Ch Ch Ch Changes.....

It is Day 8 of my change in diet. It's been long enough to say that I definitely feel different when I eat fresh fruits and vegetables. I have had a couple of stumbles, on Day 5 I had a whole wheat pizza and two cake balls out shopping with my girls. The clarity of my head and the energy I had been feeling for the days prior definitely waned when I ate that way. My skin has broken out a bit (I read this is a normal part of detox) and that has been the most bothersome thing. My clothes are looser and I feel very very good. And it has only been a week! My goal was to make a lifestyle change jump started by cutting out meat, dairy, breads and eating as many raw foods as I can. I am currently craving veggies, and I like the way I feel. This experiment has already been a success. My plan is to continue to eat this way, to have as much raw food as I can while adding some things lightly steamed and whole grain pastas, rice, breads etc. That will be phase 2 in a few days. I recommend a radical change and increase in fruits and vegetables to anyone. I can't figure out why I resisted it for so long. The looser clothes have inspired me to actually want to walk and bike, so I'm going to take my new bike for a spin tomorrow........All good!

Diet Update...and Lance Armstrong

OK, today is Day 4 of my (mostly raw) vegan diet. I feel great, and have had no real detox issues. I thought I would, radically changing my diet like this. I expected constant headaches, stomach pain, etc and aside from a headache the first day, I have not had any of those. Going cold turkey off all animal products, soda, bread, dough, etc has produced some cravings, but nothing too bad. Honestly, the worst thing has been not using my usual vanilla creamer for my coffee, although I did find a soy that is pretty good. The worst time of day every day has been 5-8pm, when I am ravenous no matter how much I have eaten during the day, my energy is very low, and I am (a Bit) cranky. THINGS MY CHILDREN KNOW AT THIS POINT: 1) It is rude to eat, discuss, or ask for chocolate, pizza, or cheeseburgers. 2) Bickering and fighting with each other is a really bad idea between 5 and 8pm, when the most minor offenses could very well result in 10 years hard labor. 3) It does not go over well when asking Mommy for the 5th time if she should be having her ONE cup of coffee in the morning. (I have not given up caffeine completely. One cuppa joe and one cuppa black tea usually per day) Completely off the subject, I have been very sad about Mr Lance Armstrong this week. His Oprah interview saddened me in so many ways, all I will say is that I think he said it all when he said he does not approach life from a Godly way of truth and integrity as the goal because he does not "do that". He mentioned his ex wife told him that the "truth will set you free" (John 8:32) and that he hasn't bought into that. It was the saddest because my own life has shown me the truth of how truth itself is freedom (from lies, covering, guilt, penalties etc). It is sad from a sin and brokenness standpoint, but is also cause for much hope. It is only in brokenness that we can begin to seek God and the freedom of truth. That is my prayer and hope for this man and the many who looked to him for heroism and leadership; he has great potential to become a new man inside out. I pray God speaks to his heart, and that anyone who looked to him as hero will look to Jesus instead....the one who will never let us down. God bless!

Day 2 of my completely different eating style. Last night's dinner didn't go very well...I made a great spinach and kale salad with avocado, tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette. Great, except after about 5 bites I couldn't stomach any more raw vegetables. Had some gagging, and ended up eating a handful of almonds. Any migraine sufferer will know that not eating enough is a huge headache trigger, and the missed meal didn't do me any favors. Some further research indicated that I needed to add some kind of grain to alleviate the situation and get some calories. I felt great all day until I was simply starving and couldn't eat the food I had predetermined to eat. Ah, the best laid plans. I didn't eat anything else last night, but woke up weak and very tired. I made some oatmeal with almond milk, and had a delicious grapefruit for breakfast and was back on track. Today has been good, I feel great after a good morning nap while my baby Bear slept. Lunch was celery and peanut butter....it was delicious. My plan for dinner was lettuce wraps with hummus,sprouts and avocado, but my local market that I had time to go to today isn't currently carrying sprouts. ! I may just skip them and chop some other veggies. I think this will work, just slightly modified when I am not getting enough calories. As much raw fruit, veg, and nuts as I can, with some whole grains items that may be cooked, but still no dairy, meat, sugar, or white flour. I can feel my body start to detox from the aforementioned and aside from feeling vaguely hungry a lot, I am experiencing some pretty intense hot flashes. I read that can happen, as the body is cleansing the liver. It's all good! God bless my sweet children who are very "worried" about poor hungry mommy....but not enough to NOT eat the last of the double chocolate cake I made the night before my diet...in front of me.

My Revolution

Welcome to my revolution! At this point, I am probably welcoming just myself, but that's okay. I want to get back into the habit of writing regularly again, and having some discipline to my random thoughts! The most interesting thing about today is that it is Day 1 of my first raw cleanse diet. I want to document what I'm doing and keep track and hopefully that in itself will keep me "on track". I have never been a health food person, just a normal midwestern girl. My tastes are not very sophisticated even though I have tried many things, especially when traveling in Europe and dining in pricy French restaurants as part of my former career as an interior design assistant to the high end in Naples, FL. As a mom of 4 who range all across the board on the Picky Scale, my own family cooking is pretty basic and probably lacks imagination. My biggest challenge this ten days will be figuring out what to feed them while I eat my veggies, fruits, and nuts. 3 THINGS TODAY: 1. My still-growing-out-a-pixie-cut from 2 years ago hair is in "bunny ears" semi pigtails at the top of my head 2. I want warm bread and fresh butter and can't have it 3. I feel a renewed connection with God and have had some great moments with Him showing me stuff today. Listening to: Passion/White Flag. It is my soundtrack right now. I have eaten: a bowl of fruit, a salad with my own concoction of dressing, and some nuts. Also lots of water. The verdict today is I feel clear headed and energetic. Off to a decent start for my New Year Not Letting 40 Get the Best of Me and Feeling Better (shaping up after baby last year and reducing fatigue and headaches)......short title, eh?