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As many of you know – my daughter was attuned to Reiki Master Level while still in the womb. What a wonderful experience it has been for the both of us! Well, the other night at 1 am I was … Continue reading
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What are Automatic Negative Thoughts? These are thoughts that we have – without even trying to! They are (negative) beliefs and ideas that we hold as true because at some point we learned that they were. They may never have … Continue reading
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First of all – the body does not turn fats into body fat; it will use fats for instant energy first, and those fats will go unfiltered directly to the heart before they feed anything else. That means healthy fats … Continue reading
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There are several types of hair loss Alopecia totalis: loss of scalp hair. Alopecia universalis: loss of all body hair. Alopecia areata: loss of hair in patches. Androgenetic alopecia: (AGA) aka male pattern baldness. Hair loss to due pregnancy: mild … Continue reading
(Inspired by Alex Ortner) B12 is involved in the metabolism of every cell in the body are you getting enough of it? Probably not! Studies show that about 80% of vegans or live foodists become B12 deficient and 39% of … Continue reading
Living the healthy (raw) food lifestyle can be challenging when you’re wanting to head out with friends or enjoy the social aspect of food. One of the most fun aspects of eating healthy or raw is learning to cook differently and preparing your own food. But you know that there will be unhealthy food available as soon as you leave the house…so what do you do?
Plan and have will power! Remember why you’re choosing the healthy (raw) lifestyle, remember what you felt like before you embarked on this journey and think about whether or not you want to go back there. For me remembering the pain, lack or energy, lethargy, poor focus, confusion – it’s just not worth it to me to eat that piece of store bought chocolate cake! Plus, when I’m out with friends, I’m out to see them, not to eat food 
Besides your “special” diet isn’t as unusual as you may think. Many people these days have allergies and special diets so you will not be that unusual! And those around you may take interest and may want to follow your lead – so be a leader and show them how easy it really is once you get the hang of it!
Heading out to restaurants is getting easier and easier! In a worse case scenario you order a salad and water with lemon – not that bad of a choice really
Restaurants are very accommodating now. Getting gluten free pasta is a breeze pretty much everywhere now! The other day I went to Luke’s Corner Bar & Kitchen in Vancouver and had amazing quinoa with fresh veg and organic chicken – it was amazing! And I didn’t have to sacrifice a thing.
If you’re a 100% raw foodist, you’ll likely have a tougher time than somebody who is doing 50% to 80% raw, or simply choosing to be free of specific ingredients like wheat or cow’s milk. But again – there are a lot of amazing salads out there, and you can just skip the dressing! Easy – peasy!
Here are some tips for enjoying yourself while out at friends’ homes:
Tip #1 –If you’re doing the 100% raw food diet (whether it’s a permanent eating habit or you’re just doing a cleanse) it can be a good idea to chat with your host in advance. Most hosts are more than willing to accommodate and make sure to have food that you can enjoy. Believe me, once your friends and family understand why you’re doing this and what you can eat – they’ll bend over backwards for you! I can’t tell you how many amazing dishes my friends and family have come up with for me – I’m so blessed! I even got a milk-free, wheat-free, soy-free cheese cake for my birthday from a pastry chef friend of mine and it was AMAZING!
Perhaps offer to bring something to add to the meal or ask if they could make sure there is plenty of salad or raw veggies for you. Or simply just ask if you can bring your own food because you’d like to make it easier for them. Usually I’ll bring a side dish and make sure there’s a salad being served, then I can pick and choose what I want to eat.
Nowadays it’s not rude to be choosy – there are so many diet restrictions out there, everyone is understanding and accommodating
If you are not 100% raw but rather something in the 50% to 90% range then life is a lot easier, simply eat raw during the day and leave your ‘allocation’ of cooked food for the event.
Don’t forget about the 80/20 rule: If you’re simply choosing to eat healthy and you’ve got no restrictions – plan your week to allow for the day of the event to be your 20 day. Just be reasonable about it!.
Tip #2 – Eat before you go out so that you are not starving when you get there and tempted to eat something you may regret later. Making healthy decisions is much easier on a full stomach. You’ll find that this alone can help with 90% of the battle. I always carry a granola bar or two in my purse incase I get stuck in a jam – but that’s better for day-to-day hiccups, not when someone’s cooked for you!
Tip #3 – Offer to bring a dessert you have made. People do not even consider whether the dish is healthy, raw or cooked – as long as it looks good they’ll give it a try. Plus you’ll be sure to have something to enjoy at dessert time and it might spark a conversations about healthy eating too! Another chance to be a leader!
Tip #4 – Decide before you go out what you will eat and what you won’t. For example, decide not to eat dessert, or decide not to combine protein and carbohydrates. Decide not to eat fried goods, or not to eat wheat – whatever your health plan calls for – know it and make a commitment to yourself to follow through on it.
Tip #5 – If you’re being quite strict with your meats, you can either choose not to eat meat at the event, or you can choose to ask about the meat’s origins. At a restaurant this is easy because they’ll usually advertise the quality of their meats, but in someone’s home you don’t want to insult them.
If you decide to ask about the organic-ness of your hosts meat (LOL) ensure that you’re asking in a non-confrontational way and explain that you are on a cleanse if necessary. When you approach the questions, do so with compliments in them so that you’re not seeming like you’re insulting your host or their food. Once you have the answers you want you can choose to eat it or not to eat it. And remember that any question comes across much better with a smile on your face. ☺
Tip #6 – Another important thing to ask is what’s in the sauce. Again here you can use the approach of being curious simply because it looks good. When you compliment them they’ll be excited to tell you all about it. You’d be surprised how many things are cooked in bacon grease, with cream milk sauces, with added corn starch or wheat for thickness. If you’re avoiding anything, it’s good to ask.
Tip #7 – Ask if the party will have a sit down meal or just a buffet. Parties can be a lot easier with the buffet style of eating as it allows you to pick and choose rather than be faced with a meal in front of you that you feel you should eat out of politeness. If it’s going to be sit down, make sure to chat with your host and let them know about your eating habits beforehand. Remember these are your friends and family – they will be willing to discuss it with you if you explain why you’re asking.
Tip #8 – If you’re cleansing or eating a very strict raw diet then you’ll want to avoid alcohol. If you are driving then you have a easy excuse not to drink.
One idea is to take something with you like a carafe of a non-alcoholic cocktail you have made yourself which is always a welcome gift. Try freshly squeezed lemon, with puree of raspberries, a few drops of stevia or other plant based sweetener such as coconut palm sugar or agave topped up with sparkling water. Add some mint leaves and put in a large glass jug and it looks amazing!
If there are cocktails just serve yourself some bubbly water in a cocktail glass with a lemon or lime and nobody will know the difference. ☺
Or stick to plain water and add some lemon to make it more alkaline.
Tip #9 – Remember to monitor how you’re feeling. Stress plays a big role in our health. If you’re having a lot of trouble with the food then you’re not likely to have fun or be fun to be around. If you’re stressing about the food, go to the bathroom and try something like EFT, breathing, self talk or reiki to get your cravings under control, then rejoin the party.
Tip #10 – Bring a friend. See if there’s a friend who eats like you do who can go with you. It’s easier to eat well when you have a peer that’s helping you and making you feel like you’re doing the right thing. It’s easier to succumb to bad eating when you’re the only one that knows it’s not good for you. Plus you can enjoy the food together.
Always remember to thank your host for accommodating you – especially if they eat a drastically different diet than you do. Aren’t you blessed to have such amazing friends?
This was first published by Alex Ortner on the Raw for 30 Blog (http://www.rawfor30days.com/blog/?p=1479 ) and was written by Brenda Cobb. I’ve thrown in my own 2 cents as well
Chia seeds do good things for the body, like keeping blood pressure and blood sugar under control. The omega-3 fatty acids in chia protect against inflammation and heart disease. Chia seeds come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family that grows in southern Mexico. In pre-Columbian times, chia seeds were a component of the Aztec and Mayan diets and the basic survival ration of Aztec warriors. They even played a role in religious ceremonies. Supposedly, 1 tablespoon of the seeds could sustain a person for 24 hours. The Aztecs also used chia medicinally to relieve joint pain and skin conditions. It was a major crop in central and southern Mexico well into the 16th century, but it was banned after the Spanish conquest because of its association with the Aztec “pagan” religion.
Over the past few decades, commercial production has resumed because we’ve recognized (again) what an amazing source of nutrients the chia seeds truly are. As we search for healthier foods that are denser in nutrients, and therefore able to feed more people on less land – chia is a front runner and welcome (re)addition to the daily diet.
Chia seeds are one of the most powerful and nutritious superfoods in the world. Chia seed is an excellent source of fiber, packed with antioxidants, full of protein, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and the richest known plant source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Everyone from children to senior citizens can benefit from the wonderful nutritional qualities of chia seeds.
Adding just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to your daily diet will give you approximately 7 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 205 milligrams of calcium, and a whopping 5 grams of omega-3. Chia seeds include phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, niacin and zinc.
Chia is an ancient superfood that is very similar to flax, but without the estrogen and phytoestrogen element which can be a major problem for anyone with hormone related cancers or imbalances. Chia is also a great source of B vitamins including folic acid.
Chia has 3 to 10 times the oil concentration of most grains and 1 ½ to 2 times the protein concentration of other grains. These oils are the essential oils that the body needs to help absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. As well as to build cells, support the brain, joints, eyes, nerves, heart, skin and more!
Plus, chia seeds are energizing and give a boost of energy that lasts, providing stamina and endurance. A single tablespoon could sustain Aztec warriors for an entire day, and chia seeds reduce cravings. Because chia seeds absorb so much water and have high soluble fiber levels, they help release natural, unrefined carbohydrate energy slowly into the bloodstream, which means they are a great supplement for suffers of diabetes, hypoglycemia, and other blood sugar imbalances.
Unlike flax seed, chia seeds do not have to be ground up before you ingest them. The human body can easily digest chia seeds breaking through the hard outer shell and accessing the nutritious innards. Chia’s 7 grams of fiber per serving actually you’re your digestive process.
Getting chia into your daily diet is easy too – chia seeds are convenient and versatile. You can eat chia seeds straight from the bag, mix them with your favorite drink, add them to your cereal or salad, sprinkle them onto your oatmeal, granola, or yogurt – you name it! Chia seeds have little flavour, and they are pleasantly crunchy. On top of that chia seeds last for years in the refrigerator. Just keep them in an air tight container.
Unlike flaxseed, chia seeds can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid and don’t require grinding. You can enjoy chia seeds’ gentle nutlike flavor by sprinkling ground or whole chia seeds on cereal or salads, blend them in a smoothie, juice or water, or create healthy, delicious dehydrated crackers or cookies. Eat a handful of whole seeds as a snack or make your own chia smoothie.
Chia Seeds have many anti-aging properties. The seeds fight free radical damage. Aging happens when damaged cells are replicated. Chia antioxidants act to neutralize the free radicals that cause premature aging and flush out age-accelerating toxins. Chia seeds help a person regain youthful exuberance, skin elasticity, enhance hair, skin and nails, lubricate joints, reduce inflammation and muscle soreness and speed rejuvenation as well as lowering lactic acid buildup in muscles.
Chia provides 97% of its calories from high quality plant protein and lipids with very few calories from carbohydrates. The carbohydrate portion of Chia is predominantly insoluble fiber, which is beneficial to digestion because it passes through the gastro-intestinal tract undigested resulting in a non-caloric, but still quite satisfying effect for the body. Plus insoluble fiber soaks up toxins, especially heavy metals – so chia is naturally cleansing.
Gram for gram, Chia is the highest source of protein, bar none.
Try these great ways to use chia in your daily life:
Chocolate Banana Coconut Chia Pudding
2 ripe bananas
1 cup fresh coconut water
2 Tbsp chia seeds
(2 Tbsp raw cocoa powder – optional)
Grind the chia seeds in a high speed blender.
Add the bananas and coconut water and blend until creamy.
Take the mixture out of the blender and allow it to thicken.
Enjoy this nutritious, delicious and easy treat daily for a high fibre, high potassium functional food supplement.
Chia Enhanced Smoothie
Just add 1-2 Tbsp of chia seeds to any smoothie.
Chia Enhanced Baking
3 Tbsp (alkalized, filtered) water
1 Tbsp chia seed
Mix it up & allow it to get gloopy. Use this mix in any recipe as a replacement for 1 egg – makes your baking really nice and fluffy J
Enjoy!
Brenda Cobb : www.livingfoodsinstitute.com
Raw for 30 : www.rawfor30days.com
Hey Everybody!
I just wanted to let you know that there are less than 24 hours left to pick up a copy of “Simply Raw” and “Raw for Life” for 50% OFF the regular price and get the $161.20 in bonuses. I just found this deal in my in box and I wanted to share it with you. This movie is inspirational and I have it in my library – definitely worth a watch. Plus all the bonuses were also amazing! I’m glad I bought the package!
And after tonight this huge discount is gone… Sorry it took me so long to let you know about it
If you haven’t seen the trailer yet make sure to check it out here:
http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4565080
Also, just so you know the $161.20 in bonuses are REAL bonuses.
You can actually look them up on the individual expert’s websites and see them selling for the exact prices shown…
You basically get $191.15 of products for $15…
This special half off special ends Friday (TODAY!) at midnight! If you’d like to get this revolutionary film that so many people are raving about and save 50%, then go here now:
http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4565080
Remember, 20% of your net purchase goes to support a ballot initiative to get GMO’s labeled in the state of California (setting a great precedent for the rest of the country)
I’ll write more about the movie later on (smokin’ busy today) but I just wanted to make sure you all knew about this great deal!
Have a GREAT day!
Antioxidants are necessary in your everyday diet to help your body fight off free radical damage – thus preventing degenerative disease and supporting a healthy long life. But what does that actually mean? What’s a free radical? and what’s an antioxidant? Well – let me tell you!
What IS a Free Radical?
A free radical is a molecule that damages the tissues, cells, and even the DNA of an organism on a second to second basis.
FIGHT FREE RADICAL DAMAGE WITH ANTI OXIDANT RICH CHOCOLATE!!!
What is an Antioxidant?
An antioxidant is an enzyme or other organic substance, such as a flavonoid, that is capable of counteracting the damaging effects of oxidation (AKA free radical damage) in animal tissues.
What is ORAC?
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity – a food’s ability to help your body fight off free radical damage.
Raw Chocolate has the highest ORAC value on the planet.
Xocai’s end product ORAC value is tested regularly and is guaranteed – they put it on the box!
So – get out there and find yourself some RAW, clean, filler-free, chemical-free, ethically grown, dark chocolate! Can’t find any? Come see me – I’ve found an amazing product that I love and my kids love too. You know it’s tasty when even the kids ask for their supplements everyday And that’s what chocolate can become for you and your family – a nutritional superfood that you treat both as a treat and a supplement. It’s the best of both worlds!
Read on if you want to learn more about this amazing healthy chocolate I now carry at my office: Xocai – What makes it Special?
What is XoVita™? XoVita is an exclusive and proprietary high-antioxidant blend of cacao, açaí, and blueberry compounds for superior protection against free radical and oxidative damage within the body.
Xocai is Raw – meaning the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals are still intact. It is all-natural, unprocessed, cold pressed dark chocolate. The chocolate does not undergo ‘dutching’ or roasting – it’s processed in a patented way that does not exceed 220 degrees, which means it’s raw according to Raw Food Movement.
Clean – no wax, nofillers, no chemicals, no preservatives, no hydrogenated or trans fats, no processed sugars.
Friendly – vegan, vegetarian, diabetic & celiac friendly
Added antioxidants – açai berry (2nd highest ORAC food on the planet) and blueberry = an ORAC value that’s equal to eating a ton of spinach (1.6 pounds) or 6.5 pounds tomatoes! Chocolate itself is extremely high in antioxidants, but is especially high in flavonoids, which have been approved by Health Canada and proven to heal the circulatory system!
Only 3 chocolates a day provide you with ALL your antioxidant needs for the entire day (1000mg of antioxidants). Add in your fresh and clean fruits and vegetables each day and you are far better off than most people eating a S.A.D. diet!
Xocai Healthy Chocolate products have been approved by Health Canada to claim that they reverse free radical and oxidative damage with in the body!
What are you waiting for? Let’s get you started on a daily chocolate boost!
I loved this message that came through to me from FRESH the movie (www.freshthemovie.com) so much I had to share it – and add a bit of my own as well!
The holiday season is actually one of the best opportunities you have to go green. After all, your holiday experiences can serve as a role model for green, resource-efficient practices all year round!
Here are some tips and tricks to guide your planning:
