Newly Raw

Yes...I'm still here.

2013-05-26T21:52:00.001-07:00

Wow, it really has been a long time since I updated this. Time flys when your having fun. To sum it all up, I've moved south towards the sunshine, changed jobs, moved away from the family, and have a new family member. My adorable pup Bruce who keeps me very busy. I do still eat a lot of Raw and Vegan foods, but can sometimes fall off the wagon... I think its impossible not to with all of the pressure that life and society brings to the table (no pun intended). For now my future plans for this blog will be expanding to a full fledged website. Welcome to the future site of Newly Raw called :
www.LeanMeanNGreen.com. I still have some much more work to put into it, but I'm excited to jump back on the bandwagon and get back to what I love to do the most. Talk about living and eating healthy....

Hi Again...

2010-09-06T17:08:00.002-07:00

So...I haven't popped my head back in for a while now, it's been over-due. I've watched the summer fly by and I keep trying to tell myself to get back to my little blog. I've never been big into personal stories on here but I have been suffering recently from a condition and trying to do as much research as I can on the subject to help others who may or may not know that they suffer from the same condition as well.

If you remember a few blogs back I said that I was going to stop taking my birth control pills after taking them for 10 years now, well....it seems that I have been suffering from a side effect of those pills the whole time and I never truly knew the full reasons behind it all. I chalked it up to my body changing through time as well as other factors. For about 5 years now I have suffered with constant Tinea Versicolor (fungus growing on your skin causing slightly red patch's), if you want to read up on it, check out this link : http://www.medicinenet.com/tinea_versicolor/article.htm

I've been to three different doctors and not a single one has mentioned to me that my diet and medication maybe the issue. It makes me so furious that doctors treat the symptoms and not the actual cause of those symptoms. I'm so happy that through research and of coarse persistence I will be able to cure myself.
The doctors would give me a cream for my skin but eventually the cream didn't work, they told me that because I go to the gym alot the sweat builds on my skin and causes those rashes.

Well...........the issue is not on the outside like they were telling me for years, it's actually on the inside. I have been suffering from a Candida Overgrowth. It didn't all make sense to me until I stopped taking the birth control and suffered from a very intense yeast infection. Not fun!!!!
So, now that I've got that figured out, what to do about it???

My next few posts will address this issue, first I'll tell you alil more about this condition, how change's in your diet can help and what I've been making and working on in my kitchen to help my lil overgrowth......

Overcome Candida Naturally

2010-09-06T17:08:00.001-07:00

How to Overcome Candida Naturally

By Bee Wilder, Nourished Magazine

What is Candida?

Candida is the short name used to describe yeast overgrowth in the body. The technical term is Candidiasis. Like their “cousins” the molds, they live all around us. One family “Candida Albicans” lives in all mucus membranes, i.e. intestines, eyes, ears, bladder, stomach, lungs, vagina, etc. It is one of the billions of other friendly organisms that serve a useful purpose in the body. One of its important functions is to recognize and destroy harmful bacteria.However, candida is not intended to overgrow and get out of control while the body is alive. This is only intended to happen when the body dies, when it’s function and characteristics change in order to break down the body.

How Does Candida Affects Us?

When Candida Albicans is under control it poses no problem, but when it gets out of control it begins to overgrow causing numerous symptoms and health problems from the top of the head to the tips of the toes, from migraines to nail fungus. It can result in symptoms inside (pain and malfunction of organs, even brain lesions) and outside (eczema and hives). It can also cause problems with the mind and emotions.

Symptoms Caused by Candida Overgrowth

Allergies, sensitivities and intolerances that worsen in damp, muggy or moldy places or weather that is damp, muggy, humid or rainy.
Hay fever and asthma.
Intolerances or allergies to perfumes, odors, fumes, fabric shop odors, grass, cats, dogs or other animals, tobacco smoke, chemicals, smog, molds, dust mites, dust, pollen, and other airborne substances.
Athletes’ foot.
Babies - colic, diaper rash, thrush (coated white tongue), and cradle cap.
Bruising easily.
Cheekbone or forehead tenderness, pain.
Cold hands or feet, low body temperature.
Cold-like symptoms - excessive mucus in the sinuses, nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs.
Cravings or addictions for sugar, bread, pasta and other high carb foods, and also alcohol.
Cysts, abnormal formation of, in different parts of the body, especially around the neck, throat, and ovaries, and in the bladder or scrotum.
Digestive problems - diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, bloating or pain, gas, mucus in the stools, hiatal hernia, ulcers, suffering from bacteria, i.e. salmonella, E. coli, h. pylori, etc.
Ears - ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sounds in the ears, ear infections, dryness, itchiness, ear pain, ear aches, ear discharges, fluid in ears, deafness, abnormal wax build-up.
Eyes - erratic vision, spots in front of eyes (eye floaters) and flashing lights; redness, dryness, itching, excessive tearing, inability to tear, etc.
Fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome or Epstein Barr or a feeling of being drained of energy, lethargy, drowsiness.
Flu-like symptoms.
Glands – swollen, too little saliva (dryness in the mouth), blocked salivary glands, swollen lymph nodes.
Hair loss, scum on the scalp, dandruff, itchy scalp, scalp sores and dryness.
Heart palpitations and irregular heart beat.
Headaches, migraines, brain fog, dizziness, etc.
Hemorrhoids, and rectal itching, rash, irritation and redness.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and diabetes.
Hypothyroidism, Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome, Hashimoto’s disease, hyperthyroidism, erratic thyroid function, etc.
Irritability, nervousness, jitteriness and panic attacks.
Lesions on the skin, and inside the body, i.e. the brain.
Male associated problems - jock itch, loss of sex drive, impotence, prostitis, penis infections, difficulty urinating, urinary frequency or urgency, painful intercourse, swollen scrotum, etc.
Female health problems - infertility, vaginitis, unusual odors, endometriosis (irregular or painful menstruation), cramps, menstrual irregularities, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), discharge, painful intercourse, loss of sexual drive, redness or swelling of the vulva and surrounding area, vaginal itching or thrush, burning or redness, or persistent infections.
Fungal infections of the skin or nails, i.e. ringworm, saborrheic dermatitis, dark and light patches on the skin (tinea versicolor), etc.
Joint pain, stiffness or swelling (arthritis).
Kidney and bladder - infections, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder with possible infection), urinary frequency or urgency, low urine output, smelly urine, difficulty urinating, burning pain when urinating.
Lack of appetite.
Mind and Mood - anxiety attacks, crying spells, memory loss, feeling spaced out, depression(including suicidal feelings), manic feelings, inability to concentrate, mood swings, irritability, etc.
Mouth sores or blisters, canker sores, dryness, bad breath, a white coating on the tongue (thrush) and blocked salivary glands.
Muscle aches and pain, numbness, burning or tingling, and lack of strength and coordination.
Nasal congestion, postnasal drip, itching, dryness.
Odor of the feet, hair or body not relieved by washing.
Respiratory - cough, bronchitis or pneumonia, pain or tightness in the chest, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma.
Sick all over feeling.
Sinus inflammation, swelling and infections.
Skin – dryness, dry red patches, acne, pimples, hives, rashes, itching skin, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhoea, ringworm, contact dermatitis, rosacea, etc.
Stomach – h. pylori bacteria (causes ulcers), heartburn, indigestion, hiatal hernia, acid reflux, belching, vomiting, burning, stomach pains, needle-like pains, food that seems to sit in the stomach like a lump, etc.
Sleep - insomnia, waking up frequently, nightmares, restless sleep, etc.
Sore throat, hoarse voice, constant tickle in the throat, laryngitis (loss of voice), etc.

What Causes Candida to Get Out of Control?

A healthy immune system keeps Candida in balance with the other micro-organisms in the mucous membranes but under certain conditions it begins to overgrow and get out of control. The causes of immune system dysfunction are varied and complex, but antibiotics are the biggest culprits because they wipe out friendly micro-organisms, in the digestive system.Because Candida is resistant to antibiotics the imbalance of micro-organisms allows it to take over. It begins to change its shape and starts to overgrow; raising large families called colonies.

These colonies excrete toxins that circulate throughout the body further weakening the immune system and creating havoc throughout the body. The Candida produces very long root-like structures that penetrate intestinal walls leaving microscopic holes which allows toxins, undigested food particles, bacteria and yeast to enter the bloodstream. This condition is known as the “Leaky Gut Syndrome”, which causes food allergies and many health problems. These root-like structures also causes considerable damage to the walls of the intestines resulting in malabsorption of nutrients.

Adding to the problem of malabsorption are nutritional deficiencies that also weaken the immune system. Today’s standard diet lacks the necessary nutrients to maintain a healthy immune system. It is loaded with sugar, carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils and fats (trans-fats), white flour products, processed foods, food additives, preservatives, pesticides, and heavy metals. This, in addition to foods being irradiated (exposed to high levels of radiation to extend shelf life), and being grown in nutrient depleted soil, long storage and transportation time, and improper handling, cooking and microwaving that goes on in most homes, further depletes nutrients available. All of these factors contribute to a weakened immune system.

Testing for Candida at Home

Your holistic practitioner will have conclusive means of testing for candida, however for a simple at home test try the following. First thing in the morning, before you put anything in your mouth, fill a clear glass with room temperature bottled water.

Work up a bit of saliva, and spit it into the glass of water. Check the water every 15 minutes or so for up to one hour.

If you see strings (fibers) traveling down into the water from the saliva floating on the top, cloudy specks (particles suspended in the water) or cloudy saliva that sinks to the bottom of the glass you have a candida problem.

Diagram from www.ninazu.com

The Candida Control Program

In order to get Candida overgrowth under control five things need to be done simultaneously:
1. Eliminate foods that feed Candida
2. Build up the immune system
3. Kill off Candida overgrowth
4. Plant good bacteria in the digestive tract
5. Manage the healing crisis

1. Eliminate foods that feed Candida

Candida overgrowth is mainly fueled by sugar, refined carbohydrates and gluten. Let's look at each of these separately so you know what to avoid exactly.Sugar

Candida’s main food supply is sugar and all forms of it, such as lactose contained in dairy products, honey, glucose, fructose, and sugar substitutes, i.e. Nutrasweet, aspartame, saccharin. Eliminating sugar is the most important part of the Candida Program. All fruit, except lemons, are also very high in sugar and should be extremely limited during the initial stages of the program, along with some vegetables that are very high in sugar, such as sweet potatoes, parsnips and beets. Sugar also contained is most processed foods such as smoked luncheon meats, ketchup, cereal, and yogurt making it important to read labels carefully. Following is a partial list of the names for sugar and sweeteners.

Names for Sugar and Sweeteners

Aspartame, carob powder, corn starch, crystalline carbohydrate dextrin, dextrose, disaccharides, galactose, glucose, levulose, malts of any kind, maltitol, maltodextrin, maltose (malt sugar), manitol, mannitol, mono-saccharides, sucrose, Nutrasweet, polydextrose, polysaccharides, ribose, saccharin, sorghum, suamiel, succanat, xylitol.

It has been known for many years that sugar greatly depresses the immune system. In the 1970s Linus Pauling knew that white blood cells needed a high dose of vitamin C. That was when he came up with his theory that high doses of vitamin C were needed to combat the common cold. But vitamin C and glucose have similar chemical structures and they compete for one another upon entering the cells. If there is more glucose around less vitamin C will be allowed into the cell, and interestingly taking vitamin C also helps curb sugar cravings.

These are a few of the negative effects sugar has on health:

Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection
Sugar upsets mineral relationships in the body
Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium
Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein
Sugar can change the structure of protein
Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention
Sugar can cause hormonal imbalances
Sugar is an addictive substance and can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol
High carbohydrates

Candida also feeds on high carbohydrate foods such as starches and grains, i.e. breads, pasta, pizza, cereals, baked goods and potatoes.

Gluten Grains

Most Candida sufferers are gluten intolerant. Gluten is an elastic and gluey protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut, triticale and it is hidden in an endless variety of processed foods. Triticale is a new hybrid grain with the properties of wheat and rye, while spelt and kamut are gluten-containing wheat variants and are likely to cause problems similar to other wheat varieties. Gluten-containing grains have come to be used extensively in breads and other baked goods because of their “glutinous,” sticky consistency.

Gluten grains feed Candida because they have a high glycemic index just like sugar, and like sugar, creates insulin resistance within the cells which leads to blood sugar problems like hypoglycemia and diabetes. The cells become resistant to insulin as they try to protect themselves from the toxic effective of high doses of insulin caused by high intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates. As the cells become insulin resistant, the pancreas produces more insulin which creates a vicious cycle. This exhausts the pancreas eventually leading to its breakdown resulting in diabetes.

Gluten grains contain a protein that is difficult to digest and interferes with mineral absorption and causes intestinal damage. This damage makes the intestines incapable of absorbing nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and even water in some cases. Our grain food supply also contains mycotoxins (a toxin produced by a fungus), especially found in corn and wheat. Mycotoxins can suppress our normal immune function. See the section on Yeast, Mold and Fungus for more information.

2. Build up the immune system

Building up the immune system requires:

Eating the right foods
Taking essential supplements
Avoiding yeast, mold and fungus

If the wrong diet is constantly consumed, or if yeast overgrowth damage is never reversed from previous drug and antibiotic use, a cure can almost never be achieved. Eating the right foods is the most important aspect of getting Candida under control and building up the immune system. The “Candida Control Diet” is high in protein and good saturated fats and oils, and low in carbohydrates, and contains no sugars, grains or processed foods. All foods must be as fresh and natural as possible, and free of additives, pesticides, heavy metals, irradiation, mycotoxins, etc.

Meats and fats should be from organic grass-fed free-range animals and from good oils such as coconut, palm and fish. Fish should be from non-farmed sources and as free of mercury and other pollutants as possible. Vegetables should be from reliable certified organic sources. Protein in the diet slows the breakdown of carbohydrates, which decreases the need for insulin secretion by the pancreas. It also stimulates glucagon release, that hormone that unlocks our stored fuel.

Good Fats and Oils - Good fats and oils are equally important to protein in the diet and they are essential to getting Candida under control. They not only increase the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the foods eaten but also provide the most efficient source of energy. They also provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormone-like substances. Good fats act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and for the conversion of carotene to vitamin A, for mineral absorption and for a host of other processes. The kinds of fats consumed greatly influence the assimilation and utilization of vitamin D.

Cholesterol is the body’s version of fat, and contrary to popular belief cholesterol, is your best friend. Cholesterol’s job is to repair and protect, and it is essential for nourishing the brain and nervous system. The brain is 70% cholesterol and it could not function properly without it. Hormones like estrogen and testosterone are made from cholesterol. Bile salts (for digestion) are made from cholesterol. Cholesterol is also a powerful antioxidant.

Cholesterol is a substance vital to the cells of all mammals. There are no such things as good or bad cholesterol, in fact your body produces three to four times more cholesterol than you eat. The eminent American physician and scientist George Mann called the cholesterol theory “the greatest scientific deception of this century, perhaps of any century.”

Essential Fatty Acids - There are also two types of essential fatty acids that must be obtained from the diet and these are omega-3s and omega-6s. They are called essential because we have to get them from food because our bodies can’t manufacture them from other fats. Most people’s diets contain an excessive amount of omega 6 fats, therefore it is important to ensure the diet contains more omega 3 rich foods to offset this imbalance.

Avoid all newfangled fats and oils (trans fats) - Candida sufferers cannot afford to jeopardize their health by consuming toxic oils and fats and must avoid all of the newfangled polyunsaturated fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils (margarine, Canola oil, safflower oil, etc.), called trans fats. These newfangled fats and oils are not only toxic and increase the body’s need for vitamin E and other antioxidants, but also depress the immune system. All trans fats, found in margarine and shortenings used in most commercial baked goods and most processed food, should always be avoided even by healthy people.

All of these fats and oils are extracted by a process called hydrogenation. This process employs: 1) High heat, 2) A metal catalyst such as nickel, zinc, copper, or other reactive metals and 3) Hydrogen gas. This is a volatile combination that results in an extremely toxic product that the body reacts to like plastic.

Even when refrigerated, hydrogenated oils stay liquid and go rancid very easily. Vegetable oils should never be heated or used in cooking, except for extra virgin olive oil, which must be handled with care. The more appropriate kind of fat for health is saturated fat, in spite of what we’ve been led to believe, which plays many important roles in body chemistry. But saturated fats have been given a bad name by the oil and food manufacturing industry with the sole purpose of selling their products. This is also true for drug companies who perpetuate the cholesterol myth and low-fat diets in order to sell drugs.

The truth is, natural fats and oils have components found only in them, which are health-promoting, and the newfangled trans fats are now known to be disease-causing. These health-giving saturated fats are stable and do not become rancid easily and they do not draw upon the body’s reserves of antioxidants nor do they initiate cancer or irritate the artery walls.

Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is another healthy saturated fat that contains many properties that are beneficial to Candida sufferers which are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. It also kills off yeast overgrowth. Coconut oil supports immune system function, supplies important nutrients necessary for good health and improves digestion and nutrient absorption.

The fat in coconut oil is easily digested and absorbed, unlike the newfangled trans fats that act like plastic in the body. It puts little strain on the digestive system and provides a quick source of energy necessary to promote healing. Coconut oil is absorbed directly from the intestines into the portal vein and sent straight to the liver, whereas other fats require pancreatic enzymes to break them into smaller units.

Look for unrefined coconut oil, since most commercial coconut oils are refined, bleached, and deodorized. It is highly resistant to spoilage and has a long shelf life (up to 2 years at room temperature). Coconut oil has a high burning point and is a perfect oil for cooking. Coconut oil can be taken by the tablespoonfuls with meals to aid digestion. A good therapeutic dose is 1 to 2 tablespoons with fat containing meals.

Fish oils - Fish, unlike mammals, birds and reptiles, do not respond to sunlight and rely on vitamin D found in phytoplankton and other fish. They must feed on phytoplankton and other fish in order to obtain and store significant vitamin D in their fat, flesh, skin, and organs.

Unfortunately, eating most fresh fish, whether from the ocean, lakes and streams, or farm-raised, is no longer recommended because of their dangerously high mercury levels. Try to source line caught and wild fish where possible.

Carbohydrates - Low carbohydrate consumption is an important aspect of the Candida Control Diet since high carbohydrate foods feed the Candida. Carbohydrate foods are any foods that are not protein or fat, including all vegetables, grains and fruits. Since grains and most fruit, except lemons, are eliminated on the Candida Control Diet this leaves a wide variety of vegetables that are healthy to consume. Vegetables with the lowest carbohydrate index are green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, spinach, asparagus, celery, peppers, kale, mustard greens, and Chinese cabbage. Some vegetables also inhibit the growth of Candida such as raw garlic, onions, horseradish, cabbage, broccoli, turnip, and kale.

Avoid Soybean and Soy-based foods - Soybeans contains large quantities of natural toxins or “anti-nutrients,” including potent enzyme inhibitors that block the action of enzymes needed for protein digestion. These inhibitors are not completely deactivated during ordinary cooking and can produce serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and chronic deficiencies in amino acid (proteins) uptake. In test animals, diets high in enzyme inhibitors cause enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, thyroid malfunction and other diseases including cancer. Soybeans also contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together.

Soy also contains one of the highest percentages of pesticides of any of our foods and is 99% genetically modified. Soybeans are also high in phytic acid, present in the bran or hulls of all seeds, which blocks the uptake of essential minerals - calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc - in the intestinal tract. Candida sufferers must avoid soy and all soy products in order to get well.

Salt and Spices - Salt is a very important part of a balanced diet, along with other beneficial spices. It plays an important part in the primary processes of digestion and absorption. Salt activates the first enzyme in the mouth, salivary amylase, and sodium chloride (salt) is used to make hydrochloric acid, a secretion needed for digestion. It is also important in keeping the proper balance of salt to potassium.

Salt has gotten a bad name just like the conspiracy against saturated fat. But most salt consumed today is not good for health since it highly-processed and is loaded with heavy metals and other harmful substances.

The best salt to consume is a good ocean sea salt that is hand-harvested, unprocessed, certified, and contains a natural balance of minerals. One such salt is Celtic Sea Salt which contains over 90 minerals and is very similar to the chemical make-up of our own blood. Taking this salt is the best way to obtain trace minerals. An excellent electrolyte drink is simply pure water with about 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt for every 6 ounces.

Taking essential supplements

Candida sufferers need to build up their immune system by supplementing with certain essential vitamins and minerals, that are yeast-free and sugar-free, including:

Chlorella is a whole-food that contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It helps build the immune system, detoxifies heavy metals and other pesticides in the body, improves the digestive system, improves energy levels and normalize blood sugar and blood pressure. Take two capsules three times a day.
Vitamin B Complex (non-yeast), 50 mgs. twice a day.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mgs. twice a day.
Vitamin D (with vitamin A) - take 1 teaspoon per 50 lbs. of body weight per day of a high quality cod liver oil or fish oil.
Vitamin E, containing natural alpha tocopherol, (d-alpha tocopherol is synthetic), that is not from a soy source, 400 IU twice a day.
Calcium/Magnesium Citrate, with “elemental amounts” containing 800-1,200 mgs. of calcium with an equal ratio of magnesium.

3. Kill off Candida overgrowth

There are many anti-fungal agents that kill off Candida overgrowth, including raw garlic, apple cider vinegar, olive leaf extract and Pau d'arco.

Garlic - Garlic contains a large number of sulphur containing compounds that exhibit very potent broad-spectrum anti-fungal properties. Among the most studied are allicin, alliin, alliinase and S-allylcysteine.

Fresh garlic is significantly more potent against Candida albicans than any other form, including tablets, oils and pills. Fresh garlic is also a suitable alternative to drugs for serious systemic yeast infections in patients with severe immune suppression. Adding fresh garlic to food (raw and crushed), or crushing and swallowing raw clove is a cheap and powerful anti-fungal treatment. Garlic also stimulates the immune system, improves circulation, lowers high blood pressure, kills intestinal parasites, and is a powerful antioxidant and antibiotic, in addition to many other health benefits.

To obtain the most benefit from garlic buy certified organic garlic and crush it. Crushing breaks the cell walls releasing garlic’s beneficial properties. To kill off Candida overgrowth take 4-5 average sized cloves per day mixed in foods or with meals. Another alternative is to drink 3-4 cups of garlic tea per day.

Raw apple cider vinegar - Raw apple cider vinegar and Candida do not get along. Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and mix it with a glass of water and drink before every meal. The apple cider vinegar helps to fight off the intestinal yeast overgrowth by actually killing the yeast, creating a die off reaction. Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar creates an unfriendly environment for the yeast, while helping create a good environment for friendly gut flora.

Olive Leaf Extract - Olive leaf extract can kill invading fungus rather than just inhibiting its growth. It contains a a phenolic compound called oleuropein, which has antiviral, anti-fungal, antiprotozoal, and antibacterial properties. Take as directed on the product label.

Pau d’arco - Pau d’arco is the bark of a rainforest tree which is inherently anti-fungal (also known as Taheebo or Lepacho tea). Pau d’arco may be taken in a capsule or a tea. Take capsules as directed on the product label or drink 3 cups of tea per day.

4. Plant good bacteria in the digestive tract

As the yeast overgrowth is being killed off by anti-fungal agents it is important to ingest a constant supply of probiotics. These are the ‘friendly’ or ‘beneficial’ bacteria, or micro organisms, that live in the digestive tract. As yeast colonies are reduced space becomes available for colonizing the other healthy bacteria. The most numerous bacteria found in the small intestines are species of Lactobacilli. In the colon the majority are mainly Bifidobacteria.

The easiest and least expensive way to plant healthy bacteria in the digestive tract is to take Cabbage Rejuvelac. But probiotic supplements can also plant good bacteria in the digestive tract. Unfortunately it’s not as simple as just buying the first probiotic supplement and assuming it will do the job. The best probiotic supplements will contain specific strains of bacteria that have been studied and verified as effective, and they will identified on the bottle as a series of letters or numbers after the name of the bacteria to indicate a specific strain. Some of the most studied strains include Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Lactobacillus GG. Probiotic supplements should be at least 500 billion organisms per gram, contained in dark bottles to avoid deterioration by heat and light, and kept refrigerated, even in the store. Take according to instructions on the bottle.

Yogurt - Usually yogurt or kefir would be good sources of probiotics, however many Candida sufferers are intolerant of their lactose (sugar) content. They are not recommended as a good source of probiotic therapy but good quality yogurt free of sugar or Kefir made with raw milk would be ideal to include in the diet once Candida is again in balance.

5. Handling Symptoms of the Healing Crisis

The Healing Crisis is brought about when the body becomes overcrowded with waste and toxins. Cells and tissues begin to throw off the waste and carry it from the bloodstream to various eliminating organs including the bowels, kidneys, lungs, skin, nasal passages, ears, throat, and genital organs. These organs in turn become congested and irritated producing symptoms such as colds, boils, kidney and bladder infections, headaches, open sores, diarrhea and fevers.

Die-off symptoms are caused by high numbers of yeast being killed off which releases a high number toxins into the system. In medical terms this is called the Herxheimer’s reaction, or yeast die-off phenomenon. Die-off symptoms resembles the flu and can be very uncomfortable. They can be alleviated by:

Taking 1,000 mgs of Vitamin C (preferably in powdered form in pure water) several times a day or whenever needed.
Taking an Epsom salts bath also draws toxins out through the skin and helps minimized die-off symptoms (add two cups, or 500 grams, of Epsom salts to warm bath water).

The most important aspect of the healing crisis is to never go to extremes in making changes to your diet or lifestyle. It is important to gradually introduce changes one at a time, allowing the body to adapt to the changes and adjust itself. The keys to successfully overcoming Candida are: 1) sticking to the Candida Control Program, 2) being patient, and 3) being persistent. You will get well. I was on the Candida Control Program for two and a half years and I have been healthy and well ever since.

Candida Diet Plan

2010-09-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

What I've been doing personally for my Candida .....

The Candida Diet Plan

Reversing candida

Detox

The first aim of your Candida cleanse is to cleanse the system of the toxic byproducts of Candida. Fasting, colon cleansing, wheatgrass, fresh vegetable juices, plenty of water, detox herbs, exercise, and anything else that extracts toxins.
Reduce the yeast population in your system

Candida treatment must bring yeast cells back into balance. Use anti-microbial herbs and phytochemicals in formulas from your natural or health food store that include a combination of these powerful herbs, 15 days on then 5 days off, repeating as long as needed. The 5 day break discourages mutating yeast from multiplying and developing immunity to the herbs.
Inoculate yourself with probiotics

Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, along with acidophilus (found in yogurt), maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds (lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid) that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.
Improve your diet

A diet to eliminate Candida is a long-term lifestyle – and in fact diet is your best defence against candida. Yeast loves sugar and simple carbohydrates; if you keep feeding yeast cells they will multiply, and even the best anti-microbial herbs won’t keep them in check. Eat a disciplined diet for at least 3 months, then When your symptoms disappear, you can expand your diet. But don’t revert to old habits, or the candida symptoms will quickly return.

Keeping Candida in Check

Foods to Avoid

Aged cheeses, alcohol, chocolate, dried fruits, fresh fruits, fermented foods, mushrooms, vinegar, glutenous foods (wheat, rye, oats, barley), all sugars, honeys and syrups (that includes any ‘ose’, like lactose, sucrose etc), and foods that contain yeast or mold (breads, muffins, cakes, baked goods, cheese, dried fruits, melons, peanuts – although nutritional and brewer’s yeasts are not harmful, as they do not colonize in the intestines).

Foods to Eat

Vegetables (including plenty of raw garlic), protein foods (beef, chicken, eggs, fish), live yogurt cultures (both dairy and non-dairy,) FOS*, whey, acidophilus, green algae (such as spirulina and chlorella), nuts, seeds and oils, and non-glutenous grains (like millet, rice, rice bran and oat bran).

___________________

Supplements

Checkout combination products containing these herbs & supplements for natural defense against candida overgrowth:

First things first, you need a good multi-vitamin. Candida prey's on weak immune systems, and although you can fill your plate with an abundance of vitamins and minerals it doesn't hurt to make sure your fill in the gaps here and there. My multi-vitamin of chose is the new product by Garden of Life called Raw Vitamin Code.

"Garden of Life" was started by a man named Jordan Rubin, who also has quite an interesting story himself and how he got into the health field. I read his book a while back called "The Makers Diet,"...great book. I suggest you give it a read.

Back to the multi-vitamin : here's the link below for info. on a raw liquid multi-vitamin source. This product is newer by the way, he also has many other raw multi-vitamin tablets on the market that can be found at many mainstream health food stores.

http://www.thevitamincode.com/Formulas/MultivitaminFormulas/LiquidMultivitaminFormula/tabid/1998/Default.aspx

If your also looking for a non-raw alternative the "Alive" vitamin company can be a great alternative and alil more budget friendly. They have a liquid multi as well as tablets. I prefer liquid only because it's easier for your body to absorb the nutrients faster.

The second thing I've been creating in my kitchen is fresh batch's of Kefir. This is a whole new topic in itself. I've been particularly interested in water kefir, not most of the milk based ones you can find at the store. They also have coconut milk kefir which is quite yummy. That's just me though, their all equal when it comes in getting those good bacteria in your belly. I will post soon about more detailed info. on Kefir.

http://www.kefir.net/

Another option that I just started to try is brewing Pau D' Arco Tea.

http://www.paudarco.org/

Pau d'Arco is a natural herb retrieved from the inner bark of the Tabebuia Avellanedae or Tabebuia Impetiginosa, known as taheebo. The taheebo tree is grown predominantly in Central and South America, but may also be cultivated in southern Florida. Pau d'Arco, also known as ipe roxo or sometimes lapacho (its derivative), has been used for centuries by the Indio tribes of South America, as well as the ancient Incas and Aztecs.

Pau d'Arco tea or tincture concoctions have had beneficial effects for cancer victims, anywhere from alleviation of chemotherapy symptoms to complete remission of tumors. An article published by Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey on Pau d'Arco stated that "who Lapacho has produced clinical anti-cancer effects without side effects." This taheebo tea has been helpful to many.

Candida Albicans, a fungus which causes yeast infections, has also been treated by the Pau d'Arco herb. Clinical studies also showed strong in vitroactivity against various other bacteria, fungi and yeast, including:Aspergillus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Helicobacter pylori(common cause of stomach ulcers), Bucella, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and dysentery.

viruses such as: herpes I and II, influenza, polio virus and vesicular stomatitis virus.

Pau d'Arco is also confirmed as being an antiparisitic against various parasites, including: malaria, schistosoma, and trypanosoma. Additionally, the herb has even demonstrated usefulness as an anti-inflammatory.

Pau d'Arco bark has active principles, mainly lapachol, quercetin and other flavonoids. Once the Pau d'Arco inner bark is dried and shredded it can be made into a tea which has a slight bitter or sour taste, and is brownish-colored. This herbal tea is used by many during the cold and flu season, and is a remedy for smoker's cough.

Another medicinal use of Pau d'Arco is as an expectorant: to promote "coughing up" by the lungs in order to free deeply embedded mucus and contaminates.

Aside from continental South America, Tabebuia also ranges to the islands of Hispanola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti) and Cuba, as well as north into Mexico. Tabebuia is a neotropical genus with approximately 1000 species, hailing from the tribe Tecomeae of the family Bignoniaceae.

You can also try a strong Acidophilus formula, this is the strongest one I've seen on the market.

This is very similar to any Probiotic formula and or Kefir, all three of them provide your body with health bacteria. Basically Candida is an overgrowth of bad bacteria and in order to fight it you have to combat it with good bacteria. It's like a war in your belly...hahaha.

Of coarse these are only additional things that can be done to help your Candida situation. The food you put into your mouth really should be your main priority, and remember....sugar is the enemy!

Raw Cheesecake Recipe

2010-06-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

Raw Cheesecake with Berry Sauce

This cheesecake is derived from a basic recipe that can be altered into any flavor you like, so the possibilities are endless. I wanted to enjoy it plain that day and decided to add some flare to it at the end. This recipe makes one 9 inch spring-form pan cheesecake but you can also make smaller individual cheesecakes too. By the way, this is the first raw dessert I have ever made and it was delicious. Everyday I make sugar laden, corn syrup drenched cakes, cookies, and pies for my job and can't help to feel an extreme guilt and tremendous disgust for what people think tastes good. This is way healthier, dairy free, completely raw and awesome! Enjoy!

Crust =

2 cups of pecan (soaked 6-8 hours)

1/2 cup soaked raisins

1. Grind up ingredients in your food processor then

press down into an oiled 9" spring pan

Cheesecake Base =

3 cups of cashews (soaked for a few hours)

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup lemon juice

3/4 coconut oil

3/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp sea salt

2. Blend ingredients up really well in your blender (the smoother the better)

3. Pour ingredients over crust bottom and try to knock any air bubbles out of the pan

4. Freeze for about 2-3 hours before serving

Berry Sauce (can be added for fun) =

I really just winged this one, blend up an equal amount of fresh blueberries, agave (or honey), and a few frozen blackberries. Surprisingly blueberries after being blended turn a pinkie color and I had to add the blackberries just to get that color. Blend these all together until you get that syrup consistency, it will be very sweet so just drizzle it on, try not to drench it.

Ps. there are sooo many different raw cheesecake recipes out there, all equally great.

This one is just my fave :)

Contest Alert

2010-06-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

Awesome special contest alert!!!

Chantal's "Eat Dance Live" Blog has posted a rediculously awesome giveaway, and if your like me rockin out the raw meals without a dehydrator I'm sure you'll want a chance to enter into this contest. She is giving away her 4 tray Nesco Dehydrator.

Here's where you can enter the contest : http://eatdancelive.blogspot.com/2010/06/dehydrator-giveaway.html

and here are the rules...hurry the contest ends 10am on Monday, June 21

You have two options (so you can get a maximum of two entries)

For everyone (first entry): Leave a comment on my blog telling me what the first thing you'd want to make with a dehydrator of your very own.

For bloggers (second entry): Link this post back to your blog for an extra entry! Please leave a comment below letting me know you did :)

For non-bloggers (second entry): If you aren't already, become a follower of my blog and leave a comment below letting me know you did! On the left-hand toolbar, there is a box marked "Followers" become one them, it isn't much of a hassle :) If you already are a follower, thanks, and just leave a second comment telling me you are!

Good luck!!! :)

Sprouting

2010-06-15T19:49:00.000-07:00

So, it has been quite a while since I've posted and I've got a few that I've been holding on to, here's one of them. I've been obsessing over the art of sprouting lately, I love adding sprouts to my salads, and even blending them into my shakes. Not only are sprouts very nutritious, but they are super easy to grow as well. I was not blessed with an apartment with a lot of light and with no window in my kitchen I thought I had no chance of sprouting anything, boy was I wrong. When I eat sprouts it reminds me that I am eating food that has life and that life force is then transfered to me, this is truly raw food in all of its glory.

Here's some information I've dug up for you if you'd like to try sprouting yourself, seriously give it a try. This may be a lot of information, but I think you'll be surprised at how easy and fun it is.

There are professional sprouting kits but really all you'll need is a large glass mason jar, a piece of metal mesh for the top (or pantyhose...I've heard), filtered water and time.

Basics of Sprouting

Obtain seed for sprouting. Store in bug-proof containers, away from extreme heat/cold. Seed should be viable, and, to extent possible, free of chemicals.
Basic steps in sprouting are:

measure out appropriate amount of seed, visually inspect and remove stones, sticks, weed seed, broken seeds, etc.
rinse seed (if seed is small and clean, can usually skip this rinse)
soak seed in water for appropriate time
rinse soaked seed, put in sprouting environment for appropriate time
service seeds (rinse) in sprouting environment as needed
when ready, rinse seeds. Store in refrigerator, in sprouting environment or in other suitable container until ready to use. If not used within 12 hours, seeds should be serviced (rinsed) every 24 hours in refrigerator. Best to eat as soon as possible, as freshness is what makes sprouts special!

Jars and Cloth: Two Suggested Sprouting MethodsJars: use wide-mouth, glass canning jars, available at many hardware stores. You will need screen lids - cut pieces of different (plastic) mesh screens, or buy some of the special plastic screen lids designed for sprouting. Sprouting in jars is quite easy: simply put seed in jar, add soak water, put lid on. When soak is over, invert jar and drain water, then rinse again. Then prop jar up at 45 degree angle for water to drain. Keep out of direct sunlight. Rinse seed in jar 2-3 times per day until ready, always keeping it angled for drainage.
Cloth: soak seed in flat-bottom containers, in shallow water. When soak done, empty seed into strainer and rinse. Then take flat-bottom bowl or saucer, line bottom with wet 100% cotton washcloth, spread seed on wet cloth. Then take 2nd wet cloth and put on top of seed, or, if bottom washcloth is big enough, fold over wet seeds. Can add additional water to washcloths 12 hours later by a) sprinkling on top, or b) if very dry, remove seed from cloth, rinse, re-wet cloth, put seed back between wet cloths. Cloths used should be 100% cotton (terrycloth) or linen, used exclusively for sprouting, and of light colors. Cheap cotton washcloths (and cheap plastic bowls) work well and will last a long time.
Comparison: Jar vs. Cloth MethodsJar method is more versatile; can grow greens in the jar (e.g., 6-8 day old alfalfa greens), and the jar is less likely to mold than cloth for sprouts that require more than 2 days. However, the jar method needs a convenient drainage system (otherwise mold can develop). The cloth method can withstand some direct sunlight (direct sunlight in early stages of sprouting can cook the seed in jars), and needs no drainage system. The methods require roughly the same time, though 2nd service of cloth is very fast. Almonds, buckwheat give better results in cloth.
Other Methods of Sprouting:

Plastic tube - variation on jar method; opens at both ends - easier to remove long sprouts like greens from tube than from jar.
Sprouting bags - cotton or linen; also plastic mesh. Soak seed in bag in water, then hang up inside plastic bag (forms a little greenhouse).
Trays: very good for growing greens. Might need drainage system.
Clay saucer: used for mucilaginous seeds like flax, psyllium, etc.
Commercial sprouters: wide variety available. Often fairly expensive; most don't work as well as cloth/jar methods!

What is the best time/length to eat sprouts?
Ultimately you will answer this question by experimenting - growing sprouts and eating them at different ages/lengths. My preference is to eat sprouts (except almonds, pumpkin seeds) when the growing root is, on average, the length of the soaked seed. Almonds and pumpkin seeds are discussed below.
A note on times: the sprouting times given below are based on cloth and/or jar method, and reflect an average time. The soaking times can be increased or decreased somewhat (except for buckwheat), with little or limited impact on the results. If you are using a different method, especially one of the commercial sprouting units, the times here will not apply and you will have to monitor your sprouts to decide when they are ready.

Taken from : http://www.mountainroseherbs.com
Sprouts are treasure troves of nutrition and have been grown by civilizations around the world for more than 5,000 years. Considered to be “super foods”, sprouts are easy to grow, economical, and one pound of sprouting seed can generate about five pounds of sprouts!

As a beginning sprouter, start with the tried-and-true Red Lentil seed. Lentils are among some of the easiest seeds to sprout and just a few tablespoons will fill a one quart wide-mouth mason jar in 4-5 days!

Red lentils are a great crispy addition to all kinds of culinary dishes. By themselves, red lentils are fairly mild in taste, but they do have a great texture. Add them to a spring greens salad with a little vinaigrette and they’ll spring to life with a spiciness all their own! Some people even enjoy adding them to a stir-fry for a little extra flair and nutritional boost.

Another favorite is Fenugreek, which hails from the Mediterranean and is among the oldest medicinal herbs. According to Ayurveda, Fenugreek sprouts have a pleasant, subtle and sweet taste, and are said to detoxify the body and help control blood sugar levels. We prefer Fenugreek while the sprouts are still young and tender, since the sprouts turn bitter with age. Fenugreek is popular on sandwiches, in sushi, or sautéed with garlic cloves and butter over basmati rice.

Red Clover is one of the most common sprouts commercially available in grocery stores. It is very similar to the timeless Alfalfa and almost identical in flavor – sweet, nutty and mild, but larger, easier to grow, and with a lighter green leaf. Many of us prefer Clover to Alfalfa because it breaks out of its hull more easily and seems to store longer in the fridge. Red Clover comes highly recommended on Caesar Salads and can add a gourmet touch to dishes.

However, Alfalfa sprouts are still an excellent sprout to try. Alfalfa is by far the most famous sprout in the United States and contains more chlorophyll than spinach, cabbage, or kale! Alfalfa sprouts have a mildly nutty flavor and a crispy texture.

Buckwheat is among the fastest seeds to sprout, but it is also one of the most difficult to grow. Its flavor is delicate and delicious, and it’s a good source of vitamins A, B, C, and E, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Niacin, and Potassium.

Radish sprouts are quite spicy and are an excellent choice to liven up a salad, sandwich, or main dish. They contain a considerable amount of protein and calcium, and they have 29 times more Vitamin C than milk! They are a great addition to coleslaw, omelets, and stir-fries.

Broccoli sprouts are an excellent source of Vitamin A, selenium, and beta-carotene. They also contain sulforaphane glucosinolatenatural, a powerful antioxidant found in cruciferous plants such as broccoli. You can add broccoli sprouts to salads, soups, pizza, wraps, and practically anything for added flavor and texture, or you can enjoy them all by themselves with a bit of dressing.

Given the proper moisture, a seed will germinate. Rinsing is essentially a two-step process of rinsing and draining. Regular rinsing will add moisture to the sprouts while draining regulates the amount of moisture sprouts have available until their next rinse. We recommend rinsing 2-3 times each day, using lots of cool water (60-70°). After this step, it is crucial to drain as much water as you can from your sprouter for proper germination. Sprouting seeds sitting in too much water is the most common cause of sprouting failure.

Not only is sprouting your own seeds a lot of fun, but there are many advantages like increased protein quality, fiber content, essential fatty acids, and vitamin content.

Sprouting times for different varieties of seeds will vary. Below is a list of some of the most common sprouting seeds and the typical amount of time to yummy sprouts. Of course, tasting along the way will help you determine when your sprouts taste best.

Sprouting Seeds
Red Clover: 3-5 days
Broccoli: 3-6 days
Alfalfa: 5-6 days
Red Lentil: 4-6 days
Radish: 3-5 days
Buckwheat: 3-5 days

For more information about sprouting seeds, watch our “How To” video on YouTube!

Here's a few charts that may help you out...

Renegade Health

2010-05-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Very Cool....Thanks Kevin for answering my question : Will fasting help balance my hormones levels...
I was so thrilled to get a response back, it definitely made my night!
The one thing thats so great about the raw food "community" is that they truly care about the health of others, and spreading the word and education to others.

http://renegadehealth.com/blog/

Raw Vegan Lasagne Recipe

2010-05-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

It's Recipe Time!!!
Raw Vegan Lasagne w/ Pesto, tomato sauce and macadamia nut "cheese." Jonsi' & Alex posted a "new"er video recently so I thought I'd share. I wish I wasn't fasting, I'd run out right now to make this...

it sounds so yummy!

Jónsi & Alex Recipe Show - Raw Vegan Lasagne from Jónsi & Alex on Vimeo.

Raw Vegan Lasagne :

Zucchini Pasta :

2 Zucchini's use cheese slicer to slice slivers

add salt, and let sit,

then wash off salt and dry

Pesto :

2 cloves of garlic

2 cups of basil

1 tsp salt

8 tbsp olive oil

1 cup pine nuts

Tomato Sauce :

6 large tomato's (scoop insides out)

10 sun dried tomatoes

1 date

1 tsp salt

basil to taste

olive oil to taste

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

oregano to taste

juice of 1 lemon

Macadamia Nut Cheese :

2 cups macadamia nuts

1 tbsp nutritional yeast

2 cloves of garlic

1 1/2 tsp salt

juice of 1 lemon

Fasting 101

2010-05-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

Every season pretty much, I will do a juice fasting, which is sometimes referred to as a "juice feasting." This is when you go on a strict regiment of only drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices. There is also the other extreme which is called "water fasting," which refers to only drinking fresh distilled or purified water and nothing else. Since I have a bit of a hectic work schedule I find water fasting to be extreme (plus : they suggest that you should only do this under supervision). When you water fast your body flushes away harmful toxins, and give your digestive tract a time to relax, rejuvenate, and heal itself. I prefer juice fasting since the fresh squeezed juice provides me with the calories that I need to get through my day and it also cleanses my body in the same way as the water fasting, just not as harsh. I have done both though, and I have to say that if your a beginner at fasting...stick with juice!

A detox program can help the body's natural cleaning process by:
1) Resting the organs through fasting;
2) Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
3) Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;
4) Improving circulation of the blood; and
5) Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.

I've been reading this book recently, and I suggest anyone who's curious about juice fasting should read it as well. It's even for people who have fasted many times before (like myself), I think those people will still come away from this reading with additional knowledge that they didn't know about before hand.

"Juice Fasting and Detoxification"

by : Steve Meyerowitz

This book explains how to fast using raw fruit & vegetable juices while maintaining a nearly normal work and living schedule. Includes: Juice recipes, detoxification techniques, exercises, weight loss, water fasting; organs of elimination; how to handle a "healing event," and how to come off a fast safely.

The human body has an incredible capacity for healing and longevity. Within it is an intelligence more powerful than any drugs or a surgeon's knife. Fasting gives your body the well deserved vacation it needs to repair itself. The power that made the body can heal the body. Fasting and juice therapy revamp your health from the inside out. This book shows you how to tap that power and how to fit it into a busy lifestyle. It's easier than you think. Even just one fast day per week provides 50 rejuvenating days per year. Give your cells and yourselves the opportunity to cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate and heal.

Here are some of the detoxing methods mentioned in this book, as well as some that I follow when I juice fast : (I will attach links if anyone is interested in learning more about each one)

1. Drinking your fruits and veggies within 24 hours of juicing them to keep them fresh, so you can get the most vitamins and minerals out of them

2. Drinking plenty of water to flush the toxins from your body. It is suggested that Distilled Water is better for you because all of the "cooties" are steamed out leaving you the purest water.

http://www.totalwellnesscleanse.com/blog/119/the-importance-of-water-during-a-cleanse/

3. Getting plenty of sleep, this is the time your body uses to repair itself. I can not express enough how important this is! You should also try and relax when fasting, you don't want to strain your body too much.

4. Meditation & or Yoga is great to do in general, but also helps you clear my mind and focus. Especially Bikram Yoga, which combines yoga and the sauna experience in one.

http://yoga.lovetoknow.com/Benefits_of_Bikram_Yoga , which takes me into.....

(sorry...I'm on a cartoon kick today...hahaha)

5. The Sauna can also help...sweating in the sauna (the average time should be 15-20 minutes max) can open up your pours to release toxins from your sweat glands. You also feel amazing after!

http://www.the-home-sauna-center.com/sauna-benefits.html

6. Dry skin brushing & or skin brushing in the shower. This will increase your circulation and help push the toxins out, it's especially good for cellulite, which are fat deposits under the skin. Fat stores toxins so not only is it unattractive it is also unhealthy. You should always brush or exfoliate your skin motioning your arms towards your heart. http://www.naturalhealthtechniques .com/healingtechniques /Dry_Brushing_Technique.htm

7. Oil Pulling : (this is new to me) It involves swishing 1 tbsp. of cold-pressed oil in your mouth for about 25 minutes, after brushing your teeth. Doing this will use your enzymes, which in turn will draw out harmful toxins out of the bloodstream. Do not swallow it though since it will absorb toxins and you want them out, not back in. Also, do this in the morning before you eat your breakfast.

http://www.oilpulling.org/oil-pulling/

8. Colon Hydrotherapy : I've done lots of research on this recently but I do not really have any story's to tell. I do have to say that the health of the colon is grossly underestimated. Your colon is a breeding ground for toxins (I'm so passionate about this...I may just blog about it later).

"Water is absorbed into the body through the colon which increases the volume of blood. The circulation of the blood is increased, resulting in a greater bathing of the cells. This dilutes the toxins and flushes them out; relieving toxemia and uremia; and increasing elimination both through the kidneys, and the skin as well as the bowels. All this generally assists the cardiovascular and circulatory systems to be more efficient."

http://www.fountainofhealth .com/colonicbenefits .php

colonics session it can help the process of bowel elimination (god that sounds so textbook!!!)

So, here are a few juicing recipes which I will be using on my fasting program (I didn't make up their titles....haha) I will have more on my detoxing soon, since I just started this week. Generally I will fast for 1-2 weeks at the most, some advanced "fasters" will do this for 30+ days, that's a bit too hardcore for me. Always follow your body and don't try to over do it.

COLON CLEANSING

1 red apple

1 medium size carrot

5 slices of cucumber

1 stalk of celery (optional)

1 big glass of cold water

1 tbsp of honey

1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar.

MORNING TONIC

1 apple

1 grapefruit (peeled)

DIGESTIVE

¼ lemon with peel

½ grapefruit (peeled)

2 oranges

BODY CLEANSER

4 carrots

½ cucumber

1 beet

EVENING REGULATOR

2 apples

1 pear

Clean House Detox

2010-05-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

Cleaning House / Detox :

I personally feel that in order to fully benefit from a raw food plan, you should really step back and look at the whole picture before adding other elements. I'm referring to detoxifying your body and environment before changing your diet, or even using a detox method in order to help transition into raw food. Some people refer to this as "Cleaning House," but just to be a bit tongue and cheek I am referring to detoxing your house. You have to detoxify yourself and your surroundings, and since it is spring time...it's time to do some cleaning!

So I've decided to finally rid my house of those toxic cleaners, not that I really use to many of those kinds but I finally wanted to give vinegar a shot. I've heard so many good things about it but for some reason never tried it out.

I came across a web page recently which has so much great natural cleaning information and methods that I have to post it, it's way too much to post on my little blog, so here's the link : http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/clean-and-green-natural-cleaning-formulas .

Here are the essentials you will need :

BAKING SODA (sodium bicarbonate): An all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. Cleans, deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics.

BORAX (sodium borate): A natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria. An alternative to bleach, it deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of soap. Please note safety precautions at the bottom of this page.

CASTILE and VEGETABLE OIL BASED SOAPS: Cleans everything

CORNSTARCH:Starches clothes, absorbs oil and grease

HERBS and ESSENTIAL OILS: For disinfecting and fragrance

LEMON JUICE: Cuts through grease and removes perspiration and other stains from clothing.A bleach alternative.

SALT (sodium chloride): An abrasive

TOOTHPASTE: A mild abrasive

VINEGAR (acetic acid): Cuts grease, removes stains and is an excellent water softener.

WASHING SODA (sodium carbonate): Cleans clothes, softens water, cuts grease and disinfects. Increases the cleaning power of soap.

All Purpose Cleaner: 3 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap, 2 cups hot water. Mix ingredients in spray bottle or bucket. Apply and wipe clean.

Glass Cleaner: Equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle (can't get any easier then that)

Bathroom Cleaner: Toilet Bowl Cleaners: Baking Soda and Vinegar: Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then squirt with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. Cleans and deodorizes. If you also want a tile cleaner that kills mold & mildew try : pure white vinegar to combat mold in your shower, and mix water with a few drops of tea tree oil.

Kitchen Cleaners: Dishes: Use Baking soda and liquid soap
Spot-free Dishwasher Rinse: Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse compartment of your automatic dishwasher. Wash dishes as usual.

Laundry Wash: 1-2 cap fulls of Dr. Bronner's unscented liquid soap
Garbage Disposal : keep lemon rinds and grind them into the garbage disposal, it will break up the grease and smell lemony fresh

If your sick of smelling vinegar, and want some more options here are some great companies to try....

My favorite : Holy Cow

A quote from the Holy Cow Products web site states: "These amazing cleaners contain NO solvents, NO VOCs (volatile organic compounds), NO toxins, NO alcohol, NO ammonia, NO harmful oxygen-based bleach cleaners, and NO citrus-based products which may dissolve rubber or plastics."

I use the all-purpose cleaner on everything, including stains on my clothes, and the concentrated cleaner is great for tough cleaning, like grout and barbeque's.

My 2nd favorite : Method

All method products contain natural ingredients. When you see the word "natural" on a method label, it means that 100% of its functional cleaning ingredients - things like soaps, detergents, solvents and enzymes - are either found in nature or derived from natural sources. We use natural and naturally derived materials from renewable or abundant sources wherever we can. If we can't find a natural ingredient to get the job done, we'll use a safe, green, man-made version instead. In all cases, we only use ingredients that have passed through a comprehensive green and health screen: ingredients we have confirmed to be totally safe for people and safe for the environment.

If you click on this link, you can print a $2.00 off coupon for methods new laundry detergent, http://methodlaundry.com/coupon , I'm kinda excited to try it out ...

And, last but not least the 3rd product I use and love : Mrs. Meyers

http://www.mrsmeyers.com

(my favorite scent is the Lavender and Lemon Verbena

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day cleaning supplies make cleaning your home fresh, fun, and fragrant. All of our cleaning supplies are made with natural essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free, and we never test on animals. Whether you use our All Purpose Cleaner (good for just about everything) our Dish Soap (cuts grease like nobody’s business), or any of our other cleaning supplies, you’ll find our products are good for your house, your nose, and the environment.

So....enough about how I clean my house.

I would also like to talk about detoxing your body.

(This blog is getting a bit too long, I will make this one a two parter, read above for info.

on detoxing your body) Check it out...

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day Everyone!!!!

There are so many things that can be done to

improve our environment and show love to mother earth.

Here are a few "green" tips/options that can be used in our daily lives....

Fifty Green Tips for Earth Day and Beyond

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22355/28177-fifty-green-tips-earth-day

1. Lower your thermostat. Buy a programmable thermostat.

2. Reuse your water bottle. Avoid buying bottled water. In fact, reuse everything at least once, especially plastics.

3. Check out your bathroom. Use low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets.

4. Start a compost in your back yard or on your rooftop.

5. Buy foods locally. Check out Eat Local Challenge and FoodRoutes to get started. Buy locally made products and locally produced services.

6. Buy in season.

7. Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs. You'll find more on energy-efficient products and practices atEnergy Star.

8. Turn off lights and electronics when you leave the room. Unplug your cell phone charger from the wall when not using it. Turn off energy strips and surge protectors when not in use (especially overnight).

9. Recycle your newspapers.

10. Car pool. Connect with other commuters at eRideShare.

11. Consider a car sharing service like Zipcar.

12. Ride a bike.

13. Walk, jog, or run.

14. Go to your local library instead of buying new books.

15. At holidays and birthdays, give your family and friends the gift of saving the earth. Donate to their favorite environmental group, foundation, or organization.

16. Get off junk mail lists. GreenDimes can get you started. They’ll even plant a tree for you!

17. Buy products that use recyclable materials whenever possible.

18. If you use plastic grocery bags, recycle them for doggie poop bags or for small trashcan liners.

19. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Given a choice between plastic and paper, opt for paper.

20. Buy locally. Find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food near you at LocalHarvest.

21. Consider organic cleaning products like vinegar, borax, and baking soda.

22. If you have a baby, consider using cloth diapers. To sign up for a diaper service to do the dirty work, check out the National Association of Diaper Services.

23. Consider buying a fuel-efficient car or a hybrid.

24. Landscape with native plants. Check out thearticle on the EPA website.

25. Opt into a clean energy program. Check out theGreen Power Network at the US Department of Energy.

26. Go paperless. Consider reading your newspaper and magazine subscriptions online. Switch to electronic banking and credit card payment, too.

27. Teach kids about the environment.

28. Take your batteries to a recycling center. Earth 911 gives you the scoop.

29. Turn your car off if you’re going to be idle for more than one minute.

30. Do full loads of laundry and set the rinse cycle to “cold.”

31. Recycle. If you’re not at home, take the extra steps, (literally), to find that recycling can.

32. Reuse. Plastic food containers make good crayon and marker holders. Use padded envelops more than once. Buy your toddler or preschooler’s clothes from a thrift shop and give away those that don’t fit to friends. Goodwill or the Salvation Army can help.

33. Limit the length of your showers. Even better, take a “navy shower,” shutting off the water while soaping up and shampooing.

34. Don’t run the water when brushing your teeth. Learn about water scarcity.

35. Wash towels after several uses.

36. Purchase one case of water and provide clean water to 24 people (for over twenty years).

37. Give away your goods and find new ones at FreeCycle.

38. Recycle your technology. Dell, Hewlett Packard, Apple, and IBM, among others, offer recycling programs.

39. Go zero! Log on to the Conservation Fund’s Carbon Zero Calculator and in less than five minutes, you can measure and then offset your carbon dioxide emissions by planting trees.

40. Put your money where your mouth is—invest in green investments. Web sites like Co-op America's National Green Pages™ can help.

41. Learn about threats to ocean life and help Greenpeace take action.

42. Whenever you can, try using green cleaning products. Check out Cheap, Clean, and Green.

43. Find your local watershed and learn how to protect it.

44. Build a greener home.

45. Opt for eco-friendly and holistic health products.

46. Good to the last drop. Switch to fair trade coffee.

47. Go paperless at work. Distribute company information and post company material online.

48. Eliminate junk mail at work. For no fee, theEcoLogical Mail Coalition will eliminate the junk that former employees receive at work.

49. Plant a forest and feed a family while you’re at it.

50. Shop smart. Choose eco-smart products.

Spring is here, and it's time to farm.

This is a site that I fell upon the other day and felt like I needed to spread the word.

What is WWOOF?

WWOOF is a world wide network - and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living.

WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.

WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.

How does it work?

WWOOF organisations publish lists of organic farms, smallholdings and gardeners that welcome volunteer help at certain times. The diversity of hosts available offers a large variety of tasks and experiences.

Volunteer helpers ("WWOOFers") choose the hosts that most interest them and make direct contact to arrange a stay. Volunteers usually live as part of the family.

◊ WWOOF volunteers do not pay for their stay.

◊ WWOOF hosts do not pay volunteers for their help.

◊ WWOOF organisations usually charge a small fee to hosts and volunteers. This fee helps maintain and develop the WWOOF network.

Taken from :http://www.wwoof.org/

I wish I could do this, I guess...never say never.

WWOOF: The Movie Trailer from Ashley Terry on Vimeo.

This is the amended trailer for the up-coming documentary, "WWOOF!", currently in post-production.

Cascadian Farms

2010-04-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

Put your pledge in today... Thanks Cascadian Farms!

In Celebration of Earth Day's 40th Anniversary... if you pledge to follow Cascadian farms eco-friendly principles via online, for every pledge posted, Cascadian Farms has agreed to donate a $1 towards the Organic Farming Research Foundation. This will end on 5/31, so please send your pledge in soon. They will donate a maximum of $40,000, and in turn your pledge will help to create a positive change towards a sustainable future.

You can follow their webpage link at : http://cascadianfarm.com for more info,

or you pledge directly to their facebook page link at : http://apps.facebook.com/cf-earth-day/?publish=1

Thanks... happy almost Earth Day!

Raw Events

2010-04-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Earth Day 2010 is slowly approaching..

You should check out : http://www.treehugger.com/best-of-green/

So the staff at TreeHugger put their heads together to do one mighty feat: Select the best of the best, the greenest of the green, in the world of culture and celebrity, travel and nature, cars and transportation, science and technology, food and health, business and politics, and let's not forget fashion and beauty. While you may not agree with all of our picks -- and feel free to vent your love and your wrath in theForums -- all are undeniably cutting-edge on the eco front.

So if you ever wondered about the best-looking endangered species, the best magazine that gives a damn, the best solar boat, the greenest celebrity, the best electric scooter, the best hybrid car, the best biofuels and more, look no further than TreeHugger's Best of Green "It's About Time" Awards. Then, head on over to Planet Green, where you can rate the winners in each category in our View and Vote slideshow polls, open through April 22. Once the picks are in for the highest rated organization, person, product, or idea in each category, we'll have another vote: leaving us with best in show of Best of Green.

Besides Earth Day ....here are some other upcoming Raw Food Events that have been posted by : http://www.rawreform.com

* Ongoing, Monthly * LA Raw Bazaar * Los Angeles, California *
Monthly ongoing eclectic raw gatherings in LA with booths, food demos, speakers, live music and more... http://www.larawbazaar.com

* Apr 30th-May 2nd * Space of Love Harvest Festival * Greyton, South Africa *
A weekend of song, dance, harvesting, gardening, learning, visioning, prayer, thanksgiving and celebration.http://spaceoflove.co.za

* May 1st-14th * Raw Food Gathering * Vilcabamba, Ecuador *
This is a 'free' gathering, no entrance fee, no 'structure' - just turn up, meet the tribe,
http://rawinecuador.ning.com

*May 9th-16th * Eco-Skills Celebration * Hampshire, England *
Eco-skills workshops, music, yurts and tipis, community gathering and fun

http://www.ecoskillscelebration.co.uk

* June 11th-13th * Yoga and Raw Food Expo * New York, New York *
Held at the "New Yorker" hotel in NYC, this is an action-packed urban raw event with speakers, yoga classes, booths and more: http://www.nyyogaexpo.com

* June 19th * Simply Raw Festival * Ottawa, Canada *
This fabulous free festivals is one of our favourites. An all-day park-based event with talks, booths and lots of love... http://www.simplyraw.ca

* July 2nd-4th * Fresh Food Festival * Lolland, Denmark
Fresh fruits and greens, exercise outside in the sun, talks, food demos and more.
http://freshfoodfestival.com

* July 24th-25th * Raw Food Health Expo * Santa Rosa, California *
This will be the second year or this vibrant little festie hosted by John Kohler. Speakers, booths, farmers' market and more... http://www.rawhealthexpo.com

* July 30th - August 1st * RåkostFestivalen * Jarna, Sweden
Speakers, workshops, food demos, live music and more in the beautiful Swedish summer
http://råkostfestivalen.se

* July 31st * Bliss Fest * Parkville, Missouri *
A celebration of conscious living, music, food, vendors, speakers in a beautiful park setting http://www.blissfestkc.com

* August 16th-22nd * Ronora Juice Feast and Raw Fest * Watervliet, Michigan *
A fresh and juicy raw celebration in the mid-west: a 4-day Juice Feast followed by a 3 day raw festival - fun http://www.RonoraLodge.com

* August 26th-29th * Raw and Living Spirit Retreat * Molalla, Oregon *
Raw food talks, camping, food demos, community, drum circle, wild food walks, live music, reiki, laughter yoga and more... http://www.rawandlivingspirit.org

* August 27th-29th * Vibrant Living Expo * Fort Bragg, California *
The 6th annual celebration of all things raw and beautiful at the Living Light Culinary School in N. Cal...http://www.rawfoodchef.com

* Sept 24th-26th * Raw Spirit Festival * Prescott, Arizona *
The 6th Annual Raw Spirit Fest is centred back in AZ this year and will surely be a raw mixture of talks, demos, food, music and fun...http://www.RawSpiritFest.com

* Sept 25th * Festival Of Life * London, England *
The 7th annual Festie of Life in London - vendors, live music, amazing food, talks, packed house, lots of love http://www.festivaloflife.net

Honey Love

2010-04-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

The Magic of Honey

Recently I've been suffering from severe sinus issues in my ears and nose because of spring times high amounts of pollen and allergens in the air. This pain was due to Sinusitis which was ultimately affecting my ears, causing hearing loss and pain in my left ear lobe :

"Sinusitis is inflammation of the membrane lining of one or more of the sinus cavities. When sinuses become blocked and cannot drain properly, bacteria multiply and cause infection. Symptoms of sinusitis may include facial pain or pressure, nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, and diminished sense of smell. Sinusitis could also cause fever, bad breath, fatigue, dental pain, and cough."

If you are suffering as well, or know someone who is, there's a simple solution. I was told that if you consume raw honey from the area that you live in, your body will soon adapt to all of the allergens in your air. Yes I know....honey in not raw....but, with all of honeys health benefits I can not deny its healing abilities and natural properties. Check out this website for more great information on honey :

http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/honey.html

(and by the way, I've been consuming atleast a tbsp. of raw honey a day, I use it in my smoothies, and I've noticed an improvement already.)

Here are a few easy raw honey recipes to enjoy.

Taken from : http://honeygardens.com

Recipe:

No-Cook Healthy Raw Honey Bars

Instructions:

Using a food processor,
chop 2 cups almonds,
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup dates
Process until well mixed and then add
1 cup raw coconut.
Gradually add 1 cup raw honey
Process until a stiff dough if formed.
Press mixture into lightly buttered 9 inch square or 12x7 inch baking pan.
Cover and refrigerate until dough is firm enough to cut into bars.
Dough can also be shaped into small balls and coated in powdered sugar, or a cinnamon and sugar mixture.

Recipe:

Raw Honey Mustard Dressing

Instructions:

This is terrific with a simple spinach salad--spinach, grated zucchini, small amount of onion.

Blend
1/3 cup raw honey,
2 t regular yellow mustard,
¼ cup oil,
2 T any good vinegar,
2 T water and a dash of salt and pepper.
Add ¼ t dried dill weed and ¼ t dried thyme.
Blend well.
This makes about ¾ cup of dressing, enough for 2 or 3 salads.

Fresh Bee Pollen :

Bee pollen contains more than 96 different nutrients, including every single nutrient that is needed to sustain human life. It is made up of 40% protein, nearly all of it usable by the body without any further breakdown or metabolism.

Bee pollen combines 22 amino acids, vitamin C, B-complex and folic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, enzymes, and carotene - all of the major antioxidants that have so far been discovered. In addition, bee pollen benefits your body with a number of vital trace elements that it can't manufacture, but needs in order to stay healthy. Those trace elements include iron, zinc, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, and potassium - all minerals that have proven health benefits.

(Thought I'd throw in a few natural honey based beauty products that I love....)

Taken from : http://www.burtsbees.com

(I've been using this product for 11 years now and absolutely love it! People tend to be shocked when they hear my age and I thank Burt and his bee's for taking such great care of my skin all these years...great company!)

Lemon Poppy Seed Facial Cleanser

Sweet cleansing that smells good enough to eat.

98.31% NATURAL

How it Works

Cleanse and exfoliate in one step! Lemon oil and yucca extract naturally remove makeup and impurities while poppy seeds gently exfoliate delicate facial skin. It’s rich in moisturizing botanical oils and vitamins that leave your skin refreshed and revived.

How to Use It

Wet your face and apply cleanser with your fingertips or washcloth, massaging gently to loosen and remove dirt and makeup. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow with a cool rinse. Complete your daily regimen with a toner and your favorite Burt's Bees cream or lotion.

Featured Ingredient

Lemon Oil — Obtained from the fresh peel of the fruit of the Citrus Lemon tree, this oil is known for its astringent and anti-irritant qualities.

Ingredients: citrus medica limonum (lemon) water, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, stearic acid, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, glycerin, beeswax, citrus medica limonum (lemon) fruit oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, papaver orientale (poppy) seeds, yucca schidigera leaf extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, vegetable oil, beta carotene, tocopherol, panthenol, glucose, xanthan gum, sucrose stearate, sodium borate, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase, phenoxyethanol

http://www.egyptianmagic.com/

Ingredients : Olive Oil, BeesWax, Honey Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, and Bee Propolis, thats it!

It doesn' t clog pores, adds an amazing glow and hydrates your body, face and hair. Perfect after-shaving lotion, softens hands and feet, can be used as lip gloss, as a daily hair conditioner, and also eases irritation from mosquito bites, treats burns, and blemishes, great for eczema, diaper rashes, and stretch marks.

It's just an all around balm that has multiple uses. This item can be a bit on the pricey side but one container can last quite a few months because a little goes a long way. I just recently started using this item after being suggested that I try it at my local whole foods store and my skin is completely blemish free and glowing. It's great!

Honey "Moisturising" Shampoo

Taken from : http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com

Best if you want to: Say goodbye to dry hair with a creamy shampoo that helps restore moisture and softness for naturally shiny, healthy hair.

Best for: dry, damaged or chemically-treated hair

How it works:

Community Trade organic honey moisturizes and conditions hair and adds shine.
Community Trade Brazil nut oil and Community Trade organic olive oil moisturize and soften hair.
Wheat and Brazil nut amino acids add moisture, softness and manageability.

Holiday Derailing

2010-04-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last confession.....

Yes, it has been a while. I feel like instead of enjoying the holidays I'm starting to dread them. My work gets very demanding and stressful during this time and takes a toll on my poor body. I run myself into the ground with 3-4 hours of sleep a night, yes...you heard that right. Then top that off with a poor diet plan and you got a recipe for disaster.

Today is the first day in a while that I actually feel like myself again. You see, I am the only one in my family that follows and embraces the raw vegan lifestyle (this includes my husband) so during the holidays I find myself having to eat what everyone else has prepared even if it is not my normal diet. I have to say that this Easter, out of every other holiday this year, has really thrown me for a loop. I think because I have been on a fairly steady raw diet, that for the first time I actually felt the repercussions of coming off of it. I've felt sick to my stomach on more then one occasion, bloated, crampy, constipated and just not myself. I've felt lost these last couple weeks and it has taken a while to get back into my groove. I've finally brushed off the funk and I am now back and ready to go. This experience has further strengthened my love and respect for my new found raw lifestyle.

I have to start out by saying that there are quite a few things going on lately with me. I will be prepping myself for another seasonal "juice feasting" and detoxification in 4 weeks. (I've been reading this book lately ...it's great, you should check it out) :

I have made the personal decision to take myself off of my birth control pills and because of this I will be trying to flush out all of the harmful toxins build up in my body due to artificial hormones for the last 9 years. This has been a very personal battle for me. I don't believe in medication and at the time when I was prescribed this I really had no choice in the matter. I have a choice now and this will no longer be holding me back from embracing my full healing potential. I will be documenting my experience since after many days of online research I've found barely any information about taking yourself off of the pill, so this may help others not be so scared to venture out and take back control of their bodies. I will get more in detail about this soon. Thanks for listening....here are some posts that I've been collecting for a while on my little hiatus.....enjoy and stay strong :)

Matcha Green Tea

2010-03-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

A cute little green tea company that I came across recently is :

http://www.matchasource.com/

On their website you can order Matcha tea in small 1 oz. containers or in bulk, they also have a very cute page of recipes they've created using this tea. They may not be completely raw based but they've posted some super yummy recipes for green tea truffles, cupcakes, Pots de Creme, as well as shortbread cookies....love it!

My Newest Obsession :

Matcha Green Tea Powder

Matcha Green Tea is packed with superstar antioxidants found in green tea called EGCGs, studies have shown that the EGCG amount in Matcha green tea is 137 times the amount in normal green tea. You would have to drink 137 cups of normal green tea to get the same brain-health benefits from just one cup of Matcha.

EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

It also has Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron ,ZINc, Copper, Protein, Fibre, Antioxidants, Beta Carotene, and Chlorophyll

According to researches done in Japan, Matcha contains nearly 10 times the polyphenols and antioxidants of regular teas, 2 times the antioxidants of a glass of red wine, approximately 9 times the beta-carotene of spinach, and 4 time that of carrots.

It also :

Improves mental alertness & energy
Increases calmness and reduces stress
Boosts metabolic rate by 35-40%
Powerful "Anti-Aging" activity due to the super-charged antioxidants
Lowers blood pressure

Decreases level of LDL or "bad"cholesterol

Minimizes symptoms of PMS

"Super" cancer-fighting and cancer-preventative activity

Eases constipation due to high level of easily absorbable dietary fiber

Stabilizes blood sugar levels

Powerful anti-biotic and anti-viral activity

Strong blood detoxifier and alkalyzer, due to the high Chlorophyll content

Matcha Frappe :
3 ice cubes
¼ cup coconut milk
¾ cup water
1 Tbsp. agave
1/2 Tsp. Matcha Green Tea powder

Matcha Green Tea Smoothie :
(I drink one of these practically everyday!)

1 tbsp. of matcha green tea
1 frozen banana
1-2 cups almond milk (depends on how thick you want it)
and alittle agave if you prefer

* You can also make this recipe into a soft serve green tea ice cream, just add less almond milk for a thicker consistancy

Chia Fruit Salad

2010-03-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

I figured I'd pop back in with a quick yummy recipe that I discovered on : http://www.rawmazing.com. It's very much a summer treat but there's nothing wrong with pushing summer forward a bit. Enjoy!

Chia Fruit Salad

1 Apple, chopped
1 Orange, chopped
1/2 cup unsweetened crasins
1/2 C walnuts
1/2 C flaked coconut (unsweetened)

Dressing
3 Tsp. Agave
Juice from 1 lemon
1 Tsp. Chia seeds

Combine all salad ingredients.
Whisk the lemon juice into the the agave,
stir in the chia seeds and pour over salad.
Mix to combine.

Pretty Cool!!!

So I have quite a few people I follow on a daily basis that post videos on youtube with Raw food advise, recipes, nutrition questions and so on. I'm no stocker..haha, I just love learning and new advice. I also find "vlogging," more personal sometimes over the typical webpage. One of them I follow is the "Renegade Health Show," hosted by Kevin Gianni and his wife AnnMarie, you can find their webpage at :
http://www.therenegadehealthshow.com
Kevin is a fun loving gent who seems to have a lot of positive spunk in his messages, he makes his video's informative and fun. Well, today I visited his webpage and noticed that he was offering his book "High Raw" as a free 200+ page download. I'm so excited to start reading it, I'll fill you in as I get further in the pages. This is an Amazon review that was posted about this book :

"Having studied health and nutrition for many years, I can honestly say I really really like this book.

First, Kevin offers a great contrast on why we are so sick and tired in this country. But, he does not dwell on the negative. He gives flexible principles to help people achieve optimum health. These principles are refreshingly clear of any rigid dogma. Again, the book is about fun, variety, and living to your full potential, all with the uniqueness to you.

There are five main principles in the book:
Eat Real Food & Think Like a Raw Foodist, Make Health Your Top Priority, Know your Body, Educate yourself, and Take Action.

Again, no dogma with lots of insights from years of trial and error and hundreds of interviews. He also has a lots of tools for fitness, nutrition, spiritual development, finding pure water, over coming roadblocks, eliminating cravings, dealing with information overload, superfoods.

In summary, his goal is helping the reader achieve optimal health with no dogma, lots of flexibility, keeping it fun, etc. A must read for anyone in taking their health to the next level."

Check it out...it's great that there are people out there not out for just the dollar, who truly are passionate about the health of others. Kudo's to them.
(Here's a video that I thought had a lot of great insight on nutrition and diet)

"10 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism and Reach Optimal Health"

Raw Chocolate Giveaway

2010-03-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

Raw Chocolate and Beauty Giveaway :

Check out Philip McCluskey's "Loving Raw" Blog for more information, this is one of the many amazing giveaway's he is usually offering, all you have to do is sign up to join his blog (which is great to begin with) and answer the question below in his blog comments.
What Is Your Favorite Essential Oil?

Philip is a figure in the raw food world, a positive light in this movement. Check out his website:
http://www.lovingraw.com/blog/2010/3/22/raw-chocolate-beauty-giveaway.html
(sorry, having some trouble with my link attachments)

Good luck, you have until March 24th, so hurry and check it out!!!

"This site is designed to give you all the tools you need for transforming your life, with even more information, inspiration and general ROCKSTAR qualities! Whether you’re looking to lose weight, learn about the wonders of raw food, break old habits, overcome emotional eating (or other addictive behaviors), eco-living, or you just want to connect with other vibrant, hip and loving people, you’ve come to the right place!"

Just thought I'd pass on the love, and of coarse the chocolate....
You can also check out :
http://www.rawgoddessheathy.com
(one of my favorite dessert blogs) for the same giveaway.

I will be back shortly with more good stuff to come,
stay tuned and rock on!

1 Minute Meditation

2010-03-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

1-Minute Meditation :

Make yourself comfortable. Put both feet on the floor, rest your hands in your lap.
Next, close your eyes and breathe long, slow, deep breaths, count to 4 on the inhale, and 4 on the exhale. Focus on your breathing. Repeat for one minute, and push all the thoughts and stresses from your mind. This will help center you.

More to come...

2010-03-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

So much more to come....

Since being "Newly Raw," I have been doing tons and tons of research in general covering all spectrum's and have thought of way too many topics to discuss here. So I've decided to give some what of an outline of topics I plan to cover in depth below.

My Disclaimer :

I am no doctor by any means but I love helping others who are curious about alternative medicine, and the raw lifestyle. My non-conformist views on life, health, and nutrition may come off odd to others, but it all feels very natural to me. You should never stray from the real you even if others may question or shun it. To be completely honest, its quite funny if you think about it, it's all so similar in relation to the concept of someones religious beliefs, both parties have a strong passion for what they believe is right.
Simply...love life, love yourself and others, and surround yourself with individuals that support and understand you and your chose to follow this lifestyle.
I was thinking the other day, that although some people may think that following a diet like this is not a big deal, it actually is! I am consciously choosing to not only question what others see as "normal," but also in a way possibly isolating myself in the mean time. This lifestyle can be a challenge and it is empowering and encouraging to surround yourself with positive people who will help you through your journey. I've been telling myself this my whole life and finally listening.
Before ending my ramble, let me leave you with this. I want to know why society believes that they have a grasp on health care when it's so painfully obvious that the "American diet," is all about money. This thought popped into my head yesterday as I drove past 6 fast food restaurants on my 1 mile drive home and noticed that pharmacy's now have a drive-up window. Do you really have that many drugs to pick-up that you need to use a drive-through window, let alone, the concept that people don't even want to get out of the car to get them. This is a problem on sooo many levels! It is an evil cycle that can be ended if you simply feed your mind and body with nutritionally dense raw foods.(End of ramble)

Future Blogs :
- How to prepare raw food, and what kitchen gadgets are a must,
Vitamix vs. Blendtec / Spiralizers & Juicers / Dehydrators

- Movie & Raw Book Reviews / Recipe Book Reviews :
Food Inc. / No Impact Man / Green for Life / Gabriel Cousens : Simply Raw, Reversing Diabetes in 30 days

- How to find local stores, farm's and restaurants that cater to your Raw lifestyle

- Natural beauty products, and recipes for home-made ideas

- Prescription drugs, covering the issues not healing them

- Detox :
Juice Feasting / Fasting / Liver detox

- David Wolfe / Gabriel Cousens / Dr. Douglas Graham and the 80/10/10 diet, to name a few, who they are, and how they are part of the raw food movement

- Local events such as health fairs and seminars in your area

- Fitness :
Hatha Yoga & Birkram Yoga / Sauna's and Infrared Sauna's and their role in detoxification

- Many recipes, focusing on easy preparation and of coarse yummy raw desserts

- The importance behind proper sleep and hydration

- Maintaining a healthy hormonal balance (a personal journey)

- How to grow and maintain an organic farm of your own

- Super foods & seeds, and their benefits :
Goji Berries / Maca / Spirulina / Acai / Hemp

- Informative Websites and web stores

and anything fun along the way......

Fitness vs. The Raw Diet

2010-03-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

Fitness vs. The Raw Diet

This topic is challenging for me since I don't really believe in the concept of a "diet." The use of the word diet for me almost refers to something that is temporary when really what everyone needs is a lifestyle change. Practicing (for me at least) in raw food is an all over dietary and mental re-balancing and renewal not a hobby to pass the time. If you commit an allotted time on eating raw as well as a moderate fitness routine, hit your "goal" then change back to what you were eating and back to the bad food habits you had before your transformation you just reversed all of your hard work. Your body simply responds to what you feed it...."you are what you eat."

Raw food is a new passion of mine but fitness has always been an emotional and physical outlet for me. At first I felt it would be hard to balance the two evenly but in all honesty I been feeling great and I find I have a lot more energy that I can put towards my workouts. I used to workout at least 3-4 times a week, sometime disturbingly everyday, but now I find I'm only needing 1-2 times a week just for toning. If you let go of the concept that working out is only for weight management you allow yourself to enjoy the activity more and you really have to realize that your raw food lifestyle will take care of the rest.

Fitness for me gives me a renewed sense of being, I feel so amazingly positive after every workout. When those endorphins kick in, you just feel like nothing can stop you and you can take on the world. This is, if you allow yourself to "hit the wall" as they say, and push yourself physically. But you will not have the energy to do so if you don't allow your body the proper nutrients it requires to rebuild, renew, and strengthen itself.

This takes me into my newest routine which consists of the "green smoothy." I did a lot of research on this since I started to discover that there are so many variations, since raw recipes are open to everyone's interpretation of it you are allowed to experiment in order to create your own version that works for you. This is what I've found works for me :

My version of the "Green Smoothy" :

2 Large handful's of Spinach

1- 1 1/2 cups of pineapple juice (or water)

1 large frozen banana

1 frozen orange

1 tblsp. of ground flax seed

1 tsp. of maca powder

1 tsp. of acai powder

1 tsp. of chia seeds

Add the liquid first, I like pineapple juice but I've also had this with water and it tastes just as good. Create your base with the juice and frozen banana, (this will make it creamier) in a blender then add your orange.

You can then add the powders and "superfoods" or your choosing.

I like flax seed a lot for its protein and fiber content (I try to have this everyday), acai for its antioxidant properties, maca for it B-12 energy and hormonal balance, and the chia seeds because it helps the body with absorbing nutrients and its also another great source of soluble fiber. (I love my fiber!)

Then blend in your greens, I like spinach for this but kale is also a very popular choose. With your base created how you like it, you won't even taste this part of the recipe.

I was recently told to look into reading a book called "Green for Life," by Victoria Boutenko. It goes deeper into the health benefits of the green smoothy. I'll let you know all about it when I get a chance to pick up a copy and give it a read. Today would be my official third day on the green smoothy and I feel great. I had a full body workout yesterday and had an enormous amount of energy to put into it, and all and all I just feel amazing. My skin is clear, my aura is positive and my being just feels centered.

Vitamin C

2010-02-20T10:45:00.001-08:00

Love My Vitamin C,

Still having major cravings, but this week I'm on a natural Vitamin C "high". When I was younger I really hated the taste of oranges and now I find that my mother was right, my taste buds changed as I aged and now I can't get enough.

Being someone who is a huge advocate of working out and spending a lot of time in the gym, I have experimented with many natural ways in achieving more energy to put into my workouts. I've done the whole B12 thing, eating carbs before my workout, and other dietary supplements. One day after hitting up my local farmers market in California I had a snack of 4 clementine's (which are by far my fave) and found that my energy level was immaculate and everlasting. I didn't crash afterwards and it just made me feel good all over. I was hooked after that.

Here are some benefits of Vitamin C :

It's a natural antioxidant that can protect your body from free radicals. Vitamin C is responsible for producing collagen which is present in your muscles and bones, and it holds the cells together. It naturally helps and strengthens your immune system. You can obtain Vitamin C from citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits, as well as tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and even potatoes. When Vitamin C is combined with iron, iron becomes absorbed by your body better. These are only a few advantages....

This leads me to a few of my favorite orange recipes.

The first one was inspired by my mom, who would add sugar to my orange juice just so I would drink it. I loved when she made us an orange julius, so I've created this raw version for myself to enjoy...I think you will love it!

I also created a recipe based on my love of sparkling water, but I added a twist, and to end it all I added a recipe for Orange Chocolate Cheesecake. I added this because not only does it include oranges but it also includes my 2nd fave right now, chocolate.

Raw Julius :

3 oranges cut up and frozen (orange part only)

1 cup almond milk

1/4 cup agave

1 tsp. vanilla

It's as simple as that!

Simple Orange Soda :

Juice of 1 Orange

1 tsp. agave

sparkling mineral water

Chocolate Orange Cheesecake :

(Crust:)

1 cup pre-soaked Almonds

1/4 cup Cacao Powder

3 Dates

Combine all ingredients in the food processor, process until ground fine.

Mixture should hold together when pressed.

If it doesn't, add water until texture is achieved.

Press into a 6″ spring form pan. Place in refrigerator.

(Filling:)

2/3 cups Fresh Squeezed orange juice

3 tbsp. of orange zest

2/3 C Agave

2 1/2 C Cashews (soaked at least 3 hours)

3/4 C Coconut Butter

1/2 t. Sweet Orange Essential Oil (optional as it is not raw but still very healthy)

Place cashews, agave, coconut butter, zest, essential oil, and orange juice in the

food processor and process until very smooth. Pour over crust,

Refrigerate for 4 hours, garnish top w/ orange slice

2010-02-13T14:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day !!!

I strangely have been craving tons and tons of chocolate lately, I guess its a women thing. Well I've found two recipes in particular that I've been enjoying recently both involving chocolate. Their simple, delicious and have been curbing my on-going cravings to splurge.

Simple Chocolate Sauce :

1/2 cup raw agave nectar (I like Trader Joe's brand)

1/2 cup raw cocao powder

1 tbsp olive oil

Blend all three ingredients together until smooth and then enjoy!

It keeps well in the fridge and freezer (although it will thicken in the fridge)

I like dunking my strawberries and fruit in this, it has a rich creamy dark chocolate taste.

(This one is husband approved!)

Chocolate Soft Serve Ice Cream :

2 frozen banana's

1 cup almond milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp raw cocao powder

1 tbsp agave nectar

Puree ingredients in blender and enjoy it in soft serve form, or pop it into the freezer for an hour to firm it up a little. You can also leave it in the freezer if you like the consistency of an italian ices. I prefer it as a soft serve though.

Raw Vegan Pyramid

2010-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

So....I've come to realize that there are a lot of people who do not know what it means to eat raw food and what the term "raw" really stands for, so I thought I should clear a few things up.

For my meat loving friends out there, I'm sorry to say in the raw food world ....there is no love!

- Raw food is made up of organically grown fruits, vegetables, nuts & seeds only. (Basically every form of food that you can find naturally, which has not been processed and its form has not been manipulated by man.)

- Meat and dairy are not raw foods

- Raw foods are not heated above 112 degrees,

therefore the enzymes are not destroyed in the cooking process

- Raw foods retain an enormously higher nutrient value than cooked foods (Enzymes aid in digestion and absorption of food, when food is cooked it cause toxicity in the body which can lead to illness)

- Alkaline PH is high in raw foods, which is ideal for optimal health, a body which is over acidic usually suffers from acute or chronic diseases

- Raw foods = food that is "alive" (in its purest form)

- Raw food is sometimes listed as a "diet" but it is definitely a life style (I will discuss this much further in my next post because it agitates me..)