"Simply Raw" is a documentary about six diabetics that were sent to a ranch in Arizona, where they were put on a raw organic vegan diet for 30 days. The documentary chronicles the daily medical tests, challenges, and triumphs that the participants faced. By the end of the 30 day period they had stabilized their blood sugar levels and effectively reversed their diabetes.
See the documentary film trailer for "Simply Raw" at http://www.SimplyRawMovie.com or http://www.DiabetesMovement.com- They're giving away lots of FREE Bonuses!
Lifeit Detox 28-day Raw Food Cleanse
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Day 28/ Last Day Reflections on my 28-day Raw Vegan Cleanse
Before I decided to get on this raw vegan cleanse (Join The Lifeit Detox 28 Days Raw Food Cleanse), I had been consuming a diet that I thought was already pretty good. Well, I didn't eat any pork or pork by-products at all, and I ate VERY little beef. I probably ate some Caribbean-style oxtails maybe once per year. All I ate as far as flesh is concerned was turkey, chicken, and fish. I also ate dairy products and I loved cheese. And I made sure to have at least one to two servings of vegetables every day. But I was a die-hard coffee drinker, consuming about two cups per day on average.
However, I started developing strange health symptoms that the doctors couldn't explain. I began having heart palpitations at random times. Sometimes I would experience odd random pains in my chest not necessarily over the heart....it was like a ball was bouncing in my chest in all different directions. It's kind of hard to explain.
I also developed very dry skin. It had become that I couldn't even wash my hands without immediately applying lotion, because my hands would get so dry and cracked. And my skin began to itch at random times. It was not in any particular area, and there was no rash. It could be my legs or my back or my hand or my scalp. I couldn't figure out the pattern.
TMI Warning....In addition, I was chronically "backed up". I thought I wasn't drinking enough water, but when I consumed more water that didn't seem to help.
I also had problems sleeping at night. I could go to bed at 8 or 9pm and wake up at 2am, staring at the ceiling. Then when it was time for me to get up to start my day, I was always tired.
So, a friend of mine that has been a vegan for many years, told me that a friend of his, Chef Latrice, was starting a 28-day raw vegan cleanse and did I want to join? I decided that I had tried everything else and had nothing to lose. So that's how I got started on the cleanse.
My results: Before I tell you my results, I need to explain that in addition to the raw vegan cleanse, I also stopped drinking coffee and cut out caffeine. I know that some of my results are from removing the caffeine from my diet. Also, there are some improvements that I received that were unexpected results...I didn't realize that I even had a problem in those areas, or it was a problem that I could tolerate and didn't really complain about.
Skin: My skin doesn't itch as badly anymore. Also, my occasional adult acne cleared up.
Energy: My energy level is more consistent throughout the day, instead of feeling tired in the afternoon (as long as I went to bed at a decent time).
Mood: I'm happier and more patient.
Vision: I just got new glasses and contact lenses and complained to my Optician that I couldn't see 20/20 out of my left eye. He told me that the condition was not correctable because nerves don't regenerate. Now with my glasses or contacts on I can see perfectly out of both eyes.
Sleep: I sleep solidly through the night and wake up well rested.
Heart: No more chest pains or palpitations.
Immune: When I started the cleanse I had a chronic cough from a cold I caught three weeks before...that cough has gone away.
Digestive: I'm no longer "backed up".
Well, it's only been four weeks, but I think I did pretty well. There are still a few things that I'm working on, and I'm still trying to find my own balance in terms of the raw food diet.
So far I've experimented with incorporating a little cooked food back into my diet....I've had pasta, fish, turkey, and dairy. So far no good. The food tasted good but made me nauseous. So now I find myself craving the raw foods.
Also, I didn't weigh myself but I don't think I lost much weight. I was losing in the beginning but I stopped exercising, so I stopped losing. I don't really have a huge amount of weight to lose anyhow...20 pounds would be great.
However, I started developing strange health symptoms that the doctors couldn't explain. I began having heart palpitations at random times. Sometimes I would experience odd random pains in my chest not necessarily over the heart....it was like a ball was bouncing in my chest in all different directions. It's kind of hard to explain.
I also developed very dry skin. It had become that I couldn't even wash my hands without immediately applying lotion, because my hands would get so dry and cracked. And my skin began to itch at random times. It was not in any particular area, and there was no rash. It could be my legs or my back or my hand or my scalp. I couldn't figure out the pattern.
TMI Warning....In addition, I was chronically "backed up". I thought I wasn't drinking enough water, but when I consumed more water that didn't seem to help.
I also had problems sleeping at night. I could go to bed at 8 or 9pm and wake up at 2am, staring at the ceiling. Then when it was time for me to get up to start my day, I was always tired.
So, a friend of mine that has been a vegan for many years, told me that a friend of his, Chef Latrice, was starting a 28-day raw vegan cleanse and did I want to join? I decided that I had tried everything else and had nothing to lose. So that's how I got started on the cleanse.
My results: Before I tell you my results, I need to explain that in addition to the raw vegan cleanse, I also stopped drinking coffee and cut out caffeine. I know that some of my results are from removing the caffeine from my diet. Also, there are some improvements that I received that were unexpected results...I didn't realize that I even had a problem in those areas, or it was a problem that I could tolerate and didn't really complain about.
Skin: My skin doesn't itch as badly anymore. Also, my occasional adult acne cleared up.
Energy: My energy level is more consistent throughout the day, instead of feeling tired in the afternoon (as long as I went to bed at a decent time).
Mood: I'm happier and more patient.
Vision: I just got new glasses and contact lenses and complained to my Optician that I couldn't see 20/20 out of my left eye. He told me that the condition was not correctable because nerves don't regenerate. Now with my glasses or contacts on I can see perfectly out of both eyes.
Sleep: I sleep solidly through the night and wake up well rested.
Heart: No more chest pains or palpitations.
Immune: When I started the cleanse I had a chronic cough from a cold I caught three weeks before...that cough has gone away.
Digestive: I'm no longer "backed up".
Well, it's only been four weeks, but I think I did pretty well. There are still a few things that I'm working on, and I'm still trying to find my own balance in terms of the raw food diet.
So far I've experimented with incorporating a little cooked food back into my diet....I've had pasta, fish, turkey, and dairy. So far no good. The food tasted good but made me nauseous. So now I find myself craving the raw foods.
Also, I didn't weigh myself but I don't think I lost much weight. I was losing in the beginning but I stopped exercising, so I stopped losing. I don't really have a huge amount of weight to lose anyhow...20 pounds would be great.
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Monday, March 23, 2009
Day 27/ Started exercising again
I started working out again today. I wanted to wait until the end of this cleanse, but today's Monday and I prefer to start new workout programs on a Monday.
The main workout programs that I use are all from Beach Body. I used to go to the gym but I prefer working out at home because, frankly, I don't like people seeing me all out of shape and sweaty. But that's just me.
I started working out to Turbo Jam videos ever since I became a fan more than two years ago. But tonight I tried something new: I worked out to Shaun T's "Rockin' Abs" from the Dance Party series of Hip Hop Abs.
I was surprised that I got such a good workout because I always thought that Hip Hop Abs was easier than Turbo Jam. But this workout was pretty challenging...I fatigued out on some of the exercises.
Plus I didn't feel the greatest because I ate something that I shouldn't have. I did have my smoothie today and a huge salad with zucchini, sundried tomatoes and avocado, but I also ate more pasta that I prepared at home. Yesterday's dinner had me craving more pasta.
Why do I do this to myself? Now I'm all bloated and so I didn't really want to go all out on the ab exercises. Plus since I haven't worked out in a few weeks, I was a little weaker than usual.
I know that a raw vegan diet is the way to go....I am so inspired by Storm Talifero of http://www.thegardendiet.com. I think he is almost 60 years old and has been a raw vegan for over 30 years. He still rock climbs and is very athletic. He said that a raw vegan diet doesn't work at its best UNLESS you also workout. That it is designed for a physically active person.
I guess that makes sense being that most mammals (besides us) are raw foodists and are very physically active (and not overweight or obese like us). Plus animals that are in the wild don't have all the lifestyle diseases that we get.
I'm pretty sure I want to stay about 85% raw vegan, but dairy makes me nauseous now. And pasta, even brown rice pasta or other gluten-free pastas, are like glue in my system. I have a feeling that I'll continue to make adjustments until I find the right balance for me.
The main workout programs that I use are all from Beach Body. I used to go to the gym but I prefer working out at home because, frankly, I don't like people seeing me all out of shape and sweaty. But that's just me.
I started working out to Turbo Jam videos ever since I became a fan more than two years ago. But tonight I tried something new: I worked out to Shaun T's "Rockin' Abs" from the Dance Party series of Hip Hop Abs.
I was surprised that I got such a good workout because I always thought that Hip Hop Abs was easier than Turbo Jam. But this workout was pretty challenging...I fatigued out on some of the exercises.
Plus I didn't feel the greatest because I ate something that I shouldn't have. I did have my smoothie today and a huge salad with zucchini, sundried tomatoes and avocado, but I also ate more pasta that I prepared at home. Yesterday's dinner had me craving more pasta.
Why do I do this to myself? Now I'm all bloated and so I didn't really want to go all out on the ab exercises. Plus since I haven't worked out in a few weeks, I was a little weaker than usual.
I know that a raw vegan diet is the way to go....I am so inspired by Storm Talifero of http://www.thegardendiet.com. I think he is almost 60 years old and has been a raw vegan for over 30 years. He still rock climbs and is very athletic. He said that a raw vegan diet doesn't work at its best UNLESS you also workout. That it is designed for a physically active person.
I guess that makes sense being that most mammals (besides us) are raw foodists and are very physically active (and not overweight or obese like us). Plus animals that are in the wild don't have all the lifestyle diseases that we get.
I'm pretty sure I want to stay about 85% raw vegan, but dairy makes me nauseous now. And pasta, even brown rice pasta or other gluten-free pastas, are like glue in my system. I have a feeling that I'll continue to make adjustments until I find the right balance for me.
Day 26/ Flax Seeds, Pasta, and Caffeine Side Effects
I've become more and more creative with my smoothies these days. Yesterday I made a smoothie with fresh pineapple, frozen banana, flax seeds, spirulina, rice milk, honey, and an apple (I was out of spinach leaves). This morning I made a smoothie with carrots, fresh mango, rice milk, frozen banana, honey, flax seeds, and spirulina. They were both delicious and filling.
I heard that flax seeds are good for providing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and extra fiber, and they have also been used to lower cholesterol. I don't have high cholesterol, but the benefits sound good enough to justify adding flax seeds to my smoothies. They do make my smoothies a little on the chewy side...it would probably work a little better if I ground the flax seeds instead of blending them whole.
This week I have final exams so I didn't get this post out yesterday. I was over a classmate's house for a study session, and she offered me dinner. She prepared one of my favorite meals...angel hair pasta and turkey meat sauce. Okay, I ate it. It was delicious. It was the first time that I had eaten any form of meat in almost a month. Sigh.
It was wonderful, but right after I ate it I wanted to go to sleep. In fact both of us got sleepy after eating it. Isn't that interesting? I guess the body requires so much energy to digest meat and pasta, that it doesn't have much energy left over to do anything else. I hadn't noticed until yesterday that I don't get sleepy after eating raw vegan meals.
I'm proud of myself that I have been sticking to avoiding caffeine and coffee. The Teeccino really helps. It's not that I don't want any coffee, but the price I have to pay for the side effects of caffeine is not worth it. I did some research online about caffeine and found out that it causes more than just heart palpitations...it can cause anxiety, depression, ulcers, fibrocystic breasts, and insomnia.
I heard that flax seeds are good for providing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and extra fiber, and they have also been used to lower cholesterol. I don't have high cholesterol, but the benefits sound good enough to justify adding flax seeds to my smoothies. They do make my smoothies a little on the chewy side...it would probably work a little better if I ground the flax seeds instead of blending them whole.
This week I have final exams so I didn't get this post out yesterday. I was over a classmate's house for a study session, and she offered me dinner. She prepared one of my favorite meals...angel hair pasta and turkey meat sauce. Okay, I ate it. It was delicious. It was the first time that I had eaten any form of meat in almost a month. Sigh.
It was wonderful, but right after I ate it I wanted to go to sleep. In fact both of us got sleepy after eating it. Isn't that interesting? I guess the body requires so much energy to digest meat and pasta, that it doesn't have much energy left over to do anything else. I hadn't noticed until yesterday that I don't get sleepy after eating raw vegan meals.
I'm proud of myself that I have been sticking to avoiding caffeine and coffee. The Teeccino really helps. It's not that I don't want any coffee, but the price I have to pay for the side effects of caffeine is not worth it. I did some research online about caffeine and found out that it causes more than just heart palpitations...it can cause anxiety, depression, ulcers, fibrocystic breasts, and insomnia.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Day 25/ Near the end of 28-day raw vegan cleanse...what's next?
Well, I have three more days left to complete my very first 28-day raw vegan food cleanse (Join The Lifeit Detox 28 Days Raw Food Cleanse). If you think you missed it, Chef Latrice actually starts a new cleanse every month on a new moon. The next cleanse is scheduled to start on March 26, 2009.
I don't want to give it all away now because on Day 28 I will give a comprehensive review of my before and after results since I've been on this cleanse. For now I will say that I was a chicken, fish, fried foods, cheese, butter, coffee, candy, and nachos consumer, and now I am about 90% raw vegan. I consume fresh fruits, sundried fruits, fresh leafy green lettuce, fresh vegetables, seeds, some nuts (except peanuts), agave nectar, raw wild honey, spirulina, nutritional yeast, Bragg Liquid Aminos, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, and sea salt.
The reason that I became motivated to complete this cleanse is because I had some nagging health conditions that I couldn't figure out where they were coming from. And now after only 25 days most of those conditions have either cleared up or improved.
So what's next? Well, there are some other aspects of the cleanse that I didn't incorporate this time around. For one thing, the cleanse incorporates daily exercise, but I stopped exercising when I started the cleanse (I was already working out regularly before I started).
If you read my posts from the beginning, you saw that I stopped working out because I had a cold and when I worked out my cough came back with a vengeance. But I did not intend to go this long without exercise. I guess I was so busy concentrating on my eating...but now many of the recipes have become a habit so it doesn't take as much effort anymore. I can't wait to get back to my workouts.
Secondly, I want to incorporate other self-healing modalities such as epsom salt baths, self-massage, meditation (I already pray), aromatherapy, herbal therapy, etc. I'm interested in exploring these topics on a deeper level.
Finally, there is so much more that I want to try in terms of the food...I'll probably purchase a dehydrator in a few weeks, and then there will be so many more raw vegan recipes that I will be able to create, such as cookies, breads, crackers, chips, burgers, tortillas...all without gluten, roasted corn, or hydrogenated oils. And with the live enzymes intact.
So, over the next few days I'll give it some thought and decide which direction I want to go in. Should I do a raw vegan cleanse (round 2), a fitness challenge, or a self-healing challenge? We'll see.
I don't want to give it all away now because on Day 28 I will give a comprehensive review of my before and after results since I've been on this cleanse. For now I will say that I was a chicken, fish, fried foods, cheese, butter, coffee, candy, and nachos consumer, and now I am about 90% raw vegan. I consume fresh fruits, sundried fruits, fresh leafy green lettuce, fresh vegetables, seeds, some nuts (except peanuts), agave nectar, raw wild honey, spirulina, nutritional yeast, Bragg Liquid Aminos, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, and sea salt.
The reason that I became motivated to complete this cleanse is because I had some nagging health conditions that I couldn't figure out where they were coming from. And now after only 25 days most of those conditions have either cleared up or improved.
So what's next? Well, there are some other aspects of the cleanse that I didn't incorporate this time around. For one thing, the cleanse incorporates daily exercise, but I stopped exercising when I started the cleanse (I was already working out regularly before I started).
If you read my posts from the beginning, you saw that I stopped working out because I had a cold and when I worked out my cough came back with a vengeance. But I did not intend to go this long without exercise. I guess I was so busy concentrating on my eating...but now many of the recipes have become a habit so it doesn't take as much effort anymore. I can't wait to get back to my workouts.
Secondly, I want to incorporate other self-healing modalities such as epsom salt baths, self-massage, meditation (I already pray), aromatherapy, herbal therapy, etc. I'm interested in exploring these topics on a deeper level.
Finally, there is so much more that I want to try in terms of the food...I'll probably purchase a dehydrator in a few weeks, and then there will be so many more raw vegan recipes that I will be able to create, such as cookies, breads, crackers, chips, burgers, tortillas...all without gluten, roasted corn, or hydrogenated oils. And with the live enzymes intact.
So, over the next few days I'll give it some thought and decide which direction I want to go in. Should I do a raw vegan cleanse (round 2), a fitness challenge, or a self-healing challenge? We'll see.
Day 24/ The (Almost) Instant Mood-Lifter
I've noticed that since I've been on this raw vegan cleanse (Join The Lifeit Detox 28 Days Raw Food Cleanse), my moods have become more stable. Which is funny because I never thought I had a problem with my moods.
Most people know me as being a calm, peaceful, soft-spoken person. Which I basically am (though I have my limits like everyone else). Before this cleanse, I would get irritated sometimes by certain individuals that are in my life...that say and do things that get on my nerves. We all have those kinds of people. However, I would get mad...sometimes I would say something and sometimes I wouldn't. But there would be a tightness in my chest.
Since this cleanse, I've realized that I don't get angry anymore. I don't get as irritated and I don't get that tight feeling in my chest. I get frustrated, but my frustration only lasts for a few hours instead of a few days.
I noticed it today because earlier something happened that threw me. However, within three or four hours I was done. And no, I didn't scream or shout or anything. I just talked it over with some friends and I was done with it. My usual response would have been to break this cleanse and go buy some KFC or something else fattening and greasy so I could drown myself in my sorrows. For several days. That is emotional eating at its best.
I've also noticed that now I smile more often. I have always been a friendly person, and I like to smile even though I'm generally quiet. But over the last three weeks or so I smile a lot more. It's not like I was showing my teeth all the time before or even now...that's not what I mean. I just feel happier, and it shows.
The person that I am when I am alone with my thoughts...that person is also calmer. I remember the days when I would replay negative experiences over and over in my mind like a broken record. Now, I still play the broken record, but I just don't get as upset anymore. It's more like, "Yeah, that happened. So what are you going to do about it?". Instead of, "Oh, woe is me."
I always thought that my "worry habit" was an inherited trait that I had no choice but to accept. But now that I hardly worry at all, I realize that, wow, my diet had everything to do with moods that I thought were just my personality, or areas where I needed spiritual growth, or something. It was probably all that sugar, caffeine, and fat. Imagine how many people would no longer need prescription drugs to control depression, ADHD, etc...if they would only change their diet.
Most people know me as being a calm, peaceful, soft-spoken person. Which I basically am (though I have my limits like everyone else). Before this cleanse, I would get irritated sometimes by certain individuals that are in my life...that say and do things that get on my nerves. We all have those kinds of people. However, I would get mad...sometimes I would say something and sometimes I wouldn't. But there would be a tightness in my chest.
Since this cleanse, I've realized that I don't get angry anymore. I don't get as irritated and I don't get that tight feeling in my chest. I get frustrated, but my frustration only lasts for a few hours instead of a few days.
I noticed it today because earlier something happened that threw me. However, within three or four hours I was done. And no, I didn't scream or shout or anything. I just talked it over with some friends and I was done with it. My usual response would have been to break this cleanse and go buy some KFC or something else fattening and greasy so I could drown myself in my sorrows. For several days. That is emotional eating at its best.
I've also noticed that now I smile more often. I have always been a friendly person, and I like to smile even though I'm generally quiet. But over the last three weeks or so I smile a lot more. It's not like I was showing my teeth all the time before or even now...that's not what I mean. I just feel happier, and it shows.
The person that I am when I am alone with my thoughts...that person is also calmer. I remember the days when I would replay negative experiences over and over in my mind like a broken record. Now, I still play the broken record, but I just don't get as upset anymore. It's more like, "Yeah, that happened. So what are you going to do about it?". Instead of, "Oh, woe is me."
I always thought that my "worry habit" was an inherited trait that I had no choice but to accept. But now that I hardly worry at all, I realize that, wow, my diet had everything to do with moods that I thought were just my personality, or areas where I needed spiritual growth, or something. It was probably all that sugar, caffeine, and fat. Imagine how many people would no longer need prescription drugs to control depression, ADHD, etc...if they would only change their diet.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Day 23/ The Battle Between Me and my Tastebuds
This morning I had some Teeccino, and then later I came home and drank my essential Green Smoothie. All was good, until I stopped off to get six more of those Cream Cheese Rangoons (that I couldn't remember the name of yesterday!).
You know what? I ate all six, and they were okay (but not as good as yesterday), and then later in the day I felt nauseous...ugh. I stayed nauseous for about six hours. This evening I ate some celery hearts with the cucumber-dill dressing that I made the other day, and they actually tasted better than I was expecting...nice and fresh and crisp. The dressing was really good too.
Well, it's officially the battle between me and my tastebuds. My tastebuds may want some things, but my physiology is changing...my body is working better because I'm giving it much higher quality fuel. So now that my body is adapting UP, when I feed it crap it shows out!
It's tough because now my body is thriving on higher quality foods that I'm not even sure I'll be able to keep up for the long term. I'm enjoying the raw vegan cleanse (Join The Lifeit Detox 28 Days Raw Food Cleanse), but in my mind I still think about my old favorite meals.
I am adapting; albeit slowly. I look at the package of frozen chicken that I have in the freezer, and I really don't want it. So then I think of who could I give the chicken to, and then I ask myself "Why would I want to give someone something that is harmful to their health?" So then I think maybe I should just throw it in the trash, but I hate to waste things.
I DID want the slices of pepper jack and gouda cheeses I have in the refrigerator...that is, before today's nausea episode. Now I don't want those either.
All I want are some fresh fruits, smoothies, salads, soups, hummus, etc. It's so interesting how the human body is able to adapt to nearly any circumstance.
Maybe there are some cooked foods that I will be able to tolerate, but dairy clearly is not one of them (though I haven't tried the raw dairy yet).
You know what? I ate all six, and they were okay (but not as good as yesterday), and then later in the day I felt nauseous...ugh. I stayed nauseous for about six hours. This evening I ate some celery hearts with the cucumber-dill dressing that I made the other day, and they actually tasted better than I was expecting...nice and fresh and crisp. The dressing was really good too.
Well, it's officially the battle between me and my tastebuds. My tastebuds may want some things, but my physiology is changing...my body is working better because I'm giving it much higher quality fuel. So now that my body is adapting UP, when I feed it crap it shows out!
It's tough because now my body is thriving on higher quality foods that I'm not even sure I'll be able to keep up for the long term. I'm enjoying the raw vegan cleanse (Join The Lifeit Detox 28 Days Raw Food Cleanse), but in my mind I still think about my old favorite meals.
I am adapting; albeit slowly. I look at the package of frozen chicken that I have in the freezer, and I really don't want it. So then I think of who could I give the chicken to, and then I ask myself "Why would I want to give someone something that is harmful to their health?" So then I think maybe I should just throw it in the trash, but I hate to waste things.
I DID want the slices of pepper jack and gouda cheeses I have in the refrigerator...that is, before today's nausea episode. Now I don't want those either.
All I want are some fresh fruits, smoothies, salads, soups, hummus, etc. It's so interesting how the human body is able to adapt to nearly any circumstance.
Maybe there are some cooked foods that I will be able to tolerate, but dairy clearly is not one of them (though I haven't tried the raw dairy yet).
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