Day 21 of My 21+ Day Raw Food Cleanse

Well, well, well, day 21 has come and gone!  All is well in the life of a raw food explorer and the food has been pretty good too!  Not sure I am done with all of this.  In fact, I am certain I am not.  I have had more temptations over the last few days but I have not wavered!  I have held true to the calling to live totally raw for the last 21 days!
It's a great time of year to do this as organic produce abounds (just not as much in Sidney, NE)  Eye roll with a :) All I can say to that is, "Thank God for the internet and the ability to order on-line!"  The question now seems to be," How long?"  I'm not sure!  I have enjoyed finding new recipes and the knowledge that absolutely everything I put in my mouth is beneficial!  I feel Amazing!  As I have written before, inflammation was the primary reason for doing this and I happily report it is way down. I am not ready to go back where I was (PERIOD).  I am not willing to sacrifice freedom from pain for a few bites of something that might satisfy the pallet and bring on the urges for junk food and dairy products.  You all know that ice-cream has been a weakness for a very long time.  I can honestly say that I have kicked that weakness.  Dairy is like a poison to my system.  Combine that with all the sugar and fat and for me it is a mixture that literally sets my body on fire.  The taste may well satisfy the longing for covering up emotional injustice (comfort food) but the results are from comforting.
Yes, I will stay on this path for awhile.  I will keep you apprised of how things are going.  So continue in your prayers for me for health and well being, for encouragement and the longing for the healthy body I so much desire.  No-one can ever accuse me of not doing the necessary work to get there.  It can be a rough road but the road less traveled truly is rewarding.  I can tell you this from many experiences and they don't all have to do with the food I eat!  More of that another time!  God Bless!
Oh, weight wise:  I started this brief journey at 221 lbs.  I didn't remove as much as I would have liked but I weighed in this morning at 215.   Not bad for not having added in the exercise that I so desperately need to do!  I will get there!  Check back in a week or so for more updates!  Again, I pray God's blessings upon you!
Veronica

Prayer

Live Life

Ephesians 2:10

Day 17 of MY 21+ Day Raw Food Cleanse

And....it's working!  

I am beginning to see some weight loss though not a lot, the toxins are on their "weigh out"!

Far more important to me than the weight is the removal of the toxins and with their removal my inflammation is greatly reduced.  I find that not only do my back and joints feel better (YAY) but I am not popping my knuckles like I did before.  My muscles are not as stiff upon rising and I don't feel like an old woman!  It just keeps getting better.

I am not at day 21 yet so I continue on and I must admit there have been some wonderful food smells that cause me to think that I cannot do this forever.....but then again, I feel good!  That is so HUGE!  I do not know for certain where this path will lead but I do know, it has been worth the journey!

Where are you?  Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and/or tired?  Are you ready to make some changes in your life or your diet?  Write me and let me know your thoughts and questions!

Natural Antibiotics

*Garlic is a powerful, natural antibiotic – and it doesn’t kill off our healthy bacteria like drug antibiotics do. Unlike chemical antibiotics, garlic is also an effective antiviral and antifungal – and taking just a few cloves of garlic each day can really speed infections away.

*Echinacea is an herb that promotes the proper functioning of the immune system, and it has antifungal and antiviral agents that help fend off infections.This herb also helps in relieving pain, in diminishing inflammation, and in providing the body with necessary antioxidants. It has been used to treat Candida infections, ear infections, sinusitis, athelete’s foot, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, allergies and wounds. Consuming this herb at the onset of a cold can diminish the time that you experience cold symptoms.

*Oregano-One of the main benefits of Oil of Oregano is that it works as a natural antibiotic and is also antiviral

*Ginseng has been used for centuries as a therapy to treat failing vitality. However, the immune system benefits of ginseng include use against viruses, free radicals and even radiation. Siberian ginseng has been shown to help the body counteract and adapt to stress, increase vitality and strengthen the immune system. Ginseng works by increasing the activity of white blood cells, which fight bacterial and viral infections.

source

raw for beauty

Sunlight

Be a Force of Beauty

Hypo vs Hyper Thyroidism

Successful vs Unsuccessful

How do you rate according to this chart?  Are you successful in the areas where you want success?

Kelp

Day 12 of My 21+ Day Raw Food Cleanse

Results are not always obvious to the naked eye or the scale for that matter!

I am seeing great results from doing this cleanse but not necessarily where they can be seen by others just yet.  Inflammation is considerably reduced and seems to get better by the day!  That's HUGE  for me!  I have suffered with inflammation and pain nearly all my life and I have had enough!  I want to be done with it!

Weight, now that's another story and one we will get into more.  I have not lost the weight I was hoping to lose by day 12 but that shows me a couple of things that I need to do to further this process.

Let's talk a bit about weight.  First of all it is a guideline for first impressions.  A person's appearance is generally part of what people use to base their opinions of who they are and what they stand for.  When we are over weight we are often cast into the realm of those who over eat, who are lazy or just don't try to take care of themselves.  To many, excess weight is the of poor health.  Weight is more than all of these and less at the same time.  Let me explain.

A toxic body causes weight gain and will prevent the loss of weight and also the loss of fat which disrupts the normal hormonal, digestive and circulatory systems. Toxic burden is caused by a number of factors:  To top the list, exposure to chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, household cleansers and disinfectants, drugs, alcohol, medications, solvents, clear down to toiletries and cosmetics and the list goes on.  We live in a highly induced chemical society.

Our bodies are designed to protect us from these hazardous invaders!  It does so by wrapping the toxic debris in fat and storing it out of harms way.
Eating  fruits and vegetables is a great way detox and to lose weight but the fruits and vegetables we buy in the grocery stores are tainted with chemicals.  These chemicals are difficult at best to get off of the produce and even if you get some of it off, chances are there is still a residue left on your food which in turn causes problems with your metabolic system.

This is what has happened to me in the past.  I began eating more healthy several years ago and primarily eat between 75 and 90% vegetarian now.  Due to my eating habits, I am require a deeper cleansing process to remove the toxic debris.  At this point, I have not forced my body to go into a full blown detox by breaking down the cell walls that are storing the fat.  What does this mean?  It means, I need to add in more aerobic exercise to generate sweat, build muscle and push my body to flush those fat cells to release the toxins from my system.  This doesn't sound like fun but I know in order to achieve the results that I want to achieve it is a necessary evil.  Therefore, commitment to add exercise everyday. Like it or not, here I come! 

I want a happy, healthy body and I cannot achieve this quickly simply by changing my diet due to the fact that I am still carrying a toxic burden. 

There are some other tricks for removing toxins too, like adding Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to the diet, making sure your Ph is balanced at 7.4 or a little higher, using food grade peroxide to oxygenate your entire system.  There are posts on all of these.  You can key your inquiry into the search box for more information.

Are you having trouble getting to or maintaining your ideal weight?  What are you doing or have you done to promote weight loss?

Drink Water!

These empty calories add up!  Drink Water!
While Diet Soda has 0 calories, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are actullay worse for your body than the calories!  Again, Drink Water!

Calories|Total Carbs|Total Fats|Protein|Sodium|Cholesterol|Vitamins

Popular Types of Beverages (1 cup or 8 fl oz serving)	Fat(g)	Carbs(g)	Prot(g)	Calories
Apple Juice	0.27	28.97	0.15	117
Beer	-	8.52	1.10	103
Cafe Latte	2.75	6.18	4.41	67
Cappuccino	3.98	5.81	4.08	74
Chocolate Milk (Reduced Fat)	4.75	30.32	7.48	190
Coffee	0.05	0.09	0.28	2
Cranberry Juice Cocktail	0.25	34.21	-	137
Diet Soda	-	0.24	-	-
Energy Drink	0.19	26.26	0.60	108
Fruit Punch	-	28.80	0.15	114
Fruit Smoothie	1.76	36.68	2.14	162
Ice Cream Soda	5.57	29.24	1.92	167
Lemonade	0.10	25.87	0.17	99
Light Beer	-	3.87	0.57	68
Margarita	0.27	34.37	0.15	541
Milk (Whole)	7.93	11.03	7.86	146
Milk (1% Lowfat)	2.37	12.18	8.22	102
Milk (2% Reduced Fat)	4.81	11.42	8.05	122
Milk (Nonfat)	0.44	11.88	8.35	86
Milk Shake	11.07	45.53	7.22	306
Orange Juice	0.50	25.79	1.74	112
Red Wine	-	6.14	0.16	200
Root Beer	-	26.12	-	101
Soda	0.05	23.48	0.17	91
Soy Milk	4.70	12.08	10.98	127
Tea	-	0.76	0.02	2
Water	-	-	-	-
White Wine	-	6.12	0.16	195

Reflections Of Who You Are

Activated Charcoal

Day 7 of My 21+ Day Raw Food Cleanse

Oh I have found so many wonderful raw organic foods!  I went to Denver, CO yesterday which is about 2 1/2 hours from us, to see a good friend that I haven't had the privilege of seeing for several years!  The entire day was a blessing but part of it was spent at a natural grocers where we found oodles and gobs of wonderful, organic produce.  The selection was  amazing!  I have not seen such a variety in a very long time!  Never-the-less I didn't bring home as much as I would have liked too!
Other wise, my cleanse has been what I would call somewhat discouraging.  I have been faithful and I lost 2 lbs the first couple of days but somehow, I have manged to put those back on and now I am staying steady.  I know it will happen but right now I guess my body is holding on to all of the nutrition and not letting go of anything.  This happens sometimes when your body is lacking nutrition. It tends to store fat as a reserve.  The pounds and the fat will come off, it's just a matter of time.  I will also add that I have not changed up my normal routine at this point.  I need to add more exercise and that will make the pounds drop off fast too.
Inflammation is another story, though I have not achieved the results I would like to see at this point, it has been reduced quite a bit.  I'm just greedy in this area!  I want it ALL gone!
Today is day eight and it's off to a great start!  I am supposed to painting some old bookcases that will go into my store for shelves, so off and running.....

Yogurt. Is It Really Good For You?

Yogurt is being pushed continually through television commercials as being good for your digestive health.  Have you added yogurt to your diet?

If you answered YES..

          You might want to reconsider . . .

Yogurt is not nearly as healthy as you’ve been led to believe by the food manufacturing industry. While it may be tasty, it is usually LOADED with sugar and/or artificial sweeteners, plus a number of other additives.

And not only that . . . Yogurt is generally heat processed or pasteurized, which destroys the live bacterial cultures. Additionally, dairy products are not easily digested and our bodies don't recognise them as food. The pasteurization process may kill the lactase enzyme, which makes dairy products more easily digestible but it doesn't change the fact that dairy causes many digestive problems, thickening of the lymph system, skin rashes and breakouts and can lead to illness and disease including cancer.  Still want that yogurt?

 

The Standard American Diet (SAD)

Study finds Western diet leads to advanced aging and premature death - Are you slowly killing yourself?
(NaturalNews) Nutritional researchers have repeatedly demonstrated that what we eat directly determines genetic expression and can predict chronic disease risk, rate of aging, quality of life and mortality. A diet predominated by processed foods and laden with sugars, hydrogenated fats and refined carbohydrates has been shown to promote metabolic oxidation, systemic inflammation and lowered immune response that opens the door for heart disease, diabetes, dementia, stroke and many forms of cancer. A new research body evaluates precise risk factors in the development of several chronic illnesses and premature death.

A research team studying the dietary habits of British adults has published the results of a study in The American Journal of Medicine that shows how following a Western-style diet consisting of fried and sweet foods, processed and red meats, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products can reduce a person's likelihood of achieving older age in good health and with higher functionality. Scientists assessed dietary habits in midlife, using dietary patterns and adherence to the industry standard Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI).

Excessive dietary sugars, refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats increase disease risk and shorten lifespan

The lead study author, Dr. Tasnime Akbaraly noted "The impact of diet on specific age-related diseases has been studied extensively, but few investigations have adopted a more holistic approach to determine the association of diet with overall health at older ages." Past studies have shown that following the AHEI standards can double the odds of reversing metabolic syndrome, a condition known to be a strong predictor of heart disease and mortality, and can identify factors known to prevent premature death while promoting ideal aging.

The research team followed 3,775 men and 1,575 women with an average age of 51 years between 1985 and 2009. After analyzing records from hospital visits and the results of screenings every five years, the team identified mortality and chronic diseases among participants. Over the course of the study, only 4 percent of the participants exhibited markers considered to represent ideal aging. Researchers determined that low adherence to the AHEI increased overall risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death.

Following a Western-style diet consisting of fried and sweet foods, processed and red meats, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products significantly lowered chances for ideal aging. Dr. Akbaraly concluded "We showed that following specific dietary recommendations such as the one provided by the AHEI may be useful in reducing the risk of unhealthy aging, while avoidance of the 'Western-type foods' might actually improve the possibility of achieving older ages free of chronic diseases and remaining highly functional." Although not specifically mentioned, following a Mediterranean style diet provides AHEI compliance and has repeatedly been shown to lower risk of chronic disease and extend lifespan.

Day 3 Of My Raw Food Cleanse

Overall, things have been uneventful.  Contrary to my normal position when starting a cleanse or a fast, I am not hungry.  I have not had any cravings or desire for regular food.  
My husband is a real big meat eater and the smell of meat is almost nauseating and has been for a couple of years. So nothing really new there.  
Inflammation is still at an all time high and one of the biggest instigators in starting and completing this cleanse.
My thoughts right now are that if I achieve the results I am hoping for, this could be a lifestyle change.  I have eaten a high raw diet for well over two years but I have never eaten completely raw.   I am excited for this journey!
So what am I really changing?  My biggest down fall and the thing I crave most is ice cream.  That's also really, really hard to admit but I am sure that is the one thing that has kept me bound to fighting inflammation.
So you are probably wondering what I am eating.  Here is a brief run down of the food items I have eaten over the last few days.
Fruit Salad with organic bananas, organic strawberries and traditionally grown kiwi.
Smoothies with various organic greens and fruit.
Broccoli slaw with homage raw ranch dressing.
Kimchi.  The recipe is listed here on the blog.  Just key "kimchi" into the search box.  
Raw Flax crackers
Organic carrots
Fresh Organic asparagus out of my garden!  This is an all time favorite!  If you have never tried raw asparagus, you have to try it!  Mind you, store bought doesn't taste quite the same but if you can find organic it might have more flavor.  Most of the recipes I use are straight off of the Internet.  Simply do a search for your favorite food in raw form, ie:  raw cookie recipes.  You might be surprised.  There are a lot of great raw recipes out there!  My next recipe:  Raw Corn Chips!  I love corn chips but if you use corn in anything, be sure to use organic as 90% of the corn processed today is chemically grown and genetically modified.

Junk Food

Junk Food = Anything You Put In Your Mouth That Has Little Or No TRUE Nutritional Value Or Is High In Sugar Or Saturated Fats.  This will include all fast food items, candy, crackers, dairy and many processed meat products.

Spices To Help In Weight Loss

Action = Key To Success!

Today Is The Day! Day 1 of My 21+ Day Raw Food Cleanse!

Today is the day!  Today I start a minimum 21 day raw food cleanse!  I am excited!  I have been wanting /needing to do this for a long time and now I am ready!  If you are interested, you can follow my progress on my blog at www.kisst-organics.blogspot.com
Cheers to more improved health, happiness and longevity!  Yay me!

5'10"  -  221 lbs.  I don't like pictures of me, so I am very hesitant to publish one to the world.  I took one.  If  I can get it uploaded it will show up here.


I am hoping that by completing this cleanse I will not only see a reduction in weight but also freedom from inflammation.  As most of you know, I have done this before and it always propels me to expect more out of myself and out of life!  Completing a cleanse for me is vastly life changing!  I am thoroughly excited that today is the day to get started.  The journey can be a tough one but the results are always worth the effort!
This mornings breakfast:
Green smoothie
Raw flax crackers
Banana

Take Care of Yourself!

 

Chemical Additives

1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE                                                         

This gas is pumped into crates of apples to stop them from producing ethylene, the natural hormone that ripens fruit. Commonly known as SmartFresh, this chemical preserves apples for up to a year and bananas up to a month. Sulphur dioxide serves the same purpose when sprayed on grapes.

2-ARTIFICIAL COLORS

Researchers in the early 1900s developed many artificial colors from coal-tar dyes and petrochemicals. Over the years, the FDA banned many of these chemicals as proven carcinogens (cancer-exacerbating agents). Today, the FDA only allows 10 colors in foods, four of which are restricted to specific uses. This restriction suggests some risks remain. Check out the color additives section of the FDA.

3-ARTIFICIAL FLAVORING

This blanket term refers to hundreds of laboratory chemicals designed to mimic natural flavors. For example, some imitation vanilla flavorings are made from petroleum or paper-mill waste. In fact, a single artificial flavoring can be created from hundreds of individual chemicals. New studies suggest artificial-flavoring additives can cause changes in behavior.

4-ASPARTAME

This sugar substitute is sold commercially as Equal and NutraSweet and was hailed as a savior for dieters unhappy with saccharine's unpleasant after-taste. Unfortunately, one out of 20,000 babies is born without the ability to metabolize phenylalanine, one of the two amino acids in Aspartame. As a result, it's not recommended for pregnant women or infants.

5-ASTAXANTHIN

Almost 90-percent of salmon sold in supermarkets today come from farms. The diet of farmed salmon doesn't include crustaceans, which contains a natural astaxanthin that causes pink flesh in wild salmon. As a result, producers add astaxanthin to farm-salmon diets for that fresh-from-the-water appearance. Astaxanthin is manufactured from coal tar.

6-BENZOIC ACID/SODIUM BENZOATE

Often added to milk and meat products, these preservatives are used in many foods, including drinks, low-sugar products, cereals and meats. Both temporarily inhibit the proper functioning of digestive enzymes and cause headaches, stomach upset, asthma attacks and hyperactivity in children.

7-BHA (BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE) AND BHT (BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE)

These antioxidants are similar but non-identical petroleum-derived chemicals added to oil-containing foods as a preservative and to delay rancidity. They are most commonly found in crackers, cereals, sausages, dried meats and other foods with added fats. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer considers BHA a possible human carcinogen.

8-CANTHAXANTHIN

Egg yolks don't always come out golden yellow, so producers use this pigment to make them more palatable. Although the amounts used are very small, tests have shown greater quantities of canthaxanthin can cause retinal damage.

9-EMULSIFIERS

Emulsifiers, made from vegetable fats, glycerol and organic acids, extend the shelf life of bread products and allow liquids that wouldn't normally mix, such as oil and water, to combine smoothly. Many reduced-fat or low-calorie products use emulsifiers. Commercial emulsifiers also are used in low-calorie butter, margarine, salad dressings, mayonnaise and ice cream. Emulsifying agents used in foods include agar, albumin, alginates, casein, egg yolk, glycerol monostearate, xanthan gums, Irish moss, lecithin and soaps.

10-HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

This ubiquitous sweetener helps maintain moisture while preserving freshness. A little fructose isn't a problem but the sheer quantity of "hidden" fructose in processed foods is startling. The consumption of large quantities has been fingered as a causative factor in heart disease. It raises blood levels of cholesterol and triglyceride fats, while making blood cells more prone to clotting and accelerating the aging process.

11-MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG)

There was much hue and cry years ago when the public learned Chinese restaurants commonly added MSG to Chinese foods as a flavor enhancer. We then learned MSG could be found in many other processed products, such as salad dressings, condiments, seasonings, bouillons and snack chips. Some reports indicate MSG causes tightening in the chest, headaches and a burning sensation in the neck and forearms. While MSG is made of components found in our bodies _ water, sodium and glutamate (a common amino acid) _ ingesting it is an entirely different matter.

12-OLESTRA

The FDA approved this fake fat for use in snack foods several years ago, over objections from dozens of researchers. Their concern was that Olestra inhibits our ability to absorb the healthy vitamins in fruits and vegetables thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Even at low doses, Olestra is commonly known to cause "anal leakage" and other gastrointestinal problems. Perhaps this is why the FDA requires foods containing Olestra carry a warning label.

13-PARTIALLY-HYDROGENATED OILS

Hydrogenation is the process of heating an oil and passing hydrogen bubbles through it. The fatty acids in the oil then acquire some of the hydrogen, which makes it more dense. If you fully hydrogenate, you create a solid (a fat) out of the oil. But if you stop part way, you create a semi-solid, partially hydrogenated oil with the consistency of butter. Because this process is so much cheaper than using butter, partially-hydrogenated oils are found in many, many foods. Their addictive properties have linked partially-hydrogenated oils to weight problems caused by a slowed metabolism and the development of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

14-POTASSIUM BROMATE

Potassium bromate increases volume in white flour, breads and rolls. Most bromate rapidly breaks down to an innocuous form, but it's known to cause cancer in animals _ and even small amounts in bread can create a risk for humans. California requires a cancer warning on the product label if potassium bromate is an ingredient.

15-SODIUM NITRITE AND NITRATE

These closely related chemicals have been used for centuries to preserve meat. While nitrate itself is harmless, it easily converts to nitrite which, when combined with secondary-amines compounds form nitrosamines, a powerful cancer-exacerbating chemical. This chemical reaction occurs easily during the frying process.