Monday, February 28, 2011

Mama where'd you go?

Sunday was a sweet day mixed with much sadness ... Domenick and I went to pick up my Mom to take her to visit her 7th great, great grandchild. Visiting Jamie, Pablo, Hayden and his new baby sister Keeley. She's beautiful!

Mom and I went for a walk thru the neighborhood, admiring the houses along the way and laughing at the silly things we talked about ... it was a much needed bonding moment. I loved it.

Later we said our goodbyes to Jamie and the family and headed North to drop my Mom off at her place. While driving Mom talked about the same things we talked about when we were heading South, and then the dreaded words came from her mouth ... "Vivian didn't come with us?" I said, you mean Tracey? She said, "No. Vivian, she didn't come with us?" Mom, I'm Vivian! "you don't look like Vivian (and shook her head, no)" She said this two separate times thru the drive home. Domenick was heart sick. I knew this day was coming, but I was hoping it was far, far into the future.
My siblings and I have a lot to think about ... I don't even know where to begin.

Wrapping up week 3

Do I feel any different:
I do feel more energy ...
Saturday morning I woke up at 5:40 and started cleaning the house and doing laundry ... I even wiped down the insides of all my screens. now that's crazy!
I didn't crash until 9pm that night.

So overall I feel good. Sticking with it and not feeling a need to stray which is a good thing.
As far as weight, I swear I don't think I lost a pound even tho I bought a size 8 jeans last week.
just sayin.

Day 21: Healthy Snacking

Maple Nuts
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups nuts (your favorites)
1/3 cup maple syrup
Directions
1. Coat nuts with syrup.
2. Spread nuts on a baking sheet and bake on low heat for approximately 45 minutes,
stirring frequently.
3. Cool and serve.
POPCORN “CHICKEN”
Ingredients
3/4 cup unpopped popcorn 1/3 cup coconut oil heated until transparent
Nutritional yeast Unrefined sea salt
Black pepper 2 large bowls
Directions
1. Pop corn in an air popper and place in a large bowl.
2. Transfer 1/2 of the popcorn into second bowl and disperse about 1/2 of the coconut oil
over popcorn in second bowl. Sprinkle liberally with nutritional yeast followed
by black pepper and salt.
3. Transfer the second half of the popcorn into the second bowl and repeat step 2 to create
layers of flavor. Tastes like fried chicken!
One of the most surprising facts about The Hallelujah Diet is that you can still have snacks!
Here are some wholesome alternatives to movie night treats.

Day 20: Strength Training

Resistance Training is key ... Just keep moving those muscles.

Today's Recipe:
Luscious Fruit Salad
From
Simple Weekly Meal Plans, Volume 1
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
A little orange zest and lemon zest
Directions
1. Bring the above to a boil, and then simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat. Cool.
Meanwhile cut up the following in a bowl:
2 cups pineapple chunks
2 bananas
2 cups strawberries
1 cup red grapes (seeds removed)
2 oranges
2 kiwi, sliced
Pour cooled dressing over fruit and mix well.
After a workout, nothing is more refreshing than a juicy fruit salad. Use this basic recipe and
add your own flair!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Day 19: Kids Recipes

Hallelujah Hummus
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) 1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lemon 3 Tbsp of olive oil
Unrefined sea salt to taste 5-10 sundried tomatoes
Directions
1. Mix all ingredients in a food processor until a smooth, paste-like consistency is achieved.
Add more oil if needed while mixing.
2. Stop, then add sun-dried tomatoes and mix again until tomatoes are pea-sized bits.
3. Serve with cut veggies such as carrots, broccoli, snow peas, bell peppers, celery, etc.
Jodi’s Guacamole
Ingredients
1 avocado 1 clove garlic
1 Tbsp favorite salsa 1 juice from lime
Unrefined sea salt to taste
Directions
1. Crush garlic, then mash all ingredients with a potato masher.
BarleyMax Berry Post-Workout Smoothie
Ingredients
1 banana 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tsp BarleyMax Berry 3 Tbsp hemp seed (1 Tbsp for non-athletes)
Directions
1. Blend all in a blender and enjoy!
Guaca-mater Sandwich
Ingredients
2 slices Ezekiel bread Jodi’s Guacamole on each side
Tomatoes, sliced Salt and pepper
Directions
1. Toast bread.
2. Spread Jodi’s Guacamole on each side.
3. Add tomatoes on each side and season with salt and pepper.

Ingredients

Day 18: Herb Garden

Easy to grow garden with these basic herbs:
Greek Oregano
Chives
Sage
Rosemary
Basil

Todays' Recipe

Chunky Raw Marinara Sauce
By Chef Kirk
Ingredients
4 medium vine ripened tomatoes, cut in fine dice
1/2 red onion, minced
1 Tbsp roasted garlic, minced (can be store-bought in a jar, pre-roasted)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Tbsp unrefined sea salt
1/4 Tbsp coarse grind black pepper
Fresh Oregano leaves, torn or cut in rough chop, to taste
Fresh Basil, cut in chiffonade, to taste
Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the onions and tomatoes with the salt and pepper and mix well.
2. Add the roasted garlic and the olive oil.
3. Tear the leaves of oregano or chop them and add them to the bowl.
4. Roll up the leaves of basil and thinly slice them in chiffonade*.
5. Add the basil and combine all of the ingredients well.
6. Taste and adjust for seasoning.


Chiffonade is a special way of cutting herbs or leafy green vegetables into thin strips. (The term means “rags” in French.) To chiffonade the basil, stack all of the leaves on top of each other in a neat pile. Roll the pile of leaves lengthwise together to form a fairly tight cigar shape. Then take a knife and cut across the narrow width of the rolled leaves to create thin ribbons of basil.

Day 17: Oils

Look for "cold pressed" oils.
Grapeseed oil tends to be best when cooking over high heat.

Today's Recipe
Spinach-Berry Salad
Serves 4
As featured in Hallelujah Acres Health News magazine (May/June 2010) Taken from Simple Weekly Meal Plans, Vol 1
Ingredients

1 pound baby spinach
2 cups sliced organic strawberries (or raspberries)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 Tbsp thinly-sliced green onions
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
Honey Mustard Dressing:

1/4 cup Westbrae Natural Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp flaxseed oil or Udo’s Oil
1/3 cup raw honey

Mix dressing well and pour on salad just before serving.

Day 16: Cooked Foods

The recommended breakdown is 85% Raw and 15% Cooked.

Today's Recipe
Veggie Soup Stock Yields 8 cups
Ingredients

2 organic onions with skins, quartered
2 leeks, cut into 2” pieces
3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2” pieces
4 celery ribs (stalks), cut into 2” pieces

1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup parsley leaves or 1-1/2 tsp dried Sprig of thyme dried
Pinch cayenne pepper

1 bay leaf
4 whole allspice

1 tsp unrefined sea salt
8–10 cups distilled water
Directions

1. Place water in large stock pot, add veggies. (Try tying herbs and spices into a piece of cheese cloth or other clean cloth tied with string, strong thread or nylon fish line.)
2. Bring to a rapid boil, skim off foam if not using distilled water*, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Turn off heat and allow to cool on the stove to allow all flavors to mingle.
4. Strain and store soup stock in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
5. Discard or compost vegetables; the nutrients are in the stock.

*If not using distilled water, remove “foam” (minerals) that comes to the top before storing.

Kitchen Tip: Vary the veggies and spices according to availability. Fresh herbs are highly recommended, if available.


Split Pea Soup Serves 8-10
Ingredients

8-10 cups soup stock or distilled water
3 carrots, diced
2 cups dry split peas, soaked overnight and drained

1 medium onion, diced
3 celery ribs (stalks), sliced thin, across the rib

3 potatoes, diced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

2 tsp unrefined sea salt
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves

1 bay leaf
2 tsp dried cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Pinch cinnamon
Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker (crockpot) or stock pot and cook on high until soup reaches a boil.
2. Turn to low or simmer and allow to cook until peas and all vegetables become soft and tender.

This recipe take a couple of hours on the stove top and can take over 8 hours in a slow cooker.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Blended Salads

WARNING: There's definitely a gag factor here ...
Today's Recipe is a blended salad. I love the concept, but the texture got to me.
All you do is throw all your left over veggies from your veggie box or fridge into a blender. Add whatever you would typically add as a dressing, and blend. It can be crunchy or smooth.
It gives you more nutrients than a regular salad. After showing Domenick the green mushy muck I created and watching his face as I spooned each bite into my mouth, it became too much for my stomach (the texture was already getting to me).
All I could eat was half a cup. Maybe I put too much garlic in or something, but this was not my fave. 
Side note: the flavor was really good, it was the texture that got to me and sitting next to someone who looks like their going to gag doesn't help.

Blended Salad (or Soup) with a hint of Cilantro
Ingredients

1 large tomato or 2 roma tomatoes
1/4 to 1/2 cucumber (with peeling if organic)
1/2 red bell pepper (keep other 1/2 for chopping)
2 large handfuls leafy greens of any kind
Small handful (1/2 cup cilantro, packed in) stems and leaves
1/2 small avocado
Directions

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender (remember to keep other 1/2 of pepper for chopping).
2. Pour ingredients in a container and chop remaining 1/2 red pepper and stir in.
You can drink this nibbling on the red pepper or you can eat with a spoon.

Day 15: Coffee Subsitutes

Of course we all know caffeine is not the best for us ... just try going off coffee and see what happens. I stopped drinking caffeine coffee 6 years ago and for 2 weeks straight my body hurt from my head to my toes. Pretty wild.

Anyway, look for grain based coffee if you need to have coffee in the morning. Add plant based sugar and almond or rice milk.
Herbal Teas are a good alternative too.

Just Sayin'

So last night I went to Macy's to pick up a pair of jeans ...
I grab the usual sizes 10 and 12 to try on.

I always try on the smallest size first, just in case ...
So, I slipped on the size 10s and ... loved the way they felt, but they were a little loose! I was shocked, since all my old clothes still feel way too snug.

So I called out to Domenick from the dressing room to grab a size ... wait for it ... wait for it ... 8!. haha. I haven't been a size 8 in years. ... anyway, wanted to make sure before I took the size 10s home. Slipped them on and omg they fit perfectly. Yippee! A size 8! (I'm not foolin' myself, I know every brand has different sizing)

I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but thrilled with my experience last night.
Just sayin'

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Eating Out

Last night Domenick, my brother Stevie and I went out to have a bite and a drink after work ... it was a much needed celebration over the good news our cousin Melanie shared with us on Friday. "... she's outta my life ..." isn't that a song by Michael Jackson?  ;)

Eating out can be risky if you want to stay true to your diet ...
I knew I had to think fast as to what restaurant would keep me on track, and know the guys would like too ... so I picked Hurricane Wings. Yup! They have the best California Veggie Burgers ... and they're big!
My order:
Veggie Burger with all the rabbit food (removed the bread) and ate it like a salad.
Water with Lemon
I was one happy camper.
The guys:
chicken wings
french fries
pitcher of beer
... and they were happy too.
It was a great night.

Wrapping up Week 2

Do I feel any different?
Well ... I am pleased with my commitment to eating Raw. I also love that I haven't put any sugary sweets and drinks or fatty fries in my mouth for 2 weeks AND I don't have a desire to. I do think it's going to take a little longer for me to feel the results of an energy soar or weight loss. After all, I didn't get fat and lazy overnight. So the results aren't going to be overnight. Keep you posted

Day 14: Living Foods

Living Foods:
The enzymes found in our veggies is the life force ... when we cook our veggies we lose those enzymes rapidly. I guess if you feel you must cook your veggies, then how about a light steam instead.














One of my faves is an Avocado Salad


Today's Recipe
Sweet Annie Kale Salad
From How We All Went Raw Recipe Book
Ingredients
2 heads kale, remove stems and tear kale into pieces
1/4 cup extra-virgin, cold-pressed, olive oil
1/4 cup raw unheated honey
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup raisins
2 Tbsp pine nuts
Directions

1. Combine in salad bowl
2. With clean hands massage ingredients for 5 minutes to soften the kale and blend flavors together.
Place onto salad plates and enjoy.

Day 13: Exercise

Exercise:
Sweat! Believe it or not sweating is really good for us. It's one way the body releases the toxins from the body.
Breathe! Most of us are shallow breathers ... but Breathing deep fills our body with oxygen, and get this, cancer can not survive in a well oxygenated body. I did not know this.
Build! Strength Training helps us build healthy muscles as well as bones!

Today's Recipe
Post Workout Smoothie
Ingredients

Approximately 16 oz coconut water
3-4 dates
2 cup frozen blueberries
12 strawberries
2 Tbsp hemp seeds
1 Tbsp cashew butter
2 handfuls of collard greens or other leafy green of choice
Several handfuls of ice
Directions
1. Blend coconut water and dates in the blender.
2. Add remaining ingredients except for ice to blender and blend well.
3. Add ice and blend to desired slushiness.
Pour into glasses and serve
Protein is crucial after a workout to repair muscle tissue. This recipe includes hemp seeds, one of creation’s best sources of plant-based protein.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Day 12: Water

Water. It does the body good.
I love water! I really do. I drink it all the time.
Water flushes and cleanses your insides and keeps you hydrated. Most experts feel we should consume 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. This can also include veggie juices and the Barley Max drinks we drink. This does not include sugary drinks like sodas etc ... sorry.
When at home, I drink Steamed Distilled water that I do myself. I feel it's the purest form of water. It removes the inorganic minerals and chlorine from the water ... and it tastes really good. Otherwise I"ll drink bottled water. One thing to remember, never leave your bottled water in the sun. The plastic materials can breakdown into your water. If your water ever tastes like plastic, toss it! 
Side note: One of my personal tail tell signs to tell if I'm drinking enough water is to take notice of the color of my urine. It should be clear in color. The more water I drink, the clearer the color.

Today's Recipe
Sugar free lemonade
Ingredients

Juice from 1/2 lemon
8 oz. water
Few drops stevia (or 1 individual packet)
To make strawberry lemonade, add 5 frozen strawberries and blend.

Sun Tea
Ingredients

1 glass jug, jar or pitcher of water (approx. 48 oz, with lid or cover)
5 or 6 herbal tea bags
Directions

1. Submerge tea bags and cover jar.
2. Sit glass container in the sun for 4 to 5 hours.
3. Add sweetener of choice.
4. Chill and serve.
Who needs sugar? Use stevia, agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup to create these health conscious thirst quenchers!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Appetizer for St Patrick's Day


Standard hummus contains tahini which is ground up sesame seeds. This recipe makes its own tahini by grinding up sesame seeds, olive oil and water. You can always use store bought tahini instead of making your own. The homemade version is a little coarser which gives an excellent texture and includes BarleyMax for a curious color and added nutritional value. -- Melody Hord

Ingredients
¼ cup sesame seeds
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp water or liquid from beans, or a little more if needed
1-½ Tbsp lemon juice
1 large clove of garlic, chopped
2 tsp BarleyMax
¾ tsp unrefined salt
1 can garbanzo beans, liquid reserved
3 Tbsp liquid from canned beans
Directions

Blend sesame seeds, 2 Tbsp water or bean juice, and olive oil into a paste. Set aside.
Add lemon juice, garlic, garbanzo beans,
3 Tbsp liquid from beans, salt and BarleyMax, and sesame paste mixture to a food processor. Blend until creamy.
Suggested serving: Stuff into little sweet peppers as an appetizer.

Day 11: Sugar Alternatives

Sugar Alternatives.
The important thing is to find a sweetener to replace refined sugar. Don't give up the sweet things, just find a healthier alternative.

How is this for a crazy stat: Most people consume 150lb to 170lbs of sugar annually which is approx 1/2lb of sugar a day!

Some replacements for refined sugar:
Stevia (plant based)
Agave nectar (plant based)
Pure Maple Syrup
Raw Honey
Dates
... and so much more.
Today's Recipe
Peach and Blueberry Cobbler
By Jackie Graff of Sprout Raw Food Sprout Raw Food
Ingredients
8 fresh or frozen peaches, peeled and seeds removed (or mango or nectarine)
6-8 medjool dates or more to taste (pre-soaking softens)
1/2 tsp unrefined sea salt
1 Tbsp ground psyllium
1-2 cups blueberries, fresh if possible (or any berry)
Topping

1/2 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup walnut pieces
3/4 cup medjool dates
1/4 tsp unrefined sea salt
1 tsp vanilla powder (use vanilla flavoring if you do not have a vanilla bean)
Directions

1. Place 1/2 of the peaches in a blender with the dates and sea salt. Blend well.
2. More dates may be added if a sweeter taste is desired.
3. Add psyllium and blend well.
4. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
5. Chop the remaining peaches, placing them in a bowl.
6. Blend the blended peaches again and add to the chopped peaches.
7. Place in glass cobbler dish and stir in blueberries.
8. Sprinkle on topping.
A raw cobbler?

Yes – and a good one, too! You’ll love all the fruit, nuts, and awesome flavor of this chilled treat.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Day 10: Meat Alternatives

Meat Alternatives
If someone asks you where you're getting your protein, tell them, "nuts!" Nuts are a delicious, nutrient-packed food that can also satisfy an occasional meat craving. -- Paul HAD
Other high plant protein foods:
Black Beans
Quinoa (keen wah) is packed with protein, equal to meat
Almonds
Barley
Lentils
Blackberries
and the list goes on ...
Study shows that an animal product based diet can cause disease to the body. There is a much greater chance of Cancer and Heart Disease. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Bu6MJZbW0&feature=related

Plant Based News
In a recent interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN, former President Bill Clinton officially addressed the circulating rumors surrounding his dramatic weight loss and change in eating habits. When asked to describe the type of diet he was on, President Clinton explained, “The short answer is I went on essentially a plant-based diet.  I live on beans, legumes, vegetables, fruit…no dairy”
The former President credits both Dr. T. Colin Campbell, and his son, Dr. Thomas Campbell, authors of The China Study, as well as Drs. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dean Ornish for their pioneering work in the field of plant-based nutrition.
President Clinton went on to say that while a major reason for his transition to a plant-based diet was because of the prior cardiac events he experienced, with emotion behind his voice, he revealed the true motivation for this healthier lifestyle was that he and his wife, the current Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, “would like to be around if there’s grandkids…”


Today's Recipe:
Bean Burritos
From Everyday Wholesome Eating by Kim Wilson
Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive or grape seed oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 red pepper, diced

1 can black beans (or 2 cups cooked)
1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa

2 tsp chili
1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp unrefined sea salt
3 cloves garlic, crushed
Directions

1. Sauté onion, garlic and pepper in oil.
2. Add beans, rice and spices.
3. Simmer together as you prepare rest of toppings.
Topping choices

Shredded lettuce Chopped tomatoes
Salsa Cut onion or scallion
Spinach leaves Corn or whole wheat tortillas
Guacamole

Mash 1 avocado with 2 tsp lemon juice and 2 Tbsp salsa.
Opt: 1 Tbsp flax oil
Layer center of tortilla with bean mixture, lettuce, tomato, salsa, etc. Roll and enjoy!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Day 9: Juicing

Juicing:
Did you know when "eating" a carrot raw (not cooked) you get 30% of it's nutrients, but when you "juice" that same carrot you get 90% of it's nutrients. Fruit cleanses the body, Veggies feed the body.

Drinking an 8oz glass of juice twice a day is an excellent habit to get into. It makes it a lot easier if you can juice in the morning and prepare 2 small jars for later.
I drink a glass at 11am and other at 3pm. It also keeps me from snacking on junk between meals.

Tasty Juice
Ingredients
3 large kale leaves
4 stalks celery
1 apple
2 carrots (to sweeten it up, add a few more carrots)
Directions

1. Juice all in a juicer and enjoy.

This juice recipe includes kale, one of the most nutrient dense foods per calorie on the planet!


Note: Look for California carrots which are the sweetest tasting.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Day 8: Detox

Dealing with Detoxification
Along with juicing, detoxification is a crucial part of reclaiming your health. Once you clean out the toxins from your system, you'll be surprised how energetic you'll feel!
Some people experience headaches, some a runny nose, others just feel sleepy or maybe no symptoms at all.
Giving the body energy (good food) is what it needs to push away toxins so it can rebuild and reclaim.

Side note: If you feel too much detoxing, you can slow it down by eating more cooked foods. Raw foods speed up your detoxing.

Today's Recipe
Potato Soup
Ingredients

2 Tbsp olive or grapeseed oil 2 onions (or leeks)
2 stalks celery, sliced 4 potatoes, cubed
2 cloves garlic or 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder
4 cups water 1 tsp thyme
1 1/2 tsp basil 1 tsp unrefined sea salt
2 Tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 Tbsp dried) Opt: 1 tsp dill
Optional ingredients

2 carrots, grated
1 bunch kale (see below)
1 bunch broccoli
1 tsp prepared mustard
Directions

1. Sauté onion and celery in oil.
2. Add rest of vegetables, water, thyme, and basil and cook until tender (about 30 minutes).
3. Purée in blender or with hand blender, then mix in additional herbs and seasonings, and simmer for about 10 minutes more.
Variations

Potatoes can be used with skins on, peeled or half peeled (most nutritious with skins on). Purée just one half of soup for chunkier version.
If adding kale, break into small pieces and steam separately. Add to already puréed soup.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Wrapping up Week One

Well, I've wrapped up week one as a Vegan and I don't feel any different. haha.  ... and no, I'm not going back to my old ways.
What has helped me to stay on track is to put myself on a schedule, but to be flexible if necessary.
I also programmed my schedule into my Blackberry which alarms me every time it's time to snack or eat. It is too cool and it's working!
















My Daily Schedule:
I prepare my meals daily and bring my lunch box
6:30 Barley Max
8:00 Breakfast: fruit smoothie or multi grain cereal with rice milk
11:00 veggie juice (I pack a tall container of fresh juice and drink half at 11 and the other half at 3)
11:30 Fiber Cleanse (I pack a tablespoon of power in a container and mix with bottled water later)
1:00 Barley Max (I pack a teaspoon of power in a container and mix with bottled water later)
1:30 salad or sandwich (multi grain bread, hummus spread, and veggies)
3:00 veggie juice (fresh juiced)
6:00 Barley Max
6:30 salad + cooked meal
8:00 fruit, smoothie, or nut/date squares

Note: If I get hungry between meals I nibble on carrots and hummus or if I need something sweet I drink a glass of fruit juice. It helps me stay away from ice cream or cheese cake when I have that sweet tooth.

Sunday Day 7: Eating Out

Eating out is possible!
Being on any special diet is difficult when you take it on the road, but it can be done. Here's an example of what your dinner might look like at a casual restaurant:

Drinks: Water with lemon
Apps: Whole grain breads with a healthy dipping sauce
Entrees: Search the menu for dishes such as Salads, Wraps and Sides such as Baked Potato.
Request steamed over cooked, or Stir-fry and avoid salty seasonings and cheese.

If the restaurant has the ingredients, they may be willing to put something special together for you. It can't hurt to ask.

Fitting your new diet into your lifestyle:
My girlfriend Dee Dee just sent me this pretty cool lunch box that is perfect when eating out or just on the go. It doesn't look like your typical lunch box so carrying it around with you during the day or even out to dinner won't seem too awkward.

When out to dinner, just pack it with your special made salad dressing, and maybe even sweet nut/date cubes for dessert. When the meal arrives at the table and everyone is involved in what they just ordered, it's a good time to pull out your pre-made salad dressing and dress your salad ... no one will be the wiser. (I hope Domenick isn't horrified when reading this. haha)

If you're out and about all day, pack a bottled water, snack bar, piece of fruit or a sandwich so you're not tempted to hit the fast food restaurants for an easy fill me up.
I love it! Thank you Deed. xxoo

Day 6: Storage

Storage
Food Saver: Vacuum sealer
Green bags: foods stay fresher and last a little longer
Freezer bags
Canisters
Glass/Plastic containers:
If you use plastic, look for the code on the bottom. The lower the number, the safer it is. 
Veggies best not stored in the fridge:
Tomatoes
Onions
Avocados (unless you want to stop the ripening process)
Potatoes

Today's Recipe
Hummus
Inspired by Everyday Wholesome Eating, by Kim Wilson

Ingredients
1 can chick peas (drained)
1/2 tsp unrefined sea salt
1/8 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic
Juice of 1 lemon (1/4 cup)

Directions

1. Puree all indredients in a food processor until smooth.
2. Add liquid from canned beans if mixture is too thick.
3. Before serving you may drizzle 1 Tbsp olive oil over top
and sprinkle with paprika in a serving dish (optional).

A great dip for pita bread, tortilla chips and vegetables.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Day 5: Bread

Bread
You don't have to give up your bread! Thank goodness.
We just need to make better choices.
Look for 3 things when looking for bread:
"Whole" Wheat, not enriched
Multi Grain
Sprouted
... also important is to make sure there's not a long list of ingredients that follow. The least amount the better for you.

Veggie Sandwich
Add pretty much whatever you like ... this is one of my faves
Sprouted Multi Grain Bread
Hummus spread (instead of Mayo)
1 slice of Bell Pepper (orange, yellow or red)
Lettuce (anything but ice-burg)
thick slice of Tomato
little cracked pepper
Avocado slices

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Hallelujah Diet

The Hallelujah Diet is not a diet, but a way of life ... and is suitable for anyone, including children. It's a simple, flexible concept that will ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs without the junk.

Perhaps you’re wondering if you’ll “starve” on The Hallelujah Diet—quite the contrary! You’ll find that the 85% raw and 15% cooked foods of The Hallelujah Diet consist of an amazing array of delicious foods that you may already be eating.


Before You Begin…
The menu below provides an ideal example of a typical day on The Hallelujah Diet.

It's okay to be flexible; just remember the basics:
Keep 85% of your menu as raw, plant-based foods
Ensure that no more than 15% of your daily intake is cooked or processed plant-based foods
steer clear of the foods to avoid: http://www.hacres.com/hallelujah-diet/foods-to-avoid


Breakfast
Before eating anything, take one serving of BarleyMax, either in capsule or powder form (powder form is best if consumed dry). You may take the powder dry, allowing it to dissolve in the mouth or by mixing it with a few ounces of purified water or fresh vegetable or fruit juice.

It is best not to consume food containing fiber first thing in the morning, as fiber hinders the body’s cleansing and eliminating efforts that continue for several hours after rising.

If you feel you need something with fiber at breakfast, have a piece of fruit or a fruit smoothie. If necessary, you could also consider some whole grain cereal with almond or rice milk.


NOTE: Children need more than BarleyMax for breakfast; after BarleyMax, a breakfast of raw fruit and whole grain (hot or cold) cereals would be a good choice. Growing children need a diet consisting of about 50% raw foods and 50% cooked foods to insure adequate caloric intake. They need more good fats and proteins than adults and they may need more frequent meals.

Mid-Morning
Drink an 8 oz glass of fresh vegetable juice (two-thirds carrot and one-third greens). If fresh juice is not available, the next best choice is a combination serving of CarrotJuiceMax and BarleyMax, or a piece of juicy, fresh fruit.

Thirty minutes later is an excellent time to use Fiber Cleanse as directed, B-Flax-D, or freshly ground flax seed to help maintain optimal bowel function. If you did not have any fiber food for breakfast, a fruit smoothie is an excellent way to take their ground flax seed or B-Flax-D.

For those who need to stabilize blood sugar, or keep hunger under control and support body weight, some celery sticks, broccoli, or cauliflower florets, etc., spread with almond butter could be consumed.

Lunch
At least 20 minutes before lunch, have another serving of BarleyMax, as at breakfast.

If fruit has been consumed during the morning hours, have a vegetable salad. Too much fruit in a day is not advised, and though the sugar is natural, too much sugar can cause problems. (Fruits cleanse the body, while vegetables feed the body.)While it is preferable to keep the lunch meal raw, a little cooked food at noon is fine, especially if you want to maintain weight. A whole grain pita pocket filled with veggies is a good option.

Mid-Afternoon

Drink an 8 oz glass of carrot/vegetable juice. If juice is not available, a serving of CarrotJuiceMax and BarleyMax, or some carrot or celery sticks would be next best.

Supper

At least 20 minutes before supper, have another serving of BarleyMax. Then have a LARGE green salad of leaf lettuce (never head lettuce as it has very little nutritional value) along with a variety of vegetables, including some avocado or ground seeds or nuts.

A blended salad is good for those who have difficulty eating salads. To make a blended salad, include all the veggies that would go into a regular salad plus additional greens (spinach, kale, etc.) and put it in a blender with some carrot juice or a small amount of healthful, homemade salad dressing. Blending increases nutrient value tremendously.


After the salad comes the cooked food portion. This could be steamed veggies, baked sweet potato, whole grains, whole grain pasta, squash (baked or steamed), or beans.

Evening
If desired, enjoy a piece of juicy fresh fruit or a glass of freshly extracted apple or pear juice, or a glass of 100% organic apple or grape juice. It is best to not consume anything containing fiber after the supper hour.
The Hallelujah Diet should be considered a flexible concept rather than a fixed meal plan—feel free to customize it to suit your individual tastes and schedule.

Day 4: Milk Subsitutes

Milk and it's subsitutes.
We use milk in our coffees, cereals, potatoes, smoothies, or drink it straight with cookies.
Of course the raw diet (which is what I'm on) is vegan, so we eat/drink nothing with a face. So, goodbye to Cow's milk.

Some Subitutes:
Hempmilk by Tempt
Rice Dream, Classic flavor
Almond Breeze, Vanilla

Strawberries and Crème smoothie
Ingredients
2 frozen bananas
1 cup apple juice
1 cup strawberries
Top with shredded coconut, slivered almonds or sunflower seeds (optional)
Directions

1. Blend apple juice, bananas and strawberries in a blender.
2. Pour into a glass.
3. Garnish with coconut, slivered almonds or sunflower seeds - or a little of all three.
Serves 2

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Day 3: Veggie Box















Wednesday's lesson: Creating a Veggie Box.
This is a pretty cool concept, the trick is to get everything to fit inside your fridge. One larger container with smaller containers inside. Pre-chop your veggies and put in separate containers for a ready made salad bar.
Most items should last approx 1 week.
Some ideas for your Veggie Box:
Lettuce (largest container)
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Celery
Bell peppers in Red, Yellow, Orange
Onions
Cabbage
Carrots
Olives
Chick Peas
Sunflowers
Bean Sprouts

Breakfast: Barley Max in a smoothie. 
1 Banana
handful Blueberries
1 Cup Water
1/2 Tsp Raw Wheat Germ
1/2 Tsp Lecithin Granules
1/2 Tsp Rice Bran
1 Tsp Barley Max

1/2 Tsp Nutritional Yeast flakes
Lunch: Sandwich/Salad
Wholewheat bread
Hummus spread
lettuce
Tomato
Orange bell peppers sliced
* Small leftover salad
Dinner:
Quinoa
Raw Zucchini, chopped
Raw Yellow Squash, chopped


Lots of water throughout the day

Day 2: Barley Max Smoothie

Tuesday's lesson: Mix Barley Max in a smoothie. Pretty basic again ...

Breakfast: I mixed the Barley Max in with a banana, parsley, sunflower seeds, and made a morning smoothie.
Lunch: Hummus, tomato, lettuce, avocado and cucumber sandwich (yummy)
Late day: Barley Max with water
Dinner: Big Salad
Lots of water throughout the day

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

God's Pharmacy

It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... All before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body.
 A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and yes, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and look exactly like the human kidneys.
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this ... it takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

-- thanks Maureen for sending this to me, it is perfect.

Monday, February 7, 2011

60 Day Challenge The beginning

I woke up this morning with heartburn from the delicious pizza, chips and beer I had Super Bowl Sunday ... so I thought this was the perfect time to start the "Challenge" I've been talking about. If you want to do your own 60 day Challenge, just go to http://www.60dayjuiceup.com/

Day One is pretty simple:
Drink Barley Max!
This drink is considered to be the best way to break your fast in the morning.
It feeds the cells and is a living food ...
Breaking the Fast with Barley Max.
1 heaping teaspoon to 8 to 16 oz of purified water or your favorite juice.
Shake it up to get the clumps out, and drink up. It's that simple. The taste wasn't that bad. I can do this!
Day One Menu:
First thing when I wake up:
16 oz glass of Barley Max in water
Mid morning:
Chunks of fruit, 16 oz water
Lunch:
Hummus and Carrots, 16 oz Water
Dinner:
Big Salad, 16 oz Water
Late Snack:
Pear or Carrot juice (either are sweet and delish)

Side note: for anyone following my journal, this is not a fad to help me lose weight, this is a way of life. A choice to eat healthier and limit the foods that really are not doing anything more than filling up my belly until the next meal.