Superfoods = Intense Joy

Having a love affair with my food is crucial. I've been slowly changing my relationship from obsession to downright respect and appreciation. It's been amazing to watch this transformation. I think it came about by my not panicking over the next meal. When Jim went to Ohio for 11 days, Mo and I totally changed the way we ate. We just ate when and what we wanted without really discussing much. It was so freeing. I've been trying to hang onto that.

Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 9

• 7:15a, tried a few of the nama shoyu punkin seeds I have dehydrating
  
• 7:20a, 1 c. of hot jasmine green tea with honey
• 10a, 1 c. of hot chamomile tea
• 10a, 1 piece of Cherry Ripple Pie: crust was 1 c. dried apricots, 1/2 c. walnuts, 1 c. macs, 1/2 c. almonds, pinch of sea salt, 1 T. almond flour (for dusting pie plate); filling was 3 avocados, 10 oz. cherries, 1/4 c. coconut oil, 3 T. honey, pinch of sea salt; ripple topping was 1/2 c. carob, 1/2 c. cacao powder, 1/2 c. honey, 2 T. coconut oil, 1/2 tsp. MacaPro™,1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 10:45, 2 T. nama shoyu punkin seeds
• 12:45p, 4 Rye and Chia Crackers (sprouted rye, chia, garlic, onion, sage, sea salt) with 1 medium tomato and 1/4 c. conventional olives (made like a pizza)
• 1:30p, 1 medium Bosc pear
• 3:30p, 1/2 recipe of Superfood IceScream: 1.5 trays of ice, 1/3 c. homemade tahini, 1/4 c. lucuma, 1 T. mesquite powder, 1/2 tsp. MacaPro™, 1/4 c. of yesterday's leftover ripple topping (ripple topping was 1/2 c. carob, 1/2 c. cacao powder, 1/2 c. honey, 2 T. coconut oil, 1/2 tsp. MacaPro™, 1/4 tsp. sea salt)
• 4:15p, 1 c. spring water
  
• 6p, 3 c. of Black Bean Soup (cooked): 1 pound of dry black beans cooked, 6 c. water, 2 28 oz. cans of plum tomatoes, 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, 10 garlic cloves, 1 medium zucchini, 1/4 c. Bragg Liquid Aminos™, 3 T. honey, 1 T. cumin, 1 tsp. oregano, 1 tsp. sea salt, 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder
• 7:30p, 1 c. spring water
• 8:30p, 1 c. hot Sweet Cinnamon herbal tea
• 9:30p, 3 c. of plain air-popped popcorn
  

Today's Observations
Holy CRAP! I'm STILL reeling from the Superfood IceScream! This was inspired by the lovely Angela Stokes: a Vitamix full of ice, a nut or seed butter, and various superfoods. This will definitely become a staple; Mo and I are getting really burnt on bananas. Looking back over my liquid consumption, it seems as if I'm not getting enough water, but I am truly drinking when I'm thirsty. I've never really been a big liquid-drinker. I don't think I need to worry about this, but I'm sure others might for me. ; )

Starting My 41st Year!

Today I heard myself say to Mo, "I'm hungry. Want to get a treat?" We were in Axis Natural Foods picking up, oh... you know... the usual... irish moss, carob, ascorbic acid... LOL! I always chuckle to myself when I see some of the things that end up on my shelves. Anyway, I stopped in the middle of the aisle and said, "Wait a minute. What I mean is, do you want some food?"

The definition of treat, for me, has always been something you eat out of the ordinary and that something has always been fried, loaded with crap, made of white sugar or flour, etc. And is a that is a treat?!? Putting food in categories is dangerous business because it loads up our edibles with emotional baggage.


Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 8

• 8a, 1 c. hot jasmine green tea with honey
• 9:45a, Mo's Garbage Cereal: 1/2 c. raw oats, 1/4 c. raisins, 1/4 c. walnuts, 1 banana, 1 T. coconut flakes, 1 T. goji berries, 1 tsp. chia, 1.5 c. almond mylk
  (Only ending up eating about 2/3's of this... made too much AGAIN! Arg!)
• 12:30p, 3 mulberries, 2 goji berries, 8 jungle peanuts
  
• 1p, 1.5 c. spring water
• 2:30p, 2 oz. Woodstock Farms™ Veggie Chips
• 2:45p, 1 medium tomato
• 3:15p, 1/2 of a medium cucumber with Easy Peasy Vinaigrette (only had about 1/3 of this recipe: 2 T. olive oil, 2 T. balsamic vinegar, 1 clove garlic, 1 T. honey)
• 6:30p, 1/3 of the following salad concoction: 1.5 bunch of kale, 2 large tomatoes, 1/3 c. conventional olives, 3 pinches of sea salt, 3 T. hemp oil, 3 T. balsamic vinegar, 1/3 c. sunflower seeds, 3 T. chia seeds, 1/3 c. nutritional yeast, 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 6:30p, 1.5 c. spring water, 1 c. cold horsetail tea
  
• 7p, 1 piece of Cherry Ripple Pie: crust was 1 c. dried apricots, 1/2 c. walnuts, 1 c. macs, 1/2 c. almonds, pinch of sea salt, 1 T. almond flour (for dusting pie plate); filling was 3 avocados, 10 oz. cherries, 1/4 c. coconut oil, 3 T. honey, pinch of sea salt; ripple topping was 1/2 c. carob, 1/2 c. cacao powder, 1/2 c. honey, 2 T. coconut oil, 1/2 tsp. MacaPro™,1/4 tsp. sea salt

Today's Observations
Veggie Chips? Not a good choice. Thought they'd be low-key, but ugh. I felt a little sick after eating just that small amount. Must have been the oil in them. The pie tasted great, but sat a little heavy on my stomach. I even thought about making the filling mac-based, but decided to use avos instead to lighten it up a bit. I've been so into mono and/or simpler meals; good thing I only do these on holiday-type days. Overall though, another good day.

Loving My Food Stash

I'm loving my fridge and pantry contents lately. I mean, there's really nothing new going on in them (except the new schisandra berries and maca syrup that Wysteria just sent me!). I am just feeling incredibly grateful for the plentiness of it all.




Note: Capitalized recipes are my own - except when they're the restaurant's.

Day 7

• 9:45a, Banana Mash-up: 2 bananas, 1/4 c. walnuts
• 11a, 1 c. spring water
• 12p, lunch at GRO (raw vegan restaurant in Portland, ME): Terra Burger with Corn Chips, Strawberry Pinwheel Cookie, bite of Mo's Oatmeal Raisin Cookie and Almond Orange Ball, 1.5 c. hot ginger peach green tea
• 4p, 2 T. Crazy Cacao Coconut Sauce: 3 T. Artisana Coconut Butter, 1/2 c. cacao powder, 1/2 c. honey, 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 4p, 1.5 c. cold horsetail tea
• 7p, Mexi-Mass (layer in this order): ~2 c. chopped kale, 1 c. brown rice, 2 T. nutritional yeast), 1 c. Corn Salad (This recipe serves 5... 4 ears of corn with corn cut off, 2 medium tomatoes, 3 green onions sliced, 2 garlic cloves, 1/2 c. chopped cilantro, 1 T. balsamic vinegar, 1.5 tsp. sea salt, 2 tsp. chili powder, 2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder), 1/2 c. guacamole (This recipe serves 3... 5 avocados, 3 garlic cloves, juice of 1 lime, 1.5 tsp. sea salt, 2 tsp. chili powder, 2 tsp. cumin, 1/8 tsp. black pepper)
  
• 7:35p, 1 tsp. Crazy Cacao Coconut Sauce (see above)
  
• 7:45p, 1 c. hot decaf chai tea with honey
  

Today's Observations
I'm loving where I am with my eating! Yaaaay!

An Offering

If I am feeding my temple, what would I offer my gods and goddesses? Would the ultimate compliment, the ultimate subservience be found in a Twinkie or a Chips Ahoy cookie? Or would I better serve the offering if I mirrored back their Divine Perfection in a kale leaf or an apple?

Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 6

• 10a, 1 c. hot blueberry white tea
• 10:45a, Mo's Garbage Cereal: 1/2c. raw oats, 1/3 c. raisins, 1/4 c. walnuts, 2 T. coconut flakes, 2 T. sesame seeds, 2 T. chia seeds, 1 T. goji berries, 1 banana, 2 c. almond mylk
  (Only ending up eating about 2/3's of this... made too much! Arg!)
• 2:15p, 1/2 of the following salad concoction: 1/2 pound of spring greens mix, 2 medium tomatoes, 1/3 c. conventional olives, 1/4 c. sunflower seeds, 2 T. sesame seeds, 1/4c. nutritional yeast, 1/4 tsp. black pepper with sesame dressing (extended the dressing I made yesterday; no recipe because I didn't measure any of it)
  
• 3:15p, 5 dates
• 5p; 2 c. Spooky Juice: pie pumpkin juiced, apple cider
• 6:30p, 3 c. Pumpkin Apple soup (cooked): 1/2 pie pumpkin, 1 medium onion, 1 medium apple, 6 c. water, 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 7:45p, 2 c. banana ice cream (water, frozen bananas) with 2 T. Crazy Cacao Coconut Sauce (3 T. Artisana Coconut Butter, 1/2 c. cacao powder, 1/2 c. honey, 1/4 tsp. sea salt)
• 10p, 1 c. spring water
  

Today's Observations
Feeling good today around my eating. Trying to eat only when I'm truly hungry. Am noticing a trend in morning and afternoon meals with not much in the middle of the day. I'm going to see if this trend continues or if it's a momentary blip. I am interested in the times because I'd love to transition to eating only during daylight hours as recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners. I do notice that if I eat too late at night that I have terrible nightmares. Too much for my body to process food and the day's events.

Be The One Who Watches

What are my habits around food? Do I prepare things the same way? Go for the same tastes? Expect food at certain times? Reach for the same types of foods at the same times each day? As I work through reprogramming my eating habits, I'm analyzing each of these questions every day. I need to remember to that part of redefining this new lifestyle includes finding more joy. I'm not sure that this is yet another question to add to my list; this is experiential

Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 5

• 10:30a, 1 c. hot blueberry white tea
• 11:15a, Banana Mash-up: 2 bananas, 1/4 c. walnuts
• 2:15p, 1/2 of the following salad concoction: 1 large bunch of lacinato kale, 2 medium tomatoes, 1/3 c. conventional olives, 2 pinches of sea salt, 2 T. hemp oil, 2 T. balsamic vinegar, 1/4 c. sunflower seeds, 1/4 c. pumpkin seeds, 2 T. sesame seeds, 2 T. chia seeds, 1/4 c. nutritional yeast, 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 5p, 2 T. of Raw and Cranky Salve (proportions vary on needs at time made): cacao powder, coconut oil, honey, maca powder, sea salt
• 5p, 2 c. spring water
• 7p, 2 small baked potatoes with 2 T. Sesame Sauce (makes enough for 3 people to have some of this over their portion of baked potates... 1/2 c. olive oil, 1/3 c. sesame seeds, 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar, 1/4 c. water, 3 garlic cloves, 2 T. nutritional yeast, 1 tsp. nama shoyu, 2 pinches of sea salt, 1/8 tsp. black pepper)
• 7p, 1.5 c. cold horsetail tea
• 8:45p, 1 c. Sweet Cinnamon Spice herbal tea
  

Today's Observations
I stayed really busy today and went into observation mode when the initial pangs of hunger hit. I felt I ate less today, felt less focused on food. This was good for me to do. Initially, I made 3 small potatoes for me, but only ate 2. So strange because a few years ago, I would have felt compelled to make an additional dish or two to go with the potatoes. I did think about it, but thought that I should only go with this dish first; if I wanted more later, I could make something.

Learning to Listen

What does it take to listen to our bodies? What's happening when our bodies give us signals that we interpret as hunger and thirst? Is it possible to gently acknowledge our bodies and reassure them that they will be tended to?

For too many years, if I couldn't eat right when I received these signals, I got angry. I panicked. I splattered these emotions on everyone around me. People used to joke about it, but I now see this as a sign of addiction. If there was no immediate fix around, I raged. Now I don't appease my body at the first sign. I make it wait. No... I make me wait. (I really do need to stop talking about my body as an Other, as something Not Me.)

Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 4

• 9a, 1 c. hot jasmine green tea with honey
• 10:45a, 1 c. green smoothie: 1/2 c. apple cider, 1/2 c. spinach, 1/2 frozen banana, 1/3 c. frozen strawberries, 1/4 c. frozen mangoes
  
• 2:15p, 1 c. cold red potato and asparagus salad (cooked) with lemon vinaigrette
• 3:15p, 1/2 c. chia pudding with honey
• 4p, 2 c. green smoothie: 1/2 c. apple cider, 1 c. spring water, 1 c. spinach, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 c. frozen mangoes
• 7p, 1/2 of the following salad concoction: 1 large bunch of lacinato kale, 2 medium tomatoes, 1/4 c. carrot and romaine pulp, 1/3 c. conventional olives, 3 cloves of garlic, 3 pinches of sea salt, 2 T. hemp oil, 2 T. balsamic vinegar, 1/4 c. sunflower seeds, 2 T. sesame seeds, 2 T. chia seeds, 1/4 c. nutritional yeast
• 7:30p, 1/2 of this recipe of Choconut Ice Cream: 1 c. spring water, 1/4 c. sprouted almonds, 1/8 tsp. sea salt, 1/2 c. cacao powder, 3.5 frozen bananas, 1/4 c. coconut flakes (sprinkled on top)
• 8p, 1 c. hot Sweet Cinnamon Spice herbal tea
• 9p, 1 c. hot Sweet Cinnamon Spice herbal tea
• 12a, 1/3 c. wasabi peas
  

Today's Observations
I was really hungry around the lunch hour, but was running a ton of errands. I could have stopped at any number of places to grab something quick to eat, but I decided to wait and see what would happen mentally. I knew I wouldn't starve, though I could feel my mind going into panic mode. Amazingly, after about 5 or 10 minutes of real hunger, the feeling subsided. This really surprised me. I've spent the first 40 years of my life immediately responding to hunger and thirst. No wonder I gained so much weight... and no wonder I fell so totally out of relationship with my body.

Greens and Grounding

Since I've been working through Raw Emotions I've noticed an intense craving for leafy greens. Do greens facilitate detoxification? It would seem to make sense. Greens are the epitome of life force, of transition from seemingly nothing into a something totally other. They take in all 4 Elements and vibrant with such intensity.


I was taught the greens are icky, that they have to be snuck into other foods, that only cartoon characters eat them when they want to kick some bad guy's ass. I was taught that leaves needed to be raked away. I was taught that we should spray plants to keep the bugs away from our leaves... to keep them looking nice. Story after story of bad logic and bad relationship.

Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 3

• 9a, 1 c. spring water
  
• 9:30a, 4 c. green smoothie: 4 c. spinach, 2 c. apple cider, 1.5 frozen bananas, 1 c. frozen strawberries
• 12:15p, 2 T. Choco Pudding: avocado, coconut oil, honey, sea salt, carob, cacao powder
• 12:25p, 1 c. hot jasmine green tea with honey
• 1:45p, 1/2 c. Hippocrates' Salad: cabbage, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, conventional olives, garlic, sea salt
• 3:15p, 1 slice of Chocolate Rose Torte: walnuts, sea salt, dates, carob, cacao powder, coconut oil, powdered dried pink roses, honey
• 3:15p, 2 c. spring water
• 4p, 1 apple
• 6:30p, 15 roasted tamari almonds
• 8p, Indian dinner out: 3 pieces of naan, 1 samosa, 2 pakora, basmati rice, channa saag, 2 c. darjeeling tea, 2 c. water
• 12a, 1/2 c. apple cider
  

Today's Observations
I haven't had Indian food for a while - mainly because I feel really crappy after I eat it. It's my favourite food EVER, but the bread and the fried foods really do a number on me: headache and dizziness (from the wheat) and side cramping (from the fried food). The company made it worthwhile though, in a warped sort of way. ; ) The really interesting thing that I'm noticing about myself though is that the times I'm willing to eat this type of food are growing further and further apart. The last time I had Indian was a month ago. That may not sound like a long time, but I used to eat this type of food quite often. My tolerance for feeling this way is decreasing.

What constitutes a raw vegan?

There is quite a lot of debate in the raw food world about what constitutes a true raw foodist. Some say anyone who believes raw food is the key to optimal health is the only requirement to being classified as a raw foodist. Others argue for percentages: at least 50%, 75% and up, 80% and up. Some raw foodists are much more dogmatic: only those eating a diet consisting of 100% raw food can get the much-sought-after title.

I consider myself a raw foodist. Yet some would disagree with me. My focus is raw foods and the majority of my diet consists of raw foods. Some days differ from others. But I believe that incorporating more raw vegan foods into a person's diet can alter their health in dramatically positive ways. I've healed my arthritis and my allergies. I no longer get daily headaches. My menstrual cycle has regulated itself from every 45-60 days to every 28 days. And most importantly, I have healed the nerve damage in my right leg sustained from a car accident.

And these are only the physical observations. There are a number of mental and spiritual healings happening currently, but more on that later.

Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 2

• 9a, 1 c. spring water
  
• 10a, 3 c. green smoothie: 4 c. spinach, 2 c. apple cider, 1.5 frozen bananas, 3/4 c. frozen mangoes
• 1:45p, 2 c. Hippocrates' Salad: cabbage, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, conventional olives, garlic, sea salt
• 2:15p, 2 T. conventional hummus with 2 Rye and Chia Crackers (sprouted rye, chia, garlic, onion, sage, sea salt)
  
• 4p, 2 c. spring water
• 5p, 1 c. Choco Pudding: avocado, coconut oil, honey, sea salt, carob, cacao powder
• 7p, Thai take-out: 2 fresh vegetarian spring rolls, 2/3 order of Pad Thai (no eggs, no fish oil, tofu, veggies)
• 7p, 2 c. spring water
• 11p, 1.5 c. spring water
  

Today's Observations
Taking in more water was really good for me. I felt a nice connexion with the Water Element today. No surprise that it began raining this afternoon. Also, I jam-packed my Vitamix half-full with some beautiful local spinach this morning for my smoothie. It turned out to be a vibrant green and was shockingly spinach-y. I thought this would be repellent, but I found that after that first sip, that... I craved it... almost at a primal level. The smoothie lit me up from the inside out.

Step 1: Create Blog

I decided to keep a record of my daily food intake because of Angela Stokes' book, Raw Emotions. I've been working through this tome in hopes of coming to some greater appreciation of who I am and how I can deprogram my dietary habits. What I am finding is that I am a culmination of many things and that deprogramming is a heavy undertaking. Luckily, I have a partner who is a double-Cancer. And chocolate.

I am a raw vegan chef and own Rite Food and Company. I run workshops on intentional and intuitive eating and offer nutritional consultations and life skills coaching. I am much more than this, but, for now, this is me.

I am starting today with a listing of what I've had to eat today and will continue to do this with added observations, notes on progress, and the occasional recipe.

Note: Capitalized recipes are my own.

Day 1

• 1 c. hot jasmine green tea with honey
• 2 c. green smoothie: collard, apple cider, frozen banana, frozen peaches
• ~3 c. Hippocrates' Salad: cabbage, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, conventional olives, garlic, sea salt
• 1c. Apple Crumble: apples, dates, lime juice, water, ground flax seeds, honey
• 1 c. conventional hummus with conventional olives
• 1 c. spring water
• ~3 c. cooked soup: water, canned tomatoes, Bragg Aminos, sea salt, ground pepper, zucchini, sweet potatoes, onion
• 1 c. apple cider
• 2 c. spring water
• 1 c. Chocolate Pudding: avocado, coconut oil, honey, sea salt, carob, cacao powder
  

Today's Observations
I've been thinking a lot about solid food and fluid intake quantities. I am working towards creating greater balance in my solids vs. my fluids. Thinking a lot about Daniel Vitalis' work and his understanding of the Elements.