My intention is to create new habits and routines. I felt well most of the day until mid-afternoon when I literally felt parched and needed to drink water. I am pretty sure that I am somewhat dehydrated. When I go on my coffee binges I have a tendency to drink too much coffee and not enough anything else. Again, I had grace - cause a sister needs water. My mouth did not salivate when I thought of water - my mouth was sticking to itself I needed water.
I noticed there were intermittent times throughout the day when I would hear and feel my stomach grumbling and I would get a case of non-stop yawns. I would start to feel really tired and then I pushed through and the hunger was gone.
Friday nights I normally do not plan anything for myself as Market is extremely bright and early on Saturday. However, I was lucky enough to have my friend Tiffany share a free ticket to Willie Nelson and I broke from my usual routine to stay home. I am happy that I did as I shared great times with friends and great music. Tiffany and Sarah will bear witness my anticipation of the setting sun. I was hungry when Tiffany came back with her BBQ cheese nachos. Obviously my hungry mind made them out to look delicious.
One thing that is forbidden is pork. I did try to be mindful with my food choices - but even the pizza had sausage. My only protein food choice had everything to do with pig. The sun was setting. I was hungry. Sorry, pig it is. I ate BBQ nachos. Again grace - as I am not a true Muslim. I am being mindful of what my body needs at that moment and allowing myself to make reasonable choices.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Ramadan Day I / Whoops! It started when?
Truth be told Day 1 was not perfect. It's probably related to me being one day behind all week and believing it started Thursday at sunset. I received a "How's your fast going?" mid-afternoon text and was brought to my present moment with my hand (and chip) dipped in some corn salsa. Multiple texts ensued. I was assured God was probably not going to smite me. I started immediately and excused my morning breakfast of PB toast, a cardamon latte and my salsa snack and put it all on my grace plate.
A couple hours later I learned how mindlessly I've been eating recently (even the good stuff). A piece of onion green that had torn away from it's parent plant was randomly hanging out on the farm table I was helping to manage. I carelessly took said green and immediately started munching on it. And then it clicked - stink - I can't eat!
The rest of the day I managed fairly alright. I did have a conversation with myself about going to bed for a couple hours till sunset so it would make the time go quicker. A few of my refugee friends seem to have an advantage (minus they've been practicing most of their lives) - they work the evening shift and can sleep through part of the day. Not to say it's any easier but it might be.
Through this process I just need to keep reminding myself to have grace. To be mindful of what I can do and not kick myself if I fall off course.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
A novice account of Ramadan 2015
The past couple years I have contemplated participating with my fellow refugee farmers.
Fasting from sunrise to sunset.
No food, no water, no gum.
No sex, no swearing, no gossip.
Add in a little more prayer.
Why?
To support and honor my Muslim friends.
To discipline myself with new habits and routines.
Why now?
It's taken me two years to wrap my mind around it and be ready to be 'all in.'
No half-assing.
It's another health journey with lining my cellular stars up right.
I've lived with fibroids since I was 29.
Two fairly large ones - one rests on my bladder and the other on my rectum.
They normally cause me zero issues unless maybe 2 miscarriages 18 months apart.
2014 brought an ayauasca experience and weekly acupuncture treatments.
It is time to release the sisters and truly let them go.
Be grateful for what they have taught me - how they have grounded me.
Ramadan 2015 concludes the day I begin my 43rd spin around the sun.
Over the next 29-30 days I will share my novice experience and insight into my ever-evolving spirit.
Now let me eat!
Fasting from sunrise to sunset.
No food, no water, no gum.
No sex, no swearing, no gossip.
Add in a little more prayer.
Why?
To support and honor my Muslim friends.
To discipline myself with new habits and routines.
Why now?
It's taken me two years to wrap my mind around it and be ready to be 'all in.'
No half-assing.
It's another health journey with lining my cellular stars up right.
I've lived with fibroids since I was 29.
Two fairly large ones - one rests on my bladder and the other on my rectum.
They normally cause me zero issues unless maybe 2 miscarriages 18 months apart.
2014 brought an ayauasca experience and weekly acupuncture treatments.
It is time to release the sisters and truly let them go.
Be grateful for what they have taught me - how they have grounded me.
Ramadan 2015 concludes the day I begin my 43rd spin around the sun.
Over the next 29-30 days I will share my novice experience and insight into my ever-evolving spirit.
Now let me eat!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Cooked food makes me go...
Sleepy. I feel sleepy. I ate some cooked food with the family yesterday when we went to Leku Ona for dinner. Jeff couldn't stop talking about the roasted peppers so we went to eat roasted peppers along with a slew of other cooked appetizers ~ like croquets! All of the food was delicious - but today I am feeling the remnants of my decision. I am one tired momma. My body seemed to digest it all well - and business as usual this morning - but I can definitely tell a difference in my energy level and my clarity of mind.
This week I have done a lot of milling over in my mind about being completely raw. The original plan was to be 75-80%. I have managed to be 100% (minus two ears of cooked corn and a bite of chocolate on Thursday night) up until yesterday and I have come to the conclusion that in the future I will maintain a 75-80% status. There are just too many things in life that I like to eat and I will be OK with that. For now - or for another 45 days I am going to do my best to be as close to 100% as possible.
It is not convenient to be raw. It takes a lot of work. And I am American afterall... I've been spoiled by convenience. I will take the time though - to spoil myself with love.
This week I have done a lot of milling over in my mind about being completely raw. The original plan was to be 75-80%. I have managed to be 100% (minus two ears of cooked corn and a bite of chocolate on Thursday night) up until yesterday and I have come to the conclusion that in the future I will maintain a 75-80% status. There are just too many things in life that I like to eat and I will be OK with that. For now - or for another 45 days I am going to do my best to be as close to 100% as possible.
It is not convenient to be raw. It takes a lot of work. And I am American afterall... I've been spoiled by convenience. I will take the time though - to spoil myself with love.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Raw Treat
I experimented and followed a recipe from Ani Phyo's Raw Dessert Cookbook. I've been eyeing multiple recipes from her book titled, Ani's Raw Food Essentials and decided to test one of her recipes. Making a raw dessert is NOT cheap ~ especially when you can't find alcohol free pure vanilla extract ~ and have to purchase whole vanilla bean ($11 for 2 beans). The cream base is composed of cashews, vanilla bean, lemon zest, lemon juice, coconut oil and water. You can use lecithin as a thickener but I am also steering clear of soy and lecithin is a soy derivative. The
crust is made up of almond meal and moist dates. I used dates from the bulk bin that seemed to do the job - I just had to increase the qty to have more moisture and binding capability. ( I again did not have the patience to look for medjool dates)Lastly the strawberry topping consisted of strawberries and agave nectar. The dessert satisfied my sweet tooth. In fact - going almost two weeks without anything too sweet - a small slice was more than perfect. Te and Jeff both enjoyed it and we came to the conclusion that if you had a nut allergy it would be tough to be completely RAW.
I also experimented with another one of Ani's recipes. I whisked me up some teriyaki noodles. Noodles being zucchini spirals. Once I've been on this raw road for awhile there is no doubt I'll be able to come up with my own creative recipes. I know what I like to eat - it's a matter of figuring how to imply the flavor into a raw state. I do look forward to being able to incorporate grains again one day. And honestly I probably won't be a 100% raw all the time - just most of the time. I love ethnic food - mostly my momma's cooking and of course Japanese cuisine. I also like
Mexican and Chinese and it all comes in moderation. Paying attention to the innuendos of my body and listening.
crust is made up of almond meal and moist dates. I used dates from the bulk bin that seemed to do the job - I just had to increase the qty to have more moisture and binding capability. ( I again did not have the patience to look for medjool dates)Lastly the strawberry topping consisted of strawberries and agave nectar. The dessert satisfied my sweet tooth. In fact - going almost two weeks without anything too sweet - a small slice was more than perfect. Te and Jeff both enjoyed it and we came to the conclusion that if you had a nut allergy it would be tough to be completely RAW.
I also experimented with another one of Ani's recipes. I whisked me up some teriyaki noodles. Noodles being zucchini spirals. Once I've been on this raw road for awhile there is no doubt I'll be able to come up with my own creative recipes. I know what I like to eat - it's a matter of figuring how to imply the flavor into a raw state. I do look forward to being able to incorporate grains again one day. And honestly I probably won't be a 100% raw all the time - just most of the time. I love ethnic food - mostly my momma's cooking and of course Japanese cuisine. I also like
Mexican and Chinese and it all comes in moderation. Paying attention to the innuendos of my body and listening.
Monday, September 05, 2011
Raw BBQ
Sunday was a BBQ birthday bash for my brother-in-law. It was hosted at his sister-in-law's. Not everyone knows I've made the switch to raw and I obviously do not expect anyone to accommodate my current food choices. So - par for the course - I packed myself a meal to be certain I would have something to chew on, including pineapple for dessert. You cannot imagine my glee when it was time to eat once Mindy realized she forgot two salads in the fridge. When she set them on the counter one was coleslaw the other was a zucchini salad. I asked a handful of questions about the ingredients and learned only vinegar, herbs, and lemon & lime squeezes were used for flavoring. I filled my plate! I filled my plate with a watermelon wedge, some unbuttered corn on the cob (not raw I know), pickled cucumbers, purple cabbage coleslaw, and zucchini salad.
Around me everyone was eating pulled pork & beef, BBQ beans, cranberry jello salad, and more. On top of that there was a table full of desserts that included: cake pops, margarita cupcakes, pina colada cupcakes, peach cobbler, Reeses cake...the desserts went on and on. Funny thing is - I would of loved a piece of Reeses cake (I love PB & chocolate) - but I had absolutely no undying desire to break my routine. I don't even have to measure the difference between how I felt before and how I feel now. I am amazed by how much lighter I feel.
It is always par for the course that after we go out to eat we more often then not have to hurry home for Jeff to relieve himself. You see, Jeff has a very efficient metabolism, every time he eats he has to poo. When we got in the car to head home he was stinky, mind you. I was farty too - and the realization came that I don't stink! Eating clean means less bulk, less stink, less discomfort...
I started my Essiac routine finally about 4 days ago. It's a process since you have to brew it and can it. I had to make room in the fridge to fit 7 quart jars of tea. It's best kept refrigerated. It's a highly detoxifying tea. Next in line is learning to suck down the GotuKola/Holy Basil blend. I might have to add stevia just to get it down.
I had one of the best massages ever on Friday too. I have never had my face & scalp worked on and my chest has been in serious need of being worked out for years. I came out of the massage room tingling from the waist up since we didn't have time for my legs. It was great to feel the blood flow. She was so worth the drive to Nampa. I can't thank my friend Angela enough for the complimentary massage. Deborah was the best!
Around me everyone was eating pulled pork & beef, BBQ beans, cranberry jello salad, and more. On top of that there was a table full of desserts that included: cake pops, margarita cupcakes, pina colada cupcakes, peach cobbler, Reeses cake...the desserts went on and on. Funny thing is - I would of loved a piece of Reeses cake (I love PB & chocolate) - but I had absolutely no undying desire to break my routine. I don't even have to measure the difference between how I felt before and how I feel now. I am amazed by how much lighter I feel.
It is always par for the course that after we go out to eat we more often then not have to hurry home for Jeff to relieve himself. You see, Jeff has a very efficient metabolism, every time he eats he has to poo. When we got in the car to head home he was stinky, mind you. I was farty too - and the realization came that I don't stink! Eating clean means less bulk, less stink, less discomfort...
I started my Essiac routine finally about 4 days ago. It's a process since you have to brew it and can it. I had to make room in the fridge to fit 7 quart jars of tea. It's best kept refrigerated. It's a highly detoxifying tea. Next in line is learning to suck down the GotuKola/Holy Basil blend. I might have to add stevia just to get it down.
I had one of the best massages ever on Friday too. I have never had my face & scalp worked on and my chest has been in serious need of being worked out for years. I came out of the massage room tingling from the waist up since we didn't have time for my legs. It was great to feel the blood flow. She was so worth the drive to Nampa. I can't thank my friend Angela enough for the complimentary massage. Deborah was the best!
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Movement
So much for posting daily. My life is too chaotic and random Internet connections make for empty promises. I will just refrain from treading that road. Posts will come when posts will come.
No caffeine. No flesh. No dairy. No grains. No sugar. Eight days in and we're rocking and rolling this raw thing. My days consist of smoothies and spontaneous salad combinations. If I can - I shoot to get all my different therapeutic herbal teas down. Two more weeks and I will have my special tincture to add to my arsenal. Fortunate for me I am not a big meat eater. I AM a big coffee drinker and am now realizing big cheese-eating-kefir-drinking-loving fool. Kefir is still permitted on occasion because of it's kickass probiotic qualities buut I have a slight ache for cheese in my salads. I love stinky cheeses. With eating more mindfully I am again reverting to actually chewing and enjoying each bite like food should be. And imagine how delicious a bit of stinky cheese would be...
Up until Day 6/7 my daily movements were averaging about 1x per day. I knew there would be a shift in my bowels I just imagined they would be far more looser (sorry! With the amount of greens and berries I eat every day you would think I'd be working from the porcelain chair. Not the case. Still not the case - but it appears yesterday was the day when my body finally decided to "let 'er rip." Yea I was a little gassy and was letting them go, funny thing is, they don't stink. So no silent creepers now. Just loud odorless ones instead! My body it appears is finally eliminating, almost everyone time I sit on the pot there is movement. The great thing is - I am not running to the restroom for fear I'll mess my pants. I'm just eliminating and detoxifying regularly like I should be as I work towards homeostasis. Finally got the Essiac tea brewed up and canned. We'll see how these detoxifying herbs affect my body next.
I feel really quite good. No bloat, no edge of dehydration because all I want to do is drink coffee as my drink of choice...In fact I think my sinuses are less congested. Now contemplating how I will feel in another 7 days - even more clean and more pure? I bet.
No caffeine. No flesh. No dairy. No grains. No sugar. Eight days in and we're rocking and rolling this raw thing. My days consist of smoothies and spontaneous salad combinations. If I can - I shoot to get all my different therapeutic herbal teas down. Two more weeks and I will have my special tincture to add to my arsenal. Fortunate for me I am not a big meat eater. I AM a big coffee drinker and am now realizing big cheese-eating-kefir-drinking-loving fool. Kefir is still permitted on occasion because of it's kickass probiotic qualities buut I have a slight ache for cheese in my salads. I love stinky cheeses. With eating more mindfully I am again reverting to actually chewing and enjoying each bite like food should be. And imagine how delicious a bit of stinky cheese would be...
Up until Day 6/7 my daily movements were averaging about 1x per day. I knew there would be a shift in my bowels I just imagined they would be far more looser (sorry! With the amount of greens and berries I eat every day you would think I'd be working from the porcelain chair. Not the case. Still not the case - but it appears yesterday was the day when my body finally decided to "let 'er rip." Yea I was a little gassy and was letting them go, funny thing is, they don't stink. So no silent creepers now. Just loud odorless ones instead! My body it appears is finally eliminating, almost everyone time I sit on the pot there is movement. The great thing is - I am not running to the restroom for fear I'll mess my pants. I'm just eliminating and detoxifying regularly like I should be as I work towards homeostasis. Finally got the Essiac tea brewed up and canned. We'll see how these detoxifying herbs affect my body next.
I feel really quite good. No bloat, no edge of dehydration because all I want to do is drink coffee as my drink of choice...In fact I think my sinuses are less congested. Now contemplating how I will feel in another 7 days - even more clean and more pure? I bet.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Fibroid Journey Day 6
I will try to post daily from here forward to reduce the rambling. I need to think about a name other than Fibroid Journey - something witty and fun. Something along the lines of reclaiming back my uterus...
Today, Day 6, has been a relatively good day. Heavy on the print work schedule but I did manage to get my Roobios Tea down this morning along with some water. Blended up a smoothie before walking out the door to spend a few hours running the copier. Brought along my tasty snacks compliments of Raw Cuisine Delights (Chili Nuts & Pecan Wheels). Sustained me till dinner which was at 630p. Made spaghetti with meat sauce for the boys along with a spinach salad that included obviously spinach, feta cheese, strawberries, walnuts, and blueberries. I blended up a 16 oz smoothie to accompany my fresh picked tomato salad. Tonight's smoothie was stirred up with coconut milk & water along with some swiss chard to veer from the norm. My smoothie tonight definitely tasted more green than the others in the past - it was tolerable. That doesn't sound good, but it was, I've just mixed better in the past. Working a few more hours in the evening and more raw reading to conclude the night. Still need to mix up my Essiac Tea. Cross our fingers that happens tonight once I return home after a few more hours of printing.
Today, Day 6, has been a relatively good day. Heavy on the print work schedule but I did manage to get my Roobios Tea down this morning along with some water. Blended up a smoothie before walking out the door to spend a few hours running the copier. Brought along my tasty snacks compliments of Raw Cuisine Delights (Chili Nuts & Pecan Wheels). Sustained me till dinner which was at 630p. Made spaghetti with meat sauce for the boys along with a spinach salad that included obviously spinach, feta cheese, strawberries, walnuts, and blueberries. I blended up a 16 oz smoothie to accompany my fresh picked tomato salad. Tonight's smoothie was stirred up with coconut milk & water along with some swiss chard to veer from the norm. My smoothie tonight definitely tasted more green than the others in the past - it was tolerable. That doesn't sound good, but it was, I've just mixed better in the past. Working a few more hours in the evening and more raw reading to conclude the night. Still need to mix up my Essiac Tea. Cross our fingers that happens tonight once I return home after a few more hours of printing.
Fibroid Journey Day 4 & 5
Saturday, Day 4, was Market day. I managed to pack myself in the wee dawn hour a raw walnut snack and some fruit to get me through my day. No more breakfast sandwiches from Fletchers Curbside Eatery ~ no more coffee either. When you're at a Market and there is an abundance of fresh produce raw food choices are not hard. It's a matter of what you want to pair together or not. I usually have my leatherman but seldom pack a kitchen knife. So tossing up a salad or breaking open a melon could be cumbersome. I opted for something simple. I got a nice sample serving of guacamole from The Flaming Avocado (best stinking guacamole ever) and sought out a nice medium size zucchini. Dean, the Market chef, was kind enough to slice it up and voila...I was a happy dipping queen.
Fast forward to the afternoon. I was tired. Been on my feet all day. Think I was feeling the after effects of hiking, rebounding & gastrointestinal junk that was still working itself out. My tailbone & hip flexors were screaming at me throughout the day. I laid down for an hour and rested. Got up took another shower for the day and proceeded to blend up a smoothie for the day. The family was headed to the Western Idaho Fair ~ and we know that Fair food is not raw-friendly food. I split my smoothie into (2) 16 oz servings and drank one on the way. Lots of walking around, lots of petting and talking to the animals, lots of fun and laughter as the kids explored all the rides they were qualified to ride. I ate an unbuttered piece of corn while everyone else feasted on gyros and butter delicious corn. Home about 11p and the rest of the smoothie down the trap. I failed earlier to get all my greens in for the day, I was hungry, so I opted to eat before bed. I fell asleep much sooner than I had anticipated. So - no tea for the night. I did try to drink the Gotu Kola/Holy Basil tea down (vericose veins, hemmerhoid, circulation) but Toni was right - it does not taste good. Next time I guess I'll plug my nose.
Sunday, Day 5, another Market day. This time East End Market at Bown Crossing. It's Sunday, I get to sleep in! With the ability to sleep in I had time this morning to prepare a smoothie before heading out for the day. I've been sticking to my base smoothie from Day 1 mostly to keep it simple and also because my fridge is packed with an abundance of other crap and I don't have much room. Early morning water drank, smoothie in hand and out the door I go. Good day in regards to feeling like the bloat is going away. About 9 pounds down from the last time I weighed with baby still in belly. Bought myself some triple olive spread from Urban Rustic Gourmet and sliced up some more zucchini as an accompaniment. Bought some kale and swiss chard. Lucky enough to receive in kind some gladiolas for the week, sweet corn and cucumbers. Again no coffee so I drank lots of lemon water compliments of Turk and Heather the Crepe car peeps. Home about 240p. Watched the end of a crazed wacked out movie with Nodzu. Took the dogs to the river to swim. Home around 530p and boogied our little booties to Periple Wines in Garden City where Boise Urban Market was being hosted. Great looking food. According to Jeff - great eats! He came stuffed...
I on the other hand was lucky to come upon Raw Cuisine Delights and indulged in a sort of cabbage salad with corn, cilantro & fresh lime squeeze with an apricot, date dessert that was made with a walnut crust. I bought myself some snacks to take home and try: Greens to Go (which most would probably not like...it's VERY green tasting ~ trust me); Fire Fritters(?) spicy, sticky, gooey bar kind of concoction; Chili Nuts that included walnuts and almonds dehydrated with some chili spices, garlic powder, and Braggs amino acid; and then a little cookie treat,Pecan Wheels (?) that were kind of macaroon like. The little cookie delights were made with squash, coconut, agave nectar, vanilla. A super yummy and healthy cookie I'd be glad to pack in Te's lunch pack. A little Roobios tea downed for the night & more raw reading to conclude the night.
Fast forward to the afternoon. I was tired. Been on my feet all day. Think I was feeling the after effects of hiking, rebounding & gastrointestinal junk that was still working itself out. My tailbone & hip flexors were screaming at me throughout the day. I laid down for an hour and rested. Got up took another shower for the day and proceeded to blend up a smoothie for the day. The family was headed to the Western Idaho Fair ~ and we know that Fair food is not raw-friendly food. I split my smoothie into (2) 16 oz servings and drank one on the way. Lots of walking around, lots of petting and talking to the animals, lots of fun and laughter as the kids explored all the rides they were qualified to ride. I ate an unbuttered piece of corn while everyone else feasted on gyros and butter delicious corn. Home about 11p and the rest of the smoothie down the trap. I failed earlier to get all my greens in for the day, I was hungry, so I opted to eat before bed. I fell asleep much sooner than I had anticipated. So - no tea for the night. I did try to drink the Gotu Kola/Holy Basil tea down (vericose veins, hemmerhoid, circulation) but Toni was right - it does not taste good. Next time I guess I'll plug my nose.
Sunday, Day 5, another Market day. This time East End Market at Bown Crossing. It's Sunday, I get to sleep in! With the ability to sleep in I had time this morning to prepare a smoothie before heading out for the day. I've been sticking to my base smoothie from Day 1 mostly to keep it simple and also because my fridge is packed with an abundance of other crap and I don't have much room. Early morning water drank, smoothie in hand and out the door I go. Good day in regards to feeling like the bloat is going away. About 9 pounds down from the last time I weighed with baby still in belly. Bought myself some triple olive spread from Urban Rustic Gourmet and sliced up some more zucchini as an accompaniment. Bought some kale and swiss chard. Lucky enough to receive in kind some gladiolas for the week, sweet corn and cucumbers. Again no coffee so I drank lots of lemon water compliments of Turk and Heather the Crepe car peeps. Home about 240p. Watched the end of a crazed wacked out movie with Nodzu. Took the dogs to the river to swim. Home around 530p and boogied our little booties to Periple Wines in Garden City where Boise Urban Market was being hosted. Great looking food. According to Jeff - great eats! He came stuffed...
I on the other hand was lucky to come upon Raw Cuisine Delights and indulged in a sort of cabbage salad with corn, cilantro & fresh lime squeeze with an apricot, date dessert that was made with a walnut crust. I bought myself some snacks to take home and try: Greens to Go (which most would probably not like...it's VERY green tasting ~ trust me); Fire Fritters(?) spicy, sticky, gooey bar kind of concoction; Chili Nuts that included walnuts and almonds dehydrated with some chili spices, garlic powder, and Braggs amino acid; and then a little cookie treat,Pecan Wheels (?) that were kind of macaroon like. The little cookie delights were made with squash, coconut, agave nectar, vanilla. A super yummy and healthy cookie I'd be glad to pack in Te's lunch pack. A little Roobios tea downed for the night & more raw reading to conclude the night.
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