A friend of mine posted a comment on my Facebook wall regarding this blog post. As a vegan who is also concerned about the environment, she asked where a butter-loving vegan might find a dairy-free spread without Palm Oil (palm oil plantations are wreaking havoc on the environment and wiping out endangered species). After some research, I have come to 2 conclusions:
Earth Balance, though they do use Palm Oil in their recipe, are sourcing their ingredients from sustainable operations, while also working to fund sustainable palm oil plantation development in Brazil and Malaysia.
Blue Bonnet Light, while using a few synthetic ingredients, is vegan AND Palm Oil-free. But only the Light.
So, pick your poison (literally). Or, find a new, guilt-free condiment!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Good Fat, Bad Fat
I had a conversation with a co-worker last night about butter. I don't eat it. Not because it's high in saturated fat, but because it is animal-derived. However, if I weren't a vegan, I still wouldn't eat it.
We debated about the need for fat in our diets. Let me rephrase that: we debated about whether or not butter is the source of a "needed" fat.
Needed fat???
Yes.
Your body NEEDS fat. Fat helps build proteins, the building blocks of existence. Fat also provides the body with Vitamins A, D, E, and K. But there is a difference between "good" fat and "bad" fat. And it's fairly simple: Saturated and Trans fats = BAD. Unsaturated fats = GOOD. You see? There are only 3 basic types of fats to discern, and only one type is actually good for you.
So, here's the skinny:
Butter is a bad fat. It's saturated AND trans. Rule of thumb? Don't eat it. Even "in moderation."
You want fat? Eat an avocado or a handful of nuts. But there's still a limit to how much fat you need!
Here's an excerpt form an excellent web source, the link to which is at the bottom of this post:
Suggested daily fat intake is tied to calorie needs. The two fats to limit are:
Saturated fat: found in meats, butter, cream, or ice cream, and other foods with animal fat.
Trans fat: a man-made fat found in some margarine and most packaged foods.
Here are some examples of healthy daily fat allowance:.
1,800 Calories a Day
40 to 70 grams of total fat
14 grams or less of saturated fat
2 grams or less of trans fat
2,200 Calories a Day
49 to 86 grams of total fat
17 grams or less of saturated fat
3 grams or less of trans fat
2,500 Calories a Day
56 to 97 grams of total fat
20 grams or less of saturated fat
3 grams or less of trans fat.
Unsaturated fats -- monounsaturated and polyunsaturated -- should be the dominant type of fat in a balanced diet, because they reduce the risk of clogged arteries.
While foods tend to contain a mixture of fats, monounsaturated fat is the primary fat found in:
olive, canola, and sesame oils
avocado
nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios; peanuts and peanut butter
Polyunsaturated fat is prevalent in:
corn, cottonseed, and safflower oils
sunflower seeds and sunflower oil
flaxseed and flaxseed oil
soybeans and soybean oil
tub margarine
Now that you know just how much fat you should have in your diet,
check out the fat content of butter.
More on this here
Now, in her defense, my co-worker is a bright young girl, who seems to stay active and fit by dancing her ass off, and who is also aware of the food she consumes (even if her dietary palate is less than ideal). While she's generally receptive to new tid-bits of information pertaining to health, as an intelligent young woman, experiencing the fresh independence of emancipation from childhood, she is resistant to acknowledging she might have her facts crossed every once in a while. We've all been there.
Her intuitive instinct, which she readily subscribes to, is that butter (saturated fat) is acceptable, in moderation, "if you get enough exercise." And for all intents and purposes, according to the chart above and most reliable, credible sources, she is most probably right (as far as any research can tell thus far).
However, it is not merely the fat in the butter that concerns me. Another problem with butter is that it contains two cholesterol-raising ingredients: The saturated fat we discussed, and dietary cholesterol . Dietary cholesterol is found only in animal products so you won't find any cholesterol in a plant-based food or food product.
While diets rich in saturated and trans fats raise blood cholesterol concentrations (LDL), contributing to clogged arteries that block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart and brain, cholesterol and fat need to be considered separate entities (that's why they're listed separately on packages).
Dietary cholesterol can exist independently of bad fat, and you can't "burn cholesterol" dancing your ass off. Even skinny people can have very high cholesterol.
More on this here
But wait, there's more!
Back to butter's animal origins...
Butter is made from cow's milk. Cow's milk is made by cows, for cows, not humans. Really.
All mammals produce milk for their offspring. This high-protein, high-fat secretion is intended to nourish, sustain, and grow young mammals from infancy to a strong, healthy, independent state. Cow's milk, specifically, works to help a calf triple its birth weight before being weaned. Baby calves grow fast. They gain about a pound and a half per day, and by their first birthday they’ve increased their weight by eight times or more. Human infants grow quickly, too, tripling their weight by 12 months. But by the toddler years, children are putting on only about 4 or 5 pounds per year. So how could cow’s milk be a good choice for slow-growing toddlers and fast-growing calves? It's not.
Milk is designed for the super-fast growth and development of a different species at a specific stage of life. Cow’s milk is for baby cows; human milk is for baby humans. And once they are weaned, nobody needs any milk at all. Even cows don't drink cow's milk as adults.
For more on the negative health effects of cow's milk dairy, visit my "Myth Busters" tab or this website.
In short, butter probably won't kill you "in moderation," but the risks far outweigh the benefits (of which there are none). It's high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and naturally-occurring bovine growth hormones that are not suitable for humans.
Try this for an alternative, which tastes, cooks, and melts like butter!
We debated about the need for fat in our diets. Let me rephrase that: we debated about whether or not butter is the source of a "needed" fat.
Needed fat???
Yes.
Your body NEEDS fat. Fat helps build proteins, the building blocks of existence. Fat also provides the body with Vitamins A, D, E, and K. But there is a difference between "good" fat and "bad" fat. And it's fairly simple: Saturated and Trans fats = BAD. Unsaturated fats = GOOD. You see? There are only 3 basic types of fats to discern, and only one type is actually good for you.
So, here's the skinny:
Butter is a bad fat. It's saturated AND trans. Rule of thumb? Don't eat it. Even "in moderation."
You want fat? Eat an avocado or a handful of nuts. But there's still a limit to how much fat you need!
Here's an excerpt form an excellent web source, the link to which is at the bottom of this post:
Suggested daily fat intake is tied to calorie needs. The two fats to limit are:
Saturated fat: found in meats, butter, cream, or ice cream, and other foods with animal fat.
Trans fat: a man-made fat found in some margarine and most packaged foods.
Here are some examples of healthy daily fat allowance:.
1,800 Calories a Day
40 to 70 grams of total fat
14 grams or less of saturated fat
2 grams or less of trans fat
2,200 Calories a Day
49 to 86 grams of total fat
17 grams or less of saturated fat
3 grams or less of trans fat
2,500 Calories a Day
56 to 97 grams of total fat
20 grams or less of saturated fat
3 grams or less of trans fat.
Unsaturated fats -- monounsaturated and polyunsaturated -- should be the dominant type of fat in a balanced diet, because they reduce the risk of clogged arteries.
While foods tend to contain a mixture of fats, monounsaturated fat is the primary fat found in:
olive, canola, and sesame oils
avocado
nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios; peanuts and peanut butter
Polyunsaturated fat is prevalent in:
corn, cottonseed, and safflower oils
sunflower seeds and sunflower oil
flaxseed and flaxseed oil
soybeans and soybean oil
tub margarine
Now that you know just how much fat you should have in your diet,
check out the fat content of butter.
Now, in her defense, my co-worker is a bright young girl, who seems to stay active and fit by dancing her ass off, and who is also aware of the food she consumes (even if her dietary palate is less than ideal). While she's generally receptive to new tid-bits of information pertaining to health, as an intelligent young woman, experiencing the fresh independence of emancipation from childhood, she is resistant to acknowledging she might have her facts crossed every once in a while. We've all been there.
Her intuitive instinct, which she readily subscribes to, is that butter (saturated fat) is acceptable, in moderation, "if you get enough exercise." And for all intents and purposes, according to the chart above and most reliable, credible sources, she is most probably right (as far as any research can tell thus far).
However, it is not merely the fat in the butter that concerns me. Another problem with butter is that it contains two cholesterol-raising ingredients: The saturated fat we discussed, and dietary cholesterol . Dietary cholesterol is found only in animal products so you won't find any cholesterol in a plant-based food or food product.
While diets rich in saturated and trans fats raise blood cholesterol concentrations (LDL), contributing to clogged arteries that block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart and brain, cholesterol and fat need to be considered separate entities (that's why they're listed separately on packages).
Dietary cholesterol can exist independently of bad fat, and you can't "burn cholesterol" dancing your ass off. Even skinny people can have very high cholesterol.
But wait, there's more!
Back to butter's animal origins...
Butter is made from cow's milk. Cow's milk is made by cows, for cows, not humans. Really.
All mammals produce milk for their offspring. This high-protein, high-fat secretion is intended to nourish, sustain, and grow young mammals from infancy to a strong, healthy, independent state. Cow's milk, specifically, works to help a calf triple its birth weight before being weaned. Baby calves grow fast. They gain about a pound and a half per day, and by their first birthday they’ve increased their weight by eight times or more. Human infants grow quickly, too, tripling their weight by 12 months. But by the toddler years, children are putting on only about 4 or 5 pounds per year. So how could cow’s milk be a good choice for slow-growing toddlers and fast-growing calves? It's not.
Milk is designed for the super-fast growth and development of a different species at a specific stage of life. Cow’s milk is for baby cows; human milk is for baby humans. And once they are weaned, nobody needs any milk at all. Even cows don't drink cow's milk as adults.
For more on the negative health effects of cow's milk dairy, visit my "Myth Busters" tab or this website.
In short, butter probably won't kill you "in moderation," but the risks far outweigh the benefits (of which there are none). It's high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and naturally-occurring bovine growth hormones that are not suitable for humans.
Try this for an alternative, which tastes, cooks, and melts like butter!
The End is Just the Beginning!
Congratulations to all of my cleansing buddies who successfully completed the 10-day Rawvolution with me!
Don't stop now!
Because I adhere to a fairly clean diet and participate in frequent detoxifying cleanses, I can "afford" to digress into the world of warm food often. I follow a strict vegan diet and have very limited sugar and fat intake, so my level of body pollutants is fairly low, even when I'm not cleansing. For me, cleansing is more a device which prods me away from processed foods, while simultaneously increasing the amount of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and alkalizing foods I consume on a daily basis. With my system in optimum health, I have a little wiggle room for when I'm craving pancakes on Sunday morning!
That being said, each cleanse gives me more than a clean slate, it inspires me to maintain a clean plate! I call this transition from raw to high raw my "Fresh Start," because it's the start of something new: a new way to view food in relation to my health, in relation to the environment, in relation to social structures; and it's the start of incorporating more fresh foods into my stale routine.
My mind, being clear, and my body, being strong, healthy, and full of energy, inspire a renewed sense of self and sense of purpose: Making health (of the self, of the planet, of the people, of the animals) a top priority. After all, you only get one body to inhabit, and no one is going to take care of it, but you. And you only get one planet to inhabit, and that's your responsibility, too. And while you can take care of yourself and have the luxury of making healthy, safe, and smart decisions, other [people and animals] in the world aren't as fortunate. But by making wise choices for yourself and the earth, you're helping those who can't help themselves. Every single thing in this world is ultimately affected by what you decide to put in your body.
Amazing, isn't it?
So today's challenge is this: Stay raw for as long as you possibly can, 21 days...30 days...6 months...a year! I dare you. And when you've reached your threshold and can't take another minute without something hot, on a plate, you can eat with a fork, eat responsibly!
Here is the strategy for our household:
We are raw. Except when we're not. What does this mean? It means, simply, that our main focus is raw (fruits and) vegetables. Every single meal of the day, and all the snacks in between, are raw, unless they have to be cooked. For instance, we love sushi. All the veggies are raw, the seaweed is raw, but you can't really eat raw rice (or you at least can't make sushi out of raw rice). So this meal would be considered high-raw. Same thing with spring rolls. Loaded with raw veggies (including dark leafy greens!), but rice paper is not raw. Each meal, however, should be centered around raw vegetables (and occasional fruit), complemented by some whole or sprouted grains (unprocessed), and every once in a while, splurge. Being healthy isn't about deprivation; it's about doing your best and not being too hard on yourself when you can't. Trying to attain (or maintain) perfection is usually a recipe for failure.
Maintaining your health isn't all or nothing!
If you slip up and give into a gas station car snack on a long road trip, don't beat yourself up. The worst thing you can allow yourself to think in that moment is "Well, I just messed up my diet..." because that gives you permission to give up on yourself and sends you down a destructive path. Instead, say to yourself, "That was good. Now back on track..." and let it go. It takes a total of 3200 calories beyond what you burn to gain 1 pound. You burn 1000 calories a day just by being alive. Eating a 500 calorie bag of chips isn't going to sabotage your weight, and having one processed, toxic snack in a week isn't going to curdle your blood. Just be sure you give your body ample time to process and rid itself of the garbage, before your next relapse. Otherwise, you'll take in more than you excrete, resulting in build-up (bioaccumulation) and a backed-up system with all kinds of yucky consequences.
Now that you know you've got the will power, the resolve, and the tools to succeed, steering clear of sugary, starchy, fatty, processed foods should be cake! ;)
Don't stop now!
Because I adhere to a fairly clean diet and participate in frequent detoxifying cleanses, I can "afford" to digress into the world of warm food often. I follow a strict vegan diet and have very limited sugar and fat intake, so my level of body pollutants is fairly low, even when I'm not cleansing. For me, cleansing is more a device which prods me away from processed foods, while simultaneously increasing the amount of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and alkalizing foods I consume on a daily basis. With my system in optimum health, I have a little wiggle room for when I'm craving pancakes on Sunday morning!
That being said, each cleanse gives me more than a clean slate, it inspires me to maintain a clean plate! I call this transition from raw to high raw my "Fresh Start," because it's the start of something new: a new way to view food in relation to my health, in relation to the environment, in relation to social structures; and it's the start of incorporating more fresh foods into my stale routine.
My mind, being clear, and my body, being strong, healthy, and full of energy, inspire a renewed sense of self and sense of purpose: Making health (of the self, of the planet, of the people, of the animals) a top priority. After all, you only get one body to inhabit, and no one is going to take care of it, but you. And you only get one planet to inhabit, and that's your responsibility, too. And while you can take care of yourself and have the luxury of making healthy, safe, and smart decisions, other [people and animals] in the world aren't as fortunate. But by making wise choices for yourself and the earth, you're helping those who can't help themselves. Every single thing in this world is ultimately affected by what you decide to put in your body.
Amazing, isn't it?
So today's challenge is this: Stay raw for as long as you possibly can, 21 days...30 days...6 months...a year! I dare you. And when you've reached your threshold and can't take another minute without something hot, on a plate, you can eat with a fork, eat responsibly!
Here is the strategy for our household:
We are raw. Except when we're not. What does this mean? It means, simply, that our main focus is raw (fruits and) vegetables. Every single meal of the day, and all the snacks in between, are raw, unless they have to be cooked. For instance, we love sushi. All the veggies are raw, the seaweed is raw, but you can't really eat raw rice (or you at least can't make sushi out of raw rice). So this meal would be considered high-raw. Same thing with spring rolls. Loaded with raw veggies (including dark leafy greens!), but rice paper is not raw. Each meal, however, should be centered around raw vegetables (and occasional fruit), complemented by some whole or sprouted grains (unprocessed), and every once in a while, splurge. Being healthy isn't about deprivation; it's about doing your best and not being too hard on yourself when you can't. Trying to attain (or maintain) perfection is usually a recipe for failure.
Maintaining your health isn't all or nothing!
If you slip up and give into a gas station car snack on a long road trip, don't beat yourself up. The worst thing you can allow yourself to think in that moment is "Well, I just messed up my diet..." because that gives you permission to give up on yourself and sends you down a destructive path. Instead, say to yourself, "That was good. Now back on track..." and let it go. It takes a total of 3200 calories beyond what you burn to gain 1 pound. You burn 1000 calories a day just by being alive. Eating a 500 calorie bag of chips isn't going to sabotage your weight, and having one processed, toxic snack in a week isn't going to curdle your blood. Just be sure you give your body ample time to process and rid itself of the garbage, before your next relapse. Otherwise, you'll take in more than you excrete, resulting in build-up (bioaccumulation) and a backed-up system with all kinds of yucky consequences.
Now that you know you've got the will power, the resolve, and the tools to succeed, steering clear of sugary, starchy, fatty, processed foods should be cake! ;)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Day 9 - Raw Pad Thai
Back to the grind today. The day consisted of the usual: fresh fruit, nuts, raw snack bars, and water, until...
I decided to whip up some raw pad thai on a whim!
Inspired by some of the raw creations I've tasted over the past few days, I thought I might up the competition for the chefs at Greenlife by creating my own version of their lack-luster rendition of one of my favorite dishes.
Between classes, I swung by the store for some supplies:
Kelp Noodles
Zucchini
Grated Carrots
Asparagus
Red Bell Pepper
Green Bell Pepper
Green Onions
Broccoli
Avocado
I took my treasures home, tossed them in some raw almond sauce (which I made up as I went along)...
And THIS was the result:
I decided to whip up some raw pad thai on a whim!
Inspired by some of the raw creations I've tasted over the past few days, I thought I might up the competition for the chefs at Greenlife by creating my own version of their lack-luster rendition of one of my favorite dishes.
Between classes, I swung by the store for some supplies:
Kelp Noodles
Zucchini
Grated Carrots
Asparagus
Red Bell Pepper
Green Bell Pepper
Green Onions
Broccoli
Avocado
I took my treasures home, tossed them in some raw almond sauce (which I made up as I went along)...
And THIS was the result:
After dinner, Emma and I decided to try our luck at some homemade raw, vegan chocolate ice cream (which is audibly churning in the freezer as I type this), spiced up with a handful of raw, sweetened cacao nibs. I didn't take any pictures of the process, since it was our first attempt and we lacked organization. But pictures of the finished product will follow!!!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Day 8 (with 2 to go!)
By now, you have a feel for the daily requirements of a raw diet: VEGGIES VEGGIES VEGGIES and fruit. Hopefully, you've been focusing on your green leafies (like kale and collards and spinach!) and treating yourself with the occasional sweet treat (aka fruit). And hopefully, you've stumbled upon some easy, grab-n-go snack options to help curb your appetite during the work day!
My cleanse this time around was the raw equivalent to the American Fast Food diet, but don't let that discourage (or encourage) you! We all have unexpected events pop up (like sick kids and heavy work loads) and we all find ourselves crunched for time occasionally. The beauty of the industrialized age (if there is one) is convenience for all dietary needs. Of course I would prefer to sit down to a home made raw feast, but sometimes, that's simply not practical, so I am thankful for cruditees, finger-fruits, and snack bars. And let's not forget, juice can go anywhere (and it should)!
I open with this disclaimer to excuse the fact that I had a less-than-exemplary day on the cleanse today.
I started with a banana (not bad) and moved to a Lara Bar...then to a Raw Revolution bar (fructose, anyone?)...and then onto some cashews and an apple. I guess I was saving room and calories for dinner:
I stopped by the deli counter at Greenlife for a serving of Raw Falafel Wraps on a bed of sprouts and romaine lettuce. Once I got home, I whipped up some Raw Tahini Tzatziki Sauce, complete with cucumbers and dill (I didn't realize I had tomatoes, until my food was gone). Tasty, light, raw, and protein-packed!
Now it's time for water and homework...
My cleanse this time around was the raw equivalent to the American Fast Food diet, but don't let that discourage (or encourage) you! We all have unexpected events pop up (like sick kids and heavy work loads) and we all find ourselves crunched for time occasionally. The beauty of the industrialized age (if there is one) is convenience for all dietary needs. Of course I would prefer to sit down to a home made raw feast, but sometimes, that's simply not practical, so I am thankful for cruditees, finger-fruits, and snack bars. And let's not forget, juice can go anywhere (and it should)!
I open with this disclaimer to excuse the fact that I had a less-than-exemplary day on the cleanse today.
I started with a banana (not bad) and moved to a Lara Bar...then to a Raw Revolution bar (fructose, anyone?)...and then onto some cashews and an apple. I guess I was saving room and calories for dinner:
I stopped by the deli counter at Greenlife for a serving of Raw Falafel Wraps on a bed of sprouts and romaine lettuce. Once I got home, I whipped up some Raw Tahini Tzatziki Sauce, complete with cucumbers and dill (I didn't realize I had tomatoes, until my food was gone). Tasty, light, raw, and protein-packed!
Now it's time for water and homework...
Crazy Sexy Raw
I am SO excited!
As many of you know, I am a BIG fan of model-turned-actress-turned-cancer patient-turned-film maker-turned-author-turned-health warrior, Kris Carr. This is an amazing woman with an amazing story that she continues to write and re-write every day. And the best part is that she writes it all down for us to read!
On Valentine's day, nearly a decade ago, Kris was diagnosed with a really rare form of stage IV cancer. So rare, in fact, that she had doctors dumbfounded. The best they could tell her was there was nothing they could do. So she took matters into her own hands and became a self-possessed health and fitness fanatic.
Kris transformed her destructive partying lifestyle into a fresh start. How fresh? She quit smoking, quit drinking, quit experimenting, and started making her health a priority. Kris went raw!
Needless to say, this wasn't an easy or natural transition for Kris, but it was a logical and vital one. She knew she had to eliminate animal products, intoxicants, processed foods, and sugars from her diet, if she had any chance at all of turning her health around and changing her fate. Like me in my fight against cancer, Kris committed to a vegan macrobiotic diet, consisting predominantly of fresh fruits and veggies. Because a truly well-balanced diet packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals and all the necessary nutrients requires quite a bit of bulk, Kris turned to juice, the miracle elixir.
I'm not going to divulge her entire journey here on my blog, after all, she has her own. Yep, that's right; Kris is still alive and well (better, in fact, than pre-cancer)! She still has cancer, and it's still in stage IV, but it hasn't progressed in 10 years! Food is truly the best medicine.
I'm telling you all this to get you pumped for her newest book: Crazy Sexy Diet, the third in her series of best-sellers (preceded by her DVD documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor and Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips are must-reads!). If you're interested in reading and following her inspiring story, I urge you to buy all three books! Even if you don't have cancer, or know anyone with cancer, Kris' approach to taking control of her life and grabbing her health by the horns is truly inspirational and her writing style is approachable, relatable, familiar, casual, and entertaining.
My Crazy Sexy Diet book came in the mail yesterday and I CANNOT WAIT to get started! It's packed with alkalizing vegan and raw recipes, which are good for fighting (and preventing) ALL ailments, not just cancer! Raw foods are great for treating chronic illness, too, while also boasting the usual benefits I relay to you: increased energy, clarity of thought, healthy weight maintenance, clear skin, and happy insides! And just like I always tell you, Kris attests to the body's ability to adapt to and ultimately crave the creations your juicer renders.
Juicing is sexy; go be rawsome!
Here's a link to Kris' blog (where you can also order your very own copies of all of her books!)
Crazy Sexy Life
As many of you know, I am a BIG fan of model-turned-actress-turned-cancer patient-turned-film maker-turned-author-turned-health warrior, Kris Carr. This is an amazing woman with an amazing story that she continues to write and re-write every day. And the best part is that she writes it all down for us to read!
On Valentine's day, nearly a decade ago, Kris was diagnosed with a really rare form of stage IV cancer. So rare, in fact, that she had doctors dumbfounded. The best they could tell her was there was nothing they could do. So she took matters into her own hands and became a self-possessed health and fitness fanatic.
Kris transformed her destructive partying lifestyle into a fresh start. How fresh? She quit smoking, quit drinking, quit experimenting, and started making her health a priority. Kris went raw!
Needless to say, this wasn't an easy or natural transition for Kris, but it was a logical and vital one. She knew she had to eliminate animal products, intoxicants, processed foods, and sugars from her diet, if she had any chance at all of turning her health around and changing her fate. Like me in my fight against cancer, Kris committed to a vegan macrobiotic diet, consisting predominantly of fresh fruits and veggies. Because a truly well-balanced diet packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals and all the necessary nutrients requires quite a bit of bulk, Kris turned to juice, the miracle elixir.
I'm not going to divulge her entire journey here on my blog, after all, she has her own. Yep, that's right; Kris is still alive and well (better, in fact, than pre-cancer)! She still has cancer, and it's still in stage IV, but it hasn't progressed in 10 years! Food is truly the best medicine.
I'm telling you all this to get you pumped for her newest book: Crazy Sexy Diet, the third in her series of best-sellers (preceded by her DVD documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor and Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips are must-reads!). If you're interested in reading and following her inspiring story, I urge you to buy all three books! Even if you don't have cancer, or know anyone with cancer, Kris' approach to taking control of her life and grabbing her health by the horns is truly inspirational and her writing style is approachable, relatable, familiar, casual, and entertaining.
My Crazy Sexy Diet book came in the mail yesterday and I CANNOT WAIT to get started! It's packed with alkalizing vegan and raw recipes, which are good for fighting (and preventing) ALL ailments, not just cancer! Raw foods are great for treating chronic illness, too, while also boasting the usual benefits I relay to you: increased energy, clarity of thought, healthy weight maintenance, clear skin, and happy insides! And just like I always tell you, Kris attests to the body's ability to adapt to and ultimately crave the creations your juicer renders.
Juicing is sexy; go be rawsome!
Here's a link to Kris' blog (where you can also order your very own copies of all of her books!)
Crazy Sexy Life
Day 7 - Raw Oatmeal
I'm sick of smoothies. I don't know if I'm sick of making them, or sick of drinking them; I imagine it's a little bit of both. I was missing that heavy feeling of something starchy sitting in my belly and keeping me full for longer than an hour. So I decided to experiment!
I found some raw oats (which are surprisingly difficult to track down, due to their short shelf life) at Greenlife Grocery. Before leaving for dance this morning, I poured a cup of raw oats into a bowl with a cup of ground flax meal. I threw in some fresh blue berries, diced apples, and a tablespoon of organic raw blue agave nectar. I added about a cup of hot tap water, loosely covered the creation, and headed out the door. When we returned about 2 hours later, the oats had softened and the flax had soaked up most of the liquid. I stirred it up and enjoyed a bowl of room temperature oatmeal! The flavor and texture were very satisfying, as was the feeling of having eaten something hearty for the first time in nearly 7 days.
I would have taken a picture, but I ate it too fast.
Of course, I had to be at work at 4:15 again today, so I was pressed for time after nap this after noon. I decided to put the fruits and veggies in my fridge to good juice!
I juiced a bunch of kale, a bunch of parsley, 2 celery stalks, 1 carrot, 1 apple, 3 beets, a handful of broccoli florets, 1 cucumber, a container of blue berries, 6 strawberries...and I just now realized that I forgot to add a banana!!! This blend yielded 2 full glasses of juice, and all of my fruit and veggie servings for the day!
This morning, after making pancakes and eggs for Emma, I decided to concoct my version of "raw oatmeal." All of the recipes online basically call for nuts and fruit, and maybe some flax. But I wanted "real" oatmeal.
I would have taken a picture, but I ate it too fast.
Of course, I had to be at work at 4:15 again today, so I was pressed for time after nap this after noon. I decided to put the fruits and veggies in my fridge to good juice!
I juiced a bunch of kale, a bunch of parsley, 2 celery stalks, 1 carrot, 1 apple, 3 beets, a handful of broccoli florets, 1 cucumber, a container of blue berries, 6 strawberries...and I just now realized that I forgot to add a banana!!! This blend yielded 2 full glasses of juice, and all of my fruit and veggie servings for the day!
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