Here is an update on my “Peas on Earth” raw food challenge. My goal was not to eat 100% raw, but rather to take in the proper amount of hydration (water) and 2 bunches of greens. I think when I went raw originally I was overwhelmed with the changes that I missed the core of our dietary intake.My appetite and emotions are much more balanced on the greens. I am learning to break emotional eating patterns and eat for nourishment.
I also go into the other “green stuff” aka: MONEY! I have a few thoughts on how we obtain it, how we spend it, and the state of our economy.
This is not a shocker for me. I started noticing that I felt spun out after having agave. Something within me… that little voice said, this was not as healthy as it is touted to be. However, it was all over all the raw communities & I went with it. That’s what I get for ignoring my intuition.
So, honey seems to be the next option or just the sweetness of the fruit itself. I know I have used dates in the past as well. I am not too sure what to think about yacon root syrup or maple. Perhaps, it is best to avoid all things in a bottle or box and just go with the fruit itself.
This is not the only thing that I have had issues with. Have you noticed that vinegar has a warning label stating that it contains lead? What is up with that? I stopped using balsamic vinegar well over a year ago after noticing the label. I thought it was only that type of vinegar, until last week I stumbled upon my “organic” white wine vinegar. It had the same warning. I was pissed. I felt like a fool. However, after I cooled off I realized I am thankful I now know.
I used to use vinegars in salad dressings. Now it will be lemon juice. I have not seen any labels or warnings on raw apple cider vinegar and I am not to sure how it is made in comparison to the other vinegars. Back to nature is the safest. The less that has been done to it the better.
A few months ago I switched from vanilla extract to vanilla bean. I also realized through my own experience that cacao was detrimental to my health. It had a mind speed like response to me. My heart would race and then I would crash. I felt that this was a legal drug. Now, I know it is huge in the raw community, but I need to listen to my own heart and not be swayed by what others are doing.
Recently, I have been weaning myself off oils. Yep, it’s the same thing. I would rather eat the fat in the whole form such as coconut, avocados, bananas. I have mixed feelings about olives. I have seen some articles saying that lye is used during the process. That doesn’t sound too healthy to me. I need to do more research, but this is how I am feeling now. I also have mixed feelings about nuts and seeds. I just feel “down” when I have them. Maybe I am eating too many.The perfect balance is quite a journey.
I am so thankful I took on the raw lifestyle. I am becoming more aware of what is going into my body. I am more in tune than I ever have been. I can only imagine where I will be in 5 years from now.
Here is a video I made not too far into my raw journey where I was questioning the integrity of raw products.
Ok, I love to know what awesome people are up to. I know twitter is an awesome way to get mini updates without requiring much time at all. Online social networking is accelerating so fast.
So, considering I have devoted more time recently into an online presence… I thought to myself…Why not twitter myself?
So, to those who may find it interesting to see what I am doing…. come and check it out!
This was the very first song that came on in the car when I went to take my kids to gymnastics. How freaking appropriate is this? Love who you are. Stop trying to please others or find approval in others. This song is contagious! No wonder it’s number one on the charts right now. Awesome message!
So watch out…..cuz I am living my life for ME….like it or not, it isn’t for you. If you don’t like what I am doing… work on your own life. We are who we are. Embrace it, make the best of yourself, and rock out!
Be thankful for where you are and what you’ve got!
(Rihanna): You’re gonna be a shining star, fancy clothes, fancy car-ars. And then you’ll see, you’re gonna go far. Cause everyone knows, who you are-are. So live your life, ay ay ay. Instead of chasing that paper. Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. Ain’t got no time for no haters. Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. No telling where it’ll take you. Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. Cause I’m a paper chaser. Just living my life (ay), my life (oh), my life (ay), my life (oh) Just living my life (ay), my life (oh), my life (ay), my life (oh)
(T.I.): Nevermind what haters say, ignore em ’til they fade away. Amazing they ungreatful after all the game I gave away. Safe to say I paid the way, for you cats to get paid today. You’d still be wasting days away, now had I never saved the day. Consider them my protégé, homage I think they should pay. Instead of being gracious, they violate in a major way. I never been a hater still I love them in a crazy way. Some say they sold yah and no they couldn’t even work on Labor day. It aint that they black or white, their hands in areas the shades of grey. I’m West side anyway, even if I left today and stayed away. Some move away to make a way not move away cause they afraid. I brought back to the hood and all you ever did was take away. I pray for patience but they make me want to melt their face away. Like I once made them spray, now I could make em put the k’s away. Been thuggin’ all my life, can’t say I don’t deserve to take a break. your would rather see me catch a case and watch my future fade away.
(Rihanna): You’re gonna be a shining star, fancy clothes, fancy car-ars. And then you’ll see, you’re gonna go far. Cause everyone knows, who you are-are. So live your life, ay ay ay. Instead of chasing that paper. Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. Ain’t got no time for no haters Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. No telling where it’ll take you. Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. Cause I’m a paper chaser. Just living my life.
(T.I.): I’m the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished with the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid. Allergic to the counterfeit, impartial to the politics. Articulate but still I’ll grab a nigga by the collar quick. Whoever having problems with their record sales just holla ‘tip. If that don’t work and all else fails, then turn around and follow ‘tip. I got love for the game but ay I’m not in love with all of it. Could do without the fame and rappers nowadays are comically. The hootin’ and the hollerin’, back and forth with the arguing. Where you from, who you know, what you make and what kind of car you in. Seems as though you lost sight of whats important when depositing them checks into your bank account and you up out of poverty. Your values is in disarray, prioritizing horribly. Unhappy with the riches cause you piss poor morally. Ignoring all prior advice and fore warning. And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden, aren’t we?
(Rihanna): You’re gonna be a shining star, fancy clothes, fancy car-ars. And then you’ll see, you’re gonna go far. Cause everyone knows, who you are-are. So live your life, ay ay ay. Instead of chasing that paper. Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. Ain’t got no time for no haters Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. No telling where it’ll take you. Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. Cause I’m a paper chaser. Just living my life (ay), my life (oh), my life (ay), my life (oh) Just living my life (ay), my life (oh), my life (ay), my life (oh)
Got everybody watchin what I do Come walk in my shoes And see the way I’m livin if you really want to Got my mind on my money And I’m not goin nowhere So keep on gettin your paper And keep on climbing Look in the mirror and keep on shining Till the game ends, till the clock stops We gon’ post up on the top spot Livin the life, the life In a brand new city got my whole team with me The life, my life I do what I wanna do I’m livin my life, my life I will never lose, I’m livin my life, my life And I’m not stopping
It is scientifically IMPOSSIBLE to be depressed and grateful at the same time! Think about that every time you are feeling blue. Shift your focus on what you have. It’s another way of taking an inventory of your life and discovering what you do have. This is perfect to do once a life detox has taken place. The garbage is gone, now let’s see the good stuff .
Thanksgiving is coming around the corner and rather than stuffing my face with food, I’m filling up my soul with thanks. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is the only time I reflect on the things I am thankful for. I keep a daily gratitude journal. I write in it almost every night before I fall asleep. It makes for an easy transition into sleep and beautiful dreams.
I think of the things that would affect me if they disappeared from my life tomorrow. Here are my top 10 ranked
Devastated 1. My kids 2. Their father… if I had a romantic partner he’d be here too! 3. My family 4. My friends 5. My pets 6. My clients 7. My health & well being (I suppose this should be number one, since it affects how I am able to relate and contribute to those listed above.)
Big Time Bummers 8. My home 9. My car 10. My journals, home videos, and photographs
OK, OK….I know I said ten, but I had to throw this in there too.
Conveniences 11. The Internet, my computer & cell phone (Funny, because these are just means to stay connected to the relationships mentioned above. )
These are the things I really need to nurture and really remember to appreciate. I know that all those things I mentioned above are not permanent. I will eventually lose them all. EVERYTHING! It makes me think….am I really enjoying them? Am I really making the most of them. Do they know how much I care?
On the other hand, I feel less of a need for other materialistic belongings. I mean really, if I have all the above listed things in my life, the extra “stuff” just might be a distraction or clutter in my life. Truth is, we only use about 20% of what we own. Back to purging! Living light inspires the soul.
Ten More Things I Am Thankful For 1. The experience of Motherhood & being a woman 2. Living during these times & technology 3. My knowledge and experiences 4. My health, beauty, energy, able body 5. My dreams and direction 6. A connection to a higher power & sense of self 7. Living in safety, where the sun shines and the weather is warm 8. My time 9. Being well received by others 10. Unlimited Potential
What about being grateful for the hardships and life challenges?
5 Challenges that I overcame & made me who I am today. 1. Poverty & Abuse 2. Shoplifting 3. Exotic dancing 4. Failed relationships 5. Single motherhood
5 Current Challenges I am experiencing today & being thankful for the opportunity to grow & learn from them. 1. Financial burdens… I want to live free from financial obligations 2. Weight gain…. I want to feel secure in my own skin and celebrate physical health 3. Self esteem….I want to feel confident in who I am and what I am capable of 4. Discipline & Focus…I want to stay on task so I can experience the things in life that really matter most to me. 5. Being single… I want to grow and share life with a life partner.
If you are running through life feeling overwhelmed and not really making the impact you know you want, or wishing you felt alive and filled with passion then you are going to LOVE me!
