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
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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!!!
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