Raw Food Challenge

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.

Watch this video for more info:
http://renegadehealth.com/blog/is-there-corn-syrup-in-agave-nectar/

Here is another great article that goes into more detail:
http://www.naturalnews.com/024892.html

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.

I love being a mom. My kids freaking crack me up. I didn’t realize they were listening to my inspirational CD’s by Wayne Dyer. I think the kids may only get in one bunch of greens a day. They are putting up a little silliness, but they actually were the ones who said they wanted to join in on the challenge.

6 Week Shape Up Sept 29- Nov 10, 2008

Starting Stats
Age: 32
Ht: 5’5 ¼”
Weight: 133.8
BMI: 22.1
Bust: 36”
Waist: 28”
Belly button: 30 ¼”
Hips: 38 ¼”
Body type: meso-endo
Bone structure: small

Goal
Weight: 108-114
BMI: 18-19
Bust: 34
Waist: 25
Hips: 35

Diet & Exercise Log 9/29-10/3

1 9/29 BM: 2 H2O: 3 qts
Earned Workout: Spinning + some abs + 20 min sauna + 30 min nude sunbathing
32 oz veggie juice ( napa cabbage, romaine lettuce, celery, garlic, hot peppers, beet leaves & stems)
Handful Cashews
Walking lunges & backward lunge, leg press, ham curls, ab crunch, push ups, balance, 1 mile fast walk
Green Salad, Pineapple, small handful of brazil nuts, apple

2 9/30 BM:1 (feel a bit backed up, I think I need to soak my nuts since I get bound up)
3 qts H2o IODINE
Workout: 2 hour power yoga (feeling sore abs from yesterday) + 30 min nude sunbathing
Banana & strawberries, Avocado &Tomato, A huge handful of cashews, Raw choco buckwheat granola
Mixed nuts, Yellow beans, Mango

3 10/1 BM: 3+
Earned Breakfast: 60 Spinning class + 20 min sauna + 30 min nude sunbathing
Banana, 32 oz veggie juice, Salad w/ dressing, iodine

4 10/2 BM: 1
30 min sunbathe
Banana, corn salad, not tuna pate wraps, raw choco mousse, cinnamon tea, mango, corn salad, iodine
2 hr power yoga (totally healed my back myself)

5 10/3 BM: 3+
Raw granola, watermelon, mango, tomatoes, zucchini w/ goddess dressing, slice of apple w/ almond butter
Earned breakfast: 60 min spinning, 1 mile run, push ups, 30 min sauna, 40 min sunbathe, iodine
TRAIN FOR MINI TRIATHLON, 2 qts h20

6 10/4 BM: 1
16 oz juice (beet, tomato, parsley, etc), Black bean, rice, corn, guac burrito, mango, cinnamon tea, iodine, home made fries
90 min yoga (medium intensity), 1 qt H20

7 10/5 BM: 3+
Earned Breakfast: 60 min Spinning + 1 mile run +20 min sauna + 40 min sun bathe + iodone
24 oz veggie juice ( Anaheim chili, garlic, green onion, cilantro, bell pepper, romaine lettuce, celery)
Salad w/ raw goddess dressing ½ carton raspberries, 2 peaches, ½ carton of strawberries, salad w/ raw goddess dressing, 4 brazil nuts, country potatoes
3 qts H20 Workout 2: 4 mile walk in 60 min