well finally today I got up early just as I planned and went for a morning jog with Denzel,Nasser and Sasha (my doggie). I love the peaceful mornings. I feel a certain calmness from the view of the lake, the sounds of the birds singing, the smell of the cut grass and the sun not to hot. WHy is it that I do not like actually getting up? When there is so much to look forward too. The quiet part of the day, self reflection?? I don't get it? I am going to try to force myself to do it everyday! Ok , at least 3 or 4 times a week. I remember last year when Nasser and I were waking up early and jogging every morning, it felt so good!! Oh well one day at a time! Tomorrow is my long day at work so I will not be waking up any earlier than I need to. So Anyways, we joggged around the community 1 time about 15 mins. I stopped in the gym for some quick arm exercises. When we got back, I left and went to Whole foods to get some fresh veggies to juice! I made a new juice today 2 cucumbers and 4 carrots. It was good! It feels pretty amazing to put fresh veggie juice in my body right after a exercise. It is very calming but also very energizing. Not sure if that makes sense or not lol.
I got some pretty cool juice recipes from www.veganstreet.com
As for my meals today, lets see, For breakfast I had cucumber and carrot juice a couple hours later I had some mixed nuts(sun flower seeds,pumpkin seeds, almonds, peanuts,cashews, and raisins. High in protein! for lunch I had fried white rice (oops) with peas corn and chicken. more nuts for snack a few hours later. For dinner I ate Jennie O's lean turkey burger on wheat bead with cheese tomato and ketchup! Right now I am eating more nuts. I am so addicted to this mixture is is sooo good! for my last snack I am going to eat Edamame. For those of you who do not know, it is soy bean, looks like a pea pod but you only eat the bean inside, not the whole pod. It is very good. Even Isaiah loves it!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Will eating better/whole food help my Vitiligo?
Boy this is really hard, even harder now that I have to write about it lol. I am finding that it is hard to not eat processed food. Why is it so easy and inexpensive? Eating healthy takes more money, more time, more preparing. I can not wait until this becomes a lifestyle and so easy I dont have to think about it. I feel the momentum coming mostly because of the recent diagnoses of Vitiligo. As of today I have 36 patches on my left hand and 20 on my left. I have 1 patch on my toe and armpit and a few little dots on my foot.It is really stressing me out. The thought of it going to my face is so scary to me. I have been reading alot about it. The doctor makes it seem like its no big deal and there is no cure. I find it hard to believe that there is no cure. Maybe it is true but I want to find answers. I asked her if my immune system is ok. She replied "your immune system is just as strong as the next person" I told her I am not so much afraid of the discoloration in my skin as I am of the fact that my immune system is attacking itself. I have always been the type of person that does not believe in covering the symptoms, but actually finding the reason why our bodies are doing this. I believe our bodies give us signs everyday when something is wrong. Some of us chose to listen and others chose to cover it up and make it go away.
I feel that in all of the reading I have been doing, it has one thing in common, eating a vegetarian diet with whole foods has been the best option. I have been wanting to be a vegetarian for a few years now but I am definitely finding it hard to do. Also there has been some mention of avoiding alchol because it will interfere with your immune system. So giving up meat, alchol, and processed food and trying to exercise more. OH boy do I have my work cut out for me. Anyone who knows me well will agree! But at this point in my life, I do believe it is time to make changes that are going to prolong and better my life. If it isn't' going to benefit me health wise then I don't want it. Well that sure was easy to say lol. We will see when I out and want to drink.
I know what I want. I know the lifestyle I want to life. I know that I want to set a good example for my children. But doing it is another. My kids are actually inspiring me to be healthy and exercise. I am so lucky :)
Tomorrow my plan is to wake up at 6am (or 7ish) and go jogging with Dee or Nasser or both! then get back on track with juicing. Wish me luck. Thanks for reading and sorry for any grammar issues. I am not the best writer, I just want to write from the heart! :)
I feel that in all of the reading I have been doing, it has one thing in common, eating a vegetarian diet with whole foods has been the best option. I have been wanting to be a vegetarian for a few years now but I am definitely finding it hard to do. Also there has been some mention of avoiding alchol because it will interfere with your immune system. So giving up meat, alchol, and processed food and trying to exercise more. OH boy do I have my work cut out for me. Anyone who knows me well will agree! But at this point in my life, I do believe it is time to make changes that are going to prolong and better my life. If it isn't' going to benefit me health wise then I don't want it. Well that sure was easy to say lol. We will see when I out and want to drink.
I know what I want. I know the lifestyle I want to life. I know that I want to set a good example for my children. But doing it is another. My kids are actually inspiring me to be healthy and exercise. I am so lucky :)
Tomorrow my plan is to wake up at 6am (or 7ish) and go jogging with Dee or Nasser or both! then get back on track with juicing. Wish me luck. Thanks for reading and sorry for any grammar issues. I am not the best writer, I just want to write from the heart! :)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Still trying :)
I haven't posted in a while, have been so busy with kids finishing up school and going on little vacation. I have made some bad eating choices since my last post. Trying to eat healthy for a busy family has always been my issue. Ii do know that in planning and being more organized with definitely help me there. Some of the ways I can be more organized is every Sunday plan my meals and snacks for the week. Then When I go grocery shopping I can get all I need and we are good!
On of the things I am really struggling with is organic or not. I want to eat only organic but feel it is to expensive to do it. I also feel like I can not afford not to do it. I struggle with the fact that eating non organic veggies and fruits all the time will increase my chances for consuming pesticide toxins. Even when I went to Orlando this weekend, not only am I trying to eat healthier, I passed on the greasy fatty food. But then I worry about the fruit I am eating. Would I rather eat the fatty food or the toxic fruits? I can burn the fat can i rid the toxins? It is very over whelming for me in this in between stage. I cant wait until I am full on healthy. I TIVO'd a show called toxic childhood I cant wait to watch it and I will post any new info I find.
As I learn new things I will post them here in hope that I can teach others. I will never want my post to come off as preaching or judging. I want to help others.
On of the things I am really struggling with is organic or not. I want to eat only organic but feel it is to expensive to do it. I also feel like I can not afford not to do it. I struggle with the fact that eating non organic veggies and fruits all the time will increase my chances for consuming pesticide toxins. Even when I went to Orlando this weekend, not only am I trying to eat healthier, I passed on the greasy fatty food. But then I worry about the fruit I am eating. Would I rather eat the fatty food or the toxic fruits? I can burn the fat can i rid the toxins? It is very over whelming for me in this in between stage. I cant wait until I am full on healthy. I TIVO'd a show called toxic childhood I cant wait to watch it and I will post any new info I find.
As I learn new things I will post them here in hope that I can teach others. I will never want my post to come off as preaching or judging. I want to help others.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
THE DIRTY DOZEN ORGANIC OR NOT?
Here is a link to a list CNN video talking about when to eat organic and when it is not necessary to eat organic. They call the list the dirty dozen. and the clean 15
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/health/2010/05/31/gupta.produce.pesticides.cnn
Is enough being done to protect us from chemicals that could harm us? Watch "Toxic America," a special two-night investigative report with Sanjay Gupta, M.D., June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.
(CNN) -- If you're eating non-organic celery today, you may be ingesting 67 pesticides with it, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.
The group, a nonprofit focused on public health, scoured nearly 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine what fruits and vegetables we eat have the highest, and lowest, amounts of chemical residue.
Most alarming are the fruits and vegetables dubbed the "Dirty Dozen," which contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving. These foods are believed to be most susceptible because they have soft skin that tends to absorb more pesticides.
"It's critical people know what they are consuming," the Environmental Working Group's Amy Rosenthal said. "The list is based on pesticide tests conducted after the produce was washed with USDA high-power pressure water system. The numbers reflect the closest thing to what consumers are buying at the store."
Special report: Toxic America
The group suggests limiting consumption of pesticides by purchasing organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables.
"You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80 percent by buying the organic version of the Dirty Dozen," Rosenthal said.
The Dirty Dozen
Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Domestic blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Imported grapes
Lettuce
Not all non-organic fruits and vegetables have a high pesticide level. Some produce has a strong outer layer that provides a defense against pesticide contamination. The group found a number of non-organic fruits and vegetables dubbed the "Clean 15" that contained little to no pesticides.
The Clean 15
Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions
What is a pesticide?
A pesticide is a mixture of chemical substances used on farms to destroy or prevent pests, diseases and weeds from affecting crops. According to the USDA, 45 percent of the world's crops are lost to damage or spoilage, so many farmers count on pesticides.
The Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA and the USDA work together to monitor and set limits as to how much pesticide can be used on farms and how much is safe to remain on the produce once it hits grocery store shelves.
"In setting the tolerance amount, the EPA must make a safety finding that the pesticide can be used with 'reasonable certainty of no harm.' The EPA ensures that the tolerance selected will be safe," according the EPA's website.
Although the President's Cancer Panel recently recommended that consumers eat produce without pesticides to reduce their risk of getting cancer and other diseases, the low levels of pesticides found on even the Dirty Dozen are government-approved amounts.
Can small amounts of pesticides hurt you?
The government says that consuming pesticides in low amounts doesn't harm you, but some studies show an association between pesticides and health problems such as cancer, attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder and nervous system disorders and say exposure could weaken immune systems.
The Environmental Working Group acknowledges that data from long-term studies aren't available but warns consumers of the potential dangers.
"Pesticides are designed to kill things. Why wait for 20 years to discover they are bad for us?" Rosenthal said.
Some doctors warn that children's growing brains are the most vulnerable to pesticides in food.
"A kid's brain goes through extraordinary development, and if pesticides get into the brain, it can cause damage," said Dr. Philip Landrigan, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
Can pesticides be washed away?
Not necessarily. The pesticide tests mentioned above were conducted after the food had been power-washed by the USDA. Also, although some pesticides are found on the surface of foods, other pesticides may be taken up through the roots and into the plant and cannot be removed.
"We've found that washing doesn't do much," Rosenthal said. "Peeling can help, although you have to take into account that the pesticides are in the water, so they can be inside the fruit because of the soil."
All fresh produce, whether it's grown with or without pesticides, should be washed with water to remove dirt and potentially harmful bacteria. And health experts agree that when it comes to the Dirty Dozen list, choose organic if it's available.
"To the extent you can afford to do so, [parents] should simply buy organic, because there have been some very good studies that shows people who eat mostly organic food reduce 95 percent of pesticides [in their body] in two weeks," Landrigan said.
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/health/2010/05/31/gupta.produce.pesticides.cnn
Is enough being done to protect us from chemicals that could harm us? Watch "Toxic America," a special two-night investigative report with Sanjay Gupta, M.D., June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.
(CNN) -- If you're eating non-organic celery today, you may be ingesting 67 pesticides with it, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.
The group, a nonprofit focused on public health, scoured nearly 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine what fruits and vegetables we eat have the highest, and lowest, amounts of chemical residue.
Most alarming are the fruits and vegetables dubbed the "Dirty Dozen," which contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving. These foods are believed to be most susceptible because they have soft skin that tends to absorb more pesticides.
"It's critical people know what they are consuming," the Environmental Working Group's Amy Rosenthal said. "The list is based on pesticide tests conducted after the produce was washed with USDA high-power pressure water system. The numbers reflect the closest thing to what consumers are buying at the store."
Special report: Toxic America
The group suggests limiting consumption of pesticides by purchasing organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables.
"You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80 percent by buying the organic version of the Dirty Dozen," Rosenthal said.
The Dirty Dozen
Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Domestic blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Imported grapes
Lettuce
Not all non-organic fruits and vegetables have a high pesticide level. Some produce has a strong outer layer that provides a defense against pesticide contamination. The group found a number of non-organic fruits and vegetables dubbed the "Clean 15" that contained little to no pesticides.
The Clean 15
Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions
What is a pesticide?
A pesticide is a mixture of chemical substances used on farms to destroy or prevent pests, diseases and weeds from affecting crops. According to the USDA, 45 percent of the world's crops are lost to damage or spoilage, so many farmers count on pesticides.
The Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA and the USDA work together to monitor and set limits as to how much pesticide can be used on farms and how much is safe to remain on the produce once it hits grocery store shelves.
"In setting the tolerance amount, the EPA must make a safety finding that the pesticide can be used with 'reasonable certainty of no harm.' The EPA ensures that the tolerance selected will be safe," according the EPA's website.
Although the President's Cancer Panel recently recommended that consumers eat produce without pesticides to reduce their risk of getting cancer and other diseases, the low levels of pesticides found on even the Dirty Dozen are government-approved amounts.
Can small amounts of pesticides hurt you?
The government says that consuming pesticides in low amounts doesn't harm you, but some studies show an association between pesticides and health problems such as cancer, attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder and nervous system disorders and say exposure could weaken immune systems.
The Environmental Working Group acknowledges that data from long-term studies aren't available but warns consumers of the potential dangers.
"Pesticides are designed to kill things. Why wait for 20 years to discover they are bad for us?" Rosenthal said.
Some doctors warn that children's growing brains are the most vulnerable to pesticides in food.
"A kid's brain goes through extraordinary development, and if pesticides get into the brain, it can cause damage," said Dr. Philip Landrigan, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
Can pesticides be washed away?
Not necessarily. The pesticide tests mentioned above were conducted after the food had been power-washed by the USDA. Also, although some pesticides are found on the surface of foods, other pesticides may be taken up through the roots and into the plant and cannot be removed.
"We've found that washing doesn't do much," Rosenthal said. "Peeling can help, although you have to take into account that the pesticides are in the water, so they can be inside the fruit because of the soil."
All fresh produce, whether it's grown with or without pesticides, should be washed with water to remove dirt and potentially harmful bacteria. And health experts agree that when it comes to the Dirty Dozen list, choose organic if it's available.
"To the extent you can afford to do so, [parents] should simply buy organic, because there have been some very good studies that shows people who eat mostly organic food reduce 95 percent of pesticides [in their body] in two weeks," Landrigan said.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I feel like eating bad and drinking wine!
well here is the dreaded post :( I want to eat bad today!!! Ya know us woman can get really cranky ,moody, and have cravings once a month well thats my excuse and I sticking to it! I did start off the day with the famous cucumber juice. I was busy at work so I snacked but didnt eat lunch. I had mixed nuts and a cliff bar. After Isaiah got home he wanted to make home made french fries. He says to me "hey mom can we make some real french fries with fresh potatoes" he knows I can't resist french fries or when we get to cook together with fresh food. He sucked me in! and yes I even helped eat the fries. For dinner I made baked macaroni and cheese. NOTHING is healthy about this very cheesy dish but it sure is good! I may finish the night with a glass of wine and jalapeno poppers lol. Oh boy not such a good day but it is ok. I am going to go read my book"the world's healthiest foods" he also has a website! google worlds healthiest foods and subscribe to the newsletter. There are some really really good recipes and just good info on anything. You type it in the search button and bam! you has nutritional access to everything fruit and veggie!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
What I ate today and my favorite shake recipe
Today was another good day! Still not sure about tonight when I pick up Naz from work we will see.
Breakfast- 2 cucumbers 3 stalks of kale 1 lemon and some ice to chill
mid morning snack nut mix (pumkin seed,sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins,cashews,peanuts) i think I am addicted! I used to grab rasinets and soda everyday now i can switch it for nut mix that taste great and is filling and way more nutrition!
another mid morning snack -cliff bar
lunch -whole wheat bread , spicy guacamole, spinach and tomaot sandwich.
noon shake AVOCADO ALMOND MILK SHAKE. I got this recipe from a show called cooking with the Lyon or Lyon in the kitchen. Not really sure but the recipe is
1 AVOCADO
2CUPS VANILLA ALMOND MILK
1/4 CUP OF HONEY
1 TABLESPOON COCAO
ADD SOME ICE AND BLEND!! For those of you who have never had almond milk it is awesome. I am not a milk drinking but LOVE vanilla almond milk
afternoon snack was more nuts
dinner I had whole wheat rotini with ground turkey and fresh uncooked spicy garlic!
tonight Denzel (my oldest son) wanted a quick snack and i sauteed him some kale garlic and onions and he ate it up quick! Isaiah tried it and said I LOVE this green stuff can i have my own plate!! WOW! This is so exciting to me :)Kids excited about something green? And he got upset because it it to late and he has to go to bed and couldn't have KALE am I dreaming? If so don't wake me up lol.
Meal wise everything is good! Still have not exercised yet though :( As of today I am 170lbs goal is 150.
Breakfast- 2 cucumbers 3 stalks of kale 1 lemon and some ice to chill
mid morning snack nut mix (pumkin seed,sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins,cashews,peanuts) i think I am addicted! I used to grab rasinets and soda everyday now i can switch it for nut mix that taste great and is filling and way more nutrition!
another mid morning snack -cliff bar
lunch -whole wheat bread , spicy guacamole, spinach and tomaot sandwich.
noon shake AVOCADO ALMOND MILK SHAKE. I got this recipe from a show called cooking with the Lyon or Lyon in the kitchen. Not really sure but the recipe is
1 AVOCADO
2CUPS VANILLA ALMOND MILK
1/4 CUP OF HONEY
1 TABLESPOON COCAO
ADD SOME ICE AND BLEND!! For those of you who have never had almond milk it is awesome. I am not a milk drinking but LOVE vanilla almond milk
afternoon snack was more nuts
dinner I had whole wheat rotini with ground turkey and fresh uncooked spicy garlic!
tonight Denzel (my oldest son) wanted a quick snack and i sauteed him some kale garlic and onions and he ate it up quick! Isaiah tried it and said I LOVE this green stuff can i have my own plate!! WOW! This is so exciting to me :)Kids excited about something green? And he got upset because it it to late and he has to go to bed and couldn't have KALE am I dreaming? If so don't wake me up lol.
Meal wise everything is good! Still have not exercised yet though :( As of today I am 170lbs goal is 150.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Today was a good healthy day!
Well I have to say today was a very healthy day! I had the cucumber,kale and 1 lemon juice. Went to Hippocrates for lunch. Had mixed nuts for snack. For dinner I made lentil soup (lentils from can)I added half of a red onion and about 5 garlic cloves 2 celery stalks, turmeric seasoning and my new favorite seasoning called liquid aminos by BRAGG. This seasoning is very salty and it is in a spray form. I didnt add any salt to soup at all and just a few sprays of Liquid Aminos and it was salty enough. This seasoning is actually good for you with 16 different amino acids! It has a similar taste to soy sauce but not as strong and definitely better for you! I also made sautéed
red cabbage and bak choy with red onion and garlic. mmmm It was delicious! Denzel even liked it! soup took 15 mins most of the time was chopping stuff and letting it sit for 10 minutes to bring out the best health benefits. Cabbage and bak choy took about 10 mins to cook. So fast healthy and delicious! Lets keep this momentum going!
Tomorrow will be the true test! Nasser and I usually go out to eat and drink wine on wed. WIll I still be able to be good? Maybe 1 glass instead of 4 lol or maybe healthier choice food instead of quesadillas with extra sauce and bacon with a side of fries mmmmm
Some of the things I learned today are
1. Sauerkraut should be eating before a meal to prepare your body for digestion.
2. Always chew your food until it is pretty much liquid! The saliva in our mouth
helps the digestion process and is pretty important. Do some research on reasons why and see that is does make a huge different in your health.
3. Turmeric is a very healthy seasoning and great for anyone with inflammatory issues.
4. Pumpkin seeds contain ALOT of protein! and so do sunflower sprouts!
It felt good eating healthy today! I am pretty proud of us! I think with good planning and having fun learning new recipes I can make this a lifestyle!
red cabbage and bak choy with red onion and garlic. mmmm It was delicious! Denzel even liked it! soup took 15 mins most of the time was chopping stuff and letting it sit for 10 minutes to bring out the best health benefits. Cabbage and bak choy took about 10 mins to cook. So fast healthy and delicious! Lets keep this momentum going!
Tomorrow will be the true test! Nasser and I usually go out to eat and drink wine on wed. WIll I still be able to be good? Maybe 1 glass instead of 4 lol or maybe healthier choice food instead of quesadillas with extra sauce and bacon with a side of fries mmmmm
Some of the things I learned today are
1. Sauerkraut should be eating before a meal to prepare your body for digestion.
2. Always chew your food until it is pretty much liquid! The saliva in our mouth
helps the digestion process and is pretty important. Do some research on reasons why and see that is does make a huge different in your health.
3. Turmeric is a very healthy seasoning and great for anyone with inflammatory issues.
4. Pumpkin seeds contain ALOT of protein! and so do sunflower sprouts!
It felt good eating healthy today! I am pretty proud of us! I think with good planning and having fun learning new recipes I can make this a lifestyle!
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