Day ??: Inspiration

Today is a day of needing inspiration - actually the past few months have been of needing inspiration.

I found this link today  - anyone seen it?? I am thinking it could be a catalyst for what I need these days!  In the midst of moving, the holidays, birthdays and plenty of yummies around life has been hard.

What inspires you?

Day 256: Raw Brownies

Is it me or when the weather gets chilly does everyone want to bake?? I do! I do!

Here is an awesome recipe I got today from one of my favorite blogs, Glitter Guide.  Now you know what I'll be doing this weekend, get your aprons out!

The Raw Brownie Recipe (courtesy of My New Roots)

 

Ingredients:

 

2 cups whole walnuts

2 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted

1 cup raw cacao

1 cup raw unsalted almonds, roughly chopped

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Directions:
 

1. Place walnuts in food processor and blend on high until the nuts are finely ground.
2. Add the cacao and salt. Pulse to combine.
3. Add the dates one at a time through the feed tube of the food processor while it is running. You should end up with is a mix that appears rather like cake crumbs, but that when pressed, will easily stick together (if the mixture does not hold together well, add more dates).
4. In a large bowl, combine the walnut-cacao mix with the chopped almonds (I used my hands). 

Press into a lined cake pan. Place in fridge until ready to serve. Store in an airtight container.

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 230: Finding PURE Joy

I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer, for us ... this is back to school week so life will surely be returning back to normal. 

It has been about a month now and I have to update you on Lindsey's health at this point.  She is still in the thick of the storm of dealing with her Lupus outbreak and bless her heart, she is amazingly strong.  Still not able to go back to work, she is weak, tired and handling complications like an angel.  Every text, every call, every email every time I see her she sounds as if God has given her the ability to tackle this with strength and courage like I could ever only dream of.  After each and every encounter, I would find myself look around my house at my frustrations that were getting me down whether it be my messy house, the undone laundry, the fighting siblings - and it reminded me that it's all in how we handle things.  God never gives us more than we can't handle.  Thank you for your prayers.

Now, back to the green talk ...

Here is my question that I have been pondering this week as I enter back into my routine in less than 12 hours.  Pressure and joy.  Do you feel pressure when it comes to eating? Do you find joy in eating? 

I heard a quote the other day:

~ Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale. ~

As I was making my green smoothie (yes, I am making a batch of smoothies tonight so they are ready and waiting for me in the morning ... no excuses!) and I was thinking about the joy in foods and wondering if the amount of pressure to eat green and healthy is overtaking my joy?
 

A friend told me over the weekend that she felt too much pressure trying to eat raw/green and it became unpleasureable.  We put so much pressure on ourselves (or maybe I just do) - to be the perfect wife, the perfect mother, to fit into the perfect jeans, ... but I know through my relationship with God that we are far from perfect (except for those great new jeans sometimes that are very close to perfection!) but that doesn't mean we don't strive to try for perfection.  We are human.  

However, it did make me realize that I need to recapture the joy that comes from eating and I do know that eating green and healthy does result in happiness.  Mentally, physically and emotionally.  Now it's the pressure.  The pressure to eat green and healthy sometimes outweighs the reason for joy behind it.  I think I just confused my myself.

Tomorrow, it's back to basics to enjoy the YUMMY green goodness that I am now excited for!  I hope you find joy and pleasure out of what you put in your mouth and it makes you feel GOOD!  

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 203: A call out for prayer ...

I know that I have been missing for a while ... summer is getting the best of me along with a spilled sippy cup on my computer that no longer exists. But this post deserved borrowing my husbands computer to not quite discuss greens but to ask for your prayers.

You have all heard me talk and write about Lindsey who suffers from Lupus and who was the reason behind all of this ... she needs us and needs our prayers. After a wonderful trip with her husband to celebrate their anniversary (on her pretty pic below!) she is now in the hospital with an unusually strong flare of her lupus condition. Remember, I am in no way a doctor (even though I think I am after many seasons of Greys Anatomy) and cannot tell you exactly the reasons behind all of this but know she is not doing well. The doctors think traveling, stress and the sun could all be factors knowing she is on a healthy eating path but the body is a strange phenomenon that nobody can be exact how and why this is all happening.

Please pray for her, keep her in your good thoughts, enjoy a green smoothie in her honor, make a good choice in your food selection knowing how quickly our bodies can fail us, anything ... but please lift her up! You all have been such an encouragement to me and I know it will pass along in great lengths to her!

I promise to keep you posted and to get a new computer soon to be back with many green stories!

In the meantime, stay green and enjoy the summer...!!

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 169: Exercise and Raw

Here is the thought of the day (actually the week if I am honest).  How is eating raw going to give me all of the energy and strength I need with all of my exercising??

Let me back up - I have a love/hate relationship with working out.  When I became a mom 4 years ago - it definitely became more of a love.  It's a good release of stress, some 'me' time and all around good for the soul!  Every blue moon, I decide I need to do something crazy and sign up for something to keep me motivated - this time around it was my little brother (can you still call him 'little' after he turns 30?)  that got me to sign up for a trail run in Atlanta this fall.  You could call it peer pressure, needing a goal to achieve or stupidity but I said yes - so my brother, sister in law, husband and my sister (whoo hoo) will all be doing the 12 mile trail run in the mountains of Georgia.   Mystery Mountain Marathon, here we come ...

Ok, back to the raw thing.  Am I getting enough protein to be working out like crazy like I am?  It has all been trial and error - I have noticed I am eating more and craving more - but I have been doing a lot of research and most say that you get more energy and stamina from the raw diet.  I have been eating a  lot of Subway for lunch - but I order the kids mini sub on wheat bread with only veggies and no dressing - can you say YUM?!  Normally, I wouldn't eat any grains during the daytime (only for dinner) but I am changing things up a bit now that I am burning a lot of calories and need more energy. 

Any suggestions??

It's been a GREAT week and such a good reminder of how good it feels to sweat like crazy and feel sore from the exercise, combined with my eating ... good things all around.

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 163: Summer Time

Hi, my name is Erin ... and I am a summer-aholic!  I am not sure where the time goes or what I have been doing but June is almost OVER and I haven't written forever ...  Happy Summer!

I will be honest with you - there are some days when I sit down to blog and wonder what to write! Trust me -- there is A LOT on my mind that I want to share with you but am not sure where the days go.  I could share that ...

I have been making some wonderful meals for the summer that are light and easy - lots for friends and bbq's that they don't even realize they are eating raw (it's kind of fun not to tell!) 

or 

all of the amazing people that surround me that are dabbling in raw and loving every second of it 

or 

the countless ideas I have of starting a business that caters to pre-made raw items or green popsicles for kids to name a few. 

Lots going on in this green mind of mine!

But mainly, I am not sure if it's the heat or the bikini that has to be worn with the summer being here - it's easier to eat raw and healthy this time of year.  Who wants to eat big meals that make you feel tired and bloated when you have to chase your kids around in your swim suit (and I mean that literally - chase!!!).  Not me! So I find myself eating in such regular habits that I constantly crave my greens and love being outside and making it to the gym.  It's good for the soul - and mind these days : )  

I am hoping to share a few other stories with you over the next month to let you in on others who have tried going raw - their good, bad and ugly of the program.  I love reading in magazines the 'real stories' so I thought you may too!

I hope your summers are going GREAT, please share!

Hugs and love ... and 

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 144: Mission complete.

Hooray!!! For those of you that did a cleanse (of any kind...!) YOU DID IT, WE DID IT!!! Well, technically not yet ... but we are so close I can taste it!

I hope you feel amazing like I do ... I would love to hear how you feel!  I do know that when I take on challenges like this it makes me feel so good about a lot in my life.   Four days seemed like a long time in the beginning but now I am not sure where the week has gone.  I can sometimes feel like there is never enough time in the day - that there is always something more I could be doing - and I am never doing quite enough.  But doing something like this reminds me to slow down and with the drive and the desire - it all can be done.  

I realized how beautiful eating can really be.  I am definitely one of those people that chews without even thinking what just went in my  mouth - or I look back on the day and never remember some of the things that went in my mouth.

So not only do I feel better about what I put in my body the past few days - I was reminded that food is meant for nourishing the body.  What we put in our bodies directly effects so many things - our thoughts, our moods, our health, our pant size and much more.  

Thank you for your support, for encouraging me and for allowing me to remember that eating green is a choice and one that I am grateful for making.

Happy weekend ... and 

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 141: Day ONE of Round TWO Cleansing

Day ONE of cleansing is almost to an end ...

I have to admit - this was not an easy day! I woke up excited to start this and that is half the battle ...

I had my green lemonade for breakfast and was off to the races.  I dropped the kids off at school and headed to the gym - I felt really good but was hungry as can be afterward.  I even tried to go through McDonald's for a smoothie but their machine was being cleaned. I think I had a brief moment where I wanted to crawl through the intercom and find the person responsible for this! I quickly composed myself and filled my water bottle.  Did you know that you can order one of the fruit smoothies from McD's without the dairy and it's raw??  Brilliant. 

The rest of day was full of green smoothies.  I know that body is thanking me for this but my tummy is wanting some of those bad yummies so it's been a battle that I will win.  One hour at a time, one meal at a time, one day at a time.

I am ready for bed - maybe it's because I am tired but also ready for Day TWO!

Day 140: Prep & More!

It's time to cleanse and I am excited that some of you will be joining me on these next few days ...

Most detox mixtures (like the lemon/cayenne pepper/honey mix) just lift the toxins into the bloodstream. When you stop the detox your body re-absorbs the toxins hence weight again. 

Solution: practice a deeper cleanse (green smoothie) as the first meal of the day

(Lunch too!)  to not only lift but to release toxins so weight drops completely. 

Here are my recipes that I will be using for now ... let me know what you are using and we can share!

Green Smoothie (made in the blender)

                             

(~4 servings)

1.5 cup spring water or more

1 head romaine lettuce

4 stalks celery

1 bunch cilantro (optional)

1 bunch parsley

1 bag spinach

1 whole lemon

2 apples

2 pears

1 banana

- Rinse all fresh produce

-Chop into small pieces then feed into blender.  IMPORTANT – otherwise your blender will get stuck!

-Add small amounts of water as you go to keep solution moist.

-Container will fill 2-3xs!  Please empty into large pitcher each time.

-Makes ~4 -5 servings.

*Its an acquired tastes so beginners may also like to add unsweetened fruit juice or carrots to the drink. 

 

  

I will also be mixing in my Green Lemonade ... here is the recipe again:

 

Green Lemonade (made in the juicer)

 

1 head romaine lettuce

5-6 leaves of spinach, kale, collards, celery, or dandelion greens, etc. (I use kale

1 whole lemon – peel, seeds, and all (Meyer lemons are sweeter)

2 fuji apples, cored (use 3 if you want to make it sweeter)

 

Juice and drink up right away.

Ok ...

There are a few ways you can do this -

1. Drink the green smoothies/lemonade for breakfast and lunch ... then for dinner eat a piece of fish or chicken with steamed veggies. 

or

 

2. Drink the green smoothies/lemonade for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

 

I like to do things in small steps - try it out for ONE day ... see how you feel - you may be ready to stop or you may be ready to try ONE more day ... before you know it, you have done it longer than you could have imagined.  You can do this and we will do it TOGETHER.

 

 

 HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 139: One more Day!

One more day of this ... then it's a FOUR day cleanse!  Anyone ready to join me??

Also, I created a page for Raw For A Reason on Facebook ... please click here to join:

Raw For A Reason Facebook

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Be safe : )

Day 138: Cleanse anyone???

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

I am cleaning my house ... as my daughter sleeps I am going over in my head all of the yummies (but not so yummy) things I have eaten this month and have not helped my summer wardrobe or my internal highways!  Graduation parties, birthday celebrations, holiday bbq's, and more ... I need a cleanse (just like my house did today). Anyone want to join me???

I, like everyone else ... will fully enjoy this holiday weekend but am ready to start Tuesday off with a 4 day cleanse to get me back in the right mindset to eat clean and raw day in and day out.  Or maybe you just need to cleanse out your weekend eats and need to feel better about summer - whatever your reason may be - let's do it together.   I will be drinking my delicious smoothies and lemonades starting Tuesday morning through Friday evening at every meal (you could do something a little different) ... that doesn't mean it won't last longer but I like to think in baby steps.  I do well with an end date in sight ☺

So - anyone care to join me? Let's do it together ... we all are better when we have accountability!  We can keep each other excited, share recipes and conquer this short term goal together.

Load up on the greens this weekend (even if it's Monday night after the festivities wrap up!) ... and let's start off our summers together.  

I will be buying LOTS of:

Romaine Lettuce

Kale

Lemons

Apples

Pears

ANY fruit that looks yummy! (strawberries, blueberries, etc)

Parlsey

Celery

Coconut Water

...I'll let you know if I find more.   Go by your local farmers market!

Let me know ... hopefully we are friends on Facebook (if not, let's be!) and I will make a group page for us - this is the way to reach a goal for yourself, take the first step to say YES and we can do the rest together ... as Nike says, LET'S DO IT!

Happy Weekend and ...

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 134: Thank you!!!! And a little something for you ...

THANK YOU to all that came out tonight!  I honestly was hoping if there were a handful of people that came I would be okay with it ... and it was a full house! Sweet Tammi from Mama Jeans said it was the biggest turnout they have had for anyone that is not nationally known - I am humbled and thrilled. 

I am inspired by all of you that are interested in knowing more about eating raw - enjoying a healthy lifestyle and living a green life.  Please let me know if I was not able to answer any questions or you need anything - I would LOVE to get a group together to support, encourage and be there for one another.  You amaze me.

As a THANK YOU ...

The first person to sign up as a new 'follower' on my blog will receive a $20 gift card to Mama Jeans that attended this evening - hopefully it will help you begin your new raw journey! Please leave a comment that you were there tonight and it's all yours - and again, thank you for coming ... you all made my week ♥

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 132: You're Invited!

I wanted to invite everyone (ok ... I guess just those who live in Springfield) to join me (and hopefully my friend Lindsey) to Mama Jeans tomorrow evening to TALK RAW!  They have graciously asked me to speak tomorrow evening about my journey, I am both flattered and excited!

Mama Jean's Market

North Store

1727 S. Campbell

417-831-5229

Tuesday, May 24th

6-7pm

I am bringing some goodies ... a giveaway and I'm sure the word 'poop' will be used ... good times all around. There will be LOTS of great info about eating a clean and healthy diet, how to eat raw as much or as little as you would are ready for in your lives!   But puh-lease stop by if you can!!  Would love to see your smiling faces and meet some new ones. ☺

And to all that cannot make it ... I still love you and for following this journey!  To my dear friends Tasha and Loren who live in different states, I REALLY wish you could be there as  you get ready to start your own journey ... I am cheering you on from afar and can't WAIT to hear your successes, big and small!

I'll be back to let you know how it goes, wish me luck!  Do you think anyone will show up??? Ahhhhhhhh!!

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 119: Proper combining ... and the AHA moment!

Life is crazy these days ... and I have missed writing about my journey!! So, I am back ...

Raw is going well. Not so much over Mother's Day weekend but a girls gotta indulge, right??

BUT, the great thing about eating healthy and raw is ... you always come right back to making your body, mind and spirit healthy after actually seeing and feeling the benefits. So as good as that yummy ice cream was to finish off my Mama's Day ... it was right back to 'doin' a body good' on Monday.  

I thought I would share with you my 'blueprint' on how I eat and the categories that I have mentioned a few times.  No matter how you eat, this is and hopefully will be an 'aha' moment for you.

Here goes:

There are 4 basic foods for the purpose of our body - 

1. Starches

2. Fleshes

3. Nuts/Dried Fruits

4. Fresh Fruit

To give you the Easy 101 behind all of this, these food groups should NEVER be combined.   I have described to you before that our digestive tract is much like a highway - if you block the lanes, you have a traffic jam which means it doesn't properly digest and that is extra weight we are holding on to. Yes, weight...the extra pounds we all would like to go away!  Sooooo, if you follow these groups, then your highway will always be traffic-free and your body will start to shed the extra weight it is holding on to!  IT'S THAT EASY, I promise!

Here is a chart that I LIVE by and basically plan my meals around:

I know the picture didn't come out so well ... let me know if you want a copy and I can email it to you!  

How do you do use this chart?  It maps out how you should combine your foods throughout the day.  Vegetables (fresh and steamed) can be combined with the first 3 categories ... Fruit should always be eaten by itself. I know, I have told you that before ... it even got it's own post!  

If you're going to have a 'flesh' for dinner, eat a wonderful piece of fish, or anything else you see on the list above (preferably organic but who am I to say!) and have a great BIG side of steamed vegetables on the side.  And my goodness, have another piece of meat/fish that you made, better to eat more in the same category than go to another food group.   BUT don't put rice with the meal because it's in a different group.  At our house, I used to make a meat/fish for an entree, vegetables (my mom always said there had to be a color on the plate) and some brown rice ... I was wrong!  The meat (flesh) and the rice (starch) cancel each other out and don't properly digest in your system.  Basically (mom, cover your ears) ... the two get stuck in your digestive tract and it could be weeks before you poop it out!  GROSS, I know but I have never talked about poop so much.  But that's the way it works, folks! You eat, you poop. There is no extra 'weight' in your body that turns to fat.  

And don't get my started on fruit ... if you were to eat the yummy meal I mentioned above and then have a bowl of fresh fruit afterwards for dessert, it ferments that delicious meal you just ate ... yes, ROTS the food and it doesn't come out.  Yes ... this was MY 'aha' moment in eating.  It's all about the 'Quick Exit combinations'.  And it works.  Try it for a week but don't forget to let me know how it goes.  There is A LOT you can eat on the table above that most of you didn't know!

Ok, that was exhausting ... I hope that makes some sort of sense to you.  Let me know if you have questions or if I can send any info to you!!  Summertime is right around the corner ... that goes for me too! Happy combining ... and 

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 112: Fruit, Fruit, Fruit!!!

A friend (thanks Mollie!) sent this to me and it is exactly along the lines of eating raw and how to eat fruit ... when I learned this in doing all of our research for going raw, it changed the way I will eat fruit FOREVER, so please read!

We all think eating fruit means just buying fruit, cutting it up and popping it into our mouths. It's not that easy. It's important to know how and when to eat fruit.

What's the correct way to eat fruit?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUIT AFTER A MEAL! FRUIT SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

Eating fruit like that plays a major role in detoxifying your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.

Let's say you eat two slices of bread, then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it's prevented from doing so.

In the meantime, the whole meal rots and ferments, and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach, and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

Eat your fruit on an empty stomach, or before your meal! You've heard people complain: Every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc. This will not happen if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas. Hence, you bloat!

There's no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruit becomes alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruit, you have the Secret of Beauty, Longevity, Health, Energy, Happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT the concentrated juice from the cans. Don't drink juice that has been heated. Don't eat cooked fruit; you don't get the nutrients at all. You get only the taste. Cooking destroys all of the vitamins.

Eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit-fast to cleanse your body. Eat fruit and drink fruit juice for just 3 days, and you will be surprised when your friends say how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty, and a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange!

AN APPLE a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

EATING 2 - 4 ORANGES a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. Also a key source of lycopene, the cancer-fighting oxidant. Also found in watermelon: Vitamin C and Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, good for your eyes.

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 111: The Best of the Best

Happy Day!

What are the best of the best that we need for juicing and living a raw/healthy lifestyle?? Here are some reviews and would love to hear from you what YOU love! 

 Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL  *Est. $300

Pros

• Large chute
• Powerful motor
• Two speeds
• Stainless-steel exterior
• Most components dishwasher-safe

Cons

• Bulky and heavy
• Noisy
• High price

Reviewers agree that the Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL is the top juicer in its price range. Its 3-inch chute means that many fruits can be juiced without having to be chopped up first, saving time and effort. The powerful, two-speed motor allows for better torque when juicing hard foods, such as beets and carrots. Reviewers say that cleanup is fairly easy; although the Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL has several parts to clean, most are dishwasher-safe. Its drawbacks, aside from the high price tag, include its large size and noisy motor. The Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL carries a one-year limited warranty. If you don't want to spend $300 on a juicer, reviewers say that the 820-watt Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro 67650 (*Est. $75) is an excellent value.

**I have this one and L.O.V.E. it ... a little secret for you - I found it on craigslist for $150 brand new in the box - they're out there, just look!!!

Excalibur 3000 Series  *Est $200

 

• 8-15 square feet of drying space
• Adjustable Thermostat: 85-145 degrees F
• 400-600 watts
• Optional 26-hour timer
• Special packages for Outdoorsmen
• Special packages for Raw Foodists
• Special packages for the Health Conscious
• Special packages for Gardeners
• 10 Year Warranty (+$30)
• Prices from $189.95 to $249.95

These days, you can find food dehydrators in various shapes and sizes. The round ones are good, but the square versions are better. You get more usable space because they don't have a hole running down the center. Efficiency is up because there's no wasted space. 

They also vary in drying method. Some have a bottom mounted heating element, making the bottom trays dry faster. Depending on what you're making, it could mean that you'll need to remember to rotate the trays. Also, there could be a dripping mess, making the product a pain to clean. 

One disadvantage to the square dehydrators is they're not expandable. So, if you can afford it, get the larger model so you won't need to upgrade later. Even if you get a round one that can grow, you'll still have to buy additional trays.

Vita-Mix 5200  *Est. $500

Pros

• Powerful motor
• Heavy-duty blending capability
• Large 64-ounce jug

Cons

• Expensive
• Noisy

Both owners and professional reviewers concur that the Vita-Mix 5200 is the best blender if you want an appliance that goes well beyond making smoothies and pureeing soup. Its main competition, the Blendtec Total Blender (*Est. $400), is also a good choice, with the differences boiling down to a user's preference of features. For example, the Blendtec has a lower height that makes it easier to fit under kitchen cabinets, but the Vita-Mix has a longer warranty. The Vita-Mix 5200 has a powerful 2-horsepower (1,380 watt) motor, and users say its blades spin so fast you can make hot soup in it. It's also powerful enough to make perfectly blended cheese fondues and to grind grains into flour. Reviewers like its large 64-ounce jar, but they note that polycarbonate can scratch and stain over time. The Vita-Mix 5200 comes with a seven-year warranty. Drawbacks include the price and noise, which at high speed has been compared to that of a jet engine. If your blending agenda includes mainly smoothies and purees, the Vita-Mix 5200 is overkill.

**I have a Hamilton from Target ($100) and it works GREAT!

What do you use? Love? Reviews??

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 107: Fresh, Local and Green

Happy Day!

Story for today ...

I started the day out on a trail run - an AMAZING way to start out the day (note to self!).  Of course that was after my green lemonade, double whammy of a good start!  After running through the woods, experiencing Gods beauty I was reminded once again how important it is to take care of our bodies and be able to fully enjoy our surroundings ...

The morning snow balled with more goodness!

I stopped by the gym and in talking to a friend she told me how the Y and a local farm are teaming up to support our local community and bring produce and organic meats to the area.  Yes, we have our local farmers market ... BUT, this allows you to join the coop for a certain $ amount, help out at the farm (sign my kids UP!) and once a week, the farm will bring the produce/meats to the parking lot of the Y and you pick of your goodies.  AMAZING, right ... that's what I thought!  It's a win/win in my eyes, I love it!

It keeps going ... a lovely group of girls that work at the gym heard me talking about my journey and they were curious as can be!  So, I ranted and raved about my RAW eating journey, my amazing friend that is my inspiration to me and the everyday benefits (probably for too long of course!) ... little do they know, as encouraging as I was trying to be to them - they were MORE encouraging to ME!  

Knowing that there are people out there wanting to eat better, feel better and live better is amazing to me.  I could talk about it forever ... and ever ... and ever.  So, thank you girls!  Now - get to eating green, support one another and tell me all about it!

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 100: Happy 100 with a little shade of RED!

Today is Day 100 - woot, woot - yes, that's me tootin' a horn to celebrate!!!!!!

AND as a little treat that was a perfect timing - an article came out in 417 Magazine today with yours truly ☺

I had to share (as I am turning a shade of red ...)

Back to the Basics

Join 417-lander and diet blogger Erin Lopez on her raw-foods journey.

By Libby Bishop

Photo by Kevin O’Riley

This year Erin Lopez is making a life-altering change: She’s only eating raw foods. She and her friend embarked on the journey together after her friend found out she had lupus. After researching, the two learned that eating raw could lead to many health benefits, including lessening the severity of illnesses such as lupus. With each other for moral support, the two have been able to keep up their diets and inspire others. Erin started a blog (raw4areason.blogspot.com) about the diet and its effects on her life.

Erin’s family has also been eating healthier. Her two girls, Ella, 3, and Violet, 18 months, help her make “green smoothies,” which they have dubbed their “green super-girl drink.” Erin has noticed many perks from the diet, including having more energy and losing weight. Her friend has also been making great strides in her health, which inspires the two. “Forever my ways of eating have changed”, says Erin.

Raw Recipes from Erin

Green Lemonade

from The Raw Food Diet Detox by Natalie Rose

1 head romaine lettuce or celery

5-6 stalks of kale (any type)

1 to 2 apples (Fuji recommended)

1 whole lemon (you don' have to peel it)

Process the vegetables through a juicer one at a time. The fiber will shoot out the juicer into one container while the srout will eject the fresh juice into another container. Pour into a large glass and drink! Enjoy!

Hearty corn Salad

from The Raw Food Diet Detox by Natalie Rose

Ingredients:

3 portobello mushrooms, chopped

Marinade:

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Marinate the mushrooms for at least an hour or overnight. Save the extra marinade to use as salad dressing to taste.

Salad:

2 tablespoons sliced scallions

1 bell pepper chopped

1 cup grape tomatoes

1/2 pound romaine lettuce

3-4 ears fresh corn, kernels cut off

Toss together. Place the marinated mushrooms on top of each serving of salad.

***I like a lot of flavor in my food so I don’t prepare this dish without herbs (cilantro, parsley, and basil all work well). I absolutely love cooking with herbs. It adds great flavor without the fat and calories. Choose your favorite herb or herb combination.

***I have also been known to throw an avocado in the mix.

THANK YOU for 100 days of support, laughs and listening ears ... here's to another 100!

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 99: Happy EARTH Day!

Happy Earth Day ...  Make it a GREEN day too!

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 97: A new week!

Happy Monday - this is going to be a GREAT week ... I know it!

I started out today with a yummy fruit/green smoothie ...  

1 banana

1 c. fresh cut strawberries

1 tsp. flax seed

handful of spinach

coconut water

ice

I am meeting a friend to run today who has also radically changed her way of eating ... it's amazing how good or bad we are to our bodies how it effects every part of our life.  Here's my quote for the day:

'Take care of your body.  It's the only place you have to live.' Jim Rohn

Make it a GREAT day and hopefully that day will turn into another day - and before you know it, it's been a GREAT week. That's what I am hoping for at least.  One day at a time ...

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 93: Get your GroupON!

Happy Day to all! 

I have been MIA lately, sorry!  I have been visiting my family down South for a week and putting our house on the market - whoo hoo!  When it rains it pours, thats just the way life goes : )  

I did 'introduce' my family to eating raw - it went over well I must say! At dinners I showed them what they should be eating and avoiding for proper food combinations and I even had a Raw Breakfast/Lunch Day (they wouldn't go for dinner)!   I made smoothies for breakfast, my sister barely touched it - go figure.  And I eased them in with avocado/tomato sandwiches on Ezekiel bread.  Some of you know my Dad, the best way to describe him to you is to tell you that most called him the Marlboro Man growing up - he is a man's man that loves his meat and potatoes.  We had horses growing up and he always looked very dapper in his cowboy hat and boots - actually looks a lot like him.  This helps you understand that when I offered him a veggie sandwich he wasn't going for it!  BUT ... a few hours later he called my mom from the grocery store trying to find the bread I was using!! Baby steps, I'll take it!

I am back in full swing and will be sharing more stories along my way ...

In the meantime, here is the Groupon special for the day - one I must share and of course I purchased!!!  I'm always looking for bargains - this is a good one, hurry!

Happy Green!!!

Day 84: THE Reason for ALL of this!

I feel like I need to do a big drum roll or something exceptionally cool to share with you and introduce you to the REASON behind ALL of this!!!!!  

Let me introduce to you Lindsey - ahhhh Lindsey!  I will keep this short because you'll want to read her answers below ... BUT first I have to tell you that this girl is amazing.  I met her not long ago (seven months??) and she changed my life, obviously!  We met in a Life Group through our church and we will be life long friends (along with the other girls!!!) ... she was telling the group one night the story of her lupus and struggle with starting a family - I knew right then that we would do something together to get her through this (yes, I emailed her the second I got home ... we laugh about that now!) and months later after prayer and research we sat over dinner and made the commitment to ourselves and each other that we were going to do this.  

I hope her story inspires you and gives you a reason to feel better, have more energy and live each day to the healthiest.

So ... here are some q's that I asked her for all of you to hear about HER journey to encourage you and smile along the way!

Lindsey and FAMILY!

Tell us how and why you got to the point of going raw? I have been sick with lupus for over 12 years.  The symptoms have included: arthritis, skin rash, hair loss, fever, anemia, and fatigue.  Over the years I have learned to adapt or deal with these symptoms.  Some days are hard.  I got to my breaking point when my husband and I started thinking about having children.  I was told I couldn’t have children right now because of how sick I was and all of the harmful medications that I have to take.  I am on one medication that can actually cause birth defects.  I truly believe that God designed our bodies to heal themselves.  In order to do this we must give our bodies the proper nutrition that it needs to function the way God intended.  Going raw was the way for me, because it provided my body with the most nutrient, healing foods out there. 


Can you describe to me and explain lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs. Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in order to protect and fight against antigens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus makes the immune system unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue. This leads the immune system to direct antibodies against the healthy tissue causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage.  Lupus affects 1.5 to 2 million Americans. The cause of lupus is not known. Research suggests that genes play an important role, but genes alone do not determine who gets lupus. It is likely that many factors trigger the disease.

How are you feeling now that you are raw? Amazing!  I don’t have any more swelling in my legs and ankles.  My arthritis symptoms are gone.  I have more energy than ever.  My clothes aren’t as snug either!  For some reason, I can’t quit talking about how awesome my poops are!  My entire life has been changed.  I have hope for the future, and I can’t help but be excited about feeling so great!



What has been your favorite part of going raw?  The way I feel.  I can’t deny the remarkable change in my everyday life.  No fatigue after lunch and not waking up to heartburn in the middle of the night have been huge improvements in my daily life.  Plus, the food is really good.  I crave healthy nutritious food.  These foods are foods that I can trust.  I don’t have to worry about them harming my body.  



What has been your least favorite part of going raw? It can be a little overwhelming making so many changes to your lifestyle at once.  I suggest starting small.  Make a few healthy choices here and there.  For instance, start having a meatless Monday at your house.  You could also switch to whole grain bread, brown rice and whole wheat pasta.  Try and buy organic fruits and veggies whenever you can.  Little changes really add up.  One of my favorite products is Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread.  It is organic, non-dairy, no trans fat and taste just like butter. 

Do you have a favorite recipe?  Like I could choose just one!

Peach and Blueberry Cobbler

Ingredients
8 fresh or frozen peaches, peeled and seeds removed (or mango or nectarine)
6-8 dates or more to taste (pre-soaking softens)
1/2 tsp unrefined sea salt
1 Tbsp ground psyllium (Psyllium makes a suitable replacement for an egg when mixed with water. This egg replacer would be used in baked goods or as a binding ingredient.  Also a great source of fiber!)
1-2 cups blueberries, fresh if possible (or any berry)
Topping
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup walnut pieces
3/4 cup dates
1/4 tsp unrefined sea salt
1 tsp vanilla powder (use vanilla flavoring if you do not have a vanilla bean)

Directions
1. Place 1/2 of the peaches in a blender with the dates and sea salt. Blend well.
2. More dates may be added if a sweeter taste is desired.
3. Add psyllium and blend well.
4. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
5. Chop the remaining peaches, placing them in a bowl.
6. Blend the blended peaches again and add to the chopped peaches.
7. Place in glass cobbler dish and stir in blueberries.
8. Sprinkle on topping.

Chunky Raw Marinara Sauce

Ingredients
4 medium vine ripened tomatoes, cut in fine dice
1/2 red onion, minced
1 Tbsp roasted garlic, minced (can be store-bought in a jar, pre-roasted)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Tbsp unrefined sea salt
1/4 Tbsp coarse grind black pepper
Fresh Oregano leaves, torn or cut in rough chop, to taste
Fresh Basil, cut in chiffonaden (a cooking technique in which herbs or leafy green vegetables are cut into long, thin strips.), to taste

Directions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the onions and tomatoes with the salt and pepper and mix well.
2. Add the roasted garlic and the olive oil.
3. Tear the leaves of oregano or chop them and add them to the bowl.
4. Roll up the leaves of basil and thinly slice them in chiffonade.
5. Add the basil and combine all of the ingredients well.
6. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
Just add some of your favorite whole wheat pasta and you have a delicious meal!



You have an amazing hubby, does he eat raw now?? Luckily, Brian is not a picky eater.  He eats whatever I am having but may add some chicken or fish.  He has taken on this lifestyle with me.  I could not do this without his support, and he has helped me stay on track.   I appreciate his encouragement so much.

Any funny stories to share over the past 3 + months? The first week after Brian and I went raw, we thought we deserved a little treat.  So we went to the store and got a sugary pastry.  Before we could even  get out of the store Brian ripped it out of the package and practically swallowed it whole!   I about died laughing because I don’t think he even got to taste his reward!  That night after devouring our treat we both felt sick to our stomachs (Brian more so probably because he ate it so fast). It was a good reminder to why we are doing what we are doing because we feel so much better when we eat healthy.  



I know your addicted to carrot juicing, ha! Any other new found addictions?? I also love almond butter with celery, carrots, apples, and on toast.  Juicing and green smoothies are a big part of my life now.  They are a great way to get lots of nutrients.  They taste so wonderful too.  



How do you do raw eating while having a full time job? Plan! Plan! Plan! I try and plan ahead.  On the weekend, I  make a big meal, like vegetable soup, that we can eat on all week.  I also buy a bunch of veggies and lettuce and get it all washed and ready to snack on all week.  I have made my diet a priority in my life.  Keeping up with this lifestyle does require quite the routine and dedication.  It was a hard commitment at first because I was so addicted to sugar.  I definitely went through some withdrawal symptoms (headache, achy body, fatigue).  But now my body feels better than ever.  



Will you continue to eat raw after your 1 year commitment? Yes!  It has really changed the way I look at food.  Food’s main purpose is to give our bodies energy so we need to steer clear of empty calories and eat foods rich in nutrition.  By eating healthy, I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything.  What I have gained is a healthy happy life style with thought and concern for my future.  



Any inspiring words for anyone thinking of going raw?? You can do it!  Eating raw is GREAT!  It is a gift you can give yourself and family that is worth more than anything that money could buy.  Focus on all the wonderful fruits and veggies that you can indulge in everyday.  You are not alone.  Tell your commitment to others.  I have been blessed with a great support system that encourages me, send me letters, and holds me accountable.  Also, I have wonderful friends and family who adds a baked sweet potato or yummy salad to meals when they invite me over.  Everyone has been so thoughtful. 

There you go ... hope you enjoyed her answers and have encouragement to try going GREEN!  Please pray for her and her continued journey ...   Love you Lindsey and thank God you are in my life and the REASON for going RAW! xoxoxoxo

HAPPY GREEN!!!

Day 82: Giveaway Day!

Happy Friday ... whoo hoo!  And it's April 1st - exciting!!!!!!!

Thank you to those who signed up for both my blog and for Mama Jeans on Facebook - hugs to all! I am still in awe of this journey - God has been so good and I am hoping to see this lead to great things, we'll see as the journey continues.  

Please take this day to embrace those around you - share the love and pass along goodness to all around you.  A smile goes along way - hold the door for a stranger  - help a mom with her juggling act in the grocery store - tell your spouse you love them out of the blue -  compliment a stranger - hug your kids extra long - call your mom just because - and don't forget ... LOVE YOURSELF!  ♥

Today is the beginning of a new month - try going green (a meal, a day, a week or a month) and let me know how it goes!  I'll do it WITH you ...  I promise.

Happy Shopping and congratulations to SARAH WISEMAN and CHRISTY TREE!!!  Thanks ladies ... get some yummies for us : )

Christy Tree

Sarah Wiseman

Enjoy the weekend ... 

HAPPY GREEN!!!