested by a novice juicer. We do not recommend that you try this at home, and if you do, we cannot be held accountable for any thing that may or may not happen...

Top 10 Tips I have learned regarding Juicing:

10. If you want to sleep, don't drink green juice past 7:00 pm.

9. Always juice before your morning bath! You don't want to show up to work with Celery spatter in your hair!

8. White shirts are a must not when drinking carrot juice from mason jars.

7. Much to my disappointment, bananas don't juice :0( And I really did try!

6. You get more juice from a carrot than you do from an orange - go figure.

5. They include the plunger for a reason :0) The only trick is getting it in quicker than the fruit splattering on the ceiling!

4. Equal amounts of carrot juice and green juice in a mason jar turn your juice brown, which gets more crazy looks than green juice does!

3. Avoid using too much celery in your morning juice, it may cause accidents on the way to work (see yesterday's post)

2. Avoid using too much msm in your morning lemon water, it may cause accidents of a different kind :0)

AND THE NUMBER ONE TIP REGARDING JUICING:

1. Always make extra juice for the people that you reside with, it will ease the grumpies that are caused by being woken up at early hours of the morning by "varooooom-chunk-chunk-crunch-varooom"

If you want to see a real cute video, check out Terilynn's video! This is her first solid food after a 93 day Juice Feast!

Today's consumption:

6:00 am - 1 litre msm and lemon and water (still at 1/2 tsp)

8:00 am - 1/2 litre carrot, cucumber and nutmeg

11:00 am - 1/2 litre green apple and blood orange

2:00 pm - 1 litre of green apple, celery, cucumber and lime

4:00 pm - 1/2 litre of carrot and celery

6:30 pm - 1 litre of green apple, celery and cucumber

Day Four: Celery Cucumber Apple

2008-03-04T12:04:00.002-05:00

“One out of four people in this country is mentally unbalanced. Think of your three closes friends; if they seem OK, then you're the one" Ann Landers Today I woke up at six o'clock, figuring that I had 1/2 an hour to spare yesterday, but it made things a bit tight this morning. I was still out the door, 2 1/2 quarts (litres) of juice in hand, by 7:45 am.

HOWEVER, this morning, I had a full litre of lemon water and msm and 1/2 litre of carrot and celery juice before I left the house. I went pee right before I left, and then I had to pull off (during the 20 minute drive to work) to use a bathroom, and I still had to race to the bathroom when I got to work. Sheesh! Hope the bathroom trips calm down slightly!

Today's Consumption:

Today, I am taking Sonja's advice, and trying to cut down on the fruit intake to see if it helps with the headaches. So far today, I don't have one! However, I did juice 1/2 litre of apple/orange juice just in case I need it at work today!

6:00 am - 1 litre lemon juice and 1/2 tsp msm

7:00 am - 1/2 litre carrot and celery

10:00 am - 1/2 litre celery, cucumber and apple, this one was so good! Good thing I made 2 - 1/2 litre jars this morning, gave one away at work!

12:00 pm - 1/2 litre carrot and celery

3:00 pm - 1/2 litre carrot and celery

5:00 pm - 1/2 litre celery, cucumber and apple

(PS - Sonja, I didn't drink the fruit juice, and no headache today!)

7:00 pm - 1/2 litre celery cucumber and apple - shared with my dad!

And yes, you read that right! I had to share one of my mason jars at work today! Seems the girls at work are getting used to me toting along mason jars with "wonderful" concoctions in them. Ruth enjoyed a nice apple, celery, cucumber juice this morning!

It is so nice to know that Elizabeth is along side me for the ride. This is our third "venture" together. We have done The Raw Diva's 7-Day Detox, The Raw Diva's 3-Day Green Smoothie Challenge and now we are part of The Global Juice Feast.

It is funny, I have constant contact with Elizabeth through email, she is probably the only person I know personally who is Juice Feasting, or even knows what Juice Feasting is, but somehow I feel a part of something really big on this adventure.

For those of you who are not yet ready to attempt a Juice Feast, how about a 3-Day Green Smoothie Challenge: "This program is IDEAL for introducing new people to the Raw Food Diet and healthier eating habits. We strongly encourage you to sign up as 60% of the proceeds go to an organization promoting action and awareness in the name of environmental responsibility" The Raw Divas. Check it out! The next adventure starts March 17, 2008!

Day Three: Apple Lemonade

2008-03-03T20:52:00.003-05:00

“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see" Leonardo da Vinci
Today I feel as if I have an extra bounce in my step, I feel lighter somehow, even if only mentally.

This Juice Feasting is not at all how I pictured it. I anticipated feeling great hunger, at least for the first three days, until I got over the "hump". Well, today is "hump" day, and besides the normal hunger before meals (none of which is uncontrollable) and the headache yesterday (which is still slightly there today, but manageable), this Juice Feasting is relatively easy. I do find that I am really cold all the time. I think being in the middle of a long-cold winter in Southern Ontario doesn’t help this fact. I have begun adding Organic Chai Rooibos tea to my day to help warm me up.

I was up at 5:30 this morning, and had 4 litres of juice plus an extra ½ litre for the girls (the apple lemonade) juiced and cleaned up before 6:00 am. I had my bath, incorporated my new morning routines and was out the door, feeling great by 7:45 (most mornings I’m rushing out at 7:58). I toted two ½ litres of fruit juice and one 1 litre of carrot/celery/apple juice, together with my new tea box to work this morning. The cooler was a bit too much, so I wrapped my juices in tea-towels and carted them in my PC Green Bag until I got to work, then I placed them in the fridge.
Today’s consumption:
5:30 am - ½ litre water, juiced lemon and ½ tsp msm (cutting back on the msm a little)
6:30 am - ½ litre carrot and celery (no apple!!)
9:00 am - 1/4 litre Chai Rooibos Tea
10:00 am - ½ litre Blood Orange and Apple Juice
(boy do I have to pee, Its about 10:30 am and I’ve gone 4 times already)
12:00 pm - 1 litre of carrot/celery/apple

(and I thought a litre of water and lemon made me go... thats nothing compared to a bunch of celery! Its 12:48 and I've lost track of my bathroom visits!)

2:00 pm - 1/2 litre of Blood Orange and Apple Juice

2:30 pm -1 litre water

3:30 pm - 1/4 litre Chai Rooibos Tea

5:00 pm - 1 litre of Carrot, Celery and Apple

7:00 pm - 1 litre of water.

Boy, no wonder I spent half my day in the bathroom, thats a lot of liquid! Funny how it was easier to consume the required amount of juice while I was at work, I actually found my tummy rumbling today too!

Tonight, before I go to bed, I am going to journal about the things that I would like to see, or experience, or attempt during this juice feasting experience. I did weigh myself before my adventure began, but I’m not sure at this point, whether I am going to weigh myself on a regular basis like Heidi did, or whether I will resist the temptation of the scale like Terilynn did. I don’t have to make that decision until Friday, but knowing me, I think I might be tempted....

I hope that everyone that has embarked on this amazing journey, less than 72 hours ago, is finding this wonderful journey as easy and "fruitful" as I am....

Day Two: Carrots Celery and Apples

2008-03-02T16:03:00.005-05:00

“The world is divided into two classes, those who believe the incredible, and those who do the improbable.” Oscar Wilde

Day two was just as easy as the first, except for a major headache; fighting kids didn't exactly help matters.

My headache started around lunch, I drank some fruit juice and that seemed to help for awhile. It started coming back again before dinner, so I made myself a big mason jar full of carrot juice, celery and an apple. This is my juice of choice for today. I experimented this morning, and had this wonderful combination for lunch. When the headache returned, I knew that I had to make myself some more. My two vegetable juice combinations from yesterday were a bit yuck to try and get down. I drank approximately 1/2 a mason jar of each.

Today, I have consumed 1 mason jar of water and msm with lemon juice plus 2 1/2 litres of juice. It is really difficult to consume the 4 litres a day. Right now, I am satisfied, and I still have 1 1/2 mason jars to consume. I don't think that I will make it to 4 today.

Instead, I think that I am going to go to bed early, get some well deserved sleep, and hope that this headache goes away. Speaking of sleep, my dreams were very vivid last night as well as this afternoon, if that is what you can call them.... I'm going to go draw a nice hot bath, add some bath salts and call it a night.

Day One: Apple Blood Orange Feast

2008-03-01T19:09:00.009-05:00

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go" T.S. Elliot

This is how we keep our juice cold in Southern Ontario... Good thing we got extra snow this year, after building my igloo, I was able to build this nice refrigerator....

Well the first day of juice feasting was relatively easy. My day was somewhat out of routine, so the juicing just seemed to go with the flow.

I drank my litre of lemon water and msm this morning, followed by 1/2 litre of apple/blood orange juice for lunch. I tried a few green juice combinations, but they didn't seem to satisfy me the same way that the fruit juice did. I made myself another 1/2 litre of apples and blood oranges early afternoon. I was surprised that I wasn't hungry for the most part. I did get hungry just before lunch and again just before dinner, but the (fruit) juice was quite satisfying.

The day isn't over yet, but I just had a nice relaxing soak in the tub, accompanied by a litre of watermelon/mint juice, and I'm planning to go to bed at a decent hour. I have so far consumed about 2 1/2 litres of juice, so I need to get a bit more into me before the end of the day...

Elizabeth, I hope your day was a good one too!

Okay, call me strange... here is my eye colour today... one of the things that I find amazing and incredible is the change that occurs in a juice feasters eyes. They change colours and get amazing clarity... Here are what mine look like today....

Was the night before Juice Feast

2008-02-29T21:06:00.013-05:00

and all through the house, lots of fruits and veggies were juicing...

Tomorrow is the beginning of a Global Juice Feast for many people. Tonight, I am sure that there are lots of people who are getting mentally, physically and mason-jar ready.

I have gotten my journal, my msm lotion, mason jars, hot water bottle, fruits and veggies galore (although I'm sure I will be stopping by the local grocery store over the weekend). I hope that I have prepared myself enough physically and mentally for this amazing journey. I'm not sure entirely what that requires; but that is the nice thing about adventures, you never know where they will lead or what they will entail.

One of the best mini-vacations that I have ever been on was last summer. Chris and I jumped into his jeep and drove. I'm not sure if he was entirely sure where we were going, or if he planned exactly where we ended up, but the whole trip was a total surprise to me. We went to the farmers market to get vine rippened strawberries for the drive, a winery, an ice cream store (oops), a craft market (while we enjoyed the ice cream), enjoyed a nice lunch in a small town, drove to the Lake on the Mountain, and ended up in Belleville for the night. I think this was the most romantic trip that I have ever been on. What I enjoyed the most about this trip was the unknown. It was all unplanned and spontaneous and we didn't know what was around the next corner.

It a way I hope my Juice Feast will be the same...It will be an adventure and I hope that there is excitement and wonder at every turn. Just as my weekend away, this Juice Feast will lead me on a new path of awareness.

I don't know how long this feast will last. I'm sure a lot of other people preparing for a similar journey tonight are thinking the same thoughts, preparing the same things and anticipating the same things. I only hope I can see my way past the next three days.

In my fridge, sits a litre mason jar filled with the juice of 1/2 a lemon and 1 tsp msm powder and another mason jar filled with juiced kale, lemon, green apples and lime. Let the adventure begin...

In Anticipation and Preparation

2008-02-28T18:46:00.006-05:00

In just a few more days, Elizabeth and I will be partaking in the Global Juice Feast. Elizabeth is my "raw buddy" that I have referred to in previous posts. I am very excited about this new journey that she and I will be embarking on.

There is a lot of preparation and work that is involved in preparing for a juice feast. I am glad that it is starting on a Saturday, then I can be fully prepared for how much Juice I will need to prepare for the day, before Monday comes around and I have to tote my juice to work. I will be loading up Mason Jar after Mason Jar after Mason Jar in order to consume a Gallon of Juice (or as close to it as I can) for the feast.

I first thought that I would have to consume 4 GALLONS! That is between 15 and 16 one litre Mason Jars (had to call on Dad to add to my supply). I will tote my juice to work in a cooler (which I have to look for tonight when I go shopping). The girls in the office will really be wondering what the heck I’m up to next week! I am really glad that I won't be toting 10 Mason Jars, just possible two or three.

My initial plan is to hopefully feast for one week; if I get farther, I will be really excited; I have no intention to carry this feast over 30 days. As this is my first feast, I will be very pleased if I make it past the first three days, which are the hardest to get through on any new adventure.
The next few days will be filled with more reading from the Juice Feasting website, stocking up on produce and supplements, as well as trying to schedule a new routine to accommodate this new feast.

I will be contacting my Naturopath to schedule an appointment. I like her to be informed of what I am doing, as well, I will look to her for guidance on any supplements that I may need for my feast. I will hopefully visit her on a weekly basis as long as my feast continues; for moral support, but also because I love my naturopath!

So, the next few days will be full of preparation and anticipation, and I look forward to giving you my update next week.... wish me luck!

LIVE, Organic Food Bar

2008-02-27T07:34:00.004-05:00

Okay, without further delay, here is my review of LIVE, Organic Food Bar:

I have to admit, this was something that I have been anticipating for a very long time. Chris and I used to eat out at a lot of different restaurants, but since going raw, it makes it a bit more difficult; not to mention that I hate paying restaurant prices for a salad.

When I first learned about a raw lifestyle last spring, I looked up "Raw Food Restaurants" on the Internet for my area. There aren’t too many. Live was listed, which is in Toronto, approximately an hour drive from my house. So, now I had a restaurant to attend, and I would somehow have to make it a special trip to try the "raw cuisine". This didn’t stop me, and I looked to the future to pick a date to attend.

I originally thought that it would be great to go for valentines day, but of course, that plan didn’t work out (too many kids!)... so, the next plan was for a weekend stay in Toronto to celebrate our Anniversary...

We arrived in Toronto on Friday night, and stayed at the Sheridan Hotel, which overlooks Nathan Phillip Square. It was perfect. We had dinner at a nice Italian restaurant on Friday (I forget the name of it - of course I had a salad). Saturday morning, we had nice freshly squeezed juice for breakfast, and I toted my lemon-water in my Raw Diva Smoothie Jug, and we hit the streets of Toronto. We had lots of fun shopping and sight-seeing... then the best thing happened!!!! Chris got hungry - actually, I got hungry sooner than Chris, guess my juice didn’t last as long as his hot-cakes! It isn’t very often that I’m hungry and have to wait for him, but Saturday was one of those days. We jumped in the jeep, and made the drive to Dupont and Spadina.

The restaurant is very quaint, and decorated in bright cheery colours. They even have cute sayings on the bathroom walls! If anyone knows me, they know that I can’t go too many places without checking out the bathrooms - especially after drinking my lemon water all morning!!

It was pretty crowded in the restaurant, but we managed to find a table close to the back, which was more romantic in my opinion; however, there was no "romance" to speak of going on at our table, unless you count my love affair and excitement over the food - it was more of a infatuation any ways, you know, the guidy excitement you feel, you can’t wait, and then before long, its over!

The staff were very friendly and courteous, and before long, we had our menus in front of us. Have to say, the decision was tough. The one REALLY GREAT thing about LIVE is that I could choose a NUT FREE OPTION! I was concerned about going to a raw food restaurant, when so many of the gourmet raw foods contain nuts, and having to miss out on some great food because of it. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AT ALL, I didn’t miss out on a thing due to my tree nut allergy.

It was early afternoon, and I was really hungry. I think I have that condition known as "eyes are bigger than your tummy", because I ordered the Spreads N’ ‘Breads’ for Chris and I to share as an appetizer, and I ordered the Nachos Fiesta, Chris had the Pizza Pandemonium.

The food was absolutely incredible. The Spreads N’ Breads was a sample of the humus and pate for the day and sample of their different flat breads. Wish I knew what the spreads were, one spreads tasted just like tuna salad! I was very impressed. The samples of the flat bread was also amazing and has renewed my interest in a dehydrator! They even had some flatbread at the front to purchase on your way out of the restaurant! The Nacho dips were also some of the best that I have ever tasted. The Nacho chips were absolutely incredible. I don’t know how the Pizza Pandemonium tasted, must have been good because Chris didn’t share! This was the first time, eating raw food, that I stuffed myself! My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach. Good thing that we had an afternoon of skating planned so that I could "work off" my lunch.

I do have one complaint about my visit. This complaint has nothing to do with the restaurant, and more to do with the author. Seems that I filled my belly so full, that I didn’t have any room for dessert. I don’t think that has ever happened in all my days as restaurant connoisseur. I could have purchased a piece of chocolate mint pie, or raw rice crispies or cheesecake to take with me back to the hotel; but I opted to save that for my next trip to Toronto, which I will have to plan very soon!

Okay, I lied....

2008-02-26T17:34:00.001-05:00

Work is a little crazy this week, so I am a busy, busy girl... I will update you with my full report on Live soon, but for today, I will just tease you with a picture of our leftovers (soon to be "doggie bag"). I wish I would have thought to take a picture before I gobbled down all the delicious food that we ordered, but I was too excited (and maybe a bit hungry)!

Have a great Tuesday!!!!

Raw Food, Skating and a New Pair of Shoes!

2008-02-25T07:33:00.008-05:00

I had a wonderful weekend in Toronto; full of fun, raw food, shopping, exercise and fresh air. What could be better than that!

I was like a kid in a candy store when we went to Live. It was a real treat - I’ll give you my full review tomorrow. I also got my raweo cookies as well as other products from upayanaturals.

While shopping at the Eaton Center, I bought the girls all a new lululemon headband, Ani’s Raw Kitchen and real cute pair of red heels! I came across Ani’s Raw Kitchen at the Indigo store there. I was so excited, I started reading it right then and there, while Chris continued to browse the store (we like to go to bookstores together). I love the fact that the recipes are so simple. Sometimes raw recipe books contain ingredients that I have never heard of, or equipment that I don’t yet possess. Not in this case. This morning, I enjoyed a wonderful mug of almond mylk (although I think I am going to have to invest in a nut milk bag). The book is also full of wonderful ideas and life tips. I like her idea of trying to keep the raw food intake to 1/3 nuts/seeds/oils, 1/3 green veggies and 1/3 fruit. Think I’m going to try and follow that for the next week.

The Global Juice Feast starts this Saturday, I still need to create the perfect green juice :0(

Wish me luck... Here Chris and I are skating at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday! It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and our tummies were full of raw! Oh, and I forgot to mention, my new juicer travels well!

PPS - have to say, Chris was pretty talented with this picture!!! It is a "self-portrait", he held out his arm and snapped the photo with one hand, while holding me up with the other, as we were skating around the rink. Trust me, this was no easy task as skating isn't one of my finer skills!

When I grow up, I want to drink Green Juice

2008-02-22T07:49:00.007-05:00

So, when I grow up, I want to drink Green Juice: When you first start drinking coffee, very often you need to have three cream and three sugars to be able to drink it; and then you slowly wean off the sugar and cream until you can tolerate a more "grown up" coffee (even at the end of my coffee drinking days, I only got as far as two creams and one sugar).

When a person switches to raw food (at least in my case), there is a love affair with fruit. The natural sweetness of the fruit is very satisfying. Another blogger, Darice Michelle is pursuing a "14-day no fruit" diet right now. She too is a fairly new rawbie, and seems to have fallen in the fruit path, much like me. I wish her luck, not sure if I could have a salad for breakfast every day! Heidi, from Raw Food Right Now, also eluded to enjoying the fruit juice over the green juice at the beginning of her Juice Feast.

There are days when I find myself only consuming fruit. Not only is it delicious, I find that it is very easy to "take and go" when I am leaving the house for work in the morning. I know that I have to add more greens to my diet and I also know that my body starts to crave the greens if I have gone without them for very long. It is amazing to me, since becoming raw, how easy it is to "listen" to your body. The food cravings seem to melt away (well, maybe not the chocolate), and you are left having your body tell you what you need. I find that there are times when I love nuts, and can eat them by the handful, then there are other times, when the same nuts taste awful. This is my bodies way of telling me "enough"!

I am TOTALLY LOVING my juicer! Every morning since its arrival, the kids and I have been enjoying a fresh glass of juice in the morning. Experimenting is one of the exciting aspects of a juicer. I will be incorporating more greens into my juices for the Global Juice Feast, but for now, I am being a child, and enjoying all of the excitement and pleasure in a simple fruit juice.

Today, I made a small mason jar of naval oranges, blood oranges and clementines, to take to work with me. I juiced a glass of a naval orange, clementines and an apple for me to enjoy while soaking in the tub this morning (I’m not much of a shower person - I enjoy a nice soak much more). The kids all had a professional activity day, so I had the juice, the kitchen and the bathroom to myself this morning! APPLES AND ORANGES: surprised that the juice makers haven’t come up with that combination yet. It was truly amazing and so simple!

I will be spending the weekend in Toronto. I have packed my ice skates (for Nathan Phillip Square) and my juicer (glad it’s a portable one) to treat Chris to a nice glass of juice tomorrow morning (think I’ll save the zucchini pasta for another time). I’m also very excited because at some point over the weekend, we will be visiting the Live Food Bar, my first trip to a Raw Restaurant. This is a very special Anniversary for us, and I look forward to what the weekend has in store....
Hope your weekend is off to a great start! (Pretty neat colour for Blood Orange Juice!) Happy Friday!

Blood and Chocolates

2008-02-21T07:12:00.006-05:00

There is nothing in this world better than raw chocolate. I have to admit that a high percentage cacao chocolate bar, takes a bit of getting used to. However, add some raw cacao powder, raw carob, or raw cacao nibs to any recipe and you have a taste sensation. Nutritionally, raw chocolate is very good for you, much unlike its evil twin "processed chocolate".

If you have a sweet tooth like me, and are in desperate need of a chocolate childhood memory, be sure to check out Rawdorable. Shannon has her own blog site, as well as weekly blog for We Like it Raw. Believe it or not, this week she has rawified "sex in a pan" (at least that is what we call it). She also has raw girl guide cookies and Mallomars to her credit. I know from personal experience, that if you are having problems with one of her recipes, you can contact her via Give it to me Raw, or her blog and she will be more than willing to help.

A favorite recipe of mine when I need a chocolate hit is as follows:

Smooth Chocolate Avocado Pudding (pictured above)
3 regular sized avocados
3/4 - 1 cup maple syrup or agave nectar (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup carob powder
½ cup cocoa powder or raw chocolate powder
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
splash of salt
First blend the avocados in a food processor. Then add half the maple syrup. Then add the powder while its running. Add sweetener to taste. Add the extract at the end. Keep blending until smooth. Best served chilled.
Recipe by Heidi & Justin S. Ohlander
Raw Food, Right Now!
http://www.rawfoodrightnow.com/

Okay, so to tie in my blog title, besides being a werewolf movie that my oldest daughter and I have yet to see, I am referring to my breakfast this morning: I am rather enjoying my juicer! It came this week. Juicing is definitely experimental and time consuming, and definitely worth every effort!!! This morning, I enjoyed freshly squeezed blood oranges for breakfast, all I need is some raw chocolate to make this day (and blog title) complete!

I LOVE getting new kitchen appliance almost as much as a new pair of heels! Jaclyn even commented on our kitchen accessories last night - on my kitchen counter, I have my smoothie maker, this week I have also brought out my food processor, and now there is a juicer. Good thing my new house has a lot of counter space!

And for all of you Ontario Chocoholics, check out my new favorite Canadian Site: Upayanaturals. Customer service is great, and I'm gonna be sampling Raweo Cookies this weekend! If you stop by, let Dennis know I sent you.

Happy Thursday!!!

Rub-a-dub-dub

2008-02-19T07:58:00.003-05:00

Skin brushing is exactly what it sounds like, you "dry" brush your skin, starting from the soles of your feet, working your way up, brushing towards your heart.

I think that, for me, skin brushing is more invigorating than exercising in the morning. Skin brushing is a good way to help your body detox, it helps to get rid of unwanted toxins from your skin. All I know is that I just love how good it makes me feel!

I have been skin brushing for the past week in preparation of the Global Juice Feast on March 1, 2008, where they recommend that you skin brush daily. I had the chance to go out of town this weekend, and of course, I left my skin brush at home. I was surprized at how much I missed this addition to my morning routine. I will make sure that my Natural Bristle Brush (a must for skin brushing) is packed in my suitcase for any trip that I go on in the future.

Speaking of the Global Juice Feast, I have ordered my juicer... can't wait for it to come in... should be this week. I saw this juicer when I read Shannonmarie's article on We Like it Raw about using the "pulp" from the juicer to make snack crackers. Figured if it works for Shannon, it was good for me... (and the price was right!)

So, in anticipation for March 1st, which is just around the corner, I have my skin brushing routine in place, and my juicer on order... now, just to figure out where I am going to store all those fruits and veggies... good thing I have an "all fridge"!

And just a note regarding yesterday's basement activities: I forgot how comfortable yoga clothes can be! I'll have to make a trip to Lululemon soon! They have a free yoga class every Sunday Morning at the store closest to me! Think this is going to become a "weekly event" - can't wait to tell the girls. (lets see if they read my post today!)

Family Day

2008-02-18T09:51:00.016-05:00

Today is the first ever "Family Day" in Ontario. I am anxiously awaiting a fun day with my kids. We are going to turn our basement into "Yoga Central" and spend the day dressed in our yoga gear, doing yoga and pilates, eating healthy and maybe a "spa" activity or two!

Speaking of Yoga, the girls and I had a chance to stop by a Lululemon store this weekend. I was very impressed that the store DOES NOT give out shopping bags! For every purchase, they give you a reusable bag. Of course, the girls needed to buy something so that they could have a "lululemon bag". Think I will have to add this store to my "favorite store" list too! (Its been Jaclyn's favorite for awhile - that is Jaclyn at the top of the blog with her new bag!)

Kristen once again helped me in the kitchen. She reminds me of another Kristen with her headband on. This week we made an "Asian Pear and Cashew Salad" My mom emailed me the recipe, she's the best, she emailed it because "it looks raw to me".

She found it somewhere on the "Oprah and Bob's Best Life Challenge 2008" site. Now, although I didn't sign up for the challenge, I can never turn down a good recipe, and this one was pretty yummy!

Okay, have to go and get ready for "Family Day"...

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, HE LOVES ME!!!

2008-02-14T07:53:00.003-05:00

The kids woke up to dipped strawberries and pineapple/banana smoothies for breakfast today. They also got a "treat" for their lunches. I do LOVE Valentines Day.

It is a chance to have fun, express yourself, get creative and its not as commercialized as some of the other holidays. I have to admit, it has been awhile since I have really enjoyed this holiday. But this year, with so much new on the horizon and a new outlook on life, I am enjoying every moment of this blissful day.

I got the best RAWBIE valentines day gift, as you can see above! It is an edible bouquet - perfect and unique! I got it early, so Chris and I enjoyed a fun weekend munching on fruit. The thought put into this "perfect gift" was the best part. It is nice to have someone in your life who accepts your life choices. Whether I am vegan/raw/vegetarian/psycho I know that I have someone with me along for the ride, willing to partake in all the fun and adventure that goes along with it (okay, I just threw that last one in to see if anyone was listening!!). His only request is to have a pasta dinner once in awhile - poor guy, doesn’t realize that I can make a pasta dinner out of zucchini, boy is he in for a shock!

It was what inspired me to dip the strawberries for the kids! Oh, and my Dad doesn't like chocolate dipped strawberries (hmm, think the kids gave him some about 5 years ago), so I only have to make some for Vicky!!! Better make sure the kids and I do that tonight.

But kidding aside, on this wonderful day, I am thankful and fortunate to have all the love and caring that a person can have in this world... Sometimes I don’t always realize it, especially when life gets hard, but I know I always have someone to hold my hand.

Valentines Day is a time express our thanks to the people who love us...

Will you be mine, Valentine?

2008-02-13T07:32:00.008-05:00

Kristen and I made a nice batch of chocolate covered strawberries for the family to enjoy for breakfast Valentines day morning. I have to confess, the chocolate isn't raw, but it is organic and 85% cacao.

Two of the kids were at a sleep-over at their dad's, the other two were home. My two had a hard time "keeping out" of the treats. I can't wait til tomorrow morning, to enjoy this yummy breakfast with the family! (Hope the girls haven't gotten into them!)

And what do you give a RAWBIE for VALENTINES?!?! Check back tomorrow, and I'll share my Valentines day gift with you - I'm a lucky one, I get mine early too, just like shannonmarie!

Oh, and I can't believe it took me 40 years to figure out what parchment paper is used for, my strawberries had chocolate on all sides - no more chocolate blobs left over on the plate!!!

CAN'T WAIT FOR BREAKFAST!

PS- My dad and mom took the time to read my blog!!!! [blush], seems they think I have "raw" writing talent [hahaha], maybe I missed my true calling!!!! Hmm, better invite them for strawberries, or at least make some for them too, now that they know I have them!!!

I bought a new house!

2008-02-11T20:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, here it is, my new home....

Funny how things fall into place the way they should in life. I sold my home, with no place to live in mind. I stumble across, almost by accident, the perfect house for my family! It is truly stunnng!

The original farm house (which is now the back of the house) was built in 1845. The addition to the front of the house has a great room and loft. It is so cute, and big enough for me and the four kids! Closing isn't until the end of April, so I have lots of time to pack and prepare (and it won't interfere with my Juice Feast on March 1st)

Only hiccup in the deal, the house is in the next town. It is only 15 minutes down the road, but the kids will have to change schools. They are all at an age where their friends are very important to them and they don't want to leave them.

However, to every Yin there is a Yan; my parents live in that same small town. They will be there to help me with the kids, be that "extra hand", the "escape to papa's house" and the "extra key" when they are locked out. I'm not sure who is more excited about my move (them or I), so you know there is lots of happy dancing going on today! (Did I ever tell you how important my parents are? I just hope that someday, I can be that strong of a support for my children)

It will be an adventure for us all. It has been a long couple of years, and this new adventure and new life is just what the doctor ordered. I am a REALLY HAPPY girl today! This is where you can imagine the HAPPY DANCE going on!!!!

Still looking for that juicer - actually, been a little busy with offers and conditions, but now that I can put this baby to rest, I can tackle other things on the horizon!

PS - check out the great room and loft!

More Snow and More Greens in the Forecast!

2008-02-08T21:05:00.000-05:00

We have been hit with snow storm after snow storm this past week. Last friday we got over a foot of snow; together with school closures for lots of happy kids! This week, wednesday and thursday brought school closures again due to ice and snow storms. My children had school yesterday, but a downed powerline caused the schools to close early due to lack of power.

Its hard to tell by the photo, but this tree is actually covered in a thin layer of ice. After an ice-storm, when the sun shines, it is one of the prettiest sights ever. The whole world looks like glass. I have tried to take pictures of this, but it never turns out as beautiful as the actual sight.

Therefore, this week I have been neglectful of a few things; namely my blog and the mountain climb. I am hoping to get back on track, weather permitting, very soon.

Another thing that I have noticed lately, is that my body is on more of a fruit kick than a veggie kick. After reading "Green for Life" I know that lack of greens in a diet is often where raw foodists and vegans/vegetarians often fail. Therefore, I do listen to my body and eat what I crave, but when my green intake is down, I supplement with my "Raw Greens". I also purchased some for the kids, cause we all know that (most) kids don't eat enough greens!

And guess what, they are even made in my home town, Ancaster, Ontario.

Also, I have committed to March 1, 2008 to start (or at least attempt) a juice feast. It is Global Juice Feast day and there will be a lot of people starting (and I'm sure attempting) a juice feast at that time. Tigerlily and I will be among them. So, between now and then, I have some more research to do, I have to purchase a good juicer, and I have to get prepared (stock up on lots and lots and lots of fruits and veggies)! I am looking forward to it.

Busy weekend in store... lots to do when you are buying and selling your home.

Papaya Boats

2008-02-04T07:57:00.000-05:00

This is one of my family's favorite breakfasts lately. It is REALLY simple, and that is key when you are rushing around trying to get four little people out the door (some of which are taller than I am, but I guess children will always be little in their mother's eyes!).

For the kids, I cut the papaya in half, clean it out, fill the cavity with vanilla yogurt and top with a sliced strawberry. For my "raw" creation, I do the same, but instead of vanilla yogurt, I use a cashew based "cream" that is really yummy!

The weather has been pretty nasty in Southern Ontario as of late, so I haven't been too good about my "mountain climbing". I hope to start that routine again today. Funny thing about exercise; you dread it, then you get use to it, then you miss it. I just keep thinking about how great my legs will look in a pair of shorts this summer if I keep that up! :0)

Well, its a new week, with new possibilities and new adventures... I anticipate much excitement around the corner (gee, I sound like a fortune cookie). One of my adventures this week will be to hunt for a "juicer" to help in my next adventure.... if you have any good brand name suggestions, let me know.

Loaded up with Fruit

2008-01-30T07:59:00.000-05:00

I have to give Juice Feasters a lot of credit. I didn’t make it through the day yesterday, and I "cheated" with a clementine in the afternoon, followed by a regular dinner. I am glad that I have my Fugi apples and my clementines with me today.

I think that with proper planning, and with a variety of juice recipes it is something that I could do (can’t believe I just said that!). My buddy Tigerlily tells me that the hunger goes away after three days - that is a long time! So, this weekend, I think that I will browse some sites, do some reading and test some juice recipes. I think that having the same juice at work was a hindrance. It was good, but there was no variety. I felt tired of drinking the same juice by the afternoon. I am more of a fruit juice than a veggie juice type of girl any ways.

The best part about this juice feast and the thing that I find comfort and strength in, is know that I will once again have a buddy along the way, to hold my hand on my journey. Guess the next thing to do is set the date...

One thing that I really enjoyed yesterday was the clementine juice. This morning, I made another batch of clementines and pineapple. I didn’t strain this batch, and the kids and I enjoyed nicely blended juice with our breakfast.

On another note, I listed my house for sale on January 16th, it sold on January 23rd, conditionally until February 3rd (I have a really good agent!). So, the past few weeks my life has been pretty exciting. Just as raw food is an adventure about change and new things in life, I have another adventure and new change on the horizon. I am pretty excited about the new possibilities, the clean slate and the adventure that awaits us!

I hope this tastes good!

2008-01-30T07:47:00.000-05:00

... that is what I was saying to myself this morning, as I juiced (in my smoothie maker) 1 bunch of celery, 1 litre of water, 4 pears and ginger. Once I blended it all together, I strained the mixture through cheesecloth (as my health-food-store had never heard of a nut-milk bag, I’d better order one off the internet). I actually strained it twice, and I could have probably strained some more. Just a side note, make sure, if you are juicing using my straining method, you plan your shower for after the juice making experiment!

This concoction made 3/4 of a 2 litre mason jar. I also juiced 6 clementines (and strained) with ½ litre of water. This was really tasty, and was my mid-morning juice.

I did this to attempt a juice feast, just for today. This is my next adventure, together with Tigerlily. We have not officially started yet, as it takes a lot of research, planning and preparation. I just wanted to give it a "one day trial" to see if it was something that I could picture myself doing.

A juice feast is a daily regiment of 4 litres (possibly more) of freshly squeezed juice plus water. The Juice Feasting Website has a lot of valuable information on taking care of every aspect of your routine while on a juice feast. It is a lot of material, and I want to make sure that I have a full understanding before I attempt a full feast. A juice Feast can last for a period of up to 92 days!

"Juice feasting is about getting all the calories you need in a day (e.g. 1500 for an average woman) directly from juices. You still lose weight and detox, as your body has space to work on things other than digesting solid foods, but there is no feeling of ‘lack’. It is a fast, effective and highly beneficial way to cleanse, rehydrate, alkalise and re-build your body."

I started my day off with one litre of water, added the juice of ½ of a lemon, and 3/4 tsp of MSM. This is the recommended daily start to a juice feast on the Juice Feasting Website.

I wasn’t quite sure what MSM was (organic sulphur) or what its benefits were (worth the read!). I have to admit that I was a little worried, when I picked it up at my health-food-store last night and saw that it was sulphur - yuck!

I began feeling a bit nauseated at work, and after reading, it seems to be an initial side effect of the MSM. Better try just ½ tsp tomorrow and work my way up.

I don’t think I want to attempt a 92 day juice feast. That seems a bit too much for me to grasp at this time. Angela Stokes has a plan for a five day juice feast, which is probably more what Tigerlily and I will partake in. Maybe after 5 days, we may attempt a longer feast.

I will report on my full days experience tomorrow, but I will say that my GREEN GOOP is rather tasty!

Life is a Bowl of Cherries for an Invisible Mom

2008-01-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

... but I never feel like I am in the pits, like Erma Bombeck's Book. I guess it is all about perspective. I like to keep a positive outlook on life. Other people in my situation might not feel the same way, they might feel like they are in the pits.

I love my life. I love my children, I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of people who love and care about me. There is nothing better in life. Life is not about how much we can accumulate, it is about what we leave behind. It is the memories and the people that we touch that carries on. I received an email from a friend today (one of those ones you pass around to all your friends). I really liked the email. It is a long read, and I'm not sure who to credit it to, but it will put a smile on your face, and make you feel good if you are an invisible mother:

I'm Invisible
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people
who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime, because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Tic Tac Toe, Chocolate Macaroons to go!

2008-01-25T07:38:00.000-05:00

It is so cold here today. It is minus 13 degrees Celsius, before the wind chill factor. However, it is really deceiving, the sun is shining over the city, creating a nice glow. If you look really closely at the city, you can see the frost on the windows, the smoke blowing from the chimneys while the furnaces try to keep up, the people with hoods and scarves pulled tightly around their faces in an attempt to keep the cold harsh winds out.

It is a nice day to stay snuggled under the blankets in bed, or sit by a roaring fire with a cup of hot chocolate. These are all nice visuals; however, I don’t think that I would be satisfied with a mug’o’chocolate.

It is funny how your tastes change once you have become accustom to raw foods. Even the occasional "sneak" that I do, because I use to love that food is a huge letdown. The visualization and the memory of how the food tasted is very different from the food that actually reaches my taste buds now. Deceiving, much like the view outside my window today.

I realize, and I am beginning to know in my heart (because knowing something and believing it can sometimes be two different things) that raw food is much superior in nutrition, as well as flavor and taste. I think that I need to reach this realization so that I do not feel deprived from my old favorites; and with so many raw food recipes posted on blogs and on the web, I can satisfy most cravings that I have.

This morning, I woke up early again and made my macaroon truffles. I rolled one third in raw coconut, one third in raw carob nibs and one third in raw cacao powder. I can’t wait to indulge in one of these sweet treats.

I love chocolate and I crave it sometimes. I’m not entirely sure if it is a hormone thing, or a stress thing, but I know that sometimes, all I can think about is a piece of chocolate. Raw Chocolate is one of those things that cannot compare. Last fall, when I first made my Raw Chocolate Macaroons, I discovered this. The chocolate that I cheated on over Christmas could not compete with the smooth, rich, satisfying flavor of raw chocolate.

Lately I have been craving chocolate again. However, this early morning creation, unlike yesterdays, was not enjoyed at the breakfast table. Infact, I have smuggled the cute box above to work, where it will stay in my drawer incase I need that "chocolate fix", and I have hidden the ones at home. Don’t get me wrong, I will share (evil grin), but knowing my kids, if they knew they were in the back of the fridge, lower shelf, behind the milk, they would probably be gone before I made it home from work today. And if my precious children are actually reading my blog, please save one for mom :0)

Happy Friday everyone, the weekend is just around the corner.

Five Apples and Kristen's Contribution

2008-01-24T07:34:00.000-05:00

In celebration of National Pie Day (one day late), I woke up extra early this morning and threw together this amazing raw creation! It was absolutely delicious! The nice thing about eating raw food, is that you can enjoy treats like this any time of the day. So, accordingly, me and the kids enjoyed this apple pie for breakfast, together with a chocolatey-chocolate mint smoothie. This smoothie was as close to a chocolate milk shake as they get!

I was also excited and honored to receive an Inspirational Blogger Award this morning. Keely, the one who nominated me (thanks! muah-muah!) has a nice history of the award on her website.

Kristen was a creative-chef in the kitchen herself this weekend, and created this yummy dip for veggies that she got from her seventeen magazine. I love the fact that she looks for healthy recipes, although she is not 100% raw, she does eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruit and is very health and exercise conscious.

Here is her contribution:

Yogurt Dip
Mix 1 ½ cups vanilla yogurt with 1 diced cucumber, 1/4 cup green onions, 1 tbsp lemon juice and a dash of pepper.

This was a great dip for her fresh veggies. I am sure this recipe could be "rawified" very easily. Maybe I should "Just ask Shannonmarie". Hmm, that sounds like a good side business for her!

Okay, so in the tradition of the Inspirational Blogger Award, I in turn, have to nominate other bloggers who have inspired me on my journey. I would like to pass the award on to the PEOPLE not the blogs that have been most inspiring to me, of which are in no particular order.

My Dad - for trying to understand a raw lifestyle, and for grasping for that green smoothie and diving in with both feet. He has been my inspiration for so many things in life, I like to think that maybe I am his inspiration (at least for green smoothies) and I am so proud of him for accepting the challenge 100%!

Tigerlily - My "raw" buddy. We developed a relationship through The Raw Divas website, and have been raw buddies ever since. We keep in constant contact via email, and she is my only "raw" friend. I look forward to her emails, look forward to her advice, comments and suggestions. It is such an honor to be able to call her friend, and I only hope that one day, we can share a green smoothie together.

My Children - For all of their "eews" and "icks" when mom puts another green smoothie together, for every time they have been my guinea pigs for each of my new raw dishes, for each time they tell me that they are proud of me and that I look great, they have been my inspiration, and my reason for trying to make the world a better place.

My Readers - it is very inspirational to know that people are actually reading what I have to say, and even coming back on a daily basis. I love getting your comments and encouragement everyday!

The Raw Food Community - who would have thought that one day, a google search for "detox" would lead me on such an adventure. There are so many good blogs and forums and sites out there, and raw foodies are very free with advice, recipes and inspiration. It is such a nice feeling to be a part of such a warm and inspiring community.

"Green Is The New Black"

2008-01-23T08:34:00.000-05:00

The girls and I went on somewhat of a shopping spree this weekend. It is nice to have girls, 'cause that is what we do best! We all bought matching 100% Organic Cotton Tees. I'm hoping to purchase a lucky duck hoody soon, it looks so cute and comfy - bet my girls will all want one too! They also have the dehydrator I've been looking at. Better save up!

I like the fact that we "all match" in our organic Tees (mom even got one). I can’t remember all of us having the same shirt ever! I also like the fact that my children are becoming more health conscious and more environmentally friendly. I don't think you can adapt a raw lifestyle without it overflowing to other parts of your life. You should see my green-cart bin! The City of Hamilton offers a "composting" program, and eating raw, I can sure fill up my cart rawfully fast.

I also have them on my "boycott plastic shopping bags" crusade. Old Navy had a sale on over sized bags this weekend so I bought one for each of the girls to use as their shopping bags for the day. It worked out great. They looked so cute walking through the mall, filling their bags as we went. I told them that every time we go shopping now, they have their own bag to bring to the stores or mall. Now, if I could just find a whole bunch of canvas totes, I could create my own line of reusable bags with cute sayings, just like Shannonmarie does with her tankies! (The bags are great for smuggling raw food and smoothies into the theatre too. Took the kids to see Cloverfield last night and Kristen brought her bag!)

To end the weekend, we all went to Booster Juice and got a smoothie (even Ben came with us). The kids got really fun smoothies and I was able to find a "Cranberry Crave" on the menu that I could enjoy also. I really love cranberries!

It was a great weekend, spending time with the ones I love most in the world.

PS - The mountain climb yesterday was successful, the snow had stopped falling by the time we got there, and the stairs are designed for weather! I successfully made it to the summit and back. Thats two days in a row with no st. bernard to the rescue.

PPS- Heard on the radio this morning that today is National Pie Day, think I might have to celebrate with an Amazing Raw Applie Pie! What better excuse to experiment in the kitchen!

Conquering the Mountain

2008-01-21T19:19:00.000-05:00

Sometimes that phrase can be symbolic. Today, for me, that phrase was literal.

Well, I guess as literal as it can. In Hamilton we have an escarpment; however, people in Hamilton like to refer to it as the Hamilton Mountain. "Conquering the Escarpment" didn't have the same effect for a blog title.

In an attempt to add more exercise to my weekly routine, I decided to attempt to climb the Hamilton Mountain Stairs.

There are five different staircases that ascend the Hamilton Mountain. I have chosen to attempt the Dundurn Stairs - 356 steps up then 356 steps down. I suggested the idea to my kids this morning, 50% in favour 50% against, so we will see whether it is something that they will join me on in the future. A few girls at work have decided to do this jaunt after work when the weather permits. Will I be joining them on a regular basis? Lets see if I can conquer the mountain first!

Dundurn Street is a pretty street when you first enter the City of Hamilton. It has Lake Ontario at one end, and the Hamilton Escarpment at the other. There are some beautiful Century homes at the base of the escarpment, maybe I will find myself lucky enough to live in one of them.

I made it to the top! I am very proud of me! My girls are excited too, and want to conquer the mountain with their mother. Think I will have to get used to the exercise first, three times a week (m-w-f) before I start adding a weekend jog (or shall I say crawl) up the escarpment.

UPDATE: It is currently snowing and blowing out there, it is 4:36 pm in the afternoon, the girls at work are still planning on leaving work at 5:00 and conquering the mountain again today! So, just to let you know, if you don't hear from me for a few days, the mountain swallowed me whole, send out the st. bernard with the barrel around his neck!

To Market To Market To Buy ...

2008-01-18T18:18:00.000-05:00

After getting all excited about my dates and having that pear on the brain, I decided on my way home last night to grab a variety of fruit from the produce section and have a "sampling plate" at the dinner table.

This, was infact my dinner, together with a chocolate-mint smoothie. The kids loved the idea too.

On my fruit platter, I cut up star fruit, an Asian pear, cherries and added some of my dates (which I couldn’t wait to get home and eat). The star fruit was really pretty to cut up, and the taste was something that I can’t actually describe. I really don’t know of any other fruit that I could compare it too. The Asian pear looked more like a white apple than a pear, and it was really good too! The kids asked if we could have a fruit platter like that for breakfast one day. I think that is a great idea!

I got asked today if I was changing my office into a Market.

On the way to work, I decided to stop by the grocery store and "stock up" on some fruit for my office. I have been meaning to bring in a bowl and make a fruit bowl on my filing cabinet for sometime, but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Today I purchased a small amount of bananas, a box of clementines and some cherries. I really shouldn’t eat the cherries, but they are really wonderful and if I take it slow, they seem okay. So, in my office, I have the nice wooden crate that the clementines came in, with bananas on top, and of course, some of my dates and cherries to top it all off.

It is great to have the fresh fruit accessible here. I find that eating raw, you tend to get hungrier sooner than you would if you stuffed your belly full of carbs and fats. Therefore, even with a smoothie for breakfast, I find that I am starting to feel hungry by about 10:30 in the morning. I usually tote some fruit in my bag together with my smoothie, but no more!

I may just have to go to the farmers market at lunch today, and see what other new discoveries I can find to fill my office and my platters at home... breakfast tomorrow will be an exciting adventure! I may even get brave and purchase a prickly pear... but have to figure out how to eat them first! Besides, I need to get out for a nice walk to smell the roses, and to remember all that I have and all that I am thankful for in life.

Took my daughter to see Mamma Mia last night. It was so much fun to spend one-on-one time with her. I told her that we will have to make it a yearly tradition. I will buy us theatre tickets for Christmas, and we will enjoy a nice show together. The show was great! I look forward to next year, wonder what will be coming to Hamilton next! I just might turn into a Broadway girl!

A Mason Jar of Green Goodness

2008-01-17T17:38:00.000-05:00

Years ago, my mother bought me a really cool Mason Jar. At the time, I thought it was an odd purchase, but it was made the same year that I was born, and she thought that was pretty nifty (I won’t be the revealer of that date - you’d have to ask my mother)! I was surprised to learn that you can be a mason jar collecting hobbyist too, wow.

She has always been good at finding "treasures" for her daughters. It was a pretty good sized jar, with a clear glass lid. I put the jar in a safe place. It is in such a "safe" place, that I will have to try and remember and have my own hunt for that treasure (thought it was tucked in the back of my cupboard, but couldn't find it this morning). Although, I know that I kept it, I am a bit of a sucker for keeping things that my mother gives me!

The reason that I was thinking about that mason jar, was because of my green smoothie.

My Green Smoothie is accompanying me more places lately, especially to work. It has always been difficult to find a container worthy of my smoothie (or maybe large enough and sturdy enough and easy to clean and spill proof - imagine exorcist vomit everywhere). The hunt for such a vessel has been daunting to say the least.

I read a blog and saw a photo with a green smoothie in a MASON JAR!

DING!!!

Light bulb moment!!!!

While I am on my quest to boycott the plastic shopping bag, I have also been reading a lot of articles about saving glass jars. They can be washed out and re-used for storing foods and buying bulk items (instead of the dreaded plastic containers leaking toxins on your food).

It suddenly made perfect sense to tote my smoothie in a mason jar. I am reducing and reusing and recycling, as well as providing green goodness, what could be more perfect! It also looks kinda cool!

So, if you are venturing on a Green Smoothie Quest yourself, hunt no further than your mothers or grandmothers or even your own basement to find the perfect Mason Jar! Boy, am I gonna have fun looking at antique markets this summer!

Today, this lovely jar was filled with Green and Gone Smoothie from the Gone Raw Website - if you need smoothie ideas, it is the place to check out! I substituted the Dino Kale for Spinach for my smoothie - I had the spinach at home, and it is my green of choice for smoothie making.

PS - Think I might start saving some of those other jars for my bulk food purchases, I hate the "bulk" plastic bags too!

Wanna Date Mz. Goldilocks?!?!

2008-01-16T17:54:00.000-05:00

Nice thing about a raw diet, is there is always something "new" to try.

Last night I felt like Goldilocks! On my way home from work, I stopped at the Grocer. Not my regular grocer, but one around the corner. To my surprise the door was open, I just stepped on the magic carpet and the door opened up. I went in, and I found the most wonderful produce. Somehow my eyes had been opened. I hadn't gone to this grocer in awhile since it was the "cheaper" grocer, and they sometimes carry sub-standard fruits and veggies, not the type of produce you want when changing to a raw diet.

There was a large variety of produce that I was surprised by; they carry dandelion greens, kale, Chinese pears (which I have never seen before, but will be picking up soon). Upon my travels, I came across the most wonderful box of dates. I couldn't believe my eyes! Now, this is where I truly felt like Goldilocks!

I had only previously seen (and eaten) dates in bulk. The bulk dates are pretty gooey and sweet. They are great for a variety of raw food recipes, but I find them a bit much to eat alone (unless I am having an uncontrollable sweet tooth).

The dates I bought last night weren't too sweet, they weren't too gooey, they were just right! I ate a whole bowl and went right to bed (hopefully no bear will wake me!).

I have found a new favourite, and something that I would have never imagined purchasing before. I am a happy girl today, with a new love of dates!

PS - I successfully recommitted 100% yesterday, and am now on day 2. I just have to remember all of the benefits of a 100% raw diet - and yes, mind clarity is definitely one of them!

Day One 100% Recommitted!

2008-01-15T16:40:00.000-05:00

Today I have the sniffles and sneezes, the tail end of a "cold". I really don’t remember the last time that I got a cold, or the flu, seems like it has been forever. I stocked up on clementines, and with my goji berry smoothies, and that seems to have helped somewhat.

I think that my "cold" may be due to a weaker immune system due to a recent hospital trip. I also think that it might be due to the fact that I haven’t been 100% raw lately. I found that over Christmas, there were a few moments of indiscretion, as well as, after the hospital stay, I found it easier to eat "cooked" food. My sister made me a wonderful cauliflower and spinach soup, and it was a tummy filling treat the first few days after surgery.

I am making this my first day of re-committing to 100% raw! (I have probably been 75-90% lately). I am once again using my blog to be accountable for my re-commitment!

I do have to say, that maintaining a 100% raw lifestyle is relatively easy. It is much easier than I originally thought it would be. The only must for a raw lifestyle is PLANNING and PREPARING and THINKING AHEAD.

As well as 100% Raw, here is what I am committing to:

Breakfast with the kids - 7 times per week (smelling the roses!)
Taking time for me - 6 times per week
Updating my blog - 5 times per week
Green Smoothies - 4 times per week
Exercise - 3 times per week
Yoga - 2 times per week
Fast/Water day - once per week
Zero tolerance for plastic shopping bags - if I don't bring my "green" bag, I carry the goods, same goes for the kids!

That is my plan for the next 21 days!

On a personal note, listed the house last night... this is one of the few remaining "loose strings" to be tied up in my personal life. Hopefully it will sell fast, and I will find something that I love, and I will be content in all things in life!

Goji Berry Smoothie

2008-01-13T14:55:00.000-05:00

Saturday Morning, I wasn't feeling 100%. I had a small tickle in my throat, and was a bit tired. After reading about how good Goji Berries were, I decided to add them to my morning smoothie. This was inspired by Karen Knowler's Ezine, where she suggested a Goji Berry Juice made with berries and oranges. This was my breakie saturday morning:

Goji Berry Smoothie
2 handfuls Goji Berries, Soaked
4 Clementine oranges
1 Banana
Ice Chips

Add Goji Berries and water it was soaking, clementines, banana, ice and blend in smoothie maker.

I was rather surprised by the bright orange colour of the smoothie, considering the berries are red, but after some online reading, I found that they are higher in beta-carotene than carrots.

It was a different taste than the smoothies that I have become accustom to, but it was enjoyable! I am hoping to reap the rewards from the berries! As you can see, there was two smoothies that were enjoyed Saturday Morning, making for a nice romantic day and night.

".. they are believed to enhance immune system function, help eyesight, protect the liver, boost sperm production, and improve circulation, among other effects. In TCM terms, Goji berries are sweet in taste and neutral in nature; they act on the liver, lung, and kidney channels and enrich yin...Goji berries are nutritionally rich, containing beta-carotene, Vitamins C, B1, B2 and other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids"

Taking care of Me

2008-01-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

Why is it that people are perceived as selfish when they are "taking care of themselves"?

Maybe if it is done in a selfish manner, and by putting others needs behind their own, then it can be perceived that way. But sometimes people need to be able to take care of themselves in order to be the best that they can be. By taking a little extra time for ourselves, we are better able to function daily, and better able to care for and spend quality time with the ones we love.

Karen Knowler had a great article in her Ezine today, Successfully Raw, about taking care of yourself. I think that in the world today, somehow, most of us tend to put "us" on the back burner. (I am really enjoying her weekly ezine!)

I know that I am guilty of this. I have had some "down" time recently to recoup from a little corrective day surgery. Maybe this has made me realize that I need more time to take care of me, otherwise, who will be there to take care of everyone else? A little down time can also help you realize what is truly important in life, and it forces you to stop and smell the roses.

Somehow though, the call of the everyday work, kids, homework, school projects, laundry, meals, grocery shopping, housework, planning, etc tend to weigh heavily and limit the time that we have available to take care of us. The Raw Divas Blog has a great article about the benefits of getting enough sleep. This is one of my favorite forms of pampering... that, and a hot bath. I love a nice afternoon nap on a Sunday afternoon, and I love a nice hot, bubble, scent filled bath before bed in the evenings, especially after a long day at work.

In this new year, full of new years resolutions, it is a chance for us to make positive changes to our lives and the lives of those around us by setting good examples for the people we care about. I don’t have a lot of new years resolutions this year, and the ones I have are simple and fulfilling. I will add "taking care of me" to the list, because if I can do that successfully, the rest will fall into place. And of course, eating raw is "taking care of me" ;0)

PS - My smoothie today was the "banana delight smoothie" recipe for the kids, then for my own benefit, I added 4 romaine leaves and some fresh ground ginger to my portion. I am REALLY enjoying the combination! Tried to make Rawdorable's Cinnamon buns for breakfast, but something went TERRIBLY WRONG!!! Have to try that one again! If you haven't checked out her blog, I strongly recommend it!

Eggnog and Timbits, oh my...

2008-01-09T10:52:00.001-05:00

Inspired by a fellow blogger (thanks Shannonmarie for the inspiration), todays breakfast consisted of Tropical fruit smoothies and Donut holes. The Donut holes were a take off of Ani Phyo's recipe. My food processor could not keep up, so more coconut was added to the base, and the dates appeared as "raisins", just like in the dutchie timbits!

They were very sweet, and not my first choice for a breakfast food, but they are wonderful and the kids couldn't believe they were for breakie. They will definitely calm the sugar beast when he comes around!

I made the recipe last night before I went to bed so that they would be ready for this morning, Laurenne asked if she could eat the "raw" dough. I said "sure, no problem with this recipe". Laurenne loves to eat raw dough and batter, and I always tell her she will get sick, something my mother told me, but with the no-cooking being done around my house, I have no problem with her sampling the dough. We both got a chuckle out of that one.

Donut Holes
2 cups almonds
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups dried, and soaked pineapple
2 cups pitted dates
200 grams shredded coconut

Put almonds and vanilla into food processor and blend, add pineapple, then add dates and ½ coconut. This is where my food processor couldn’t handle the load, so I emptied all into a bowl, added remaining coconut and rolled into balls. Placed into refrigerator overnight.

Turning over a new leaf....

2008-01-02T13:18:00.000-05:00

A New Year and a new beginning. I love New Years. Doesn't matter what has happened in the past, there is always a "fresh start". This New Years, we woke in Ontario to a fresh blanket of snow, making everything new again! Something about fresh fallen snow that also adds to the "newness" of the season.

I have successfully vanished the sugar cereals from our breakfast table since New Years. Breakfasts have consisted of a variety of "cooked" things for the kids (smoothies for me) since the beginning of the year. It is a new years resolution of mine to begin each day off with the family at the breakfast table. So far this has been easy, because I have been home from work since after Christmas. It may be a bit more difficult to keep up the resolution once I get into my regular work routine, but I think it is important enough to wake up the few minutes earlier, in order to start the day off right with my family.

I have started a smoothie revolution in my family! I got my dad a smoothie maker, together with a big basket of fruit for Christmas (thanks to Heidi's Christmas Ideas) and let him borrow my "Green for Life" book over the holidays. He has been enjoying smoothies since Christmas and enjoyed his first "green" smoothie today. He is going to try and incorporate one litre of green smoothies into his diet daily. My significant other has been increasing the smoothies in his daily diet, and is even having his boys enjoy them for breakfast! My brother-in-law, after listening to my rants about the benefits of green smoothies, has also jumped on the band wagon. They are all asking me for recipes! Wow - can't say anyone has ever wanted my recipes before. My best advice to them when it comes to green smoothies, is to experiment with fruit only first, find a combination that they like, and then add the greens into the mixture. I think that is the easiest approach to a "green smoothie".

I am looking forward to 2008! There is much excitement around the corner, it should be a busy year, but one full of excitement and adventure!

The Sugar Addict

2007-12-30T11:09:00.000-05:00

I have once again become a sugar addict. It is amazing to me how after one little bit of refined sugar I become a green-eyed out of control monster! If I avoid sugar for a few days, then I am fine, and I can resist the sugary-treats that are around almost everywhere this time of year. Unfortunately, over the Christmas season, I have indulge in one or two (okay, who am I kidding!) shortbreads and fruit cake (yes, I am one of those odd individuals who actually likes fruit cake).

My body actually craves sugar these days. I think about where I am going to get my next sugar "hit". I find that it is a stronger craving than I have had in the past. I would assume that this is because of my total removal of refined sugar from my diet lately. I have had similar cravings to carbs in the past also, but I would venture to say, that maybe it was the sugar in the carbs that I craved as well.

A sugar addiction is a pretty common occurrence. Almost all foods on the supermarket shelves and all restaurant foods contain sugar. I think that the major food manufacturers also realize that there is a sugar addiction in the population. Sugar can be found in breakfast foods (yogurt, cereal, jams), at lunch time (salad dressings, ketchup, mayonnaise, bread) and dinner (pizza, pasta, sauces). Even some frozen fruits in the grocery store are frozen with sugar added! That is why I have started freezing my own fruit for smoothies.

Our body's reaction to sweets is one that was important once upon a time, it showed us what foods were good to eat (sweet) from the ones that were bad to eat (bitter), and it served as a survival mechanism. Today, however, the sugar junkie is long past that.

Sugar is a real addiction. It causes moodiness and withdrawal when it is not consumed on a regular basis. Maybe that is why my son Ben got so mad at me and said he would never eat breakfast again unless he got his corn-pops and fruit-loops.

Here is a good article on sugar addiction.

I will be glad when this holiday season is over, only a few more days to go. I love holidays with family and friends, don't get me wrong, but I want to conquer the sugar beast! I know I can do it, I have done it in the past. I find that smoothies help beat the cravings. They are always so sweet and tasty, and feel like a "treat" during the day. I think that there will be a lot of smoothie experiments in the next few days in my house. Here is today's creation:

Chocolate Mint Smoothies

4 Bananas
12 Mint Leaves
¼ cup Raw Carob Powder
2 tablespoons Raw Carob Nibs (ground)
2 cups water
2 cups ice chips

Mix all ingredients in mixer. Ground Carob Nibs in Coffee Grinder. Add to smoothie. Garnish with Mint leaf.

So, with a belly full of chocolate-mint smoothie, I am looking forward to the start of a new year "sugar free".

A Generation of Sugar Junkies!

2007-12-18T10:14:00.000-05:00

My little girl Laurenne on her first birthday.

Why is it that probably 99% of all parents pose their children on their first birthday, with a piece of cake infront of them, and watch as they dive in to the sugar? I have similar pictures of all my children on their first birthdays, or at christmas with a candy cane, or easter with chocolate all over them and even halloween with buckets of candy!

We are trusted with the lives of these tiny little souls and we turn them into sugar junkies. I commend the mothers who start their children out on the right path. They are miles ahead of some. I remember my sister Robin never feeding her children white bread, sugar, red dye, etc. and how we all thought that was pretty strange, not to feed your children candy! She still tells the story to this day of how one of her children went to grandmas, had a sandwich, and was so shocked by the taste of the white bread that they thought they were eating cake!

One of the hardest things that I have to overcome at this new lifestyle, is the eating habits of my children. I constantly feel like I am fighting an inner battle. I know the benefits of a raw diet, and I'm still buying them cereal on grocery day. I want them to obtain a healthier lifestyle, but I want them to chose it on their terms. I want them to see the benefits of my diet, and all the good that comes along with it, and I want them to want it for themselves.

Motherhood may not come with a book, but I do know that nothing that is forced is accepted well, nor will it become a lasting habit. That is my dilema. I do have control over what my children eat (to a certain extent) because I do the grocery shopping and I prepare the meals. Maybe my turmoil comes from the belief that children need (eek, dare I say) milk for growing bones and animal protein to build strong foundations (okay, now that it is out, I feel better). There is a stigma attached to children and nutrition, and although I'm not the world's perfect mother, somedays I like to think that I am. I do not want to do something so radical to their health without fully exploring and making sure that it is the right path for them.

I think that the longer I stay on my journey, both things will happen; they will see the benefits and want to add more raw foods to their diets (which is already happening to some extent), and I will know in my heart of hearts that a raw food diet is superior, for me and for them as well.

For today, I am making the conscious decision to remove all sugar laden cereals, school snacks and remaining junk food from our home (most of it has gone already in the past few years). January 1st is a new year and a new beginning. I may not be able to control their diet 100%, but I can lead them down the garden path, filled with fresh fruits and fresh veggies!

Green Smoothie Queen....

2007-12-17T15:29:00.001-05:00

... okay, this is the first day of the three-day Green Smoothie Challenge by The Raw Divas. The challenge is to increase the number of green-smoothies into your diet. You can just add a green smoothie to your existing diet or replace one or all of your meals with green smoothies. A few of the participants that have signed up, are replacing all three meals with green smoothies for the next couple of days.

Figure that I have made some pretty significant changes to my diet in the last few weeks, and I have even introduced green smoothies into my diet the past week, so to fully challenge myself (and to hopefully see the full potential of a green smoothie) I have opted to replace all three meals, for the next three days, with green smoothies. Now, just hope I don't spill any of my meals on my shirt, otherwise I might be known as exorcist girl!!!

I did the weigh-in this morning so I will know how much I will lose in the next few days. I made myself a chocolate-mint smoothie. I liked the fresh taste of the mint leaves in the smoothie, the kids, however, turned up their noses!

Everyone has their own personal tastes when it comes to the consistency of a smoothie. Some like a thick, pudding like smoothie, others like a thin, juice like smoothie. I like mine somewhere in the middle. I like my smoothie to be like a milkshake. I like it cold, with an icy consistency. Therefore, it will be a challenge to replace all three meals for three days. Breakfast is no problem. I make my lunch smoothie in the morning, and by lunch, it is more of a juice consistency. Dinner, I can make it icy-cold again in my smoothie maker!

I am looking forward to this three day smoothie adventure, with the promise of a more intense "green" program from the divas in the new year.

So, in this winter-wonderland of white, I'm a green girl today....

The Power of The Green Smoothie...

2007-12-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

There is a new "my space" out there - for raw foodists. "Give it to me raw" is the new place for raw foodists to share ideas, recipes, inspiration or anything else that they may want to discuss. It is the ultimate online raw community!

Believe it or not, I started the "Mothers of Green Smoothie Drinkers" as a place where parents of teenaged children can discuss the obstacles and joys of changing children already on a SAD diet to a healthier RAW diet. There are already others joining the group, so I guess I'm not alone. Maybe I REALLY was on to something yesterday!

On the green smoothie front, so far so good... I have had three days of successfully getting my 32oz of smoothies in, and my kids have had an 8oz glass for the past two days! I am proud of them for being so open-minded! Personally, I have gone through a lot of personal turmoil in the past 10 days, and I can see how the addition of greens, together with a raw food diet, has helped me cope tremendously.

So, the world is looking a little greener today, and I am a pretty excited girl....

Mothers of Green Smoothie Drinkers Unite....

2007-12-11T17:30:00.000-05:00

There seems to be a "green smoothie" movement out there. Not entirely sure if it has been there for awhile and I am just catching on to it, or whether it is a new idea among the "raw bloggers". Regardless of what it is, green smoothies seem to be getting attention.

The idea of blending your greens is a good way to release all of the nutrients that they contain. According to "Green for Life" the cellular makeup of the leaves makes it very difficult for our bodies to get to the nutrients unless they are chewed up really well. Every time I hear or read that, it reminds me of my grandmother and my dad (apple doesn't fall far from the tree) tellling me to chew each bite 40 times. Not sure about you, but I can't do that! My jaw actually starts to hurt. So, it makes sense to release all of the nutrients in the greens by blending them.

I remember when the "health stores" started coming out with "greens". Never bought any myself, but it is my understanding that it is some kind of putrid powder, that you mix into a big glass of water and have to choke down. I don't understand that entirely, why would anyone want to do that instead of enjoying a refreshing, easy to make, good for you, etc. etc. smoothie? That I guess is my question of the day.

I do have to say, that feeding children greens via a smoothie is a lot less stressful than telling them that they can't leave the table until all their veggies are gone. If you can get them past the colour of the drink, they enjoy it! Think I have just solved the veggie dilema for mothers everywhere! Now, if I could just contact all of them and sign them up for the "Mothers of Green Smoothie Drinkers". hmm, could be on to something here!

Okay, kidding and thoughts aside, I have to share my dinner last night (well, not literally, of course). I must confess that I am running out of ideas for getting excited over a bowl of salad, or one single fruit. I actually think my body is needing a change in the fruit department because it isn't as appealing as it once was. This recipe made me feel like I was eating "real food" which is what I needed at the time.

My "Real Food" Recipe

½ cucumber, diced into small pieces
3 tomatoes, diced into small pieces
1 green onion, sliced
2 cobs of corn (minus the cob)
Basil

Place all in a bowl, top with fresh basil, and enjoy - This one is a keeper in my books, nothing tastes better than raw corn on a cold winter day!

Let the Green Smoothies Begin!

2007-12-10T12:07:00.000-05:00

Tropical Green Smoothie

2 clementine oranges
1 banana
½ pineapple
water and ice chips
ground flax meal
spinach (3 handfuls)

Place all in smoothie maker and enjoy!

This one even all of my kids liked the taste of! This morning, upon making the regular banana/pineapple smoothie, I wanted to add some "greens" to it. Knowing that the kids would scrunch their noses up, I poured their glasses out, and needed to add more ingredients to make enough of the "green goop" to fill my water bottle and take to work. Looking around the kitchen, I came up with the above ingredients, threw them into the blender, and the result was delicious. The girls all tried a sip, and agreed that I could make this smoothie for tomorrow's breakfast!

I am one week from joining The Raw Diva's on the three day green-smoothie challenge (even got my dad interested in joining me!). I have been enjoying "Green for Life", and am very interested to learn all of the health benefits in a green glass of goop! I am trying a few recipes to come up with a yummy green treat, and today I might have found one. I am conciously trying to add the green smoothies into my daily diet. I am trying to have 32 oz per day (that is one glass in the morning, plus my "smoothie" jug full to take to work with me). I am going to introduce green smoothies into the kids diet, every-other day, starting tomorrow.

Even the girls at work tried my green smoothie today! They were all impressed at how good it tastes, regardless of the look! Maybe I will have some more green-smoothie converts soon! So, Tigerlily, next time your friends ask about your swamp-water, see how daring they are - mine made quite the conversation around the water cooler at lunch today!

Its a Green Smoothie Day!

2007-12-07T13:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I woke up extra early, guess I had a lot on my mind. I made a kiwi/celery smoothie recipe that I came across in my Green for Life book. I soaked in a nice hot tub one night this week, and dove into that book, had a hard time putting it down, and was quite a prune when I got out.

The kids were a little disappointed that their regular fruit smoothie wasn't there. I have to confess that the green smoothie wasn't as delicious as I had imagined it would be. Think the recipe needs some tweaking, celery isn't quite the taste I'm looking for at breakfast time. I think that I am on the hunt for the perfect green-smoothie recipe! This morning, I returned to the old banana/pineapple favorite!

My lunch on the other hand was wonderful! I had a salad that consisted of tomatoes, kiwi and red onions. It was topped with a dressing found on The Raw Diva website. This was a nice change from the spinach/lettuce salads that I am used too.

I hope to get into the kitchen this weekend, and do some "non-baking". I will be decking the halls and trimming the tree with the kiddos, and this festive task always involves, Bing Crosby and home baked cookies. Decking will be a little different this year. If I have great success in the kitchen, I will be sure to post the recipes, along with photos next week.

I have completed over 21 days raw. They say that 21 days is what you need to successfully implement a new habit/change. I feel confident that I am enjoying this journey that I am on, and with some implementing and changes (mostly to my children's diet), I think this will be a road that I continue to walk.

I don't want to force my children to be raw, I wouldn't want to force anyone to do anything, because I believe that forcing someone to do something, is never good. HOWEVER, I don't know how much longer I can accept the sugar laden cereals, and the sticky school snacks around the house. The days of the sugar addicts might be numbered! Read 'em and weep kids (but just remember, I'm doing this for your own good!)

Special Note: This week I made the "Ultimate List of Raw Food Blogs" at Raw Food Right Now, Raw Food in the Real World! That is quite an honour!

Raw in the Real World...

2007-12-04T13:15:00.000-05:00

Well, I am happy to announce that I am still RAW.

With a confirmation, a funeral, and a romantic getaway between friday and monday, I have had a very busy couple of days. I have noticed that staying raw in the REAL WORLD is quite the challenge.

After the confirmation, we had a celebration at a local restaurant. It was very cold in the restaurant, and my salad and ice water didn't help the situation. Others ordered coffee, soup, warm bread, and warm meals, while I put my coat over my shoulders. This is the first time that I have noticed that I missed "warm food". I will start to carry some of my herbal tea bags around with me, so that I too can "warm up". I also brought a cake from the cake lady (eek!), and I am happy to say, that I didn't have a piece, I brought a fruit tray along also for dessert(and the left over fruit tray made great smoothies the rest of the weekend).

Most of the food for the funeral was trays of veggies, fruit, cheese, crackers and sandwiches, along with the desserts. It is very easy just to "pick" at fruits and veggies at a house setting like that, and no one seems to notice that you have a plate loaded with fruits and veggies! All in all, it went okay.

It went okay, but it was also tough. I give a lot of credit to people who can commit to a 100% raw lifestyle 100% of the time. A coffee would have really hit the spot saturday afternoon, and a nice buttertart or brownie would have been nice yesterday afternoon.

I am anxiously awaiting my first visit to a "raw" restaurant. Hopefully I can make that trip soon. I think it would be a lot of fun to eat something other than salads and fruit. I don't have a dehydrator, but if I did, I could make some raw crakers and "chips" and dehydrate my own fruit so that I knew there wasn't any additional things in with it (banana chips would be good!)

So I am still here, in the raw world, looking forward to the future and what it has to bring me. I received my "Green for Life" book yesterday, and I still have to finish my "Living on Live Foods". I am enjoying the daily emails from the Raw Holiday Survival Guide. My life is good, and I'm glad to be raw!

Let them EAT CAKE!!!

2007-11-30T12:30:00.001-05:00

Okay, I have a confession to make, and as you can probably guess from the title of this blog today, I took the words of Marie Antoinette literally. Yesterday, there was a birthday celebrated in the office (not mine, thank goodness! only want one a year). The CAKE LADY came in. She is the lady that we order all our yummy cakes from. They are the most delicious sugar laden cakes that I have ever tasted. Even pre-raw, the sugar content in that cake was enough to put me over the edge.

Yesterday I was feeling pretty good about my two week adventure. I was pretty sure that one, little, teeney, weeney piece of cake wouldn't be so bad. Of course, when I got to the kitchen, there was a corner piece available, and we all know how good the corner piece is (and you can probably guess, it wasn't so teeney weeney). I bet your mouth is watering just thinking about my yummy treat yesterday, but don't worry.

Funny thing about cake, and sugar, or anything else that is bad for you, your mind doesn't know when to stop, at least my doesn't. Even after the first few mouthfuls of sugar, when my body was saying "okay, thats enough, I don't feel well", my mind kept saying "yum, sugar, eat the whole thing!".

I have learned a very valuable lesson from this experience. MY BODY DOES NOT LIKE SUGAR! My stomach didn't feel well all night, I was tired, my tummy was bloated, I had problems falling asleep, and then I seemed to wake up every hour, all night long. When I woke up this morning, I had bags under my eyes! Haven't seen that in a few weeks, sure makes me look older! The nice thing about removing all bad food from my diet, I could identify that it was the sugar for sure. I am sure that I would have similar results upon reintroducing chocolate, dairy, caffiene, wheat, or a whole host of other "not so good" for yous.

Today in the office, it is a busy day, the boss has ordered pizza for lunch. Guess what, I am in my office, finishing my delicious Banana Delight Smoothie - which is my fuel of choice.

So today I say, "Let them eat Pizza, I know what my body needs"

Oh, and a little side note here, seems that I keep looking at different people around me, and think to myself "boy, they could use some more raw food in their lives...", must be the bags under their eyes!

Banana Smoothies - More Smoothie Creations!

2007-11-28T19:52:00.000-05:00

This Yummy-Yellow Delight was enjoyed by the whole family last night as a "dessert" after dinner. It was such a success, that it was again the smoothie of choice for breakfast today. I must admit though, I don't think there is such a thing as a "bad smoothie combination", if there is, I haven't come across it yet. Seems everytime I throw fresh fruit in my smoothie maker, with water and ice chips, the result is simply delicious!

Banana Delight Smoothie (named by Kristen)

3/4 Pineapple
2 Bananas
1 cup ice chips
4 cups water

Throw into smoothie maker and enjoy - makes an entire blender full!

My Raw Buddy, Tigerlily and I have successfully made it through our 7-day detox. The Raw Divas are offering a "Green Smoothie 3-day Challenge", and that is going to be our next mission together (starting December 17th). We also have a new member to our group, Pepper, and she is on The Raw Divas also. She is starting her detox this weekend. You can read all about Tigerlily's and my detox on The Raw Divas website's Powder Room, under pre-detox chit-chat. Here you can also find a lot more valuable information about detoxing and the raw diet. I'm thinking we should all plan a "raw diva slumber party" together, maybe even invite Tera and Amy!

With my children getting so involved in this raw adventure, it has added an additional layer of excitement for me! I want to be well informed and make sure that this is the right thing for them also. I have ordered "Green for Life" by Victoria Boutenko. I think that will help educate me more on this raw food adventure. Tigerlily has read this book also, and it seems to be mentioned on nearly every raw food sight that I have frequented. I also want to continue reading my "Living on Live Foods". I'm going to have a few favorites to pull out infront of a friends fireplace this year!

SPECIAL NOTE: Imagine my surprise when I logged on to my blog and read the comment left on yesterday's post! Thanks Kristen, you just warmed your mom's heart! And I am always proud of you too!

Life is full of surprises!

2007-11-28T12:15:00.000-05:00

"I have an announcement to make...." was the greeting I got this morning while handing out smoothies, "I want to become raw too!" I am so excited that my children are seeing a positive change in me, and I am so excited that they would like to join me on my adventure.

Becoming a raw foodist is a personal decision, and I would never force, or try to talk anyone into it. The fact that she has decided on her own is a wonderful thing! I told her, that even if she went 75% raw, she would see all the benefits that it would bring. I also told her about the "Three Day Smoothie Challenge" from The Raw Divas (more on that later) and she was also very excited. I am very thankful for the relationship that I have with each and every one of my children. In fact, our relationship was compared to "the Gilmour Girls" last night.

Another nice surprise was when I was leaving the house this morning, and asking one of the girls to make sure that the smoothie maker was rinsed out really well before she went to school. I was trying to make sure that it was done, and emphasizing that it was important to me. I heard a voice speak out "its mom’s Christmas present!". That put a smile on my face, because the only place that they would have heard anything along those lines was on my blog yesterday. (Thanks Jack!)

Today is my last day on the 7-day detox. I am feeling really good. I am proud of Tigerlily and myself for successfully making it through this week! I am also thankful for the friendship that I have developed with her!

So, sorry no recipes today, not too much on the raw food diet, just an overall thankful feeling for all the wonderful things I have in my life, how much they all mean to me, and how happy I am!

(Gee, something tells me that I'm about a week too late - good thing I'm Canadian!)

Christmas Came Early

2007-11-27T12:28:00.000-05:00

Christmas came early in my house this year. It came in the form of a new Back To Basics Smoothie Maker. How did I know it was Christmas, because when I walked down the blender aisle at my department store and found that they had a smoothie maker, I yelled "YEAH!" (and I think I might of even jumped up and down). Embarrassingly, I stated to the other shoppers who looked at me quite stunned, "I've always wanted one of these!" as I hugged the box. Gee, what a girl...

My New Smoothie Maker is even better than the old one. It has a dispenser from the bottom, that powers up the blades as soon as you put the cup against it, fresh mixed smoothies with every glass. Today's breakfast consisted of 1/2 pineapple, one banana, 2 cups frozen strawberries and 1 cup of globe grapes. It was so smooth and creamie, I even had my kids "ooing and awing" this morning. This Smoothie Combination tastes just like a Strawberry Daiquiri, better save that recipe! Think it is time to start intoducing some more green smoothies to our mornings!

I even bought myself a coffee grinder last night. What on earth would a raw girl want with a coffee grinder you ask? Well, I need something to grind all of those raw cacao beans once I am off my detox! I found a list on one of the raw websites that listed a coffee grinder as a "must have appliance" for a raw food kitchen. So, I am glad that I have one (price was right), but my "must have" is definitely my SMOOTHIE MAKER!!!!!! Somehow a regular blender just doesn't make the grade!

Christmas is fast approaching (less than a month away and it will be all done!). As this is my first "raw" Christmas, I'm sure that I will be tempted by mash potatoes and gravy (never been a turkey girl), perogies and cabbage rolls, not to mention my mom's absolute best shortbread ever made! Sheesh, getting anxious just thinking about it. I have signed up for "The Raw Holiday Survival Guide" with Raw Food Right Now. I am looking forward to additional support as I make my way through the holiday season.

My 7-day detox is almost at an end. This week I am losing weight at a rate of about 1/2 lb per day. Add that to the 5 plus pounds from last week, and I am feeling really good about myself. Looking back at my detox week, it was much easier than I thought it was going to be. I think it also helped me from developing a dependency on nuts and oils, which can happen on a raw-food diet. I think that I am going to make a batch of my macarroon truffles to celebrate this weekend!

I know that my raw-food buddy, Tigerlily and I, will have a continuing journey for a long time to come. She survived Thanksgiving, we survived the detox and now we can look forward to Christmas together. I am also glad that I have someone I can talk to on an on-going basis. Without The Raw Divas, we never would have found each other!

Strawberry Daiquiri Smoothie
1/2 pineapple
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup green globe grapes (complete with seeds)
1 banana
Water
Place all ingredients into a smoothie maker, and enjoy - recipe makes a full blender!

Smoothie Goodness!

2007-11-26T12:17:00.000-05:00

I have found that one of the things that I am really enjoying through out this raw adventure are the Smoothies. There are so many great varieties and the food combinations are endless. Today’s smoothie consisted of water, bananas and green globe grapes (complete with seeds) and some ice chips. It was very light and refreshing.

I am always amazed at how full and satisfied I get from my smoothie. I can have one for breakfast, and my appetite does not come back until lunch time. I could easily enjoy another smoothie for lunch, or have fruit or a salad. I can’t wait until summer and I can enjoy a nice chilled smoothie in the hot sun.

They are becoming a breakfast tradition at my house these past few weeks. The odd morning that I have not prepared a smoothie for breakfast, my children put on sad faces and wonder why. For the most part, I just put water in my blender, place whatever fruit I have available, together with a few frozen bananas, and voila, a breakfast for champions.

There is the "green-smoothie" variety. In this case, it would be a combination of fruit and a leafy veggie such as chard, kale or spinach. The addition of the "greens" makes this drink full of vitamins. It does, however, have an odd look to it; and although my kids have attempted them in the past, it is something that I am introducing them to slowly.

For anyone who thought that a person on a raw food diet wasn’t getting enough calories daily, I happened to stumble along the caloric intake of a smoothie one day. It was almost enough to make me give up this tasty treat. Then I had to remember, the nice thing about the raw food diet is that I don’t have to count calories, carbs, points, grams, fats, fingers, toes, or anything else which is a good thing because I’m not very mathematically inclined.

I eat when I am hungry, stop when I feel full (try to stick to a mono-meal so I can learn to tell the difference), try to balance the greens with the fruits and the nuts and seeds (post detox) and hydrate with water often. It is that simple. Something else that I have benefitted from (courtesy of The Raw Divas), is once I feel hungry, I will grab a glass of water, hydrate myself and wait for an hour before I eat. This helps me to decide if I am really hungry or not.

I am still on my detox week with The Raw Divas, I am thankful that I am not detoxing as much as I was last week. I have felt the odd headache, but on the good side I am still losing weight! I have gotten really exhausted and had to go to bed early, but on the good side I got a wonderful nights sleep! I have emotionally missed eating cooked foods, but on the good side I can see the benefits of a raw food diet already!

Life is really good when you are full of fruits and veggies, and after this detox I will be nuts too! (I know a few people out there who already think I am!)

My Support Groups

2007-11-25T16:23:00.000-05:00

My first raw food outing was a great success!

I ate my salad for dinner, and my macaroons were enjoyed also. I did have two macaroons, but I figured if that was my only slip out of cheese and crackers, home made chili, garlic bread, scalloped potatoes and ham, wine, not to mention the wonderful looking birthday cake, I did great! I also enjoyed the usual veggie tray (minus dip for me). I never thought of that before, but a veggie tray is such a common placed thing at a social function, and I can munch on that all I want.

I have developed a great support group on this journey of mine, I know that it has made all the difference between sticking to my plan or falling from the wagon.

My raw buddy is a great bonus. I really don't think that I would have been able to stay as focused last night if it wasn't for her. I find that being accountable to someone makes all the difference in the world. I want to be there to support her in her journey as well, and if I slip, how supportive and understanding can I be to her. I know that there will be a few ups and downs, but "slipping" to me, or rather once I jump of the wagon, I know that it will be very easy to give in again, and again, and I will lose focus on what got me here in the first place.

Chris has been a great support through all of this. In fact, he even joined me in my fresh-fruit breakfast this morning, he sat and flipped through my "Living on Live Food" book, and has shown a genuine interest in all aspects of what I am doing. This is a huge benefit, to have someone so close to me, not on a "raw" diet, and be so accepting and interested in what I am doing. He is setting high standards for the rest of my family (he loved the raw truffles and keeps asking when I will make some more!)

My kids are also a great help. They are willing to try new things and get excited about this journey they are on. This morning, they all stuck a straw into a coconut, with mixed taste results. This afternoon we all had pina-colada smoothies. An adventurous bunch they are!

The Raw Divas are a great source of support. After all, this is where I found my "raw buddy". They are great, and actually email you personally with any questions or concerns that you have. Amy stumbled upon my blog, and both Amy and Tera have been very supportive of all aspects of what I am doing. I find their "Powder Room" (or forums) are a great source of inspiration and entertainment, as well as a place to feel a part of a community.

I am enjoying this new journey of mine... jumping in with both feet!

Easy Quinoa Salad and Raw Macaroon Truffles

2007-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

My first raw creation! This is what happened to those quinoa seeds that I sprouted a few days ago, and what become my dinner last night.

Guess this is part of the "raw food adventure". Don't think that I would have ever posted a recipe for "Chicken whatever" before, nor would I have the same satisfaction in saying "I made this!". In fact, I don't think that I ever would have been daring enough to try my own creation on a SAD diet. I was never very good at it. Substitution was my enemy. If I didn't have all the ingredients, and didn't prepare the meal EXACTLY as the recipe stated, it would more than likely end up in the garbage. You are encouraged to try your own creations on a raw food diet, and that is something that excites me more than I ever thought it would. I hope I can make experimenting in the kitchen a "weekly event".

Easy Quinoa Salad
3 cups soaked Quinoa (1 cup pre-soaked)
1 cup chopped grape tomatoes
½ cucumber, diced
1 green onion
Juice of ½ lemon

(I think Cilantro would be good in here too if you like it, I'm not that big of a fan). Place all ingredients in a bowl and enjoy! Even my kids liked this one, they thought it was pretty interesting to see the "seeds with tails" in their salad!

I also made "Raw Macaroon Truffles" (I'm so proud, and of course, an original recipe also!) They will be for my dinner party tonight.

Raw Macaroon Truffles
1 cup dates pitted and soaked
1 jar (8 oz) Cacao Bliss (chocolate coconut butter)
½ cup carob powder
Cacao Nibs

After soaking dates, place in food processer until blended. Add jar of Cacao bliss and blend some more. Add Carob powder. Place in freezer until firm enough to form into balls. Roll in Cacao nibs.

Kids loved this one. I (sigh) stayed clear, as not to disrupt the detox. Proud of me T.Lily? Hopefully I can say the same thing after I attend the dinner party.

The one continuing theme that I seem to come across is not to be hard on yourself for going astray. If you happen to "slip" while on your raw-food adventure, it is just as easy to start off from where you left off. The guilt that you carry around could be more toxic to your body than those few bites of whatever you ate that was not allowed.

I know that I will do fine tonight. As it is my first "raw adventure outside", I am interested to see how I feel mentally when I am sitting at a table with people eating cooked food, other than my children. But life offers all kinds of new adventures for us to take, and this is just one more on my path!

Happy Saturday!

In the Raw, and Feeling Great!

2007-11-23T11:43:00.000-05:00

I made it through my day of fasting, and so did my raw buddy! So we have started this adventure together.

Last night, for my "mono-meal", I chose some kiwi from the grocery store. I was considering buying two bags of kiwi, because I was feeling so hungry by the time I got there, and Kristen was going to eat her dinner, and then dine on some kiwi with me. I was surprised to find that after only 4 kiwi, my hunger was gone. I did find that amount of kiwi a little acidic on my stomach, so I ate a banana as well (oops!). After that feast, I had nothing again for the rest of the night. I was very tired by the time 8:30 came around, and hit the hay for a well deserved rest.

I did notice a few things this morning; I haven’t had a bad hair day at all this week, I usually have at least one; there is a lot of turmoil and major decision making in my personal life right now, and I am holding up better than I ever have in the past; my outlook on life is very good, I am excited for every new day, and I can’t wait for whatever life has to bring; I smile more; I am thankful for so many things in my life.

The Raw Divas seven day detox focuses on simple foods and simplified eating. Foods that you can grab and go, as opposed to complicated menu choices. I am interested to see how my body will react to this further adventure in "raw food". I am going to miss my nuts for the next few days, but I can always enjoy them again at the end of this week (hmm, maybe better rephrase that one!)

I am going to a birthday dinner party tomorrow night, and so I am going to bring a nice big salad to share. I am also considering trying to make some truffles or something else that is sweet for dessert. This will be my first social function that I have attended in the raw, but I am looking forward to it!

I am amazed at how easily my body and my attitude has accepted this new way of eating/life. It is so much more than just eating fruits and vegetables...

The sun is shining today, and so am I.

After seven days....

2007-11-22T10:14:00.000-05:00

... I have lost 5.8 pounds. My clothes fit better. I don’t feel so bloated, and losing a bit of weight puts some bounce in your steps!

... I have an increased sense of smell and taste, so I know that my body is healing.

... the bags that appear under my eyes from lack of sleep are a thing of the past.

... I have more energy in the evenings. I am starting to sleep really well through the night.

... I don’t seem to have the same food cravings for the chocolate, potato chips or ice cream that I used to. I am hoping that this one stays away! They are my three problem foods, you know, the ones where you start, and you just can’t stop, until you feel sick to your stomach!

My first week has been really, really great! I feel good about myself, physically and mentally. Still waiting for this increased mental clarity though. Will it be one of those things that I notice, or will it just happen that my brain will function so clearly, that I can’t remember it being any other way?

I have started my 7-day detox. Day one consists of a day of fasting, from 6:00 the night before until 6:00 tonight. At that time, I can have a mono-fruit meal, which means, as much of one fruit as my little heart desires. Not sure what I am going to have yet. Wonder if I will still detox this week?

Last night for dinner, my salad was topped with a very simple olive oil and apple cider vinegar recipe from "Livng on Live Food". I couldn't believe how good it was. My search for a great salad dressing is over! Can't wait to try more recipes (after the detox, of course).

I have met a "raw-buddy" on The Raw Divas. She starts her detox day today too, and I am excited to have her as a buddy. I don’t know of any other person, personally, who is on this raw-lifestyle. To have someone that I can check-in with, share the ups and downs, take strength from and enjoy the ride on a daily basis with is pretty great! She lives in Jackson, MS, and is starting her detox on her Thanksgiving. I wish her the best of luck. I know that she will get through the day, and be proud to tell me all about her successes tomorrow.

It is a snowy, blowy day here in Ontario. Schools have been closed. I began to wonder about me missing "warm food" in the winter to keep me warm. I have heard mention of this on other raw sites, but it is not something that I ever considered. I think that warm, cooked food has become such a part of the normal daily life, that I am unsure how my body will respond to cold foods over the winter. A warm cooked meal has always been the norm for dinner everyday, even in the summer months. I have noticed that in the summer, when it is really, really hot, my body doesn’t want hot food. I love having a salad on these days. Will my body miss the warm food in the winter? Something to ponder on this blustery day...

Day Seven: Minty Fresh!

2007-11-21T12:24:00.000-05:00

This morning when I was brushing my teeth, I couldn’t believe how minty the tooth paste was. It was my normal, everyday tooth paste, but today, it seemed different. I did notice yesterday, and today, that when I put my moisturizer on my face in the morning, I could actually taste it, strange. When I was photocopying at work today, and holding the paperclip in my mouth, as I normally do, I could taste the metal (yuck - don’t think I will be doing that anymore).

So, yesterday I noticed my sense of smell improving, and today it is the taste buds. Amazing to think that my body is being improved just by switching my eating habits. I am also amazed to think that if I can notice these changes on the outside, how much is being done on the inside!

I started Alissa Cohen’s "Living on Live Food" last night, and it was really hard to put down. I am very excited by all the recipes at the back of the book, but most excited about the salad dressing recipes. On this "rawventure", my quest for finding a good salad dressing has turned up short.

I am also excited because tonight, I will be doing the weekly visit to my sisters house, with kids in tow to watch The Bionic Woman. I always bring over some snacks for the show. I pre-warned her last week, that it would be the last of the junk food, and this week would be something raw. At first I thought it would consists of veggies and dip (for the kids). Now that I have Alissa’s book, there are so many more exciting choices to bring! Not quite sure what I will bring yet, but sure whatever I find in Alissa’s book will be wonderful.

I have decided to start the first day of my "7-day detox" tomorrow. That way, I will have one full week of going raw under my belt before I start. (Hmm, maybe I’m just delaying that "fast")

I tried a green smoothie recipe for breakfast with the kids this morning. It was good, but I must admit that I miss my old "smoothie maker" blender. The new one, just doesn’t blend the same. Think I will have to invest in another blender soon. The kids weren’t overly excited about this one. It didn’t help that due to my poor blender, the pineapple was actually "stringy" still. I have previously made the Green and Gone Smoothie from Gone Raw, and two of the four kids loved it. Today’s was a homemade concoction, of baby spinach, pineapple, banana, water and ginger. Might try it again once I get the blender situation sorted out.

I am also excited because last night I started my first sprouting experiment. Between "Living on Live Food" and my "7-day detox" downloads, I took what I needed to start. I am sprouting quinoa. I have placed it in a mason jar, with cheesecloth overtop for rinsing. I was amazed this morning when I rinsed the seeds, how "fresh" they smelled already. There is no sign of life in that jar with water, but it smelled like the grocery store produce aisle. Can’t wait to try them in a few days.

UPDATE: The Bionic Woman isn't on tonight - darn that writers strike! So looks like I can start my "7-day detox" on time. Tonight after 6:00 pm until tomorrow at 6:00 pm, it will be water, water, water...

My sister adds "and you don't have to change it (the blog)...you can still bring me some food!!!". Sisters are just too cute. Really don't know what I would do without mine!

Day Six: The Nose Knows!

2007-11-20T11:11:00.000-05:00

Today is a great day! I have to say, that I feel as though I have successfully made it to the other side! Although last nights dinner consists of salad and fish (for the kids), I have to confess, that the fish did smell pretty good, and was a little tempting, but not enough to reverse the progress that I have made. Lunches around the office smell good too. But there are some foods, that although they smelled bad before, they are really bad now. Raw red meat is something that I haven’t been able to stomach for awhile, but now I find that even raw chicken packaged in the supermarket has a disgusting odor to it.

I noticed yesterday that my sense of smell has sharpened. Spent some time with a friend last night, who is a smoker, and I couldn’t believe how much the smell stuck to me, and how bad it was. Also, I noticed the dishwasher detergent when I loaded the dishwasher. I am hoping that this enhanced sense will have more pleasant encounters in the future!

I find that my appetite has decreased. This is probably due to the quality of food, the old quality versus quantity theory. My body can take all of the nutrients that it needs from the foods that I am feeding it; therefore it needs less. My pants are fitting really good now, but I think I’d better learn a little more about food combining (I’m sure other raw foodists will understand what I mean by that).

I must admit, that I am enjoying the peppermint truffles that I purchased from Alissa Cohen’s website (maybe a bit too much). Raw chocolate is something to be experienced! I was worried at first, because the cacao bean actually grows on a tree, but it doesn’t seem to bother me (phew!). Now I can satisfy my chocolate craving when I need to, the raw way.

I am enjoying reading other raw blogs. I find their stories interesting and inspirational. There are also a lot of great-looking recipes out there, that I can’t wait to attempt. Raw Food Right Now has a list of blogs on their website, and it is a great way to pass the time and gain some inspiration. Reading other blogs also helps me feel like I'm a part of a growing community.

Tomorrow is my first day on The Raw Divas 7-day detox, and it will be a fasting day. With the decrease in my appetite, I am prepared and ready for this one. With their daily support emails on what to expect and the 7-day detox downloads that are available, I am quite excited!

I am enjoying this new adventure that I am on, and I look forward to where it takes me next....

Day Five: The light at the end of the tunnel!

2007-11-19T12:30:00.000-05:00

Detoxing is a funny thing. Even though I felt like crap yesterday, I still felt good at the same time. I can see the benefits of the detox, together with the symptoms. It is a really hard thing to explain. I actually had a craving for an apple yesterday! Don’t think that I have ever had a craving for an apple in my entire life. The thought of that late day chocolate bar or bag of chips seems to be a thing of the past. I even passed up the home-made chocolate chip cookies and muffins the girls made this weekend in exchange for a piece of fruit. I didn’t sleep too well last night, so I am still tired, but I don’t have the tell-tale bags under my eyes that I normally get with a tossing and turning. I have lost 3 pounds already!

Kristen had a friend over for dinner last night. As I was laying in bed, after serving them dinner, I heard Kristen say to her, "my mom gets all her veggies from the farmers market!" That put a smile on my face. Turns out that her friend loved the salad that we had for dinner last night so much, she asked if she could take some for her lunch at school today. Maybe I will change the world for 5 +1. But joking aside, it is nice to see the positive effects filter down through my children.

Will I get enough protein on a raw diet? Did some research online on this today, and it seems that there is more edible protein in 1 gram of pumpkin seeds than there is in 1 gram of a sirloin steak; 1 gram of almonds has more protein than the same amount of pork chop. Also, another article I read, stated that even if you are a meat eater, you should choose plant-based protein as half of your protein intake per day. This is because the protein in plant-based foods are low in fat, contain no cholesterol and supply dietary fiber. So, together with the fruits and veggies, it is important to increase the nuts, seeds, beans, peas and sprouts to make sure that I get enough protein in my diet daily. This shouldn’t be too much of problem, all these make really good additions to a salad! Also, can’t wait to try the raw ice-cream recipe from Raw Food Right Now, who would have thought you can get your protein from ice-cream?

It is a really good feeling to be on day five. I feel as though I have past the hurdle, and I have made it "over the hump". The thought of "cheating" at this point is a negative thought. I have come too far to go backwards now, and that is a good feeling. I must admit, in the beginning it was "oh, what will a few chips hurt... better a bit raw than not at all". Those "cheating" feelings are completely gone.

I am enjoying the daily support emails that I am receiving from The Raw Divas. They are great, and it is really important to have the support along the way. I also enjoy their "Health in High Heels" newsletter that is published every thursday.

Today I received my "Living on Live Food" book and dvd that I ordered from Alissa Cohen (boy that was fast). Can't wait to sit down tonight, with a big glass of lemon-water and start reading! Life is good!

Day Four: Definitely Detoxing!

2007-11-18T19:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a good day. I soaked in the tub, checked out my local natural food store, not a bad day at all. My headache went away by mid-afternoon, and I had a nice relaxing night with the kids.

Today was another story, actually woke up with an awful sinus headache. Nothing seemed to take it away. Most of the day I didn’t have much of an appetite. I had a fruit-salad smoothie for lunch (nick-named yesterday, from the left-over breakfasts). The girls love the smoothies too, so made four this morning. By the time dinner came, my detox symptoms were so bad; the thought of food did nothing for me. I made dinner for the kids and then went to bed for a few hours.

I really didn’t expect my detox symptoms to be so bad, and I really hope they don’t stay around too long. I’m not a coffee drinker and I don’t use salt on my food. I have to admit, though, that I am a big chocolate/sugar addict.

It is important to understand the detox process during this flu-like feeling; otherwise, you may be tempted by that pasta dinner. My body is “cleaning house”, the higher-quality food that I am introducing into my body is being stored, while the lower-quality tissue and toxins are being discarded. As they are being discarded, they are making their way through my blood stream before being released. This is what causes the detox-symptoms. Although I feel bad, it is a good thing; and although the pasta dinner would lessen the detox, it would only delay the inevitable, or halt the process.

On a good note, Chris came home from Winnipeg today. That made my day wonderful, despite the headache. I picked him up at the airport, and we had a really nice afternoon together before he had to leave to go home. He makes me happy, the thought of him makes me smile and I am glad he is in my life.

Ironically, the kids are watching “Super Size Me” on television. Think it is going to be an early night for me.

Day Three: Detox?!?

2007-11-17T10:12:00.000-05:00

They say that day number three is the hardest hurdle to get over with any major change to the system. It is a major hurdle because your system is in the stages of "detoxing", removing the bad stuff, or toxic substances from your system. Your body will eliminate meat, food additives, coffee, tea, salt, pepper, and dare I say chocolate from your system, as well as a lot of other things! Detoxing symptoms can range from a variety of things from very minor, to very major. Detoxing is a good thing. If these "toxins" are left in the body, they will eventually surface in one form or another, so it is a positive thing to eliminate them now, even though it might not be a pleasant thing.

It is important to 'baby' yourself on day three (at least that is my theory, and I'm sticking to it!). It works out well that today is saturday, I can relax, have a bath, or even an afternoon nap if I feel like it.

Today is great so far! Beginning to feel some of the benefits already. I have more energy, and my pants feel more comfortable. It is nice not to have the "I'm so full" feeling after every meal. Instead, it is a nice satisfied feeling.

When I make a salad for dinner, I tend to make a very LARGE one. My biggest downfall is afterwork, I am STARVING! So, when I get home, and am making dinner, I tend to munch! I have found over the last few days, if I have a nice big salad to come home to, already prepared, it makes the munching, and making dinner a lot easier.

Also, this morning, I hit the ground running (so to speak, no, not exercising!) I ran straight into the kitchen and whipped up some old favorites because I know that today, being around the house, will be a challenge. I made a nice big batch of my favorite guacamole to help get me through the day. I also washed and prepared all my veggies and fruit that I got from the farmers market this week. Speaking of the farmers market, I was told that you cannot put apples and pears together. That is a funny thing! Supposedly the apples go bad if they are together with the pears. Never heard of that before. Too bad my grandma wasn't around, she surely would have known that. So, I have to make a separate fruit bowl for the pears, which isn't so bad, I currently have a separate bowl for the grapes too! Boy isn't my kitchen gonna look cute with all this fresh fruit hanging around!

For breakfast, I tossed the left-over fruit salad from yesterday (strawberries, grapes, raspberries and pineapple) into a blender, added a banana and some water and ice, and voila, I had a really yummy fast, easy, no-waste breakfast. I have to say, I am impressed with how full I feel right now. It is a cold, snowy day in Ontario, and I am enjoying a nice smoothie! Life is good.

So back to the kitchen for me, and a nice easy, simple day around the house.

And I forgot to mention.... I am really proud of me! That is a really good feeling!

Day Two: Survived day one!

2007-11-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

Although, think I did overdo it with the nuts and seeds, but seems to help me with the carb withdrawal.

I signed up for the "7 day detox" with The Raw Divas. They have a great site, and I have attempted the program before and never quite made it. They seem to have made a few changes to the original program, and now there is a 5 day pre-detox segment. I am looking forward to getting through the program this time. I encourage anyone interested in becoming "raw" to check out their site. The 7 day detox is free, and the site is filled with lots of interesting and valuable information.

This morning when I was brushing my teeth, and thinking about the idea of how everything that we put on our skin is absorbed and enters our bodies and blood streams, I started thinking about my grandmother. Years ago, in her lifetime, everything was a lot simpler. Meals were home-cooked, laundry hung on the line, fresh-air and exercise a daily event (you know, the "I walked 10 miles up-hill, both ways to school every day!"). Now, I’m sure that grandma’s homemade cookies were full of white-flour and sugar, but at least you could pronounce, and you new what all the ingredients were. I remember being a kid in the 70's, when I think a lot of the "new and improved" processed foods were being introduced, and I remember grandma saying to everything "oh, thats gonna give you cancer...", and how we all thought she was such a fuddy-duddy for saying so. Funny thing now, I think grandma was right. Maybe there really does come wisdom with age. Wonder what she would think of today's hair removal lotions, sucralose and cell phones, to name a few.

Another funny thing, I was informed yesterday that becoming a "raw foodist" has not only a positive impact on your body, but there are spiritual and emotional aspects to the change as well. Clarity on all levels increases. That should be an interesting thing to experience. Who doesn’t need a little clarity in life.

As for me, little bit of a headache today, and I’m a bit tired - didn’t sleep too well last night, but that was more due to my dog than to my new eating habits!

Day One: So far so good!

2007-11-15T13:58:00.000-05:00

Today is day one in this new adventure. I have been trying to go "raw" for a few months now. I ordered Alissa Cohen’s "Living on Live Food" book and CD yesterday (as well as the truffles)! The girls are pretty excited about this new change (Ben was out at hockey last night, so he’s not aware of it yet). I have been prepping them for the last few months as well. I don’t expect my children to go 100% raw on this adventure, but I figure by increasing the veggie and fruit intake, as well as educate them as to healthy eating habits, it’s all good.

Woke up at 6:00 this morning, earlier than my normal. Made some fruit salad for the girls for breakfast, as well as packed some up for their lunches. They were all very excited about that. The girls love fresh fruit salad. Ben on the other hand, isn’t overly fond of it, and I am assuming that he had the regular sugar laden cereal for breakfast. I found myself hungrier than normal this morning, so I had a banana and a handful of grapes, along with a great big glass of lemon-water. Lunch will consist of the fruit salad from this morning, and I will have a great big salad for dinner.

So far so good, but dinner will be the real test. Breakfast and Lunch have always been fairly easy for me to keep "raw", but dinner, and cooking for four hungry kids, is a bit of a challenge!

The Pre-Raw Day...

2007-11-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

The Raw Food Diet: A concept of only eating living plants, nuts, and seeds to maintain health. The idea sounds simple enough, the fact that our body uses the nutrients from these sources as building blocks for our "living" cells. Living the diet isn't as "simple", at least in my experience so far...

There are some concerns about long-term effects about staying on a "raw" only diet. Guess I have to get there first, to worry about the long-term. The short-term seems too good to be true; weight loss, better energy, improved health, reducing of wrinkles and grey hair...
For me, there are however, some very big road-blocks in the way to obtain this "raw food" adventure. I am a mother of four pre-teens, and the thought of a "raw only" dinner does not excite them. Another hurdle, I am a single parent with a demanding job... therefore, prep time in the kitchen for meals is not in abundance. Also, I live in Canada, where there is plenty of fresh fruits and veggies in the summer months, but my last trip to the farmers market, proved that the season is literally almost done (actually, lots of nice looking apples available). The last hurdle that I have to overcome is a tree-allergy. Now, I know that I won't be carving up any pines for dinner in the near future, but my tree-allergy is so severe that any "un-cooked" product from a tree (fruit or nut) could be fatal - therefore the apples at the market look good, but I can't eat them... gee, maybe I should re-think this "raw" thing afterall...

I am going to order "Living on Live Foods" by Alissa Cohen today (maybe even throw in an order for some of those truffles for when the dreaded sweet tooth rears its ugly head), and I am going to dig out my "Supercharge Me" video and watch it tonight when I get home as inspiration.

I am hoping that this new "blog" will be my way of staying accountable to this new adventure of mine. I am also hoping that if there are others out there on this journey, maybe this forum will be a way for us to support each other.

Wish me luck....