Detox May

Detox May

1 Carrot Peeled

1 Gala Apple Peeled

1 Celery Stalk

4 Mint Leaves

2 Kale Leaves

2 Handfuls of Spinach

Handful Fro Pineapple

Handful Parsley

Ice

It's that time again. I've learned the hard way (by eating out yesterday), that I need to be gluten and dairy free. So here I am, beginning Detox May! I'm aiming for at least one über-green smoothie/juice per day and healthy meals with no dairy, no gluten, and, of course no meat!

I know that the most difficult part will ultimately be the cravings, while also attempting to maintain a high enough blood pressure due to the POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Peer pressure has all ready shown to be somewhat difficult. I get feelings of guilt when someone offers "delicious food that I must try". They can't seem to understand that I'm not just being picky, or fussy, or rude, I am simply trying to heal myself by eating what I can tolerate, and avoiding what I makes me ill. UGH!

Life is all about choices. Every choice that we make, either consciously, or subconsciously, or even unconsciously, impacts our lives in numerous ways. That's the beauty of life. These choices, all of them, are up to you to choose what to do. Whether small or large, (putting an apple in my mouth, or eating pizza; climbing a mountain, or going skydiving) we can choose to do what we feel is right for  us. Sometimes when we're overwhelmed or stressed, it seems we tend to shift toward the extremes, which can possibly lead to a dangerous downward spiral. Other times, we can choose to do nothing at all, which is often worse than doing something. YEAH CHOICES! 

 My choices are my own, and I shouldn't have to justify them to anyone else or feel guilty of hurting feelings by saying "No, thank you." Right?

Kale Beast!

2 Tsp Chia

1 Beet

6 Cherries

3 Kale Leaves

1 Plum

1/4 Cucumber

Water

4 Ice Cubes

Blend on Variable 1-10, Then High until Desired consistency.

This is not one of my favorites. It's a little bitter. I think I put too much kale for my liking. Of course, I'm drinking it anyway!

Two of my friends actually asked me recently if I'd ever made anything gross. As in, if any of my creations had turned out horribly wrong. Immediately, I said no. And followed up with this explanation:

When I am juicing or making smoothies I typically go to my fridge and dig out the first things that I come across, prepare them, and throw them into my VM. I aim for more vegetables than fruit, and overpowering, taste-masking fruits. If it turns out good, then great! If not, then I won't lie about it, but I will drink it happily- knowing that it is indeed good for me and can learn what to do to improve for next time!

Do you dare to try this Kale Beast and submit any suggestions on what could improve it? =)

2-Recipes-In-1! Mmm A Real Treat!

Don't let the cup fool you. It's my cold tumbler.

• 1/2 Kale Leaf
• 2 Carrots Peeled 
• 2 Chunks candied sweet potato (*from dinner last night YUMMM!) 
• 3 Cherries 
• 2 tsp Chia Seeds
• Ice

Variable 1-10 High Juice!
Over ice

Candied Sweet Potato
*Peel sweet potato, 1-2 inch cubes, boil then when "forkable" strain, and transfer to foil lined pan with a little coconut oil and brown sugar, and broil, turning every couple minutes. YUMMMM! (If you have leftovers that is.)

11:00 AM Revelation. =O

I woke up salivating to the delicious aroma of Banana bread that of course, I cannot eat. (Allergic to many ingredients, most severely EGGS).

So I made the right decision and whipped up this bad boy. I threw in some extra fruit for an enjoyable treat. I think my taste-buds deserve a break from the earthy flavors for a bit. I must admit I have not been faithfully "juicing" every meal. Nor have I given up meat or dairy completely yet. It is in my future though. I strongly believe it will be a huge contributing factor to how I feel in the long run. A full detox is what MY body needs.

1/2 Kale, 1/2 Pear, 5 Cherries, 2 Pineapple Chunks
1/2 Cucumber, Ice
Variable 1-10 Then High til Juice!
Serve over Ice 

I am however making even smarter choices and leaving off the condiments (moreso than medically necessary in the past). Past dietary restrictions have made me give up so many things. I have changed my diet drastically years ago by cutting out sweets, soda, anything containing HFCS (high fructose corn syrup),  anything low calorie, (My known food allergies include: Most all, especially whole and popped Eggs, Corn, Soy, and Wheat in moderation.) I cannot tolerate anything artificial, or artificial sweeteners. I strongly believe they are poison.

I have many strong feelings about many topics. If we were meant to eat artificial products, we might as well chew on some plastic and call it a day, eh? No, we were meant to eat from the earth. And that's what I'm aiming to train my body to do. To live like our ancestors did. What the heck did cavemen eat? Nuts and berries, of course! Not packaged ho-hos and chips and frozen dinners. What the heck is a french fry?! (A grease-covered-unhealthy-piece-of.......?)

Let us nourish our bodies, because our bodies want us to succeed. My body is fighting itself, because it loves me so much it wants to cure itself. ....at least that's what I like to think. Autoimmune diseases are silly; I have a love/hate relationship with my body. ;) I'm beginning to love it, because I'm beginning to understand what it needs to function properly!

Before I put something in my mouth, I say to myself, "Is this going to heal me, or is this going to hurt me?"

Let me leave you with this food for thought:
Could you be suffering from some sort of food allergy or intolerance that you may be unaware of? It's quite possible. Is there some aspect of your life that you'd like to improve? I have strong belief that it can be drastically improved by changing your diet.

Feel free to comment below =)

Fact: Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

1 Beet, 1/2 inch Lemon Slice, Parsely, 1/2 Kale Leaf
1 Celery Stalk, Cilantro, 1-2 Tbsp Chia Seeds, Ice

Refreshingly healthy, and boldly beautiful.

It's true. I do love NY. Also, why wouldn't bears eat beets. ;) & I love The Office. I've been hiding out from the desert heat having an Office marathon for the past two months in the spare time. (Probably the time I should be blogging.) We reach temps of up to 120+ in the summer here. I've been doing pretty good at staying hydrated and keeping active as well as dousing myself with SPF 3000. ;) Most of my exercise happens in the pool, as I have temperature regulation issues relating to my POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). So, obviously doing much of any strenuous exercising in the hot, hot, heat will inevitably result in a slew of symptoms. I have been getting out a bit and trying to explore and do some walking and of course snapping photos of everything in sight, while also trying to meet some people around town, but it's just too hot right now. I'm sure once it cools down a bit things will be a bit easier. =) 

Cheerio!

Beets: Take Two: Yummm!!!

1/2 kale leaf, 1 beet, 1 apple, 

2 broccoli flor, 5 red grapes, 6 ice

Variable 1-10 Then High until 

Liquified Super Juice!

Serve over ice

Finally. Well, I can't exactly say finally since it's only my second attempt at beets but I did it! This one is slightly earthy with a tad of sweetness in the aftertaste. But, hot *durnt*, I did it! Mmmm. =) I actually don't have to choke it down like the first one.

A quick tip I will share is to blend it longer than usual juices since beets are a root vegetable and are quite hard. "It'll slide down your gullet more easily."

Broccoli & Kale Juice

This one is right off the vm website. I can't take credit for it. =^" It was pretty tasty, but I do prefer to experiment and see what pretty colors I can produce.

2 broccoli florettes
1/2 kale leaf
1/2 (20 g) celery stalk
2 (100 g) small carrots
1/4 (34 g) apple
1/4 cup (60 mL) cold water
1/2 cup (120 mL) ice cubes

Blend on Variable 1-10 then High until juice!

Here we go at Juicing!

Kale, Pear, Grape, Pineapple, a few icecubes

Not so bad! =)