It has been 7 days since I embarked on what seemed like an epic journey but it has been easy and enjoyable, so much so I am considering keeping it going for a little longer, mad as it may seem. But I have learnt some invaluable lessons, not just that life doesn't revolve around sweets but that we really need very little food to sustain ourselves and that in some way less really is more.
In the Indian culture they believe in fasting and keeping your food intact low, not just because it is sometimes scarce but because it takes up a lot of your bodies energy that could be used for other things. If your body is digesting food for 6 hours a day it has limited time to heal, repair, cleanse, or even rest. Eating less or fasting for one day a week gives your body a break, some well earned down time, allowing you to feel the subtleties in life and not be weighed down by your gut.
I of course don't mean you have to for go your roast lunch or pudding and never eat a 3 course meal again but just sometimes remember how over indulgent we can all be and think about honoring our bodies rather than stuffing them full of things our brain is telling us it wants.
It is not starvation or continuously eating less than the daily recommended calories, just be conscious, grateful and appreciate the complexities of what our body is having to do when it uses food as fuel. That food is vital and delicious but we never over fill our cars, it would just be a waste.
All that said I am so looking forward to not being on "detox" Luckily my rebellious streak hasn't kicked in to convince me I need peanut butter and jam on white bread for breakfast even if I do love it on occasions, so I am hoping to make a smooth transition back to the real world and enjoy everything I eat with a new conscious calmness, chocolate brownies and all ;-)
Sunday 20 March 2011
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Ancient super food of the Aztecs
I feel amazing, I can't explain how satisfying it is to be healthy and enjoy it. I have done deep cleanses in the past that have left me feeling deprived and restricted and while this is obviously not a free for all, it allows me to live my life while being consciously healthy. There have been the odd headache but usually through lack of water and some hunger pangs but really only because I was eating an excessive amount before.
Today I felt good, light and fresh. I barely got hungry even at meal times and had no desire to eat anything nasty.
I had the most delicious breakfast of Chia seeds soaked in Almond milk with blueberries on the top.
Chia seeds are an amazing source of Omega 3 and anti oxidants as well as being high in Protein and a great source of fibre, making them good for the heart, mind and body. In the UK we are just discovering the wonders of the Chia seed that the Aztecs used as a superfood so long ago. You can sprinkle them on cereal, on your toast, in salads or soups and even in baking to add great nutrition to your cakes and biscuits. A good excuse to have a cheeky slice of banana cake, Sugar free of course.
Day 3 is said to be a turning point when you settle in the the healthier rhythm, with less desires for salt and sugar. Your system begins to re balance itself and find an alignment. Really enjoy this time of centering and grounding so you can access it when needed to or bring it into your life more permanently. xx
Today I felt good, light and fresh. I barely got hungry even at meal times and had no desire to eat anything nasty.
I had the most delicious breakfast of Chia seeds soaked in Almond milk with blueberries on the top.
Chia seeds are an amazing source of Omega 3 and anti oxidants as well as being high in Protein and a great source of fibre, making them good for the heart, mind and body. In the UK we are just discovering the wonders of the Chia seed that the Aztecs used as a superfood so long ago. You can sprinkle them on cereal, on your toast, in salads or soups and even in baking to add great nutrition to your cakes and biscuits. A good excuse to have a cheeky slice of banana cake, Sugar free of course.
Day 3 is said to be a turning point when you settle in the the healthier rhythm, with less desires for salt and sugar. Your system begins to re balance itself and find an alignment. Really enjoy this time of centering and grounding so you can access it when needed to or bring it into your life more permanently. xx
Sunday 13 March 2011
Persistence & Pot holes in my Preparation
It has been a busy week of Yoga training and teaching but my preparation has not gone too badly, there was a cheeky Green & Blacks Butterscotch chocolate slip on thursday but it was delicious and I obviously needed the magnesium hit! I even shared it with my father on our way back from swimming who said it was the best thing he had eaten and was I sure he was allowed it! He has learnt so well!
Just eating supper early has made me sleep better and feel lighter, so I am hoping next week will not feel so dramatic. I have decided to have a little help from the Raw fairies! They are wonderful wizards that prepare healthy, balanced meals for however many days you need. No starvation, no hassle and NO nasties.
They have an array of options to help us on our way to a clear mind. A days worth of food consists of juices for breakfast and mid morning followed by a large salad for lunch and a salad and healthy vegan protein option for dinner. They even make delicious non brain fogging puddings for when the desire calls; sadly I won't be implementing them this week :-(
Non the less I am looking forward to an early rise, a grounding yoga practice to keep me stable and connected and a refreshing juice to start my week of treats. (Detox sounds scary and horrid so have decided to change my perception and call it a treat). You probably think I am crazy when I say I am genuinely excited at the prospects of a mind body cleanse to propel me in to spring, coming up a new, like a shiny white snow drop!!
Morning juices are an easy and great start to the day. I love a green juice
Think 2 Celery sticks, 1/2 cucumber, handful of spinach and parsley with an apple and a squeeze of lemon. But any green veg will work so feel free to doctor it to your taste. You will be surprised how delicious it is. If you can't make it at home get your local health food store or juice bar to do it. Never be shy from going off piste, the delicious fruit ladened smoothies look great but don't leave you feeling so holy.
So whether your week consists of an extra green juice a day, early suppers, no alcohol or you are saving it as a brilliant idea for later I will be supporting you in spirit and hope you have a good one. x
Just eating supper early has made me sleep better and feel lighter, so I am hoping next week will not feel so dramatic. I have decided to have a little help from the Raw fairies! They are wonderful wizards that prepare healthy, balanced meals for however many days you need. No starvation, no hassle and NO nasties.
They have an array of options to help us on our way to a clear mind. A days worth of food consists of juices for breakfast and mid morning followed by a large salad for lunch and a salad and healthy vegan protein option for dinner. They even make delicious non brain fogging puddings for when the desire calls; sadly I won't be implementing them this week :-(
Non the less I am looking forward to an early rise, a grounding yoga practice to keep me stable and connected and a refreshing juice to start my week of treats. (Detox sounds scary and horrid so have decided to change my perception and call it a treat). You probably think I am crazy when I say I am genuinely excited at the prospects of a mind body cleanse to propel me in to spring, coming up a new, like a shiny white snow drop!!
Morning juices are an easy and great start to the day. I love a green juice
Think 2 Celery sticks, 1/2 cucumber, handful of spinach and parsley with an apple and a squeeze of lemon. But any green veg will work so feel free to doctor it to your taste. You will be surprised how delicious it is. If you can't make it at home get your local health food store or juice bar to do it. Never be shy from going off piste, the delicious fruit ladened smoothies look great but don't leave you feeling so holy.
So whether your week consists of an extra green juice a day, early suppers, no alcohol or you are saving it as a brilliant idea for later I will be supporting you in spirit and hope you have a good one. x
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Cleanse with a Spring in your Step
It has been a long winter and some time since a chilly leafy green salad has seemed appealing. So after five plus months of stodge my body is actually craving a cleanse even if my mind thinks it's craving chocolate. In fact for me this uncontrollable urge to eat a huge bowl of pasta followed by a large apple pie shortly pursued by a latte and a praline truffle is a sure sign something has to change.
So before my insides slowly grind to a halt and my bottom permanently parks itself, I have in writing, by way of my diary, committed to doing a 7 day cleanse starting monday. 5 raw days followed by 2 Just green veg Juice. My preparation usually entails me eating as much pastry in the week running up to D day so that I will be guaranteed to feel like death as I initiate the Detox. But I will endeavor to behave and have as of tomorrow decided to cut sugar and eat my dinner early. Nothing too traumatic. Not only does sugar cloud our brains it is lethal to the blood sugar and can play havoc with our health. The myth that we need Sugar for energy has been blown out of the water. There is an Incredible book called Sugar Blues by William Dufty that will alter the way you view sugar forever, bar the odd cocktail or dark chocolate of course!
For those of you who feel like you are wearing a winter coat you can't take off why don't you join me in some healthy days and start your Spring clean. From One day of fruit and veg, to 2 days Vegan or a week being veggie, what ever suits your lifestyle and helps you feel better. It should not be impossible and make you miserable, you should feel like you are honoring your body and respecting your life. I will post some recipes and ideas to help along the way so watch this space.............................
So before my insides slowly grind to a halt and my bottom permanently parks itself, I have in writing, by way of my diary, committed to doing a 7 day cleanse starting monday. 5 raw days followed by 2 Just green veg Juice. My preparation usually entails me eating as much pastry in the week running up to D day so that I will be guaranteed to feel like death as I initiate the Detox. But I will endeavor to behave and have as of tomorrow decided to cut sugar and eat my dinner early. Nothing too traumatic. Not only does sugar cloud our brains it is lethal to the blood sugar and can play havoc with our health. The myth that we need Sugar for energy has been blown out of the water. There is an Incredible book called Sugar Blues by William Dufty that will alter the way you view sugar forever, bar the odd cocktail or dark chocolate of course!
For those of you who feel like you are wearing a winter coat you can't take off why don't you join me in some healthy days and start your Spring clean. From One day of fruit and veg, to 2 days Vegan or a week being veggie, what ever suits your lifestyle and helps you feel better. It should not be impossible and make you miserable, you should feel like you are honoring your body and respecting your life. I will post some recipes and ideas to help along the way so watch this space.............................
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