Raw Food Challenge Days 9 Monday

Off to work...
When I think about it eating raw is really an easy and quick thing to do. We have so many choices. Check out my choices for today.

My work day

My favorite breakfast- Fresh Oj, pineapple and a shot of wheat grass (not pictured.)

Surprise! My co-work brought me more grapefruits!

Lunch - Asian kale salad

Work afternoon snack - Energy bar and clemintines.

Raw Food Challenge Days 8 Sunday

Like many people, Sundays are my prep days so, I tend to eat light. Smoothies, juices salads are my choice of food on these days.

Blueberry and blackberry smoothie with a couple of kale leaves

As of lately, I've been recieving free organic citrus from co-workers and friends which allows me to have my favorite...Orange/Pineapple smoothie. I have a ton of  organic lemons, oranges and grapefruits in the fridge.



I love my Omega juicer! I blended the orange juice with 2 cups of pineapple.



This is my first time trying vegan kimchi. It was delish! 

At the end of the day, I had a green juice and a my homemade energy bar! Yum!


Enery bar- dried fruits, almond butter and oats




Grocery Haul and Prep for the week

Note* I apologize for not posting much last week. For whatever reason, I had a difficult time with my camera and transferring pictures to my blog. Things should be better this week. *

With all the talk about how expensive it is to eat healthy, I wanted to share my thoughts and tips on how to eat healthy on a budget and share what I bought this weekend.

First, I will acknowledge the fact that produce is increasing in price and can be more than junk food but I it's important to consider the health benefits from the slightly higher priced produce. We know healthy food is beneficial to your health and well being unlike potato chips, ice cream and fast food which are all nutrient deficient food and leaves your body hungry for more [nutrients.]

Tips I Follow:

• Shop Farmer's markets
• You may be able to get a deal directly from the farmer.
• Shop in the middle of the week 
• Many stores have double sale day or they introduce new sales in the Tuesday and Wednesdays
• Visit the bulk section or buy in bulk
• Nuts/Seeds and other unique ingredients can get pricey. Shopping in the bulk section allows you to control how much you spend. 
• Purchase seasonal produce 
• Purchasing what's in season increases the likelihood it will be on sale. 
• Plan meals
• Planning meals in advance gives you an idea of what ingredients you will need so you can eliminate or reduce mindless shopping. 
• Compare store ads 
• Sometimes the store you least expect may have organic produce on sale
• Don't be an so strict with buying only organic 
• Of course organic (no pesticides) is the best way to go!
• But there are times when organic is just too expensive. Either choose a less expensive option or buy conventionally grown product. 
• I prefer to buy all my leafy greens and apples organic but I purchase fruits that have peels conventionally when I need to. 
• Check out the chart below to help guide you on which foods have less pesticides on them.

• Try a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
• This allows you to purchase shares in a local farm for a certain time period and receive weekly baskets of food. 
• I have never tried this because there was no farm I could visit in my area, but I have heard overall good things. I'm also a little skeptical because you pay in advance and it's possible for  your food to be substandard. Basically, you take a chance and hope for the best. I definitely will try this once I find a local farm I can visit. 
• Shop Online for unique ingredients and start sprouting! 
• Sprouting is easy and an economical way of getting your greens. 
• It only requires water and a container; no dirt or planting! On average sprouting can be done in as little as 2 days depending on what you sprout. 

On to my grocery haul

This weekend I did not have to buy many leafy greens because I purchased so many last week. Last week, all varieties kale was on sale at Whole Foods 2 for $3.00. I purchased 5 bunch which was more than enough for me last week. I have 2 bunches of curly and red leaf kale left plus a bunch of chard. They store so well in the fridge. Anyway, my grocery bill this week was $28.51! I was shocked at how just how much organic product Sprouts had.

Bananas, Bok choy, celery 1/2 bunch of Dino Kale (I used some this morning,) grapes, 3lb oranges, 3lbs bosc organic pears, 5 cara/navel oranges, wheat grass, dates, parsley, limes, lemons, jalapeno, 3lbs red apples, zucchini, pineapple, spices (cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, chili powder, vanilla powder, Himalayan salt and 2 yellow mango (not pictured)

To prepare for the week I have already sprouted wheat berries (3 days) and lentils (4 days).  My alfalfa seeds are soaking now and should be sprouted in the next few days. I'm also soaking cashews for easy cashew milk.

Wheat berries

Lentils

Stay tuned for tomorrow's meals!

Summary of week 1 of my Raw food Challenge

For breakfast this week I had either a juice or smoothie.

Lunch was either my wild rice or kale salad.

Dinner was zucchini and carrot noodles with Alfredo sauce

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Done with it!

I completed my juice/smoothie fast Feb 29th. While going through it, my intention was to post pictures of my juices and smoothies but, I realized that they all looked the same. My juices were either green and redish/purple unless I drank pure grapefruit juice or coconut water. My smoothies were pink (strawberry,) purple (blueberry or mixed berry.) Take a look!

Spirulina and grapefruit

Beets, grapefruit, orange, beet greens, celery, carrot, ginger 

Basic green- dandelion greens, spinach, celery, lemon, ginger, green apple, cucumber, 

Blueberry shake, almond milk, blueberries, raw honey, vanilla bean

One of my main goals while going through the liquid fast was to get as much concentrated minerals, vitamins and nutrients in my to possibly improve my skin's texture. The only difference I see in my skin is that some of the dark spots aren't as noticeable as they were before. And as always, my eyes are a little brighter!

So, on to my next challenge! 30 days 100% raw. This challenge begins March 4th through April 2nd.  

12 Day Juice/ Smoothie Fast

Ok, so I haven’t posted here in a long while but I’m back at it now.

I’ve been inspired to do 15 day 100% Raw Food fast to reignite my enthusiasm for the raw food lifestyle. Incorporating more raw foods has made me more creative when preparing my meals, especially for busy days and unexpected events. 

Why I’m doing this?

I failed to eat properly during the holiday season and I began to notice I feel sluggish all day everyday. I used to routinely awake around 4:30 or 5 in the morning to workout, play with my dogs and get ready for work, but now I’m fighting to get out of bed at 6 (an hour before I start work.) This is entirely unacceptable. Then, when I’m at work I can’t seem to stay focused.

Another problem I’m having is constant breakouts. When I was a teen, like many others, I had a problem with breakouts in my T-zone. As soon I turned 20 the problem stopped and my skin was clear up until recently. I’m not sure if it’s age or if it’s been the bad foods I’ve been consuming. Either way, replacing the “bad” food with raw, living food can only help me. 

Starting with a Juice/Smoothie Fast

Before I begin the 100% Raw Food fast I've decided to start by doing a 12 day juice/smoothie fast I started today (2/18/12) and will end February 29. 

I'm posting again!

Ok! So, I haven't blogged in a few months. My absence from blogging does not mean I abandoned eating raw. I will admit I'm not 100% raw, nor am I truly aiming for it. I am content with eating 1 or 2 cooked meals a day. Maybe it's because of my schedule, during the day I tend to drink smoothies, juices, teas etc... In the evening I prefer a hot meal like baked yams with brussel sprouts.

On to today's meals.
I have an important test this week and I've tweaked my diet to make sure I'm including plenty of brain food. While researching, I found some of the best brain foods are mixed nuts such as pecans and walnuts are great to assist in keeping calm. Dark fruits and veggies such as red or purple grapes, kale and spinach, and all berries like strawberries, blueberries and blackberries help long term memory. Teas such as peppermint and green tea help one to concentrate.

 Breakfast: Green Tea Smoothie

Snack: Kale Chips and Grapes 

Dinner: Green Smoothie w/ kiwi, pineapple, spinach, parsley, lemon, pear and ginger

Dessert: Raw Macaroons 

and Peppermint Tea! 

Green Smoothie Challenge Days 1-4

As I mentioned in my previous post, I decided to do a 30 day Green Smoothie Challenge (GSC). Green Smoothies were the start of consuming more raw foods for me. After a couple of weeks, people around me began to comment on how great my skin looked. I noticed my allergies weren’t bothering me as much. My nose cleared up completely!

Check out my last 4 days of GS.

Day 1 GS

Pineapple and Kale 

3 large Kale leaves

1 cup pineapple

1 Large piece of ginger
hemp seeds

Day 2-GS turned into a GJ (green juice)

Unpasteurized Apple Juice

2-3 large handfuls of spinach

1/3 banana

1 inch peice of ginger

1 tsp raw honey

 Water

Day 3- Tuesday's GS

Kale Colada

1/2 banana

2 tsp coconut butter

kale

lime big piece of ginger

1tsp honey

Day 4 Wednesday's GS (Double Day)

Green Apple Spice

Unpateurized Apple Juice

3 large handfuls spinach

Dash of cinnamon

large piece ginger

juice fom 1/2 lemon

Mango and Parsley Colada

1 Young Coconut and its juice

1 small handful of parsley

mango

splash of vanilla

pinch of salt

lime juice 

ginger 

**I'm trying to get over an illness so, I've been adding ginger, garlic, honey and cinnamon to many of my meals and drinks**

30 Days / 30 Green Smoothies

Hey Everyone!

In my last post I mentioned that a I stopped eating a high raw diet for about 3-4 days and began to get migranes and eventually, I got sick. I still don't feel well but I feel like it's getting worse. Because of this, I've decided to go back to eating 90% raw starting today. What's the number 1 go to food for Raw Foodist? The Green Smoothie! Why?

Answer- Because they pack so much nutrients and vitamins. They're tasty and an easy way to get your greens in.

So why not start a Green Smoothie challenge? For 30 days I will drink a different Green Smoothie each day! If you're interested in learning more about green smoothies please visit The Smoothie Revolution or Green For Life.  If you're interested in doing your own Smoothie Challenge or just want some more recipes come back to visit me and Green Diva Mom.

Check out some of my favorite raw foodists and videos.

Not sure what's going on but...

I don't like it!

Last week I had a migraine that lasted for a couple of days, but I was still on track. My updates are not flowing as I would like because of my schedule combined with getting sick. As of a 3 days ago I began not feeling well. Supposedly, it’s my sinuses – which I’m taking OTC medication for and now I feel like it’s going to be a full blown cold. I have never, since the age of 14, caught a cold in the middle of summer. I’ve lived in AZ for 5-6 years and have been sick twice in the winter. What’s going on?

Thank God I don’t feel weak yet. I have to teach tomorrow- yes Saturday, take my little sister out for the day so, I’m doing everything I can to make sure I don’t get any worse. Today is a green smoothie, lots of water and tea day.

I also have to admit that I cut back on eating raw about the time my migraine started. During the past 4 before I began to get sick I had no-so- good food. Could that have something to do with what’s going now? I know correlation does not mean causation all I know is what I was eating 80- 95% raw I was feeling great, then I stopped and now I'm sick.

Help me out? What do you think?

4th and last week of my Challenge

Hi Guys!


This is my last week on my $34.60 week challenge. This week I spent 25.12 which leaves me with $8.88 left over for the month. My grocery list included the following: collards, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, corn, black beans, lentils, bananas, strawberries and cashews. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to take any pictures this week because my camera is not working. I mainly stuck to collard wraps, dehydrated veggie wraps, smoothies. I was able to use my camera phone for some pics but I the color wasn’t that great. Check out some of my meals.

Blueberries Hemp Protein Smoothie

Chocolate Almond Butter Hemp Protein Smoothie

Basic Salad with any veggie I could find in an Avocado Ranch Dressing

 

Collard Wrap with cooked onions, black beans and raw corn, spinch and tomato

Eggplant Bacon, Tomato, Spinach and hummus wrapped in a Sun dried Tomato Flax wrap

Collard wrap with alfalfa sprouts, carrots, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and more.

Challenge Week 3 Day 21

Today was a good day! Check out today's meals

Breakfast: Mango Shake

1 large Mango, pinch of cinnamon, 1 Tbsp cashews, 1 tsp bee pollen

Lunch: Corn Chowder

1 large Corn Cob,1/4 cup carrots, thin slice onion, 1 tbsp Walnuts, 1 tsp Olive Oil, salt, pepper

Dinner: Basic Salad with tomato and chilis

Dessert: Plum Blueberry Cobbler w/ Banana Soft Serve

Challenge Week 3 Day 20

Today was pretty eventful. I’ve lived in my (1st) house for about 3 ½ years. I had no idea how much maintenance went into keeping up a house, from the backyard, bushes, plumbing to the irrigation system. Wow! At the moment I feel like my whole house is leaking; the bathtub faucet, a few sprinklers and the toilet is constantly running. Early tomorrow morning I will be heading out to Home Depot with a friend to figure out what’s fixable and what parts I need.


Moving on, here are today’s meals. Oh! I did go to Whole Foods for a mango and brussel sprouts and spent 3.89 leaving me with $10.75 for the rest of the week.

Breakfast: Nectarine Smoothie

2 nectarines, 1 Tbsp Hemp Seeds, 1 tsp bee pollen

Post Workout Shake: Chocolate Shake

2 Tbsp Hemp Protein, 1 Tbsp Hemp Seeds,

1 tspChia Seeds , 1 med ripeBanana,

1.5 tsp Cacao powder, 1 tsp bee pollen, cinnamon

 

Lunch: Cream of Broccoli Soup and Steamed Brussel Sprouts tossed w/ Olive Oil and seasoning

 

 

Dinner: Miso Noodle Soup and Spring Rolls with Chili Lime Dipping Sauce

Dessert: Peach Berry Sorbet

1/2 cup raspberries, 2 peaches, small piece banana blended