Feed Me Raw

Sugar

2010-11-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Over the past few months I have learned a lot. Mostly the material in my nursing textbook, but other than that... How sugar is bad for you. I mean, really bad (more on this subject later). For some, that fact may not be such a death sentence as it is for someone in my family.

Exhibit A) I stepped out of my room just this morning after I awoke and walked right into the wafting smell of baking chocolate muffins. (Which were delicious, according to my sisters, who happily munched away as I willed myself to sit in my chair unflinchingly...)

Exhibit B) Have I mentioned that the women in my family (namely my mom, me, and my next oldest sister) are all very accomplished bakers? We whip up homemade baked goods around here like nobody's business.

Alas... I cannot ignore some perturbing symptoms, which always get worse right around this time of year (finals approaching and several in-hospital clinical days). I have been more shaky lately, more sensitive to drops in my blood sugar, than I have before in my short life. Stress management is key to surviving nursing school, I am learning.

Therefore, I am trying to summon in myself the courage, the will, the sheer determination... to cut sugar out of my diet. Possibly all sweets, including honey, maple syrup, and stevia. It is SO hard! It is harder to do than any other diet I have attempted. And I have tried many!

However, the evidence is stacked against me. I have to give it a shot. (No, NOT the flu shot!) I will try to follow-up on my blog. I can't promise I will follow this to a T! I have strong ties to sugar... but I will do my best.

Au revoir!

The Whole Soy Story

2010-08-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

This post is a two-for-one: a book review and food review. Unfortunately, I won't be including any recipes.

The Whole Soy Story, written by author Kaayla T. Daniel, explores and challenges health claims made by the pro-soy, low-fat diet industry of our age. And, no, I'm sorry to say, soy is definitely not the "miracle food" it's cracked up to be.

Dr. Daniel expertly sifts through many research studies done about soy, making this book a worthy read. Though it is dense, there isn't much left out. Almost every possible topic on soy is addressed, from types of soy to its different components and how they affect our bodies.

When I first picked up this book, I was only familiar with rumors about something that had to do with soy and estrogen. I really didn't know the half of it. Here are some of the topics and alarming facts I came across in The Whole Soy Story:

Soy interferes with calcium absorption
Soy inhibits protein digestion
"...soy protein fibers are not much different from plastic fibers; both are difficult to digest, have a 'scouring effect' on the GI tract and cause marked amounts of flatulence."
Soy may induce pancreatic cancer
It may also cause iron deficiencies that "may lead to increased absorption of the heavy metal lead which, in turn, interferes with brain and nervous system function"
Soy formula puts babies at risk for "brain damage ... that could lead to learning disabilities, attention deficit and other behavioral disorders, and even violent tendencies"
Soy contains fluoride, which has been linked to "cancer, ... infertility, reproductive problems, skin eruptions, gastric distress, thyroid disturbances, immune system breakdown and other woes"
Soy also contains aluminum, another heavy metal
An isoflavone in soy protein may cause heart arrhythmias
"Soy lowers thyroid function, which in turn will raise cholesterol"
It may also cause menstrual irregularities in women and infertility in men
Soy isoflavones may cause cancer and are teratogenic

There are many more details in the book. I suggest it to someone who is interested in learning more about soy. If purchasing the book is out of the question, there are several articles and websites that can be found through the internet about the dangers of soy.

Bad Advice

2010-05-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Recently, my tepid ears stumbled upon an exchange that was somewhat disturbing. It went something like this:

A co-worker approaches a nurse and tells her about some symptoms that she is having. "My throat is bothering me--and my sinuses are really messed up."

Nurse looks down her coworker's throat with a flashlight: "Oh yeah, it's a little red, but it definitely isn't strep throat."

"Good--I just don't want to go to the doctor."

"Yeah, you'll be fine! Just take some antihistamines and some decongestants, and you'll be okay."

Huh?
In other words, "take chemicals to hide your symptoms so that you'll sort of feel better but ultimately are hindering your body from truly healing and restoring itself."

Maybe I heard wrong.

The Gerson Miracle

2010-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I just finished watching the documentary, The Gerson Miracle. If you are unfamiliar with the Gerson therapy, I'll give you a hint: it's a cure for cancer. And no, none of the profits from those cute plastic ribbons goes to this therapy. It isn't even allowed to be used on cancer patients in the United States.

Sounds ridiculous, right?

Max Gerson founded his therapy over 75 years ago, and his daughter Charlotte now carries it on. She created The Gerson Institute in Southern California and the Gerson Clinic in Mexico. The program consists mainly of a vegetarian diet complete with plentiful fruits and vegetables and their juices as well as the ever-so-popular coffee enema. The main causes of cancer, as indicated in the film, are deficiency and toxicity. More information about the Gerson therapy can be found at the Gerson website and NaturalNews.com.

There is not much that I have to say about the Gerson Therapy except: do your research! This is the third documentary I have seen featuring this therapy, and the testimonials and photographs and x-rays are just astounding. It seems too good to be true!

Books written by both Max and Charlotte Gerson include case studies of patients who have experienced complete freedom from chronic illness and degeneration. The therapy can also be implemented as a preventative diet for those who have not yet faced a difficult diagnosis.

The Gerson therapy is worth looking into! If anyone is interested, please visit any of the sites that are hyperlinked.

More links:

Max Gerson Archive
Dr. Andrew Saul: The Gerson Therapy
Interview with Charlotte (mp3--The Health Ranger, Mike Adams)
Recovered patient with prostate cancer
The Beautiful Truth (I would suggest this before The Gerson Miracle)
Food Matters (featured)

Book Review: The Hundred-Year Lie

2010-05-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Written by Randall Fitzgerald, The Hundred-Year Lie, I'd have to say, is one of my favorites.

Fitzgerald is an intriguing author and obviously passionate about his chosen field of study. As I was reading I could also see the depth of research Fitzgerald undertook for this work. There was so much information contained on each page, and it was written is such a way that was understandable by the reader.

One of my favorite parts of The Hundred-Year Lie was his chapter that included "The Slippery Slope Index." A full copy of it can be found here. It's basically a timeline of how far we have come as a nation with the deterioration of our health. And how quickly it all happened!

Here are a few examples:

1900 "Diabetes affects less than one-tenth of one percent of the U.S. population; by the end of the twentieth century, almost 20 percent of U.S. citizens will contract type 1 or type 2 diabetes."

1911 "The first partially hydrogenated vegetable shortening, Crisco, is introduced to the public. Heart attacks as a result of coronary artery disease are almost unknown to physicians."

1961 "The FDA approves a medication called Ritalin for use by children with behavior problems. By 1975, about 150,000 children in the United States will be taking Ritalin. By 2005, about six million U.S. children will be using Ritalin, representing 85% of total Ritalin consumption in the entire world."

In addition to these astounding facts and statistics, there is adequate material presented on topics such as artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate (MSG), fluoride, and more.

The outline of the chapters include myths such as "The government insures that drugs are safe," "Vaccinations are always beneficial," and "Only drugs can treat depression." Fitzgerald attempts to bust these myths and more by providing studies and evidence on each topic. I found it to be extremely thought-provoking, if not convincing on some subjects.

Another thing I liked about The Hundred-Year Lie was Part Three entitled "Beyond Apocalypse Now" where Fitzgerald writes about natural remedies--it isn't all doom and gloom! He mentions the Hippocrates Health Institute located in sunny West Palm Beach, Florida, where the physicians specialize in natural cleansing and healing.

Anyway, I could continue on with what I like, but I think you should check it out for yourself!

More information about The Hundred-Year Lie can be found here.

First Batch of Kombucha

2010-04-27T20:37:00.000-07:00

I have successfully cultured my first batch of kombucha tea!

Thanks to a little help from a friend and The New Homemaker, I got started on this project almost 2 weeks ago.

A few months back, I decided to pick up a curious bottle at Whole Foods just to try something new. The liquid I had was fizzy, sweet, and sour, and I immediately loved it. That was my first experience with kombucha.

I bought various flavors of kombucha that G.T. had to offer, but the cost was beginning to add up. It was at least $3 per 16 oz. Nevertheless, I toted the bottles around with me, and it earned the nickname "crunk juice" because of its strange flavor and (very tiny) alcohol content.

However, today, I have a gallon of kombucha that cost me less than $1 (excluding the cost for the jar and bottles). It was so simple to make!

Here is the jar of kombucha after I removed the scoby and her "baby" (should I name it?):

My high-tech bottling system [EZ-caps and a funnel]:

(for scale: the measuring cup holds about 20 ounces)

The finished product!

The only thing I'm sad about is that I'll have to wait another week or two for the next batch. I'll figure out a rotation soon enough...

Sunshine

2010-04-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I must share a recent find with you. Actually, I'm a little embarrassed I didn't figure this out before.

A great acne treatment I've been taking advantage of is sunshine. Though it may not be an absolute cure, getting a sunbath a few times a week really helps. All you gotta go is wash off the makeup, throw on a tank top and shorts, grab a good book, and soak in the sun's rays.

Obviously, a forewarning.. Don't stay out too long. The purpose isn't to get burnt! Also, don't slop on a ton of sunscreen, if any. The sun works with your bare, lotion-free skin to churn up lots of vitamin D.

In fact, vitamin D does more for us than most realize: prevents osteoporosis, prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, depression, colon cancer, schizophrenia, rickets... plus it's impossible to get vitamin D toxicity. (You can download a free e-book about sunlight here.)

I'm excited about the wonderful weather (excluding the occasional rain storm) that has graced Florida this spring. I just hope it doesn't get too unbearable during the summer!

Fasting Contemplations

2010-03-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

Since fasting has been somewhat of a new experience for me, I have had some thoughts on the topic that I thought would be interesting to share on my blog. Any rebuttals or shared concerns are welcome.

I launched into another short juice fast after I abused my poor empty stomach with multiple cups of coffee. That was not a happy day for my digestive system. But this juice fast has proved to be a lot more difficult than the last. All I wanted to do yesterday was eat! And it did not help that when I walked in the door last night, the kitchen smelled like warm, syrupy chocolate from a fresh batch of brownies my roommate baked. This time took much more self-discipline.

The difficulty caused me to ponder, "Why is it so hard to stop eating?" The number one weight-loss-diet could be fasting, but no one wants to do it! I boiled my thoughts down to two responses: (1) we (Americans) lack the self-discipline, and (2) our culture is obsessed with food.

1. Americans lack self-discipline
I think this goes without explanation. Everyone knows for him/herself what areas in which they lack self-discipline. Thanks to many wonderful advances (plus our own selfishness) in society, technology, and the like, we expect things quickly and effortlessly. 'Nuff said.

2. Our culture is obsessed with food.
Perhaps we don't recognize this to its fullest capacity until we restrict ourselves from eating and observe the world around us. Food is everywhere! We eat when we're with friends, watching TV, driving, spending time with family, at church functions, and more. And when we aren't eating, we encounter commercials on the television, radio, in magazines, books, conversation, websites... Why the obsession? (I could delve into Freud and our instinctual drive for hunger, but that is too much for one post.)

My goal for this entry is not to tear down our view that food keeps us alive--because it most assuredly does. I just want to spur on the thought that maybe, just maybe, I can go one or two or five days without food. And I will be just fine. Heck, I may even feel better than I did before.

I am anxious to continue learning and disciplining myself so that down the road I may be able to add a more rigorous spiritual component. But for now, I am enjoying these brief fasts as a mental and physical challenge.

Operation: Coconut

2010-02-10T14:45:00.000-08:00

It all started with this coconut. I saw it for $3 at Chuck's and had to pick it up. Well, after sitting in my fridge for about a week, I knew it was about time to crack this thing open.

The hardest part, I think, my getting the knife into the dang shell. I watched a raw food chef effortlessly stab his Thai coconuts at a class I attended. He said it was simple. Well, it wasn't. I think I stabbed it twenty times until I heard a crack!

I felt pretty hardcore after stabbing the coconut... Yes, if I can do it, so can you!

So then came the part where I had to pull the knife around the shell to make a hole. This part wasn't too bad. I followed the technique that the chef showed us:

Keeping my thumb down, I wrapped one hand around the coconut and the other around the knife's handle. I held the coconut against my stomach and pulled the knife forcefully, being careful to rotate the coconut and keep the knife away from any fingers or wrists (I seem to have a habit of accidentally cutting myself).

I cut the hole! But it was pretty small... I poured out the coconut water (2 cups) so it wouldn't slosh all over me and cut open a larger hole:

Then I scooped out all of the coconut meat. Here are the products of my labor!

I have never tasted fresh coconut meat or water before, so this was a one-of-a-kind experience. The white "flesh" did not taste at all like the typical dried, sweetened version that you can find in the average grocery store. It had a light texture and had a slight toasted flavor. I actually liked the coconut water more than I expected. I have bought the canned coconut water before and disliked it. But the fresh stuff is much better, richer, and sweeter.

I felt a little strange eating the coconut flesh by itself, so I threw it in my blender with some dates, cacao powder, plus a little of the water and agave. Ergo, a raw chocolate pudding:

The pudding turned out delicious! Trust me, it's already eaten right now.

Hopefully I have inspired someone to take a whack at their own coconut!

-Caitlin

Raw Key Lime Tart

2010-02-02T15:45:00.001-08:00

I've been spoiling myself... I've been making raw desserts.

Don't worry, I've been sharing! Previous to this recipe, I created a raw chocolate tart that was so rich and delicious. But I wanted a change. Chocolate is incredible, don't get me wrong. But this key lime recipe looked yummy!

Yes, it is a recipe for key lime tart, but these mini trifle bowls are just too cute. :)

The crumb layer is made with ground cashews, agave, and coconut oil. The lime layer is also made with cashews (soaked) plus other ingredients such as lime juice, zest, agave, coconut oil, and others. (Email me if you'd like the recipe!)

I think for my next recipe I will attempt to make a raw cake with creamy avocado frosting. How does that sound?

Juice Fasting: An Experiment

2010-01-26T10:54:00.000-08:00

Last week I embarked on another bodily experiment: juice fasting.

During my hospital shift on Wednesday, my runny nose and sneezing got so bothersome that I had begun carrying tissues with me everywhere I went. Then Thursday morning, after gulping down a daily juiced lemonade for breakfast and some green tea, I decided to keep rolling with it.

I stopped by the store and picked up oranges, apples, grapefruit, and romaine lettuce (all organic); I headed home and began juicing. Mind you, I did have some guidance along the way. I had just completed Steve Meyerowitz's "Juice Fasting and Detoxification" and was feeling inspired. I also recalled the words of Dr. Andrew Saul in his book "Doctor Yourself"--that putting his kids on a mini juice fast got rid of the cold quickly. So, I figured, it was a good time to plunge in!

I am proud of myself, I must say! I followed carefully the wisdom of Meyerowitz--to strain out juice pulp as to not stimulate hunger and create my own decongestant of ginger tea with honey. I juiced and brewed for a whole day and continued the process until Friday evening, when I broke the fast by nibbling on some grapefruit. Later, I ate an apple then some hot chocolate with nut milk. By Saturday evening, I was able to enjoy a full meal (steamed veggies and mahi mahi) when I went out to dinner without any cramping or tummy rumbling.

Side effects: It is hard to attest to any major effects because of the brevity of this fast. I did have some abdominal cramping on Thursday, but it wasn't until Friday that I started getting really hungry.

Benefits: I'm cold-free! On Saturday, I had a little sniffling, but by late Sunday the bug had been completely eradicated.

Inquiries: Supposedly the first day is the hardest, but I thought the second day was! Perhaps my motivation drove me the majority of the time. Plus, I spent more time at home the second day which lends to more temptation.

Conclusion: I will definitely do another juice fast! It was delicious, inexpensive, and very cleansing.

Meal Plan Jan 2010

2010-01-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

For this post, I wanted to give a brief outline of what I typically eat. Perhaps over the course of this year, the outline may morph into something very different...

But for now, here it is:

On empty stomach: 12 oz. "Green Lemonade" -- greens, apples, and lemon juiced (this tides me over for a couple hours)
Fruit or "green" smoothie
Lunchtime: large salad and/or vegetables and/or dried fruit and nuts
Lara Bar (if I'm feeling a little hungry)
Dinner: Vegetables or salad w/meal usually made from sprouted grains (i.e., sprouted grain pizzas with onion and goat cheese; sprouted grain penne with raw peanut sauce)
Dessert: hot cocoa (almond milk, cacao powder, agave) or dark chocolate
Midnight snack: (occasionally) sprouted grain toast (spread with some organic butter, agave, and cinnamon)

My favorite kind of salad to eat is chopped red and green cabbage drizzled in an Asian Ginger salad dressing (yum!).

The biggest influences in my choice of diet are "The Raw Food Detox Diet" by Natalia Rose followed by Victoria Boutenko and Steve Meyerowitz.

Benefits of Dry Brushing

2009-12-28T21:34:00.000-08:00

When I first heard about dry brushing, I thought it sounded like a mild form of torture. Purposefully pulling along hard, dry bristles on my bare skin? No, thank you!

But, amazingly, it is not painful--perhaps a little uncomfortable at first--and it provides promising results.

Dry brushing: applying a naturally-bristled brush over dry skin typically before showering

Technique: "Start with your feet, brushing up towards your knees, and traveling on upwards until you've done both legs. Then work from the hands, up the arms, towards the heart. Finally, brush the torso, using strokes in the direction of the heart. Within just a week or two you'll start to notice a difference in the quality of your skin."

Positive Effects:

Stimulation of the lymphatic system: get fluid moving! DB promotes transportation of nutrients throughout the body
Decrease in cellulite accumulation
Detoxification: The skin eliminates up to two pounds of waste acids a day and is responsible for 1/4 of the body's detoxification.
Improve the health of the liver and kidneys: the body is no longer concentrating the entire detoxification process on those organs.
Noticeably softer, brighter skin

After about a week I noticed that my skin felt much softer and looked a little more "awake." I would recommend adding this instead of purchasing expensive lotion!

Caitlin

For further reading, check out the articles referred to at this website.

Christmas RE-TOX

2009-12-25T19:57:00.001-08:00

So, I gave up my mainly vegan diet for one filled with delicious homemade cookies and Honey-Baked Ham and lots of other yummy treats.

And I can feel the difference.

I didn't notice at first my energy increase with the load of veggies and fruits I was consuming until I almost completely stopped eating them and instead supplemented sugars and fats. Seems logical that one would experience a loss of energy and vigilance, but as a 20-year-old, I fall back on the presupposition that my body can handle anything. (Foolishly, I am slowly coming to realize.)

I am looking forward to getting back on track with my healthy eating, since I can now attest to some (subtle) repercussions of the S.A.D. way of eating.

But, again, it is the holidays. So I'm still enjoying some of the wonderful traditions we continue on year by year (and hoping to create some of my own for future holidays!).

Do drugs make us healthy?

2009-12-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

I apologize for my lack of posting as I am catching up on research and have slacked somewhat on my detox diet.

In the meantime, I would like to share an interesting excerpt from an article entitled "Big Pharma kills yet another celebrity: Brittany Murphy on multiple prescriptions at time of death" from NaturalNews.com.

"I can't think of a single pharmaceutical that actually makes you healthier. Almost universally, prescription medications cause long-term damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and nervous system. Over time, they erode your health, accelerate your apparent aging and promote chronic degenerative disease.

Nutrients can make you healthier and prevent disease, but pharmaceuticals have no such abilities. That's because the human body was never designed to digest patented chemicals. It was, as you probably learned in high school health class, designed solely to digest natural foods and nutrients provided by Mother Nature.

Of course, pharmaceuticals are very seductive. The idea that you can pop a pill and have all your health problems corrected is very appealing to many people. This is perhaps what got into Brittany Murphy. She mistakenly believed FDA-approved drugs would protect her health when, in reality, they took her life."

Just food for thought.

What is this stuff?

2009-12-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

As I was resting today, reading a print-out about Klenner's work with Vitamin C, the doorbell rang. My neighbor needed a jump.

Having never jumped a car before, I stood back and assisted while our engines lay bare to the open sky. The black box on my battery was lifted, and a look of disgust washed over the woman's face.

"That's like... erosion from hell."

She was referring to my battery acid, of course. I didn't even realize my battery had a problem. It worked, or it didn't, as far as I was concerned. My neighbor disappeared into her house and returned with a bottle of pepsi.

My neighbor poured some of the syrup-y liquid over the hardened, foamy accumulation, and it immediately began shrinking back.

"See? The Pepsi just eats it away."
She finished up and was able to pull out and head to work, hopefully on time.

Interesting, I thought, and we're putting this pepsi product into our bodies? Why on EARTH are we drinking something so powerful and chemically altered that it can literally eat away at crusted battery acid?

Just a thought.

Detox Week 1

2009-12-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

Week one is coming to an end of my first week following Natalia Rose's Detox diet plan.

I did not have any red meat or poultry up until tonight. My roommate's mom is in town so she made us ribs... I couldn't help myself. I didn't complete chow down though--and I made sure to eat a huge salad beforehand as to ward off any temptation to overindulge!

Just to clarify--I am not doing a 100% detoxification (colon cleansing). I am simply trying out this diet to integrate a healthier way of eating. I tried going 100% raw, and I completely failed. That was way too difficult. I would NOT advise anyone to drop everything and go 100% raw unless they have already made adjustments in their diets prior. Going from one extremity to the next is too difficult and not kindly to your body (which enjoys when you taper things off)!

That being said, I have been researching the depths of the detox concept and what it does for your body. The most alarming and intriguing evidence I heard about detoxification was in a NaturalNews.com interview with Eleni Prokopeas from GreenDivaMom.com. Mrs. Prokopeas discussed the effects of vaccinations on her little boy that developed autism--who is now completely cleansed of the disorder because of his mom's consistent detoxification efforts for her family. I was completely stunned after listening to this interview. It is available to download for free at the link above. I would encourage anyone to listen!

Caitlin

Common Cold Remedy

2009-12-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

I'd like to quickly share a very simple way to get a lot of Vitamin C--and fast.

I tried mixing my Vit C crystals in many things (apple juice, smoothies, vegetable juice), but this tastes the best and is easiest.

Vitamin C Lemonade
1 teaspoon Vitamin C cystals (6-9 g)
2 Tablespoons of lemonade mix or 12 oz. sweetened lemonade

If you have a cold (or any illness, for that matter), drink every other hour or hourly as needed! (Visit Doctoryourself.com for information about Vitamin C therapy and saturation.)

You can find Vitamin C crystals (ascorbic acid powder) at your local health food store. I purchase the Country Life brand from Chuck's Natural Food Marketplace.

Hope this helps! (It sure helped me kick my cold to the curb!)

Caitlin

Detox Day 1

2009-11-30T23:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm detoxing.

I'm following the diet plan outlined by Natalia Rose in her book, The Raw Food Detox Diet. Yes, she actually outlines a diet plan. Not only does she do that, she has different plans for people depending on which "level" they are at with raw foods (or cooked) AND she gives almost all of the recipes!! And if you know a thing about me thus far... you know I love recipes.

I am not sure how head-long I'll dive into this "detox" enigma, but so far my goals are to explore raw foods and become healthier. I think I am succeeding!

Sadly, I have no pictures to show for my creations today, but as I go along I will share my favorites.

The best thing I was able to concoct today was Maple-Glazed Salmon--recipe courtesy of Miss Rose. It was so delicious that I gobbled it up in about five minutes! (Am I allowed to eat that fast during detox??)

Short Outline of my meals today:

1. Green Smoothie

2. Coffee with almond milk and agave

3. Apple

4. Raw Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing

5. Lara Bar

6. Salmon

7. 70% Cocoa dark chocolate (Photo)

8. Sprouted-Grain bread and hummus

(I might have sneaked a couple cookies in there..)

Anyway, I'll continue updating throughout the week!

Raw Brownie Bites

2009-11-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

Borrowed from From Sad to Raw, this recipe combines some of my favorite raw ingredients such as raw cacao, coconut, and maca.

I was excited to find a dessert recipe that tastes as good as I was hoping it would be!

This is my second batch, and counting.

The adjustments I made: instead of using almonds, I threw in whatever nuts I had around (macadamias or cashews), I doubled the maca, and I used coconut oil. I also don't have mesquite powder, so I added extra carob and cacao instead.

Raw Brownie Bites!

Smoothie Yumminess

2009-11-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm not sure if "yumminess" is a word, but what I am posting definitely deserves a neologism!

Pictured on right is one of many green smoothies concocted in my home. I put it together with mango, lemon, and chard, plus some Agave nectar to sweeten it up!

It is a tart mixture, but very delicious and nutritious!

I got home today after donating blood at USF, and my body insisted that I give it something filled with nutrients for refreshment.

Ingredients are as follows:

2 Mangoes

1 Lemon, peeled

1 Stalk chard

1 cup water

1 cup ice

Agave to taste (or honey)

Blend on high until desired consistency. Serves 1.

This is how I started:

In the blender:

I have tried many combinations of fruits, and so far I like this the best. Banana and strawberry are probably my second favorites!

-Caitlin

Vita-Mix Fun!

2009-11-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

I had fun with my Vita-Mix today!

Pictured on the left is a juice I made with carrot, apple, and lemon (plus water + ice).

The taste of this juice is yummy, but the pulp is slightly distracting when I drink it. Mind you, the pulp is very minimal because the carrots were completely pulverized by the powerful blender. It's just different. I usually don't sit around drinking carrot juice!

I also whipped up some Tahini! I had been trying to purchase pre-made Tahini, but it can be expensive. So when I saw raw, hulled sesame seeds at Whole Foods Market for only $2.99 a pound, I decided to give it a go!

Isn't my Vita-Mix pretty?

Guzzling some carrot juice

Tahini!

Girls Night Out

2009-11-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

This evening, my roommate decided we needed to go out for a night of good-ol' college-kid hot wings-- All you can eat at Gator's near USF.

I succumbed.
Might as well go out with a bang, right?

Between the two of us, we ate 36 wings.

Good news is, I got my Vita-Mix in the mail today! (And made some delicious raw pudding to counteract the greasiness... though I'm not sure it worked).

Caitlin

Niacin: Vitamin B-3

2009-11-08T16:44:00.001-08:00

Okay, I know most people don't exactly reminisce on the past time of discussing vitamins, but I insist on bringing this one up.

Vitamin B-3 (also known as Niacin, or niacimide) was completely unknown to me until I watched the documentary, Food Matters. There it was briefly touted as capable of helping people with depression, alcoholism, and schizophrenia. A simple vitamin? I was baffled, and very, very doubtful.

But I considered my history--a trial of antidepressants I quit after 4 weeks, and constant ups and downs in mood I had run out of rationalizations for. I have been too afraid to tell any doctor, nurse, or health care worker about my fear of depression, but I knew it was starting to become an issue. I didn't feel like I felt like myself, as confusing as that statement may be. I was constantly in a mental haze, and it was hard for me to connect with people in conversation unless I had been juiced up on caffeine.

So when I heard of niacin, I figured, well, why not try it? I did a little research to make sure I was in a safe dosage range, and gave it a go around September 2009.

I didn't notice much of a difference, but I stuck with it. I knew the body could take a little bit of time to get accustomed to a new substance. About a week ago, I ran out. Thinking it wasn't a big deal, I took my time (3 or 4 days) making my way back to the health food store. And it was during this time I realized what niacin had done for me. Gradually, I felt that same old, detested brain "fogginess" creeping up on me. I wasn't thinking as clearly, and I had a noticeable lack of motivation. This finally dawned on me Tuesday evening.
The next morning we went to the health food store.

I admitted to my doctor I like to take niacin for depression a couple weeks ago. She said, "How about taking something else with a little more research to back it up? Like St. John's Wort?" First off, I had actually purchased some SJW tea previous to this discussion. Secondly, who cares? I feel better.

Side effects from fluoxetine (Prozac), an SSRI anti-depressant: seizures, anxiety, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, nervousness, abnormal dreams, dizziness, fatigue, hypomania, mania, weakness, visual disturbances, tremor, arthralgia, back pain, myalgia, and more.
Side effects from excessive niacin saturation: nausea, possible vomiting.

Not everyone may benefit as much as I have from this nutrient, but I am modestly attempting to spread the word. I hope that someone else may discover niacin therapy!

Doctor Yourself, "Niacin Therapy as Used by Abram Hoffer, M.D." See Article.
Food Matters documentary.
Nursing Central by Unbound Medicine
Photo of fluoxetine (Prozac)

Tea Tree Oil

2009-11-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

Along with journaling of my new diet, I'd like to introduce some cool herbs and things that I have found along the way. One of these is tea tree oil.

What is it? TTO is an essential oil extracted via steam distillation of the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It has a very strong, "camphorous, balsamic, medicinal odor" (Tourles).

What is so great about it? It is a potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral oil. It penetrates deep into the skin, making it one of natures most versatile healing agents.

How can it be used? Topically: dry skin, rashes, acne, boils, cuts, dermatitis, insect bites, burns, leeches, ticks, nail infection, insect repellant, Athlete's foot, warts. It works well in cleansers, astringents, and masks. Tea tree oil can also be used as an undiluted spot treatment on skin. It is also suspected to be able to remove viruses living on the surface of skin, such as MRSA.

What do I like about it? Besides the pleasant tea tree smell, I like the way it treats my skin. Rather than irritating like benzoyl peroxide and other chemicals, this oil is powerful without making my skin dry, red and itchy. Instead, it heals and soothes any redness and inflammation while cooling my skin simultaneously. Just a drop on a dampened cotton ball goes a long way! I have been using a small .5 fl oz bottle almost twice daily for weeks, and the bottle is still about 95% full!

I enjoy using tea tree oil and just want to pass on the news about its amazingly potent qualities!

Sources:
TeaTreeOilHealth.com
"Doctors test tea tree oil body wash for MRSA" -- See Article
Australian Tea Tree (photo)

Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/TeaTreeOil.htm

Organic Hunt

2009-11-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had an adventure--I took my roommate along and went to downtown Tampa in search of an organic food market early Saturday morning.

What did we find? Well, unfortunately, both markets we visited had nothing organic. We asked most of the vendors if they had anything. One of them offered organic onions, and another held up a red apple. Apples and onions? Don't get me wrong, I love both of those foods, but I can buy those at Publix and save time, gas, and trouble.

A little discouraged, but satisfied that I made the effort, we stopped at my local health foods store and picked up most of my groceries for the week. Yet I was still hoping to find a marketplace to get fresh produce... if I was lucky, locally grown! Ergo, my roommate to the rescue...

We had passed a Whole Foods Market a couple times on our drives down to South Tampa, but I hadn't given it much thought. It suddenly occurred to my roommate that we should check it out. She had been there before but couldn't remember exactly what the store offered. So I thought, Why not?

And I'm glad we did! Much to my surprise, the store had signs for organic foods around the US plus local organic farms! The prices were low, the selection was outstanding, and there was even a decent supply of raw foods such as flax crackers and (interestingly) dehydrated hummus. There was also a huge section of raw nuts and dried prunes, figs, and berries. I was also happy to see cacao nibs and powder!

As we drove away, I told my roommate, "I'll definitely be coming here on a regular basis!"

Mission Accomplished.

(pictures from Wholefoodsmarket.com)

"12 Steps to Raw Foods": Review

2009-10-30T23:50:00.000-07:00

12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to end your dependency on cooked food by Victoria Boutenko

Quick Summary: This work written by Victoria Boutenko is a great starter for anyone who is interested in eating a diet of raw foods. She provides personal testimony of healing and wellness, plus studies and facts about cooked foods and their properties. Her 12 steps range from gathering the proper equipment to finding support to gaining clarity in one's life. I had no difficulty reading quickly and comprehending the points she tries to make.

Pros: There were many intriguing and new things that I learned that I had never considered before. For example, in chapter 5 "What is Life?", Victoria discusses the nature of seeds and how they can blossom whereas a roasted almond cannot--does that mean that there is life within raw food? Another concept that I appreciated was the emphasis that our bodies can heal themselves. They just need the proper nourishment. Something else I enjoyed was Victoria's well-rounded approach to health. This included mental, physical, spiritual, and social wellness. Another pro: Recipes! Gotta love 'em.

Cons: I didn't enjoy the chapter on spirituality because it was way too broad. Though she openly mentions a "Creator" throughout her book, this chapter was very ambiguous and did not have much meaning to me. It was also strange to see raw food directly through her eyes. Her diet plan seems "extremist" to an amateur like myself, but, who knows, I may end up like her!

Overall, this was a great read, and I will most likely do it again! Other books by her include: Green for Life, Green Smoothie Revolution, and Raw Family Signature Dishes.

Caitlin

New Book Update

2009-10-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to see a brown package in my mailbox yesterday! I had just gotten back from a long, tiring clinical shift at the hospital. What better way to be rewarded than with a brand new book?

This book is entitled "12 Steps to Raw Foods" by Victoria Boutenko. I am already more than halfway through, and so far, I love it! In all of my searching and curiousity for finding new, enticing information about nutrition and natural remedies, I have also felt quite alone. Not many of my colleagues think as much (or care as much) about food and nutrients as I have found myself doing. Fortunately, Miss Boutenko utilizes her writing to communicate encouragement and support by providing practical information as well as her own personal story.

I will provide a complete book review once I am finished. I also want to review other books I have read about food, skin care, vitamins, herbs, and the like. So be on the lookout!

FMR

No more SAD

2009-10-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

Currently I am perched at a desk somewhere in South Tampa, having a slumber party with my roommate (Whitney Houston playing in the background completes the ensemble), thoughts of Psychiatric nursing swirling through my head.

It's been difficult balancing my school studies and personal research. Every day the stack of books accumulating from the library peer at me with eager expectation. [Currently I am anxiously awaiting my new purchase: "12 Steps to Raw Foods" by Victoria Boutenko!] What I have found is that school comes first, but personal growth is (definitely) a close second.

So what is SAD? I recently came across this concept while browsing From SAD to RAW, a great website with a lot of tips and recipes for the raw lifestyle.

SAD = the Standard American Diet (to quote From SAD to RAW, "Grilled, broiled, fried, breaded, processed, preserved, fattening foods that are not naturally made and prepared")

And why is this so sad?

Without quoting any doctors or dieticians, it is easy to see why the "normal" state of health is really a pathetic state. Hypertension, anxiety, seasonal colds, periodic infections, hypoglycemia, fevers, obesity, and depression run rampant. The average American exhibiting these symptoms is considered just that, "average." In the hospital, every other bed is filled with someone suffering from diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and renal failure. Why are these things considered "typical" or "inevitable"? Does it really have to be this way?

For many, their fate rests within the stats, but I don't want to be one of them.

That is why I have begun my search for personal health and wellness. And, so far, all arrows are pointing to raw foods.
What else could be better for you than organically grown, unprocessed, full-of-vitamins, fresh foods? I am hoping to find this out for myself.

Caitlin