CHEF MICHELLE NOW AT THE RAW CAN ROLL CAFE!

Hi Everyone :-))

In addition to my raw cheffing at Arnold's Way, I am now raw cheffing at Raw Can Roll Cafe' in Devon PA!
  


The food is so clean, pure, delicious!  I LOVE this place!!



Sheryll Chavarria, the owner, is such a doll, I LOVE her!!



I will be at Raw Can Roll M-T-W-Th, and at Arnold's Way on Fridays.

Please drop by Raw Can Roll or Arnold's Way....to say HI and to get something fantastic to eat!

Oooooh, today I had the Mexican Taco at Raw Can Roll....mmmmm!

(Raw taco nutmeat, raw salsa and guacamole, lettuce, but served on a not raw sprouted Ezekiel corn tortilla.)  Delish!!!!

 

I also had the Tabouli and the Jicama "potato" salad as a side dish.  Amazing!



Hope to see you there soon!!

http://www.purefoodandbody.com/RawCanRollCafe.php

xoxo, michelle joy

PAUL McKENNA'S HYPNOSIS PROGRAM "I CAN MAKE YOU THIN," AND AN END TO BINGE EATING

Hello, there!

Just got back from a walk of almost 3,000 steps!  My muscles are twitching, I'm sweating, and I feel that old excitement for walking!  It feels like the good old days again, walking my tush off and blogging about it here.

I have made a vitally important realization - I don't have to be 100% raw to be walking again (as I had irrationally feared.)  And I don't need to be 100% raw to stop binge eating.

It's been almost 3 weeks, and binge eating has vanished.

About 3 weeks ago, I started Paul McKenna's Hypnosis program, "I Can Make You Thin."

www.PaulMcKenna.com
  

I admit it, the name, "I Can Make You Thin," made me take notice, but it didn't strike me that the program would really WORK.  The kitchy-goofy name doesn't invite one to take the program too seriously, all be it an attractive promise for the end of obesity, it also seems like just your average marketing ploy to buy.  But I am here to say, as one with YEARS of personal experience in Binge Eating Disorder treatment, this program is a real, true, honest to goodness Food Addiction Recovery Program, bar none.

I've been to hospitals.  I've been on every diet.  I was raw.  I was a fruitarian!  Nothing worked.  I couldn't stop bingeing.

Something very wise in me KNEW that I needed a more balanced approach.  Call me a raw phony or a raw failure.  I really don't care.  

When nothing else works, McKenna says, "If you are the kind of person who feels absolutely HOPELESS,  and you've tried EVERYTHING with no success, this is the program for you."

It's true.

It's true.

It's true!

I am doing SO well, when I didn't think I would or COULD again.

But this is in a NEW way.

I'm controlling myself!

I'm living...in MODERATION.

I'm RIGHT where I want to and NEED to be today.

I needed this PERMISSION to be imperfect, and still be GREAT!

Any kind of DIET, be it Jenny Craig or Holier Than Thou 100% Raw Vegan, set me up for failure.

Right now, I am feeling SO amazingly because I am experiencing a freedom and a peace with food that I didn't know, but I always hoped, was possible.

I can take this kind of freedom anywhere.  I can apply it to ANY kind of food.  I get to make the choices when I'm in control.  I can be Raw if I want to again, or I don't have to be.  Food is not in control of me.  I'm in control of food.  

My co-worker commented, "You seem....GOOD, Michelle, and your energy is great....and you look great!  What are you DOING?!!"  She was SO happy to hear about the hypnosis.  "I am SO HAPPY for you!," she exclaimed.

It's not how many times you fall down, it's how many times you pick yourself back up......

Cliff notices.  He can leave me alone now and I don't eat everything in sight.  He also says I eat small "normal" portions now, and that I have slowed way down.  Used to me scarfing down my food faster than a speeding bullet, sometimes he's done eating before ME now!  He also says I look better, too.  ("Are you sure?," I winced.  "Yes. A lot better," he emphasized.)

I can see it, too.  Small changes weekly.  My face looks a little thinner, my pants a little looser.  I've lost weight by not caring about my weight anymore.  I accept myself as I am today.  I am not a number.  I am not a diet.  I am more than that.  

Bestest of all, I'm in control of my eating.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy.  I don't ever want to lose this feeling!

The program is unbelievably easy.  I listen to one of the various CDs or DVDs from the Deluxe set of the program that I ordered from the McKenna website.  I write in the Success Tracker Journal every night, and I wear a pedometer.

These are about the only efforts I have to make:

1. Click PLAY on the DVD or CD player daily.
2. Write in Success Tracker journal nightly.
3. Wear a pedometer.  Walk more.  

The rest just....kinda happens, naturally.

HEADLINE!  READ ALL ABOUT IT!  

HARD CORE BINGE EATER STOPS BINGE EATING EFFORTLESSLY!
SAYS SHE EATS WHATEVER SHE WANTS AND IS ALSO LOSING WEIGHT!

Listening to McKenna daily, I am reprogramming my mind for success, reprogramming my mind to be in control with food without dieting, to not experience cravings, to want to move, to feel happy and empowered and motivated, to feel happy and at peace with my body, to accept myself where I'm at today with my weight and my life, to feel hopeful with a strong vision for the future, and....to handle emotions effectively, without compulsive eating.

As long as I listen daily, it just....HAPPENS.

(Actually, I missed two days, and it still happens.)

Because of his program, I have self control with food, I don't eat compulsively when I cook or work, I eat small portions of what I want, I eat slowly, I have a snack without it flying out of control, I no longer overeat at meals or emotionally eat in my car or binge eat for days and weeks on end, I eat binge foods even but don't binge, I'm conscious and aware when I eat instead of off in la-la-land in my head obsessing about food, and I'm incredibly CALM around food now.

If I didn't weigh over 300 lbs, you would think I was normal. 

Effortless fundamental changes in my relationship with food...

Drastic changes in how I feel about myself and in how I am coping with life (by not eating)....

All by pressing PLAY and LISTENING...passively.

The wisdom in the hypnosis sessions, the wisdom of the entire program, and how very comprehensive it is still amaze me 3 weeks in.

I wrote to a friend, "I feel like I am being cradled in God's arms daily by doing this program." 

I know what to do if I run into trouble now.  I use the TOOLS offered.  Surprise, surprise, they work.

I've done the tapping TFT technique to squelch cravings.  Shockingly EFFECTIVE.

YEARS of therapy couldn't stop binge eating, but a few taps, some eyeball swirls, and humming "Jingle bells" CAN?

"YES, Virginia, there really IS a Santa Claus.  And his name is Paul McKenna!"

Here is a youtube of the "Man" demonstrating the TFT technique.

Wierd?

YES.

Next time you are experiencing a craving, try it.  I dare you:

CRAVING BUSTER TECHNIQUE
by PAUL MCKENNA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfM2KR_0Ec

There are emergency DVDs and CDs to turn to in times of struggle - I've used them all - and an emergency telephone number to call a recording of McKenna, should I feel a binge coming on.

In a soothing voice, I hear the handsome Brit coo in my ear, "Take a deep breath, feel yourself relaxing and calming down....."

And I do...

Whhoooooosh.....!
Soon, I'm floating into the best highest place of myself and any thought of eating has just flown the coop.

In just a few minutes, I'm back on track.

And I don't have to say, "Send me a bill."  At under $200, this program is a BARGAIN.

To top it all off, the Success Tracker Journal, which could have been entirely BOGUS, is so NOT.

Aside from being a place to note my daily successes and observations, McKenna's Success Tracker Journal offers daily guidance in a daily lesson.  Always VERY insightful and helpful and delightfully encouraging, nudging us ever onwards towards success.

I really feel like I'm getting support from every possible angle on this program.

I am so grateful to Paul McKenna, and to Dr. Oz for having McKenna on his show.

Though he is relatively unknown here in the U.S., Paul McKenna is really very wellknown in the U.K., and one of the worlds most successful authors of self help books.  He has hosted self improvement television shows in the U.K., and is considered a world wide authority on hypnosis, medititation, neuro-linguistic programming, weight loss and motivation.

This was really the kind of support I needed but didn't have when I left the Better Living Lifestyle Center.  That was a GREAT program, but when I fell down and went boom...a month after leaving there, I felt like a ship without an anchor.  Yes, I had God and the Bible, but no CDs or DVDs to play to return me to the mindset, the security and motivation I received at the Center.  I had no journal with daily lessons to keep me making progress forward.  Nothing to guide me, now that I was on my own.  I was scared to call the Dr because I felt like such a royal failure, since the last time we spoke, he said I was sabotaging myself.  I'm sorry.  I didn't know how NOT to.  Falling off of those blessed 2 meals a day, my world basically....collapsed.  When you put all of your eggs into one basket and then they fall and all crack, what do you do then?

Praying to God for help, I think I was directed to McKenna.

I had to find out the hard way that 2 meals a day is not the KEY to stopping binge eating.

It IS a highly effective external diet control and a VERY HEALTHY and EXCELLENT way to live, and an EXCELLENT aid to digestion and weight loss, but it is NOT the SOLUTION to binge eating.

It was a $4,000 lesson, but an important one.  I needed to get knocked down the last time before I was ready for the answer.

What IS the solution to end binge eating????

In 4 simple steps, it is:

1. EATING ONLY WHEN I AM HUNGRY
2. EATING WHAT I WANT, AND NOT WHAT I THINK I SHOULD
3. EATING CONSCIOUSLY
4. AND STOPPING WHEN I AM SATIATED.

Not NEW or REVOLUTIONARY information.

But it's how naturally THIN people live and it is the answer in a nutshell.

It is also the approach of Geneen Roth, of "Overcoming Overeating," by Hirschman and Munter, of "Weigh Down Workshop" with Gwen Shamblin, and of most Eating Disorder therapists and hopitals.

There is SOMETHING ROCK HARD RIGHT, however, about the way McKenna just TOTALLY nails it like NONE of these other programs ever did.

With Weigh Down, I was scared to death to eat one bite too much, lest I go to hell.  And by the way, the Remnant Church is a cult.  Don't get messed up with them.

With Overcoming Overeating, all I did was BINGE all day on potato chips and cookies.  And with Geneen Roth, the same kind of thing happened.  It was so much about legalizing "pleasure food," I couldn't understand why I felt so bad when I was supposed to be feeling so good.  I could never make any progress.

The BLLC was GREAT, but I didn't have another $4,000 to spend to go back for a refresher course.  If I can't do it on my own, it ain't gonna happen.

Perhaps it is something about NOW, being ready for it, with my background in raw, my adherance to a mostly Vegan diet, my willingness to completely give up dieting for good, and McKenna's amazingly effective teachings, I feel confident that I now have the makings of a sure-fire hit plan for success.

It will take time.....,yes.  But I'm incredibly HOPEFUL.

It's a 90 day program, so you'll be hearing alot about it.

70-some days left!  I'll keep in touch and let you know how I'm doing.  More details on the nitty gritty coming this week!

Blessings and keep in touch!
xoxo michelle joy

MY TRUSTY PEDOMETER, HYPNOSIS, AND THE WALKING SITE!

Hello!

As I sit here and type, I am conscious of my pedometer kind of poking into my gut as it is attached to the waist of my pants.

Hey, that's a good thing!  For the minor irritation of it, and the new "tick" I have of constantly checking to see whether it is still attached and counting, wearing my pedometer, from morning until night, has become a very tolerable and enjoyable new habit, despite the minor irritation it provides.

It's been well over a week since I've worn it daily, and it is so entirely motiving.  One step, two steps, three steps....six thousand steps...and counting!  Wearing a step counter proves that the tiniest amount of effort, just one little step, can add up into something potentially big!

I love how wearing my pedometer makes me FEEL - motivated to move because I see IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION!  I've become motivated to challenge myself, too!  Can i walk just a little further?

Paul McKenna, the Hypnosis guy, says, "Anything you count, you improve."

It's so true!  In counting daily, my numbers have been steadily growing.

My energy has been steadily growing too!

One step at a time, we can create BIG CHANGES!

My winter coat feels looser!  

Little inconveniences....like getting up to get something (when Cliff could get it for me, instead), or taking a further parking spot....suddenly become attractive and desirable because I know they'll add to a higher step count!

Counting steps is a brilliant idea....fun and motivating!  I WANT to walk more as a result!

The pedometer came with my "I Can Make You Thin" program that I bought from www.PaulMcKenna.com.  I risked what seemed like it might be a gimmick purchase, a self hypnosis program for weight loss that I saw on TV.  I'd seen McKenna, a hypnotherapist, on Dr. Oz and was honestly very impressed.  I figured I'd might as well try.  (I could always return it.)



McKenna is brilliant and the REAL DEAL.  I have never felt such gratitude for a program.

You know what?  The program works!

Time will truly tell, but so far, my eating habits have changed radically in a little over a week.



I listen to the CDs and watch the DVDs, and then I actually do what he says.  I suppose I'm responding to his powerful suggestions.  I log my success in the Rapid Results Success Tracker.  I wear the pedometer daily.  I eat when I'm hungry, what I want, I savor my food, and turn from it when I'm satisfied.

I am radically calmer around food.

I have not had a binge in over a week.

I eat slower.  I eat less.  I count my bites.  I make good choices.  I walk more.  I'm back to my long hilly "Manayunk" walks!  When I look in the mirror, I send myself lots and lots of love and acceptance no matter what I see looking back at me.

McKenna says, "You have to accept yourself as you are."  Only in doing this, constantly, can we ever hope to move forward.      

And, to boot, I've experienced upset feelings this week, but did not turn to food.

I have also found togetherness helps, tremendously.  Cliff has been so supportive.  We eat almost all of our meals together now.  He reminds me to slow down.  We chat.  I put my fork down between bites.  I try more to mimic his timing.  Suddenly, my eating has become...  Dare I say it?  NORMAL.

My eating has gone from DISORDERED to NORMAL in just a few DAYS!!!  

Portia de Rossi, author of "Unbearable Lightness," cured her eating disorder by not eating alone anymore, but by eating with her lovers, exclusively.

Before working on the McKenna plan, I'd fallen BADLY, again, into continual binge and sneak-eating, alone, purely to feed emotional hunger.  The more I did it, the lonelier, and more depressed and hopeless I became.

Emotional eating serves many needs, but leaves one with TREMENDOUS negative consequences, and no way out.

I really didn't see a way out.  I am incrediulous that this "so-called gimmick" program is having such a HUGE impact.    I'm really changing, effortlessly.

It is effortless effort.  I do it....because I want to.

I'm eating amounts of a normal person, 2-3 meals a day with a snack or two sometimes.  I've moved from what I learned at the Better Living Lifestyle Center (2 meals a day because the founder of the Seventh Day Adventists, Ellen White, said so) to something more intuitively driven.  It feels RIGHT for today.

My mood is highly improved and I'm hopeful.  Learning to eat from HUNGER is what is going to ULTIMATELY cure me for life.  I am learning SELF CONTROL and it's not even hard, or impossible, as I had thought.

_ _ _

We eat Vegan, mostly.  Lots of salads, nuts, seeds, vegetables, beans, whole grains, fruit.  Green smoothies almost every day.  We save the egg/dairy for treats.  I try to keep everything as unprocessed as possible.  If I want other stuff, maybe i'll eat it.  We'll see.

I'm not giving myself any guilts over raw.  I trust that the more and more attuned I become to my body, the more and more raw I will desire.  This is a PROCESS.  First things first.

My good friend, Sheryl, says, "Anyone can follow a diet for a short time, but what can you stay with for a lifetime?"

Bingers always binge out of plans, so I purposely don't have a plan.  My choices come from my desires.  I'm glad my desires are as healthy as they are right now.

I feel a wonderful sense of freedom and flexibility and peace around food today.  I'm learning to trust my desires.  I'm learning I can take care of myself.

My goal today is not 100% raw, but to be 100% cured of chronic binge eating, overeating, and of morbid obesity.  I believe, finally, that I've found a program that is teaching me how to get there by empowering me to do it myself!   

I'm taking things at a pace comfortable to me.  McKenna gives permission to do that.

I'm enjoying where I am at right now.  I'm not terribly concerned about weight loss.  It's happening very slowly.

I don't weigh myself anymore.

This time is all about severing that bond to emotional eating...for good.

No more putting the CART before the HORSE.

I finally have come to terms with the fact that, I, as a binge eater, must re-learn how to eat normally and develop the confidence that I have control with food, before I can refine my choices, and actually have them stick, long term.  

_ _ _

Curiously, the rest of life takes care of itself when answering HUNGER is paid attention to!  Babies learn this...why did I never?

McKenna says, "There are two reasons to eat.  Because you are hungry, or because you want to change the way you feel."

I grow more confident, more resourceful daily when I use OTHER methods to change the way I feel, instead of turning to food, like talking out an issue with someone, or making a phone call to vent, or distracting myself by going for a walk or watching TV, or doing a craft if I feel unstimulated, or beautifying myself if I feel blah, or hugging a teddy bear or pet if I need comfort, or visiting neighbors or family or going out with friends if i feel lonely, or seeing a movie or show if I need entertainment, or learning how to say NO if I feel infringed upon in any way....etc...    

Yes, there are OTHER things BESIDES FOOD that can serve to:

• protect 
• comfort
• soothe
• entertain
• distract
• celebrate
• commisserate
• stimulate, etc...

McKenna says we are trying to HELP ourselves by using food, it's just our faulty "programming" that is at fault.  

For instance, my soul feels fed because I just got back from a lusicous "Manayunk walk" with Cliff.  We saw some dogs at the park!  I could have easily easily eaten everything in fridge to fill my empty hole in the soul.  Instead of abusing food, this activity provided a real answer for real needs for:

• togetherness
• sensory stimulation
• movement
• self pride
• excitement
• confidence
• community

Life answers our needs in such BETTER ways.

And food never tasted as good as it does when I am truly hungry for it.
_ _ _



WWW.THEWALKINGSITE.COM is a good website.  According to the website, 10,000 steps a day, or 5 miles a day, TOTAL, is ideal for long term weight control and health.

On a good day, where I take a good walk and am active all day (or on a busy day where I work as a raw chef), I have been getting over 6,000 steps/day.  On a less active day, I've tracked 3,000 - 4,500.

The website claims that sedentary people get between 1,000-3,000 steps a day, although I am sure that on some of my worst sedentary days, I did not even get over 500 steps in the entire day.

Upping our average weekly steps by 500 per week is suggested until we reach 10,000/day.

McKenna states that 2,000 steps is about a 15 minute walk.

I can DO that!  (So can you!)

In fact, I can get 250 steps just by walking down my street, half way!

It's amazing how steps add up.  I'm SO excited to keep going with this!  Won't you join me?

Walking Benefits:

Burns calories

Strengthens back muscles

Slims your waist

Easy on your joints

Strengthens your bones

Lowers blood pressure

Allows time with family and friends

Shapes and tones your legs and butt

Cuts cholesterol

Reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, & more

Reduces stress

Sleep better

Improves mood and outlook on life

Can be done almost anywhere

Requires no equipment

AND it's Free

 
xoxo michelle joy

STEPS TO PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS

Hello dear Readers!

Thursday is Valentine's Day!



If you are local, I am planning a special Raw Valentine's Meal at Arnold's Way Raw Vegetarian Cafe' (www.arnoldsway.com) in Lansdale, PA on Thursday, February 14th.  My special raw meal will be available regular cafe' hours for lunch, early dinner, or to go.  The menu will be "chef's choice" so you will just have to come in on Thursday to experience my raw "Love"!  Everyone welcome!  Call the store on Thursday for more details after 10a.m. 215-361-0116.

I had a good day today.  Not a raw day.  But a good day!  

By the end of today I should have walked 5,000 steps, a VAST improvement over the last sedentary weeks.

Wearing a step-o-meter is so motivating!!!!  Highly recommended!

On this snowy morning, Cliff and I felt like hot oatmeal for breakfast, we were so chilled.  With organic raisins, cut up apple and banana, it didn't even need sweetener.  So good!


We had warming soy milk hot chocolates from Starbucks mid morning.  A yummers treat!  

Later, we enjoyed lunch at South Street Souvlaki.  

The "Vegetarian Vegetable Platter" - a sampling of many different Greek veggie dishes - pickled beets, stewed string beans, lima beans, cooked potato, Dolmades and Spanikopita - is a favorite.  We delighted in a delicious rice pudding for dessert.

Can healthy food really taste this delicious? www.SouthStreetSouvlaki.com

For a light dinner, a bowl of homemade vegan Lentil soup with tons of veggies in it hit the spot.  

I had a homemade veggie burger sans the bun....for dessert.  (Couldn't resist!)

Good news!  I've maintained the habit of avoiding processed Veggie Burgers and Veggie Meats since reading Never Be  Fat Again by Raymond Francis.



The sentiment of the book is very nice.  But I'm still very FAT!!!  I acknowledge the book did have a positive influence on me, but I was not able to adopt the diet and stick to it 100%.  However, I have made SOME positive changes, like seriously decreasing processed veggie meats, that have stuck, so I'm grateful to Raymond Francis.  

As I write, I see pictures of myself on this blog at varying weights, eating various diets.  Obviously, at the time, raw vegan worked the best.  For 3.5 years I maintained a 175 lb weight loss.  But I'm not there right now.   

On my very personal journey of obesity and binge eating and experimenting with varying food choices, I must just continually strive to just accept and love myself at whatever level of success I am at, at whatever weight I am at...  And just be...and do the very best I can for today.    

The veggie burgers I created tonight were a very nice vegan non-processed all homemade from scratch achievement.  I'll call them "Spicy Mumbai Oat Sunflower Almond, Bean and Brown Rice Veggie Burgers."  What a mouthful!

(And, mmm, they are quite a yummy mouthful!)  
I took the above aforementioned ingredients (Indian spices, oatmeal, almonds, beans, brown rice, lots of veggies), added cilantro and olive oil, and pulse chopped it all in the Food processor.  I formed into patties and baked.  Amazing!  SO GOOD!!  And they stick together firmly without egg.      



Perhaps I can get back to eating mostly raw.  And twice a day, as I was at the BLLC.

It was definitely excellent for my weight, but things unraveled with my discipline.  I became terribly dissillusioned and it's taken me some time to build up trust in myself again to move forward.

I am working my way back, feeling more balanced, motivated, and disciplined today, and I'm glad for it.

I hope in sharing my experience, my failures, my weaknesses, my victories, and in trying to pass along what worked and what didn't, something I've said or done will help another person struggling.  God knows we all need each other.  

And we need constant inspiration.  We never know just WHAT will light that fire and propel us forward.

We must just NEVER GIVE UP!

I ordered some Hypnosis DVDs from a Hypnotherapist I saw on Dr. Oz.  I was very impressed with Paul McKenna (www.PaulMckenna.com) on Dr. Oz's show.  McKenna teaches the habits of naturally thin people, and various techniques for achieving them, through suggestion.  The hypnosis DVDs and teachings are simple, but powerful.  There is a lot to learn, but as far as eating like a thin person, McKenna teaches something similar to Geneen Roth.  He says 70% of the people who follow his program succeed in changing their relationship to food.  He says, among other things:

1. Eat when you are hungry.
2. Eat what you want.
3. Savor your food.
4. When you are satisfied, stop.  

McKenna's and Geneen Roth's teachings of hunger/fullness to internally keep a check on ourselves by learning self control with food is a crucial message for success for me.  The more I check in with hunger/fullness, the better I do and the more empowered I feel, no matter what I'm eating.

I have also found that once we move away from certain foods (as I have with meat), we actually don't want them anymore.  "Eat what you want" doesn't have to be a frightening proposition.  It doesn't mean I have to go out and eat fried chicken tomorrow.

Speaking of chicken, I actually had some last week, for the first time in a LONG time.  I was at someone's home after a funeral and there was nothing vegetarian for me to eat.  I made the best choice I could, and chose the chicken.  I really paid attention.  Stunningly, I realized I actually LIKE the fake chick'n BETTER than real chicken.  I felt badly for a long time after for the little chicken I killed and I haven't had any meat since.  Because I don't want it.

Choosing what we want to eat is a funny thing.  It changes when we really pay attention and allow the things we've learned to truly change us.  

I also ordered some Richard Simmons exercise videos!

  

Sweatin' To the Oldies 5-DVD-set came with a special bonus motivational DVD.  The motivational DVD is SO good!  I cried through the ENTIRE thing.  It is SO incredibly moving, and, motivating!  In it, Richard introduces us to people who have successfully lost their excess weight and changed their eating habits.  He and they teach the "6 steps to improved self esteem and permanent weight loss."  These steps are, again, so simple, but so incredibly powerful in application.

Forgive me, but I could not recall number six!

1. Think Positive
2. Practice Patience
3. Forgive Yourself and Others
4. Have Faith
5. Let Go of the Past
6. .....

Never Give Up, perhaps?

I'll let you know once I go upstairs and check the DVD!

In trying to discover the sixth step (online without having to go upstairs), I serendipidously came across an awesome article on the same topic, permanent weight loss steps, from another source, not Richard Simmons, but from a Vermont Health Retreat, that really does a super job shining a spotlight on the mental steps and actions we must pass through BEFORE permanent change will ever synthesized.  This is an incredibly enlightening article!!!  DO READ!

http://www.fitwoman.com/support/fitbriefings/permanent-weight-loss/

So, God Bless....and Happy Valentine's Day!  Wishing you (and myself!)....lots of self love...and self acceptance...and continued success on our journeys with more in-control eating, ever healthier choices, and permanent weight loss!

xoxo michelle joy

FEELING BETTER, SINGING, BUCKWHEAT, SMALL CHANGES, AND LETTING GO OF PERFECTIONISM!

Greetings, kind folk, how are you?

I hope you are all well!

I had a really great day at work today at Arnold's Way, where I am a raw chef :-))

I'd been out from work the last 2 weeks sick, so it was really nice to be back, and everyone was very happy to see me, which felt really nice.  And I made lots of yummy raw meals today and really enjoyed serving so many friends and customers.

I had a good energy level today!...which was a very pleasant surprise!  I didn't think I was doing so well with my diet, still overeating, but the changes I have made - (apparently) - have been doing me good!  No more boxed processed veggie burgers, no more white bread, white rice, no more sugary drinks, no more cheese, no more cookies.  And just doing that - the change in my energy level is tremendous, wow!

Yes, I have gained weight over this last month falling off of my Better Living Lifestyle plan.  But my face looked better to me today.  My cheeks were rosy, my skin seemed more vibrant and glowy, and I didn't have that ugly-puffy look I get.  Wow!

Oh!  One really wonderfully excellent thing that happened to me today was that my singing voice was so good today!  The enzymes and pre-biotics and pro-biotics of the Coconut Kefir (and the nonfat Greek dairy yogurt I had with fruit and agave) (my last holding on to dairy), and the changes I have made in my diet to more digestible food, have had tremendous benefit on my reflux laryngitis.  I just couldn't stop singing today!!  When my diet is very poor, this affects my digestion, (which affects my throat, because the acids reflux up into the larynx, and my larynx becomes swollen and irritated).  And then phonating becomes seriously challenged.  But today I was singing so easily!  Better diet - better energy - better singing.  Yippee!  One customer commented, 'Wow, what a beautiful voice you have!'  That felt GREAT because I am often 'unable' to sing due to reflux, so being allowed to be authentically ME and to be blessed to emote and flow so freely....  Man, I always say it, when i can sing well, it feels like what it must feel like for an ice skater to do a triple jump.  What FREEDOM, what JOY!  I was singing like a little freed bird today who flew out of a cage!

So I made a funny video with Arnold and Matt Warner today with me singing (in the background) about Buckwheat, of all things, and them mouthing the words.  So funny.  I'll be sure to post it here when Arnold posts it on his youtube page.

Buckwheat, I tell ya, is the "new green smoothie" at Arnold's Way!  Matt Warnter, a fruitarian, and revolutionary educator, the long bearded barefoot "live foodist," is presently staying with Arnold.  And Matt is way, let me say, way, waaaay....into Buckwheat.  Matt's adoration of Buckwheat is seriously influencing Arnold.  I mean we are going NUTS over Buckwheat today!  Singing about it, laughing about it, dreaming up ways to use it.  It's popular as a raw breakfast cereal.  We're planning on making buckwheat pancakes.  We joked about making buckwheat smoothies.  I think you can make Buckwheat milk!

Buckwheat is not from the wheat family, but is a seed from a flowering plant, and is chock full of protein, low in fat, and so healthy, one could live off of it, with not much else.  Wow!  A few green smoothies and a salad with a buckwheat pate' and Arnold said that could do it for someone for the day.  Arnold ate some Buckwheat pate' today and was full ALL day!  And usually he snacks the entire day!!!  Arnold is calling Buckwheat the new wonder food.  He says that it will help ME not want to eat so much because it is so incredibly satiating.  Arnold said, "Michelle.....Buckwheat is your new BEST FRIEND!"

wikipedia on buckwheat - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckwheat

Organic Hulled Buckwheat Groats

Today Arnold made a 'toona' pate' from sprouted buckwheat, and it was good!  He soaked and sprouted the buckwheat, then ground the moist kernals in the Food Processor with celery and carrot and avocado, and added some nori and Herbamare for saltiness.  It looked and tasted like a tuna salad and I put a plop on top of some zucchini spaghetti with raw tomato sauce.  It was quite yummy.

OMG, Here's a crazy video from Arnold and Matt Warner on Buckwheat, not the one I'm singing in, but this is pretty wild.  Arnold is wearing a pocketbook on his head and is in rare form, wearing a kids collapsable Plastic woven BALL as a poncho and a hand puppet on one hand and a plastic kitchen glove on the other (!!!).  Arnold dude, you are OUT THERE, and I LOVE YA!!  Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ktRKLxP6GxA#!

I did super good with food today!  This morning I had green smoothie for breakfast, a few more smoothies during the day at work, the zucchini spaghetti and buckwheat for lunch with some raw living bread, a raw power bar later.  Then when I got back home, I just had 2 slices of Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Cinnamon Raisin Toast with organic vegan butter and one of the homemade Lentil Sunshine Burgers I made with some organic Lundburg Short Grain Brown rice.

Let me just say that Lundberg Short Grain Brown Rice is THE BEST! (Whole Foods sells it.)  Oh, yeah, it is So SO much better than long grain brown rice.  

So, it was a good day!  I felt good.  I had a good day.  And what's so awesome is that I didn't "think" I was doing good.

This is a SERIOUS lesson.

Small changes DO make a big difference, even when EVERYTHING we're doing is not good, it is still good enough to produce a positive effect.  What an amazing lesson to learn!  This is such an "abe" lesson.  Abe says constantly, "All is well!"  I need to really let that sink in.  Even when things are not going perfectly, still, ALL IS WELL.  When we move in the direction of just feeling better, we produce significant momentum and motion forward...from just a SMALL CHANGE!  

  

And you know what?  When you realize you feel better, despite not doing "perfectly," it empowers you so much because you realize you don't NEED to be perfect to make changes.  And you actually begin to grow in real confidence!

I'm excited to see how I feel tomorrow because I had a higher percentage of raw food today, something that I wanted to do, but hadn't been succeeding at yet!

Baby Steps, baby steps, baby steps!

xoxo michelle joy

DESIRES, BEHAVIORS, AWARENESS....AND CHANGE

The more in vibrational sync you are with who you really are, then the more you are allowing only those things that you're wanting, and the less resistance there is. And the less resistance there is, then the less delay between the idea of the thought and the receiving of it.

--- Abraham

So, I wake up this morning, crazy early, at 4:30 a.m.

By 6 a.m., I'm in the kitchen, hungry.    

I peruse the fridge.  

I'm cold.

I don't "feel" like a green smoothie.

_ _ _

I "feel" like something warm.

I "feel" like Sprouted Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin toast....with vegan cream cheese...and tart cherry jelly.....(so good, it's from Switzerland), and a hot cuppa Earl Grey tea with almond milk and raw honey.

It sounds right, feels like it would be comforting.

I'm gonna do it.     

The kitchen is quiet and peaceful.  We cleaned it yesterday so it feels so nice in there!  It's still dark out, Cliff is still asleep.  

I feel relaxed this morning but melancholy as I crunch into the toast.  Man, soooo good.  This cinnamon raisin toast is better than the un-sprouted kind.     

I enjoy my breakfast as guiltlessly as I can, knowing it's not on the plan.  Knowing I'll write about it takes some of the sting away.     

I bask in the warmth from the tea, enjoy the sweet taste, and sit down to the computer.  Satiated and satisfied, I feel surprisingly unapologetic and OK.

_ _ _   

Sugar is a no-no.  Sugar is what is keeping me fat, Raymond Francis says.

The problem is - I really LIKE it!

_ _ _


According to this morning's "Abe," (my friend Joy and I refer to our daily email of Abraham quotes as Abes), I do think I was maybe doing something good this morning.

I was in vibrational sync with myself and my desire.  I was being and expressing me.  

The BIG question is......Is that OKAY???
_ _ _

Often with food, we don't realize that the choices we are making are not in our best interest, until later.  Through trial and error, we see how we feel AFTER we eat something.  We're in a better position then to fully realize the implications of our decisions.

How does tea and toast make me feel, after I eat it?
I need to know and fully realize how I feel after I eat something.  Then I can make better informed decisions!
Logging ones food is so powerful, says Francis.  I need to do this. 

_ _ _

Alas, it seems as soon as you read a book telling you what not to eat, you suddenly want everything you're not supposed to have!  
I suppose that's human nature....

_ _ _

Honestly, I am really aspiring to enter a state of examination right now, because I've tried unsuccessfully to be perfect on plans my entire life and can never be.  I want to discover ME.  I'm watching and evaluating and seeing what I come up with.  If I never know who I am, I think I will always keep binge eating.  When I am authentically in touch with me, I don't think I will need to reach out for something any more.

_ _ _    

So I ask myself....

Do I really want to be sugar-free?

Do I really want to be wheat-free?

Do I really want to never be fat again and do what Raymond Francis says I need to, to get there?

Pretty HUGE implications!

_ _ _ 

Sierra's "Law of Attraction" un-diet plan (www.iam-iam-iam.com)  asks for me to summon what to eat using my newly aligned vibration, after reading and listening to her words.

Sort of ike a healthy Geneen Roth plan!  Kind of cool and freeing.  I can dig it!

And the www.TurningInstitute.com Therapist would probably say for me to determine what I want to eat myself, too.

Self-awareness and self-determination would lead to greater and greater degrees of intuitive eating.  

And there is something HUGE to say about INTUITIVE EATING because most naturally thin people do it.  

_ _ _


On the other hand, green smoothies ARE my favorite breakfast, really, because I FEEL the best when I drink them.

Energized, even, and just GOOD knowing they are the best for me...green smoothies makes me feel good.

And I know they are making me healthier, giving me enzymes and minerals and vitamins.  The more nutrition I receive, the less hungry I'll be.

Important point to constantly remember.

And because they digest so quickly, they allow you access to your organic energy, so you don't have to ask your adrenals to pump out adrenalyn, energy on reserve.  Using it depletes you.

Green smoothies are just good!  

I'm still hungry, i think i'll have one!

_ _ _  

The other morning I had Sunshine Burger and Leftover Pasta for breakfast.

Whew, what an energy slump that led to!!

_ _ _   

I'll keep Francis' plan and book forefront in my mind.  I'll keep studying it, and allow the info keep washing over me, through me and not expect perfection.   

I think in that way, his education will ultimately change my desires.
After all, if we attack there, and actually change our desires, real change occurs.  Our desires  and behaviors will finally be in alignment.

This is the Roy Masters approach.  (www.fhu.com.)  Roy teaches, "just watch your behavior.  Don't react.  One morning, you'll wake up and you'll do it."  By watching without reacting, we are allowing our Soul, our Spirit, or is it our subconscious (?) to make the change, instead of using effort/ego.

Ego/effort changes never hold.      

_ _ _

My mom has been eating vegan, well, mostly vegan, for quite a while now.

Under my suggestion, she cut out most meat.  She has a taste every now and again.

She also cut out quite a bit of dairy, though she still eats some.  

I have to smile when I open her fridge and see the vegan "ersatz cheese" that she bought herself in the fridge, and her leftover green smoothie from that morning, waiting for her to drink later in the day.  It's also totally cute when she asks me to pick up the mock egg salad she likes from Whole Foods.  What a good mommy I have. 

"Every morning I make the green smoothie," she tells me.  

She is so good.

She even gives a small glass to my dad now in the morning and he DRINKS it.  I never thought I would see the day.   

_ _ _ _

Bad news.

My mom broke the news to me that the Doctor called last week and the lump on her thyroid is bigger.  

They want to take a biopsy next week.  They will probably want to take it out and put her on synthetic hormones.  Of course, i've been advising her against it.

She doesn't want to have more surgery, but they will try to convince her.    

She is amenable to going to see Dr. Arcilla for a live blood test to see if her situation could improve naturally.

We're both going to see him.

Time to bite the bullet and take whatever criticism he hands me, too.  

_ _ _

My mother buys fresh dill weed every week, so that when I visit, I can make a Raw Vegan Ranch Dressing my parents just absolutely LOVE.

I tell my mom weekly, "If daddy would have a salad with this dressing EVERY DAY, and drink green smoothie for breakfast EVERY DAY, and have pasta or potatoes instead of meat for dinner, his Lukemia numbers would go down."  

Every week she says, "Really?"  And really means it.  But she still makes him meat.  

He does love that dressing.  And now the green smoothies!

My parents do hear me, but I think it's a matter of belief, and of conditioning.

It's the same with me!  

We just ALL need constant CONSTANT encouragement and education over and over and over and over.

Really.....we need brain washing.

And we need awareness.

And we need to be connected....spiritually.

Of ourselves, we can do nothing.   

We have to have patience with ourselves until our Highest Self's desires and our desires SYNC.  

_ _ _

I feel really bad about my mom.

Why her diet changes didn't help?

Maybe they did.

Maybe the lump would have been worse by now.

She is on ALOT of meds.

And she has not been walking.

And she doesn't follow vegan or even vegetarian perfectly lately.

She eats white bread and stopped buying the sprouted, so I bought her some more sprouted yesterday.

And she doesn't drink much water.

(deep sigh)
I hope it's not cancer.
_ _ _

I have some lentils on the stove.

They smell so freakin' good.

I boil them in water with fresh garlic and italian herbs until they suck up all of the water, then I add more.

Every time they suck the water up, i add more, until they're done.

In like 30 mins, oila.  
_ _ _

I'll make lentil burgers with them using the Sunshine Burger recipe I told you about.   

The Sunshine Burgers I made the other night are so entirely YUMMERS!

I baked them with a little olive oil.

Half of the batch I made plain with the carrot/celery/onion/garlic.  The other half I added spinach and sage.

MMMmmm! 

_ _ _

I brought my mom a wonderful vegan lunch of leftovers from my house.

Chickpeas with steamed veggies.

Mashed potatoes with vegan butter and vegan cream cheese.

Sunshine Burgers.

Tinkyada Brown Rice spirals with vegan cream of mushroom sauce

I made it with mushrooms, onion, garlic, unsweetened almond milk, vegan cream cheese and vegan parmesan, white wine, salt, vegan butter and olive oil and a little whole wheat flour. 
....and then added chunky peppers, onions and mushrooms.  

She loved it.

Cliff loved it.

I loved it.  

...so much i ate it for breakfast the next day.

Oh yeah, we already went over that. 
_ _ _


Starchy stuff is so yummy, even if it's gluten free, and I invariably overeat it.

I'm supposed to have mostly salad and raw veggies and fruit and had a big plate of starch for dinner.  It was good, but...

Dr. Fuhrman's plan says NO STARCH for obese people.

Ignorence is bliss, I tell ya.     
_ _ _

I felt anxious at my moms today and went right for the cookie cabinet when she went to the bathroom.  A BIG handful of Famous Amos and a handful of chocolate covered grahams down the hatch.  

Compulsions, compulsions. 
_ _ _

Last night I had Greek dairy yogurt on top of frozen fruit with agave drizzled on top.

It was so frickin' good.  I think I will have that every night, and I actually might.

I know dairy is not good, but it tastes so frickin' good and it is fat free and I like the bacteria factor for digestion.

_ _ _

I did, however, buy Fermented Coconut Milk Kefir at Whole Foods to push myself in the right direction.

Blech, not nearly as yummy as the dairy kind, but I might be able to get used to it.

Chock full of healthy bacteria, it is a better choice.

After all, almond milk in my tea is nowhere near as good as dairy milk.  But I can get used to it.   

_ _ _

IN CONCLUSION
When you evaluate your actions and you come up short repeatedly, there is a natural desire to feel really bad about yourself, really guilty, and if you have an eating disorder, to binge, to give up, and to abandon ship, completely.  I'm no good, I'm worthless, I can't do it.

Realizing ahead of time, i KNOW i can't do it, says I'm being authentically me finally.  

I am going to try a better route.

I am going to try to be easy going on myself, as Abraham and Roy Masters suggest.  

Their message is one of TRUST, to be happy right where you are today and now, and just TRUST, that no matter what, things WILL get better, as long as you keep paying attention.  

Be happy eating the wrong thing.  Because eventually you will attract the RIGHT thing into your existence.  

What we usually do and what leads to binges, is we are miserable eating the wrong thing.  Then we can never get enough of it and we NEVER give ourselves the chance to attract the right thing into our existence because we shut awareness down and close our eyes.
This new way is certainly a new way to be.

It is certainly not the FAST approach, but the fast approach often ends up rebounding into a yo-yo situation, so we don't make permanent progress that way, either.  It's when you've fallen so many times that you realize, hey, I don't have the strength to do this on my own anymore.  Then you learn to allow mistakes until you don't need them anymore.  Like a kid learning to ride a bike.  Who expects perfection learning something new except us dieters?  No one.  
Resist the temptation to feel terrible and beat yourself up, and just keep plowing forward, looking at the good in what you do, always.  Always grateful for what good you do.  

...All the while, enjoying, and smiling.  
xoxo michelle joy          

"NEVER BE FAT AGAIN" by RAYMOND FRANCIS

Good day to you all!

After finding the amazing book, "Never Be Fat Again," by Raymond Francis, I feel re-directed, back on track, and so very grateful!

_ _ _ 

Here is a description of the book from Amazon:

Fight Fat at Its True Source . . . Your Cells. 

An M.I.T.-Trained Scientist Explains the ONE Secret You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Keep It Off.

Raymond Francis is the scientist people turn to when diets don't work. His groundbreaking approach treats excess weight for what it really is--a disease caused by malfunctioning cells. As Francis explains, many of the foods we eat every day, especially the 'health' and 'diet' ones we dutifully buy to lose weight, have the opposite effect . Full of hidden toxins and lacking nutrients, they actually poison your cells and alter your weight-control genes, causing your body to put on the pounds. Like he's done for thousands of other people, Raymond Francis can help you turn this fat cycle around and reclaim your waistline--and your health.

His simple yet scientifically supported plan will have you looking and feeling better than you have in years-- in just six weeks. You'll discover:

• Which low-fat and no-fat products actually make you fatter
• How one missing nutrient can signal your body to store fat
• Which food additives are most toxic--and how to spot them on a label
• The 'Big 4' worst foods to eat--with delicious and nutritious alternatives
• How to sneak more fiber- and nutrient-rich foods into your day

Plus, delicious recipes for meals and snacks and week-by-week to-do lists to keep you on track

Your body already knows how to regulate its weight--you just need to give it a fighting chance. Now you can--for life.

_ _ _

So interesting that Dr. Arcilla of the Better Living Lifestyle Center (www.drarcilla.com) has the SAME viewpoint about the cells.  Dr. Arcilla does live cell testing.  That is how we knew I was getting healthier after 21 days on his mostly raw diet, because my cells looked so much more normal.  All of the cells were no longer shaped oval (bad), and furry looking cells (bad) from free radical damage were gone, and there was no more fat running in between the cells, among other things.

So we are not fat because we are weak willed gluttons?

No, we are fat because we have a DISEASE caused by malfunctioning cells!

That takes a lot of the guilt and shame out of it.  
_ _ _  

THE NEVER BE FAT AGAIN DIET
The worst foods to eat that create malfunctioning cells, Raymond Francis says, are WHITE FLOUR, SUGAR, MOST OILS, CORN, ALL PROCESSED FOODS, DAIRY and MOST MEAT.

Francis offers a wise transition plan to help wean oneself away.

_ _ _

Basically, what is left makes up a MOSTLY RAW ORGANIC VEGAN DIET, including:

• raw organic fruits and vegetables
• steamed organic vegetables
• cold pressed organic E.E.V.O, Flax and Hemp oils and grape seed Veganaise
• raw nuts and seeds
• seaweed
• all beans, sprouted or cooked
• sprouted breads on occasion or never
• cooked or sprouted raw starches - brown rice, quinoa, millet, etc... 
• cooked starchy vegetables - potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, etc...
• natural Stevia as a sweetener, and agave, raw honey and molasses only very occasionally or never 
• grass fed organic meats, wild fish, organic free range eggs in very small portions, if desired. 
• Lots of water
• Daily Exercise

It is a common sense WHOLE FOODS PLANT BASED diet very similar to what I learned at the Better Living Lifestyle Center.

Hm, interesting.  Corn and all corn products are no-no's because corn is so corrupted, and even the organic variety has GMO in it, writes Raymond Francis.  No more corn chips!

I love that he recommends soaking beans and nuts/seeds.  This is always a good reminder.

He even recommends soaking starches to improve digestibility, and then eating them raw the next day, or cooking them.

You mean, if I soak brown rice overnight, and then rinse and cook the next day, that improves its digestibility?  I'm excited to try!  

Francis recommends the following food combining:

• Fruit alone or with soaked nuts for Breakfast.  
• Or, soaked / cooked grains for breakfast. 
• Salad, and raw and cooked vegetables with protein for lunch. 
• Salad, and raw and cooked vegetables with starch for dinner. 
• Fruit - or raw nuts - or raw veggies with hummus, etc... for snacks.    

I feel grateful for fruit today, because if sugar is off limits, something sweet is SERIOUSLY appreciated.    

He recommends eating the RAW PORTION of your meal first.  Smart!  I ate my salad first today.  That's what I did at the BLLC, too!  Gettin' back on track!

For an EXCELLENT overview of the book: http://www.diet.com/dietblogs/read_blog.php?title=Never+Be+Fat+Again%3A+The+Science+Behind+Slimming&blid=12013 

_ _ _

WHAT WE ATE YESTERDAY

Yesterday, we had green smoothie for breakfast: spinach, papaya, pineapple, banana.

For Lunch, we had vegetables with chick peas sauteed in olive oil, and sprouted grain garlic bread, using an organic vegan soy butter.

Raymond says that we should never use HIGH HEAT when cooking, and always use cold pressed E.V.O.O..  It takes a lot longer for the veggies to cook on medium or low heat, but they tasted good, are more nutritious, and that way, we're not creating toxins with overheating the oil.  

Also, no more microwaving.  We're heating up our food on the stove on low. 

For dinner, I forget what Cliff had.  I had leftover chick peas and veggies, and a smoothie.

Having a smoothie for dessert was bad food combining....but I'm weaning.  It's okay.  It's alot better than sugary chocolate or cookies, what I've been eating. 

The idea of "weaning" is so freeing...and gives me lots of leeway to start, and really helps me from feeling I have to be perfect.  I so appreciate that.   

No black and white.  Just what I need to succeed!  Easy going, relaxed.  No rules, just guidelines to work my way into!  NO STRESS!!!

Oh, and my dessert smoothie was super delicious: banana, blueberry, carob, brazil nut, vanilla.  A real winner~!   

For snack, I had an apple and 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds while watching Downton Abbey.  I LOVE THAT SHOW!!!

_ _ _

SUPERMARKET SHOPPING TO NEVER BE FAT AGAIN
Today, i went to the Market and carefully shopped.  I filled my cart with canned beans, bagged beans, sprouted grain bread, Tinkyada brown rice pastas (the best gluten free pastas), brown rice, unsweetened almond milk, raw nuts, plenty of organic produce.

It's really important to have things that can be prepared quickly for when we don't have time or are really hungry or tempted, like canned beans and boxed almond milk.

It was a new-fangled shopping experience.  It was very peaceful.  I guess that's because I wasn't buying lots of stimulating toxic foods....which stimulate me when I buy them!!

Usually I go hyper hog wild buying processed veggie burgers and veggie meats.  As I do this, i always feel excited  and guilty.  First of all, they are so expensive.  And secondly, that little voice inside of me knows they are insanely addictive and I'm better off without them.  Plus, they bloat me.  They're very salty.  I always tell myself, 'This time, i'll eat them in moderation.'  But most of the time I binge on them.  I can go through 2 or 3 boxes of veggie burgers in one day.  Frankly, I'm glad processed is out.  It feels right.  And, as I passed the aisle with the veggie meats, I sadly said, "Bye Bye..."

I'm excited to make cooked vegan Sunshine Burgers this week.  They are an excellent replacement to boxed veggie burgers.  You take cooked brown rice, chick peas, almonds or sunflower seeds, celery, garlic, onion, carrot, or whatever veggies you want, and some salt, and process using S blade in Cuisinart.  Then form the dough into patties and bake or pan fry.  They are so good and so much better for you.  My friend, Talia, taught me how to make them. When I told her how much I love boxed veggie burgers, she looked so sad and grimaced and said, "Don't you know how to make Sunshine Burgers?"  I'm so glad she taught me.  They are soo soo soo good!!!  

(You know when I was talking about Abraham saying to eat what we believe will help us?  When you get a stimulating guilty charge buying or eating something, it's probably not something that is helping!!!)

I also bypassed lots of things with hidden sugars that we enjoy, like ketchup, applesauce, baked beans, etc...

I passed the cracker, cookie, bread aisle, and headed straight for the sprouted breads.

Surprise! The Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Breads were on sale.  50% off!!

_ _ _

NO WHITE FLOUR / NO SUGARLooking back in my dieting history, there were two times in my life where I lost large amounts of weight and kept it off - 5 or so years ago, when I was raw vegan for 3.5 years, and in my 20's when I was on O.A. HOW.

On both of these programs WHITE FLOUR and SUGAR were off limits.

On both of these programs, foods were seriously restricted.

I find it interesting to note that these were the only two plans that ever "worked" for me and produced somewhat lasting results.

Al Roker, who is maintaining a 100 lb weight loss, follows the same type of restricted plan.  He says this works best for him.    

Did anyone see Al Roker on Dateline last night?  He is on a whole foods based diet, too, and is totally off of white flour, gluten and sugar, too.  You see, I think it works.  These are addictive substances, and, they give us cravings and make us fat.   

_ _ _

WHAT WE ATE TODAY
For breakfast today, we had green smoothie: spirulina, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, spinach.

For Linner, we had: home made cole slaw with Veganaise, a humongous salad with homemade vegan Ceasar dressing, sprouted bread, leftover steamed veggies with chick peas, and Cliff had some leftover fake sausages.  

I'm aiming to re-establish my 2 meals, but tonight I plan on having a fruit-based snack, if I need it.

_ _ _


It feels so good to be back on track today!

After only one day of doing better, I awoke this morning actually feeling GOOD.

xoxo michelle joy