Taking care.... of listening to your body.

Most of the time, in our modern world, when our bodies are telling us there is something not so right, we respond by filling it with chemicals that will do nothing but hide the uncomfortable symptoms. When those symptoms are telling us to slowww down and rest to let our bodies do the work it was meant to! Since becoming vegan, and now being very high raw, I've barely had a cold. When I have had one, it lasts less than 3 days and doesn't stop me from going on with my day. So the key to healthy lives without annoying colds and viruses? Eat more fruit!! :D

We've been conditioned into thinking that a magic pill exists that will make all our health issues go away. This is mostly due to the fact that facing the consequences of our indulgences in many things like meat, dairy and alcohol, etc isn't something that most people want to do. So we spend so much money treating illnesses that were preventable, instead of preventing them in the first place through diet and lifestyle. And yes I'm saying that you can prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease and many others through DIET and LIFESTYLE.

Today, I didn't get enough sleep so I wasn't feeling at my best. No gym today, but yet another 100% raw day! I was also craving greens, which is really unusual for me.

Food:

700ml Banana Smoothie

Garden salad

A few cups of cherries

2 x-large Bananas

Large salad with tomato and avo

Taking care... of having fun!

Tonight was my Halloween celebration! Got all painted up (yes, painted!) as a devil like creature and had a fun night with some awesome people! It's really important not to seclude yourself just because you live a different lifestyle. Going out is just as fun without the alcohol and drugs, it's all in how you see it and make it your own!

Another awesome 100% day for me as well!! :D

Exercise:

15 mins on treadmill

15 mins on bike

10 mins on rower

Food:

800ml Orange juice

1L banana-cherry smoothie

6 x-large bananas

2.5 liters of water

I had an extremely busy day today, and that got me off track of eating consistently. Usually when this happens I realize I'm starving and eat bad food... But today I just had no desire for it. I had bananas instead! It's such an amazing feeling to be at this point in my transition. I started experimenting with the raw diet about 18 months ago, and now I'm at the point where it feels natural and amazing! Even though I'm seriously detoxing, I know now that its a feeling that I should be going through and it really isnt as bad as it was the first time around. My body is also now telling me that it's right. Before I felt like something was wrong, it just wasn't my time. 

I'm taking it one day at a time and enjoying every minute of it.

Stay fruity!

Taking care... of having great days!

Today was an awesome day, I must say! I lounged around in bed for the better part of the morning, something I hadn't done in a very long time, simply because I didn't have the time. I soaked in the inspiration I got at last nights talk and leisurely browse the world of internet. I then played with my baby brother, it's the best kind of exercise anyone can get!

My afternoon on the other hand was busy with customers for Halloween makeup. I can hardly call it work, I love being creative and connecting with people!

Exercise:
Play time!

Food:
1L grapefruit juice
1L banana-cherry smoothie
Mango "icecream"
2L water

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy 100% day! Feeling great, although a little detox going on in the form of a headache. I realized that I just have no desire for cooked foods, I think I want them, but then it just doesn't seem all that great when I'm having it.

Tomorrow is another great day filled with opportunities!! Get out there and grab them! :D

Taking care... of staying informed!

So today I'll be posting twice because I got home wayy too late last night.

I went to an awesome talk by long-distance raw runner Tim Vanorden of http://www.runningraw.com/. It was an awesome evening. His concepts and ideas about how to view getting healthy and staying there are refreshing and motivating. He has a audio-book that is similar to his live talk if anyone is interested in listening to it! You won't get inspired, you'll get inflamed!

I think it's important to get as much information about anything you want to experience and then do two things: make up your mind for yourself as to what you agree with and then experiment with different methods to see what works for you! Don't pressure yourself to fit into a mold of someone else's ideas. Take advice and ask questions, but make the final decision based on you.

Yesterday was my last midterm! I am so happy to be out of that energy, it's not exactly a serene time of the year. Problem is I didn't eat consistently enough throughout the day and after my midterm I went straight to the gym.. So when I got home my body was is just eat the first thing you see mode... Unfortunately I was eating leftover pizza before I even realized what I was doing!! Has that ever happened to you?

To live a healthy lifestyle, it's so vital to not make that mistake! Always make sure you have fresh ripe food at your disposal! Its the recipe for success! :) But when it does happen, just brush it off and move on.

Exercise:
20 minutes on bike

Food:
Oj and strawberries
1L Banana-cherry smoothie
Vegan Pizza
Veggie soup.

Today is another day!

Taking care.. of not dwelling on the fall, but on getting back up.

Today didn't start off great. Part of my detox includes cramps at that time of the month. It isn't really the pain that bothers me, but the accompanying nausea. So no gym today, although I made an effort to walk more around campus and take more stairs. I also had some fun play time with my 23 month old brother, which always makes me feel better.

Food wasn't as bad as it would've been in the past, but I can't said I did very well.
-OJ/Strawberry usual morning start!
-3 cups blue grapes
-1L Banana-blueberry smoothie
- Bowl of oatmeal
- 3 slices vegan pizza

The best thing to do when you have a less than optimal day is to not dwell on it and most of all don't beat yourself up for slipping up. Just brush your hands off and tomorrow is another day!
So my plan of action at this point is that today is going to be my recuperation day for the week exercise wise, so i'll be going to the gym on Sunday morning.
And having that pizza just cemented my reasons for going gluten-free. It's just not worth the bloating!
It's just a small bump in the road and I will definitely be doing better tomorrow!!

Taking care... of your life.

One thing that I hear much too often from people is that they don't have the time.

...

How can anyone not have time for their health?

I admit I was one of these people at one time. I simply didn't care. But at least I could admit that. Denial is the worst possible place you can be. When in denial, you are taking away any possibility of improvement. 

My message to people in denial? Get over yourself, and get it done. Stop complaining and use that energy to get healthy instead. Stop making it a chore and make it fun! If any kind of victim attitude comes up, I walk away, or tell the person straight up if I think they can handle it. Harsh? Maybe.

 Making changes is EASY when you stop thinking that its SO difficult! The key to it all? Baby steps aka transitioning. Make small changes for the long run instead of drastic ones for the short term.  AND don't be afraid to ask for help!

Over the past 2 years I have made the baby steps to where I am today. With 50lbs of weight gone and 20 lbs to go I have discovered the path to ultimate health and I am getting there at my own pace. My health has steadily got better and better, although I can't say I never hit a wall. Just keep going!!!

OK, so todayyyy.

Exercise:

23 intense mins on bike (did 8k in 19mins!!)

8 mins vigorous training on Concept Rower.

Food:

750ml Banana-Rasp Smoothie

1 cup Raisins

1L mango smoothie

Homemade sushi

I keep forgetting to track my water intake, today was 2.5 liters :)

See ya tomorrow!!

Taking care... of your health.

Day 2!!

Today was indeed a good day.

Exercise:

25 mins interval training on treadmill

15 mins vigorous training on rower.

Food:

Very similar to yesterday;

500ml OJ with one cup pureed strawberries

1.5L banana-raspberry smoothie

Vegetable soup.

Leftover roasted potatoes and carrots.

I usually have 4 meals a day, and they never really coincide with traditional meal times. In my opinion, do what works for you. We don't all have conventional schedules and so our meals should be taken when hungry, not when appropriate. 

Training is going really well. I'm enjoying the gym I signed up to. There's always free cardio machines and ample choice at that! Plus everything is shiny and new! Another bonus is the massage chairs they have there, best ones I have ever sit in. They even massage your legs!

I didn't do much physical the rest of the day though. It's midterm season and that means studying all day and writing a gazillion essays. 

Till tomorrow!!

Taking care... of you!

Living in our modern societies, we often lose track of living a healthy fulfilling lifestyle. Of keeping ourselves balanced and happy, and most of all of enjoying every second of the gift that is life!

I am no exception to this. I know what my ideal lifestyle is. I am making constant choices that are leading me to it, but I tend to lose perspective sometimes of doing what I can here and now to be the most fit and happy person I can be!

I made a decision on Saturday. I participated in a version of Amazing race at my University and didn't do as well as I had hoped, although e never quit and so the experience was very enriching. It was, to put it figuratively, the slap in the face I needed to get me consistently exercising again. I want to be fit so that I can enjoy activities like hiking and running, or races and scavenger hunts not unlike A-R with ease!

So starting today I ill be entering my daily workouts and meals for the next 30 days. I will be accountable to no one but myself, but making it public will be just that inch more motivation to keep up with it and keep my diet clean and progressing to 100% fruit. I may also do another OJ fast to clean house a bit while I'm at it :)

I'm starting off with just cardio for exercise this week, I'll add strength early next week.

I am going to be totally honest about any pitfalls or issues I'll be having as well as all the accomplishments i'll be proud of. This is going to be raw and honest. No sugar coating. It's the best I find to deal with myself and I hope that it helps someone else as well!!

So today:

Exercise:
20 mins interval training on treadmill
15 mins vigorous rowing on concept rower

Food:
500ml OJ with i cup blended strawberries
2 apples
1L banana and raspberry smoothie
Veg pita wrap with hummus
Roasted potatoes and carrots


One thing I always say is that there is no such thing as can't. This is something I was taught from a young age. If you truly want to get healthy and fit, then you can. Today is the time to make that change! Putting it off never works, and besides why wait? The healthiest fittest most amazing you is waiting to be unveiled!

Back to basics: Skin care.

Righty, so lets talk talk about skin care! I used to have really bad acne, from about when I was 13 till at least 17 and continued after that to have issues with acne, normally much more around that time of my cycle but a few now and then in between as well. I was using Proactive at the time and then stopped using it when it mostly went away. But was still using chemical skin products to keep my skin balanced. I actually have typical combination skin, where it could be dry and oily at the same time! Nowadays I only use a very light cleanser on my skin when I do creative makeup (which can be seen on my other blog if your interested, i'll link it below) The rest of my skin is rarely exposed to anything artificial or chemical in the slightest. No suntan lotion, not moisturizer other than pure coconut oil, no abrasive soaps!

To be honest, my skin can still sometimes be oily and all, but it only happens if I decide to have high fat foods or highly acid food and is still much more manageable than ever before. Otherwise, it's better than its ever been! I seem to have more of a healthy glow and I keep a tan much longer. Wayyy less blackheads or pimples of any kind, again only if I've had bad food. Acne is your body detoxing pure and simple!

 Now that I've been mostly staying away from bad foods, my skin is great. I used to never leave the house without foundation, which I wore to conceal acne and a skin condition that cause my skin to redden. I now rarely ever use foundation, simply because I don't need it anymore. The redness in my skin is usually barely noticeable and getting better all the time.  

Overall, the fruity lifestyle is what I have to thank for my skin being amazing. You are what you eat afterall!!

Before and After Hair Pics

So this is Before (using hair products, blow dryer and straightener to get my hair looking good) Picture taken 20th March 2011

Annnd this is After Pic, Taken today at work. I rinsed my hair out this morning and didn't do a thing to it! Not even coconut oil :)