New To Raw Food?

New to the Raw Food Diet?
Don't know where to start?

Here's the basics:
Empty the pantry and fridge of all temptations. Too much to "throw away"? Donate or give to a friend who knows you well enough to accept the gift of partially opened and used packages.

Define your goals:
75% raw can be achieved by sticking to all raw 2 out of 3 regular meals if the third meal also includes a large salad and fresh fruit serving.

I struggled for over a year before I "got it right"... trust me, a big change from SAD (Standard American Diet) to a mostly Raw Food Diet is tough. So, first and foremost, be forgiving if you slip up and eat an old stand by, then get right back on the raw wagon...

Second, buy as much organic fresh fruits and veggies as you can, I realize some parts of the world have few choices and just getting fresh fruit and veggies can sometimes be a challenge. If you do have to buy a non-organic, scrub it and peel it, do not eat the peel...

Third, if you are going raw for health reasons, fresh squeezed juice and mostly fruit smoothies are going to heal your body quickly...

Fourth, add greens. Salads are going to become your new best friend...

Fifth, do not underestimate how much you need to eat. Three squares are an ideal of your past. I eat or drink something every two hours from 9am to 7pm, that's six meals. Some are huge, some are small, it depends on how I feel and how hungry I am. If my energy is low or I am shaky (low blood sugar) I gravitate toward a banana and fresh squeezed OJ. Keep a half gallon of fresh squeezed OJ (or your fav juice close at hand)...

Sixth, know how to deal with social situations in advance. Peruse the online menu of a restaurant you will be going to and have a plan. Contact the person hosting holiday parties or dinners and explain that because of "health reasons" you've had to adapt your diet and plan to bring your own meal and/or enough to share a large salad but that you want them to know in advance so their feelings won't be hurt when you refuse to eat the meal they've slaved over:/ ...

So, that's about it. Good luck, and I'm happy to answer questions if you have any.

In A Day

So, what do I eat in a day?
I'm pretty OCD and although the flavors may vary, the routine is mostly the same and averages between 1000 and 1300 calories a day. I drink about 48 ounces clear water, 16 ounces hot herb tea.

9am - 300 cal
 smoothie made with the following:
3 servings fruit (ex: 2 bananas, 1 cup blueberries) 1 scoop protein mix and 4-6oz water
herb tea

11am - 100 cal
 salad (2-3 cups greens, always alternate greens. I rotate between iceburg, romaine, kale, and spinach)
12 oz water

1pm - 150 cal
fruit or 12 ounces juice
12 ounces water

3pm - 150 cal
vegetable toss (I love mixing veggies and coming up with new combinations.)
Current fav is:
dressing: Lime juice, agave nectar, herbs, garlic, sea salt, pepper
veggies: tomatoes, onions, cucumber, peppers, spinach, broccoli, kalamata olives, sunflower seeds
12 ounces water

5pm - 150 cal
fruit or 12 unces juice
12 ounces water

7pm - 300 cal
juice handful nuts or dried fruit
herb tea

Keystone Pipeline

Boulder, CO bans GMO's!

By Golly, Boulder has it right...if we can't win the battle against GMO's nationally, let's take 'em down one city at a time! I wonder who I need to start letter writing to in my area? I've been so focused on the national battle and it appears I need to regroup and refocus my efforts! You can do this to. Together we all win!

In this article, Dr Mercola explains what happened, "In November 2011, about 250 Boulder County residents attended a public meeting to discuss the planting of GM (genetically modified) crops on county-owned land.

Their turnout, together with an anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) recommendation from the county's Food and Agriculture Policy Council, led county officials to vote for a phase out of genetically engineered crops on open space."

I eaxplained it this way on my Facebook page:
"If you care at all about your health you have to be worried about GMO's. When I'm eating raw corn off the cob, it's one thing to worry about whether I washed off all the potential pesticides (if I'm not 100% proof positive it was organic) but it's quite another serious concern worrying about whether than corn is a GMO (most nationally grown US corn is btw)... since my battle started with RA and IBS I've had to ask myself over and over again, "what did I do wrong?" I wasn't that unhealthy of an eater...too much processed food sure, but way less than the standard American family...and I hate to admit, I occasionally indulged in meat, but have since mended my ways because of my horror over factory farms...and yes I consumed way too much sugar, soda and donuts does not a healthy breakfast make... but still, MOST of my American brothers and sisters are facing the same problems I was: weight gain, glucose issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bowel disease in one form or another, autoimmune diseases...AND that makes me believe that the changing of our food supply is in part to blame. GMO's, additives, hormones and antibiotics...they are all part of the puzzle."

Boycott Land O Lakes Products

I am so outraged by this video.
There's cruel and then there's factory farms which is so much worse.



You can read the article here:
Peta.org

Factory Farms

Factory Farms is one of our biggest issues as a country when it comes to animal cruelty. Please spread the word to speak up against factory farms at every opportunity. As a group we can cause change! This video has so much truth which can build conversation starters and topics if you run out of ideas on how to speak about how you feel. I always find myself tongue tied because I am so emotionally involved with this topic and having "prepared" ideas in my head helps me keep control to some extent when I'm speaking to others about this important topic.

Wayne Pacelle - Animal Factories and the Abuse of Power

How To Make A Green Smoothie Tasty Every Time

Super Bowl Sunday Banned Ad

You won't see this ad Super Day Sunday! It was banned from being ran during the super bowl because it's too sexy!