A Journal in Raw

Still fat after all these months!

2010-09-07T19:41:00.003-04:00

As you can see, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on my blog in regards to weight loss. Believe it or not, keeping up a blog on a daily or even weekly basis requires commitment. I don’t have any issues with commitment seeing as how I’m married or perhaps I do. I started off the year strong like all the years before, but there are times when I don’t withstand adversity. I’ve had difficult times this year, but in the end, I’ve been greatly blessed. My family and I are in a new home after 5 long, noisy years of being in an apartment. We thought this day would never come, but through it all, it happened.

Some people don’t think it’s difficult to maintain a nutritious diet due to any circumstances, but let me tell you, I disagree. You see my husband was out of work from November 2009 until May of this year. When you’ve got more than just your mouth to feed and a host of other financial responsibilities, things get tough. But, even with the depressive nature of being without an income you depend upon, God gave us what we needed when we needed it. Did we starve – no. Was there a day that went by when we didn’t eat – no. So, no matter the situation, there was always food available. Now, as we know, the cheapest food is also the worst food for us. You can get a burger for a dollar, but a bunch of broccoli might run you two dollars. I could give multiple examples, but you know what I mean. Fruits and vegetables in proportion to all the crap we buy is cheaper, but it gets tricky when not everyone in the family is eating raw. Also, if we were all eating raw, it would actually cost more money. Why? Think of a bunch of bananas. If we were all raw, we’d each have to consume how many bananas to feel full? That bunch would be gone in one day. Let’s say I made smoothies for the entire family each day, that would add up in cost as well. But, when we compare the outcome of eating bad foods, we spend more in the end. The $15 I spend each month on medications could be used to purchase a couple o’ bags of fresh apples. And if I continue to ignore my declining health and just eat what I want, I’ll be faced with even more medications and illnesses.

The convenience of quick foods is what keeps us going back. Throwing something in the microwave for a few minutes or buying the Publix chicken dinner for $10 is much easier than preparing an assortment of vegetables or is it? In case you’re not familiar with Publix, it’s a grocery store chain that was developed in Florida. They’re found throughout the southeastern states. The sell either fried chicken, hot wings or rotisserie chicken with two sides, which consists of cole slaw or potato salad and a 4 pack of rolls. What can I say, it’s an instant meal! But, the same way that I can drive to Publix and purchase the chicken dinner, I can also purchase fresh fish and a bag of prepared salad mix. It doesn’t take long to cook fish, and the salad is semi prepared. I just toss it in a bowl and add the fixins of my choosing. I’m sure this meal would cost about the same as the chicken dinner. It’s all a matter of choice. I’ve always said that. Who chooses what I eat? I do! Who makes me eat it? I do! Does the store have persuasive tactics that make me stop and buy the chicken dinner? No, I do it because I choose to.

It’s funny when I think about the choices I make. I’m constantly talking to my son about his choices, yet I choose to make wrong ones in regards to what I eat. Lately, I just haven’t given a damn! And the sad thing about it is there is no reason. I’ve just been eating because I want to and I can. It’s not about giving my body what it needs, but about what I want to put in my mouth. I could choose the fish and salad, but out of sheer desire and hypnotized taste buds, I choose the chicken dinner. So when’s enough, enough? Only we can decide that for ourselves. In my opinion, it’s an individual thing. As you can see, even though I have a channel on You Tube telling others how to follow a raw diet, I haven’t been doing it myself. Not even that has caused me to eat raw and stay raw. So what does it take to stick with it? Again, this requires an individual answer. However, I would like to ask you this. How fat are you? Me, I’m too fat. I’m so fat that I’m miserable. I sweat like it’s nobody’s business, and I have the nerve to live in Florida. ( LOL ) The thing about it is that I’ve said this more than once. But if you’ve ever been at your fattest, then you know what I’m writing about. I’m at the point of no return. Either I’m going to continue on this way or change what I’m doing. I vote for change. No matter what I do, raw food is still in the back of my mind. It’s funny when you learn about, it’s not like other things in your life that you can ignore. You really can’t ignore the power of a raw food diet. Continuing to eat what ever I desire has caused me to gain back the weight that I’d lost plus more. I’ve never been this fat in my entire life! I never thought I’d be this fat, but I am. It’s not so much as to how much I eat either. It’s the food sources and what’s found within them, chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, antibiotics, and a host of other things that are slowly destroying my body.

Today, I didn’t wake up and say this is it. I knew when I went to breakfast that I wanted change. I didn’t want the fat laden sausage and eggs. I had fruit. For lunch, I had a salad, and for dinner, I’m having fish and vegetables. Slowly, I will retrain my body and my mind. I want to start my day with a smoothly, so no more coffee for me as of today. I want to have fruit or veggies for lunch and a sensible dinner. I want to work my way up to no processed foods or meats. My desire is to juice fast of 30 days and then consume an 80% raw diet. I’ve done it before and believe with my big ole’ with all the plaque surrounding it that I can change my body and my life. I’m too young to feel this old. I’m too young to be this inactive. I’m too good for less than I deserve. I have a magnificent body and it’s up to me to treat it right.

I thank each of you for continuing to subscribe to my channel, wondering how I am, and continuing to listen. I encourage each of you to reach your fattest point. Make up your minds to change your life for the better. Make up your mind to have the best that you deserve in health and in life. Stop hiding behind food and using it for all the things we use it for except to nourish us. Get outside, play with the kids. Purchase a bike and ride till you sweat. Make a better choice today and see how far it takes you tomorrow. Besides, it’s only the bad fats, sugars, and salts that make dead foods taste good. You’ve got to admit, there’s nothing like the taste of a sun ripened tomato pulled from a garden vine or the taste of fresh watermelon. And let’s not forget the taste of a fresh Georgia peach or the smell of cucumber. Nature has a bounty of fast foods. It’s all in how you look at. What’s quicker than sliced fresh tomatoes for dinner?

Take care!
Cynthia

Our Purpose is created before we are!

2010-06-24T20:41:00.003-04:00

I originally posted this to my Facebook page in July of last year, but I wanted to share it with others here on my blog in remembrance of Michael Joseph Jackson and to celebrate his life.

I am not one to write about celebrities or the current news. However, I wanted to share some thoughts that I have regarding Michael Jackson. It's so interesting, two weeks before his death I had The Jackson 5s greatest hits playing on my computer. I sat at the keyboard and pretended that it was a piano. I sang the song "Who's loving you?" I sang with as much feeling and commitment as Michael did at the age of 10. You know how it is, you feel it down in your toes and for once in your life, you're on stage and you're singing to millions. Can you even imagine?

I came home on June 25, 2009 from work. I always speak to my mother and see how her day went before I get settled. She mentioned to me that Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital. I replied "oh really?" You know how things went with Michael, he always bounced back. An hour or so later, my husband calls to tell me that he's on his way home from work. He tells me that Michael Jackson died today. I yelled "what? He died? Mom told me that he was rushed to the hospital, but she didn't say he died!" We ended our conversation and I immediately went to my mothers room to tell her. Her reaction was the same as mine, utter shock!

It's interesting how the death of someone is. You have that initial shock and then sadness. I've been listening to the music that I have on CD of Michael. I watched the memorial yesterday when I got home and then later last night. It just seemed surreal. Seeing his casket still didn't resonate to me that he would no longer be able to give joy to those who knew and loved him, and he would no longer be a staple in the lives of those who grew up listening to him and watching him grow.

I've never been to a MJ concert. To be honest, I've never had the desire, but I am so sorry that I missed out. I would have loved to have met MJ. It's so funny; Michael was 8 years older than me at the time of his death. Since I was a child, I've known about Michael Jackson, so for me, it's like I grew up with him. I guess I took him for granted. I guess his death also seems unreal because it's like he can't die. Not because of his persona, but because he's been with me for as long as I've been able to sing and dance along with him. Those of you in my age range and perhaps younger probably understand where I'm coming from. I've never met him, but for me it was as if I always knew him.

After viewing the memorial, I saw Michael Jackson in a new light. I saw him with new eyes. I have never really thought about all of his humanitarian efforts. I learned things about Michael that the media has never given him credit for. I learned through his death to appreciate him more. I believe that is something that a lot of people are doing now, now that he's gone. I saw a program on MJ on Monday night. I believe it was Dateline, but it was a rare look at MJ's life. MJ stated that he felt bad at times for taking the credit for his creations and signing his name to some of the songs, for it was God who created all of what he was and all of what he did.

I feel that Michael was an instrument of God. He was sent for a purpose. That purpose was created before he was born. He thought as he did for a reason. He never grew up for a reason. Think of children and how quickly they are to forget and how easy it is for them to love. That was Michael Jackson. I believe he was troubled and pressured. Not from the demands of his career, but because of hurt that he endured. If you truly look upon this man for the many magnificent things he did for others, you'll see love. There will never ever be such a performed. Why? Because God gave him the gifts that he displayed. God created him, and even though the turmoil in his life caused him to desire a change in his appearance, he was still who God created him to be.

We each have a purpose and with that purpose, God gives us the will and strength to survive. I believe that Michael Jackson wasn't meant to be here for a long period of time, not well into his 80s or 90s. The media can say whatever they want, and they will. But his life's purpose had a time and a place. Do you see that he is even great in death? To me he wasn't an enigma, but a light to shine for others to see. At times we can't see the good in someone because we're always tearing them down. It was Michael's time. I saw that today so clearly, and when I did, the sadness of his death left me. For I didn't focus on him no longer being here, but instead I focused on the reasons that he was here.

I believe that he is in Heaven. I truly believe that he is at peace. There is no way that ONE person can hold so much talent and love without the aid of God. We may look upon him and accuse him, some may believe what the media tells them, but if you really look close enough at him and all that he represented, you'll see the truth. Open your minds. If a parent who truly loved their child and honestly fought for them, there wouldn't be any amount of money that would suffice. The demand wouldn't be for money, but for him to be behind bars. I've seen some awful things said about his death. But please open your eyes to the truth behind his life. If you focus on the beauty and magnificence of his existence, you will see who he really was, and that beauty will never die, but live on forever. I'm not just talking about his love and compassion for others, but of ALL things that encompassed this ultra talented human being.

I personally want to say, Thank you Michael Joseph Jackson for ALL that you did for ALL people. Thank you for such great childhood memories, seeing me through my high school years, for rocking with me on hits such as Billy Jean and Thriller. Thank you so much for being a part of my life. You will be forever missed, but never forgotten.

Empowerment, honesty, and humbleness!

2010-01-24T16:11:00.013-05:00

I can't believe that the month of January 2010 will soon be over. I'm still not quite used to writing 2010. It just feels and looks funny to me. I can recall years ago when I was a pre-teen watching science fiction movies and everything would take place in 2010. Cars would be floating in the air along with people living on mars. Back then, even though I was young, the year 2010 just seemed like it was a fantasy. It seemed like a time that was unimaginable. It's funny, I'm now 42 soon to be 43 and I still feel like a kid a times. I look around me and at times feel like life stands still, but when I look at the world I'm living in and compare my childhood with that of my son, I know that things have changed.

It's funny when you're young, you don't think about what you'll do in life that will affect someone else. Right now, there are so many things I'm working on to change my life and the lives of others. I want to grow this, develop that, and then share it with the world. I'm at times overwhelmed. And when that happens, I know that I must let something that I want go. I purged some things from my life yesterday. They were making me money, but it just became too difficult to manage and my heart was no longer in it. I know you have no idea what I'm talking about, and that doesn't really matter. What matters is knowing when to let go and when to fight.

I have to be honest as I always try to be. I haven't been fasting this month as I challenged myself to and I haven't been raw. But, with each passing day, I realize that I have been commissioned to help others through my own actions. I have sooooo many people joining my YouTube channel that I can't keep up with the responses to them all. But when I look around at what it is that I'm suppose to be doing, I realize it's helping others to change their lives by changing what they eat. I know this seems like a huge responsibility, but things don't get heavy until you try to do too much or your heart's just no in it. Helping others and wanting to change my life seems so natural to me right now. I truly desire to share my thoughts and experiences with others. I've always wanted to help others, but didn't really know how. Sometimes, what we go through in life isn't about us, but about those that we touch with our own stories.

I was on YouTube today trying to thank some new subscribers, and I came across this young man who had what I thought to be an awesome video. I've featured it here as the video of the month. His name is Dana and what he said about our relationship with food was just so eloquent and true. It opened my eyes to myself. I want this change for myself, but I think at times that I want it more for others. Tomorrow, I will start my fast, and I will succeed. I have too many people relying on me to not do my best. Thank you God for the help of others. There are so many people who I've never met that listen to what I say. Never before did I ever think I'd be a leader. Thank each of you so much for believing, trusting, and caring!

I saw this video today and it just humbled me so much. A lot of people have their own opinions about Michael Jackson. But to me, he was one of the greatest examples of love for others that I've ever seen. I will miss his humanitarian affects upon our world.

146/90

2009-12-08T11:00:00.002-05:00

The title of this blog is my blood pressure reading for this morning. I've been having this unexplainable sensation in my head, but I know what it stems from. It's because my blood pressure is too high. Some might think that 146/90 isn't that bad. I've seen worse, but it's not what you see, it's what you don't see. Things like your heart valves being damaged along with the vessels that supply blood to your eyes, kidneys, and every other organ in your body. And OMG, what about the blood vessels in the brain?

I have to admit it, I haven't been on a raw diet in forever. I can't even remember when I was strictly raw. The weight that I lost earlier in the year, it's back along with more weight. Yesterday, after I'd showered and gotten dressed, I was sweating profusely. I got so upset with myself for being in my condition, which is fat and getting fatter. My clothes are so uncomfortable and for the first time in my life, I am so uncomfortable being in my own skin. I've never in my life been this big. I got angry at myself for knowing better. I got angry for not following through with my desire to heal my body and help others. I got angry with myself for eating just for the pleasure it gives me and ignoring all the risks.

With the sensations that I'm feeling in my body, I'm learning how delicate my body actually is. Last month I had my annual eye exam, and I asked the doctor why it seems that my eyesight continues to decline. She stated that age plays a factor. At times when we hear this, we try to dismiss it, but it's not because we're getting old, but because our eyes are made of living tissue and when we don't provide the nutrients the body needs to heal, thrive, and replenish itself, it dies. That was an OMG moment! I'd never thought of it in that way.

With it being the holidays, I figured I'd wait and start all over on January the 1st, but with what I'm experiencing, I might not live to see it. Yes people, it's just that serious. What would I gain from eating all those holiday goodies and suffer a stroke that would leave me paralyzed? I was speaking with the nurse who checked my blood pressure this morning and she was saying how we know what to do, but for some reason we don't. She too is overweight, so it was like looking into a mirror and talking to myself.

Sometimes it takes something bad to happen to wake you up. This is my wake up call. I know I've said it before, but I've got to make a change. I don't want to be prescribed any more pills that I have to take for the rest of my life simply because I don't make the changes in my life that I should. I can control what I eat and if I do that, my body will do the rest. Now, I'm not stupid. I have an appointment with my doctor next week, but if I feel an emergent need to have this issue resolved, I will see her sooner. I am currently on medications for hypertension, but when they start to fail, I know it's time for me to do my part. I am a beautifully designed complex work of art. My body works as a fine tuned precision machine, but without the proper maintenance, the artwork is ruined and the machine ceases to function.

I fasted yesterday and today I am consuming a green smoothie, fresh fruits and vegetables. I intend to eat this way until the first of the year. I will be celebrating the holidays with my family, which of course includes our favorites dishes, but this year, it's going to be a lot less for me. I am going to do the best that I can to become healthy and remain that way. It's not about what's good to the tongue, but what's best for my survival. Look out hypertension, because I'm determined to kick your ASS!

Holiday Sneer

2009-11-25T10:01:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and Christmas is just around the corner. For some reason, I'm really not in a holiday type of mood. I love the holidays, but each year I seem to look at them differently. Each year the church I attend has a big dinner for the bus ministry. The people how ride the buses are at times homeless. The church asks that everyone pitch in and prepare food. This year the food list was alphabetized according to the first letter of your last name you were to bring a certain item. I felt good in preparing the food and I wanted to make sure it tasted good. But, that very idea has me a little bothered.

As we all know, just about every American festivity has food as the centerpiece. How did it come to be that food became such a staple in a celebration? I know the history of the pilgrims and the Native Americans, but everything nowadays is about stuffing your face. I tend to want something different for the holidays, but I don't really know what. Maybe a cruise to some place I've never been would make me feel more excited. I know, I know, I have so much to be thankful for, but I try to be thankful everyday of the year. I don't just wait for a holiday to tell someone I love them or to give thanks and help someone in need.

Then there's Christmas and the desire to give to others. Why is it that we always give something material? Why not give your time? Why not give someone knowledge? If you're a coupon clipper and you save hundreds a month on grocery items, why not share that with others? Each year my mom runs around wanting to get this and that for her grandchildren and each year it's the same. The desire is there, but the money - not so much! My son has two parents; my niece and nephew have two parents. We all do the best that we can for our children everyday or we try to, and Nana is always giving to the children throughout the year. So why does she allow herself to feel bad because she can't do what she wants at Christmas?

My nephew’s birthday is this coming Saturday and my mom got him a gift. She also got a gift for my niece and my son. I told her I didn't agree with that. Life isn't about getting things all the time. I've learned that if we teach our children to always receive, they'll never learn how to give. And trust me, when you raise a child in this manner, it's very hard to change their minds.

But I didn't start this blog to write about birthday gifts and selfishness. I guess, I'm just sounding off about the things that I don't particularly care for. I'm noticing how people are so brainwashed, including me. If we've done something all our lives we feel it's something that should always be done and handed down to our kids. I think we should stop making a big deal out of the holidays in a material aspect. Maybe we should spend Thanksgiving by fasting. Maybe on the very day that we over eat the most, we could go without. Maybe for Christmas, instead of giving a gift, we could give our time and ourselves.

Another thing, why is it that we go against the grain, people who've known us all our lives act as if they don't because you no longer eat meat or cooked food? Why can't people be accepting of others and not make a big deal out of their lifestyle changes? What if I decided not to give my son gifts for Christmas, would that really be a travesty? Is there a law somewhere that says I must give him gifts at Christmas? And who says it's tradition? Aren't we the ones who start traditions?

If this is your first raw holiday, I wish you the best! I hope that your families greet you with open arms and open minds. May they respect you enough to prepare something that you can eat, and may they not tease you about it. If you're been raw for years and still get flack from your family, make something raw for them, but don't tell them until after dinner is over and it's long gone down the gastric canal. For those who were raw, but have fallen off the wagon, don't give up. Each day sparks a new chance to make a change. Decide what it is that you want and why you want it. Don't let the naysayers bother you into thinking that you're wrong. Eat your turkey and dressing, but keep the thoughts in the back of your mind that you will make a change - once and for all. And for those who haven't tried the raw food diet, but intend to, you'll be glad you did, but you might want to wait until after the holidays so it isn't such a shock to you or your family. But, if you're ready now - go for it! There are plenty of raw holiday meals out there.

Well, I guess I'll shut up now. I feel like this blog post was a bit scatter brained, but maybe that's were I'm at right now - all over the place! Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving - gobble gobble :D

Start! Heart Walk 2009 Jacksonville, Florida

2009-09-28T11:10:00.001-04:00

It's Monday September 28, 2009 and I can't believe that time has passed me by so quickly, seems as if it was just the start of the year. I must say, the year has been very interesting and prosperous. I've gained knowledge in myself and started a new area of study. I made decisions this year that not only affected me, but people who I've never met. It truly is a great feeling to reach out to others and have them express to you that you have helped them in some way.

I participated in the Start! Heart Walk this past Saturday in support of the American Heart Association. I walked in memory of my father who suffered from a heart attack (and recovered) and died in later years of a brain aneurysm. I also walked in honor of those who can't walk due to a stroke, and I also walked for me. It was a beautiful day along the St. John's River, but at times the scenery went unnoticed due to my efforts of walking three miles. It's funny how different a mile seems when you're in the city versus the country and when you're walking instead of driving, but we're talking about three miles. Maybe if someone just said go out and walk, it wouldn't have been so bad. Sometimes it's not the thing that we must do, but the focus of doing it that makes it difficult for us. I must say, I really enjoyed the walk. It was difficult and I'm still sore today. I'm sore in places that I wasn't sore in yesterday! J But, I am grateful that I can walk. I'm grateful that I can move. There are times when it felt like I couldn't continue, but I was determined to continue the walk.

The walk helped me to realize all the things that I already know. That I have to make a change in my level of health! I am not ignorant to what's going on with my body nor am I ignoring my race and the health factors that relate to it or that I have hypertension, in fact, I'm more aware of my body than anyone else on the planet! I am proud of myself for taking a step in the right direction. I am proud of myself for participating in a good cause. I hope that my efforts in raising money, awareness, and by encouraging others will enable someone to avoid being struck down by stroke or a heart disease. For all of those who have survived a heart attack or stroke, may God continue to bless and heal you! For all of those who participated in this year's Heart Walk or past Heart Walks here's a thumbs up for you! C

How much food do we really need?

2009-09-05T11:24:00.004-04:00

Now, this blog post is purely me listing my thoughts and asking a few questions about the proper amount of food that we need in order to live. I'm not asking any expert, but I'm just throwing the question out into the void and making a few comparisons along the way.

I can remember being a teen and going out on Saturdays to the mall and having pizza. OMG - Dino's Pizza in Augusta Georgia was the best! It was at the Regency Mall. They had a jukebox that played the latest tunes, so as a teen, I was in Heaven. I got to hang out, do a little shopping and have my favorite food. It was a toss between corn dogs and pizza, but usually it was pizza. I can recall eating nearly an entire pizza. Dino's wasn't and still isn't like the pizza chains. They make these large Italian-styled pizzas. One slice is about the size of two to three slices of a chain styled pizza. I can recall eating slice after slice, and when I did visit one of the pizza chains, I would eat an entire pizza. Now we all know that teens eat a lot! Usually it's the guys, but at times, it's also the girls.

Remember when you were young and someone middle aged or older would tell you that one day that food is going to catch up with you. It may seem like your friend now, but trust me, it'll turn on you when you're my age. Boy were they right! It seems like I can barely eat one piece of Dino's without getting full. So what happens to our stomachs? If our tummies have grown accustomed to large amounts of food when we're young, why does it not like it when we're older?

Since I've been dabbling in the raw food realm, I've noticed that I don't require a lot of food. But even before that, I realized that we Americans eat way too much food! I mean, we're talking three meals a day plus snacks. Why is that? Because our elementary school science book told us to? If we're all different, how is it that we're all to follow the same guidelines when it comes to eating and the proper amount of food?

Since I've been eating raw, I've noticed that a green smoothie will fill me up for hours. There are times when I have to make myself eat. I don't like the habit of eating when not hungry, because I've done that for far too many years, and it's part of the reason that I'm in the situation that I'm in now. While in church one Sunday, the pastor preached about how we must die each day. After developing his sermon, I later understood where he was coming from. We must die to the flesh and avoid temptation. The things that we want must be ignored and we must not allow ourselves to do what we desire when we know it's not right. I believe once again it all boils down to being disciplined and having self control. Just think, when we are truly disciplined in how we eat and why we eat, we'd barely eat. So my question is, how much food do we really need?

If a large salad does it for you and a green smoothie for me, isn't that enough? Hunger is truly our body saying that it needs nutrients or so I've heard. So if we've given our body the nutrients it needs, why would we hunger? With the All-You-Can-Eat restaurants, fast food joints, and celebrations that have food as the centerpiece at every turn, there's no wonder why we're fat and dying! How often have you eaten something, felt full, but kept eating because it tasted so good? Plenty of times right! Think about the amount of money, time, and energy that we put into holiday dinners. OMG - Thanksgiving and Christmas is maddening! Years ago my mom and I would spend hundreds of dollars to make treats, and a huge family dinner. I think about all of the food we'd consume. Do we really need a plate overflowing with turkey and dressing, and potatoes of two varieties, and gravy, and macaroni and cheese, green casserole, dessert, and so on and so on?

Have you ever seen one of those documentaries of people in third-world countries and saw the small amount of food that they eat? They have no concept of overeating. We feel sorry for them, but we're the one's suffering! Our nation has become so greed stricken and money hungry that food has become nothing more than dollar signs to the large food corporations, and we've become they're food addicts. So much is centered around food. It's advertised everywhere. Here you are driving home thinking of the chores that you need to complete and there's a billboard for ice cream. You think to yourself, umm, a bowl of ice cream would be good after dinner. You stop by the store for ice cream. You get home and wonder why you have so many bags of groceries. You had to get cookies to go along with the ice cream, and you also decided that you haven't had a banana split in a long time so you buy everything that goes into making one. Soon, your single idea of having one treat has been blown out of proportion.

Think for a minute about who gives us the information that we have regarding the amount of food that we need. Think about the food pyramid and all of the many things that are included in it. It's so funny, when I try to diet with a weight loss program, I am always hungry. I've never liked dieting, not because I was restricted, hell I need restriction, but because every two hours I was hungry!!!! I was told that I needed to eat every two hours, but why? How can diet companies package foods and create foods that are a facsimile of the natural thing. I keep seeing Special K create drinks and packaged foods, but what about natural foods. Oh that's it, Special K doesn't have any natural foods. I mean there aren't any bananas or cherries that are labeled Special K. All that I know is that eating raw curbs my appetite and helps me to learn that I really don't need all of the food that the diet and drug industry tells me I do.

So what's one to do who's learning their way around the raw food diet? I've had someone try to debate me, and I say try, because everyone has their own opinion and I'm not about to argue with anyone regarding their point of view, but this person was telling me that I'd run the risk of not consuming enough calories and that I'd go into starvation mode. So how can I be starving myself if I'm giving my body the nutrients that it needs? Not food, but nutrients! When we consume the standard American diet we're consuming food, but not nutrients. This is why I feel we instinctively eat when we're not hungry due to our body still needing nutrients. To me eating is not about having food, but what it's really about and should be about is consuming nutrients that will help the body to heal, regenerate, reproduce, excel, flourish, develop, grow, and repair. I think we've become consumed with the actual motion of eating. We have removed the association of nutrition from our diets. All that we see and are driven by is the need to remove the hungry feeling. We're not focused on eating to live or be healthy, but just to eat, and when we do we simply seek out food that we enjoy.

Does anybody get what I'm saying? As for myself, when I'm being conscience and eating raw, I choose to eat when I'm physically hungry, and I try to eat what my body needs and not what my eyes desire. If having a green smoothie satisfies my body, then that's all I need. Yes, I do need a certain amount of calories to live, and when I feel hungry due to not having enough nutrients to fuel my body, then I will eat. Part of the reason that we lose weight when we eat a raw food diet is because our cells are not overloaded with processed toxic ridden foods. This allows our cells to function as they should. Did you know that your pancreas and liver work very hard at removing toxins and stored lipids from your cells. In doing so, it allows your body to be in a metabolismic (is that a word) state of homeostasis , but when we constantly put junk in, we get junk out. The foods that we constantly consume causes us to store more and more toxins and fats in our cells. When we diet (calorie restrict) on popular diet plans we simply just reduce the amount that we eat, but the foods are the same.

Jenny Craig offers packaged foods that you're to consume, and the plan urges you to eat fruits and vegetables. You lose weight, but when you return to your old habits, the weight returns. You've changed the amount of calories your body needs, but you're still adding more toxins and fats, not necessarily from the foods, but from what those types of processed foods do to you. Do you see how it's not necessarily how much your eat, but what you eat?

I will continue on the raw food journey until success is mine. I will continue to train myself to eat when I'm hungry and not when I desire. I will work towards training my mind to resist foods that aren't healthy for me. And, I will work even harder at developing the motto that junk in equals junk out, but raw in equals junk out and fat gone! There are so many wonderful aspects to eating a raw food diet that you don't even know yet. People, people, take back your power and do what's right for you and your body. No one can tell you what YOU need. Become your own nutritionist and use food for it's proper purpose - nourishment. Do something great and nourish your body today?

Stay in the fight and do your body right!
~Cynthia~

What are some good books on the Raw Food Diet

2009-09-03T18:39:00.005-04:00

Below is a listing of books that I have in my raw food resource library. I've actually listed them in the order in which I purchased them. I give a brief description of each and what I found useful in them. Of course we all see things differently, so what may appeal to me might not appeal to you. Of course you don't have to purchase all of these titles. Visit your local library or check with a raw food friend. Borrow the book and see if it's one that you'd like to have as a future resource. All of these books have very valuable information that you may want to refer back to. Happy reading raw fooders!

Get Healthy Through Detox And Fasting by Dr Don Colbert (Was my first introduction to fasting, spiritual food connection, and detoxing the body. Excellent resource)

The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss by Natalia Rose (Great book for the beginner! Filled with menu ideas, how tos, whys, and tons of useful information. Did I mention the easy meals? No dehydrator required. Awesome raw ranch dressing recipe!)

Living on Live Food by Alissa Cohen (Excellent resource. Alissa appears as a true down to earth person who's walked the walk and talks the talk. Loads of recipes, photos, how tos, befores and afters, and much more! The DVD set shows you how to prepare a variety of recipes found in the book. Well worth the price you pay)

Eating Without Heating: Favorite Recipes from Teens Who Love Raw Food by Sergei & Valya Boutenko (Great book filled with great tasting easy to make recipes. The zucchini and squash pickle is super easy and amazingly tasty! Very simple, quick, and easy recipes that are filled with flavor)

Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People by Jennifer Cornbleet (Great recipe book. Jennifer gives great explanations of the tools needed in a raw kitchen. She explains process and tells the whys of what raw food preparers do. Quick, and easy recipes. Designed for 1 or 2 as stated. Recipes can be doubled. Basic equipment is needed. Provides resources and country wide restaurant guide. Great book for the single raw foodist or someone going it alone in a family on non-raw foodies)

12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Dependency on Cooked Food [12 STEPS TO RAW FOODS REV/E] by Victoria Boutenko & Gabriel Cousens (Still haven't finished this book. I kind of lost interest in it. Victoria explains the background to the human diet and compares it to the animal kingdom diet. She provides information about the health problems that plagued each family member and how raw foods cured them all. She gives very helpful information about eating raw foods and provides 12 steps to take in order to be free of the standard American diet)

Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Juices by Dr N. W. Walker (Haven't finished this one either. Dr Walker provides an extensive look into the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. Don't look for any recipes here. He lists various fruits and vegetables and tells you what ailments they can help prevent and cure. Good source of information on plant based foods.)

Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin (What an eye opener! This book tells it like it is. Rory and Kim are bold, brass, and straight up. They give their honest opinion and don't care who's toes they step on. Learn why milk, meat, and anything un natural is bad for you. Rory and Kim give you tons of information that will help you change your present diet from SAD to vegan, and perhaps raw. The book is geared to a raw food diet, but it is an excellent resource of information that will help you to change how you see things about food. They also give you tons of resources such as healthy alternatives to what you presently eat. This is one book that you must have in your raw arsenal!)

Recently ordered:

The 80/10/10 Diet by Dr Douglas N. Graham (Can't wait to dive into this one. I want to see what Dr Graham says about the 80 carb/10 fat/10 protein plant based diet. I made a video stating that I wanted this book and wanted to see what information it contained. I'll let you know once I'm done!)

Future Purchases:
Naked Chocolate: The Astonishing Truth About the World's Greatest Food by David Wolfe (Awesome recipes! One in particular is the one for a chocolate peanut butter cup type candy. Reminds me of the Reese's peanut butter cup)

Raw Food/Real World: 100 Recipes to Get the Glow by Matthew Kenney (Super Delicious looking dishes I want to try)

Ani's Raw Food Kitchen: Easy, Delectable Living Foods Recipes by Ani Phyo (Her recipes seem real easy, quick, simple, and tasty)

Ani's Raw Food Desserts: 85 Easy, Delectable Sweets and Treats by Ani Phyo (I saw the video for the Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Cake on You Tube and intend to try it out. After reading a review of how simple Ani's recipes are and the little time it takes to prepare them, I thought I'd add this one to my list. Her recipes are simple and don't require a lot of ingredients or time.)

Vital Creations: An Organic Life Experience (Bringing the Simplicity of Cultural Cuisine to the Home) by Chad Sarno (He has a recipe for these stuffed yellow zucchini I want to try along with the marinated onions. You'd swear they were cooked - awesome!)

Happy Reading!
Cynthia

Who should I listen to when it comes to the raw food diet?

2009-09-02T20:44:00.004-04:00

Have you ever felt like you didn't know where to turn for information regarding a particular subject? It seems as if the more controversial a subject is, the more opposing points of view there are. For instance, let's look at the Raw Food Diet and Lifestyle for example.

In starting out on my quest of information, I was given certain titles of books that I should read. The person who gave me this valuable information is a walking retainer of everything that she reads. I felt that she was a verifiable source and with each book that I purchased that she suggested, I felt informed, but not overwhelmed. My first book was titled The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss by Natalia Rose. I thought the book was very informative and adaptable. My collection grew based upon
my need for specific information in the raw food realm. It's so funny after a while that you don't really remember how you came across the first information about raw foods and what that source was.

I was lucky. I was given information by someone who is actually a raw foodist and had been for almost two years. But for those who are just starting out and seeking information, I can imagine how overwhelming it is. That also makes me stop and think about the information that I'm presenting to others. I haven't suggested too many books, just those that I think can have a strong impact on someone just starting out.

Since I first started my raw journey in the fall of 2007 until now, there seems to be so many more people in the raw food world who are talking about what to do and how to do it. It seems that raw gurus have come out of the wood work, which makes it even more difficult to know who to follow or which book to read. So what's an aspiring raw foodist to do? The first thing you need to do is stop listening to everyone and everything. There are so many reports out about minerals, vitamins, fats, sugars, and everything else that we consume or are missing from out diets. Think back to a time when you had a do a research paper and sought out information. After a period of time you said to yourself, enough is enough. If I continue to get more books, I won't have a clue where to start or who to believe. Learning about the raw food diet is no different. Stop, clear your mind, and just let nature take it's course.

It's interestingly funny how we give away our power without even knowing it. I saw a website that hosted a Q&A session by raw gurus. The reader stated that there were so many gurus around talking about the raw food diet that they were confused. They didn't know what to eat and what not to and asked who should they listen to. The two gurus told them that they should stop listening to everyone and listen to their own bodies. Which is so true! Who knows you better than you? Once you begin the journey of a raw food lifestyle and become in tuned with your body and it's nutritional needs, you'll soon be able to notice what's different. You'll also be able to see how certain foods affect you. But as long as you're running from one source to another to find information, you'll never be able to settle your mind and
discover you.

Okay Cynthia, you've just told me to stop listening to others, so why am I listening to you? Good question! My reason for making videos and blogs is to bring information to you. Granted it's from my point of view, but as I stated, I bring information to others that I feel will help them to understand how to begin eating raw, what effects it will have, and enable them to make decisions for themselves regarding their bodies and the raw food diet. I don't question the philosophy of others nor do I have any type of opposing view. What I do is display what the raw food diet does for me and my struggles and successes with adapting to it. However, I would like to say this.

I too have been bombarded with information about the raw food diet. What do I do? I put the books away, direct my attention to something outside of raw foods of all sources, don't watch the news, read health articles or even engage in discussions regarding health and the raw food diet. Why not? We each have our own opinion regarding diet, health, supplements, and what our bodies need. My question is this. Who's right and who's wrong? How does anyone have a definitive answer regarding the amount of calories I need or how many IUs of vitamin D I need? Think about it. What we know all comes from a source in which we've gained the information from. It's like being a child and being told that the color red is red. What if the color red is actually blue. Do you see what I mean? We've all been told what this is and what that is. I have always asked the question if time is different all over the world, how do we really know what time it is? I think we can each decide for ourselves what's right for us and what's wrong.

My advice is first off, don't label yourself. I hate labels! Once you say you're something then that's what others expect, and when you don't follow the rules in regards to what you state you are, then you're a hypocrite. I'm not a raw foodist. I'm simply one person who's trying to figure out the best way of eating for me and if I can help someone along the way, that's even better.

Don't become overloaded with information. Information overload can lead to massive confusion, stress, doubt, worry, and failure. Read sources of information that appeal to you and decide for yourself what works best for YOU! Perhaps you've found someone that you thoroughly enjoy and have followed their plan to success. Well, stick with them! If what they've shown you works for you, why look anywhere else. Too many points of view leaves you with clouded eyes.

Consider the source. I think I'd be more willing to listen to someone who has actual proven results of body changes and changes in their level of health. A lot of people are now jumping on the raw food bandwagon. They've read a few books, and have now written a book themselves and have hopes of being discovered. There are some well-known raw gurus who are considerable sources, and they're also those who quietly go through life living raw. You don't see them tooting their horns or writing books. Use your own best judgment in the information you receive. Don't forget, the health care and diet industry is a billion dollar a year earner. Who wouldn't want a piece of that pie?

I think we all pretty much know that eating raw has to be better than eating SAD. The nutritionists talk about our lack of this and a lack of that, but we all know that the standard American diet leaves us lacking a major source of the nutrients that our bodies need for optimal health. We're already malnourished on the standard American diet (SAD) so how can eating what nature created be worse? If it don't fit don't force it and if it ain't broke, you don't have to fix it!

Be Raw & Be Happy!
~Cynthia~

MY Daily Raw Food Diet Menu Plan

2009-08-26T19:53:00.007-04:00

A while back I said I'd share my daily meal plan with you. I'm somewhat following a suggestion from the book called The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose. I try to eat when I'm hungry. I've spent so much of my life eating out of sheer desire and taste and completely ignored the value (or lack thereof) of what I was eating. I honestly feel at times that I'm not getting enough calories, but my main focus is nutrients and not so much as calories. Your body needs a certain amount of calories depending upon your level of activity.

I'm saying that anyone should adapt to how I eat. This is based upon myself and how I'm working to change my relationship with food. You should eat based on your own individual needs. Please take into consideration any health issues that you might have. I always stress that you should see a physician before changing your diet, level of activity or eliminating any medications that you might be taking.

Breakfast: Usually, I wake up hungry, but it's something that I tend to ignore. I really don't want to start my day by eating at 6:00 am. Upon arriving to work, which is around 8:00 o'clock, I'll have a cup of warm water and add lemon slices to it. I squeeze the lemon slices to release the juices and the oils from the rind. I'll sip on this warm lemon water in place of coffee. I've gotten used to drinking it and really enjoy it. This seems to curb my appetite. The lemon is an excellent source of Vitamin C and helps to clean the liver. Trust me, you will be urinating soon after drinking your new morning wake me up!

Depending upon how hungry I am, I'll have my green smoothie around 10:00 o'clock. I usually follow this up with a bowl of fruit. Sometimes I'll have home made applesauce. Once I'm satisfied, I stop eating. I don't eat until I'm stuffed. I also try to drink plenty of water.

Lunch: I try to consume a huge salad that consists of various greens and veggies. I'll use an organic salad dressing or lemon juice and olive oil with salt and pepper sprinkles. If not a salad, I might eat more fruit or cooked vegetables.

Snack: Before dinner, I might have another fruit smoothie, a Lara Bar, Chunks of Energy bits or some other type of raw fruit/nut bar as a snack.

Dinner: Dinner is usually a large salad with baked fish or a veggie burger along with steamed vegetables. If I'm having all raw foods, I'll have some pate', raw vegetables, and crackers. Sometimes I'll have a raw treat if I'm in the mood for something sweet.

I have a few recipes and meal ideas in mind. I've got some great recipes that I want to try out in the dehydrator. These foods will be used for lunch and dinner, and maybe even breakfast. Can you imagine eating raw apple cobbler for breakfast? The first thing I want to try out in my new dehydrator is falafel. I bought some nuts yesterday and might just make it when I get home. The thing to not being bored with just salads on the raw food diet is to actually get in the kitchen and make something. The trick is to get the best tools that you can find to help simplify meal preparation. It really does help to have the tools that you need to make something such as raw lasagna.

Deciding what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat is entirely up to you. Listen to your body and take cues from what it's telling you. If you feel hungry - eat. If you don't feel hungry - don't eat! If you feel you're not getting enough calories, but can't seem to force tons of salad down your throat, consume fruit/vegetable juices along with fruit smoothies. You may also want to increase your healthy fat consumption. This can be done by adding hemp, coconut or the oil of your choice to your smoothies. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of nut butter to your smoothies. A good raw vegetable based multi-vitamin is also a good idea to ensure your body is getting the nutrients that it needs. Feel secure in the fact that you're doing the best that you can to heal your body and have it work as intended.

One plan that I liked and somewhat follow is listed in the book below. Natalia Rose makes it very easy and simple to follow the Raw Food Diet. None of the recipes in her book call for a dehydrator. The recipes are super easy and the Ranch Dressing is the bomb! It actually tastes better than the bottled dressing. I highly recommend this book for anyone starting out on the raw food diet. Someone stated to me that they followed the diet outline in the book and gained weight. Any meal plan or menu suggestions are just that. You don't have to follow it to the tee. Make the diet suit you and your specific needs.

Happy Raw Eating! If you have any questions just shoot me an email at www.Letsgetraw2008@gmail.com
Cynthia

Causes & Relief from fluid retention

2009-08-21T22:22:00.006-04:00

So, during my stint with the Lemonade Fast, I lost 9 pounds of fluid from my body in 4 days. I actually felt smaller. It felt like I'd lost weight. I could tell from my clothes that I was no longer bloated and my body wasn't holding on to unnecessary fluid. So what was the reason behind all the bloat?

Well, first off eating a poor diet as we all know will cause the body to deteriorate, age, and develop conditions that moves the body out of a state of homeostasis and into and state of ill being. I could tell from how I felt that my body was holding on to extra fluid. It came from the diet that I was consuming. It came from processed foods that were high in sodium along with foods containing high amounts of fats and sugars. It's amazing how our bodies function, yet we don't give it the proper attention that it truly deserves. I honestly think that when we eat poorly, we think poorly. We act poorly and we live poorly. Our quality of life suffers. We constantly complain about how old we feel, yet we do nothing to change that. I had someone tell me that fasting wouldn't change my habits. I honestly didn't care for that remark. I feel when I give up food, it shows that I have a greatly level of strength than when I was on Weight Watchers or any other diet. In my opinion, it's not about habits or will power. To me the bottom line is making a choice. Life is all about choices. It's not about habits. Habits are things that we create for ourselves and they're things that we do. So in a sense, a habit is just an action of choice.

I could continue to mistreat my body and just eat for the sake of oral satisfaction, but that won't help my blood pressure nor will it help my cholesterol level. It will only cause me to sink further into the SAD disease ridden abyss. I want better for myself so I am making the choice to treat my body right and honor the Lord. He created my body and it is not mine to do with what I want. I want to gain more self control. Would you believe that there was a platter of cookies brought into my department here at work and I didn't eat a one! I made a conscious decision not to. Just as I say yes, I can very well say NO!

Okay, on to the reasons behind fluid retention. You're probably tired of me talking about my great resolve. (haha) It's not that, it's just time for a NEW ME. Have you ever wanted a new you? If so, what's stopping you from being the person you've always wanted to be?

Here are some common causes of fluid retention. Our focus of course is on the diet issues that causes fluid retention.

Eating too much salt: Over consumption of salt is one of the reasons why people retain excess fluid. Many physicians tell their patients to eat fewer processed foods, add use less salt when cooking and remove the salt shaker from the table. The raw food diet will flush your system of stored fluids and balance out your sodium levels.

Gravity
Hot Weather
Burns/sunburn
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Contraceptive Medications
Pregnancy
Menopause
Nutritional deficiencies
Medications

Medical conditions such as: Kidney disease, heart failure, venous insufficiency conditions, liver disease, thyroid disease, Arthritis, and some allergic reactions.

As you can see, there are a lot of conditions and diseases that can cause edema (swelling) due to fluid retention. Raw foods can eliminate the need for medications that cause fluid retention. It can also reverse, cure, and prevent various diseases and conditions. There isn't any other way of eating that I know of that heals the body in such an enormous way.

Below you'll find some natural foods that can help you shed fluids from your body. No medication required. More people are resorting to natural foods and herbs that have diuretic properties instead of using synthetic diuretic pills. When flushing your system, make sure you consume foods that are high in potassium to avoid an electrolyte imbalance or cramping. Use these foods in moderation if your goal in consuming is fluid removal.

Green tea, cranberry juice, and apple cider vinegar exhibit natural diuretic properties and in addition maintains the potassium levels in your body. Apple cider vinegar can be added to salad dressing.

Dandelion, and nettle have natural diuretic properties that facilitate good cleansing. Dandelion leaf tea aids in detoxification and has a beneficial effect on those suffering from cystitis and urinary tract infections. Fennel has carminative and diuretic properties and is frequently used in seasoning food.

Natural foods with high water content such as watermelons and cucumbers help increase urination and better flushing out of toxins. Cucumbers are rich in sulfur and silicon that stimulate the kidneys into better removal of uric acid. Watercress and artichokes are also natural diuretic foods. Asparagus contains asparigine - a chemical alkaloid that boosts kidney performance, thereby improving waste removal from the body. Brussel Spouts help in stimulating the kidneys and pancreas. This helps in better cleansing of cells. Beets are natural diuretic foods that attack floating body fats and fatty deposits. Cabbage is known to aid breakage of fatty deposits, especially around the abdominal region. Carrots are a rich source of carotene that speeds the metabolic rate of the body and hastens removal of fat deposits and waste. Lettuce aids better metabolism and flushing of toxins. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C that aid the metabolism and release of water from the kidney to flush out waste.

Other than the other excellent properties that Garlic possesses, it is a natural diuretic food that aids breakage of fat. Horseradish, raw onions and radish speed up your metabolism. Eating a Raw Food Diet and consuming natural foods is the best way to guard our bodies against fluid retention. Just think, if we'd consume a whole foods diet, a lot of the medical problems that we face would be eliminated.

Parsley is a very familiar diuretic. My mother would make large pitchers of parsley tea. I can remember urinating to no end. Not only does parsley cleanse the kidneys and reduce fluid in the body, but it's an excellent source of volatile oils, flavonoids, folic acid, vitamins A & C, and beta carotene. Parsley is good for the heart and at treating arthritis. For more information about parsley's amazing benefits visit The World's Healthiest Foods.

CAUTION: If you presently take a fluid reduction medication, be cautious of the amount of natural foods you consume that have diuretic properties. Flushing fluid from your body is good, but not in large quantities. Be sure you're consuming foods that are high in potassium. One excellent source that replenishes your electrolytes is coconut water. Be sure to consult your physician before discontinuing your fluid reduction medications.

Master Cleanse: The Lemonade Fast

2009-08-01T20:14:00.012-04:00

As many of you know, I haven't been very diligent with my weight loss efforts. Hell, I haven't been fully raw, not even hardly raw since April. I can't believe it's August! If I were the type of person to dwell on past mistakes and wallow in self pity, I'd be sick about know by the mere thought of all the weight I could have lost up till now. And let's not even think about how sexy I'd be (haha). Once again, my clothes are fitting tightly and I feel as if I've gained every pound that I lost back plus some. I know a lot of what I'm feeling is fluid. People, you won't believe how much fluid your body holds. Nor do you know all of the sources that contribute to fluid retention. I noticed last month how bloated I felt and how difficult it was for me to walk up a slight incline. I am overly developed in the boob area if you know what I mean. The twins coupled with fluid gain and retention had me feeling like only one lung was functioning. I knew what the cause was and it made me somewhat angry.

Have you ever been tired of being sick and tired? Have you been on the weight loss weight regain cycle so long that you make yourself sick. At times when I'm eating, I feel like vomiting. Not because the food is bad, but a lot of times, I'm not hungry or it tastes so good that I eat too much. And then there are times when I'm just sick of eating. I can honestly say that when I was 80 - 100% raw, I didn't have that problem nor was I filled with extra fluid. So what's the problem?

Two-thirds of our bodies are made up of water. In order for the body to function at it's best, it needs a certain amount of fluids. It's funny and also interestingly dynamic how the body retains fluid, but doesn't use it. The fluid that I'm referring to is fluid that is trapped in our cells and due to an imbalance of some kind, is not being released or used as it should or a particular organ is overloaded or not functioning as it should. For example, someone with hypertension tends to retain fluid versus someone who doesn't. For the hows and whys CLICK HERE. So once again I'm headed down the road of change and I intend to keep walking it until I reach the end.

In starting over, I am going to do the Lemonade Master Cleanse starting August 1, 2009. I will be doing it for four days. Look for the video titled: Master Cleanse (Lemonade Fast) results. This video will demonstrate the power of cleansing. It will also show just how much fluid our bodies hold and how it can affect us each day. If you're suffering from bloating, having a feeling of heaviness in your chest area (minus carrying around large boobs) tight fitting clothes, feeling tired, a constant feeling of bloat and overall heaviness, then you might want to give the Lemonade Cleanse a try. It is a fast, but it has some awesome results. Even if you're vegan, raw or still SAD, you can benefit from the lemonade master cleanse. Below you'll find the recipe and the reason why the combination of lemons, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup will flush your body of retained fluids and toxins.

Master Cleanse: Lemonade Fast

1-2 Tbsp of Fresh squeezed Lemon juice (try to get organic lemons)
(substitute fresh squeezed with organic bottled lemon juice)
1 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup (grade B syrup has been harvested late in the season and is richest in vitamins and minerals - I used grade B organic pure maple syrup)
8 oz pure water
dash (1/10 tsp) cayenne pepper (get organic - it’s just a dollar or so more)

Mix all the above and drink every two to three hours. To make the Master Cleanse more portable, make enough concentrate to last all day. Combine 12 Tbsp of lemon juice and maple syrup together. When ready, stir three Tbsp of lemonade mixture into 8 oz of pure water and sprinkle with 1/10 tsp of cayenne pepper. Stir and enjoy. Ice cubes can be added to help cool the tongue.

What do the lemons do?
There's an antioxidant in lemons that enhances the liver's ability to break down stored fat and toxins that slow down the body's metabolism. The compound D-Limonene also flattens the belly bloat by flushing fluid from the digestive and lymphatic system. The natural fruit acids in lemons promote peristalsis (intestinal muscle contractions), which speeds the elimination of toxins. Lemon juice also blocks the absorption of excess fat and carbs. And let's not forget how lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Okay, why the cayenne pepper?Cayenne helps the body to burn fat for up to three hours after consumption. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper is a natural chemical that gives the pepper it's flavor and induces thermogenesis. You know how you feel hot inside after eating something with cayenne pepper in it? The production of heat from the pepper increases metabolic activity. Capsaicin also suppresses appetite and food cravings Right now, I am hungry, but I don’t have any cravings. The only food on my mind is actually eating something raw and delicious.

C’mon, Maple Syrup? How’s that good for you during a fast?
The maple syrup is used to provide you with energy during your fast. Fasting tends to cause a drop in energy for some. It can also leave you foggy due to the toxins being expelled from your body. Those toxins can cause headaches and a lack of clear thinking. Maple syrup provides a supply of managnese, zinc, and other minerals. These minerals stimulate the cellular mitochondria (remember from elementary school: it was called the powerhouse) and enhances the body’s ability to convert stored fatty acids into energy. It also provides the body’s cells with a natural supply of sugar, which prevents the breakdown of active muscle tissue.

As you can see, the Master Cleanse is a win win! I hope you’ll give it a try. Stay on the fast for at least three days. Ten days is said to be optimal for your cleansing efforts. Be sure to drink plenty of pure water to help flush your system. Try doing the fast on the weekend. You’ll be urinating a lot. By the third or fourth day, your body should adjust to cleansing and you shouldn’t urinate as much. If you find yourself extremely hungry try eating fresh fruits, berries, and melons. You can also suppliment your fast by drinking freshly made juices or smoothes.

Don't do the Master Cleanse the wrong way! Get all of the information that wasn't presented in this blog - CLICK HERE NOW!

Once you’re done with your fast, ease back into eating solid foods. Stay on a clean diet that consists of raw foods, clean meats such as fish, and whole grains if you choose. Remember, the purpose of the cleanse is to clean your body. Don’t go back to junk food. The junk food is only going to set you back. Try to cleanse every three months.

Happy Detoxing!
Cynthia

Spiritual Connection with Discipline in Tow

2009-06-23T20:51:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything to my blog. I have been busy with work, family, studying to become a web page designer (amongst other things) starting aninternet business and also just living life. I've been having a lot of thoughts and feelings lately. I've been thinking of how much I want to get back to being RAW and eating the way I should. I've also been thinking about how much weight Icould've lost by now instead of how much weight I've regained. As you know, I'm not one for self loathing, pity or beating myself up for my mistakes. I am the type of person who looks for lessons in most things that take place in my life. But lately, I've realized that I'm not on the path I set out to be on and I must uncover the reason why. Hold on, cause this might be a long blog =)

I believe in God and I know that there is a spiritual connection between all things in life that makes us who we are. At one point in my life, I had an awesome relationship with my Heavenly father, but lately, it's been very poor and I don't like that! I want to be able to sit down each day and devote time to learning his word. I want to sit down each day and devote time to worshipping him and just being with him in peace and in quiet. I also believe that we were meant to eat a certain way. We were meant to eat certain foods and Hot Fudge Brownie Sundaes isn't one of them, along with my beloved Beef Bologna. It's interesting upon reflection how I was so disciplined in my relationship with God a few years ago, but didn't work on discipline regarding my diet. Earlier this year, it was the opposite. I've taken the time to think of these things and have come to the realization that the key point to my success is my relationship with God. Now, for those who don't believe or want to even go there, continue reading. Believe, there is a higher power than YOU!

The other day I got a newsletter from David Wolfe. In the newsletter he was talking about discipline and how we lack it. He is 100% right! It amazes me that I had totaldiscipline at the beginning of the year, and now, I just don't ' seem to care. I care, but I lack the focus and conviction that I need to return to a state of desiring health more than taste. Eating right and being overweight is always on my mind. I have been refocusing and developing my OWN strategy for getting back in shape and having the right frame of mind when it comes to eating and healing my body. I have drawn up a meal plan for myself. It is something that I can live with. I'll share it with you at the end of this blog. But, the main thing that I want from this entire experience is not just good health, but a good relationship in mind, body, and soul (spirit). Have you noticed that people who are vegetarians are more pet and earth friendly? Not all, but a lot of people that I've met who are "natural" believe in the natural order of life. They appear to have some type of spiritual connection to others around them as well as the earth.

Can I go off the path for a moment? I have adapted the habit of recycling and in doing so, I've gotten my family to do the same. My 11-year-old son tends to forget, but if I see him putting plastic in the trash, I tell him "we don't throw that away." He then realizes what he's doing and says "oh!" I have a strong desire to "save the planet". I live in Florida and trust me, I've seen the difference in the temperatures since I was a young girl. Years ago you could play outside all day and not suffer a heat stroke. Now, you'd better get up a 5am and do your hard work. It's horrible! When I leave for work in the morning it's already in the 80s and I leave for work at 7am. The planet has changed, and in being more aware of my habits and the impact that I have as an individual on earth, I have become more responsible for my actions. I've slowly started using household products that are more earth friendly. Did I mention I drive a Honda Civic? Hey, I have an earth friendly car! But what about my other habits? What about my habit of lack of exercising? What about my lack of eating properly? What is the one thing that's holding me back from being disciplined? It's me! For you, it's you. We are in control of what we eat and what we do. We give so much of our control to others. We allow television to control us, magazines, theinternet , and others opinions of what things should be. I know, the bottom line is that we listen to someone regardless of what we do. Even it it's something good, we've listened to someone else. For instance, I read the newsletter from David Wolfe; therefore, I was listening to him. But, what we fail to look at is the information that we're receiving and how it impacts our lives.

While at work today, I had to perform a couple of notarizations for patients in regards to their living wills and such. It's always interesting to visit patients. The visit brings me back to what I need to do in efforts of living a long life filled with health and not sickness. I'd like to ask you something. Do you firmly believe that you could never get sick? If we'd search ourselves and the reasons for illness, we'd see the connection between whole foods and poor foods and how the poor foods are making us sick. In fact, it's slowly killing us. I'm presently 42-years-old, but my body feels older, but it doesn't have to. We settle for aches and pains because we've been made to believe that it comes with growing old. What is old? Who determined that old is at a certain age? Who determined how our bodies should feel and function at a more mature age? It's all in the mind. It's what we've been led to think and believe.

Last night while watching television. I was flipping channels before turning the television off for bedtime when I came upon a doctor named Jordan Rubin. I was standing in front of the television and I couldn't stop watching him. He basically hypnotized me. His words made so much sense to me. He has a book out called "The Maker's Diet". The diet is based on whole foods, what we should eat for optimal health and what we shouldn't. Dr Rubin talked about his past illness ofCrohn's disease and how he was near death when he came upon a physician in California who told him that he wasn't following God's plan. It was then that he was placed on the path of healing his body and living a productive life. We are all here for a purpose. A purpose much higher than the statusquo . He think we're living, but we're playing at living. I feel there are so many things we could free ourselves of if we'd just develop discipline. Just think of some of the things you've gotten into in your life. I mean bad things. Things that you regret. If you disciplined yourself, you wouldn't have been in that situation. I'm not judging you. I'm also talking about myself. I think we lack discipline because we've been conditioned to think that since we have rights, we can do what is within those rights. This is were we make our mistake. We feel that we can eat what we want, do to our bodies what we want, drink what we want, and so on. When we're children we can't wait to grow up so that we can do what ever it is that we want. Why do we run from discipline? What's so wrong about doing what we should? I can understand how some religions don't allow their children to do certain things until they're in their twenties or older. Some of us look at them and say "hellnaw" but their lives turn out to be more simpler than ours. I believe if you're reading this blog and you're raw or thinking of going raw, you already know and believe on higher things that before. Your eyes have been opened as were mine. You're now thinking for yourself and not just being told this or that and living with it. You know that you need change and that life could be much better than it presently is. You also know you lack discipline.

There is a higher being. I call him God. He is my maker, my healer, my doctor, my supplier, and my father. He is that to All OF US! I honestly believe that I could be a much better person if I were to tap into my spiritual core. As I said earlier, I've been readjusting my thoughts and directing myself on a course of change. Not just for a couple of months, but I want to change my lifecompletely . I want a full body, mind, and soul makeover. I want to eat for the purpose of nourishing my body. I want to give my body what it needs to be healthy. We are all witnesses, andtestaments to the wonders of God. We have magnificent bodies that he created for HIS purpose and not ours. All that I have to do is listen to him, believe in his word, trust in his promises, and my life will be better. There are many things in life that we will endure, but all things are done for the good of man. I want a better life and it starts with me. God has already given me all that I need in this life, but it's up to me to have the life that I choose. I can be discipline and have good health or I can be undisciplined and suffer disease. The choice has always been mine.

Sorry to take you to church. But in sharing my life with you, there are still things about me that you'll continue to learn. I haven't been online much. Haven't even done the June weigh, which I still intend to do. I weighed, just haven't made the video. These are my thoughts and hopefully they'll help someone else in their efforts to change their lives. I say if you can't figure out why everyone else can make the change but you can't, look at them spiritually. What do they believe? I'm not saying they have to be Bible toting 24/7 church goers, but Christ lives in his all, but are we living for him? Search your spirits. Know that you can do anything that you want to do. You can be anyone that you want to be. You can cure your diseases and live a long prosperous, joyous life. How do I know? Because God said so. Develop a greater love for your life and your health. I know it's hard. I'm still in the fight and presently losing the battle, but all is not lost. I have hope, determination, and a stronger desire to succeed than I do to fail. And I'll end this blog with a quote "eat to live not live to eat."

Wishing each of us the best that life can bring!
Cynthia L. Dixon

Eating out of habit

2009-04-07T20:19:00.005-04:00

Do you find at times you're not hungry, but find yourself eating? For so long in my life, I've been guilty of this senseless act. The main purpose of eating is to fuel my body with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that help it to grow, rebuild, repair, and live. So why is it that I do this? Why do I feel I should eat, but am not hungry? I made a video a coupld of weekends ago where I asked others if they felt they were addicted to food? The responses I got varied in reason, content, and desired foods. So why is it that we feel we need to eat certain things? What is it that draws us to those Krispy Kreme donuts and once we've eaten them, we feel like crap!

One of the responses that I got was that a person felt they were tied to foods out of emotion, but what if there isn't any emotion? Meaning, what if you're particularly fine and there isn't anything bothering you? Do you still eat and if so, why? I think we'd have to sit down and really give this question some thought, and definitely don't sit down in the kitchen. I at times look at my mother who has the stomach the size of a bird. She sits and makes herself eat. At times she's full and at other times, she's just not interested in eating. My family and I tell her all the time that she has to eat. I realize that when a person ages and their metabolism slows down to a crawl they're less likely to eat or even be interested in eating. I can see a little of that in myself. But my mother is diabetic so she needs to eat to maintain her blood sugar levels. I've suggested that she eat mini meals in efforts of not having to sit and stuff what I consider to be a small amount of food into her body.

Sometimes when she does this, I think about why it is that we feel we need to eat. I also think about myself when I'm at the dinner table and am not hungry. In my humble opinion, we eat out of habit. We have eaten so long that we just feel we should. I can say for myself that this is true. There are even times when I'll say, I'd better eat now so that I'm not hungry later. How do I know I'm going to be hungry later? It's interesting, when I eat a clean raw food diet, I'm less hungry than when I nibble on junk food all day. I noticed it this past weekend. I ate junk, but still had the desire to eat. Of course I wasn't getting any nutrients, so my body was actually wanting and needing me to eat, but I was eating the wrong foods. Isn't that amazing? So often we don't listen to our bodies and think about what it's telling us, we just react.

I honestly want to be more responsible than what I've been in my life regarding my diet and my body. Our bodies are such precious commodities and we take them for granted everyday. The complex cellular processes that take place within us is never even given a thought. We just go about our lives day to day without thought of just how fragile our bodies are, but our bodies are also brilliantly resilient. God did such a wonderful job in creating us. And he also gave us the proper foods to live on. But what do we do? We eat out of habit. We don't think about how we're causing our bodies harm. We don't think about what will take place inside our bodies in the future due to our lack of discipline and caring. Do you care about your body? How do you really feel about it? Do you think about it? I mean do you regard your level of health as something to be proud of or is it something that you know you need to work on, but don't.

At times, I think it's just too easy to go about our days and not think about our diets. I mean, who wants to constantly be on the straight and narrow? Who wants to constantly deny themselves the foods they enjoy? But for me, I have to sit and ask myself why I enjoy these foods? What makes them so enjoyable? Is it the sugar or perhaps the salt? Granted, food does have to taste good in order for us to eat it. Have you ever fed a baby those yucky looking pureed peas? Do you recall the look on their face? It was like, what in the heck did you just give me? Why did you put that in my mouth? Even as a child, we develop tastes for certain foods. If you haven't noticed by now, your body responds to junk food with a never ending desire for more. We like to call them cravings, but they're truly addictions. Junk food is an excellent example of when we all eat out of habit. You know darn well there aren't any nutrients in those Doritos, but hey, you eat them anyway. What's even more interesting are the foods that we choose to eat in this manner. I've never gone and eaten hamburgers or hot dogs like I've eaten chips. I think we rationalize eating certain foods, which makes it easier to be less conscience of what we're eating and why.

When I fast, I am free from food and it's hold on me. When I return to eating, I regard it as a means to an end. It is simply a way for me to get nutrients into my body. I gain enjoyment from the simple pleasures of the simple foods. I only eat when I am hungry. There may be a time or two when I'm not hungry, and I find that I want something to eat, but when eating a raw food diet, I can still feel good about what I'm eating in between. But eating a simple diet helps me to keep focus on what I'm eating and why. With a raw food diet, the foods contain much needed nutrients and it does me good, along with my body to know that I'm getting them. Any diet can have detrimental effects depending upon how we eat and how much. But in order to change our habits, we have to first see that it is in fact a habit. Eating really is a huge issue for most Americans. Just think of the people you've seen in restaurants who throw down their food like it's their last meal. Do you think they're giving thought to what they're eating or how good it tastes? As in any bad habit, it will take time to recognize it, think on it, and to then take action in correcting it. So how are you going to change your bad habit? But wait, do you think you eat out of habit? Admittance is the first step to correction. Before you reach for that bag of chips, think about what you're doing, why you're doing it and what you hope to gain from it. You have a magnificent body, treat it right!

Peace, Love, and Rawness!
Cynthia

The Celebrity Raw Guru

2009-04-06T22:42:00.004-04:00

First off, I’m not against anyone who is trying to earn a living. I feel that each of us has the right to pursue various means of earning a living just as along as it doesn’t negatively effect someone else. And by all means, if you can have an automated job where you earn money while you sleep, hell I even want that, so I'm not mad at cha! I also believe that people find more enjoyment when they do what they love for a living. Onto the topic of my discussion which is the Celebrity Raw Guru.

As someone who is aspiring to become a Raw Foodist, I have had to rely upon information found in various books and through Internet resources. I think the main question of anyone who wants to improve their health and change their lives by adapting to a raw food diet would ask, “How do I get started?” I myself desire to study natural nutrition and become a Holistic Nutritionist. In doing such, what would be my main goal? The purpose of me taking the course would be to learn the best way to heal my body with food. Also, I’d want to know this information so that I am better able to assist someone else with changing their diet and lives with raw food. That purpose is also the reason I have a You Tube channel that is devoted to showing others how they can change their lives by me changing mine.

What I find interesting is that I don’t find too many sources that I feel are credible. I am not one to tear others apart, but when someone is telling me to pay them for their knowledge, they’d better act the part, look the part, and perhaps even dress the part. So what have I found wrong lately? What I’ve noticed is that no one is really addressing the questions that most people are posing. I believe that these so called raw gurus are becoming celebrities. I recently asked a well-known person in the raw food community if she ever slipped and returned to cooked food. I am still waiting for her reply. Now, I currently have over 180 subscribers on You Tube, and when I have a video that gains a lot of response, I find it difficult to reply to them all, so I have to decide which videos are more important and which comments I should respond to. But this experience is teaching me. It’s helping me to know where my focus should be when I become a Holistic Nutritionist. My focus shouldn’t be on my new and improved website or my latest ebook, but in my viewers and fellow raw foodies. I mean my sole purpose of helping others is in fact to help. But if I’ve reached a status that makes me untouchable, how can I help someone?

I won’t call any names, but it’s interesting how there are more and more products being created by these Celebrity Raw Gurus. There are products that are touted to improve your mental well-being along with products that will give you hours of energy without you even eating. Then there are those Raw Celebs that I can’t even bare to look at or listen to. One in particular is so full of himself that he claims to be so raw and pure that the inhalation of cigarette smoke from a passerby makes him sick. He even had the nerve to tell others that they may not want to be as clean as he is. Excuse me? Why wouldn’t you suggest that others be as clean as you? If it’s a toxic substance, wouldn’t it affect someone who isn’t as clean (pure) as you? Hell, there are people who eat cooked food and are sensitive to cigarette smoke. In my opinion this person is so full of themselves that there isn’t anything they can say to help me, and that is what I have an issue with.

If you’ve listened to me and read any of my blogs, you know that I strive to help everyone, but my main targeted group of people is African-Americans, why? Because I’m an African-American and I have yet to see a Raw Guru that looks anything like me. Another thing is that most of the Raw Celebrity Gurus didn’t even start out with weight issues. Yeah, yeah, 20 pounds or 40 pounds, big deal. How about having to lose more than 100 pounds? How about coming from years of “soul food”? Yes, we all have our junk foods that caused us to become overweight, but any one who's from the south knows about that good ole' southern cooking; collard greens smothered in fat from hamhocks, along with cornbread, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, peach cobbler and anything else you can add fat and salt to. I won't go into the deep history of soul food, but the thing with some African-Americans is that they're tied to their food and have a very difficult time thinking outside of the box. So, how is it that I'm going to introduce a family member or the African-American community to raw foods when it's coming from someone who seems more intent on creating an "image" versus creating a healthy nation?

My desire is to live life and show others my struggles, pains, ups and downs regarding the adaptation of a raw food diet. I am hoping that others will see that there is a connection to what we eat and where we come from. So how can you as a raw celebrity guru expect to reach me? I feel as if your goals have shifted. Your main focus is no longer about helping, but more so in helping yourself. Yes, you may have products that people can benefit from, but must you stick a price on everything that you do? I feel you can have knowledge and give that knowledge away. The more you give the more you receive. Why not offer your latest book to 100 or so people who are in bad health? This will at least give them the opportunity to learn about the raw food lifestyle and perhaps change their lives, level of health, and pass the knowledge on to their family members. And another thing, how many books do you have to write? Aren't they all about the same thing?

It's interesting how people follow other people. I heard on the news this morning how sweaters were on backorder at J Crew simply because First Lady Michelle O'Bama wore it. Now, she has a vast amount of influence over women, men, and children of all races and ages. She is using that influence not for her own gain, but to better others. Now I ask you Raw Celebrity Guru, what type of influence are you trying to have on others? I hope that my future will be filled with information that I can share vastly without charge. I hope that I will remain humble and loving towards those that love me and think so highly of me. I said I wasn't going to call any names, but there is one name that is attached to someone that I admire. This young man shows others how they can achieve health with raw foods. He has products, but he also has information that shows others how they too can earn a living doing what he's doing. He also has a blog that allows him to keep in touch with his audience. He never seems too big or out of reach. His name is Frederic Patenaude. I want you to think about something. Do you see him on You Tube? Do you see him in the raw food world of news? You pretty much have to hear about him from someone else or do a google search and in order to search, you had to hear about him from someone. The main thing I like about Frederic is that he has information that is in yo face, but he's not always in your face!

Celebrity Raw Guru, look upon yourself and ask what it is that you're really contributing. Have you helped someone today or did you just advertise your latest product? We are your audience, and we don't need your products, we need your knowledge and your help, not your image or your celebrity!

Here's to life enrichment and may the power of knowledge hold you captive!

Cynthia L. Dixon

Avocado Fries Ala' Cynthia

2009-03-28T20:25:00.011-04:00

Here is a simple and satisfying treat for when the fried food craving hits!
Slice up some avocado into 1/4-1/2 inch strips.
Tip: After slicing the avo in half score the flesh while it is still in the rind and then scoop out the meat and it will already be in strips.

Roll the avocado in a flax breading that is made up of:
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
1-2 tsp. garlic minced or powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1 Tbs. nutritional yeast

After breading the avocado slices you can dehydrate them for about an hour. This warms them up as well as allows some of the oils of the avocado to soak into the breading. You could just eat them right away too.

The spices can be varied and your imagination is the only limitation.

Recipe & photo courtesy of Raw Inspiration blog

Ala' Cynthia:
These are the only spices that I used. I didn't measure anything. I've been cooking since the age of nine so I can pretty much eyeball things and know how much I need.

Ground flax seeds, about 1 cup
Orignial Spike seasoning, use amount according to taste
Ground garlic powder, use amount according to taste
Fresh cracked black pepper
Sea salt

After grinding flax seeds, pour all of the dry ingredients into a small plastic bag. Place avocado a couple of slices at a time into bag and gently toss to coat fries. You can also gently pat the fries to ensure coverage. I don't have a dehydrate so I eat them as they are. I suggest you let them sit overnight in the refrigerator so that all of the seasonings can be absorbed by the avocado. They are awesome with fresh sliced tomatoes.

Interesting Facts About Organic Produce

2009-03-21T21:20:00.008-04:00

As you may know, organic produce is best when cleansing the body and changing to a whole food or raw food diet. But, no matter the diet, reducing the consumption of pesticides and herbicides is best for all. Perhaps you're not fully aware of why this is such an important issue. Organic produce is grown without pesticides or herbicides. Each day in the United States and other countries, these harmful chemicals are sprayed on the foods we eat. Our bodies work very hard at protecting our cells and organs for the harmful affects of these chemical pesticides, but over time, our bodies weaken, especially when we're not consuming the proper foods to help combat this issue. Over a course of time, the body starts to develop diseases such as allergies, autoimmune disorders, cancers, and succumbs to other harmful side effects. Over 75% of conventionally grown produce contains pesticides and herbicides.

But what can you do if you can't afford to buy organic produce? Here are so things you can do in efforts to reduce or avoid consumption of chemically sprayed fruits and vegetables. First, take special care in cleaning your fruits and vegetables.

Look for thicker peels: Fruits and vegetables with tougher outer skins and peelings are good choices when organics cannot be purchased. The thicker skins prevents a large amount of pesticides to soak into the flesh of the fruit or vegetable.

Take caution with thin peels: If the outer skin is thin, the pesticide has more ability to soak into the flesh of the fruit or vegetable. These types of fruits and vegetables should always be organic. Here are some ways of reducing the amount of surface residue.

Purchase domestic produce: Try to purchase produce that is grown in the US. Try to avoid produce that is grown in Mexico and China. Pesticides that have been banned in the US have been exported to Mexico and China. The produce from these countries are sprayed with the same pesticides that the US has banned and is then sold in the United States. How bizarre is that?

Wash off produce waxes: I hate getting a piece of fruit such as an apple or cucumber and finding it loaded with wax. Try to purchase a biodegradable cleanser. This can be found in most health food stores and also stores such as Wal-Mart. They carry a citrus based cleaner. Produce can also be washed with a mild detergent or pure castile soap. Purchase a soft bristled brush to scrub and breakup the residue.

Use hydrogen peroxide to help remove wax and pesticide residue: Soak produce in a solution of cold water and 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide for about 5-15 minutes. Be sure to rinse when done.

Here is a list of fruits and vegetables that are categorized as relatively safe, marginally safe, and unsafe, which are those that should be purchased organically whenever possible.

Keep in mind the outer skin of the fruit or vegetable. Use your own judgement for some of the items listed below. I felt some were in the wrong category. If the skin of the produce is like that of the skin on the back of your hand, consider purchasing organic. For extremely thin peelings, get organics at all times. Copy the list and print it out as a handy resource when shopping.

Relatively Safe

Fruits:
Avocado
Bananas
Coconut
Dates
Figs
Grapefruit
Guavas
Lemons
Limes
Oranges
Papayas
Passion Fruit
Pineapples
Tangerines
Watermelons

Vegetables:
Alfalfa sprouts
Asparagus
Beets
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cassava
Cauliflower
Daikon radish
Fennel root
Jicama
Leeks
Peas
Radicchio
Red chard
Snow peas
Yams

Marginally Safe

Fruits:
Cantaloupe
Honeydew
Pomegranates

Vegetables:
Broccoli
Squash (with very thick outer peelings)

UNSAFE - MUST HAVE ORGANICS

Fruits:
Apples
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Casaba
Cherries
Currants
Grapes
Kiwi
Kumquats
Lychees
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Persimmons
Plums
Prunes
Raisins
Strawberries

Vegetables:
Bean sprouts
Bell Peppers
Carrots
Celery
Corn
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Hot peppers
Lettuce (all kinds)
Mushrooms
Onions & shallots & garlic
Potatoes
Rhubarb
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Winter squash (yellow squash)
Zucchini
Herbs & spices (all kinds)
Tea leaves (all kinds)

*FOOD FOR THOUGHT*
There are times when we complain about the cost of food being too high, yet we spend upwards of $4 on a gallon of milk. We also purchase junk food such as chips, cookies, cake, ice cream, and hot wings. We are so driven by what we like to eat versus what we need to eat. We don't give any thought to purchasing a dinner out at KFC of Pizza Hut when the amount of money we spend in one meal can provide us with a weeks worth of food. Believe it or not, when you consume a vegan or raw food diet, you spend considerably less than when consuming the S.A.D. (Standard American Diet). Just think about it. What have you bought lately that you considered a waste of your money and your health?

Here's to your health!
Cynthia

SKINNY BITCH: My Thoughts!

2009-03-06T20:57:00.005-05:00

I found the book Skinny Bitch to be more informative than I expected. I learned so many things that I’d never even thought of thinking about. Does that make sense? (ha ha) It’s funny how I was reading this book when I was craving eggs. After reading about the cruelty that’s done to chickens just so they wind up at KFC and formerly on my plate was just sickening. I ate the eggs, but during the entire time, I was thinking about what I’d read., but by the end of the week, those thoughts didn’t bother me anymore. That’s what so amazing about our brains and bodies. We know danger, yet we do dangerous things. Same goes for food. We know it’s bad for us, but we shrug it off and keep eating.

After not following my diet during the majority of February, I pledged to myself that I would eat 100% raw for the entire month of March. Today is day 6 and so far I’ve done great. I have decided that I no longer want to eat meat. Check out the video below that I added from You Tube. I have yet to watch it. I watched the first couple of seconds after the intro and seeing that chicken flap around and the pigs on the floor made me stop the video. I really don’t know if I’ll ever watch it. I do know that I don’t want to be responsible for being cruel to animals. I know that’s a pretty broad statement and there are so many things that are tested on animals. OMG! I am so happy that I’m waking up. I can’t believe how ignorant I’ve been over the years. Aimlessly going through life with no thought of what I eat and how it gets to my plate. God gave Adam reign over all living things, but what man is doing now is not what God had in mind. Greed had really caused man to do things that only destroys himself and others. I can’t say I’ll never eat another Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup (my all time favorite candy) but I can say that I’ll never eat meat again. It’s my choice and it’s one that I want to stick with. I’m not going to sign up for PETA or anything, but just the thought of a frightened animal that knows its about to be killed is not something I want to think of when I eat.

Back to the book. The chapter on meat alone is enough in my opinion to sell this book. The chapter on dairy products was also an eye opener. It’s amazing how we feed milk to our children and babies and we’re lied to and made to believe it’s healthy. And let’s not even mention the FDA and how they lie to everyone. If you think your food is safe, if you think having a diet Coke or that morning cup of coffee is okay, you’re dead (get it - DEAD) wrong! The chapter on protein was very informative. I think about what damage I may have done to my body when I was on the Atkins diet, and let’s not mention the kidney stones I suffered with. I know understand completely why I had them. I hope my poor kidneys will forgive me. I swear, the more you know, the more you want to know. The book isn't about adapting to a RAW FOOD lifestyle, but it does give a few highlights on fasting and eating raw. I think this is also a great resource to use if you're just wanting to change your diet before eating raw. No matter how you decide to eat, Skinny Bitch will help you acheive a healthier lifestyle.
If you’re ready to change how you eat, you’ve got to get this book. If you’re ready to find out about all of the lies you’re being subjected to every day, you need this book. The book was named Skinny Bitch to get your attention, and trust me, you’ll be glad it did. Sometimes we don’t think about things because we don’t want to and sometimes it takes too much energy and perhaps money to change our lives, but if we want to live long, prosperous, and healthy lives, we’ve got to change how we eat and more importantly, what we eat. Like the book says, WE ARE WHAT WE EAT!

The link below will lead you directly to Amazon.com. If you’ve read the book, post your comments and share them with others. If you intend to buy the book, come back after you’ve read it. I’m anxious to know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by and happy RAW eating!
Cynthia

A fictional "Thank You"

2009-02-28T16:48:00.009-05:00

Dear Cynthia,

I really don’t know where to begin. I never thought I’d conquer the battle of obesity. I like you struggled for years with my weight. I have tried every diet there is. Just as others, I lose and regain. I was so sick of that cycle. I knew deep down that I wanted to succeed, but never seemed to have the willpower to do it. I can recall those smaller days when I’d have one of those cute little spaghetti strapped t-shirts, and let’s not even mention the cute little sun dresses. It’s amazing how proud you feel about your body when you’re smaller. I could beat myself up every time that I’d regain the weight that I fought so hard to lose. All this did was left me crushed, depressed, and resolved to be fat.

But I wanted more for myself, and after gaining a husband and a little one, I knew I needed to do something for my body. Now, it’s not just about me. I have more people in my life that I have responsibility for. I certainly don’t want my daughter to go through the things that I went through. I don’t want her to be the “fat kid”. I see so many children who are overweight and I wonder what their parents are doing to prevent it. Then I look at myself and recall what my mother did to help me. It’s not about what anyone else can do. It’s about the action that you take to change any circumstance in your life. After my baby turned five something in me snapped! She would want to play with me and I’d be so out of breath that I couldn’t. One time she said to me, “Mommy you’d better rest. I can hear you breathing.” I smiled at her and my heart broke. I went home and locked myself in the bathroom and cried. The next day, I was determined to change my life. I went on the internet and looked for someone who could help me. I read book after book, and watched video after video until I found you.

There was something about you. You were so loving and subtle in your approach to help others. There are times when you’re overweight that you feel all eyes that land on you are judging you. I never got that feeling from you. The information that you presented to me was so concise, and if I had a question, you were there immediately to help me. I am so grateful that I found you. Your story and your life experiences with being overweight mirror mine. Through your success, I found the strength to begin a raw food diet and stick to it. At the writing of this letter, it is now one year since I’ve started eating raw foods. I’ve had a couple of slip ups, but with your encouraging words and loving spirit, I just chalked it up and kept going. As you always say, I am human. I have lost 110 pounds. It has made a tremendous difference in my life. I no longer need my blood pressure pills and no longer have a need for glasses. Can you believe that? I’ve worn glasses since I was ten years old. My daughter is now six and a half and so filled with life. I love going to the park with her. I love the fact that she gets tired before me. She’ll tell me, “mommy, slow down.”

Thank you Cynthia for sharing your story with the world. I thank God for you. I thank him even more for your approach to this way of eating and how you’ve been so honest with me and the rest of your viewers. I’ve seen some raw foodists who seemed to be focused on helping themselves more so than helping others. I can also say that what I’ve learned from you has helped me to approach my family and friends with this way of eating. No longer do my family members think I’m crazy. I’ve even converted a few friends from work. They too have lost weight and improved their health. I ask that you continue in your efforts to help and heal. You’ve done so much to change my life and the lives of others. I tell ya, if I was a man and single, I’d ask you to marry me - (haha) That’s how much of an impact you’ve made on my life. Thank you! To our health Cynthia!

Oh BTW, this summer I'll be wearing my first bikini ever! Enclosed is a picture of me and my daughter "Thea". I wanted you to see the lives that you've touched.

Fondly,
Estelle - Raw Fooder For Life!

The Spirit of Care Giving: What I learned

2009-02-28T15:45:00.009-05:00

As some of you may know, I work in a hospital in the Health Information Management department, a.k.a. medical records. The facility that I work at is awesome! The spirit there is something to behold. It's unlike any other place that I've ever worked at in my life. Everyone is made to feel important. Can you believe the administrator knows my name? Everyone is on a first name basis. There are so many learning opportunities and workshops to help us become not just better employees, but better people. We are shown health care from a standpoint that puts the patient first. We tend to think that in a hospital of course the patient comes first. That's not always the case. In some facilities, the financial statement comes first.

Recently, I had to attend a two day workshop. The workshop is called Spirit of Care Giving. I invite you to visit the site to get a better understanding of what it is. Part of the workshop is helping one to develop themselves through focusing not on themselves, but on others. It helps the participant to look within themselves to find their worth and learn to conquer their dreams. The participants have various professions, which provides diversity in thought and expression. We are all shown that we are care givers. Even myself who works as a Medical Record Analyst am shown that I give care to others. It's not just nurses and doctors, but all health care workers. But in giving care, we tend to not care for ourselves. The workshop also helps us to learn to care for ourselves. One of our projects was to develop a plan of action to do what we've always dreamed of doing. We were to go home and write out a guideline or plan. I was too broad in my choice and ended up settling for a visit to Germany to see where I was born. Well, I didn't really want to do that so I didn't. My mind was focused on raw foods and learning about my body and holistic nutrition.

The next day, we were asked to share our dream. Sitting beside me was a nurse who's dream was to help people learn how to live happily with diabetes. Then and there, I realized what I wanted to do. I thought, why help people live with diabetes? Why not show them how they can prevent acquiring diabetes? At that exact moment I knew what I wanted to do to help others along with myself, and that is to become a Holistic Nutritionist. For those participants who wanted to achieve a certain goal, they were advised to write out their goals and a timeline for completion. They had to state what they needed to do and what steps they were doing to take to accomplish them. One person devised a "thank you" note from a person whose life she'd changed. I found her note to be so inspiring and uplifting. I have decided to create a thank you note of my own.

Lately, I've struggled with some problems. It's funny cause they're not new problems. I guess they're just problems I'm sick of running in to. But, I can say I've learned my lesson. I know what I need to do in my life to make a positive change. I also know what I need to do to never be in this position again. I have allowed myself to lose control. I've been eating foods that can only cause my body harm. Of all the things going on in my life that I can't control, what I decide to eat is something that I can. Last night, I decided that I've had enough of feeling bad, of feeling lost, of feeling out of control, and feeling FAT! I'm sick and tired of using food to sooth me. That's such bullshit! Excuse me, but I've really had enough! When on earth am I going to take full responsibility for my health, body, life, and future? Wake up Cynthia, you're 42-years-old. Why continue on the road to no where? What is wrong with you? You're more intelligent than this. And this isn't even about being weak. You know better! It's simply about choice! Just as you decided to choose the wrong foods, you could've decided to eat the right foods. Oh honey, the gloves are coming off! Some say you're too hard on yourself, well I say you haven't been hard enough!

Inner Voice: Food is not there to please your mouth; it's there to nourish and heal your body. Say it with me doggoneit! "Food is not there to please my mouth; it's there to nourish and heal my body!" No longer will you misuse it. No longer will you just sit and eat without consequence. This isn't even your body. It belongs to God! Did Jesus eat like this? I know your struggle Cynthia. You and I have been together all our lives. You're a beautiful woman. I want to see you happy. I want to see you healthy. Take back the control that was taken from you. Girl, the devil is a liar! You are and will be somebody. You are important to so many people. I see today you're fasting - EXCELLENT! Give up that food for a day or two and prove to yourself that you can do anything that you put that beautiful mind to. I love you and I know you love me. You can change your life and you can make a difference to others. Show yourself and those you love that you can change your life, but you must first change your level of discipline and for goodness sakes, you've got to take responsiblity!

My blog titled: "A fictional Thank You" was written as a testimonal from someone whose life I changed. I helped to change their life by changing mine. I have printed out this letter and will keep it or maybe even frame it so that I can stay motivated and encouraged. Holistic nutrition is my goal, but not just for me. I want to help as many people as I can. And that is what I'm here for, not for myself, but to help someone else. That is what the spirit of care giving is all about!
Letsgetraw!
Cynthia

RAW FOR LIFE Video Review

2009-02-16T21:04:00.001-05:00

After spending a weekend of eating without thought, which of course led to eating pure junk, I decided that I needed a mental boost and a reaffirmation to the raw food lifestyle. It's interesting how we know what's best, but don't choose to put it into action. Well, I on the other hand have put eating better and improving my health into action. I have tremendous will power, but I'm also a victim of food bombardment. What's food bombardment you ask? It's being overwhelmed by food. It's seeing food, smelling food, constantly seeing advertisements about food, it's thinking what you're going to prepare for dinner. It seems no matter the diet or choice of food, there's always the thought of eating something. Then there's having food around. I am adapting to the raw food diet, but my family is not following suit. They'll have their treats and junk, but for the most part they are eating better. I am still preparing meals for the entire family, so I'm trying to prepare more vegetables and fresh salads for them.

My excuse for not following with eating raw this past weekend was a result of me saying I would celebrate my birthday with a treat. My treat was to visit a raw food restaurant, but I just didn't have the desire to drive more than 30 miles to get to it. I know, call me lazy, but I just didn't want to. It wasn't all bad, I did eat good for the majority of the day and during my time off. I would say the worst moments were on the weekend days.

After spending Sunday off from my computer, I decided that I'd watch television and catch up on my projects. Well, once the projects were completed, I wanted something else to stimulate my brain and television wasn't getting me there. I didn’t' feel like reading, so I decided to watch a DVD titled: Raw for life: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of The Raw Food Lifestyle. The first disc basically told me what I already know, but it was nice seeing a lot of other advocates of the raw food diet other than the usual three or four who appear to dominate the internet, but maybe that's just my point of view, because those are the only people that I look for. I wanted more affirmations so I put in disc number two. I was blown away by the section titled: Spiritual Aspects. This section focused on how our bodies are connected to the earth in a spiritual way. David Wolfe spoke about how we take food from the earth and make it into something that we no longer recognize, and neither does the body. It was interesting to me how we destroy what's good. He asked, why do we take things from nature and cook it and microwave it, when all that we have to do is just pull it from it's source and eat it. That to me was such a profound question. There was also Reverend Michael Beckwith who spoke about the energies of the food we eat. Did you know that animals can sense when they're about to be killed? Those thoughts, feelings, and fears are all manifested in that meat. You may think this is so extreme and perhaps even silly, but I try to think beyond what's on my plate. That was an animal that breathed the same air that I do. If you have a pet, think of them and how much you love them. We are so unaware of the realities of life when they don't immediately impact us. Okay, I'll get off of my soap box.

Here is what I think about the Raw For Life 2 disc set. If you want to change your life, level of health, or just know that there has to be a better way of giving your body the nourishment that it needs or you have a family member or perhaps you yourself suffer from diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, I recommend this video disc set. I feel it will greatly impact your life and help you understand the tremendous impact that the raw and living food diet can have on your life. There is also a DVD titled: Raw for 30 days. There are clips of this experiment on disc one of the Raw for life disc set. It's amazing how these five people were healed of their diabetes. It was also interesting to see how they reacted to the foods, how one lady wanted to leave even though she knew it was helping her. Change is not easy, but it's not impossible either. At times, it really is easy to just settle for what you're already doing, but in the long run, you're just hurting yourself. Our bodies were not designed for the world, but were made up of the world. And what I mean by the world, is the earth. The same soil that is the root substance of our trees, bushes, and grasses is the same soil from which we came. How awesome is that? We are connected to his earth and the plants that it bares. It will take time to distance ourselves from the worldly ways of eating. It will take time to develop habits that will benefit us for a lifetime. It will also take time to change the minds of those we know and love, but with one life, all life was formed, and with each life, all life can be saved. Start eating raw today! Your life depends on it.

By the way, the disc really helped me to know that this is what I want. It truly helped to reaffirm my decision to change my level of health, life, and relationship with food. I honestly believe that we were designed to eat a plant based diet. Think of it this way, have you ever seen a ape in the wild with cancer? Come on - think!

Here is a list of contents from the DVDs along with some familiar names and Raw Food personalities:

Disc One:
Starting out
Raw for 30 day trailer
Topics:
*Beating Diabetes
* Weight Reduction
* Health & Wellness
* Detox & Cleansing
* Optimal Athletic Performance
Wisdom of Eating raw
Photo Gallery (Each video personality has a brief introduction)

Disc Two:
Nutrition
Rejuvenation & Longevity
Recipes from leading chefs
Spiritual Aspects
Photo Gallery

You’ll see Raw Food advocates such as: David Wolfe, Dr. Gabriel Cousens, Dr Brian Clement, Angela Stokes, Victoria Boutenko, Karyn Calabrese, and Morgan Spurlock who did the documentary titled “Super Size Me” where he eat McDonald’s food for 30 days straight. This truly is an empowering two disc set.

Wishing you the best of Raw,
Cynthia

Juicing

2009-01-31T18:51:00.014-05:00

When I refer to juicing, I'm not talking about bottled juices. Bottled juices are packaged byproducts of what used to be fruit or vegetable juice. Prepackaged or bottled juices have been pasteurized (heated) and packed with sugars, artificial sweeteners and other chemicals. They are also filled with additives, fillers, and preservatives. Think of how long bottled juices sit on the store shelves. The length of time between making and consuming is enough to kill any nutrients and enzymes naturally found in the juice. Store bought bottled juice is no longer whole. It has been broken down, rebuilt, and reconstituted.

Why Juice?

Freshly juiced fruits & vegetables provide your body with nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Your body easily assimilates, absorbs and digests these juices. Juicing fruits and vegetables provides you with organic minerals such as calcium, potassium and silicon that are easily absorbed. These minerals assist the body in restoring the biochemical and mineral balance in the tissues and cells. Some studies have shown that the nutrients from these juices are present in your bloodstream within 30 minutes after drinking. Juicing also helps to prevent premature aging of the bodies cells and prevents disease.

Fruit and vegetable juices are rich in natural medicines, vegetable hormones & antibiotics. For instance, certain hormones needed by the pancreas to produce insulin are present in sweet potato, cucumber, and onion juice. Freshly juiced garlic, onions, radish, and tomatoes contain many beneficial antibiotic substances. Raw vegetable juices and green smoothies are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and nutrients, which supply the essential elements to heal the body and regenerate cells.

Green smoothies contain lots of chlorophyll which is extremely effective in detoxifying the body. Chlorophyll can help make your body strong. It detoxifies the liver, can purifies the blood cells. It also removes mold, parasites and other toxins from the body. It can also help to prevent and remove cancer cells. The molecular structure of a green leafy vegetable is similar to hemoglobin. As science class taught us, hemoglobin moves oxygen through our blood. We need chlorophyll and the only place it can be found is in green leafy plants. One of the most amazing aspect of juicing is the cellular cleansing. Steve Meyerowitz states that all changes to a persons health should start at the cellular level, and is done by oxygenating and cleansing the system of toxins and foreign invaders that cause damage and disease. Our entire body is made up of cells. This includes our lymphatic system, digestive system, and cardiovascular system. This is why fresh vegetable juices are extremely beneficial to the body’s efforts in cleansing on a cellular level.

Juicing enables us to add more vegetables to our daily diet. Juicing also helps us to increase the amount of raw food we consume and gives the body energy, promotes healing, boosts the immune system, and aids the body’s cleansing process. Raw, fresh vegetable juices are alkalinic and are great sources of alkalizing the body. Juicing is a way to ensure that your body does not become overly acidic. It is highly recommended that an alkaline balance is maintained in the blood & tissues. Over acidification is the cause of almost all conditions and illness. The standard American diet causes acidification. Just think about the many diseases we face each day. Based upon our poor diets, we could develop any one of them at any given time.

Juice fasting is an excellent way to rid the body of toxins before starting the raw food diet. Juicing is also an excellent way to lose weight. Your body is getting fewer calories, but tons of nutrients. Use juices in place of meals and snacks. Try to choose organic produce whenever possible. Organic fruits and vegetables are affordable when in season. A lot of grocery stores have a section marked organic. We tend to think that we can't afford organics, yet we fill our grocery carts with junk food, which in the end, will cost way more than organic foods. If you cannot purchase organic produce, be sure to purchase an organic enzyme based vegetable wash, along with a soft brush to clean your produce. I recommend the Oxo vegetable finger brush.

Even if you're not interested in becoming a Raw Foodist, you can still supplement your present diet with fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Anyone can reap the benefits of whole food fruit and vegetable juice. With our hectic lives, juicing is a very easy way to increase vegetable consumption.

Here is the book I recommend you start your juicing journey with.

Juicer: Juicers remove the pulp (fiber) from fruits and vegetables. There are many kinds, but I use the Champion Juicer. I recommend you start with juicing instead of blending. While cleansing your system, you may find your body reacts negatively to fiber. This may seem pricey, but it will last you for years to come. I got what I paid for when I purchased the Juice Man juicer. It only cost $99, but it didn't last me a year.

Blender: This high powered blender can blend foods easily and quickly. It breaks down the cellular walls for fruit and vegetable peelings and makes them easier to digest and assimilate. It may seem pricey, but it will last you for years to come.

JUICE & BLENDER RECIPES

Fresh Pineapple Carrot Ginger Juice
4 lrg carrots
1/2 pineapple (top & skin removed)
sm slice of ginger to taste

Place all ingredients through juicer. Serve immediately. Recipe can also be used in the blender. Add water to get the desired consistency and raw agave nectar or raw honey for sweetness.

Fresh Tropical Blend
1 guava (peeled and pitted)
1 papaya (sliced & seeded)
1 pineapple slice (top & skin removed)
1 lrg orange (peeled)
1 mango (peeled & pitted)

Place all ingredients in juicer or blender (add pure water to desired consistency if blending). Serve immediately.

Fresh Watermelon Juice
Remove rind and cut watermelon into pieces. Place through juicer or in blender. Serve immediately.

Sweet Juice Sensation
1 orange (peeled)
1 sweet apple (washed and stems removed)
1 lrg carrot (washed, topped and tailed)
1 grapefruit (peeled)
1/2 cantaloupe (remove rind and seeds) or 1 pear (washed & cut up)

First, juice apple and carrot then juice remaining ingredients and mix. Make in juicer or blender.

Fresh Country Lemonade
2 or 3 lrg lemons (peeled)
add 1 tbsp natural sweetener such as raw honey or agave nectar
1 c pure water

Place lemons in juicer. Add juice to water and sweeten to taste. Add ice.

Pineapple Mango
4 pineapple spears (top removed and skinned)
1 mango (peeled & pit removed)

Place in juicer or blender. If blending you can add water to thin.

Kale & Pear Smoothie
1 cup green grapes
1 (130 g) orange, peeled
1/2 Bartlett pear
1 (120 g) banana, fresh or frozen
1 cup kale
1/2 cup pure water
2 cups ice cubes

Place all ingredients into blender container and secure the lid. Select VARIABLE speed #10, then to HIGH for 1 ½ minutes. Turn machine off.

Serve immediately.

Green Smoothie
4-5 kale leaves
3 apples
1/2 lemon juiced
2 cups of pure water

Place all ingredients in blender. Start our on low and increase to #10. Turn on hi and process until smooth. Serve immediately.

Green Apple
1 cup or handful of collard greens
1 sweet apple, (peeled if you life & cut into chunks)
Agave nectar or honey to sweeten

Place all ingredients in blender and process on #10. Increase to hi and process until smooth.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie
2 c fresh or frozen (unsweetened) strawberries
1 banana
1 c pure water
honey or agave nectar to sweeten

Place all ingredients in blender. Process until #10. The process on hi until desired consistency is reached.

If adding ice to any of your drinks, make sure they're made with filtered water. Frozen fruits and coldness to smoothies. Smoothies can be made the night before, but it is best to consume juices as soon as they're made.

To begin again!

2009-01-08T19:22:00.004-05:00

My journey with raw foods actually began in the fall of 2007. I started by reading books on raw foods after being introduced to this way of eating through a co-worker who is raw vegan, which means she only consumes raw fruits, raw vegetables, raw nuts and raw seeds that have not been cooked, preserved, heated or pasteurized. At first, I thought "this chick is crazy!" After careful consideration and having an open mind, I started to do more research and just listen to what my co-worker was saying. I also payed attention to her body. No, not like that! I noticed that she never has been sick. In the two years that I've known her, she's never been sick. An occasional sneeze is all I ever hear out of her and that's it.

Just let me put this out there. Why do we shun those who are different? Why do we think differently of people who do different things than we ourselves? Why did I think this young lady was a flake because she doesn't eat meat or anything that's been processed? I believe it's called ignorance. Yes, I admit it. I was just being ignorant and closed minded. When we're not open to the ideas of others, we limit ourselves from learning new things. Now, do this for me. If you're around my age (30-45) stop and think about the present state of the health of most Americans. There is a high percentage of obesity. Now, think back to when you were a child in school. You'd hardly see an overweight person. I know, because I was the "fat kid." I was always made fun of. Trust me, I know how many fat kids were in my school. Throughout the years, there has been weight loss and weight gain. But, with a different outlook on diet and health from my co-worker, I started to see things differently.

One day while at an "All You Can Eat" style restaurant, I looked around at the people inside. There were so many overweight individuals with their plates piled high. I felt nauseous. I honestly lost my appetite. I thought, how can we overweight individuals continue to stuff ourselves? How can we continue to eat at places like this and wonder why the doctor isn't doing anything to make us feel better?

Why don't I get back to how my journey started with RAW FOODS and why I must continue on it. I started in the fall of 2007. I fasted with freshly made fruit and vegetable juices. I drank plenty of water and juices. Prior to my fast, I prepared my body by eating only fruits, vegetables, and grains for three weeks. This meant no sweets or sugars of any kind. No meats, dairy or fish. I honestly felt better, lighter. During the fast, I felt awesome. I was tired until my body became adjusted to the fast. By the end of my fast, I didn't want to eat. I didn't want to risk going back to cooked and processed foods. Well, I did excellent for about 3-4 months. I lost 18 pounds faster than I ever had in my life. Then, there was a trip back home that I had to take that involved driving for 5 hours. As anyone knows, part of the allure of a road trip is the junk you get to eat. Well, I packed a good snack that consisted of fresh fruit, dried fruit, and nuts. I had a good supply of water. But there was something about this trip that didn't let my stomach rest. I was constantly hungry. I wasn't bored or excited, I was honestly hungry and nothing seemed to do the trick in turning off the beast that lived inside my stomach. I decided I'd have a salad when I arrived at my destination. By the time I arrived, it was late and I was extremely hungry. We stopped at one of our favorite Fried Chicken Restaurants - bad idea! To make a long story short, with one taste, my raw journey ended. I'd try again and again to start over, but I never did go back to raw foods.

In January of 2008, I started by raw journey once more. I started off with a fast and then consumed an 80% raw diet. I'd eat only fish and cooked vegetables for dinner and raw throughout the rest of the day. I did well, but fell short of always resisting temptation. By the middle of year, I wasn't eating raw at all. During this time, I'd gained the 18 pounds I'd lost plus 22 more. I am now up to 292 pounds. I was so close to seeing 250 pounds on the scale and now I have to start over.

So why begin again? When I was on the Raw Food Diet, I started listening to my body and understanding how certain foods I ate made me feel. My weight dropped very quickly, and the interesting thing about the weight loss was that my skin didn't sag. It seemed as if my skin shrinked back. I know I only lost 18 pounds, but my body was reacting differently with this weight loss than at any other time. Even now when I'm into the 8th day of juice fasting, my stomach has actually shrinked. It's even higher and doesn't hang over my surgical incision as it did just a week or so ago. I feel better. When I started before, I felt better. Your body actually feels lighter. Part of the reason is because you're not carrying around extra fluid. When I consume an excessive amount of sugars and salts, my body holds onto fluids. I urinated so much the first three days of starting my fast, because my body was releasing those fluids. The thing that had the most impact on me before was my dramatic drop in cholesterol. I didn't take any pills, shots, or those new drinks in the diary section. I learned that I could change my body by simply changing my diet. I think the reason I failed at all of the other diets was because I always had the ability to eat what I wanted, even in smaller quantities. I don't know, I can go into the zone when necessary and not even stray from a diet, but the main aspect of any lifestyle change is discipline. I want to begin again for three reasons; To improve my health and prevent disease, Lose weight and keep it off, and ultimately to develop a greater level of discipline. I want to begin again because I want this feeling for years to come. I see so many sick people each day and I don't want to be that way when I'm older. I think old age is when you should finally sit back and reflect upon your life. It's a time when you can relax and finally start living the life you've always wanted and to see your dreams fulfilled. It's a time to enjoy the rewards of your years of labor. It's not a time to have your body shut down and be sick all the time.

It is my responsibility to take control of my body and it's current situation, and not anyone elses. It is not my doctor's responsibility to heal my body; it's mine. I want to begin again for me, for my family, and for all people who need an example of change, discipline, and self worth. I want to be a voice for all those who can't seem to find a way out of the diet madness, and for those who've failed so many times at losing weight and keeping it off. I want to be healthy and strong so that I can show others that they too can change their bodies by changing what they eat. Believe it or not, it really is that simple!