As a vegetarian personal chef, wellness coach and nutrition educator I get to witness many different levels of commitment from my clients and would-be clients, or just people in general. I hear all sorts of excuses and reasons why people can't eat healthy or don't want to change their lifestyle to feel better & live longer.
Here's the thing: nutrition, wellness, eating right, being healthy..it all takes work, commitment and dedication. Some of us don't have the dedication or WANT to commit to being healthy. We say we do, but when it comes down to it, we'd rather spend money on perfume or makeup or some new gadget then on good, nutritious, healthy whole food.
I cannot tell you how many times I hear the following complaint, "Eating healthy is too expensive". To me, this phrase shows the level of commitment in another person. Eating healthy may be expensive, but that isn't necessarily the case and it isn't entirely true. It's just an excuse.
Think about the money you spend on things that you think you need, that you really don't that end up sitting on a shelf or spending their "life" stuffed away in a closet. If you are a woman, think about the endless buckets of cosmetics you buy that you never use because the color was wrong, or the consistency made you break out..or whatever. Or the shoes you buy, that you wear twice a year because they kill your feet. If you're a man, think about the "fun, new" gadget that you HAD TO HAVE and thought you would use everyday, but sits in a corner collecting dust because you got bored with it or the next & better version came along.
Well, guess what??? All that money that goes toward the material things that we think we need or our ego wants, could all be used as an INVESTMENT in your health & your life! Why is it that we need to buy lipstick, makeup, perfume, gadgets to feel better, when all we have to do is eat right & exercise and then we will REALLY feel better...from the inside out!
Yes, I've heard the term "Whole Paycheck" when people refer the specialty market, Whole Foods, yet I really believe that people are not educated in ways to shop healthfully and inexpensively. I agree that when you get into the processed "healthier" foods that are offered at these specialty stores, that YES, it can get expensive. But if you have a PLAN and stick whole foods of grains, veggies, fruits, nuts & legumes, I guarantee you'll spend less than $150 a week, depending on the size of your family and have a full weeks worth of meals to boot!
Learning how and where to shop for healthy foods is where it starts. Buying seasonal, local produce is another factor. Visiting your neighborhood farmer's markets or joining a CSA and having locally grown produce delivered to your doorstep can save you buckets of money.
Being healthy is about being creative. It is a learned process like anything else in life. Do you think being unhealthy comes natural? NO! We learned it! It started at a very young age when we would belly up to the kitchen table before school and eat our LARGE bowl of Cocoa puffs or Lucky Charms with the big gallon of white paint (my favorite description of whole milk) next to us. I used to love those darned marshmallows. I think back to those days and I wonder how I ever made it to where I am now; a vegan, whole foods chef. I also remember always feeling like crap and being sick constantly. Falling asleep on my desk at school during 3rd period. Why? Because my body didn't have the fuel it needed. I was living on processed sugars and simple carbs. I constantly had colds, strep throat, digestive issues and simply NO energy.
If this is how you want to live, then keep eating the processed, non-nutritive foods that are "cheap" so you can save a little bit of cash now, just to spend it down the line when your body is riddled with disease & discomfort from years of a processed, junky diet. Or keep buying that new shade of lipstick, or latest wrinkle cream to feel better, when all you have to do is EAT RIGHT! I promise that the better you eat, the YOUNGER you will look and you won't need to adorn yourself with all the latest creams, colors and gadgets!
I know, we all work hard and deserve to treat ourselves to nice things. Trust me, I love to buy my favorite Rose Body Oil by Weleda, but the difference is that I make sure I spend my money wisely on my nutrition FIRST and foremost before anything else. I know that when I do that, I am making an INVESTMENT in my life to live longer, feel better and have more vitality. The end result? I rarely ever get sick, my digestion is in optimum working order, I have energy, my skin is clear, I am at my natural body weight and I don't have to struggle with losing those extra pounds.
So, you get to make the decision? What will it be Aphrodite's Pink Nightie Nail Polish by OPI, the latest and greatest $80 bottle of wrinkle cream or a healthy delicious meal like my Sweet Potato Tempeh Stew loaded with complex carbs, protein & fat all in one dish for a fraction of the cost?
Take charge of your health today. You are the ONLY ONE who can do it! Know your purpose and MAKE A PLAN!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Benefits of a Vegan Diet
Veganism is a word that often scares people and why wouldn't it? Most people think a vegan diet is bland, lacking flavor, variety and most importantly, PROTEIN!
But these thoughts couldn't be further from the truth.
Being a vegetarian myself for many, many years, and a vegan off and on, my diet consists of a multitude of foods. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds & healthy fats. If you think about it, meat is one type of food, all the other food out there is vegetarian in a sense, as long as it's in it's whole state. So you ask, where do I get my protein from on a vegetarian/vegan diet?
And I answer, plenty of places. One, whole grains, especially quinoa, amaranth and millet are high in protein, perfect protein in fact, as well as loads of vitamins and minerals. They are a nutrient-dense food and easy to digest. Secondly, veggies are a great source of protein. Protein is made up of amino-acids and when you ingest amino acids, they turn to protein in the body and there are tons of aminos in veggies. Legumes, nuts and seeds are all sources of high levels of protein.
Numerous studies have shown that animal protein & products, in fact, are a large contributor to cancer, more specifically, liver cancer. T. Colin Campbell's book, The China Study proves this enormous and sobering fact through 20 years of food and nutritional studies conducted using people and rats. Campbell also proved that active cancer cells can be made dormant by changing from a diet consisting of animal products to a plant-based diet.
Brendan Brazier, Professional Ironman Triathelete and author of Thrive, The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports & Life, touts a vegan diet for highest & quickest recovery rate after long and grueling workouts. Brendan ate every kind of diet under the sun, but after 20 years of experimenting with food, he concluded that eating a diet free of animal products resulted in a phenomeonal boost in energy, reduction in stress, quickest recovery after workouts and unending vitality.
Yes it is true that we need protein to survive, but Americans especially, have taken protein to an unhealthy level. We are eating above and beyond what our bodies need to survive, grow and heal, which can lead to an acidic environment, arthritis, digestive problems and a whole slew of other ailments. Studies have proven that plant protein allows for the slow-yet-steady synthesis of new proteins in the body, which is the healthiest way to acquire protein. To read another article on the vegetarian diet and protein, check out Veg News.
This is not meant to make meat eaters feel badly. This is to an bring awareness that anyone can get sufficient amounts of protein by following a vegan/vegetarian diet. It does take some planning and level of commitment, but it's worth it and I promise you will feel healthier, look better and maybe even live longer!! Remember your body is like a bank account, you are making an investment in your health! SO give it a try, give up meat maybe once or twice a week. How about on Mondays? Check out Meatless Monday's for some amazing Veg recipes!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Stepping into the Unknown - Day 13
Yesterday Daniel and I went to see the Time Traveler's Wife. It's one of my favorite books, so I knew I had to see the movie. Daniel so kindly obliged me. We really enjoyed the movie and it sparked a lot of emotion in us. If you don't know the plot, the movie is based on a man who travels through time and how his time travel causes challenges in the day to day life of him & his wife. It was all about the unknown, but also the known, since he gets to go forward and see things in the future.
After the movie Daniel asked me if I could go back in time to my younger self and tell myself some really important things that I should know today, what would they be? It took me a while to come up with an answer, as I don't feel that I have many regrets in my life and I didn't want to change anything that would make me a different person today. I feel that regrets are a waste of energy and mind space, but the one strong thought that came to me was to tell myself not to be so afraid of the "Unknown".
For so many years as I was growing into an adult I had so many fears about what lay ahead and NOT KNOWING what lay ahead. These fears stopped me from doing many things like traveling, visiting new places, seeing friends across the country, moving, quitting a job, etc, etc. I'm sure you get the picture. Over the years, I have learned to let go more and more and even though I still fear the unknown, I KNOW that I have to step into it every day. And when I do step into it, so many beautiful and wonderful events happen. I grow and change, I become a better person and I get to experience life instead of hiding from it! That's how I came to move to California from good old Lawrenceville, New Jersey over 12 years ago. I was scared to death, but I knew from the tender age of 12 that I would one day live in California and enjoy the lifestyle that so many healthy Californians live.
This cleanse has brought up a lot of "unknown" for me. Especially since I have suffered from an eating disorder off and on, which will always be looming in the lurches. It's been laying dormant now for a while, but I know it's there at any moment to bare it's teeth whenever I am feeling low, lonely or stressed. Not being able to eat all the fresh fruit I want is challenging. Not being able to eat my staple Greens + bars is challenging. Not knowing how I am going to come off the cleanse is challenging. Will I overeat? Will I go crazy? All of these things are making me dig deep every day to find that place of safety within..to know I will be ok. I am stepping into the unknown every day, yet I also realize that we are ALL stepping into the Unknown every moment. We can make a plan and set goals, yes, but every moment is still unknown until you are in it. I love that Woody Allen saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans". Yet I also realize that I am the one creating my destiny and I get to choose. I get to choose the fear, the happiness, the pain, the love...all of it. I get to step into the unknown and create new moments for myself. I get to experience whatever happens in that moment, and if it's hard or uncomfortable I get to stand front and center with ME and make a positive choice for myself.
So, what I am trying to say is I think that most of us are afraid of the unknown, but we can't stop living because of this. We need to move forward and to have experiences that are rich and that make a difference. We need to take care of ourselves by eating healthy and exercising. We need to have a spiritual practice of some sort that will keep us grounded when we are floating. We need to have good friends, lots of love in our life and people who show up and support us!
Do you have those things? If not, are you willing to step into the unknown to find them???
Pensively yours,
The Ambivalent Cleanser!
After the movie Daniel asked me if I could go back in time to my younger self and tell myself some really important things that I should know today, what would they be? It took me a while to come up with an answer, as I don't feel that I have many regrets in my life and I didn't want to change anything that would make me a different person today. I feel that regrets are a waste of energy and mind space, but the one strong thought that came to me was to tell myself not to be so afraid of the "Unknown".
For so many years as I was growing into an adult I had so many fears about what lay ahead and NOT KNOWING what lay ahead. These fears stopped me from doing many things like traveling, visiting new places, seeing friends across the country, moving, quitting a job, etc, etc. I'm sure you get the picture. Over the years, I have learned to let go more and more and even though I still fear the unknown, I KNOW that I have to step into it every day. And when I do step into it, so many beautiful and wonderful events happen. I grow and change, I become a better person and I get to experience life instead of hiding from it! That's how I came to move to California from good old Lawrenceville, New Jersey over 12 years ago. I was scared to death, but I knew from the tender age of 12 that I would one day live in California and enjoy the lifestyle that so many healthy Californians live.
This cleanse has brought up a lot of "unknown" for me. Especially since I have suffered from an eating disorder off and on, which will always be looming in the lurches. It's been laying dormant now for a while, but I know it's there at any moment to bare it's teeth whenever I am feeling low, lonely or stressed. Not being able to eat all the fresh fruit I want is challenging. Not being able to eat my staple Greens + bars is challenging. Not knowing how I am going to come off the cleanse is challenging. Will I overeat? Will I go crazy? All of these things are making me dig deep every day to find that place of safety within..to know I will be ok. I am stepping into the unknown every day, yet I also realize that we are ALL stepping into the Unknown every moment. We can make a plan and set goals, yes, but every moment is still unknown until you are in it. I love that Woody Allen saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans". Yet I also realize that I am the one creating my destiny and I get to choose. I get to choose the fear, the happiness, the pain, the love...all of it. I get to step into the unknown and create new moments for myself. I get to experience whatever happens in that moment, and if it's hard or uncomfortable I get to stand front and center with ME and make a positive choice for myself.
So, what I am trying to say is I think that most of us are afraid of the unknown, but we can't stop living because of this. We need to move forward and to have experiences that are rich and that make a difference. We need to take care of ourselves by eating healthy and exercising. We need to have a spiritual practice of some sort that will keep us grounded when we are floating. We need to have good friends, lots of love in our life and people who show up and support us!
Do you have those things? If not, are you willing to step into the unknown to find them???
Pensively yours,
The Ambivalent Cleanser!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Day 10 and Going Strong..well, Maybe!
Today is day 10 and I am feeling really good, albeit very tired. I haven't been doing much exercise on this cleanse, and I know that's not totally good, but my body is whooped. I get so tired just walking up a flight of stairs or cruising on the strand with Miss Sadie (my darling pit bull). There are a lot of toxins being released and a lots of little guys sweeping up inside, so I need to be gentle with myself. I know that I need to just take it easy and take it day by day. Maybe one day I will wake up with a boat-load of energy and go for a run!! wow, that would be a miracle!
It's been a very mellow week for me work-wise, which has been quite a blessing. Summer is a little slow for Karma Chow due to so many of my clients traveling with their families. I am gearing up for September to kick in and to head back to Colorado for a Healthy Table "ITALIAN FOOD" Event on the 26th! I will post the information for this class on Facebook if you are in the CO/Denver area! I am also going to be hosting a Candida Cooking Class on September 10th in LA, so check out the event page on my site to get updates!
Anyway, I am at a loss as to what to cook lately. I am feeling bored with what we are eating. I asked Daniel if he felt bored with the food, and he said "no", so I guess it's alright. It's just that my options are SO limited and I am searching my cookbooks for new ideas and ways I can substitute certain foods for the recipes I find with "Candida Friendly" foods. It proves to be a bit challenging. I am ready to give up and say....well, you know.
I did this cleanse before and I am having all those memories flood back in when I eat the food and taste the same tastes that I did a few years back. Honestly, it's making me not want to eat at all!!! Did you ever smell something or taste something that took you right back to a time in your childhood and you can feel and see that memory so vividly? I think they are called Associative memories?? Well anyway, that's what's happening with me. I am not liking it, but I know that I am doing this for my health and I need to push through. I tell you what, if Daniel wasn't by my side doing this with me, I would've given up after 1 week. I want my Peanut Butter High Protein Greens + bar. Yes, I'm still craving those darn things! Can you believe it? It's more of a texture thing now. There is nothing gooey, creamy, dreamy and delectably sweet on this cleanse, it's straight veggies, grains and protein from animal sources. I have a hard time eating anything with a face, as I mentioned in a previous blog! But, I can handle the eggs from time to time, so I am going to stick to what works. And although I am still craving something sweet and gooey, I know that will pass over time, so I just have to hang in there. Even just one bite of my Raw Vegan "Cheeze"cake!! PLEASE!!!
Anyway, back to cooking. I have a spaghetti squash in the oven right now baking and it's smells so good! When it's done I am going to scrape it out and saute it in a pan with coconut oil, shallots, cinnamon and cardamom. I think it will be like having dessert! I am so excited. I am also going to make some green beans and am hoping to spice them up Indian style, but since I can't use coconut milk or coconut, I'm not sure if just cumin or curry will cut it. I guess I will have to play around and experiment.
If you haven't already noticed, I am addicted to shallots. These little garlic/onion hybrids are oh so sweet when you saute them up! I also put them in salad dressing and they give off such an amazing flavor that isn't as biting as garlic and a little sweeter than onion. I must put them in everything; scrambled eggs, green bean salad, lemon vinaigrette, cole slaw. You name it, they are in there. I think it's a bit of an addiction, but not the type of Greens + Bar addiction, it's a much healthier one!
Today I really wanted to taste coffee, again! What is it with me and the flavor of coffee? My mouth is watering as I write this. I even went into Whole foods and picked up a jar of water processed, organic DECAF, fairtrade coffee and thought..hmmmm...could I do it? And then I thought, NO WAY! I would just set myself back and not because of the caffeine, but because of the flavor... Just tasting it and swirling it's earthy goodness in my mouth would leave me wanting MORE and would put me on that slippery slope!!! And, Daniel and I really need to stay off it for a while....maybe not forever, but we are committed to staying caffeine clean for hopefully a long time.
We have both realized how depleted our Adrenal glands are and that is the reason why we have are lacking the natural energy right now. We have been on the caffeine kick for so long, we've worked our adrenals to the bone and now we need to rebuild them to get back our natural vitality that is our birthright!! I know it will come, but sometimes it's hard to fathom that I will ever have energy without my morning cup. Daniel went for a run yesterday totally caffeine-free and he said he struggled immensely. It was a huge wake up call for him and he got to feel how depleted he has become. I think it even scared him a bit to not have his good old buddy Red Bull to pull him through! He had to rely completely on himself and who he was in the present, even though the guy running with him had just had a redbull and vodka..go figure! But I asked him, "Don't you want to live a lot longer and be healthier than that guy???" I think he got it.
Ok, well I think my squash is almost done. I can smell the sweetness. I am going to go give it the fork prick to test it's tenderness. I hope it doesn't get mad at me! All in all, I am feeling really good and happy I am doing this. There are times I am not so happy, but I can't imagine going back to my old ways, even though I did open the kitchen drawer and saw a menu for Pizza Fusion, which is a NEW organic pizzeria that just opened here in LA. They offer gluten free crust and dairy free cheese on their pizzas...TORTURE!!! Maybe someday...I will dream about it but until then....
As promised, here is the recipe for the Almond Mayo compliments of Donna Gates and The Body Ecology Diet Book
1/2 cup Raw Almonds
1/2 c to 3/4 c filtered water
1/4 tsp. garlic or onion powder (or 1 raw clove garlic, minced)
3/4 tsp. sea salt
1 c. organic, unrefined flax or pumpkin seed oil
3 Tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 tsp. raw, organic apple cider vinegar
Cover almonds with boiling water. Allow to cool slightly and then slip off skins.
Place almonds in a blender or food processor and grind to a fine powder. Add half the water along with garlic/onion powder and sea salt. Blend well, then add remaining water to form a smooth cream.
With blender running on low, drizzle in the oil in a thin stream from the top until mixture is thick. Keep blender running and add lemon juice & vinegar. Blend on low 1 minute longer to allow mixture to thicken.
Scrape into a jar with a screw top or tightly fitting lid and refrigerate.
This mixture will keep for 10 days to 2 weeks.
Enjoy! This is great to mix into Cole Slaw or Red Bliss Potato salad, or just use as a dip!
Yours in health,
The Ambivalent Cleanser
It's been a very mellow week for me work-wise, which has been quite a blessing. Summer is a little slow for Karma Chow due to so many of my clients traveling with their families. I am gearing up for September to kick in and to head back to Colorado for a Healthy Table "ITALIAN FOOD" Event on the 26th! I will post the information for this class on Facebook if you are in the CO/Denver area! I am also going to be hosting a Candida Cooking Class on September 10th in LA, so check out the event page on my site to get updates!
Anyway, I am at a loss as to what to cook lately. I am feeling bored with what we are eating. I asked Daniel if he felt bored with the food, and he said "no", so I guess it's alright. It's just that my options are SO limited and I am searching my cookbooks for new ideas and ways I can substitute certain foods for the recipes I find with "Candida Friendly" foods. It proves to be a bit challenging. I am ready to give up and say....well, you know.
I did this cleanse before and I am having all those memories flood back in when I eat the food and taste the same tastes that I did a few years back. Honestly, it's making me not want to eat at all!!! Did you ever smell something or taste something that took you right back to a time in your childhood and you can feel and see that memory so vividly? I think they are called Associative memories?? Well anyway, that's what's happening with me. I am not liking it, but I know that I am doing this for my health and I need to push through. I tell you what, if Daniel wasn't by my side doing this with me, I would've given up after 1 week. I want my Peanut Butter High Protein Greens + bar. Yes, I'm still craving those darn things! Can you believe it? It's more of a texture thing now. There is nothing gooey, creamy, dreamy and delectably sweet on this cleanse, it's straight veggies, grains and protein from animal sources. I have a hard time eating anything with a face, as I mentioned in a previous blog! But, I can handle the eggs from time to time, so I am going to stick to what works. And although I am still craving something sweet and gooey, I know that will pass over time, so I just have to hang in there. Even just one bite of my Raw Vegan "Cheeze"cake!! PLEASE!!!
Anyway, back to cooking. I have a spaghetti squash in the oven right now baking and it's smells so good! When it's done I am going to scrape it out and saute it in a pan with coconut oil, shallots, cinnamon and cardamom. I think it will be like having dessert! I am so excited. I am also going to make some green beans and am hoping to spice them up Indian style, but since I can't use coconut milk or coconut, I'm not sure if just cumin or curry will cut it. I guess I will have to play around and experiment.
If you haven't already noticed, I am addicted to shallots. These little garlic/onion hybrids are oh so sweet when you saute them up! I also put them in salad dressing and they give off such an amazing flavor that isn't as biting as garlic and a little sweeter than onion. I must put them in everything; scrambled eggs, green bean salad, lemon vinaigrette, cole slaw. You name it, they are in there. I think it's a bit of an addiction, but not the type of Greens + Bar addiction, it's a much healthier one!
Today I really wanted to taste coffee, again! What is it with me and the flavor of coffee? My mouth is watering as I write this. I even went into Whole foods and picked up a jar of water processed, organic DECAF, fairtrade coffee and thought..hmmmm...could I do it? And then I thought, NO WAY! I would just set myself back and not because of the caffeine, but because of the flavor... Just tasting it and swirling it's earthy goodness in my mouth would leave me wanting MORE and would put me on that slippery slope!!! And, Daniel and I really need to stay off it for a while....maybe not forever, but we are committed to staying caffeine clean for hopefully a long time.
We have both realized how depleted our Adrenal glands are and that is the reason why we have are lacking the natural energy right now. We have been on the caffeine kick for so long, we've worked our adrenals to the bone and now we need to rebuild them to get back our natural vitality that is our birthright!! I know it will come, but sometimes it's hard to fathom that I will ever have energy without my morning cup. Daniel went for a run yesterday totally caffeine-free and he said he struggled immensely. It was a huge wake up call for him and he got to feel how depleted he has become. I think it even scared him a bit to not have his good old buddy Red Bull to pull him through! He had to rely completely on himself and who he was in the present, even though the guy running with him had just had a redbull and vodka..go figure! But I asked him, "Don't you want to live a lot longer and be healthier than that guy???" I think he got it.
Ok, well I think my squash is almost done. I can smell the sweetness. I am going to go give it the fork prick to test it's tenderness. I hope it doesn't get mad at me! All in all, I am feeling really good and happy I am doing this. There are times I am not so happy, but I can't imagine going back to my old ways, even though I did open the kitchen drawer and saw a menu for Pizza Fusion, which is a NEW organic pizzeria that just opened here in LA. They offer gluten free crust and dairy free cheese on their pizzas...TORTURE!!! Maybe someday...I will dream about it but until then....
As promised, here is the recipe for the Almond Mayo compliments of Donna Gates and The Body Ecology Diet Book
1/2 cup Raw Almonds
1/2 c to 3/4 c filtered water
1/4 tsp. garlic or onion powder (or 1 raw clove garlic, minced)
3/4 tsp. sea salt
1 c. organic, unrefined flax or pumpkin seed oil
3 Tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 tsp. raw, organic apple cider vinegar
Cover almonds with boiling water. Allow to cool slightly and then slip off skins.
Place almonds in a blender or food processor and grind to a fine powder. Add half the water along with garlic/onion powder and sea salt. Blend well, then add remaining water to form a smooth cream.
With blender running on low, drizzle in the oil in a thin stream from the top until mixture is thick. Keep blender running and add lemon juice & vinegar. Blend on low 1 minute longer to allow mixture to thicken.
Scrape into a jar with a screw top or tightly fitting lid and refrigerate.
This mixture will keep for 10 days to 2 weeks.
Enjoy! This is great to mix into Cole Slaw or Red Bliss Potato salad, or just use as a dip!
Yours in health,
The Ambivalent Cleanser
Thursday, August 13, 2009
All We Do is Talk About Food
Yesterday actually proved to be quite a challenging day, craving-wise. I really wanted coffee for some reason, and I don't even normally drink coffee. Yerba Mate' is my "cup of tea". But the thought of a yummy, creamy latte with Almond Milk was swirling through my brain and on my tastebuds. Did you know that coffee is one of my favorite smells in the world, along with the smell of the sea? Coffee has always been the hardest thing for me not to indulge in. I can give up sugar (except for fruit) any day of the week, but coffee has been a life-long battle. The aroma just gets me..and I just think about sittting at a coffee shop, people watching and letting the day cruise by while I sip on my Agave-sweetened, Almond Milk latte. Yes, you can get an agave sweetened latte here in LA. How cool is that?
Anyway, after I got past the coffee cravings...well, they didn't really pass, but I set my mind right, I decided to have some Tuna for lunch with a homemade coleslaw that I made dressed with Raw Almond Mayo! It was a great lunch, but man, the Tuna did not agree with me. OK, I am a vegetarian. I have been one for years, but I figured that I had to try and eat some fish on this cleanse to get my protein, since I can't eat beans. Well, I am DONE with the Tuna. I had serious heartburn all day long and I haven't had heartburn in years. I combined my food properly. No animal protein and grains together, so I ate vegetables and animal protein...proper food combining. I thought I would be fine, but I was tortured all day long by a deep nagging pain in my belly and chest.
When Daniel got home from work I started to make some soup for us to have for the week. Yes, I made the Cauliflower soup again with Dill and carrots. It's a good staple to have around. I also made Parsnip "Fries", which were really tasty, yet interesting. I drizzled some olive oil on them and added sea salt and a Chili powder blend. I cooked them on a pan in the oven and they came out just like fries..sans crispiness, but they were still good!
Daniel helped cut up all the brussel sprouts and shallots for the next dish. Lemony Roasted Brussel Sprouts. He's so helpful in the kitchen, and I love that he wants to help me cook. It's so fun to do together and it takes an enormous amount of pressure off of me. There was a time when I wouldn't allow anyone in the kitchen to help me, but I am over that!!!
So here is what we had for dinner last night:
Quinoa
Roasted Lemony Brussel Sprouts with Shallots
Parsnip Fries
&
Huge Green Salad w/ Cucumber, Avocado and Rosemary vinaigrette.
It was divine, and I was stuffed. I still felt full from that Damn tuna I ate earlier in the day, but I knew I needed to eat dinner or I would wake up at 3am with Hunger Pangs from you know where! Anyway, after we ate dinner we were just relaxing and talking about food and what we have been craving as well as what we want to eat when we are done cleansing. Both of us realize that we can't jump right back in to eating Gluten Free/Dairy Free pizza or Brown Rice Pasta or even our favorite Tempeh Tacos from Native Foods, but we were daydreaming and talking about all the things we want and miss from doing this cleanse.
Daniel has been craving donuts, Gyro's (those middle eastern type wraps made with Lamb), See's Candies, the Ceasar croutons from Leaf ( a delectable raw food restaurant here in LA), red bulls, coffee, his mom's cream cheese clam dip (YUCK!), cream cheese & salsa with chips, hot sauce...those are just a few! I have been craving those Damn protein bars and missing my daily dark chocolate fix, which most of the time is RAW Chocolate and not so bad for you. I also miss the coconut ice cream topped with grain sweetened chocolate chips. I have been eating "clean" for so long that I am craving the "healthy" versions of the "bad" stuff. I remember the first time I did the cleanse, I wanted to eat everything in sight; cupcakes, cake, cookies, anything loaded with sugar, which I never normally ate anyway. It's funny what the mind can do to you and if all the tastes of the tongue aren't satisfied, we will crave that taste until we get it.
As we discussed food, we wrote a list of all the healthier restaurants we will go to after our cleanse. I must say it's detrimental to our well-being to go out to dinner while on a cleanse...there are just too many temptations. Leaf will be our first stop. I really miss the Ceasar Salad there, not just the croutons. Daniel wants to check out this Persian place down the street and I want to hit up Akasha in Culver City, which actually has Quinoa on the menu! I feel so blessed that we live in LA and have so many great options for healthy food!
Nonetheless, all we do is think and talk about food. It runs our lives right now..but it runs our lives always. I used to hate thinking about food and it was just something that I "had" to do...eat! But that was part of my eating disorder and not wanting to eat because I might get fat. And now, I am a vegetarian chef and I educate others how to eat healthy and change their lives. So, yes, food is my main focus and I love it! I love being creative and figuring out new ways to cook healthier versions of their less healthy counterparts.
So, we ended the day with my bright idea of making whipped cream from RAW cream, which is allowed in moderation on this cleanse. Raw dairy products are much more nutritious for the body and do not wreak havoc on the system like processed, pasteurized dairy products do. So, I managed to whip up the most delectable whipped cream sweetend with Chocolate Stevia and we ate a cup full. After that I was so sick...I couldn't even stand up. I realized that my body does not like Animal products and that I can get crazy with my cravings and trying to figure out what I can eat that is sweet & creamy on this cleanse. I just end up feeling remorseful and sick! So, I learned a big lesson last night and I know I don't need to indulge like that and that my body feels so much better and healthier when I put simple, plant-based foods into it!
By the way, i just started reading "The China Study" and it's an amazing book about thousands of studies that have been done on protein and the plant-based diet. I highly recommend reading it! It will change the way you think about food, meat and being/becoming a vegetarian.
Check out my blog tomorrow for the Almond Mayo recipe!!! it's great as a dip or to use in salads!!!
Most dedicatedly yours,
the Ambivalent Cleanser
Anyway, after I got past the coffee cravings...well, they didn't really pass, but I set my mind right, I decided to have some Tuna for lunch with a homemade coleslaw that I made dressed with Raw Almond Mayo! It was a great lunch, but man, the Tuna did not agree with me. OK, I am a vegetarian. I have been one for years, but I figured that I had to try and eat some fish on this cleanse to get my protein, since I can't eat beans. Well, I am DONE with the Tuna. I had serious heartburn all day long and I haven't had heartburn in years. I combined my food properly. No animal protein and grains together, so I ate vegetables and animal protein...proper food combining. I thought I would be fine, but I was tortured all day long by a deep nagging pain in my belly and chest.
When Daniel got home from work I started to make some soup for us to have for the week. Yes, I made the Cauliflower soup again with Dill and carrots. It's a good staple to have around. I also made Parsnip "Fries", which were really tasty, yet interesting. I drizzled some olive oil on them and added sea salt and a Chili powder blend. I cooked them on a pan in the oven and they came out just like fries..sans crispiness, but they were still good!
Daniel helped cut up all the brussel sprouts and shallots for the next dish. Lemony Roasted Brussel Sprouts. He's so helpful in the kitchen, and I love that he wants to help me cook. It's so fun to do together and it takes an enormous amount of pressure off of me. There was a time when I wouldn't allow anyone in the kitchen to help me, but I am over that!!!
So here is what we had for dinner last night:
Quinoa
Roasted Lemony Brussel Sprouts with Shallots
Parsnip Fries
&
Huge Green Salad w/ Cucumber, Avocado and Rosemary vinaigrette.
It was divine, and I was stuffed. I still felt full from that Damn tuna I ate earlier in the day, but I knew I needed to eat dinner or I would wake up at 3am with Hunger Pangs from you know where! Anyway, after we ate dinner we were just relaxing and talking about food and what we have been craving as well as what we want to eat when we are done cleansing. Both of us realize that we can't jump right back in to eating Gluten Free/Dairy Free pizza or Brown Rice Pasta or even our favorite Tempeh Tacos from Native Foods, but we were daydreaming and talking about all the things we want and miss from doing this cleanse.
Daniel has been craving donuts, Gyro's (those middle eastern type wraps made with Lamb), See's Candies, the Ceasar croutons from Leaf ( a delectable raw food restaurant here in LA), red bulls, coffee, his mom's cream cheese clam dip (YUCK!), cream cheese & salsa with chips, hot sauce...those are just a few! I have been craving those Damn protein bars and missing my daily dark chocolate fix, which most of the time is RAW Chocolate and not so bad for you. I also miss the coconut ice cream topped with grain sweetened chocolate chips. I have been eating "clean" for so long that I am craving the "healthy" versions of the "bad" stuff. I remember the first time I did the cleanse, I wanted to eat everything in sight; cupcakes, cake, cookies, anything loaded with sugar, which I never normally ate anyway. It's funny what the mind can do to you and if all the tastes of the tongue aren't satisfied, we will crave that taste until we get it.
As we discussed food, we wrote a list of all the healthier restaurants we will go to after our cleanse. I must say it's detrimental to our well-being to go out to dinner while on a cleanse...there are just too many temptations. Leaf will be our first stop. I really miss the Ceasar Salad there, not just the croutons. Daniel wants to check out this Persian place down the street and I want to hit up Akasha in Culver City, which actually has Quinoa on the menu! I feel so blessed that we live in LA and have so many great options for healthy food!
Nonetheless, all we do is think and talk about food. It runs our lives right now..but it runs our lives always. I used to hate thinking about food and it was just something that I "had" to do...eat! But that was part of my eating disorder and not wanting to eat because I might get fat. And now, I am a vegetarian chef and I educate others how to eat healthy and change their lives. So, yes, food is my main focus and I love it! I love being creative and figuring out new ways to cook healthier versions of their less healthy counterparts.
So, we ended the day with my bright idea of making whipped cream from RAW cream, which is allowed in moderation on this cleanse. Raw dairy products are much more nutritious for the body and do not wreak havoc on the system like processed, pasteurized dairy products do. So, I managed to whip up the most delectable whipped cream sweetend with Chocolate Stevia and we ate a cup full. After that I was so sick...I couldn't even stand up. I realized that my body does not like Animal products and that I can get crazy with my cravings and trying to figure out what I can eat that is sweet & creamy on this cleanse. I just end up feeling remorseful and sick! So, I learned a big lesson last night and I know I don't need to indulge like that and that my body feels so much better and healthier when I put simple, plant-based foods into it!
By the way, i just started reading "The China Study" and it's an amazing book about thousands of studies that have been done on protein and the plant-based diet. I highly recommend reading it! It will change the way you think about food, meat and being/becoming a vegetarian.
Check out my blog tomorrow for the Almond Mayo recipe!!! it's great as a dip or to use in salads!!!
Most dedicatedly yours,
the Ambivalent Cleanser
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day 8- 1 week down ~ 3 to go!
Whew, we made it through one week and I must say, it hasn't been all that bad! Last night I had a dream that I was stuffing my face full of some yummy, creamy pie-type thing..not sure what, but all I know is that it was GOOD. And I was hiding while doing it. Do you think that's a bad thing? My biggest fear is that when the cleanse is done that I will go into overeating mode and gain back all my Pre-P90X weight (I'm now down 20 pounds). "It's just a fear", is how Daniel coached me this morning, "as long as you don't act on it, it's ok..and you won't". I can't tell you how solid I feel to have someone there to be accountable to and to talk me down off the ledge!
So, as I opened our cupboard this morning, that stupid Box of Protein bars that are sitting up there waiting to be eaten one day leered out at me, and I thought, "I really want one of those and what would happen if I cheated on the cleanse" and then I realized that I would not only be letting myself down, but I'd be letting Daniel down too. That made me not want the protein bar anymore...well, maybe i wanted it still a little!
Anyway, I am feeling great!! No headaches and the yeast die-off isn't half as bad this time as the last time I did the cleanse. Usually the yeast die-off causes bloat, severe spaciness, irritability, and so much more. I've had some of those symptons, but overall I feel great and clear. It feels so nice to not have a "vice" anymore and to need some caffeine-fueled beverage to pull me out of bed. Now it's the GREEN ELIXIR that gets us going. Here's the recipe (but I suggest you make your own concoction up since you may not be cleansing)
1 scoop Greens Powder (Macro Greens are good, or Vitality Greens by Donna Gates)
1 scoop Pure Vitamin C Powder (From a natural food source)
10 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract (powerful for killing bacteria, viruses, great for immunity)
1 TBL Olive Leaf Extract (great anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-yeast)
1 TBL Chlorophyll (for the blood)
Fill glass with water and a dash of Pomegranate juice. If you're not cleansing, I highly recommend using Coconut Water! I can't wait to have coconut water again!! YUM!!
Optional additions:
4 drops Oregano Oil (this stuff is super powerful and doesn't taste so great, so chug it back quick)
So now I have a new vice..a really good one. The Green Elixir of Life! I know that I am getting through the day without any fake boost, aka caffeine. My adrenal glands are loving me right now. Did you know that Caffeine releases Cortisol in the blood which is what happens when your body goes in to "fight or flight" or protection mode?? That means your body is working super hard all day and trying to protect you for no good reason other than from phantom source (caffeine) that puts it into a tail spin! Also, the constant secretion of cortisol makes it hard for you to lose weight. If you will notice, a lot of people under stress hold weight around the middle. This is due to Cortisol release into the blood.
Anyway, yesterday I came up against a wall after I ate my lunch. I was working at Mr Horton's house and I brought my homemade Red Potato Salad over that I was going to eat with a large bunch of Greens. Well, I got so busy, I never got around to getting the greens, so I noshed on the potato salad. (side note: red potatoes are the lowest in sugar of any potato and are ok on this cleanse as they do not give you the same insulin spike as other potatoes). Well, even though they are ok on this cleanse, eating them alone with no other protein source resulted in me hitting the WALL! I was in a major 3pm slump. It was the first time I've experienced that on this cleanse other than general lethargy from my body releasing toxins 24/7. It was hard for me to push through, but I made some hot herbal tea and felt better. At that moment I realized how powerful food is and how what we put in our mouths on a daily basis is so important. How we can go through tremendous highs and lows throughout the day just by what we are eating and drinking. How our mood can be affected. How we can be irritated or angry..and all of this comes from these highs and lows that processed, refined foods and caffeine cause. It's utterly mind-blowing!
So, as you read this, I hope you will think about what you are putting into your mouth. We all metabolize food differently and if you are really interested in knowing how your body metabolizes food, I highly recommend reading "The Metabolic Typing Diet" and taking the test in the book. You can find it at Amazon.com. It's really the only book I have ever found that makes sense about how you eat according to how you metabolize and what your blood type is.
Today I am going to make some soup, but before I do that, I promised a recipe for my Creamy Cauliflower & Carrot soup with Dill. So here it is:
2 TBS Coconut Oil
2 heads of Cauliflower, cut into florets
5 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large yellow onion or maui onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks celery, diced
6 cups water or Veggie Broth
1 tsp. tumeric
Fresh Dill to taste
1 TBS Sea Salt (only if not using broth)
Heat Coconut Oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add garlic, onion and celery and saute until soft. Add cauliflower and carrots and stir together to combine. Add water or broth, tumeric & sea salt if using. Stir together, turn up heat and bring to boil. Cover with a lid and turn down heat to low and let soup simmer until vegetables are tender. Once done, stir in fresh dill. Using a blender or blender stick, puree soup until creamy. Top with freshly ground black pepper. ENJOY!!
I'm off for today, so have an amazing day and remember You Are What You Eat!!!
If you want more information on Candida and cleansing, please feel free to email me at missy@karmachow.com
So, as I opened our cupboard this morning, that stupid Box of Protein bars that are sitting up there waiting to be eaten one day leered out at me, and I thought, "I really want one of those and what would happen if I cheated on the cleanse" and then I realized that I would not only be letting myself down, but I'd be letting Daniel down too. That made me not want the protein bar anymore...well, maybe i wanted it still a little!
Anyway, I am feeling great!! No headaches and the yeast die-off isn't half as bad this time as the last time I did the cleanse. Usually the yeast die-off causes bloat, severe spaciness, irritability, and so much more. I've had some of those symptons, but overall I feel great and clear. It feels so nice to not have a "vice" anymore and to need some caffeine-fueled beverage to pull me out of bed. Now it's the GREEN ELIXIR that gets us going. Here's the recipe (but I suggest you make your own concoction up since you may not be cleansing)
1 scoop Greens Powder (Macro Greens are good, or Vitality Greens by Donna Gates)
1 scoop Pure Vitamin C Powder (From a natural food source)
10 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract (powerful for killing bacteria, viruses, great for immunity)
1 TBL Olive Leaf Extract (great anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-yeast)
1 TBL Chlorophyll (for the blood)
Fill glass with water and a dash of Pomegranate juice. If you're not cleansing, I highly recommend using Coconut Water! I can't wait to have coconut water again!! YUM!!
Optional additions:
4 drops Oregano Oil (this stuff is super powerful and doesn't taste so great, so chug it back quick)
So now I have a new vice..a really good one. The Green Elixir of Life! I know that I am getting through the day without any fake boost, aka caffeine. My adrenal glands are loving me right now. Did you know that Caffeine releases Cortisol in the blood which is what happens when your body goes in to "fight or flight" or protection mode?? That means your body is working super hard all day and trying to protect you for no good reason other than from phantom source (caffeine) that puts it into a tail spin! Also, the constant secretion of cortisol makes it hard for you to lose weight. If you will notice, a lot of people under stress hold weight around the middle. This is due to Cortisol release into the blood.
Anyway, yesterday I came up against a wall after I ate my lunch. I was working at Mr Horton's house and I brought my homemade Red Potato Salad over that I was going to eat with a large bunch of Greens. Well, I got so busy, I never got around to getting the greens, so I noshed on the potato salad. (side note: red potatoes are the lowest in sugar of any potato and are ok on this cleanse as they do not give you the same insulin spike as other potatoes). Well, even though they are ok on this cleanse, eating them alone with no other protein source resulted in me hitting the WALL! I was in a major 3pm slump. It was the first time I've experienced that on this cleanse other than general lethargy from my body releasing toxins 24/7. It was hard for me to push through, but I made some hot herbal tea and felt better. At that moment I realized how powerful food is and how what we put in our mouths on a daily basis is so important. How we can go through tremendous highs and lows throughout the day just by what we are eating and drinking. How our mood can be affected. How we can be irritated or angry..and all of this comes from these highs and lows that processed, refined foods and caffeine cause. It's utterly mind-blowing!
So, as you read this, I hope you will think about what you are putting into your mouth. We all metabolize food differently and if you are really interested in knowing how your body metabolizes food, I highly recommend reading "The Metabolic Typing Diet" and taking the test in the book. You can find it at Amazon.com. It's really the only book I have ever found that makes sense about how you eat according to how you metabolize and what your blood type is.
Today I am going to make some soup, but before I do that, I promised a recipe for my Creamy Cauliflower & Carrot soup with Dill. So here it is:
2 TBS Coconut Oil
2 heads of Cauliflower, cut into florets
5 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large yellow onion or maui onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks celery, diced
6 cups water or Veggie Broth
1 tsp. tumeric
Fresh Dill to taste
1 TBS Sea Salt (only if not using broth)
Heat Coconut Oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add garlic, onion and celery and saute until soft. Add cauliflower and carrots and stir together to combine. Add water or broth, tumeric & sea salt if using. Stir together, turn up heat and bring to boil. Cover with a lid and turn down heat to low and let soup simmer until vegetables are tender. Once done, stir in fresh dill. Using a blender or blender stick, puree soup until creamy. Top with freshly ground black pepper. ENJOY!!
I'm off for today, so have an amazing day and remember You Are What You Eat!!!
If you want more information on Candida and cleansing, please feel free to email me at missy@karmachow.com
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Day 5 - Headache Free
Today was day 5 of the cleanse and I must say, today is the best I have felt in the past 5 days! Headache is gone and sugar cravings are at bay, it seems. Although that doesn't mean that I don't think about those damn protein bars and sinking my teeth into the gooey, delectable morsel!!!
Day 4..HORRENDOUS! Yesterday was utterly brutal! On Friday (Day 3) Daniel and I went and got our first round of colonics (not sure how many rounds we will do..take it easy). I know...Colonics..but you know what, since we are cleansing we might as well go full board..no holds bar! The colonics weren't bad. We go to an amazing South African Woman named Aruna who knows her stuff and she makes the visit as comfortable as possible. Daniel never had a colonic, so he was in for a whole new experience. I know how it feels to do something totally new, it can be scary and then there's the added "bonus" of having someone stick something up your butt...not too fun...although I do hear that people get addicted to these things. Crazy!
Needless to say, he did great and we both felt "lighter" after we were done, albeit a bit vulnerable and weak. We ate a light dinner when we came home of Wild Caught Sea Bass with Lemon & Dill and some Baby Greens and fresh sauteed veggies. I cooked the sea bass on the stove in a cast iron skillet and it was really yummy. Contrary to what many people have claimed in the past, Cast Iron Skillets are great to cook with. They add iron to your diet, which this vegetarian desperately needs! This is the first time I have had fish in about a year or more. I am finding that on this cleanse the options are so limited that I am going to have to eat fish from time to time. Sorry my fine finned friends! I can't eat bean or legumes on this clenase, so I will have to watch my protein intake to be sure I am getting esnough.
We have both had a little trouble sleeping, although on Day 2, I slept like a baby. We are finding that our bodies hurt/ache and are very stiff. Last night we went to bed around 2am and I stretched for about 20 minutes before we got into bed so that my legs weren't so achy. I've been getting this nervous energy in my legs and it makes it hard for me to sleep. I feel like I want to kick something and my legs are all jazzed up! Daniel's hips have been tight and we are realizing that the "die off" of the yeast is wreaking all sorts of havoc in our bodies, so we are just going to take it easy these next few days.
Ok, back to Day 4...I just felt horrible from the second I woke. I lounged around most of the day..again...and I found that whenever I ate, I felt bloated and uncomfortable even though I was eating the foods allowed on the cleanse. I think I rolled around on the floor and moaned for a while because my belly hurt so bad. By around 6pm Daniel and I decided to leave the house and go to the movies to see Julia & Julie. It was a fantastic movie, but we were repeatedly tortured by the delightful display of bread, cheese, berries, you name it...all the delectable food that the French eat and that Julia Child concocted in her Paris kitchen. If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it. Julia Child was an inspiration. Her cooking career didn't take off until she was well into her 40's! I never knew that..and look what a phenomenon she became! What's that old saying? "It's never too late!"
So, Day 4 is over..thank God. And so is Day 5..almost! I am off to make some cinnamon tea..it helps with my sweet cravings.
As promised here is the list of foods that are not allowed on the cleanse. If you want more info or have any questions, please feel free to email me at any time! missy@karmachow.com
Again, truly yours ~ The Ambivalent Cleanser
NO,NO's
Alcohol
Bread, Flour products, grains, pastas
Citric Acid
Legumes, beans, peanuts
Mushrooms
Nuts, nut butter, nut milk (Except soaked & sprouted almonds)
Oils (except coconut oil, flax oil, extra virgin olive oil & ghee)
Fruits & fruit juices (except lemons, limes & cranberries)
Sugars - all including Agave, Brown Rice syrup, barley malt, etc
Yeast in any form
Condiments - ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, mayonnaise and many more!
Milk Products, Dairy Products (Execept Raw Butter or Kefir)
The only grains allowed, in moderation are Quinoa, Millet, Amaranth & Buckwheat. All of these are wheat & gluten free. Quinoa and Amaranth are both a seed, so they are even considered a grain!
Day 4..HORRENDOUS! Yesterday was utterly brutal! On Friday (Day 3) Daniel and I went and got our first round of colonics (not sure how many rounds we will do..take it easy). I know...Colonics..but you know what, since we are cleansing we might as well go full board..no holds bar! The colonics weren't bad. We go to an amazing South African Woman named Aruna who knows her stuff and she makes the visit as comfortable as possible. Daniel never had a colonic, so he was in for a whole new experience. I know how it feels to do something totally new, it can be scary and then there's the added "bonus" of having someone stick something up your butt...not too fun...although I do hear that people get addicted to these things. Crazy!
Needless to say, he did great and we both felt "lighter" after we were done, albeit a bit vulnerable and weak. We ate a light dinner when we came home of Wild Caught Sea Bass with Lemon & Dill and some Baby Greens and fresh sauteed veggies. I cooked the sea bass on the stove in a cast iron skillet and it was really yummy. Contrary to what many people have claimed in the past, Cast Iron Skillets are great to cook with. They add iron to your diet, which this vegetarian desperately needs! This is the first time I have had fish in about a year or more. I am finding that on this cleanse the options are so limited that I am going to have to eat fish from time to time. Sorry my fine finned friends! I can't eat bean or legumes on this clenase, so I will have to watch my protein intake to be sure I am getting esnough.
We have both had a little trouble sleeping, although on Day 2, I slept like a baby. We are finding that our bodies hurt/ache and are very stiff. Last night we went to bed around 2am and I stretched for about 20 minutes before we got into bed so that my legs weren't so achy. I've been getting this nervous energy in my legs and it makes it hard for me to sleep. I feel like I want to kick something and my legs are all jazzed up! Daniel's hips have been tight and we are realizing that the "die off" of the yeast is wreaking all sorts of havoc in our bodies, so we are just going to take it easy these next few days.
Ok, back to Day 4...I just felt horrible from the second I woke. I lounged around most of the day..again...and I found that whenever I ate, I felt bloated and uncomfortable even though I was eating the foods allowed on the cleanse. I think I rolled around on the floor and moaned for a while because my belly hurt so bad. By around 6pm Daniel and I decided to leave the house and go to the movies to see Julia & Julie. It was a fantastic movie, but we were repeatedly tortured by the delightful display of bread, cheese, berries, you name it...all the delectable food that the French eat and that Julia Child concocted in her Paris kitchen. If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it. Julia Child was an inspiration. Her cooking career didn't take off until she was well into her 40's! I never knew that..and look what a phenomenon she became! What's that old saying? "It's never too late!"
So, Day 4 is over..thank God. And so is Day 5..almost! I am off to make some cinnamon tea..it helps with my sweet cravings.
As promised here is the list of foods that are not allowed on the cleanse. If you want more info or have any questions, please feel free to email me at any time! missy@karmachow.com
Again, truly yours ~ The Ambivalent Cleanser
NO,NO's
Alcohol
Bread, Flour products, grains, pastas
Citric Acid
Legumes, beans, peanuts
Mushrooms
Nuts, nut butter, nut milk (Except soaked & sprouted almonds)
Oils (except coconut oil, flax oil, extra virgin olive oil & ghee)
Fruits & fruit juices (except lemons, limes & cranberries)
Sugars - all including Agave, Brown Rice syrup, barley malt, etc
Yeast in any form
Condiments - ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, mayonnaise and many more!
Milk Products, Dairy Products (Execept Raw Butter or Kefir)
The only grains allowed, in moderation are Quinoa, Millet, Amaranth & Buckwheat. All of these are wheat & gluten free. Quinoa and Amaranth are both a seed, so they are even considered a grain!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Day 3 - Candida Cleanse Chronicles
Well it's day 3 of the cleanse and honestly, I am feeling like doo -doo on a stick, as Daniel would say. First off, I am so proud of him for taking this journey with me and staying the course. I think the caffeine has been a bit harder for him since he was drinking multiple red bulls, rock stars, pit bulls..whatever these energy drinks are called, to keep himself going. I am blown away by his dedication to want to be & feel healthier and to support me through all of this!! We recently read in a the Quantum Wellness book that these CRAZY energy drinks thicken the blood and can cause STROKES in young men. I think that really hit home for Daniel. It's amazing how many packaged, processed, chemical ridden products are out there that are so bad for us. Just think of how many people drink Diet Soda and think they are cutting calories, but in turn tricking their bodies only to crave more sugar! UGH!!!
After being off caffeine for 6 days, I realize that the yerba mate' that I was drinking in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon was a serious vice for me too. I used it to wake up with and to get me through my afternoon slump. Now there is nothing to get me up or through the slump but ME! And that's a good feeling, although a tiring one right now. I know that "this too shall pass" as does all else, but today is a tough one. Thank goodness that I had a free day to just putz around and nap at will. I am not much of a napper, but today I needed it. Among all the neighbor frenzy that goes on outside I managed to slip in a few zzzz's here and there. Yes, we live in LA and it is a city, even though we are close to the beach...so the screaming kids and mariachi music out the window is sometimes a bit much!
Another thing that happened is I just started crying..I was feeling so out of control and like I was in jail. This deprivation thing is hard for me since I have suffered from an eating disorder most of my life. It literally feels like I am in a prison, my very own self-made one, but prison nonetheless! Once I cried, and Daniel talked me through it all, I felt so much better. I know I have said this before, but if you are going to do a cleanse or anything else that requires serious willpower, find someone to do it with. The SUPPORT is profound and necessary!!!
All the meals I cooked were a success and I am ready to hit the kitchen for another round. The creamy cauliflower carrot soup with fresh dill is awesome. I throw a little cooked millet into it and Daniel and I have been having it for breakfast. Soup for breakfast is awesome! Have you ever tried it?? Today I made some scrambled eggs with zucchini, red onion, asparagus and dairy free/nut free pesto! The eggs were delicious, but I am still craving my damn Greens + Chocolate Peanut Butter High Protein bar...ugh. Just to bite into the gooey richness would take me to a happy place. BUT, I know that this kind of set back will not help me heal, so off I go back into the land of chocolate free. I also made some suprisingly tasty herb & veggie burgers which I have been enjoying immensly. I am allowed to use a little Amaranth flour to hold them together and boy it feels like I am cheating. Amaranth is a seed that is high in protein. Most people think it's a grain, but it's actually a seed, so it's allowed on this cleanse. The only grains we are allowed to eat are Quinoa, Buckwheat, Amaranth & Millet. All of which are very good by the way and loaded with protein!
Ok, well Daniel and I are off to get our Colonics. Did I really say that? Yes, we are getting colonics. I know..too much information. And I had to do a lot of co-ercing to my other half. He just felt that it was all wrong, but has now seen the light. And this is about the good, the bad and the ugly and who says we need to be so darn politically correct anyway? I am a health practioner and a chef and my mission is to teach people how to be healthy through whole foods eating and having a stellar digestive system. That's where it all starts. If you don't have a healthy digestive system, you will most likely end up with a lot of ailments and disease.
So, on that note, I must run but in case any of you are interested in jumping on board this cleanse or doing one in the future, I am happy to help. Donna Gates' book, The Body Ecology Diet is amazing and she will teach you all about the ins and outs of killing yeast. Oh no, is that coffee I smell wafting through the window again..someone help me!!!
I am here to teach the world to eat healthier, be healthier and feel better, so if any of you are interested in learning more please email me at missy@karmachow.com
Truly yours,
the Ambivalent Cleanser
After being off caffeine for 6 days, I realize that the yerba mate' that I was drinking in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon was a serious vice for me too. I used it to wake up with and to get me through my afternoon slump. Now there is nothing to get me up or through the slump but ME! And that's a good feeling, although a tiring one right now. I know that "this too shall pass" as does all else, but today is a tough one. Thank goodness that I had a free day to just putz around and nap at will. I am not much of a napper, but today I needed it. Among all the neighbor frenzy that goes on outside I managed to slip in a few zzzz's here and there. Yes, we live in LA and it is a city, even though we are close to the beach...so the screaming kids and mariachi music out the window is sometimes a bit much!
Another thing that happened is I just started crying..I was feeling so out of control and like I was in jail. This deprivation thing is hard for me since I have suffered from an eating disorder most of my life. It literally feels like I am in a prison, my very own self-made one, but prison nonetheless! Once I cried, and Daniel talked me through it all, I felt so much better. I know I have said this before, but if you are going to do a cleanse or anything else that requires serious willpower, find someone to do it with. The SUPPORT is profound and necessary!!!
All the meals I cooked were a success and I am ready to hit the kitchen for another round. The creamy cauliflower carrot soup with fresh dill is awesome. I throw a little cooked millet into it and Daniel and I have been having it for breakfast. Soup for breakfast is awesome! Have you ever tried it?? Today I made some scrambled eggs with zucchini, red onion, asparagus and dairy free/nut free pesto! The eggs were delicious, but I am still craving my damn Greens + Chocolate Peanut Butter High Protein bar...ugh. Just to bite into the gooey richness would take me to a happy place. BUT, I know that this kind of set back will not help me heal, so off I go back into the land of chocolate free. I also made some suprisingly tasty herb & veggie burgers which I have been enjoying immensly. I am allowed to use a little Amaranth flour to hold them together and boy it feels like I am cheating. Amaranth is a seed that is high in protein. Most people think it's a grain, but it's actually a seed, so it's allowed on this cleanse. The only grains we are allowed to eat are Quinoa, Buckwheat, Amaranth & Millet. All of which are very good by the way and loaded with protein!
Ok, well Daniel and I are off to get our Colonics. Did I really say that? Yes, we are getting colonics. I know..too much information. And I had to do a lot of co-ercing to my other half. He just felt that it was all wrong, but has now seen the light. And this is about the good, the bad and the ugly and who says we need to be so darn politically correct anyway? I am a health practioner and a chef and my mission is to teach people how to be healthy through whole foods eating and having a stellar digestive system. That's where it all starts. If you don't have a healthy digestive system, you will most likely end up with a lot of ailments and disease.
So, on that note, I must run but in case any of you are interested in jumping on board this cleanse or doing one in the future, I am happy to help. Donna Gates' book, The Body Ecology Diet is amazing and she will teach you all about the ins and outs of killing yeast. Oh no, is that coffee I smell wafting through the window again..someone help me!!!
I am here to teach the world to eat healthier, be healthier and feel better, so if any of you are interested in learning more please email me at missy@karmachow.com
Truly yours,
the Ambivalent Cleanser
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day 1 - Candida Cleanse Chronicles
Well today is Day 1. Yesterday I had my last bit of dark chocolate and now I will be chocolate free for 30 days...someone help me!! I've been without caffeine now for 5 days and I feel pretty good. I just miss the ritual of my morning Yerba Mate..so I have resorted to just plain herbal tea which doesn't feel as fun...but it's all in my mind. Gosh the mind is POWERFUL! When we let it run us, it can run us into the ground and we can make all kinds of crazy decisions. Digging deep down is where the strength comes from..not from that devilish little voice that wants us to FAIL..and FAIL big!!!
So anyway enough MIND talk... part of yesterday was spent making the long grocery list of all the food that I am going to cook this week for the cleanse. The thing about doing a cleanse is that you need to be prepared; mentally, physically and spiritually. So I have been reading a lot and although I have done this cleanse before, it's been a couple years, so I needed a refresher course on what it was exactly that I couldn't put in my mouth....no FRUIT...oh NO! I remembered that part..that was the hardest. And I cringe when I think about it...but I know I am doing myself a world of good and I will feel so much better..and it's only for a month..so here we go!
Daniel and I hit up Whole Foods at the 9pm hour when the store was a little sleepy..just the way I like it. Daniel was a little cranky after his 1st day without caffeine and who can blame him...I just went through the same thing a few days ago...boy the headache was killer! Anyway, we hit up the aisles, working as a team, and got all the fresh produce along with some whole grains; Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), which is a perfect protein all on it's own, Buckwheat (which does not contain wheat, even though it's in the name), short grain brown rice and some millet. Yes, millet is what they use to feed birds..in other words, BIRD SEED. But this divine little grain is so yummy, especially in the morning with Agave nectar and cinnamon...but since I can't have Agave nectar, Stevia will have to do!! It's also high in minerals and protein!!
After I finish this blog, I am hitting the kitchen to start the cooking extravaganza. Here is what is on the menu for this week: Creamy Cauliflower Carrot Soup, Herb & Veggie Burgers, Quinoa Salad, Sweet & Sour Cabbage, Homemade Salsa and a Sesame Tahini Ginger Sauce. Daniel needs his sauce..he's a sauce addict! Of course I will have a couple containers of fresh cooked grains and sauteed veggies standing by for when we are having a snack attack! Like I said, it's good to be prepared on a cleanse, as you can't just grab anything that's sitting around because it may not be allowed on the "diet". It's all about commitment, preparation and a positive mental attitude.
As I write this, the only thing on my mind is biting into a chewy, delicious Greens + High Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar...OH how I miss them..and it's only been 1 day! UGH!
So, enough for today...I will let you know how the food turns out. It will be interesting to see what Daniel thinks. He made reservations for 5:30pm here at Casa Haastello and we have the Mariachi band playing outside (our neighbors), so it should make for an interesting meal! 2 irritated people on a cleanse with LOUD Blaring music outside the window should make for a very romantic setting!
Tomorrow I will post the list of foods you can and can't have on this cleanse in case anyone wants to jump on our train...come on, it's fun to do it with more than one....
Cleansingly yours...and secretly craving chocolate...
So anyway enough MIND talk... part of yesterday was spent making the long grocery list of all the food that I am going to cook this week for the cleanse. The thing about doing a cleanse is that you need to be prepared; mentally, physically and spiritually. So I have been reading a lot and although I have done this cleanse before, it's been a couple years, so I needed a refresher course on what it was exactly that I couldn't put in my mouth....no FRUIT...oh NO! I remembered that part..that was the hardest. And I cringe when I think about it...but I know I am doing myself a world of good and I will feel so much better..and it's only for a month..so here we go!
Daniel and I hit up Whole Foods at the 9pm hour when the store was a little sleepy..just the way I like it. Daniel was a little cranky after his 1st day without caffeine and who can blame him...I just went through the same thing a few days ago...boy the headache was killer! Anyway, we hit up the aisles, working as a team, and got all the fresh produce along with some whole grains; Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), which is a perfect protein all on it's own, Buckwheat (which does not contain wheat, even though it's in the name), short grain brown rice and some millet. Yes, millet is what they use to feed birds..in other words, BIRD SEED. But this divine little grain is so yummy, especially in the morning with Agave nectar and cinnamon...but since I can't have Agave nectar, Stevia will have to do!! It's also high in minerals and protein!!
After I finish this blog, I am hitting the kitchen to start the cooking extravaganza. Here is what is on the menu for this week: Creamy Cauliflower Carrot Soup, Herb & Veggie Burgers, Quinoa Salad, Sweet & Sour Cabbage, Homemade Salsa and a Sesame Tahini Ginger Sauce. Daniel needs his sauce..he's a sauce addict! Of course I will have a couple containers of fresh cooked grains and sauteed veggies standing by for when we are having a snack attack! Like I said, it's good to be prepared on a cleanse, as you can't just grab anything that's sitting around because it may not be allowed on the "diet". It's all about commitment, preparation and a positive mental attitude.
As I write this, the only thing on my mind is biting into a chewy, delicious Greens + High Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar...OH how I miss them..and it's only been 1 day! UGH!
So, enough for today...I will let you know how the food turns out. It will be interesting to see what Daniel thinks. He made reservations for 5:30pm here at Casa Haastello and we have the Mariachi band playing outside (our neighbors), so it should make for an interesting meal! 2 irritated people on a cleanse with LOUD Blaring music outside the window should make for a very romantic setting!
Tomorrow I will post the list of foods you can and can't have on this cleanse in case anyone wants to jump on our train...come on, it's fun to do it with more than one....
Cleansingly yours...and secretly craving chocolate...
Monday, August 3, 2009
AM I CRAZY?? Time to kill the yeast
Well, I recently went to the Doctor to get my annual check up and I had some blood work done to be certain all my systems were in check! As a vegetarian, I wanted to make sure my cholesterol, my protein, my iron, all of my nutritional systems were running up to par. Well, everything checked out perfectly, except one thing...My body is riddled with Candida..or YEAST, to be exact.
Candida is ever present in the body and everyone has it, but it often lays dormant and doesn't cause too many problems if you take really good care of yourself. But lately, as much as I hate to admit it, I've been lacking in the "good night's sleep" department, skimping on the yoga and honestly, just not taking the best care of myself outside of my eating! When we don't take care of ourselves and the Candida decides to invade the body it can cause a whole slew of problems; digestive issues, bloating, fatigue, weight gain, bad memory, spaciness, skin problems, eczema, bad breath, body odor, sugar cravings, athlete's foot, yeast infections...and the list goes on and on.
Being healthy isn't just about exercise and eating good. It's about your emotional, physical, spiritual and mental state too. I notice that when I let any one of these things get out of balance, that I suffer. Sometimes it's a challenge to keep it all in balance. I take every step I can to make sure that what I put in my mouth is clean, clean, clean. But sometimes I feel like I can get away with not sleeping enough, exercising, breathing deep, meditating, writing; anything that nourishes my soul and helps me to feel balanced and happy.
So, needless to say, I made a decision to do a Candida Cleanse and I am not jumping up and down about it. Some of you may know that I have suffered from a mild eating disorder most of my life and have taken many steps to tame this "monster" that lives inside of me. Lately the monster has been quiet and my weight has normalized and I feel good. I don't torture myself about what I put in my mouth, even though what I put in my mouth is really healthy! I don't torture myself about feeling or looking fat. I don't compare myself to others. But let me tell you, when the monster rears it's ugly head, he rules my every thought, action and deed.
About two years ago I did this same exact cleanse and it was the most challenging thing I ever did. I wasn't even sure if I actually had candida, but I had a few friends who did the cleanse and they had boundless energy, clear skin, didn't need much sleep and just felt really good and happy doing this cleanse. I wanted what they had. What I didn't account for was my "issue" with food and the never-ending conversation in my head about deprivation.
Depriving myself is NOT what I need to be doing. Especially since I am such a clean eater already and deprivation has been a way of life for me. But depriving myself of fresh strawberries, cherries, agave nectar, mushrooms, eggplants, tomatoes, yerba mate; foods that are good for me, yet are feeding my candida and making me sicker in a sense, did not bode well with this Health Addict Virgo.
I know that I need to do this cleanse for a healthier me. And I also know that this time will be different; and the reason I know is because I have support. Someone to walk through the fire with me and support me on my journey. Daniel (my other half) and I are going to walk this path together, and I must say that it feels a lot less scary to deprive myself when I know I am being loved through it all. When I know I have someone to cry to, or whine to, or just hug when I am feeling low, or feeling like I can't make it through.
Having a partner or friend in anything we do in life is important. Whether it's a cleanse, working out, going to a movie or whatever. We are human beings and we need support. We were built to be in community and to support one another on this journey in life. we weren't built to do it all alone!!!
So, for any of you that are considering doing a cleanse; two words of advice: get support! If you want to know more about this cleanse and learn more about Candida feel free to email me! You can also find out more by visiting Donna Gates' web site http://www.bodyecologydiet.com/. She is one of the top advisors on Candida and her book is amazing!!!
Here's to Happy Cleansing! check out my blog tomorrow for DAY 1 of Greens Plus Protein Bar Free Day!!!
PS ~ I already gave up the Yerba Mate' 3 days ago, and although I am tired and headachy from giving up the caffeine, I already feel better physically! I think Daniel might have a bit of a harder time...It's my duty in life to get him off the RED BULL!!!
PEACE & WELLNESS
Candida is ever present in the body and everyone has it, but it often lays dormant and doesn't cause too many problems if you take really good care of yourself. But lately, as much as I hate to admit it, I've been lacking in the "good night's sleep" department, skimping on the yoga and honestly, just not taking the best care of myself outside of my eating! When we don't take care of ourselves and the Candida decides to invade the body it can cause a whole slew of problems; digestive issues, bloating, fatigue, weight gain, bad memory, spaciness, skin problems, eczema, bad breath, body odor, sugar cravings, athlete's foot, yeast infections...and the list goes on and on.
Being healthy isn't just about exercise and eating good. It's about your emotional, physical, spiritual and mental state too. I notice that when I let any one of these things get out of balance, that I suffer. Sometimes it's a challenge to keep it all in balance. I take every step I can to make sure that what I put in my mouth is clean, clean, clean. But sometimes I feel like I can get away with not sleeping enough, exercising, breathing deep, meditating, writing; anything that nourishes my soul and helps me to feel balanced and happy.
So, needless to say, I made a decision to do a Candida Cleanse and I am not jumping up and down about it. Some of you may know that I have suffered from a mild eating disorder most of my life and have taken many steps to tame this "monster" that lives inside of me. Lately the monster has been quiet and my weight has normalized and I feel good. I don't torture myself about what I put in my mouth, even though what I put in my mouth is really healthy! I don't torture myself about feeling or looking fat. I don't compare myself to others. But let me tell you, when the monster rears it's ugly head, he rules my every thought, action and deed.
About two years ago I did this same exact cleanse and it was the most challenging thing I ever did. I wasn't even sure if I actually had candida, but I had a few friends who did the cleanse and they had boundless energy, clear skin, didn't need much sleep and just felt really good and happy doing this cleanse. I wanted what they had. What I didn't account for was my "issue" with food and the never-ending conversation in my head about deprivation.
Depriving myself is NOT what I need to be doing. Especially since I am such a clean eater already and deprivation has been a way of life for me. But depriving myself of fresh strawberries, cherries, agave nectar, mushrooms, eggplants, tomatoes, yerba mate; foods that are good for me, yet are feeding my candida and making me sicker in a sense, did not bode well with this Health Addict Virgo.
I know that I need to do this cleanse for a healthier me. And I also know that this time will be different; and the reason I know is because I have support. Someone to walk through the fire with me and support me on my journey. Daniel (my other half) and I are going to walk this path together, and I must say that it feels a lot less scary to deprive myself when I know I am being loved through it all. When I know I have someone to cry to, or whine to, or just hug when I am feeling low, or feeling like I can't make it through.
Having a partner or friend in anything we do in life is important. Whether it's a cleanse, working out, going to a movie or whatever. We are human beings and we need support. We were built to be in community and to support one another on this journey in life. we weren't built to do it all alone!!!
So, for any of you that are considering doing a cleanse; two words of advice: get support! If you want to know more about this cleanse and learn more about Candida feel free to email me! You can also find out more by visiting Donna Gates' web site http://www.bodyecologydiet.com/. She is one of the top advisors on Candida and her book is amazing!!!
Here's to Happy Cleansing! check out my blog tomorrow for DAY 1 of Greens Plus Protein Bar Free Day!!!
PS ~ I already gave up the Yerba Mate' 3 days ago, and although I am tired and headachy from giving up the caffeine, I already feel better physically! I think Daniel might have a bit of a harder time...It's my duty in life to get him off the RED BULL!!!
PEACE & WELLNESS
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Just Because You Are Vegetarian Doesn't Mean You're Healthy!!
To many of us, Vegetarianism is a mystery. Becoming a vegetarian is usually a choice that people make for health reasons, ethical reasons or environmental reasons. But most vegetarians and not particularly healthy, per se.
Being a vegetarian takes work. It takes commitment. It takes dedication and it also takes creativity and knowledge. It's easy to be an unhealthy vegetarian, but most people have no idea that they are being unhealthy. The reason is usually due to lack of knowledge. If you go to any grocery store today, there is an array of supposedly "healthy" vegetarian foods, but most of these foods are over processed and contain high amounts of soy, gluten, sodium and other ingredients that wreak havoc on our digestive system.
There are many types of vegetarians according to today's society. But I believe that a true & healthy vegetarian is a person who eats a diet consisting of unprocssed whole foods. Whole foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, healthy fats and the occasional egg. If you think you are doing your body good by becoming a vegetarian while still eating cheese, yogurt, any kind of dairy, white flour, white sugar and processed "vegetarian" foods, you aren't. You might as well still eat meat and chicken for that matter. Those choices are better than most of the heart clogging, high cholesterol cheeses and yogurts or the acidifying processed foods that will cause heart disease and a whole other ilk of health problems down the line.
If it's an ethical issue to you, and you don't care about health, than so be it. Yet anyone who does not care about their health and what they put in their mouth is looking for trouble in the long term. Your body is a temple and the only one you have while you are here. It's important that you treat it with respect so that it works optimally to assist you in a long, happy and healthy life.
Ok, let's talk about the different kinds of "vegetarians" (remember, a true vegetarian does not eat any animal flesh at all). A vegan on the other hand, eats absolutely NO animal products including eggs, honey, white sugar & dairy.
Vegetarian: Eats a plant based diet and does not eat red meat, chicken, pork or any other meat from an animal
Pescetarian: A vegetarian who eats fish
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian: A vegetarian who eats dairy & eggs
Flexitarian (this is a newer type of Vegetarian): one who is a vegetarian but will occasionally eat fish or chicken
Total Vegetarian: does not eat any animal products including eggs, dairy, honey and sometime white sugar (some white sugar is processed with the ash of cow bones so it is not considered vegetarian)
Vegan: Eliminates all animal products from their life even clothing & shoes made from leather, wool or silk.
As I said earlier, many vegetarians can be extremely unhealthy and sometimes it takes a lot of planning to have this type of lifestyle. Eating pizza, nachos, or any other greasy foods that don't contain meat is not the path to being a healthy vegetarian. Yes, sometimes those foods are easy to grab on the go, but these foods will leave you feeling bloated & tired, along with an array of other possible health problems. And, you will not get the necessary nutrients you need for your body as you would from eating whole foods.
If you are thinking about becoming a vegetarian or already are one, please remember that what you put into your mouth is the most important thing you can do for your body other than exercise. Be mindful of your choices. Eat lots of fresh veggies and fruit. Eat minimal amounts of processed foods. Take baby steps. Cut out one unhealthy food per week and add in a healthy one. If you are used to the Soy chicken nuggets or the frozen pizza from the freezer section, I urge you to rethink those choices and choose foods that are minimally processed. Make time each week to plan your meals.
Remember, having a healthy lifestyle takes work. It's an investment in your health. You are worth the effort and commitment it takes to be healthy. Before you know it, it will become old hat and you will be feeling and looking better than you ever have in your life! The key to your success is Baby Steps! Have fun!!!
Being a vegetarian takes work. It takes commitment. It takes dedication and it also takes creativity and knowledge. It's easy to be an unhealthy vegetarian, but most people have no idea that they are being unhealthy. The reason is usually due to lack of knowledge. If you go to any grocery store today, there is an array of supposedly "healthy" vegetarian foods, but most of these foods are over processed and contain high amounts of soy, gluten, sodium and other ingredients that wreak havoc on our digestive system.
There are many types of vegetarians according to today's society. But I believe that a true & healthy vegetarian is a person who eats a diet consisting of unprocssed whole foods. Whole foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, healthy fats and the occasional egg. If you think you are doing your body good by becoming a vegetarian while still eating cheese, yogurt, any kind of dairy, white flour, white sugar and processed "vegetarian" foods, you aren't. You might as well still eat meat and chicken for that matter. Those choices are better than most of the heart clogging, high cholesterol cheeses and yogurts or the acidifying processed foods that will cause heart disease and a whole other ilk of health problems down the line.
If it's an ethical issue to you, and you don't care about health, than so be it. Yet anyone who does not care about their health and what they put in their mouth is looking for trouble in the long term. Your body is a temple and the only one you have while you are here. It's important that you treat it with respect so that it works optimally to assist you in a long, happy and healthy life.
Ok, let's talk about the different kinds of "vegetarians" (remember, a true vegetarian does not eat any animal flesh at all). A vegan on the other hand, eats absolutely NO animal products including eggs, honey, white sugar & dairy.
Vegetarian: Eats a plant based diet and does not eat red meat, chicken, pork or any other meat from an animal
Pescetarian: A vegetarian who eats fish
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian: A vegetarian who eats dairy & eggs
Flexitarian (this is a newer type of Vegetarian): one who is a vegetarian but will occasionally eat fish or chicken
Total Vegetarian: does not eat any animal products including eggs, dairy, honey and sometime white sugar (some white sugar is processed with the ash of cow bones so it is not considered vegetarian)
Vegan: Eliminates all animal products from their life even clothing & shoes made from leather, wool or silk.
As I said earlier, many vegetarians can be extremely unhealthy and sometimes it takes a lot of planning to have this type of lifestyle. Eating pizza, nachos, or any other greasy foods that don't contain meat is not the path to being a healthy vegetarian. Yes, sometimes those foods are easy to grab on the go, but these foods will leave you feeling bloated & tired, along with an array of other possible health problems. And, you will not get the necessary nutrients you need for your body as you would from eating whole foods.
If you are thinking about becoming a vegetarian or already are one, please remember that what you put into your mouth is the most important thing you can do for your body other than exercise. Be mindful of your choices. Eat lots of fresh veggies and fruit. Eat minimal amounts of processed foods. Take baby steps. Cut out one unhealthy food per week and add in a healthy one. If you are used to the Soy chicken nuggets or the frozen pizza from the freezer section, I urge you to rethink those choices and choose foods that are minimally processed. Make time each week to plan your meals.
Remember, having a healthy lifestyle takes work. It's an investment in your health. You are worth the effort and commitment it takes to be healthy. Before you know it, it will become old hat and you will be feeling and looking better than you ever have in your life! The key to your success is Baby Steps! Have fun!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Who Cares How You Look or What You Do ~ Are you HAPPY??
So many of us live a life that is filled with work, errands, to-do’s, emails, etc. The list goes on and on. Sometimes I wonder if there is ever enough time to get it all done. Why is there always something to do? A list of “things” that seem to keep us from enjoying our daily lives?
Is there time to be happy with all these things that we have to do on a day-to-day basis?? Will our To-Do Lists ever be fully crossed off? And if they are, will we finally be happy & fulfilled?? Or we will look for more things to do and keep us distracted from the present moment?? To fill up the empty space inside that is unhappiness.
We exercise hard so we can look & feel good. We eat healthy or check out the latest diet craze to help us lose weight so that we can feel better and look better. We think we’ll be happier when we reach some future goal, lose that final 10 pounds or get some better job, better computer, car or phone.
But, the question is, do all these things really make us happy?
There are millions of ways to distract ourselves from life, real life ~ the present moment. When I say real life, what I mean is our passion & our purpose. What we are here to do. Why we are here living on this Earth in human form. I don’t mean to make mockery of a life filled of to-do lists and emails, but I want you to think for a second if you are happy. Are you really happy? Do you feel joyous inside? Do you feel like you have a purpose and a mission? What would you do and how far would you push yourself to find that purpose or fulfill that mission? Would you quit your day job to pursue a life of creativity, philanthropy or writing?
Over the years as I struggled to find my calling, I dipped my toes into many different small ponds. The pond of the Hospitality industry, the pond of TV commercials, the pond of teaching yoga, the pond of… well, you get the picture…but after time, I realized that all these different ponds just didn’t make me happy. What I also realized was, that each one I didn’t enjoy brought me closer to the big ocean that was my calling and passion. I knew that I was passionate about health, fitness, food, teaching people how to be better and feel better, but I didn’t know how to bring it all together in a way that would fulfill my soul. I always thought these were just “things” in my life that I enjoyed but had to keep to myself.
I was tired of working for other people. Tired of building other people’s businesses, when all I wanted to do was work for myself. I wanted the flexibility of having my own business. To work when I wanted, not when I was told. I wanted more quality time with my friends and loved ones. I didn’t want to have my head buried at a desk behind a computer while life was happening outside. I wanted to participate. To be part of the solution, to feel my heart sing, to teach others how to feel better, eat better, make positive changes for themselves so they could get closer to their dreams and goals; their happy place.
I’m not saying that I feel happy everyday, but I am truly happy doing what I love and knowing that I am helping others to be better in their life. I feel a sense of freedom, a sense of belonging in a world that can feel so alone and empty at times. I get to connect with amazing people every day and help them to become better.
So, what is it that makes you happy? What is the message you want to spread? Isn’t it time you found out? Isn’t it about time you follow your passion? Find your calling? Maybe your calling is to be the best parent to your children, or the best friend to your friends. It doesn’t mean that your calling is what you do for work, or your career. Your calling is the thing that you feel most passionate about that truly lights you up inside and makes you want to share it with the world!
Remember, life is too short to sell out on yourself and not experience the true happiness that comes from doing what you love! Make a difference for YOU first, and all else will fall in place! Write a list of the things you love to do. Figure out ways you can do them. Take Baby Steps. Remember that small steps toward a greater goal are the key to success. Have your purpose, make your plan and put it into action!!
If you are following your dreams, your to-do lists will feel like a walk in the park. You will jump at the chance to cross things off your list. You will feel success in your accomplishments and joy in your heart. And that is true happiness!
Is there time to be happy with all these things that we have to do on a day-to-day basis?? Will our To-Do Lists ever be fully crossed off? And if they are, will we finally be happy & fulfilled?? Or we will look for more things to do and keep us distracted from the present moment?? To fill up the empty space inside that is unhappiness.
We exercise hard so we can look & feel good. We eat healthy or check out the latest diet craze to help us lose weight so that we can feel better and look better. We think we’ll be happier when we reach some future goal, lose that final 10 pounds or get some better job, better computer, car or phone.
But, the question is, do all these things really make us happy?
There are millions of ways to distract ourselves from life, real life ~ the present moment. When I say real life, what I mean is our passion & our purpose. What we are here to do. Why we are here living on this Earth in human form. I don’t mean to make mockery of a life filled of to-do lists and emails, but I want you to think for a second if you are happy. Are you really happy? Do you feel joyous inside? Do you feel like you have a purpose and a mission? What would you do and how far would you push yourself to find that purpose or fulfill that mission? Would you quit your day job to pursue a life of creativity, philanthropy or writing?
Over the years as I struggled to find my calling, I dipped my toes into many different small ponds. The pond of the Hospitality industry, the pond of TV commercials, the pond of teaching yoga, the pond of… well, you get the picture…but after time, I realized that all these different ponds just didn’t make me happy. What I also realized was, that each one I didn’t enjoy brought me closer to the big ocean that was my calling and passion. I knew that I was passionate about health, fitness, food, teaching people how to be better and feel better, but I didn’t know how to bring it all together in a way that would fulfill my soul. I always thought these were just “things” in my life that I enjoyed but had to keep to myself.
I was tired of working for other people. Tired of building other people’s businesses, when all I wanted to do was work for myself. I wanted the flexibility of having my own business. To work when I wanted, not when I was told. I wanted more quality time with my friends and loved ones. I didn’t want to have my head buried at a desk behind a computer while life was happening outside. I wanted to participate. To be part of the solution, to feel my heart sing, to teach others how to feel better, eat better, make positive changes for themselves so they could get closer to their dreams and goals; their happy place.
I’m not saying that I feel happy everyday, but I am truly happy doing what I love and knowing that I am helping others to be better in their life. I feel a sense of freedom, a sense of belonging in a world that can feel so alone and empty at times. I get to connect with amazing people every day and help them to become better.
So, what is it that makes you happy? What is the message you want to spread? Isn’t it time you found out? Isn’t it about time you follow your passion? Find your calling? Maybe your calling is to be the best parent to your children, or the best friend to your friends. It doesn’t mean that your calling is what you do for work, or your career. Your calling is the thing that you feel most passionate about that truly lights you up inside and makes you want to share it with the world!
Remember, life is too short to sell out on yourself and not experience the true happiness that comes from doing what you love! Make a difference for YOU first, and all else will fall in place! Write a list of the things you love to do. Figure out ways you can do them. Take Baby Steps. Remember that small steps toward a greater goal are the key to success. Have your purpose, make your plan and put it into action!!
If you are following your dreams, your to-do lists will feel like a walk in the park. You will jump at the chance to cross things off your list. You will feel success in your accomplishments and joy in your heart. And that is true happiness!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Raw Food ~ Fad or Fantastic?
Eating Raw? What’s it all about? Is this some crazy fad or is it here to stay? Raw Foodists around the country believe that Raw food is the way; the way to healing, health, happiness, vitality and a long life. Can this really be true? Or are they pulling our celery stalks??
Many studies have been done over the years on the raw food way of life and it’s benefits. Most recently, a documentary was made called Raw for 30 Days. This film documents the lives of 6 participants with “incurable” Diabetes who go away to a Raw Food “camp” for 30 days to change their health and their life. Many of these participants are grossly overweight and in turn, have contracted diabetes and many other illnesses that prevent them from living their best life. At the end of these 30 days mostly all the participants diabetes was reversed and many were able to stop their insulin shots. All this from eating Raw food?? YES! It’s not to say that it was easy, but did it work? The results prove that it does.
Raw foods are ALIVE! These foods still contain all the live enzymes that your body needs to digest your food properly and use it optimally. When you are ingesting raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, beans, etc. your body is receiving peak nutritional value from your food. All the nutrients from these foods are still alive, because they haven’t been cooked away by heat or fire. In turn, your body uses this food as energy instead of storing it away as fat. You will feel lighter, lose weight and your skin will be clear and vibrant.
I know that this all sounds great, but is it easy? In my experience, the raw food way of eating can sometimes be a challenge. It does take time, thought & energy to eat this way. Eating cooked food is certainly the “norm” in our society and not many restaurants you go to have raw food choices. But that’s not to say that you can’t find them. This type of lifestyle is a choice that many make when they are ready, or if they have a severe health problem that needs addressing.
My school of thought is everything in moderation. I have gone 100% raw before, and I’ve felt the best I have ever felt in my life, but I realized that 100% raw does not work for me. I love HOT food. I love soup on a cold winters night, I love hot tea while sitting in front of a fire. My body is made up in such a way that it needs warmth and comfort from cooked whole foods, such as grains, steamed veggies, hearty vegetable stews, etc. So, I decided to adapt a diet with a combination of raw and cooked foods. I eat about 40-50% raw depending on the time of year and the season. In the spring and summer, I find it much easier to eat raw due to the abundance of fresh fruits (which I LOVE) and veggies that I can find at the Farmer’s markets.
Ultimately, this type of eating is up to you. I say give it a try, but know that it’s a choice and an investment in your health. Take baby steps. Introduce new, raw foods into your diet every week, and see how you feel. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by giving up all cooked food and going 100% raw to start. Your body will also probably rebel by giving you digestive problems, flatulence, etc until you can adjust to this lifestyle. Every time you change your way of eating, your body will react, so it’s best to go slow, do what works for you, but most importantly know that you are making a positive choice for your health and happiness.
For more on eating a whole foods diet, visit Missy’s web site at www.karmachow.com
Many studies have been done over the years on the raw food way of life and it’s benefits. Most recently, a documentary was made called Raw for 30 Days. This film documents the lives of 6 participants with “incurable” Diabetes who go away to a Raw Food “camp” for 30 days to change their health and their life. Many of these participants are grossly overweight and in turn, have contracted diabetes and many other illnesses that prevent them from living their best life. At the end of these 30 days mostly all the participants diabetes was reversed and many were able to stop their insulin shots. All this from eating Raw food?? YES! It’s not to say that it was easy, but did it work? The results prove that it does.
Raw foods are ALIVE! These foods still contain all the live enzymes that your body needs to digest your food properly and use it optimally. When you are ingesting raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, beans, etc. your body is receiving peak nutritional value from your food. All the nutrients from these foods are still alive, because they haven’t been cooked away by heat or fire. In turn, your body uses this food as energy instead of storing it away as fat. You will feel lighter, lose weight and your skin will be clear and vibrant.
I know that this all sounds great, but is it easy? In my experience, the raw food way of eating can sometimes be a challenge. It does take time, thought & energy to eat this way. Eating cooked food is certainly the “norm” in our society and not many restaurants you go to have raw food choices. But that’s not to say that you can’t find them. This type of lifestyle is a choice that many make when they are ready, or if they have a severe health problem that needs addressing.
My school of thought is everything in moderation. I have gone 100% raw before, and I’ve felt the best I have ever felt in my life, but I realized that 100% raw does not work for me. I love HOT food. I love soup on a cold winters night, I love hot tea while sitting in front of a fire. My body is made up in such a way that it needs warmth and comfort from cooked whole foods, such as grains, steamed veggies, hearty vegetable stews, etc. So, I decided to adapt a diet with a combination of raw and cooked foods. I eat about 40-50% raw depending on the time of year and the season. In the spring and summer, I find it much easier to eat raw due to the abundance of fresh fruits (which I LOVE) and veggies that I can find at the Farmer’s markets.
Ultimately, this type of eating is up to you. I say give it a try, but know that it’s a choice and an investment in your health. Take baby steps. Introduce new, raw foods into your diet every week, and see how you feel. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by giving up all cooked food and going 100% raw to start. Your body will also probably rebel by giving you digestive problems, flatulence, etc until you can adjust to this lifestyle. Every time you change your way of eating, your body will react, so it’s best to go slow, do what works for you, but most importantly know that you are making a positive choice for your health and happiness.
For more on eating a whole foods diet, visit Missy’s web site at www.karmachow.com
Saturday, May 2, 2009
CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR BODY, CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
I shared this blog in my most recent newsletter, but for those of you who don't get the newsletter, you can read it here!
ENJOY!
Change Your Mind, Change Your Body, Change Your Life:
This powerful phrase, quoted by my favorite spin teacher and friend, John Scarangello, owner of Kinetic Cycling, during a spin class I was in last Friday really hit home for me. It's 9 simple words, but the power behind these words were paramount.
For years I have suffered from a mild eating disorder, in that whenever I ate something I would think, "This is going to make me fat". Even if it was a piece of fruit. This thought process came to me a child after seeing all the perfect models and their perfect bodies on the pages of glossy magazines. I thought I needed to look like them for people to like me. I thought I needed to be super skinny for people to like me. Luckly due to good genetics and being active consistently, I have never been overweight in all my life, but the way I thought about my weight made me feel like I was 400 pounds.I was never happy with the way I looked or the way I felt in my body. I would say negative things to myself and starve myself in hopes that someone would notice that I had the perfect body.
Now that I am 40, I have come to a place of acceptance. Yes, there are still times when I think that I am fat or I could tone up here and there, but these thoughts do not occupy my mind like they once did. Guess why? I made a choice to change my mind about how I thought about myself! I made a choice to talk nice to myself. I made a choice to exercise and eat right which makes me feel better about myself!!
Think about the power of our mind and how strong it is. What we think can literally come to fruition if we focus on it enough. Maybe I would have become severely overweight if I hadn't decided to change my mind about food and how I felt about myself. All it takes is a choice..a choice you get to make!!! Once you change your mind, everything else changes.
Another one of my favorite quotes by inspirational author and speaker, Wayne Dyer; "Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change" has the same meaning. If we all just made a decision to eat right, exercise 5-6 days a week and think positively instead of negatively, our lives would be different, our lives would change. We would feel better, look better and be happier.
If you struggle with putting healthy food in your mouth, or exercising on a consistent basis, know that you are the one that has the power to change it. Make the decision today to take a baby step toward change. Choose it, Make it happen and enroll people to help you! You will start to notice that your whole world looks and feels different and that is the power of 9 little words!
Thanks John!!!
To check out Kinetic Cycling and John's spin classes, visit his site at www.kineticcycling.com
ENJOY!
Change Your Mind, Change Your Body, Change Your Life:
This powerful phrase, quoted by my favorite spin teacher and friend, John Scarangello, owner of Kinetic Cycling, during a spin class I was in last Friday really hit home for me. It's 9 simple words, but the power behind these words were paramount.
For years I have suffered from a mild eating disorder, in that whenever I ate something I would think, "This is going to make me fat". Even if it was a piece of fruit. This thought process came to me a child after seeing all the perfect models and their perfect bodies on the pages of glossy magazines. I thought I needed to look like them for people to like me. I thought I needed to be super skinny for people to like me. Luckly due to good genetics and being active consistently, I have never been overweight in all my life, but the way I thought about my weight made me feel like I was 400 pounds.I was never happy with the way I looked or the way I felt in my body. I would say negative things to myself and starve myself in hopes that someone would notice that I had the perfect body.
Now that I am 40, I have come to a place of acceptance. Yes, there are still times when I think that I am fat or I could tone up here and there, but these thoughts do not occupy my mind like they once did. Guess why? I made a choice to change my mind about how I thought about myself! I made a choice to talk nice to myself. I made a choice to exercise and eat right which makes me feel better about myself!!
Think about the power of our mind and how strong it is. What we think can literally come to fruition if we focus on it enough. Maybe I would have become severely overweight if I hadn't decided to change my mind about food and how I felt about myself. All it takes is a choice..a choice you get to make!!! Once you change your mind, everything else changes.
Another one of my favorite quotes by inspirational author and speaker, Wayne Dyer; "Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change" has the same meaning. If we all just made a decision to eat right, exercise 5-6 days a week and think positively instead of negatively, our lives would be different, our lives would change. We would feel better, look better and be happier.
If you struggle with putting healthy food in your mouth, or exercising on a consistent basis, know that you are the one that has the power to change it. Make the decision today to take a baby step toward change. Choose it, Make it happen and enroll people to help you! You will start to notice that your whole world looks and feels different and that is the power of 9 little words!
Thanks John!!!
To check out Kinetic Cycling and John's spin classes, visit his site at www.kineticcycling.com
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Pill Popping Problem Solvers....NOT!
For many years I lived without a TV…and I loved it! I found myself reading more, writing more and spending more time doing active things that kept me healthy & happy. Now that I live in a place with a TV, I find myself sitting in front of it when I feel overwhelmed or if I need to “check out” and not think for a while.
But, as I sit there, I quickly realize that I am not really enjoying what I am watching, and all I see is ad after ad that claims, “Take this pill, or that pill and all your problems will go away”. TV is filled with these commercials that affirm to “fix” any & every health issue we may have from arthritis, to heartburn to high blood pressure to headaches. It is truly disheartening.
Why has our society become so obsessed with the “quick fix”? Masking the problem, instead of solving it. When did we become so lazy and stop caring about ourselves and our wellbeing? Doctors are paid to sell drugs to us. Pharmaceutical companies are the biggest profit generators of today. Most of the time, Doctors’ just prescribe a pill to get us out of the office so that they can quickly move on to the next patient. But, are we really healing the problem?? NO!!!! Do they really want to cure us at the deepest level?? Not sure!! Are we coming back to health, or just making ourselves dependent on some substance that is making us worse instead of better??
Our bodies can become breeding grounds for disease if we don’t take care of them. The typical American Diet is high in processed foods, thereby creating an acidic environment where illness and disease can flourish!
As a Health Educator & Wellness Coach, I feel it is my duty to offer you knowledge and suggestions on how to return your body to health without popping a pill. If you are one of those people who think that taking over the counter drugs is the answer, I am here to help you return to health and wellness in a natural way.
Remember, Food is MEDICINE (thank you Socrates)! We need to use the food we eat to cure our “problems” and get healthy!! What we put in our mouth determines how we will feel from the inside out! We need to make smarter choices about what we eat, and how much we eat, to keep our bodies operating at their optimal state. Adopt a healthy eating lifestyle! Eat plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and healthy fats!! And Exercise…move…do something!!!
Below is a list of a few common ailments and my suggestions to help heal them without popping those pills:
Heartburn/Indigestion: If you suffer from heartburn and/or indigestion, you most likely have low stomach acid. HCL, also known as Hydrochloric Acid, is the acid in your stomach that is responsible for breaking down proteins. If you are low in HCL, you will not be able to break down meats and other proteins, in turn causing heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux and many other digestive problems. You will also suffer from these ailments if you eat a lot of meat and other highly acidic foods like dairy & wheat. Also, low HCL prevents yoru body from absorbing B12 and other nutrients. You can re-build the HCL in your stomach by taking HCL pills (available at health food stores) or taking a Tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar before every meal in a small amount of water. Over time, your HCL will rebuild and you will be able to digest your proteins without any help.
Gas & Bloating: Again, a digestive issue. Most likely you have a hard time digesting carbs, sugar, proteins and even vegetables. I highly recommend taking digestive enzymes before every meal to help your body break down your foods properly. Also, cut back on refined flour, sugar & diet soda!!! Food combining is another way you can prevent gas & bloating and keep your digestive system working properly. For more information on food combining, check out http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/foodcombining.html
High Blood Pressure: Exercise, Exercise, Exercise (for at least 30 minutes a day) and lower your sodium intake. If you need to use salt, switch to Sea Salt or use Gomasio, which is a combination of sesame seeds and sea salt. Sea Salt will give your body the necessary minerals it needs and the rest will be flushed out. You will not retain water when you use sea salt, but please keep in mind that it is still sodium, so use it moderately.
Headaches: Most likely an allergy to certain foods, or too much stress. If you suffer from headaches, cut out caffeine, cheese, alcohol, refined sugar, and any food or drink that contains sulfites. See how you feel in 2 weeks. Also, spend some time practicing deep breathing exercises, light stretching or sitting quietly for 10 minutes a day.
Muscle Aches & Pains: Instead of taking that painkiller (which can stress the liver) do some stretching, see a massage therapist, take a hot bath using Epsom salts or find a local acupuncturist. Usually muscular pain in the body is created by an imbalance or energy blockage. Eat magnesium rich foods such as sea vegetables. Too much sugar or caffeine can sap your body of minerals and cause imbalances as well.
PMS/Menstrual Issues: Most likely a hormonal imbalance in the body, which can be caused by processed & fried foods, caffeine, smoking, stress, etc. First step is to cut out caffeine and sugar. Add Magnesium & Calcium rich foods to your diet. Eat plenty of leafy greens and sea vegetables. If you suffer from severe PMS, consider having a complete hormonal screen done by a Naturopath or Holistic hormone specialist. Have your Thyroid Checked!
IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common digestive problem affecting many Americans. I suffered from IBS as a young adult and realized that I needed to do something to help myself since every doctor I went to had no answer. I started to slowly change my diet and cut out eating certain foods that would upset my system, as well as meditating and practicing deep breathing exercises. To help yourself, cut out one highly allergenic food per week such as dairy, corn, wheat or soy and see if anything changes. You can then add each food back in slowly to determine where the problem is.
Sinus Problems: If you constantly have a runny nose, a stuffed up nose, or need to clear your throat, dairy could be your culprit. Cut out dairy for a week and see what happens! Stay away from the poison that you shoot up your nose to clear it out. It actually becomes addicting and you will need to use it more and more.
As you begin to adopt a healthier way of eating, you will notice many changes in your body and how you feel overall. You will begin to drop weight. Your skin will clear up. Your allergies will subside. You will have more energy. Forego running to the drug store to get that pill and start to take charge or your well being by making positive choices. This is the only body you have, so take care of it while you are here! Do you want to feel healthy, full of energy and vibrant? Or do you want to be filled with synthetic drugs that are sapping your body of energy, nutrients and life? You choose!!! It’s in your hands!!!
For more information on healing your body through food, exercise and nutrition, email me at missy@karmachow.com
*A special thanks to my friend Tony Horton for the “Pill Popping” title…he IS a genius!
**Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor. If you have feel you have a serious illness, please seek professional medical help.
But, as I sit there, I quickly realize that I am not really enjoying what I am watching, and all I see is ad after ad that claims, “Take this pill, or that pill and all your problems will go away”. TV is filled with these commercials that affirm to “fix” any & every health issue we may have from arthritis, to heartburn to high blood pressure to headaches. It is truly disheartening.
Why has our society become so obsessed with the “quick fix”? Masking the problem, instead of solving it. When did we become so lazy and stop caring about ourselves and our wellbeing? Doctors are paid to sell drugs to us. Pharmaceutical companies are the biggest profit generators of today. Most of the time, Doctors’ just prescribe a pill to get us out of the office so that they can quickly move on to the next patient. But, are we really healing the problem?? NO!!!! Do they really want to cure us at the deepest level?? Not sure!! Are we coming back to health, or just making ourselves dependent on some substance that is making us worse instead of better??
Our bodies can become breeding grounds for disease if we don’t take care of them. The typical American Diet is high in processed foods, thereby creating an acidic environment where illness and disease can flourish!
As a Health Educator & Wellness Coach, I feel it is my duty to offer you knowledge and suggestions on how to return your body to health without popping a pill. If you are one of those people who think that taking over the counter drugs is the answer, I am here to help you return to health and wellness in a natural way.
Remember, Food is MEDICINE (thank you Socrates)! We need to use the food we eat to cure our “problems” and get healthy!! What we put in our mouth determines how we will feel from the inside out! We need to make smarter choices about what we eat, and how much we eat, to keep our bodies operating at their optimal state. Adopt a healthy eating lifestyle! Eat plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and healthy fats!! And Exercise…move…do something!!!
Below is a list of a few common ailments and my suggestions to help heal them without popping those pills:
Heartburn/Indigestion: If you suffer from heartburn and/or indigestion, you most likely have low stomach acid. HCL, also known as Hydrochloric Acid, is the acid in your stomach that is responsible for breaking down proteins. If you are low in HCL, you will not be able to break down meats and other proteins, in turn causing heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux and many other digestive problems. You will also suffer from these ailments if you eat a lot of meat and other highly acidic foods like dairy & wheat. Also, low HCL prevents yoru body from absorbing B12 and other nutrients. You can re-build the HCL in your stomach by taking HCL pills (available at health food stores) or taking a Tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar before every meal in a small amount of water. Over time, your HCL will rebuild and you will be able to digest your proteins without any help.
Gas & Bloating: Again, a digestive issue. Most likely you have a hard time digesting carbs, sugar, proteins and even vegetables. I highly recommend taking digestive enzymes before every meal to help your body break down your foods properly. Also, cut back on refined flour, sugar & diet soda!!! Food combining is another way you can prevent gas & bloating and keep your digestive system working properly. For more information on food combining, check out http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/foodcombining.html
High Blood Pressure: Exercise, Exercise, Exercise (for at least 30 minutes a day) and lower your sodium intake. If you need to use salt, switch to Sea Salt or use Gomasio, which is a combination of sesame seeds and sea salt. Sea Salt will give your body the necessary minerals it needs and the rest will be flushed out. You will not retain water when you use sea salt, but please keep in mind that it is still sodium, so use it moderately.
Headaches: Most likely an allergy to certain foods, or too much stress. If you suffer from headaches, cut out caffeine, cheese, alcohol, refined sugar, and any food or drink that contains sulfites. See how you feel in 2 weeks. Also, spend some time practicing deep breathing exercises, light stretching or sitting quietly for 10 minutes a day.
Muscle Aches & Pains: Instead of taking that painkiller (which can stress the liver) do some stretching, see a massage therapist, take a hot bath using Epsom salts or find a local acupuncturist. Usually muscular pain in the body is created by an imbalance or energy blockage. Eat magnesium rich foods such as sea vegetables. Too much sugar or caffeine can sap your body of minerals and cause imbalances as well.
PMS/Menstrual Issues: Most likely a hormonal imbalance in the body, which can be caused by processed & fried foods, caffeine, smoking, stress, etc. First step is to cut out caffeine and sugar. Add Magnesium & Calcium rich foods to your diet. Eat plenty of leafy greens and sea vegetables. If you suffer from severe PMS, consider having a complete hormonal screen done by a Naturopath or Holistic hormone specialist. Have your Thyroid Checked!
IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common digestive problem affecting many Americans. I suffered from IBS as a young adult and realized that I needed to do something to help myself since every doctor I went to had no answer. I started to slowly change my diet and cut out eating certain foods that would upset my system, as well as meditating and practicing deep breathing exercises. To help yourself, cut out one highly allergenic food per week such as dairy, corn, wheat or soy and see if anything changes. You can then add each food back in slowly to determine where the problem is.
Sinus Problems: If you constantly have a runny nose, a stuffed up nose, or need to clear your throat, dairy could be your culprit. Cut out dairy for a week and see what happens! Stay away from the poison that you shoot up your nose to clear it out. It actually becomes addicting and you will need to use it more and more.
As you begin to adopt a healthier way of eating, you will notice many changes in your body and how you feel overall. You will begin to drop weight. Your skin will clear up. Your allergies will subside. You will have more energy. Forego running to the drug store to get that pill and start to take charge or your well being by making positive choices. This is the only body you have, so take care of it while you are here! Do you want to feel healthy, full of energy and vibrant? Or do you want to be filled with synthetic drugs that are sapping your body of energy, nutrients and life? You choose!!! It’s in your hands!!!
For more information on healing your body through food, exercise and nutrition, email me at missy@karmachow.com
*A special thanks to my friend Tony Horton for the “Pill Popping” title…he IS a genius!
**Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor. If you have feel you have a serious illness, please seek professional medical help.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Abundance Diet
If you are a living, breathing human being, then chances are you’ve been on a diet once, twice or maybe multiple times in your life. The word diet, as described in Webster’s dictionary means; “fare; what is eaten or drunk habitually”. If you think about it, this means any food that we eat on a daily basis. So, according to Webster, we are on a diet every day of our life, just by eating habitually. Unfortunately in today’s times, the word diet has been described as a way to lose weight. It almost has a negative connotation to it. When most people hear the word diet, they think “lack, or deprivation”, which is usually true. But
Human beings are as different from one another as any snowflake that falls from the sky. There are no two of us alike, anywhere in the world. We all have our own distinct genetic make up, we differ in the way our body burns calories, absorbs nutrients and so on. Most of these diets are based on some sort of deprivation and are very unbalanced. The abundance diet is just the opposite.
If you want to lose excess pounds, maintain a healthy and fit body weight, burn calories, feel good inside and out and keep away disease and illness, then you will need to adapt a whole foods eating lifestyle. Or as I like to call it, the Abundance Diet! A whole food eating lifestyle is a way of eating where you do not deprive yourself. This way of eating allows you to have an abundance of whole foods; veggies, leafy greens, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and healthy fats. You can eat as much as you want, as long as you are eating a whole foods diet, without gaining weight. You will actually even drop weight.
Of course, as with any change in your eating habits, you will want to take baby steps, so that you do not set yourself up for failure. Below are some simple steps you can take to help change your eating habits for lasting results.
1. Adapt the 80/20 Rule: Eat a whole foods healthy diet 80% of the time and allow yourself to splurge the other 20% of the time. This allows the mind to believe that it is not deprived. Sounds pretty abundant to me!
2. Upgrade one food per week: switch out white rice for brown rice, white flour for whole grain flour, white sugar for natural sweeteners such as honey or brown rice syrup.
3. Cut out one processed food/drink per week – give up your twinkies, this week, and see how you feel. Cut out your diet soda…just for a week. YOU CAN decide after one week if you want to continue to drink this over processed, chemical ridden beverage or if you want to be committed to your health. (for more on the effects of artificial sweeteners visit http://www.newliving.com/issues/jan_07/articles/sweeteners.html)
4. Add one new whole food per week: if you’ve never had kale before, give it a try. Eat something you’ve never thought of eating. Having trouble knowing how to prepare it? Just email me missy@karmachow.com or go online for tasty recipes at www.wholefoodsmarket.com
5. Have a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts for a snack instead of those greasy, salty chips. The fiber in fruit, and the protein & fat in the nuts will help to keep you feeling full longer and will regulate your blood sugar.
6. Drink plenty of water: forego that afternoon soda and have water instead. . Drinking plenty of water keeps our appetite at bay and our body well hydrated. Sometimes we may mistake thirst for hunger. Drink an 8-oz glass of water and see how you feel after 15 minutes.
7. Cut back on caffeine: if you drink coffee, try cutting back by drinking half decaf with half regular. Or switch to heart healthy green tea! But remember, for every cup of caffeine you drink, you will need to drink extra water to hydrate!
These are just a few ideas for ways you can begin to eat healthy and abundantly. Once you start to make changes and adapt this healthy whole foods lifestyle, your cravings will subside and your body will no longer want the junk food. This will result in a natural weight loss, clearer skin, better digestion, less mood swings and so on. The list of benefits is endless.
Remember, allow yourself that 20% cushion so that you wont’ binge. Reward yourself with a treat after dinner, or an afternoon snack. Also be mindful that the healthier you eat, the healthier you will be, feel & look. We all know that old adage, “you are what you eat”. Well, it couldn’t be further from the truth. You are worth it, so take charge of your health and your weight and never say DIET again!!!
For a complete list of whole foods in the Abundance “Diet’, contact Missy at missy@karmachow.com or visit her web site at www.karmachow.com.
Human beings are as different from one another as any snowflake that falls from the sky. There are no two of us alike, anywhere in the world. We all have our own distinct genetic make up, we differ in the way our body burns calories, absorbs nutrients and so on. Most of these diets are based on some sort of deprivation and are very unbalanced. The abundance diet is just the opposite.
If you want to lose excess pounds, maintain a healthy and fit body weight, burn calories, feel good inside and out and keep away disease and illness, then you will need to adapt a whole foods eating lifestyle. Or as I like to call it, the Abundance Diet! A whole food eating lifestyle is a way of eating where you do not deprive yourself. This way of eating allows you to have an abundance of whole foods; veggies, leafy greens, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and healthy fats. You can eat as much as you want, as long as you are eating a whole foods diet, without gaining weight. You will actually even drop weight.
Of course, as with any change in your eating habits, you will want to take baby steps, so that you do not set yourself up for failure. Below are some simple steps you can take to help change your eating habits for lasting results.
1. Adapt the 80/20 Rule: Eat a whole foods healthy diet 80% of the time and allow yourself to splurge the other 20% of the time. This allows the mind to believe that it is not deprived. Sounds pretty abundant to me!
2. Upgrade one food per week: switch out white rice for brown rice, white flour for whole grain flour, white sugar for natural sweeteners such as honey or brown rice syrup.
3. Cut out one processed food/drink per week – give up your twinkies, this week, and see how you feel. Cut out your diet soda…just for a week. YOU CAN decide after one week if you want to continue to drink this over processed, chemical ridden beverage or if you want to be committed to your health. (for more on the effects of artificial sweeteners visit http://www.newliving.com/issues/jan_07/articles/sweeteners.html)
4. Add one new whole food per week: if you’ve never had kale before, give it a try. Eat something you’ve never thought of eating. Having trouble knowing how to prepare it? Just email me missy@karmachow.com or go online for tasty recipes at www.wholefoodsmarket.com
5. Have a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts for a snack instead of those greasy, salty chips. The fiber in fruit, and the protein & fat in the nuts will help to keep you feeling full longer and will regulate your blood sugar.
6. Drink plenty of water: forego that afternoon soda and have water instead. . Drinking plenty of water keeps our appetite at bay and our body well hydrated. Sometimes we may mistake thirst for hunger. Drink an 8-oz glass of water and see how you feel after 15 minutes.
7. Cut back on caffeine: if you drink coffee, try cutting back by drinking half decaf with half regular. Or switch to heart healthy green tea! But remember, for every cup of caffeine you drink, you will need to drink extra water to hydrate!
These are just a few ideas for ways you can begin to eat healthy and abundantly. Once you start to make changes and adapt this healthy whole foods lifestyle, your cravings will subside and your body will no longer want the junk food. This will result in a natural weight loss, clearer skin, better digestion, less mood swings and so on. The list of benefits is endless.
Remember, allow yourself that 20% cushion so that you wont’ binge. Reward yourself with a treat after dinner, or an afternoon snack. Also be mindful that the healthier you eat, the healthier you will be, feel & look. We all know that old adage, “you are what you eat”. Well, it couldn’t be further from the truth. You are worth it, so take charge of your health and your weight and never say DIET again!!!
For a complete list of whole foods in the Abundance “Diet’, contact Missy at missy@karmachow.com or visit her web site at www.karmachow.com.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Match Your Food to Your Parts!
We all know that eating healthy, unprocessed, whole foods is good for us, but do we really know why? Well, Mother Nature is indeed a miracle worker, because she created some food to look just like our body parts, therefore enhancing and nourishing those specific parts, the more we eat them.
Below is a list of some foods that are great for your parts...eat them as much as you like! It's a bit like playing Match Game, if any of you remember that TV show!
Walnuts: Shaped like a brain, good for the brain! High in Omega 3's which help the brain cells communicate with each other. Omega's are also essential for cognitive performance & memory.
Carrots: As kids we all heard the tried and true wives tale "Carrots are good for your eyesight", well that couldn't be more true. Not only are they good for eyesight, but Carrots are high in Beta Carotene, which converts to Vitamin A when ingested. Vitamin A maintains the health of your eye and helps to protect your eye from germs, inflammation and infection. Slice one open and check out the iris staring right back at you!
Sweet Potatoes: Shaped like your pancreas, and good for it! Sweet Potatoes or Yams slowly release sugars into the blood-stream so that your pancreas won't get stressed!
Kidney Beans: They aren't called Gall-Bladder beans! These red beauties are great for nourishing and healing your kidneys.
Tomatoes: Cut them open and notice the 4 chambers that mimic the heart..even the color coincides. This delicious fruit, filled with Lycopine, is great for the heart and the blood!
Grapes: Red or Purple grapes are high in flavonoids, which help to protect against heart disease as well as aging and cancer. These heart shaped clusters, that resemble a cluster of blood cells, may also help you control your blood pressure. Best to eat the real thing..but if you must, have that glass of organic, sulfite-free red wine!
Rhubarb, Celery & Bok Choy: Shaped a bit like a fibia, tibula, or ulna these veggies are high in calcium and Vitamin K which is excellent for keeping your bones healthy and strong. Vitamin K assists in activating three proteins involved in bone health as well as increasing bone mineral density. Also a good source of sodium, which your body will pull from your bones if you don't have enough!
FOR THE LADIES:
Melons & Citrus fruits: Ladies..read on! Melons are rich in Vitamin C, which boost our immune system and helps to prevent breast cancer! Oranges are great too!
Olives: Yes, great for the Ovaries! A diet rich in Olive Oil has been shown to lower the risk of Ovarian Cancer.
Avocado, Pear & Eggplant: These three beauties target the cervix and womb! Oddly enough, Avocados take exactly 9-months to grow. They are great for helping to lose weight after childbirth, balancing hormones, and providing essential healthy fats.
FOR THE MEN:
Figs: Hanging in clusters of two, these delicious fruits help increase sperm count & mobility! Gents, go get your figs!!! But make sure you buy this delicate fruit organic!
Remember, eating a whole foods diet will keep your immune system strong and help you to manage stress in your life. Your body uses whole foods as fuel, thereby resulting in more energy and less weight gain!
So..next time you're in the market...match that food to your part! Have FUN!!!
Visit my site at: www.karmachow.com
Below is a list of some foods that are great for your parts...eat them as much as you like! It's a bit like playing Match Game, if any of you remember that TV show!
Walnuts: Shaped like a brain, good for the brain! High in Omega 3's which help the brain cells communicate with each other. Omega's are also essential for cognitive performance & memory.
Carrots: As kids we all heard the tried and true wives tale "Carrots are good for your eyesight", well that couldn't be more true. Not only are they good for eyesight, but Carrots are high in Beta Carotene, which converts to Vitamin A when ingested. Vitamin A maintains the health of your eye and helps to protect your eye from germs, inflammation and infection. Slice one open and check out the iris staring right back at you!
Sweet Potatoes: Shaped like your pancreas, and good for it! Sweet Potatoes or Yams slowly release sugars into the blood-stream so that your pancreas won't get stressed!
Kidney Beans: They aren't called Gall-Bladder beans! These red beauties are great for nourishing and healing your kidneys.
Tomatoes: Cut them open and notice the 4 chambers that mimic the heart..even the color coincides. This delicious fruit, filled with Lycopine, is great for the heart and the blood!
Grapes: Red or Purple grapes are high in flavonoids, which help to protect against heart disease as well as aging and cancer. These heart shaped clusters, that resemble a cluster of blood cells, may also help you control your blood pressure. Best to eat the real thing..but if you must, have that glass of organic, sulfite-free red wine!
Rhubarb, Celery & Bok Choy: Shaped a bit like a fibia, tibula, or ulna these veggies are high in calcium and Vitamin K which is excellent for keeping your bones healthy and strong. Vitamin K assists in activating three proteins involved in bone health as well as increasing bone mineral density. Also a good source of sodium, which your body will pull from your bones if you don't have enough!
FOR THE LADIES:
Melons & Citrus fruits: Ladies..read on! Melons are rich in Vitamin C, which boost our immune system and helps to prevent breast cancer! Oranges are great too!
Olives: Yes, great for the Ovaries! A diet rich in Olive Oil has been shown to lower the risk of Ovarian Cancer.
Avocado, Pear & Eggplant: These three beauties target the cervix and womb! Oddly enough, Avocados take exactly 9-months to grow. They are great for helping to lose weight after childbirth, balancing hormones, and providing essential healthy fats.
FOR THE MEN:
Figs: Hanging in clusters of two, these delicious fruits help increase sperm count & mobility! Gents, go get your figs!!! But make sure you buy this delicate fruit organic!
Remember, eating a whole foods diet will keep your immune system strong and help you to manage stress in your life. Your body uses whole foods as fuel, thereby resulting in more energy and less weight gain!
So..next time you're in the market...match that food to your part! Have FUN!!!
Visit my site at: www.karmachow.com
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