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Friday, May 27, 2011

Vanishing of the Bees

Usually our first thought when we think of bees is getting stung. But did you know that honey bees are responsible for almost everything we eat each and every day?

Click this link http://www.vanishingbees.com/  to watch the video trailer for the documentary Vanishing of the Bees. Its a sad and scary realization that our environmental conditions are very poor.

We need to stop and appreciate the small things in life and save the honey bees!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Self Sabatoge

Thought of the day......


I live in the city and yesterday my husband walked out our front door and noticed a 5ft black snack. Where did he come from? So I took on the misson to save this little guy and place him in his natural habbitat. This made me think; everytime I look around, I notice that everyone reaches out to help an animal. We are against animal cruelity yet we abuse ourselves. We put unhealthy food in our bodies, put everyone before ourselves,  and sit on the couch instead of adding activity to our daily lives. Why do we allow this?!?!


To Do: Do one kind thing for yourself today! (get a manicure, take a bath, read a magazine, take a walk on your lunch break, choose a healthier lunch etc)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Custom Granola

Check out this super fun website that helps your create your own custom granola. They have everything from wheat germ, to goji berries to chia seeds. The coolest part is as you add different ingredients it totals up the nutritional value. What a perfect hostess gift or even a treat for yourself or loved ones.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

3 Ingredient Ravioli




Check out this 3 ingredient Ravioli recipe from http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/ .  The best part is you have 3 sauces to choose from depending on your mood! I can't wait to try this :)


INGREDIENTS:

•1 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
•1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
•28 to 30 whole-wheat dumpling or wonton wrappers

TOMATO-SAGE SAUCE:
•2 tsp olive oil
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
•2 tsp chopped fresh sage
•1/4 tsp each sea salt and ground black pepper

ASIAN SAUCE:
•8 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
•2 slices ginger (1/4 inch each), smashed
•4 tsp thinly sliced green onion
•4 tsp sesame seed oil

MUSHROOM SAUCE:
•2 tsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
•4 cups white mushrooms, sliced
•1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
•1/4 tsp each sea salt and ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.Heat squash, garlic and 1 cup water in a wide saucepot over medium-high heat. Cover and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until squash is very soft. Drain in a colander. Return squash mixture to pot and mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth.
2.Place pot with squash over medium heat and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly, so excess water can evaporate; set aside to cool.
3.Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Assemble ravioli: Place 1 tbsp mashed squash mixture in center of each wrapper. With wet fingers, moisten outer edge of each wrapper, then fold in half diagonally (corner to corner) and seal to form triangle. Cook stuffed wrappers for 3 to 4 minutes in boiling water. To serve, place 7 to 8 stuffed wrappers in a dish and top with 1 of Three Sauces.

TOMATO-SAGE SAUCE:
1.Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then toss in tomatoes, sage, salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes; serve immediately.

ASIAN SAUCE:
1.In small bowl, blend all sauce ingredients with 1/2 cup water. Serve immediately.

MUSHROOM SAUCE:
1.Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 2 minutes, until soft. Add mushrooms, thyme, salt and pepper and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

(Serves 4)Nutrients per 7 to 8 ravioli: Calories: 242, Total Fat: 1 g, Sat. Fat: 0.25 g, Carbs: 53 g, Fiber: 4.5 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 7 g, Sodium: 327 mg, Cholesterol: 5 mg



TOMATO-SAGE SAUCE
Nutrients per 1/3-cup serving: Calories: 37, Total Fat: 2.5 g, Sat. Fat: 0.25 g, Carbs: 3 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 1.5 g, Protein: 1 g, Sodium: 130 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

ASIAN SAUCE
Nutrients per 1/4-cup serving: Calories: 51, Total Fat: 4.5 g, Sat. Fat: 0.5 g, Carbs: 1.5 g, Fiber: 0.25 g, Sugars: 0.25 g, Protein: 1 g, Sodium: 401 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

MUSHROOM SAUCE
Nutrients per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 81, Total Fat: 2.5 g, Sat. Fat: 0.25 g, Carbs: 11 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 3.4 g, Protein: 4 g, Sodium: 136 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

Monday, May 23, 2011

How to get started on your own health journey?

It seems overwhelming at times to take that first step towards a healthier lifestyle. Just remember the first step is the hardest and it gets easier from there (kind of like a relationship breakup).
  1. Canned fruits and vegetables are a great way to transition.
  2. Next try frozen fruits and vegetables. They are a quick and easy way to liven up any meal. (soup, yogurt, pasta etc)
  3. Try a new fruit or vegetable from the produce aisle. Never tried kale? Purchase a bunch and go home and google a new recipe to experiment with.
  4. Organic is better than regular produce and it a great step once you have begun to consistently make these tiny changes in your lifestyle.
  5. Local is BEST! This produce has traveled a shorter distance to your place (less preservatives) and is grown in a richer nutrient and mineral soil.
*It takes people years to change their lifestyle so start gradually and begin to form a habit. One thing I want to point out is if you don't like a particular fruit or vegetable DON'T eat it. There are plenty of options out their so never force yourself. Be a picky eater just like little kids and only eat what you love!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Why High Fructose Corn Syrup may kill you....



I just read this interesting article by Mark Hyman, MD on high fructose corn syrup so I thought I would share.
 
The current media debate about the benefits (or lack of harm) of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in our diet misses the obvious. The average American increased their consumption of HFCS (mostly from sugar sweetened drinks and processed food) from zero to over 60 pounds per person per year. During that time period, obesity rates have more than tripled and diabetes incidence has increased more than seven fold. Not perhaps the only cause, but a fact that cannot be ignored.


Doubt and confusion are the currency of deception, and they sow the seeds of complacency. These are used skillfully through massive print and television advertising campaigns by the Corn Refiners Association’s attempt to dispel the “myth” that HFCS is harmful and assert through the opinion of “medical and nutrition experts” that it is no different than cane sugar. It is a “natural” product that is a healthy part of our diet when used in moderation.

Except for one problem. When used in moderation it is a major cause of heart disease, obesity, cancer, dementia, liver failure, tooth decay and more.

Why is the corn industry spending millions on misinformation campaigns to convince consumers and health care professionals of the safety of their product? Could it be that the food industry comprises 17 percent of our economy?

The Lengths the Corn Industry Will Go To

The goal of the corn industry is to call into question any claim of harm from consuming high fructose corn syrup, and to confuse and deflect by calling their product natural “corn sugar”. That’s like calling tobacco in cigarettes natural herbal medicine. Watch the slick ad where a caring father walks hand in hand with his four-year-old daughter through a big question mark carved in an idyllic cornfield.


In the ad, the father tells us:

“Like any parent I have questions about the food my daughter eats – like high fructose corn syrup. So I started looking for answers from medical and nutrition experts, and what I discovered whether it’s corn sugar or cane sugar your body can’t tell the difference. Sugar is sugar. Knowing that makes me feel better about what she eats and that’s one less thing to worry about.”


Physicians are also targeted directly. I received a 12-page color glossy monograph from the Corn Refiners Association reviewing the “science” that HFCS was safe and no different than cane sugar. I assume the other 700,000 physicians in America received the same propaganda at who knows what cost.

New websites like www.sweetsurprise.com and www.cornsugar.com help “set us straight” about HFCS with quotes from professors of nutrition and medicine and thought leaders from Harvard and other stellar institutions.


But are these twisted sweet lies or a sweet surprise, as the Corn Refiners Association websites claim?



Here are 5 reasons you should stay way from any product containing high fructose corn syrup and why it may kill you.

1. Sugar in any form causes obesity and disease when consumed in pharmacologic doses.

Cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup are indeed both harmful when consumed in pharmacologic doses of 140 pounds per person per year. When one 20 ounce HFCS sweetened soda, sports drink or tea has 17 teaspoons of sugar (and the average teenager often consumes two drinks a day) we are conducting a largely uncontrolled experiment on the human species. Our hunter gather ancestors consumed the equivalent of 20 teaspoons per year, not per day. In this sense, I would agree with the corn industry that sugar is sugar. Quantity matters. But there are some important differences.

2. HFCS and cane sugar are NOT biochemically identical or processed the same way by the body.

High fructose corn syrup is an industrial food product and far from “natural” or a naturally occurring substance. It is extracted from corn stalks through a process so secret that Archer Daniels Midland and Carghill would not allow the investigative journalist, Michael Pollan to observe it for his book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma. The sugars are extracted through a chemical enzymatic process resulting in a chemically and biologically novel compound called HFCS.

Some basic biochemistry will help you understand this. Regular cane sugar (sucrose) is made of two-sugar molecules bound tightly together – glucose and fructose in equal amounts. The enzymes in your digestive tract must break down the sucrose into glucose and fructose, which are then absorbed into the body.

HFCS also consists of glucose and fructose, not in a 50-50 ratio, but a 55-45 fructose to glucose ratio in an unbound form. Fructose is sweeter than glucose. And HCFS is cheaper than sugar because of the government farm bill corn subsidies. Products with HFCS are sweeter and cheaper than products made with cane sugar. This allowed for the average soda size to balloon from 8 ounces to 20 ounces with little financial costs to manufacturers but great human costs of increased obesity, diabetes and chronic disease.


Now back to biochemistry. Since there is there is no chemical bond between them, no digestion is required so they are more rapidly absorbed into your blood stream. Fructose goes right to the liver and triggers lipogenesis (the production of fats like triglycerides and cholesterol) this is why it is the major cause of liver damage in this country and causes a condition called “fatty liver” which affects 70 million people. The rapidly absorbed glucose triggers big spikes in insulin – our body’s major fat storage hormone. Both these features of HFCS lead to increased metabolic disturbances that drive increases in appetite, weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia and more.

High doses of free fructose have been proven to literally punch holes in the intestinal lining allowing nasty byproducts of toxic gut bacteria and partially digested food proteins to enter your blood stream and trigger the inflammation that we know is at the root of obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dementia and accelerated aging. Naturally occurring fructose in fruit is part of a complex of nutrients and fiber that doesn’t exhibit the same biological effects as the free high fructose doses found in “corn sugar”.


The takeaway: Cane sugar and the industrially produced, euphemistically named “corn sugar” are not biochemically or physiologically the same.

3. HFCS contains contaminants including mercury that are not regulated or measured by the FDA

An FDA researcher asked corn producers to ship a barrel of high fructose corn syrup in order to test for contaminants. Her repeated requests were refused until she claimed she represented a newly created soft drink company. She was then promptly shipped a big vat of HFCS that was used as part of the study that showed that HFCS often contains toxic levels of mercury because of chlor-alkali products used in its manufacturing.(i) Poisoned sugar is certainly not “natural”.

When HFCS is run through a chemical analyzer or a chromatograph, strange chemical peaks show up that are not glucose or fructose. What are they? Who knows? This certainly calls into question the purity of this processed form of super sugar. The exact nature, effects and toxicity of these funny compounds have not been fully explained, but shouldn’t we be protected from the presence of untested chemical compounds in our food supply, especially when the contaminated food product comprises up to 15-20 percent of the average American’s daily calorie intake?

4. Independent medical and nutrition experts DO NOT support the use of HCFS in our diet, despite the assertions of the corn industry.


The corn industry’s happy looking websites www.cornsugar.com and www.sweetsurprise.com bolster their position that cane sugar and corn sugar are the same by quoting experts, or should we say mis-quoting …

Barry M. Popkin, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has published widely on the dangers of sugar-sweetened drinks and their contribution to the obesity epidemic. In a review of HFCS in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,(ii) he explains the mechanism by which the free fructose may contribute to obesity. He states that:

“The digestion, absorption, and metabolism of fructose differ from those of glucose. Hepatic metabolism of fructose favors de novo lipogenesis [production of fat in the liver]. In addition, unlike glucose, fructose does not stimulate insulin secretion or enhance leptin production. Because insulin and leptin act as key afferent signals in the regulation of food intake and body weight [to control appetite], this suggests that dietary fructose may contribute to increased energy intake and weight gain. Furthermore, calorically sweetened beverages may enhance caloric overconsumption.”

He states that HFCS is absorbed more rapidly than regular sugar, and that it doesn’t stimulate insulin or leptin production. This prevents you from triggering the body’s signals for being full and may lead to overconsumption of total calories.

He concludes by saying that:
“… the increase in consumption of HFCS has a temporal relation to the epidemic of obesity, and the overconsumption of HFCS in calorically sweetened beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity.”

The corn industry takes his comments out of context to support their position. “All sugar you eat is the same.”

True pharmacologic doses of any kind of sugar are harmful, but the biochemistry of different kinds of sugar and their respective effects on absorption, appetite and metabolism are different, and Dr. Popkin knows that.

David S. Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and a personal friend has published extensively on the dangers and the obesogenic properties of sugar-sweetened beverages. He was quoted as saying that “high fructose corn syrup is one of the most misunderstood products in the food industry.” When I asked him why he supported the corn industry, he told me he didn’t and that his comments were taken totally out of context.

Misrepresenting science is one thing, misrepresenting scientists who have been at the forefront of the fight against obesity and high fructose sugar sweetened beverages is quite another.

5. HCFS is almost always a marker of poor-quality, nutrient-poor disease creating industrial food products or “food-like substances”.

The last reason to avoid products that contain HFCS is that they are a marker for poor-quality, nutritionally depleted, processed industrial food full of empty calories and artificial ingredients. If you find “high fructose corn syrup” on the label you can be sure it is not a whole, real, fresh food full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Stay away if you want to stay healthy. We still must reduce our overall consumption of sugar, but with this one simple dietary change you can radically reduce your health risks and improve your health.


While debate may rage about the biochemistry and physiology of cane sugar vs. corn sugar, this is in fact beside the point (despite the finer points of my scientific analysis above). The conversation has been diverted to a simple assertion that cane sugar and corn sugar are not different.

The real issues are only two.
1.We are consuming HFCS and sugar in pharmacologic quantities never before experienced in human history — 140 pounds a year vs. 20 teaspoons a year 10,000 years ago.
2.High fructose corn syrup is always found in very poor quality foods that are nutritionally vacuous and filled with all sorts of other disease promoting compounds, fats, salt, chemicals and even mercury.


These critical ideas should be the heart of the national conversation, not the meaningless confusing ads and statements by the corn industry in the media and online that attempt to assure the public that the biochemistry of real sugar and industrially produced sugar from corn are the same.


References
http://drhyman.com/5-reasons-high-fructose-corn-syrup-will-kill-you-5050/


Thursday, May 19, 2011

In the Koop

This is awesome!!! Its an edible garden in a box, that allows you to start your garden 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Check out the site they even sell seed packets for rare unique vegetables and other gardening supplies.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Slow Food USA

Join the movement!!! Find your local chapter

Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.



Good:

The word good can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For Slow Food, the idea of good means enjoying delicious food created with care from healthy plants and animals. The pleasures of good food can also help to build community and celebrate culture and regional diversity.

Clean:
When we talk about clean food, we are talking about nutritious food that is as good for the planet as it is for our bodies. It is grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on our local ecosystems and promotes biodiversity.

Fair:
We believe that food is a universal right. Food that is fair should be accessible to all, regardless of income, and produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

Aveda founder speaks out!

Are you eating all organic and local foods but putting chemicals on your skin? Check out this great mission from Aveda's founder.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Cheddar Cheese Crackers

cup whole-wheat or whole-wheat pastry flour

1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (more as needed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup tightly packed grated sharp Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 cup tightly packed grated Parmesan (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Sift together the flours, salt and sugar, and place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the butter, and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Add the cheese, and pulse several times to distribute it evenly throughout the flour mixture. Turn on the food processor, and add the olive oil and eggs. Stop the machine when the dough comes together. It will be soft and somewhat sticky. If it seems very moist, add another tablespoon of flour and pulse until incorporated.

2. Lightly flour your hands and your work surface. Scrape out the dough and form two equal pieces. Shape into rounds, wrap in plastic and let rest for 15 minutes.

3. Roll out each piece of dough between pieces of lightly floured parchment. Cut into squares or rectangles, and place on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, switching the pans after the first 10 minutes from front to back and top to bottom. They will foam in the oven because of the cheese, but that will subside and they will bake crisply. The crackers are done when they are lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and cool on racks. Store in an airtight container.

Yield: About five dozen crackers.

Advance preparation: These crackers will keep for about a week in an airtight container.

Nutritional information per cracker: 28 calories; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 9 milligrams cholesterol; 2 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 39 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein


Martha Rose Shulman is the author of "The Very Best of Recipes for Health."

Monday, May 16, 2011

Cleanse Completed!

I can officially say I have done a cleanse.... and I loved it!!!

All weekend I have been following the post cleanse menu and today is the day that I start to gradually add back in meat and dairy to my diet. Starting slow we will be having crabs tonight (I defiantly feel like I deserve a treat) I can't wait.

People have been asking me questions lately about energy from this cleanse so here are some reasons why: Many experts say your body uses 50%-80% of your daily energy on digestion alone. So when you are on a cleanse and giving your digestive system a break you have all this extra energy that your body is no longer using to digest meals.

Each juice contains so many unbelievable nutrients for your body that your body is absorbing almost everything (so despite what you may hear about a cleanse you are not running to the bathroom all day). Your skin will look healthier, hair shinier etc.

Overall this cleanse was so much easier than I ever expect it to be. The best part was I could go on with life while still sticking to the cleanse. Will I ever do this cleanse again.... YES without a doubt!

Friday, May 13, 2011

BluePrint Cleanse Day 2 & 3

Readers I am so SORRY about the delay in this blog post. Blogger has been down since Wednesday night and I have lost all my entries since then. 

Day 2 Cleanse Update
The second day into my juice cleanse I woke up at 6am jumped out of bed, walked both dogs, cleaned my house top to bottom, got ready for work and was out the door before 7:30am. Talk about energy!!! I didn't even hit snooze or lay in bed for a few extra seconds.

Throughout the day everything went extremely well. I did feel hunger once between juice 3 and 4 but that also could have been nerves since our house was showing (its for sale).  Otherwise I was full of energy and did not have one craving or temptation all day. So far so good!!

Day 3 Cleanse Update
I woke up relaxed and didn't feel the least bit bloated. What girl doesn't love waking up with a flat tummy?
Up early again I was feeling great (not sluggish or bloated) happy and full of energy.

I was put to the test in the afternoon, as we went to my Aunts house for a BBQ. But let me say this was no ordinary BBQ as my cousin was in from California and he is one of the Top Chefs in the US. He made everything from pork with a homemade salsa Verde to roasted lemon fennel and asparagus salad, Italian roasted peppers with goat cheese etc. I walked into the festivities with my little BPC cooler and guess what I was NOT TEMPTED to eat one thing! I couldn't believe it. I stuck to my juice cleanse and felt full and satisfied.

I also gauge I am down 3+ pounds already and I still have the post cleanse to go (I love this added bonus)

So for the next 3-4 days I will be following a post cleanse

The idea is to break the Cleanse primarily with fruit (day one), then add salads and steamed veggies (day two), legumes (day three), from there I can begin incorporating what ever else I normally eat leaving meat and dairy last to come on board.

Breaking the Cleanse Sample Menu:

Day 1 – I will have a few pieces of fruit spread out through the day, or some fresh squeezed non-pasteurized juice (green/citrus/or fruit). If I want I can drink some freshly squeezed juice, but will be sure to dilute it with some water.

Day 2 - I can have raw or lightly steamed vegetables, e.g. spinach, broccoli; try and avoid the more starchy veggies like carrots, beets, squash etc. I will also have a raw green leafy salad with some vegetables.

Day 3 – Green salads should will be my staple at this point. If I'm craving some more sustenance, I may choose plain brown rice (a small portion), or a yam or sweet potato.

Day 4 – If I eat meat, I can incorporate some now - lightly steamed or poached fish, with veggies and a salad of course!

Day 5 – Other more “dense” foods are now able to gradually make a come back.





Tuesday, May 10, 2011

BluePrint Cleanse Day 1

 Its HERE!!!! My package arrived via FedEx at 9:45am this morning!
The entire box was like an insulated cooler to keep the juices cold and fresh.




 Everything is in the frig.... (I swear all the beer is my husbands!)

They give you this great little cooler to pack you juice in. So above is my "lunch" with a bottle of water.


I was so excited that my juice was coming today, that I jumped out of bed before my alarm and quickly got ready to make sure I didn't miss the FedEx lady. (I know you all are judging me that I was this excited but remember I am into all this nutrition stuff..haha!) While I was waiting I had a warm glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon to hold me over.

Green juice (Romaine, Celery, Cucumber, Apple, Spinach, Kale, Parsley & Lemon) was my 1st, 3rd and 5th drink of the day. This juice is actually quite refreshing and not bitter as I had thought it would be. The apple and lemon give it enough sweetness to go down easily.

P.A.M (Pineapple, Apple & Mint) first let me say Jason would love this juice. This was my 2nd drink and it tasted like a fruity drink with a mint aftertaste.

Spicy Lemonade (Water, Lemon, Agave Nectar and Cayenne)- This was my 4th drink of the day and it quenched your thirst. It was only slightly spicy in the beginning.

Cashew Milk- (Water, Cashew, Agave Nectar, Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon)- This was my last drink of the day, YUM its dessert!

The only "RULES" to drinking this juice is they must be consumed at least one hour apart and the last one must be drank at least two hours before bed. That being said I decided to drink my juices 2 hours apart throughout the day 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm.

There is no time for hunger I felt like I was drinking something all day. Each juice took me 30-45 minutes to drink because they are so filling.  (Its interesting to think how fast I must usually eat my meals throughout the day compare to this). They recommend drinking tea and water in between juices but I have no idea how people find the time. Once I was done one juice it was almost as if I turned around and it was time to drink another. Also I thought I would run to the restroom frequently with all these drinks but nope, nothing more than usual.

So day 1 recap:
  • Juice Taste- better than expected
  • Hunger- none
  • Temptation for other food- none
  • Difficulty getting through the day- none
  • Side Affects- none
So far so good!!!! I will post tomorrow evening to let you know how day 2 went. But if you have any questions about the cleanse or how I am feeling just post a comment and I would be happy to answer.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Day 3 of Pre Cleanse

Today is the 3rd and final day of my "pre" cleanse. That means all weekend I have been eating mainly a raw food, vegan diet. No dairy, meat or eggs.  I thought I would feel hungry or deprived but its actually the opposite. I have found that I no longer have food cravings, and I am not constantly thinking about food.

(FYI- I attended a birthday party and a wonderful mothers day brunch this weekend but not once did I give in to temptations!)

Each morning I started my day with a warm cup of water with fresh squeezed lemon and below is what I ate each day.

Saturday
Breakfast-Strawberries
Lunch- Garden Salad (sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce) with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Snack- Apple Lemon detox juice from a fantastic new juice bar, slice of pure whole grain bread and fresh peanut butter.
Dinner- Cucumber & tomato salad with a sweet potato
Dessert- Raw apple cobbler (YUM!)

Sunday-
Breakfast- Pineapple & a slice of pure whole grain bread and fresh peanut butter
Lunch- Fresh spring salad with homemade dressing and fresh berries
Dinner- Fresh spring salad left overs with homemade dressing & an apple
Dessert- Honeydew melon




Monday
Breakfast- Honeydew melon
Lunch- Salad with onion, cucumber and grape tomatoes with homemade dressing
Dinner- TBD (probably a similar meal to lunch)

Then Tuesday my juices arrive! I am defiantly looking forward to giving my digestive system a break (I mean it has worked every day for 28 years)!  This cleanse is a simple way to rid my body of impurities and at the same time I will be feeding it the highest grade nutrients. This less intense cleanse is perfect for someone like me who doesn't like to be hungry or feel light headed.

I will update my blog tomorrow night after my first day of the cleanse so make sure to check in tomorrow evening!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Tips for shopping at a farmers market

•Go early for best selection
•Go (or stay) late for the best deals (you can sometimes get discounts on whatever is remaining)
•Bring cash and coin (just in case credit or debit cards are not accepted)
•Bring your own sturdy, reusable bags
•Take the time to walk around and see what’s available before making any purchases
•Talk to the farmers/vendors--be sure to ask if you have any questions or need advice
•Bring a cooler if you plan on buying meat, dairy, or other products that require cool temperatures
•Buy in bulk if you find something you love and at a good price--you can always preserve through canning, drying, or freezing (remember that most goods are seasonal so what’s there one week might not be there the next)
•Be open-minded in terms of your meal-planning (avoid going to markets with too many specific meals in mind; try new foods, new recipes, or new cooking techniques based on what you discover)

Visit http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org/ for locations of farmers markets in the Chesapeake Bay region. Many open this weekend!!


source- www.patch.com

Thursday, May 5, 2011

BluePrint Cleanse


I did it!!! I officially have signed on to partake in my first cleanse.

I have been wanting to do a 3 day juice cleanse for awhile but it never seems like the right time. The past few weeks I have been researching about a company called Pressed Juicery  out of California. Unfortunately I found out they do not ship nationwide at this time (I did email the company though and they will be shipping everywhere in the near future, so keep an eye out). Then I remembered that a friend of mine did the BluePrint Cleanse a while back. After looking into this company not only was it very similar into the type of juice cleanse I was looking for but talk about press, this company has been written/talked about everywhere.

So after a few deep breaths (I mean come on a first cleanse can be kind of nerve racking!) I placed my order. May 10th my juices arrive!! But lets not forget there is a pre and post "diet" that must be taken seriously for optimal results.

I am so excited to rid my body of all the toxins! Here are some other possible benefits of doing this type of cleanse.

* Boosts immune system
* Alleviates allergies
* Improves thyroid function
* Provides rest for the digestive organs
* Encourages physical rejuvenation
* Promotes normalized weight
* Promotes normalized blood pressure
* Reverses signs of aging
* Elevates mood and sex drive
* Alleviates symptoms of PMS
* Promotes clear skin
* Increases energy
* Increases fertility
* Combats viruses
* Suppresses Fibromyalgia symptoms
* Saves money you would have otherwise spent on “that new antibiotic."

I will keep you updated daily on my journey next week!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Todays Tip!

Eating more foods like cayenne pepper and pureed vegetables can suppress appetite and lead to the consumption of fewer calories.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Junk food cravings trigger same brain activity as drug addiction, suggests study

(NaturalNews) The brain's response to the tempting appeal of a sugary, fatty milkshake or to a bag of salty, greasy snack chips appears to be the same response a drug addict's brain exhibits when anticipating the next "hit," suggests a new study published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. Ashley Gearhardt of Yale University and her colleagues found that the addictive nature of many junk foods is literally the same as the addictive nature of drugs.


The team analyzed the brains of a group of 48 young women, who were tempted with either a chocolate milkshake or a tasteless beverage solution. Based on data gathered using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the team discovered that the women's anterior cingulate cortex and the medial orbitofrontal cortex -- two areas of the brain known to respond to drug addiction -- both responded to sensory cravings for the milkshake, regardless of the women's weight.

"If certain foods are addictive, this may partially explain the difficulty people experience in achieving sustainable weight loss," said Gearhardt. "These findings support the theory that compulsive food consumption may be driven in part by an enhanced anticipation of the rewarding properties of food."

These "rewarding properties," however, lie primarily in junk food chemicals. Many processed junk foods are loaded with flavor enhancing chemicals like monosodium glutamate (MSG), high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and aspartame, all of which are known to be highly-addictive. MSG, for instance, over-excites the brain to the point that it actually causes neurological brain damage -- but because it "tastes" so good, people quickly become addicted to it (http://www.naturalnews.com/024275_r...).

Natural foods and spices, on the other hand, do not trigger the same addictive characteristics in the brain as junk food chemicals do, because they have not been chemically engineered to overstimulate taste buds and the brain. So in reality, junk food chemicals are really not much different than drug chemicals in the way they affect the brain (http://www.naturalnews.com/028397_j...).



Sources for this story include:
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyl...
learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032255_junk_food_drug_addiction.html#ixzz1LEISOyx1

Monday, May 2, 2011

Simple homemade lip gloss!

I can't wait to try this super simple recipe for homemade lip gloss!

Flavored Coconut Lip Gloss

  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • a few drops of your favorite flavored oil such as strawberry, orange, or you can use 1/8 tsp of vanilla, peppermint, or almond extract

Mix ingredients well in a small dish with the back of a teaspoon. Spoon the mixture into a lip gloss container. Rub into your lips and enjoy!

 
Cox, Janice (2002). Natural Beauty at Home
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