Exercise: Run
Food: 7 very ripe bananas, banana and papaya smoothie, salad-green leaves, cherry tomatoes, avocado with a raw pesto dressing. Later in the evening some almonds, and almond nut milk.
Ate first meal at 11.30am because I had a two hour meeting at noon. Had the smoothie at 2pm and the salad around 4.30pm. Due to an evening engagement ate later than planned (nut milk).
My skin is absolutely glowing. The thing is I've always been complimented on my skin, but now even I do a double-take when I look in the mirror. It's just so amazing the changes that take place when we eat raw, or rather when we remove the things that don't benefit us, mentally, physically and spiritually, and add the things that do.
God is love, and he has truly blessed us.
Sponsor
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
It's Just An Emotion
Exercise: Bodyweight stuff
Food: Pineapple and spinach juice, 7 bananas, salad -cucumber, tomatoes and avocado with herby dressing, in the evening a few nuts and dates.
Have continued to wait until 12noon to eat and it feels good. Didn't get to post yesterday because of Internet problems. Yesterday went dancing, and had spinach and mango smoothie at noon followed by 7 very ripe bananas, late afternoon about 4pm same salad as above with a tomato dressing, and before 7pm some dates. I wasn't that into the dates, taste for them may be tailing off.
As well as eating from noon, I'm now by and large stopping eating by 7pm. May vary depending on what I'm doing on any given day and what time I'm going to bed.
Started and finished reading a book on Sunday, by Randy Gage, called 'why you're dumb, sick and broke'. I don't agree with everything in it, but there's a lot to work with. It emphasises what I've said before about always knowing why you are doing something. And the fact you will be more successful in the venture if it is linked to your values. Gage argues that your values, should inform the principles that you live by. And any decisons made should be based on your principles and thought through to their logical conclusion. This he says is a more conscious way of living and brings more happiness. And helps us not to be at the beck and call of our emotions. An example you value health, so one of the principles you live by is that you will always invest in your health using the best knowledge available. You find out about raw food, because of your principle you must decide whether to go raw. Thinking it through to its natural conclusion you understand the benefits of eating this way, and not to proceed would mean you would not be congruent with your values, so the decision is made you will go raw. You may falter, but you know 'why' which is your motivation.
My take is that we all have emotions and some of us are more emotional than others. As great as they are, emotions do need direction or we can find ourselves being tossed and turned all day and all night long. So for example with eating raw, when you start to agonise about whether you are doing it right, getting enough this or that etc. You can speak some truth to your emotions, telling them that you value your health, and of all the options available this seems to be the best fit for now, and that you will continue to seek, and listen to your body and make changes as necessary.
This will help bring peace, and help your emotions to work with you and not against you.
Food: Pineapple and spinach juice, 7 bananas, salad -cucumber, tomatoes and avocado with herby dressing, in the evening a few nuts and dates.
Have continued to wait until 12noon to eat and it feels good. Didn't get to post yesterday because of Internet problems. Yesterday went dancing, and had spinach and mango smoothie at noon followed by 7 very ripe bananas, late afternoon about 4pm same salad as above with a tomato dressing, and before 7pm some dates. I wasn't that into the dates, taste for them may be tailing off.
As well as eating from noon, I'm now by and large stopping eating by 7pm. May vary depending on what I'm doing on any given day and what time I'm going to bed.
Started and finished reading a book on Sunday, by Randy Gage, called 'why you're dumb, sick and broke'. I don't agree with everything in it, but there's a lot to work with. It emphasises what I've said before about always knowing why you are doing something. And the fact you will be more successful in the venture if it is linked to your values. Gage argues that your values, should inform the principles that you live by. And any decisons made should be based on your principles and thought through to their logical conclusion. This he says is a more conscious way of living and brings more happiness. And helps us not to be at the beck and call of our emotions. An example you value health, so one of the principles you live by is that you will always invest in your health using the best knowledge available. You find out about raw food, because of your principle you must decide whether to go raw. Thinking it through to its natural conclusion you understand the benefits of eating this way, and not to proceed would mean you would not be congruent with your values, so the decision is made you will go raw. You may falter, but you know 'why' which is your motivation.
My take is that we all have emotions and some of us are more emotional than others. As great as they are, emotions do need direction or we can find ourselves being tossed and turned all day and all night long. So for example with eating raw, when you start to agonise about whether you are doing it right, getting enough this or that etc. You can speak some truth to your emotions, telling them that you value your health, and of all the options available this seems to be the best fit for now, and that you will continue to seek, and listen to your body and make changes as necessary.
This will help bring peace, and help your emotions to work with you and not against you.
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Real Taste
Exercise: Resting
Food: None
Am doing a water fast today. Noticed some toothache yesterday, so hoping as my body rests it will be able to focus on helping that heal, remineralise etc.
While we are on the subject of fasting, I've observed when I was eating high raw but significant cooked vegan too, that whenever I broke the fast the only thing that actually tasted like it did 'in my head' was raw fruit and veg. You know how you begin to anticipate breaking it with the food of your choice, well this once I had sourdough bread and houmous. And no lie the houmous that always tasted great, just seemed sooo salty, and the bread like cardboard, even though normally I would have found it delicious. Even if you are eating cooked, I would not recommend breaking a fast with cooked food. On the other hand one time I just cut up a fresh pear and it was even better than I imagined it would be, absolutely stunning.
Your body talks, learn the language.
Food: None
Am doing a water fast today. Noticed some toothache yesterday, so hoping as my body rests it will be able to focus on helping that heal, remineralise etc.
While we are on the subject of fasting, I've observed when I was eating high raw but significant cooked vegan too, that whenever I broke the fast the only thing that actually tasted like it did 'in my head' was raw fruit and veg. You know how you begin to anticipate breaking it with the food of your choice, well this once I had sourdough bread and houmous. And no lie the houmous that always tasted great, just seemed sooo salty, and the bread like cardboard, even though normally I would have found it delicious. Even if you are eating cooked, I would not recommend breaking a fast with cooked food. On the other hand one time I just cut up a fresh pear and it was even better than I imagined it would be, absolutely stunning.
Your body talks, learn the language.
Saturday, 27 October 2007
Winter of Content
Exercise: Run
Food: Dates, banana and mango pudding, handful of almonds, edamame, picked at bits of my sister's salad from Wholefoods - beetroot, carrot, sesame seeds, mushrooms, greens.. pineapple, lime and apple juice. A little lime goes a long way, it really 'cuts' the sweetness of the pineapple.
It is officially winter time as the clocks have now gone back, and I get an extra hour in bed if I so choose. It will be interesting to see how the raw dynamics play out. People do ask how they can keep warm. I understand that could be a real concern when facing bitter winters. But in London even though we may think otherwise, our winters are nothing compared to Scandinavia, Canada etc.
And if we can keep our environment warm that will help no end i.e. good heating systems. There is definitely a natural tendency to hibernate, draw down and become cosy. Hence porridge, which was one of my favourite foods ever. And that's what I believe is the crux of that matter, we really want cosy bulky food to accompany the season. I'll probably be having a lot of fruit puddings and fleshing out my salads with more avocado and raw hummus (I noticed there is a courgette one in RAWvolution), and probably looking for more variety. I don't think I'll go the mega nut route, consuming vast quantities that is, because I simply don't feel my best and don't want to grind to a halt. Maybe nut milk and see the effects. Anyway I will be striving for excellence (the best I can do at any given time) and not perfection. To that effect I'm sure rooibos tea will be featuring more.
Excellence enthuses, perfection stresses.
Food: Dates, banana and mango pudding, handful of almonds, edamame, picked at bits of my sister's salad from Wholefoods - beetroot, carrot, sesame seeds, mushrooms, greens.. pineapple, lime and apple juice. A little lime goes a long way, it really 'cuts' the sweetness of the pineapple.
It is officially winter time as the clocks have now gone back, and I get an extra hour in bed if I so choose. It will be interesting to see how the raw dynamics play out. People do ask how they can keep warm. I understand that could be a real concern when facing bitter winters. But in London even though we may think otherwise, our winters are nothing compared to Scandinavia, Canada etc.
And if we can keep our environment warm that will help no end i.e. good heating systems. There is definitely a natural tendency to hibernate, draw down and become cosy. Hence porridge, which was one of my favourite foods ever. And that's what I believe is the crux of that matter, we really want cosy bulky food to accompany the season. I'll probably be having a lot of fruit puddings and fleshing out my salads with more avocado and raw hummus (I noticed there is a courgette one in RAWvolution), and probably looking for more variety. I don't think I'll go the mega nut route, consuming vast quantities that is, because I simply don't feel my best and don't want to grind to a halt. Maybe nut milk and see the effects. Anyway I will be striving for excellence (the best I can do at any given time) and not perfection. To that effect I'm sure rooibos tea will be featuring more.
Excellence enthuses, perfection stresses.
Friday, 26 October 2007
Just Ask...Nicely
Exercise: Run
Food: Four very ripe bananas, mango and banana pudding, a few dates, quite a few almonds
I have been away on a course in the Hertfordshire countryside. It was a real treat to be surrounded by plenty of greenery, plus was able to go for runs and long walks every day I was there. Prior to the trip I was a little concerned about the 'eating arrangements'. But decided that instead of seeing it as problem, to just tell them my needs, and find out what was on offer.
As it happens there was a salad bar every lunchtime, and creative stuff too, chopped cucumber and cherry tomatoes, beetroot, baby greens etc. And that is quite something for conference catering. I decided to not bother with breakfast and simply eat my first meal of the day at noon. I'd lugged a whole load of fruit - bananas, dates and pears, and avocados to supplement the salads. I determined that come what may I needed to use up these supplies, as it was not an option to lug the bag back home at the end of the course.
I had salad at lunchtime and thus blended in easily, pardon the pun. For dinner I had asked for salad instead of the 'hot' option. The evening version was rather 'simpler'. The first evening I got lettuce and tomato, so I promptly whisked out an avocado from my bag. But each evening there was a particular lady who would bring me my salad and she would look for me with a smile. And I could tell some effort was going into making it more interesting for me. Because carrots sticks, celery and red peppers appeared later. I really was looked after. Of course I attracted some attention, particular when avocados kept appearing. But I just side-stepped the questioning. There was one guest though who had apparently been half-way to vegan-ville, before getting married earlier in the year. So we talked about that and then she mentioned that some of her friends had radically changed their dietary habits. And I recognised she was alluding to raw eating. We'll keep in touch. I have no problem talking about raw but always try to be mindful of the time and the place.
I have to say I did feel the effect (in more ways than one)of not having as much fruit as I would have liked. Ideally I would have loved a big banana and mango smoothie, or just a load of bananas for dinner. But that wasn't going to happen, the bananas in the fruit bowl were green. And I couldn't have brought any more fruit without an extra pair of arms to maneouver it. Yes, there were shops in 'town' but their fruit wasn't ripe enough.
But all in all I was able to stay completely raw except for one day when I added some potato which was the best option for me at the time. So I learnt the importance of preparing mentally, and practically for what I wanted. And I clearly stated my needs. There was always the risk that they might not have been met, but it was up to me to articulate them.
If you don't ask, you don't get. (It's good to be home, I don't think I've ever been so pleased to see brown-spotted bananas in all my life).
Food: Four very ripe bananas, mango and banana pudding, a few dates, quite a few almonds
I have been away on a course in the Hertfordshire countryside. It was a real treat to be surrounded by plenty of greenery, plus was able to go for runs and long walks every day I was there. Prior to the trip I was a little concerned about the 'eating arrangements'. But decided that instead of seeing it as problem, to just tell them my needs, and find out what was on offer.
As it happens there was a salad bar every lunchtime, and creative stuff too, chopped cucumber and cherry tomatoes, beetroot, baby greens etc. And that is quite something for conference catering. I decided to not bother with breakfast and simply eat my first meal of the day at noon. I'd lugged a whole load of fruit - bananas, dates and pears, and avocados to supplement the salads. I determined that come what may I needed to use up these supplies, as it was not an option to lug the bag back home at the end of the course.
I had salad at lunchtime and thus blended in easily, pardon the pun. For dinner I had asked for salad instead of the 'hot' option. The evening version was rather 'simpler'. The first evening I got lettuce and tomato, so I promptly whisked out an avocado from my bag. But each evening there was a particular lady who would bring me my salad and she would look for me with a smile. And I could tell some effort was going into making it more interesting for me. Because carrots sticks, celery and red peppers appeared later. I really was looked after. Of course I attracted some attention, particular when avocados kept appearing. But I just side-stepped the questioning. There was one guest though who had apparently been half-way to vegan-ville, before getting married earlier in the year. So we talked about that and then she mentioned that some of her friends had radically changed their dietary habits. And I recognised she was alluding to raw eating. We'll keep in touch. I have no problem talking about raw but always try to be mindful of the time and the place.
I have to say I did feel the effect (in more ways than one)of not having as much fruit as I would have liked. Ideally I would have loved a big banana and mango smoothie, or just a load of bananas for dinner. But that wasn't going to happen, the bananas in the fruit bowl were green. And I couldn't have brought any more fruit without an extra pair of arms to maneouver it. Yes, there were shops in 'town' but their fruit wasn't ripe enough.
But all in all I was able to stay completely raw except for one day when I added some potato which was the best option for me at the time. So I learnt the importance of preparing mentally, and practically for what I wanted. And I clearly stated my needs. There was always the risk that they might not have been met, but it was up to me to articulate them.
If you don't ask, you don't get. (It's good to be home, I don't think I've ever been so pleased to see brown-spotted bananas in all my life).
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Timbuktu
Exercise: Run
Food: Mango and spinach green pudding (blended with no added water), looks funky but tastes yum, big green salad with some deliciously sweet vine tomatoes and Hass avocado, 6 bananas, some dates and a small packet of almonds. Even though it's late I really fancy some fresh pineapple juice so will be having some later.
My run was so enjoyable today on every level. I went at a good steady pace, you know just right, so flow kicked in very quickly. There was a nip in the air, but the sun was shining and warm in places, golden brown leaves littered the roads, and there weren't many people around it being a Sunday. I now actually yearn to be out in the fresh air which is simply phenomenal as I would never have considered myself an outdoors person before, though I have always loved London's parks. I guess it is now a matter of priorities. I need to spend time outside everyday now. Even when it's raining I notice that I'm really not that fussed whereas before I most certainly would be.
I was flicking through Matt Amsden's RawVolution this afternoon. It really is a beautiful book, (you've probably gathered I'm an aesthete). I smiled to myself as I read the introduction, it revealed Matt had found out about raw foods by listening in to Howard Stern on the radio. I love it, something just comes from left field. And I bet he never dreamed he would be developing a gorgeous raw recipe book even a couple of days before hearing that broadcast. I love that so much, that a by choosing the right thing at a critical moment, it seems the whole course of your life has changed..for much much much better. That's adventure.
If anyone had told me five years ago that I would become a vegan, never mind a raw one, I would have laughed them to Timbuktu and back. Love it. Love it. Love it.
Food: Mango and spinach green pudding (blended with no added water), looks funky but tastes yum, big green salad with some deliciously sweet vine tomatoes and Hass avocado, 6 bananas, some dates and a small packet of almonds. Even though it's late I really fancy some fresh pineapple juice so will be having some later.
My run was so enjoyable today on every level. I went at a good steady pace, you know just right, so flow kicked in very quickly. There was a nip in the air, but the sun was shining and warm in places, golden brown leaves littered the roads, and there weren't many people around it being a Sunday. I now actually yearn to be out in the fresh air which is simply phenomenal as I would never have considered myself an outdoors person before, though I have always loved London's parks. I guess it is now a matter of priorities. I need to spend time outside everyday now. Even when it's raining I notice that I'm really not that fussed whereas before I most certainly would be.
I was flicking through Matt Amsden's RawVolution this afternoon. It really is a beautiful book, (you've probably gathered I'm an aesthete). I smiled to myself as I read the introduction, it revealed Matt had found out about raw foods by listening in to Howard Stern on the radio. I love it, something just comes from left field. And I bet he never dreamed he would be developing a gorgeous raw recipe book even a couple of days before hearing that broadcast. I love that so much, that a by choosing the right thing at a critical moment, it seems the whole course of your life has changed..for much much much better. That's adventure.
If anyone had told me five years ago that I would become a vegan, never mind a raw one, I would have laughed them to Timbuktu and back. Love it. Love it. Love it.
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Paradigm Shifts
Exercise: Run and push ups
Food: None (one day water fast)
More and more, I'm realising that the more I open my mind, and challenge long-held beliefs that don't seem to be backed up by truth, the greater the propensity for paradigm shifting change.
Sometimes I get a little 'ohmigod' feeling about eating raw. But I refuse to see myself as isolated or a victim. I choose to do this. I am a pioneer and so are you. By living consciously we attract and inspire others to live more authentically. In the same way we ourselves have been attracted to and inspired by others.
There is no doubt in my mind, and despite some appearances to the contrary, people do want to enjoy good health. And many are seeking the way to optimal health, no small feat with all the 'noise' out there. I truly think that in five years time eating raw, biologically appropriate food (whatever percentage) will be as common as veganism if not vegetarianism.
Is eating raw a price to pay or simply investing for a better return?
Food: None (one day water fast)
More and more, I'm realising that the more I open my mind, and challenge long-held beliefs that don't seem to be backed up by truth, the greater the propensity for paradigm shifting change.
Sometimes I get a little 'ohmigod' feeling about eating raw. But I refuse to see myself as isolated or a victim. I choose to do this. I am a pioneer and so are you. By living consciously we attract and inspire others to live more authentically. In the same way we ourselves have been attracted to and inspired by others.
There is no doubt in my mind, and despite some appearances to the contrary, people do want to enjoy good health. And many are seeking the way to optimal health, no small feat with all the 'noise' out there. I truly think that in five years time eating raw, biologically appropriate food (whatever percentage) will be as common as veganism if not vegetarianism.
Is eating raw a price to pay or simply investing for a better return?
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