Monday, September 26, 2011

Let talk juicing

  So I wanted to talk about the benefits of juicing. I am trying to get in a "green goodness" drink a day. The cool thing is Josh loves his "special juice".(I think he likes the juicing machine.)We put in cucumber,celery and apples.Today we did pears too!! It shocked me he wanted to try it, I thought he would hate it.I didn't say a word and let him pour. We put it in my stemless wine glasses and he loved it.AWESOME!!!

  The information I am putting on this post is from one of my favorite books Crazy Sexy Diet. It is such an amazing book. If you haven't read it,  go to your local library or better yet pick it up she is so inspiring. So why juice???

  It balances your pH and gives you a direct shot of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, protein, and OXYGEN!! It helps the body repair itself. By removing the fiber (which we are getting elsewhere) we lighten the load on our digestion.Because the green vegetables are rich in chlorophyll it helps purify the blood,build red blood cells,detoxify the body and provides fast energy ( Josh doesn't need any of that.Mommy sure does though). By using more greens there will be only a slight raise in the blood sugars.I myself will be adding 1 or 2 apples or pears if Josh enjoys them. The juicing rule of thumb is a 3:1 ratio: three veggies to one piece of fruit.

  So what greens are beneficial?

     Cucumbers~ they make a great base.They are a  wonderful source of Vitamin C and are highly alkalizing and cleansing.
   
  Celery~ a great source of minerals(especially potassium) and B vitamins.( we are only using organic because celery is LOADED with pesticides)

  Kris Carr has a wonderful site to check out crazysexylife.com . She is an amazing and funny lady and she is worth checking out!! So if you can take some time explore her site, she has alot of health and self care information. She also shares her juicing recipes.Yeah!!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Wise Sage..NOT!!

                                 
                                               "I am not a wise sage."

   I know a few of you are going to say "That's not true Tanya ...you are SOOO wise" (I do make myself laugh).But, it's true. This blog is about personal feelings, things I am trying that work and don't, and a few things I am learning along the way.  I am learning so much at 39 and I wish I had known these things at a younger age.

   I battle with myself mentally. It's not pretty some days.I am finally learning that things take time.This was a rough week...I was tough on myself~ wanting more.It has taken me three days of pep talks with myself to get back to a place where I KNOW this is working.I feel great!! So time to Assess..what can I change?? What can I do better??

 Assess..what can I change? Drink more water.1.5 litres a day. Consistency. Every day a short walk or some weights. More veggies. I now bring a big container of veggies cut up to work.Portion control.This is going to be a big one for me. Slow down and walk away when I feel full.Pep talks.I know this is working but it takes all of my mental power not to crumble and eat crap.Eating is how I used to cope.Not anymore.Write it down.I used to write in my journal all the time.It is a great coping skill and I brought my journal out. Get those feeling on paper and move on.

  Dealing with Frustration..I did some walking lunges and my hip flexor started acting up. Bring on that whiny voice in my head."This sucks. I am never going to be able to push myself.You suck." So this involves lots of postive talks the past two days.  " I HAVE full mobility of my hip when I walk.You are not a failure, you are doing so good."This is a skill I am learning now.Dealing with an obstacle and not letting my house of card fall.I am learning that this is something to take and make it better for myself. I feel back in control today. That shows that I am growing up.That this is ongoing and it will get better.

   I have to recommend the current Whole Living magazine this month.Their is an article in there about Wisdom & Age and how women get smarter as they get older. The women they choose are VERY inspiring. It came along at the perfect time.That is how it happens sometimes.I love it.

  So a wise sage I am not but, I am learning and that is what a women's journey is all about.Liking ourselves more, enjoying the journey and hopefully passing that on to our children.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Check in





 
   What a busy September and so full of change. My little man is in Grade one with full days and I have been signing him up for all his fall activities at night. Also the new fall schedule for TV has kept me busy.Yeah Biggest Loser is back.I LOVE my TV!! So I thought a check in would be appropriate and fun.

   Food- I don't miss meat.AT ALL!! I have now hit the point where I don't panic about proteins anymore.This has taken me 9 months to feel this way. If I could give one piece of advice...Be patient with yourself.This was a huge learning curve.Give yourself the time to enjoy these new foods and learn what you really like.Give new things another try every once in a while.Quinoa and Miso soup did not appeal to me at the beginning. But these new taste buds of mine really enjoy it now.With all the processed foods that I had eaten, I think it took my body a long time to heal itself and actually truly taste real food.

 Fitness- Yoga have been a game changer for me.I can now walk with full mobility of my hip joint.I truly believe Yoga changed that for me.I had been focusing on alignment and posture.My new mission is core...I KNOW with no hesitation; this is my weak point. That is my main goal this winter.
   Walking on the treadmill is a great time saver.But this time of year I LOVE to walk outside.The crisp, fresh fall air.The leaves changing colour.Oh my ..LOVE IT!!!
   Weights training has always been a love of mine I love the way your arms feel so tight after a great training session.I have have been focusing on upper body because I don't want to push the hip to the point that I go backwards.Sometimes I get carried away.And this is the year to SLOW DOWN and get healthy.
  I am so very blessed to have my best friend next door for walks. Mini therapy sessions!!! I think that is the best way to get exercise, so if you have a friend make some time and enjoy this amazing fall weather.My sister has been getting me motivated as well.She has a gym membership and we laugh when we don't want to work out.But I hear she is at the gym and I want to work out. My husband has been a workout machine as well and I think that can be a huge motivator.People around us can be so very influential on our lifestyles.So find a buddy, spouse,sister and motivate each other.

  Books and DVDs- I finally got to see Forks over Knives and it didn't disappoint.It was motivating and informative.I would highly recommend seeing it. "Everyone takes what they need from things when they need it." What I found fascinating was how on a plant based diet your veins repair themselves.I will find the exact name and talk about it in a future post.It blew me away how we CAN heal with foods.
   I have Colleen Patrick Goudreau's new book on order and I hope it is here this week.Yippee!!!It's called The 30 Day Vegan Challenge . The lovely Spork sisters have their new recipe book coming out and I will be in Edmonton so I am hoping that I can get it there and not have to order it. ( I hate waiting for a book)




 Juicing- my mom scored me the best juicer at a garage sale for 10.00.SHE ROCKS!!! It is easy to clean and small enough I can keep it out on the counter. I am trying to have one green juice a day.Yeah oxygen for my blood stream!!!

  New things I am learning-
Planning : I need to have a game plan.Recipes,easy plant based food on hand for the crazy nights (with all the activities that Josh has at night.I must be organized), lunches made the night before, making extra of certain things for leftovers (rice,beans,cut veggies)
Exercise in the morning!!!!-I just won't get to it at night.

    I'll end with sharing a recipe.Squash season is here and I really want to use these beauties this season.If you want to share a blog or recipe I would love that!!! Sometimes it's nice to hear what other people do with these nutritional powerhouses.


     One acorn Squash cut in half with seeds removed
     1/2 cup of water
     a couple pinches of sea salt
     a couple pinches of  pumpkin pie spice
     2-1 tbsp of earth balance butter
     4 tbsp of brown sugar

 Directions:
   Preheat broiler on high.Pour water in a microwavable casserole dish.Place acorn squash flesh side down in dish with water for 15 minutes.Careful this will be hot when removing from microwave.Transfer to baking sheet.Rub butter over flesh.Sprinkle salt and spices over the top.Sprinkle the brown sugar over sides and in the middle.Place in over for 5 minutes.You should see the sugar caramelize if not let it remain for a few more minutes. My son really liked this!!  Happy Fall everyone!!!!