Rawfully Organic Girl Knows How To Cook!

I'm so excited that I came across this  Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram of Rawfully Organic (www.rawfullyorganic.com) and FullyRaw (www.fullyraw.com)

Her receipes are great and I cannot wait to try this.  Check this out!   This is a RAW LASAGNA!  And it looks so easy to make.  I have a link to her YouTube Channel in the right margin (I do this for myself so I can always find what interests me - maybe it will interest you too).






And for the question about Protein you have to watch this:

And before I go this one is a winner - Raw Jicama "Rice" and Orange Spice - You're going to enjoy Kristina's energy.  (I'm reposting these because I really like them).

Keep It Moving!

I got a little excited when someone showed me the app they downloaded on their phone to measure the amount of walking they do.  Of course I immediately looked up the App store on my Droid and found quite a few FREE apps - But to be honest, I don't carry my phone in MY POCKET or on a BELT Clip - I tried that a long time ago, but it just doesn't work for me.  So, my phone is either in my pocket book or on my desk.

Soooooo, today I went to the big box store and got myself a New Balance Via Mini Sports Pedometer. This little guy has a little clip so you can clip it on your belt, but I just put it in my pocket.  It calculates the number of steps I've walked, number of calories burned, Distance walked, and Time spent walking.   This was under $15.00 -  They had another one that had a USB plug on it so you could download the daily totals to your computer - But I figured I can just do that on a spreadsheet.   Initially I just wanted to see how much I'm walking during a normal day - then with all the added features I thought why not create a little spread sheet and keep a daily record of what I'm doing.  This will give me some added motivation to keep my butt moving!

I said last week that I (we) were going to be doing a 5 day Juice Reboot starting on June 25th.  Well, I decided that because I'm doing so well Juicing in the morning and afternoons and eating plant based foods at night, that instead of Juicing 100% for the 5 days, I would Juice morning and afternoon (Green Juice primarily) and in the evenings have just vegetables (leaving out the Grains, nuts, seeds, legumes).  So that is what we are doing.  Come Saturday I will add back in the Grains...   And I also check the BMI Index again and after measuring my height I actually have 10 more pounds to loose - not the 5 I had thought.  I have really been holding firm at 140 not moving up or down.  It will be interesting to see if I drop any pounds this week leaving out the Grains...  Tonight for dinner we had BBQ corn on the cob, BBQ Portabella mushrooms with grilled tomatoe and onions, with steamed squash and full featured salad! I'm in heaven! I completely forgot to take a photo of it - Trust Me It Was Delicious!

And I also bought a couple of  the Brita Water Bottles which have the Brita Filters (which you can replace).  I don't drink enough water - I just don't understand why it's such a hard thing for me to do.  Initially when I started - I was doing really great with the water, but then I just forget about it.  The water where I live is horrible as they chlorinate the lines.   I have a Brita Filter in the Refrigerator and one on my faucet -  I thought perhaps if I use this, I'll be more inclined to keep them filled and keep refilling - thus drink more -  We'll see how it goes.

Well, time to hit the pillow - gonna see how the Pedometer works on the Treadmill first thing tomorrow! Happy Juicing.    Hey if you are out there and are reading my posts, I'd love to hear how your own journey is going, please feel free to post a comment below!  

A Picture Worth 1000 Calories or more...

When I look at these two images and realize that I began the journey to change the way I eat almost 5 months Ago - it really hits me that there has been substantial change going on here!  Look at those Chipmunk Cheeks in 2011!  The photo thisyear/2012 I look like my younger self!  (younger is a relative word - but which is appropriate as I feel younger!).

June 25- Next Monday, we are going to do another 5 Day JUICE ONLY Reboot.  It will be interesting to see how I (we) do. I'm checking out my friends over at www.JoinTheReboot.com web site as well as the Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead face book page.  When I began this in February, it was really helpful to be able to log on to those forums and read other peoples experience as they work their way through a multi day JUICE ONLY reboot.  It's a supportive and encouraging way to NOT EAT for a week.  Some people don't need the support, but I personally enjoy it.

This past Wednesday I did break a little - but I'm not worried about it, we had a sales meeting and Danielle French from Blue Water Mortgage came in to talk with our Associates about 203K mortgage programs for buyers (in case you didn't know, I am an Associate Broker with Weichert Realtors Points East Yankee Trader serving  the Seacoast areas of  Maine & NH), ANYWAY, Danielle brought in refreshments including cheese, crackers and Wine!  I ALMOST had a glass of wine but then "chose" not to, but I did have some cheese and grapes....... I'm pretty comfortable at this stage not drinking (don't even desire it)  and as far as the cheese - I just consider it a little treat,  I try to remind myself that it's a lifestyle change, not a prison sentence. 

It's Been Almost 5 Months - Down 30 Pounds (5 more to go) - No Meat, No Poultry, No Dairy, No Processed Food And Still NOT SMOKING 

For those who haven't seen Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead yet, you can watch it on your computer by going over to http://www.JoinTheReboot.com  -  FOR FREE - or you can see it on Netflix -  We watched that and Forks Over Knives again last weekend when we went for a visit up to a friends Camp.   

Speaking of friends, we had a great time at camp and I actually took my Juicer with me.  Ted and Tammy enjoyed the juices I made each morning and were excited to continue with it after I left.  I gave them my juicer (the Waring Pro) so next time we go visit I know we'll have juice!

This is Beet, Celery, Cucumber & Apple

This is Celery, Cucumber, Apple, Spinach

There is nothing quite like going to someplace else to relax and unwind - This place was amazing as are the friends who own it.   Juice On!

Another Great Video Site

I Stumbled upon another Video site that isso worth watching- Put out by the University of California San Diego,  there is a series of videos that talk about  Health and primarily Obesity - and SUGAR - The more I read the more and more Sugar keeps rising to the top as the real enemy when it comes to health.  Here is one of the videos check it out. And check out their You Tube Channel -

http://www.uctv.tv/skinny-on-obesity/



Here is their press release - this is so worth watching -
UCTV PRIME YOUTUBE SERIES
(4/10/2012)

LA JOLLA, CA - Is sugar a toxin that's fueling the global obesity epidemic? That's the argument UCSF's Dr. Robert Lustig makes in "Sugar: The Bitter Truth," a video that appeared on University of California Television's (UCTV) YouTube channel in 2009 and has since gone viral with over 2.2 million views, sparking a national dialogue and warranting coverage in The New York Times and most recently on "60 Minutes." On UCTV Prime's new series, "The Skinny on Obesity," Dr. Lustig and two of his UCSF colleagues tease out the science behind this alarming claim and the dire threat it poses to global public health. The 7-part documentary series premieres April 13 on UCTV Prime, a YouTube original channel, with new episodes every Friday. Video and bonus content are available at www.uctv.tv/skinny-on-obesity

Throughout the series, Dr. Lustig, a UCSF pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, and his colleagues Elissa Epel and Barbara Laraia, co-directors of the UCSF Center for Obesity Assessment, Study and Treatment (COAST), unpack the scientific and sociological factors that have contributed to the startling rise in obesity rates over the last 30 years. Featuring interviews, charts and graphic visualizations, the 6 to 10-minute episodes provide a comprehensive perspective on an issue that affects everyone, of any weight.

"The Skinny on Obesity," an original YouTube series from UCTV Prime

April 13 "An Epidemic for Every Body" How did we get so fat, so fast? The debut episode debunks the theory that obesity only affects the "gluttons and sloths" among us and is, in fact, a public health problem that impacts everyone.

April 20 "Sickeningly Sweet"Dr. Lustig illustrates the overabundance of sugar in today's processed convenience foods and explains how our bodies metabolize these sugars in the same way as alcohol or other toxins, causing damage to the liver and other organs.

April 27 "Hunger and Hormones: A Vicious Cycle" Sugar impacts the brain just as much as the waistline. In this episode, Dr. Lustig explains the biochemical shifts that sugar causes, making us store fat and feel hungry at the same time.

May 4 "Sugar: A Sweet Addiction"Sugar isn't just sweet, it's addictive. This episode explores the cycle of addiction that sugar causes in the brain, much in the same way as drugs and alcohol.

May 11 "Generation XL"An unnerving trend of obese infants is just one indication that obesity can be passed on from mother to fetus. This installment looks towards the next generation, with an emphasis on preventive care and pre-natal health.

May 18 "A Fast-Paced, Fast Food Life"The pace of modern life is a key contributor to today's obesity epidemic. Elissa Epel and Barbara Laraia explain the connection and offer practical and effective solutions that don't involve dieting and exercise.

May 25 "Drugs, Cigarettes, Alcohol.and Sugar?" Our experts offer a frank indictment of the country's agricultural policy and food industry, which have made it nearly impossible to avoid sugar in our daily diet, and suggestions for possible remedies.

UCTV Prime launched March 1 as the first university-run channel to be included among YouTube's new production partnerships with recognizable brands like The Wall Street Journal, Madonna and TED. With documentary mini-series, interviews, commentaries and video shorts each week, UCTV Prime brings to light the innovations, trends, issues and personalities that shape our world, drawing on the tremendous knowledge resources of the University of California's ten campuses, five medical schools, three national labs and other affiliated institutions.

Based on the UC San Diego campus, UCTV presents educational and enrichment programming from the campuses, national laboratories, and affiliated institutions of the University of California. UCTV delivers science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities and the arts to a general audience, as well as specialized programming for health care professionals, teachers and researchers. UCTV is available worldwide via live stream, video archives and podcasting at www.uctv.tv, on YouTube at www.youtube.com/uctv and www.youtube.com/uctvprime, on iTunesU in the Beyond Campus section, and on cable in select cities throughout California. For a complete list of UCTV's outlets, visit www.uctv.tv/wheretowatch.

Simple is Better - Want Some PULP?

After 4 months of Juicing - I'm liking a simpler Juice Extractor - I was given the Waring Pro and it's very convenient and provides for quick clean up -  The house I live in is on a Septic System, so nothing goes down the kitchen pipes other than water.   I'm finding with the Waring Pro (perhaps there are other Juicers available like this one) clean up seems quicker than with the Cuisinart Juice Extractor - I think it is because the unit pieces are simple with no fancy injection molding going on, so you just un-latch it from the base, empty and clean.  Here is a 1-handed Video of me trying to demonstrate this (I'm sure you'll enjoy the almost Mr. Rogers style of music I use at the beginning and end). 



I'm having a great time amusing myself with all of this - but at the same time improving my health!  It's funny, my girlfriend just sent me a FB message as we are getting together soon for a cook out- She's concerned about what to cook and said "...what should we make for dinner? you are completely vegetarian now right?"   This is interesting - I new that changing the way I eat would be different for me, but as it turns out it's having an impact on those I know.    Shopping ONLY in the Produce section of the grocery store now - I'm getting so use to just eating Vegetables -  And you can get so creative with it as I've shown with some of the Dishes Bruce comes up with - look at the dishes below.  I mean look at that 2nd dish the Grilled Portabella stacked with tomatoes and roasted vegetables..... My mouth is watering just looking at that...  We'll work it out -  Cook what ever you wish, I'll bring the Vegetable Dish! How's that.    Would you like me to bring some PULP?   HA.
By the way, as I mentioned in an earlier post,  I'm meeting some great people through the various web sites I've found, and they are all into sharing what they are making, which helps alot when you can see photos of food! 

By the way, a friend of mine posted on her blog today about Juicing and Compost - funny she was talking about the pulp as well, check out her blog GreenerGreenGrass Organic Lawn Care Blog

Well, gotta go plant some veggies that Ralph and Joyce brought me yesterday (Chard, Pepper, Eggplant and one other I think - Unfortunately they are not marked and I have NO CLUE oh yeah the purple one is cabbage) - I'll have to put them on the deck, as I have a rouge Chipmunk who has taken up Residence in my yard! 

Chocolate, Cheese, Meat and Sugar?

I just stumbled upon this YouTube Video and it's Amazing and Entertaining - It's 40 minutes so find a comfortable chair!  I hope you find it as informative as I did. 

 

Even the Sknny Jeans Are to Big!

June 3rd - three days shy of 4 months on my journey. The jeans I'm wearing in this photo (it's not the most flattering photo) I bought probably 13 years ago. Just before Bruce took the photo this morning (and not having a belt on), I actually was able to pull them down over my hips without  undoing them.  That cracked me up!  NO I'm not going to take a photo of that! 

A friend  of mine the other day said, "what's up with you - why the Vegetarian thing? There's nothing wrong with Beef, Chicken, Pork and Fish".  He actually sounded perturbed at me.  I tried to explain,  "Look, I started this to change the way I eat - initially it was for 15 days to cleanse the system and give me a boost on changing the way I eat..."  I actually heard myself almost apologizing for what I'm doing.  But I thought to myself  "self, he may just be threatened by your desire to keep it up, which is not easy and if he can bring you down maybe you'll cave in and eat those things..."  But (as Bruce says) Therein Lies the Rub!  I CAN eat those things- I've just chosen NOT TO.   I'm loving how I feel.  From walking, bending over, laying down, moving!   I love going to the grocery store and just going to the Produce department (and maybe twice a month to some other isles to get things like tooth paste...).    Why don't we just dismiss with the Labels that you put on it.   Lets NOT USE THE WORDS - VEGAN or VEGETARIAN,   Let's just say that I'm eating everything EXCEPT Dairy, Meat, Chicken, Pork and Processed Food.... Is that easier to wrap your arms around  (I know I can wrap my arms around myself since I started this - HA HA)."

I'm having an amazing journey-  And when I think about it from another perspective I'm winning on another front -

Being self employed  I cannot afford to buy Health Insurance (I suppose you don't have to be self employed not to be able to afford Health Insurance these days). So, by focusing my food dollars on food that not only helps with my weight but has the added BONUS of promoting good Health -  I've won!      And, not to get political here but did you hear about New York wanting to put a ban on large size sodas?   I agree that Americans are very spoiled and can eat what ever they want - and we live in a society where speed and convenience is paramount.  It's far easier to stop at a fast food restaurant than it is to stop at the grocery and buy wholesome food to take home and prepare it for yourself.      But "I" personally don't need government to tell me what I can and cannot EAT or DRINK.   It's a Desire and Education that I needed to change the way I do things and thanks to the internet I'm finding that and embracing it.    Hopefully by changing my lifestyle and what I CHOOSE to eat and drink I will be healthier and not become a burden on Society.   I was at a point in my life where I was eating way more than what I was burning and was packing it on.  I didn't necessarily eat poorly, I just ate alot and way more beef, poultry, dairy and processed foods than raw food.     I wasn't exercising beyond what it took to walk from the house to the car, car to a building and so on.  I felt like Crap!  And I looked like Crap!   I Smoked, drank, ate like I was going to live forever - and I'm over 55!  (This sounds like a country western song).    When I saw those 2 Movies (below ), it was LIFE CHANGING!!!!!!!   I've chosen to do it myself, with the most incredible help and support from some amazing people - like  JOE CROSS and his documentary   FAT, SICK AND NEARLY DEAD -  And Dr. Colin Campbell Phd and his involvement in the Movie Forks Over Knives and his Book "The China Study", and the great folks I've become aquainted with on Fat Sick and Nearly Deads Facebook page who have turned me on to other publications (like those above), and my old friends, current friends and new friends and family who have encouraged me.   I'm  feeling good and can't get enough of this.

Check out this 9 Minute Video Clip -
There are tons of YouTube videos on "The China Study"  or you can buy the book (or not).

This morning I came across another site that further reinforces the reasons I'm continuing on the path I'm on -   check out the movie  "A Delicate Balance"      it covers much of what Forks Over Knives says, and references Dr. Colin Campbells work with the China Study.   I'm an infant at this, but I like what I'm reading and hearing - I love what I'm cooking - and I like that I can pull anything out of my closet or drawers and put it on!   

 I'm just along for the ride!