tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-483163454660724632024-03-14T00:59:52.786-07:00Pure Raw Joy!A sacred special place to share openly and honestly about my journey with raw food, cooked food, food addiction, compulsive eating, weight gain/loss, overcoming binge/emotional eating, making peace with gourmet raw, the 80-10-10 diet, and cooked vegetarian eating, and recapturing my freedom, creativity and personal power! Email me at LaSoprana@aol.com!MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.comBlogger594125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-46283580053893681712014-09-18T15:24:00.004-07:002014-09-18T15:24:37.052-07:00NEW BLOG!<br />Hiya, Friends, <br /><br />It's been a whole year since I've blogged! Oh my! I miss being in contact with you! <br /><br />You can find me on my new blog, PURE MICHELLE JOY: <br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">http://puremichellejoy.blogspot.com/</span></div>
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I hope to see you there!<br />
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xoxo Michelle JoyMICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-9848773073332524652013-11-26T19:40:00.005-08:002013-11-26T19:43:40.898-08:00<br />
Hiya, Folks,<br />
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It'll be 9 weeks on Friday that I have been working Kathryn Hansen's book, "BRAIN OVER BINGE." My results have been incredible and groundbreaking. I have STOPPED binge eating!<br />
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<a href="http://cdn.quitbingeeating.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/BrainOverBinge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stop Binge Eating: Brain Over Binge by Kathryn Hansen" border="0" src="http://cdn.quitbingeeating.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/BrainOverBinge.png" /></a></div>
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It is such an amazing feeling to know that FINALLY my binge eating days are over, but also one of sheer astonishment as to the simplicity of the solution. It is natural and pure common sense. <br />
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One one level, recovery is complicated, which has made writing posts challenging. (I've written about 6 posts I never posted.) They just became so complicated. <br />
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On another level, recovery is so simple, it's effortless most of the time. <br />
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I started working the BRAIN OVER BINGE program on September 27th, and similar to Kathryn's experience, I experienced two slips back into old behavior after the 2nd week, but these were an integral part of my recovery. These slips were totally different now, and I actually saw binge eating for what it was, a habit I perpetuated by continuing to act on binge urges. I saw myself think the urge, I saw myself act on it, habitually, giving creed to the irrational urge. I wasn't even enjoying the food. I enjoyed the food MORE at dinner time, when I was hungry. Binge eating now seemed pointless, yet I gave in habitually, all the while seeing that the behavior now made no sense. Binge eating was a creation of my mind, a reaction that stemmed from dieting, a behavior I chose to do, which became a destructive habit maintained by irrational and faulty beliefs. <br />
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I have been binge free since.<br />
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I eat today when I'm hungry and stop when i'm full and I ignore urges to binge. And that's it. <br />
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The binge urges have for the most part, dissappeared. <br />
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The simple method Hansen teaches to end binge eating IS the answer.<br />
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I implore you to investigate the book or the website www.brainoverbinge.com if you suffer from binge eating. <br />
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I have met wonderful women on the "B.O.B." website Forum. <br />
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One of them, Mary Ann, created a Forum herself, which is found on her website. Here we communicate with each other, and other binge sufferers can discover how to recover using B.O.B principals, and principals from other books that have been meaningful to Mary Ann.<br />
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www.AwakeningPerspectives.com<br />
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I just spent 10 days at <b>The Better Living Lifestyle Center</b> (www.DrArcilla.com), working as Raw and Vegan Chef. <br />
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It was wonderful creating new and exciting recipes daily, and living a high raw vegan program again!<br />
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I look forward to sharing some new recipes with you in the future. <br />
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All in all, I feel like, finally, everything is coming together for me. Binge eating is gone and I'm losing weight very slowly and naturally, eating health-giving food. I finally have high hopes for a binge-free future!<br />
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xoxo michelle joyMICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-63676411180990594872013-10-04T21:19:00.002-07:002013-10-04T21:29:35.543-07:00HOW TO STOP BINGE EATING - "BRAIN OVER BINGE" BY KATHRYN HANSEN<br />
Hello there!<br />
<br />
So here's the scoop. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.optimumhealth.org/uploadedImages/Locations_and_Rates/San_Diego_Campus/ohisd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OHI San Diego" border="0" src="http://www.optimumhealth.org/uploadedImages/Locations_and_Rates/San_Diego_Campus/ohisd.jpg" /></a>Last I wrote, I was planning on going back to OHI (www.optimumhealth.org) in December for another 6-8 months to lose weight and stop binge eating again, by getting back on a 100% raw vegan diet, in the intensely structured environment of this most wonderful raw retreat.<br />
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My father had offered to send me. Thank you, Dad!<br />
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I filled out the online application, sent the required essay (which unbeknownst to me needed to be under a certain number of words and had to be rewritten, ahem, SEVERAL times), sent the required photo, recommendation letters, etc..., only to hear nothing back from OHI after a week. I called and left a message. <br />
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After another week, I called again. And again. <br />
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On my third try, finally, someone answered in the missionary office. "Who is calling?," Darlene, the head of missionaries asked, perplexed, not recognizing my name. "I don't have your application. Are you sure you sent it?"<br />
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"Uh.......it took me almost an entire DAY to get that application together. Of course I am sure I sent it." I gave some attitude. <br />
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Well. They never got it. <br />
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Must have been a computer glitch. <br />
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By then, with the application snafu, I was already feeling like God was just not WANTING this 2nd long term trip to OHI to happen, when my father began complaining, in ernest, about pretty hefty money problems ($6,000 dental bill and a $3,000 repair bill from the car which would no longer drive in reverse). <br />
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"Honey, I think you'll have to find something LOCAL," he admitted.<br />
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Sensing how the tide was turning, I knew it was time for me to seek out more answers, on my own.<br />
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I mourned the loss of the dream of running away to OHI for a while, and then one day, soon afterwards, searching for a cure for my incessantly continual binge eating, I found this video on youtube on HOW TO STOP BINGE EATING.<br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">HOW TO STOP BINGE EATING</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFuOEA0oKWY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFuOEA0oKWY</a></b></span><br />
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The video is of a young teenager who was bulimic, and who is no longer bulimic, after following a book called <b>"Brain Over Binge."</b> True, she was only in the beginning honeymoon stage of recovery, but I had to admit, it sounded interesting. </div>
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Really curious, I ordered the book that had made such an impact on her, <b>"Brain Over Binge,"</b> by Kathryn Hansen, from Amazon. (My local Barnes and Noble did not have it, nor could they order it, as it was a limited printing, I was told.) I bought the book easily on amazon.com, here:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BRAIN OVER BINGE BY KATHRYN HANSEN - AMAZON.COM</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brain-over-Binge-Conventional-Recovered/dp/0984481702/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380945403&sr=8-1&keywords=brain+over+binge">http://www.amazon.com/Brain-over-Binge-Conventional-Recovered/dp/0984481702/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380945403&sr=8-1&keywords=brain+over+binge</a></div>
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The book arrived about a week later. <br />
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The book....is beyond brilliant. <br />
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<i>Way </i>beyond. <br />
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I know...........this blog is NO stranger to the excited, "I found the cure!" posts. <br />
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But I did. I FOUND THE CURE! <br />
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And this is where you will find it. In this book: <br />
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z6CpyZiwL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /><br />
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And it is so simple, you will kick yourself. <br />
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Now, granted it is only DAY 8 of NO BINGE EATING AND NO DIETING following the book..., but <u>I KNOW with such confidence now</u> that as long as I continue to follow the simple steps (by the way, ridiculously simple) to end binge eating outlined in Hansen's book, (as I HAVE been over these last 8 days), </div>
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<u>I will NEVER binge again</u>.</div>
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You heard me right. I will never binge again. <br />
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I know for a certainty, that if this is what I want to happen, never to binge, ever again, (and I do, never want to binge again), <u>then I KNOW I will never binge again</u>.<br />
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How many of you could say that....with certainty? <br />
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Now, if I WANT to binge again, I will. <br />
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But if I don't want to, how do I know this with such certainty? <br />
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I'll be explaining in the coming days. You just gotta hold on, there is so much to tell! <br />
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What is also interesting to note, is that over these last 8 days, I have positively <u>increased</u> in my desire to get back to eating more raw food, rather than the opposite, which you might think would happen, giving up dieting.<br /><br />Funny. Now that I can finally HAVE EVERYTHING I WANT (to eat), instead of wanting it all, I am left asking, <i>"Yes, but now, what do you really <u>CHOOSE</u>?"<br /></i>I think this time away from binge eating has served to heighten my awareness of just how BAD I feel. And I just felt so good on raw, and want to feel good again, despite the fact that raw food eating does NOT STOP binge eating, as I proved during my frequent raw food binges over the 3.5 years I was raw.<br />
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Now, I am coming to it from a place of CHOICE rather than NEED. <br />
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And I don't think I will do 100% raw. And I really have no fear about it. Because I now know that stopping binge eating has NOTHING to do with food choices. <br /><br />It has everything to do with <u>the brain</u>. <br />
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Much much more coming on that. <br /><br />In conclusion, I just want to THANK GOD for leading me to this miraculous book. <br />
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(If it is right for me, God will clear a path back to OHI. But I have an inkling that God knows that I can do this now, by myself. How empowering.) (And now that binge eating is out of the way, I can really do whatever I want to with my diet. So freeing!)<br />
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I am SO grateful to Kathryn Hansen for her amazing insight, for documenting her experience, and for sharing what she learned so effectively, so that other suffering binge eaters, could learn they TOO could STOP binge eating! <br />
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I look forward to sharing with you more about my experience, and more about this simple technique described in this incredibly well-written, intensely logical, amazingly practical, and most persuasive book, <b>"Brain Over Binge."</b><br />
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If you are a binge eater, and you want to stop, I urge you to get the book. You will NOT regret it. <br />
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In the meantime, you can look over Kathryn's website, <b>www.brainoverbinge.com</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">KATHRYN HANSEN</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">AUTHOR OF "BRAIN OVER BINGE"</span></b></div>
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<img src="http://www.brainoverbinge.com/s/cc_images/cache_781665904.jpg?t=1366775356" /></div>
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P.S. I know there are some of you that just enjoy raw recipes and inspiration, as you have no particular problems with binge eating. In light of this, I've decided to shut off the automatic sending of my blog posts, after this post. So, if you are interested in reading about this new journey with ending binge eating, please go directly to my blog to read my new posts. <br />
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I thank you for your support, look forward to better days again, and as always, ask God to bless you!<br />
xoxo michelle joyMICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-17355044913033640962013-09-08T15:03:00.001-07:002013-09-08T15:04:44.110-07:00O.H.I. HERE I COME...AND THE BEST COOKED VEGAN MEATLOAF YOU WILL EVER TASTE!!!<br />
Good News People!<br />
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I just filled out an application for the Missionay program at Optimum Health Institute, www.OptimumHealth.org!!!<br />
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<img alt="Optimum Health Institute San Diego" src="http://www.optimumhealth.org/uploadedImages/large1.jpg" /><br />
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This is the raw retreat that I went to before starting this blog, where I lost 145 lbs., and started my 3.5 year raw life. Please pray for my acceptance back into the program! It helped me tremendously 6 years ago, and I am praying to be blessed to be accepted back for a six month or longer stay. Pray, pray, pray!<br />
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In other news, I just wanted to give you an amazing recipe I just created. This is a cooked vegan Meatloaf recipe that I just came up with using what I had at home, and it is so good, I can't quite believe it, and I had to share it with you. It's not raw, but I do believe this recipe could be converted to raw vegan with some thought and work. So, I've done the thought and work for you, and I've added those ideas below!!!<br />
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While I'm still around, I might as well ENJOY before I'm floating in a sea of wheatgrass and Rejuvelac!!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">OMG, it was the meatiest fake meatloaf I have EVER had in my LIFE!!! So so good!</span></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Vegetarian Mushroom-Walnut Meatloaf Recipe" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/250x250/00/93/60/936008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">someone else's pic from online, but mine kinda looked like this!!!</td></tr>
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<b>COOKED VEGAN VEGGIE MEATLOAF</b><br />
<i>In large workbowl, add: </i>1/2 lb (uncooked dry measure) regular brown lentil beans, cooked in water<br />
1 cup old fashioned oats<br />
1/2 cup jarred vegan tomato sauce<br />
1/3 cup veggie parmesan<br />
1/2 cup olive oil<br />
1 Tbsp Himalayan salt<br />
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<i>In Cuisinart with S blade, process finely together: </i><br />
2 cups raw brazil nuts<br />
1 cup old fashioned oats<br />
1.5 cups baby bella mushrooms<br />
1 large carrot or 3 skinny old ones like I had<br />
1 cup of raw leeks<br />
1 small onion<br />
3 cloves fresh garlic<br />
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves<br />
1 tsp fresh rosemary<br />
1 tsp fresh thyme<br />
1 tsp fresh oregano<br />
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<i>Add processed brazil nut mixture to lentil mixture in large work bowl, and with hands, mix thoroughly until well combined. This mixture will be very moist and will not hold together, but it will after it is cooked and well rested. </i><br />
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<i>Preheat oven to 400. <br /><br />Plop the mixture into the bottom of a greased large rectangular pyrex. Mold the mix into a meatloaf shape. Bake on 400 for 1 hour. <br /><br />Then, to create a ketchup-like topping, mix the following in a small bowl and spread ontop of the meatloaf while still in the oven. <br /> </i><br />
1 cup vegan tomato sauce<br />
1/4 cup agave<br />
juice of 1 lemon<br />
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Bake for another 15 mins. Turn off the oven and allow the meatloaf to stay in the oven for another 30 mins with the heat off.<br />
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If served now, it will be soft and delicious and hot. <br />
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But it is even better after it sits out 4 or 5 hours because it will really firm up amazingly and become almost EXACT meatloaf consistency. OMG, SO GOOD!! <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">AMAZING!!!</span></b></div>
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<b>RAW VEGAN VEGGIE MEATLOAF SUGGESTIONS: </b>To create this meatloaf RAW VEGAN, you can sprout 1/2 lbs of lentil beans and process them in the food processor with S blade. If you don't mind using steel cut oats, you could soak them overnight and process them as well. I think one cup total would suffice. If you don't want to use the oats, I think you could use 1/2 cup flax powder total and get pretty good consistency. Instead of parmesan cheese, you could use 1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast flakes mixed with 2 Tbsp flax powder (to give cheesy flavor and elastic quality). Instead of jarred tomato sauce, you can use 10 sun dried tomatoes, soaked and processed along with all of the other vegetables. Try 1/2 Tbsp salt first and add more if you need it. I would mix the whole thing up and place on teflex in the dehydrator overnight on 105. For the topping, you could use 10 sundried tomatoes, rehydrated, blenderized with a little soak water, agave, lemon, and some salt. You could slather that on the meatloaf in the morning and let it dry another half or whole day.<br />
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In fact, that sounds YUMMY and I am excited to try this raw version!! If you try either version, please let me know!!!! <br />
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<i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-53668161765840612232013-08-23T17:26:00.000-07:002013-08-23T17:26:00.388-07:00LIFESTYLE CHANGES TRUMP ANY DIET<br />
<img alt="PORTION_SIZE_640.jpg" height="223" src="http://a57.foxnews.com/global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/fn2/video/660/371/PORTION_SIZE_640.jpg?ve=1" width="400" /><br />
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<i>Article By Christopher Wanjek</i><br />
<i>Published August 21, 2013</i><br />
<i>Live Science</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's the best diet for maintaining a healthy weight and warding off chronic diseases? Is it a low-carb diet, a high-carb diet, an all-vegetable diet, a no-vegetable diet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Researchers say you'd be better off just forgetting the word diet, according to an editorial published August 20 in the<i style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Journal of the American Medical Association</i> (JAMA).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Two researchers Sherry Pagoto of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass., and Bradley Appelhans of the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago call for an end to the so-called diet wars, because they are all equally as good, or bad, in helping people fight obesity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />In the end, patients only get confused thinking that one diet is superior to another, they said, when in fact <b>changes in lifestyle</b>, not diet types, are the true ways to prevent weight gain and the associated ills of diabetes and circulatory disease.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"The amount of resources that have gone into studying 'what' to eat is incredible, and years of research indicate that it doesn't really matter, as long as overall calories are reduced," Appelhans told LiveScience. "What does matter is 'how' to eat, as well as other things in lifestyle interventions, such as physical activity and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">supportive behaviors that help people stay on track [in the] long term."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The researchers cite numerous studies that demonstrated only moderate success with various types of diet that focus on macronutrients: protein, fat or carbohydrates; but regardless of diet, without a lifestyle change, the weight comes back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Conversely, several large and recent studies such as the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study and the China Da Qing Diabetes Prevention Study found lower weight and lower incidence of diabetes among study participants many years after the study's initial completion because the subjects were taught how to lose weight through lifestyle interventions.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Lifestyle trumps diet</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pagoto described lifestyle interventions as three-prong: dietary counseling <i>(how to control portions, reduce high-calorie foods and navigate restaurants)</i>, exercise counseling <i>(how to set goals, target heart rate and exercise safely)</i>, and behavioral modification <i>(how to self-monitor, problem solve, stay motivated and understand hunger)</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"The 'diet' used within a lifestyle intervention can be low-fat, low-carb, etc. It doesn't matter," Pagoto said. "In fact, at least one study compared a low-fat lifestyle intervention with a low-carb lifestyle intervention, and it made no difference. The diet itself [is not] instrumental to the lifestyle interventions success; it is the behavioral piece that is key."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Pagoto agreed that <b>a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of weight gain and heart disease. A massive study involving more than 70,000 Seventh-Day Adventists, published in JAMA in June, found that dedicated vegetarians and pesco-vegetarians (who eat fish) live longer than meat eaters. </b>But that doesn't mean a vegetarian diet is all it takes to help you stay healthy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />"Adherence is key, and the way to destroy adherence is forcing foods on someone they do not like, do not know how to prepare, or can't afford," Pagoto said.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Why diets go wrong</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Indeed, the authors wrote that the only consistent fact in all the diet studies is that <u>adherence is the element most strongly associated with weight loss and disease risk reduction</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pagoto described five challenges to any diet that she sees with her patients: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">having no time to cook or exercise</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">being too stressed out</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">having family members bring junk food home</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not having anyone to exercise with or feeling awkward exercising</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and feel hungry all the time </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ratio of fat to carb to protein doesn't come into play.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Most her of obese patients understand which foods are healthful and unhealthful, she said. So she works with her patients to find ways to make healthy behaviors more routine, regardless of the patient's type of diet.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Pagoto and Appelhans call for more research on <u>diet adherence</u>. The authors described the amount of adherence research as miniscule compared to that on studying the large fad diets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Similarly, the general population knows more about nuances of these diets (Atkins, South Beach, the Zone), and such, than they do about <u>the basics of adherence</u>; and that, the authors said, <u>is central to the obesity epidemic</u>.</span></div>
<span style="border: 0px none; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08/21/losing-weight-lifestyle-changes-trump-any-diet/?intcmp=trending#ixzz2clJNIy8V" style="color: #003399; cursor: pointer; outline: none 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08/21/losing-weight-lifestyle-changes-trump-any-diet/?intcmp=trending#ixzz2clJNIy8V</a></span><br />
_______________________________________________________________________________<br /><br />HI Folks, I thought this was a VERY interesting article. The main point is - persistence wins - no matter what kind of plan we follow - 50% raw or 100% raw. Intellectual constipation and paralysis about 'what' diet is best become irrelevent if we can't stick with it. We need to just <u>adhere</u> to a healthy plan and change our behaviors for good.<br /><br />xoxox michelle joy MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-1284276953217143652013-08-22T19:18:00.002-07:002013-08-22T19:18:51.312-07:00ATTACKED AT THE KNEES<br /><b>WHAT I ATE TODAY<br /></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>BR</b>: steel cut oatmeal, 1 nectarine, 1 peach, blueberries </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>SN</b>: 1 vegan yogurt, 130 cals </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>SN</b>: some tastes of raw mock toona </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>LN</b>: guacamole and raw corn crackers </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>DN</b>: 2 homemade veggie burgers, lettuce, tomato, raw brazil nut pate', raw ranch dressing</blockquote>
<br />Binge free for 11th day, yay, but today was not without <i>significant </i>challenges. <br /><br />I was bored today and boredom is one of the biggest challenges to overcome and to not eat when one is a binge eater. I saw it and said, "I am so bored, all I want to do is compulsively eat!" I don't know how I managed to walk away from it relatively unscathed. <br /><br />Cliff wanted to take me to work today. So picking me up avoided any possibility of an after-work binge, that I might have succumbed to had I driven myself. God must be cradling me in his arms to have arranged that. <br />
<br />The truth was the boredom was mixed with a seriously healthy does of <i>fear</i>. I am injured and experiencing significant physical distress. The feeling I was holding water in my legs?....was not water. It is a tendonitis of sorts, exactly what I went through at Dr. Arcillas. I have apparently overtaxed ligaments or tendons in my knees again. <br /><br /><img alt="Anatomical illustration of knee" src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/image_article_collections/anatomy_pages/knee.jpg" /><br /><br />But how? Starting a walking program again? Stopping my heavy duty workouts with my trainer because I ran out of money and had to get my car fixed? Being on my feet too long at work? Showing a friend that funny walk Dr. Arcilla taught me that seemed to hurt my knees before?<br /><br />I think all of the above have played a role in my present incapacitated predicament. <br /><br />My first thougtht was to feel terribly sorry for myself and blame the Enemy, in Judeo Christian terms, Satan, and to ask why he is attacking me, (literally) "cutting me off at the knees," when I am finally doing better?<br /><br />Struggling to get around, I had to ask God for help several times today to get through the day without leaning on food. <br /><br />My second thought was that I am experiencing a detox, and that whatever toxins I'm releasing, are pooling in my knees (?). Is that irrational? I may be only 50% raw, maybe less, on some days. Dr. Arcilla seemed to think the tendonitis before was caused <i>exclusively</i> by detox and had nothing to do with injury or weakness or the funny walk he taught me. <br /><br />All I know is, I can barely walk and my legs want to buckle. My knees feel like the tightest rubber bands, I am limping, and in pain. <br /><br />Furthermore, I <i>have</i> been experiencing alot of all over body stiffness lately, come to think of it, and maybe that is from acids detoxing? Could my diet be MORE ACIDIC NOW than it was BEFORE? Too much fruit and grains? <br /><br />I don't know what's going on. <br /><br />Tonight I am going to take Dr. Morse's HEAL ALL TEA, that my wonderful friend, Joy, sent to me. I will mix that with the Chinese pooping tea Dr. Arcilla prescribed. Maybe all of that will help clear whatever is inflaming me.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have to be on feet all day again tomorrow...<br /><br />xoxo michelle joy MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-8890791194804292602013-08-21T15:16:00.001-07:002013-08-21T17:59:15.331-07:00TWO BONUS RECIPES! VEGAN VEGGIE BURGERS & RAW MOCK CHICK'N SALAD!!<br />
Howdy on this beautiful day! <br />
<br />
Tuesday, August 20, 2013<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">WHAT I ATE:</span></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>BR</b>: <b>Green Smoothie</b>: <i>banana, spirulina, 2 pear, peach, pineapple, one date</i>; <b>steel cut oatmeal</b> <i>with fresh blueberry and ground up apple</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>LN</b>: <b>Lunch Out</b> - <i>big salad with chick peas, roasted artichoke, roasted red pepper, fresh cukes, tomato, carrot, red onion w/ a little balsamic, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp. russian dressing </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>SN</b>: <b>fresh juice </b>- <i>1.5 apples, pineapple, 1/2 lime, 1/2 lemon</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>DN</b>: <b>cooked whole foods vegan dinner</b> - <i>2 homemade veggie burgers, a little leftover mushroom mix with quinoa</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><u>Walk</u></b>: good 40 mins walk at the zoo and at the mall. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<br />
I had a good but very trying day, emotionally. Today was day 9, no binges, (YAY!!) but I felt ALOT of uncomfortable emotions and fears surface, namely discouragement and fear I wasn't losing weight fast enough, through much of the day. I am absolutely positive this diet is GREAT for my binge eating (not compulsive). But I was left feeling very worried about how it would affect my WEIGHT. I did get weighed and there is a good loss, but I've lost ALOT more on more RADICAL diets. <br />
<br />
Knowing my eating is under control (THANK YOU GOD) and that this eating plan is moderate and thus SUSTAINABLE helped pull through the discouragement about slow loss. Better to lose slow and keep it off, really changing my habits, than to lose super fast and gain it all back in a week. <br />
<br />
Cliff and I decided it is best to weigh myself no more than 1x/month. <br />
<br />
Food wise, it was another good day. <br />
<br />
I tried to eat less meals, but was unsuccessful. <br />
<br />
We took a walk at a mall. <br />
<br />
After our big breakfast, we were hungry around 3pm.<br />
<br />
We went to this great pizza shop near the zoo we know that serves awesome salads. I got a huge salad with such good fixings. <u> That was the best salad I've had in a long time. </u> Can we say ROASTED ARTICHOKE? OMG, wanna give up SOY? Just roast up some canned or jarred asparagus. I swear, those artichoke hearts had the meatiness of wheat meat or soy meat, without being BAD. They were so the bomb, I just got back from the market with two jars of what-do-you-think? Artichoke hearts. <br />
<br />
No processed fake-meats anymore. Yay. <br />
<br />
We went for a good walk at the zoo. <i>p.s. I pet and fed the giraffe....and pet Ollie, the goat :-) Luscious!!!!!!!!! </i><br />
<br />
When we got home from the zoo, we were so parched from the heat, I made a quick cold fresh juice using a method I learned in Victoria Boutenko's raw cooking video the other night. You just throw everything with water into the Vitamix, add a little ice, blend, pour through a nutmilk bag, and oila', fresh juice faster than any juicer I've ever used. Fabulous!!<br />
<br />
The veggie burgers I made for dinner are awesome but came out bland because i'm being very judicious with the salt, though it pains me. But they ARE good. I did them 4 at a time in a teflon pan. I made a lot, like 12. I was on my feet all night (and worked all day). I was pooped. <br />
<br />
Curiously, my feet did NOT hurt at work today. (Interesting because i was on them the previous day all day AND night). <br />
<br />
Next time i eat fish or dairy, i will let you know if they hurt.<br />
<br />
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+ + + + + + + + + + + </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>VEGAN HOMEMADE VEGGIE BURGERS</u></span></b></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b></b><br /></span>
<br />
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<b><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>1,000 FLAVOR COMBINATIONS!</u></span></b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<i><br />For vegan homemade veggie burgers, i follow a format - <b>veggie / nut / grain / bean</b>. I learned this from my friend Talia. She had the saddest look on her face when i told her I <u>loved</u> boxed veggie burgers. Now Talia smiles when I tell her what I've made. </i><i>Using this format, you can make literally thousands of veggie burger flavors!</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Last night I made:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u>veggie</u></b>: <i>redbeets, onion, thyme, mushroom, carrot, celery, garlic</i> (food processed, raw)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u>nut</u></b>: <i>cashew </i>(food processed, raw)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u>grain</u></b>: <i>quinoa/barley/oatmeal</i> (left whole, cooked)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u>bean</u></b>: <i>red kidney beans</i> (left whole, cooked) </span></blockquote>
I mishmoshed it all together and formed patties. It is actually SO much easier to bake them, which I will do next time. duh!<br />
<br />
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+ + + + + + + + + + ++ + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ + + </div>
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<br /></div>
Wednesday, August 21, 2013<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Br</b>: <b>no breakfast: </b><i>iced green tea, unsweetened</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Sn</b>: <b>smoothie</b>: <i>banana, almond milk, vanilla</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Sn</b>: <b>starving: </b><i>4 oz. raw mock chick'n salad</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Ln</b>: <b>very big garden salad </b><i>with 8 oz. raw mock chick'n salad and raw ranch dressing</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Dn</b>: <b>cooked vegan whole foods dinner: </b><i>1 homemade veggie burger, 2 slices sprouted grain Ezekiel bread, sliced tomato</i></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Sn</b>: <b>late night hunger</b> - <i>1 veggie burger, 3 peaches</i> </span></blockquote>
<br />
I woke up this morning not feeling hungry! I guess dinner was heavier than I thought! <br />
<br />
Boy, when it finally hit me, it hit! The banana smoothie (only about 1 banana in it) did little to fill my belly. The raw mock chick'n salad I'd made quieted it for the moment and was MMM...so good!!<br />
<br />
It was so good, in fact, I had a lot more for lunch. MMMMM!!!<br />
<br />
I thought I could perhaps get away without any dinner tonight, but around 5pm, I felt famished. <br /><br />And I didn't plan on having bread, but the sprouted Ezekiel was staring me in the face after Cliff's dinner. <br /><br />And then 9pm, I was starving again! Oh my.....<br /><br />No walk tonight.... :-((<br /><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">+ + + + + + + + + + + + </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have real amounts, but here's how you can make a phenomenal raw mock chick'n. <u>Guestimated amounts!</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<b><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RAW MOCK CHICK'N SALAD</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about 4 cups almond pulp</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">scallions, maybe 1/3 cup sliced</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">herbs chopped: fresh rosemary, thyme, dillweed, and some dried poultry seasoning</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chopped celery, maybe 2 cups, fine</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lemon, a few Tbsps</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salt, maybe 1/2 Tbsp</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">garlic, one clove crushed</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cashew cream, about 1 cup</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My legs felt heavy and my knees really bothered me today....feels like I'm holding water again. So frustrating. Despite my best efforts, there is salt everywhere and my poor tounge calls for it. The salad out-to-eat must have had alot of hidden sodium in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the mock chick'n salad has salt. But I couldn't resist, I was so hungry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good news....day 10 binge free! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My co-worker at Raw Can Roll said I am indeed looking better. That makes it all worth it.</span><br />
<br />
<i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-77130243295687923852013-08-19T18:29:00.002-07:002013-08-19T18:30:36.169-07:00DAY 8 - DOING GREAT! BONUS: COOKED VEGAN RECIPE FOR UNCREAMED MUSHROOMS...DELISH!<br />
<br />
Hiya!<br />
<br />
Today was my 8th day of in-control whole foods eating with no binges! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SUNDAY NIGHT</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Dinner</b>: <u>Dad's Birthday Dinner</u> - very small salad with russian dressing on side, "Seasonal Vegetable Platter," <i>a cooked veggie platter containing broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, string beans, asparagus, and potato</i>; a few bites of fish, less than 1/2 cup of birthday ice cream cake dessert. </blockquote>
<br />
<b>Notes:</b><u>Dad's Birthday Dinner</u> - I thought hard about what I would do last night when we took my parents out to dinner to celebrate my dad's 79th birthday. I asked God to help me make sane choices. I was so pleased with how I did at dinner. I felt totally in control. I ate no bread because I didn't want any. I enjoyed salad and the Vegetable Platter very much. I had a little bit of fish, probably about 1/3 cup, because I was still hungry after my veggies, and both Cliff and my mom, who both ordered fish, were having a hard time finishing theirs. I had very little dessert. Just enough. It was a perfect treat night. A little bit of something but nothing veered out of control. Thank God. I had no binge impulses after coming home and enjoyed my meal and the company and celebration!<br />
<br />
<u>Consequences</u> - My feet hurt at work badly. I wondered if it was from the salmon or the dairy in the icecream cake? My feet didn't seem to hurt last week eating no fish/dairy. Something to keep track of, which will inform my choices in future. My feet hurt soooo bad!! So now we get to the crux of it all - what is worth it when I truly realize/come to terms with the consequences. <i>The only way to do that is to journal how I feel after I eat! So, hello there!!! </i>I also had a hard time singing in the morning with some reflux, but was okay soon enough. We listened to the LOVE STATION on Serius Radio and I enjoyed singing along to love songs ALL DAY!!!! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>MONDAY</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Today I worked at Raw Can Roll Cafe. </div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>BR:</b> <b>steel cut oats in car before work</b> <i>(less than 1/2 cup cooked), 1 peach, 3/4 cup blueberries</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>SN:</b> <b>protein smoothie</b>: <i>almond milk, banana, peanut butter, cacao</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>L:</b> <b>raw lunch salad:</b> <i>large salad with scoop of dry mock chick'n, and my salt free cilantro cashew dressing</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>D: cooked vegan whole foods dinner: </b><i>3/4 cup mixed quioa and barley, cooked cauliflower, cooked mushrooms, rinsed canned red beans, cashew cream. </i> </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Walk</b>: 2 miles up hills to Pretzel Park, down to Main Street, up Baker Street, whew! Good walk. </blockquote>
<br />
<b>Notes:</b><br />
<u>Steel Cut Oats Breakfast</u> - I make a big pot of them the night before. I served myself a serving in a tupperware and slice fruit over it and ate just before work. The peaches were so SO sweet, I didn't miss the agave...or honey!!!!!<br />
<br />
<u>Protein Smoothie</u>: Felt very hungry about 12:00. My breakfast at 8am was not that oatmealy, more fruity. I decided for the Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie at Raw Can Roll Cafe. Definitely not as yummy without the agave, but still good. Tasted more like Peanut Butter Mylk.<br />
<br />
<u>Raw Lunch Salad</u>: I didn't eat my big veggie salad until about 3pm. My salad was so huge but did little to cut my appetite - the only thing with calories was the thin cashew cream and about 1/3 cup of almond pulp. When I got home at 4pm, I started cooking dinner right away.<br />
<br />
<u>Cooked Vegan Whole Foods Dinner</u>: I was dreaming up this amazingly delicious conconction in the car after I ate my salad and was FULL of low cal veggie roughage but STILL HUNGRY! <br />
<br />
I had a small serving and it was enough! I stopped as soon as I was no longer hungry. <br />
<br />
I wonder why I am so in control lately?????? With no bread, no sugar, no cooked oils, I feel remarkably steady and not the least bit compulsive! Or is it God/Spirituality that is making it happen (prayer, etc...)? Or is it the combination of BOTH??? It occurs to me this kind of a food plan is similar to OA HOW GREY SHEET - no white flour, no sugar, nothing processed. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<br />
<b><br />Here is the cooked vegan recipe that I created for dinner. It was so VERY VERY delicious I wanted to share it with you!!! </b><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Un-Creamed Mushrooms and Beans with Cauliflower over Quinoa and Barley </span></u></b></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;">First I processed 1.5lb of cremini mushrooms in the food processor with the slicing blade, and put them on the stove with 1/2 cup of water and very little celtic salt to cook. They rendered their juice and then the juice completely cooked away. I added fresh thyme from my garden and a can of well rinsed red beans. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;">I made raw cashew cream in the vitamix with about 3/4 cup cashew, same amount water, 4 cloves garlic, 1 date, 1/3 cup scallion, juice of 1 lemon, and a little celtic salt. I added the cashew cream to the cooked mushroom mix, stirring in, with the heat off. <i> (OMG, it tasted just like the best very thick un-cream of mushroom soup.)</i></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;">I served myself a nice spoonful of the creamed mushroom mix over a bed of cooked cauliflower/quinoa/barley that I'd made all in one pot with water, no salt. </span><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span><span style="color: #783f04;">This meal contained NO OIL and needed nothing it was so good. </span><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span><span style="color: #783f04;">For garnish, I snipped fresh chives, scallions and parsley on top. Pretty looking dish, and seriously delish. But delicately flavored! Not 'kapowey' like I usually make, because I used ALOT less salt than I normally would. </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />A </span>great day! <br />
<br />
<br />
xoxo, <br />
Michelle Joy MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-64403862129142269352013-08-18T11:51:00.001-07:002013-08-18T12:02:20.766-07:007 DAYS DOING SO MUCH BETTER! QUESTIONS BEGIN TO ARISE - COOKED VS. RAW! <br />
Hi there!<br />
<br />
I've been having a WONDERFUL week!! I've lost weight and regained control over my eating. No binges, yay! And I'm feeling so much better! That is not to say this week has been without challenges.....<br />
<br />
Read about my Thursday through Sunday here.<br />
<br />
<b>_ _ _ _ _ _ _<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">THURSDAY, August 15, 2013</span></b><br />
<br />
Good day today! Day 4 of doing better! Walked 30 mins last night, too.<br />
<br />
Felt a very apparent surge of energy this afternoon at work as a raw chef at Raw Can Roll Cafe' that felt very new...totally energized! <br />
<br />
Apparently, my better diet and lifestyle is working! Truly feeling better and have more energy! My feet also didn't hurt as bad at work today as they usually do, and my athlete's foot is almost gone after only 4 days of eating better. Amazing. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">BR: <b>oatmeal and fruit</b> - <i>1/2 cup steel cut oats dry, cooked. 1 cup blueberries. 1 peach. </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">SN: <b>green smoothie</b> - <i>kale, mango, banana, orange, almond milk </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">LN: <b>raw salad</b> - <i>big raw salad with romaine and lots of veggies and the same cashew dressing i made yesterday.</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">DN: <b>cooked vegan whole foods dinner </b>-<i> 3/4 cup cooked lentils. 3/4 cup Bob's redmill TVP rehydrated. steamed broccoli with lemon and flax oil. </i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">SN: <b>smoothie </b>-<i> 2 big mugs smoothie: banana, peach, blueberry, cashew</i></span></blockquote>
<i><br /></i><b>NOTES</b><br />
<i><u>EXERCISE</u>: Only walked 5 minutes today. Was dreadfully overtired from two nights of only 6 hours of sleep. Took a nap after dinner and fell asleep early. <br /><br /><u>THIRST</u>:<br />Drinking a lot of water, especially in evenings. Feeling absolutely parched. </i><i>Though I am only eating maybe 50% raw, I am seriously detoxing. I've experienced THIS EXACT THIRST before when I first went raw. <br /><br /><u>BOB'S REDMILL TVP</u>:<br />It "is" a processed food, but so yummy and so low in calories and zero fat and almost zero sodium that I thought it was a good choice. It is however, </i><i>NOT organic, and thus, made from genetically modified soybeans. Not okay. I'll finish the bag, and I just checked online, I can order an organic version online. </i><br />
<i><br /><u>NIGHTTIME SMOOTHIE</u>:<br />It would be so GREAT if i could NOT eat at night. However, I was just freaking...STARVING. </i><i><br /> </i><br />
<b>_ _ _ _ _ _ _ <br /><br /><span style="color: red;">FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013</span></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">BR: <b>green smoothie - </b><i>spinach, banana, pineapple, blueberry, apple, brazil nuts</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">SN: <b>rice and tvp</b> - <i>1 cup white rice, 3/4 cup Bob's Redmill TVP, rehydrated</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">SN: <b>banana whip</b> - <i>banana, berries, carob, coconut</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">LN: <b>2 nori wraps</b> - <i>low salt raw mock toona and veggies in nori</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">SN: <b>smoothie - </b><i>blueberry, hemp, banana, agave</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">DN: <b>raw "garden burger" dinner -</b> <i>celery, raw bread and raw garden burger pate'</i></span></blockquote>
<br />
<b>NOTES</b><br />
Felt so starving an hour after my morning smoothie. <br />
<br />
I'd just made the white rice for Cliff. Not optimal, but we all make less than optimal choices when we are hungry and faced with food! <i>Pobody's Nerfect!</i> Gotta have brown rice made up, ready and waiting. <br />
<br />
I have no idea how many calories I'm eating. I'm just eating when I'm hungry. The problem is, I felt hungry 6 times yesterday. I am probably not drinking enough water.<br />
<br />
My resolve to eat low glycemic and no bananas has flown out the window.<br />
<br />
Here's the Garden Burger Recipe I created!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Raw Garden Burger</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>In cuisinart with s blade, process:</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3/4 cup brazil nuts</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/8 cup fresh rosemary</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3 medium carrots</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 stalks celery</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">half bunch of scallions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 tsp powdered sage</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">juice of 1 lemon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">6 medjool dates</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 tsp himalayan salt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>NOTES</b><br />
I worked today as raw chef at Arnold's Way. What a busy day! Even though I had so much green smoothie this morning, I was so hungry again midmorning, thus the white rice before work. It's so important to have food ready for myself lest I make choices that are not best for me.<br />
<br />
After my whip at work, I was still starving. I decided to have Anna's low salt toona, although my goal was NO salt. You know what? It is okay for goals to MORPH, isn't it? My water retention is HUGELY improved and sometimes we make 2nd best choices when we are very hungry. The problems start to come when we make 75th best choices, way, way, WAY down the list of worse and worse foods.<br />
<br />
<b>VICTORIA BOUTENKO</b><br />
SO amazingly inspired tonight. We watched a talk by Victoria Boutenko at Dinner and a Movie Night. I actually brought the movie, which I haven't seen in YEARS since i was first raw....some 6 years ago. <br />
<br />
Now, after listening to Victoria's cautionary advice, I am feeling like going back on all raw tomorrow! <br />
<br />
Victoria talked about stomach acid, and how we create 2 gallons on cooked, compared to 1 cup on raw food.<br />
<br />
This adds to feeling lousy when we become hungry on cooked. We begin to feel irritable and depressed and frantic. <br />
<br />
She says this is BECAUSE cooked is an addiction that triggers that reaction. We are not hungry. We are in withdrawl!<br />
<br />
She says on raw, hunger feels like a dull thud that can be easily delayed.<br />
<br />
I seriously identified. <br />
<br />
During this past week, I've been feeling absolutely STARVING and MISERABLE and IRRITABLE when i get hungry. Everything she explained. <br />
<br />
But tonight at Arnold's Way after my raw meal, I did NOT feel that way when i got hungry. <br />
<br />
And as I look back, when I was at OHI <u>with drastically reduced calories of raw food</u>, I do not recall feeling awful, miserable, irritable hunger.<br />
<br />
This hunger the last few days has TRULY been terribly uncomfortable and scary.<br />
<br />
I choose foods, and feel worried. Am I doing okay? <br />
<br />
I am trying to TRUST I'm making if not good, better, choices for myself.<br />
<br />
I fear/think raw feels much better. <br />
<br />
<b>DENIAL</b><br />
Victoria also talked about denial and how none of her students could stay raw until they admitted they were cooked food addicts and came out of denial.<br />
<br />
When I went raw, I believed cooked food was addictive. And that is what kept me raw for 3.5 years.<br />
<br />
For the last 3 years, I have been fighting the idea that cooked food is addictive. Maybe I've just been in denial. <br />
<br />
My catering partner, Susan, was a very big influence on me to be more liberal with my diet when I began to eat cooked again at her house after 3.5 years raw. She is beautiful, normal weight, and completely in control of food. And she also eats some cooked. <br />
<br />
We were doing catering and I began eating at her house frequently. She and her husband were high raw, and ate cooked beans and brown rice. <br />
<br />
At the time, on my 811 diet, beans and brown rice seemed to be alot less fat than nuts. How could a little bean hurt me? I remember the conversation. <i>"Beans have like zero fat...and nuts have so much fat!"</i> <br />
<br />
With all of Doug Graham's focus on eating no fat floating around in my head, I had my first cooked beans after 3.5 years raw, at Susan's house. <br />
<br />
After that, everything unraveled. <br />
<br />
Was it FEAR driving me? Or a cooked food addiction?<br />
<br />
_ _ _ <br />
<br />
The last 3 years OFF of raw, I've been trying to create balance (mostly highly unsuccessfully) between cooked and raw. <br />
<br />
Victoria says that balance CAN'T exist. <br />
<br />
Yet, I look at all of the people at Arnold's Way who have lost weight eating healthier food, doing HIGH RAW, while still eating whole grains, and beans, and even fish, and they have made it work. <br />
<br />
Not everyone who eats cooked food is veering out of control all of the time. <br />
<br />
And last I heard, Victoria Boutenko was said to be eating cooked greens. <br />
<br />
_ _ _ _ _ _ _<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Awesome article on FOOD ADDICTION</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://heidipowell.net/2897/from-fit-to-fat-to-fit-drew-manning-on-food-addiction/">http://heidipowell.net/2897/from-fit-to-fat-to-fit-drew-manning-on-food-addiction/</a></span></div>
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_ _ _ _ _ _ _<br />
<br />
<b>SATURDAY</b><br />
<br />
We went down the shore to Cape May! Gorgeous wonderful day!! We quickly forgot about the horrific 3 hour drive there stuck in traffic after the luscious wind and waves and sun! <br />
<br />
I packed food and I ate all raw. I ordered a salad out like I used to "No cheese. No croutons" and used my own dressing. I felt good. Hunger felt easy and not crazed. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Br: <b>green smoothie</b>: <i>greens, few brazil nuts, banana, peach, pineapple, blueberries</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Sn: <b>snack in car</b>: <i>8 Medjool dates</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Sn: <b>snack in car</b>: <i>1 apple</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Ln: <b>lunch on the beach</b>: <i>brazil nut pate, lettuce, carrots, celery with cashew dressing</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Dn: <b>restaurant salad with raw additions</b>: <i>salad with a few olives and balsamic vinegar and olive oil, my pate and cashew dressing</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Sn: <b>snack back home: </b><i>2 peaches</i></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Walked over 2 miles with Cliff down the shore! Delightful!!!<br />
<br />
<b>_ _ _ _ _ _ _<br /><br />SUNDAY</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Br: <b>fruit smoothie:</b> blueberries, peach, banana, date, carob smoothie </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Ln: <b>cooked vegan whole foods lunch: </b>1/3 cup lentils, 1/2 cup brown rice, 3/4 cup Bob's Redmill TVP, 2 Tbsp raw cashew dressing, 2 medium tomatoes</span></blockquote>
<br />
Lots and lots of questions in my mind this morning about raw and cooked.<br />
<br />
We are going out to eat with my parents tonight. What will I do? Raw or cooked? <br />
<br />
Lunch time, I felt starving and didn't feel like more garden burger or cashew dressing after twice yesterday.<br />
<br />
Did I "give in" or just make a healthy "choice" for my lunch?<br />
<br />
I'll continue to watch and see how I feel.<br />
<br />
After lunch, indeed, I do feel lousy, and a perceptible shift in my attitude. Feeling kind of miserable. <br />
<br />
Is that from eating cooked food....or from reacting to a perceived mistake?<br />
<br />
I seem to feel better about an hour after now.<br />
<br />
Tonight out to dinner out with my parents, I have three choices: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
1. Order a huge salad for dinner<br />
2. Get something vegan like spaghetti.<br />
3. Get salmon. </blockquote>
No wonder I so often give in and just start binge eating. The mental processing and mental focus needed to stick to or create a plan for onesself.....is frankly....exhausting. LOL!!! But I am looking and feeling so so SO much better, so it is worth it!!!<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me on this journey and for your support. <br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<i>Chef Michelle Joy </i></div>
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MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-60453442132148298492013-08-14T16:28:00.005-07:002013-08-14T16:38:29.094-07:00BACK TO BASICS! RECIPE FOR RAW DRESSING...AND AN EXTREME MAKEOVER!<br />
Hi Again :-)<br />
<br />
Back to blogging!<br />
<br />
Just got home from work as 'Creative Chef' at <b>Raw Can Roll Cafe</b> in Devon, PA. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">www.purefoodandbody.com</span></b></div>
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My legs felt ALOT better today. <br />
<br />
Today was the third day off of added salt and back to a more wholesome basic diet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>MARGARET</u></b></span><br />
I'm working with Margaret, a Lifestyle Coach, associated with Dr. Arcilla (www.DrArcilla.com). Dr. Arcilla runs the mostly raw retreat I went to last winter.<br />
<br />
Margaret is helping me to reconnect with a lot of the principles I learned at the Better Living Lifestyle Center. Specifically and most importantly, she has been encouraging me daily to reconnect spiritually first and foremost to overcome binge eating and lose weight.<br />
<br />
It is feeling so right and good and finally I see a change in behavior after 2 weeks of praying for one. <br />
<br />
Things kind of came to a head on Monday, when I could barely bend my knees. <br />
<br />
After 3 days of improved diet and drastically reduced salt, I have let go of a fair amount of water retention, and am feeling much better, and much more energetic! Thank you, Margaret, for your continued support and encouragement! <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br />A NEW BOOK - ALWAYS SEARCHING, ALWAYS LEARNING</u></span></b><br />
Margaret gifted me an Encylopedia on Natural Healing <i>(link coming in future blog)</i> that has been incredibly insightful and so helpful in lassoing my recent mostly out-of-control-vegetarian-sometimes-salmon-eating diet...into it's present whole foods vegan shape. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: purple;">For the last 3 days, it looks like this: </span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">raw veggies</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">green smoothies</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">raw fruit, low glycemic fruit best (berries, apples, etc...)</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">raw nuts and seeds</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">2 Tbsp daily uncooked oil - flaxseed oil, e.e.v.o. and coconut oil, unheated</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">steamed veggies</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">cooked beans </span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">whole grains ONLY (steel cut oats, brown rice, quinoa, barley, etc.)</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">no added sugar, honey, agave</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">no added salt</span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: purple;">no bread, even whole wheat, no white foods like crackers, white rice, no processed foods or veggie burgers</span></b></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please pray for me and send loving, positive energy for my success!</span></span></b></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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</b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b><br />BINGE EATING ANGLE</b></u></span><br />
I feel like I have a new understanding of why I binge, to boot. <br />
<br />
At the most basic level, my out of control destructive behavior means that I am not connected to God, my "Higher Power," Source, etc..., or I'm not allowing Him to take charge of me. Being in connection with God and receiving His Grace <i>(through daily prayer, reading spiritually uplifting material) (and with Margaret's prayers, daily text support and bi-weekly meetings)</i> has enabled me to effortlessly again put aside the worst part of me, the out of control binge eater, and to allow the strong, capable winner to succeed. That energy / ability is always there. It just feels like it dissappears when I'm not "connected" and God is not in control of me. We are pure ENERGY RECEIVERS and we're either being controlled by bad or good. <br />
<br />
It's only 3 days, but I'm off to a promising start with my eating back under control, and my walking regiment back on track.<br />
<br />
The Natural Healing Encyclopedia also explains that most overeating and binge eating is caused by undernourishment. A loaf of bread and butter may stuff me, but it's a processed white meal that's depleted in minerals and vitamins and will have me back to the kitchen looking for more, more and more, soon enough. <br />
<br />
The proof is in the pudding. Better food, less cravings and binge eating. Worse food, more cravings and binge eating. <br />
<br />
What's more, the Encyclopedia rightly states that vegetables eaten in their RAW state are BEST for the obese. Mind you, this is NOT a RAW book, so the advice seems to impact more coming from a source non partial to raw food. <br />
<br />
And the book stresses that anything PROCESSED is just too lacking in nutrition for the malnourished obese binge eater. <i>Bye bye boxed veggie burgers and bread....</i><br />
<br />
This information actually confirms WHY I had my best success so far (for 3.5 years as a raw foodist on all raw veggies and no processed food), and why I had my 2nd biggest success all of those years ago in OA H.O.W., maintaining a 140 lb weight loss, eating a whole foods diet with whole grain Wasa crackers, and oatmeal, and huge raw salads, and fruit multiple times a day, and brown rice, and no sugar and nothing white. <br />
<br />
It makes sense now WHY the times I've had success, I've had success. Higher quality food, higher quality life. <br />
<br />
Now, hopefully, with God in my court, I can go all the way!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br />MEET MIKE EPSTEIN - </u></span></b><b></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>415 lbs TO 195 lbs in ONE YEAR!</u></span></b></b></div>
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</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Watching <b>Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition</b> Tuesday night revved my motivation engine even further! If Mike Epstein, a fellow East Coast Jew from New Jersey, can do it, so can I. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="weight loss" src="http://cmsimg.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BZ&Date=20130814&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=308130051&Ref=V1&MaxW=300&Border=0&Voorhees-man-takes-weight-loss-extreme" /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="265" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/11173_431992576914002_111473131_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Epstein - 415 lbs to 195 lbs in ONE YEAR!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Watch Mike's amazingly inspirational episode here: <a href="http://watchabc.go.com/extreme-weight-loss/SH55124938/VDKA0_qtfcjtr3/mike">http://watchabc.go.com/extreme-weight-loss/SH55124938/VDKA0_qtfcjtr3/mike</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /><br />WHAT TODAY LOOKED LIKE</u></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>I'm off for my daily walk! 30 mins a day every evening is a good start to creating a routine.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Breakfast: </u></b>1/2 cup dry steel cut oats cooked. 1 cup fresh raw blueberries. Large green smoothie with kale, almond milk, mango, orange, banana. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>NOTE:</b> <i>Much more satiating than the Starbucks bagel and cream cheese and large sweetened tea habit as of late. No nagging cravings or sudden binges later with the oatmeal/fruit/green smoothie starting my day. </i></blockquote>
<br />
<b><u>Lunch:</u></b> big romaine salad w/carrot, tomato, onion, cucumber and a delicious raw dressing.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>NOTE:</b> <i>That dressing was SO GOOD, I ate what was pooled in the bottom of the bowl....with a spoon! Recipe below!</i></blockquote>
<br />
<b><u>Dinner:</u></b> small can of chick peas rinsed thoroughly, cup of Bob's Red Mill TVP, leftover veggie salad dressed in lemon and flax oil. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>NOTE:</b> <i>It was a BIG MEAL. I was STARVING, and it was HEARTY and FILLING and DELICIOUS and NUTRITIOUS and I feel satiated still 3 hours later. </i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">MORE...</span></u></b><br />
I am averting my eyes for the moment as to the question of the healthfulness of grains (mucous causing? inflammatory?). Life is a journey and I'm okay with this beginning leg of my trip.<br />
<br />
I'm also back to following hunger/fullness. It's the only thing that makes logical sense. That said, I must remember: the more water one drinks, the less hungry one is!<br />
<br />
The Health Encyclopedia also gave several interesting ideas of how to curb hunger: psyllium husk mixed with water, or grape juice diluted in water - 30 mins before a meal. I'll let you know when I try! <br />
<br />
And I'm also not weighing myself. <br />
<br />
I also pop in a Paul McKenna dvd now and again and find him as inspirational and motivating as ever. For mind-set, Paul really teaches how to keep the focus on what we want...and not what "is."<br />
<br />
I'm using my pedometer again. So motivating. Every step...equals a new success.<br />
<br />
<b>ALL IN ALL: It's more about maintaining <u>self control</u>, and <u>finding sustainable balance</u> in my diet, and life.<br /><br />Remember: Self control is a gift! Thank you, God!!!!</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><u>Common Sense Approach</u><br />The more I stay connected to God, take "<u>G</u>ood <u>O</u>rderly <u>D</u>irection" and control my diet and exercise....the WEIGHT will take care of itself.... </span><br /> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">FINALLY, A DELICIOUS RAW RECIPE FOR YOU!!</span></u></b><br />
Here's that dressing from my lunch salad. It was SO GOOD, I'd consider making it....as a SOUP!!!</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">RAW VEGAN CILANTRO CASHEW DRESSING</span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwm5v85AN_3EnHSaUMMXIuthCsoVyzsJzVBVrv88FODSnu8UcYHv9fjhTiIGJJ9_3N1TWQNyIiU8RHh3AdK37pDPAGY-YmxovPDR1B2WRku5Id5ae0E0AJEFKs62qZef2O1Ckl5wRYA/s320/IMG_3623+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pic from www.heckagoodrecipes.blogspot.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Vitamix:</span></i></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"></span></i><br /><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"></span></i></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3/4 cup cashews</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 clove garlic</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Tbsp nutritional yeast</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3/4 cup water</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blenderize until smooth. Terrific over a romaine salad! Delish!!!!</span></i></span><br />
<br />
Hope you try this recipe and enjoy!!!</div>
<div>
<br />
Keep in touch!<br />
<br />
<b>xoxoxo</b><br />
<b>Raw Chef Michelle Joy</b></div>
</div>
</div>
MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-80220656553925319362013-08-12T17:26:00.005-07:002013-08-12T17:26:51.839-07:00SALT FREE RAW SUMMER SALAD!!<br />Water retention is always an issue with me. My mother says my diapers were dry as a child, so it's an issue I've had since birth. Fluid goes in, it just doesn't want to come out.<br /><br />There must have been a lot more sodium in the salads I ate yesterday from Whole Foods than I thought. My legs felt like lead weights today, working at Raw Can Roll Cafe. <br /><br />Deciding to go raw and salt free this evening to help alleviate the water retention, I came up with a surprisinging delicious dinner that I thought I would share with you. It's something similar to a salad I once demo-ed for a raw cooking class, so, starving this evening, the idea came back to me since we had all of the right ingredients on hand, many fresh from our summer patio garden!!!<br /><br />I can't express to you how exciting it is to just go outside on the patio and pick organic home grown tomatoes and herbs, and come in and make dinner!! <br /><br /><i>Question: Where is anybody getting fresh organic corn from these days? <br /><br />NONE at Whole Foods EVER this summer. We keep checking and calling. Nada. </i><br />We got ours from a wonderful organic farm in Lancaster County that a friend told me about. If you need the info, let me know!! They don't have a website. <br /><br />For this recipe, if you don't have organic fresh corn on hand, use the frozen organic. Next best thing. <br /><br />I really do hope you make this salad!! Very vibrant colors and fresh flavors, accented by the lightest of dressings! You really get to just appreciate the veggie and herb flavors the way God made them! Very nice mouth feel with the crunchy celery and peppers...and the soft of the avocado and cashews...and the squirt and tarty sweet of the tomatoes. Really very good. <br /><br />Mmmmm, super natural, super yummy! Make it!<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><u>FIESTA CORN SALAD</u></b></span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Add ingredients to a big bowl, toss, and enjoy! Cover and refrigerate leftovers.</i><br /><ul>
<li>corn kernals from 4 shucked corn</li>
<li>handful fresh basil, sliced thin </li>
<li>2 mint leaves, sliced thin</li>
<li>handful cilantro, torn</li>
<li>10 fresh raw cashews, whole</li>
<li>10 cherry tomatoes, halved</li>
<li>2 stalks celery, sliced thin</li>
<li>2 radishes, sliced thin</li>
<li>1/4 cup scallion, sliced thin</li>
<li>3/4 cup sweet red pepper, small chunks</li>
<li>1/2 avocado, small chunks</li>
<li>1/2 jalapeno pepper, very small chunks</li>
<li>2 small carrots, shredded</li>
<li>top 1/3 of a bunch of baby asparagus </li>
<li>juice of one lemon</li>
<li>1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil</li>
</ul>
</b></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFf1Y2JQtamQ1Dl4cGNgekpiez7g_ALlElWWMJOFzQKYSVCU3lMM1ByadA4pmu7453G2tKYKs_hto3-JORaDMUqaJXkjXsgP5Xihc1cHqQ-jKEeKWpKeFCJ5lcLTbRFWSHGxhtrWAng/s1600/BW0516_fresh-corn-tomato-salad_s4x3_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFf1Y2JQtamQ1Dl4cGNgekpiez7g_ALlElWWMJOFzQKYSVCU3lMM1ByadA4pmu7453G2tKYKs_hto3-JORaDMUqaJXkjXsgP5Xihc1cHqQ-jKEeKWpKeFCJ5lcLTbRFWSHGxhtrWAng/s320/BW0516_fresh-corn-tomato-salad_s4x3_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<i>I didn't put any salt or agave or garlic, but season as you wish, although it honestly didn't need a THING! </i><br />My salad sort of looked like this pic (from the food network), but much more colorful with the radish rounds and asparagus tips and shaved carrots and the avocado chunks! <br /><br />Really, people, this was a very delicious and nutritious summer salad, inspired by things growing in a home garden. I hope you try it. <br /><br />Let me know! <br /><br />xoxoxo <br />Michelle Joy</div>
MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-43146117175527064322013-04-23T19:17:00.001-07:002013-04-23T19:17:15.046-07:00CHEF MICHELLE NOW AT THE RAW CAN ROLL CAFE!Hi Everyone :-))<br />
<br />
In addition to my raw cheffing at Arnold's Way, I am now raw cheffing at Raw Can Roll Cafe' in Devon PA!<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.purefoodandbody.com/images/77b42a7f6620cb314d8916f38cc85643.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The food is so clean, pure, delicious! I LOVE this place!!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Raw Can Roll Cafe" src="http://s3-media2.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/93wrWNI35qnNAJFYxVxlfw/ms.jpg" /><br /><br />Sheryll Chavarria, the owner, is such a doll, I LOVE her!!<br /><br /><img src="http://s3-media2.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/neMGgbInwgi9iZnUYb6DPg/l.jpg" /><br />
<br />I will be at Raw Can Roll M-T-W-Th, and at Arnold's Way on Fridays. <br /><br />Please drop by Raw Can Roll or Arnold's Way....to say HI and to get something fantastic to eat! <br /><br />Oooooh, today I had the Mexican Taco at Raw Can Roll....mmmmm!<br />
<br />
(Raw taco nutmeat, raw salsa and guacamole, lettuce, but served on a not raw sprouted Ezekiel corn tortilla.) Delish!!!! <br />
<br />
<img src="http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/afXQrNvldw-REyKXlau3Vw/l.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I also had the Tabouli and the Jicama "potato" salad as a side dish. Amazing!<br />
<br />
<img src="http://s3-media3.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/ojEBtTcEI23_wgLx3Bb7Zg/l.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Hope to see you there soon!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.purefoodandbody.com/RawCanRollCafe.php">http://www.purefoodandbody.com/RawCanRollCafe.php</a><br />
<br />
<i>xoxo, michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-56526532627518038962013-03-02T14:55:00.003-08:002013-03-02T14:58:26.357-08:00PAUL McKENNA'S HYPNOSIS PROGRAM "I CAN MAKE YOU THIN," AND AN END TO BINGE EATING<br />
Hello, there!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
It's been almost 3 weeks, and binge eating has vanished.<br />
<br />
About 3 weeks ago, I started Paul McKenna's Hypnosis program, "I Can Make You Thin."<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">www.PaulMcKenna.com</span></b></b><br />
<b><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span></b></b></div>
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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."<br />
<br />
It's true. <br />
<br />
It's true. <br />
<br />
It's true!<br />
<br />
I am doing SO well, when I didn't think I would or COULD again. <br />
<br />
But this is in a NEW way. <br />
<br />
I'm controlling myself!<br />
<br />
I'm living...in MODERATION.<br />
<br />
I'm RIGHT where I want to and NEED to be today. <br />
<br />
I needed this PERMISSION to be imperfect, and still be GREAT!<br />
<br />
Any kind of DIET, be it Jenny Craig or Holier Than Thou 100% Raw Vegan, set me up for failure. <br />
<br />
Right now, I am feeling SO amazingly because I am experiencing a <i>freedom</i> and a <i>peace</i> with food that I didn't know, but I always hoped, was possible.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<i>It's not how many times you fall down, it's how many times you pick yourself back up......<br /></i><br />
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.)<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Bestest of all, I'm in control of my eating.<br />
<br />
<i>SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy. I don't ever want to lose this feeling!</i><br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
These are about the only efforts I have to make:<br />
<ol>
<li>Click PLAY on the DVD or CD player daily.</li>
<li>Write in Success Tracker journal nightly.</li>
<li>Wear a pedometer. Walk more. </li>
</ol>
The rest just....kinda happens, naturally.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>HEADLINE! READ ALL ABOUT IT! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>HARD CORE BINGE EATER STOPS BINGE EATING EFFORTLESSLY!<br />SAYS SHE EATS WHATEVER SHE WANTS AND IS ALSO LOSING WEIGHT!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Listening to McKenna daily, I am <u>reprogramming</u> 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. <br />
<br />
As long as I listen daily, it just....HAPPENS. <br />
<br />
(Actually, I missed two days, and it still happens.)<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<i>If I didn't weigh over 300 lbs, you would think I was normal. </i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Effortless fundamental changes in my relationship with food...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Drastic changes in how I feel about myself and in how I am coping with life (by not eating)....</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>All by pressing PLAY and LISTENING...passively. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The wisdom in the hypnosis sessions, the wisdom of the entire program, and how very comprehensive it is still amaze me 3 weeks in.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">I wrote to a friend, "I feel like I am being cradled in God's arms daily by doing this program."</span> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I know what to do if I run into trouble now. I use the TOOLS offered. Surprise, surprise, they work.<br />
<br />
I've done the tapping TFT technique to squelch cravings. Shockingly EFFECTIVE. <br />
<br />
YEARS of therapy couldn't stop binge eating, but a few taps, some eyeball swirls, and humming "Jingle bells" CAN? <br />
<br />
<i>"YES, Virginia, there really IS a Santa Claus. </i><i>And his name is Paul McKenna!"</i><br />
<br />
Here is a youtube of the "Man" demonstrating the TFT technique. <br />
<br />
Wierd? <br />
<br />
YES.<br />
<br />
Next time you are experiencing a craving, try it. I dare you:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">CRAVING BUSTER TECHNIQUE<br />by PAUL MCKENNA</u> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfM2KR_0Ec</span><br />
<br /></div>
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. <br />
<br />
In a soothing voice, I hear the handsome Brit coo in my ear,<i> "Take a deep breath, feel yourself relaxing and calming down....."</i> <br />
<br />
And I do...<br />
<br />
<i>Whhoooooosh.....!</i><br />
Soon, I'm floating into the best highest place of myself and any thought of eating has just flown the coop. <br />
<br />
In just a few minutes, I'm back on track. <br />
<br />
And I don't have to say, "Send me a bill." At under $200, this program is a BARGAIN. <br />
<br />
To top it all off, the Success Tracker Journal, which could have been entirely BOGUS, is so NOT. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
I really feel like I'm getting support from every possible angle on this program. <br />
<br />
I am so grateful to Paul McKenna, and to Dr. Oz for having McKenna on his show. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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?<br />
<br />
Praying to God for help, I think I was directed to McKenna.<br />
<br />
I had to find out the hard way that 2 meals a day is not the KEY to stopping binge eating. <br />
<br />
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 <u>SOLUTION</u> to binge eating.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<b>What IS the solution to end binge eating???? </b><br />
<br />
In 4 simple steps, it is:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>EATING ONLY WHEN I AM HUNGRY</b></li>
<li><b>EATING WHAT I WANT, AND NOT WHAT I THINK I SHOULD</b></li>
<li><b>EATING CONSCIOUSLY</b></li>
<li><b>AND STOPPING WHEN I AM SATIATED.</b></li>
</ol>
Not NEW or REVOLUTIONARY information.<br />
<br />
But it's how naturally THIN people live and it is the answer in a nutshell.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
There is SOMETHING ROCK HARD RIGHT, however, about the way McKenna just TOTALLY nails it like NONE of these other programs ever did. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
It will take time.....,yes. But I'm incredibly HOPEFUL. <br />
<br />
It's a 90 day program, so you'll be hearing alot about it. <br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
Blessings and keep in touch!<br />
<i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-37702280699592763012013-02-18T13:28:00.004-08:002013-02-19T06:40:43.759-08:00MY TRUSTY PEDOMETER, HYPNOSIS, AND THE WALKING SITE! <br />
Hello!<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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! <br />
<img alt="Product Details" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ivGOpsFNL._AA160_.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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?<br />
<br />
Paul McKenna, the Hypnosis guy, says, "Anything you count, you improve." <br />
<br />
It's so true! In counting daily, my numbers have been steadily growing.<br />
<br />
My energy has been steadily growing too!<br />
<br />
One step at a time, we can create BIG CHANGES!<br />
<br />
My winter coat feels looser! <br />
<img alt="View details" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900057199.jpg" /><br />
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!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Counting steps is a brilliant idea....fun and motivating! </i></b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I WANT to walk more as a result!</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The pedometer came with my <b>"I Can Make You Thin"</b> program that I bought from <b>www.PaulMcKenna.com.</b> 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.)<br />
<br />
<img height="200" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aafd_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-McKenna-Site/Sites-McKenna-Library/default/v1360952488146/images/homepage/paulmckenna.png" width="156" /><br />
<br />
McKenna is brilliant and the REAL DEAL. I have never felt such gratitude for a program.<br />
<br />
You know what? The program works! <br />
<br />
Time will truly tell, but so far, my eating habits have changed radically in a little over a week.<br />
<br />
<img alt="7-Day Solution Deluxe Program" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aafd_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-McKenna-Site/Sites-guthy-renker-master/default/v1360952488146/images/large/B3MM3A-large.png" /><br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
I am radically calmer around food. <br />
<br />
I have not had a binge in over a week. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
McKenna says, "You have to accept yourself as you are." Only in doing this, constantly, can we ever hope to move forward. <br />
<br />
And, to boot, I've experienced upset feelings this week, but did not turn to food. <br />
<img alt="eating" height="200" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900056207.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: xx-large;">My eating has gone from DISORDERED to NORMAL in just a few DAYS!!! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Portia de Rossi, author of "Unbearable Lightness," cured her eating disorder by not eating alone anymore, but by eating with her lovers, exclusively. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Emotional eating serves many needs, but leaves one with TREMENDOUS negative consequences, and no way out. <br />
<br />
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, <u>effortlessly</u>.<br />
<br />
<i>It is effortless effort. I do it....because I want to.<br /></i><br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
_ _ _ <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<img alt="Produce falling into wood bowl" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900438794.jpg" /><br />
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. <br />
<br />
My good friend, Sheryl, says, "Anyone can follow a diet for a short time, but what can you stay with for a lifetime?" <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>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! </b></span><br />
<br />
I'm taking things at a pace comfortable to me. McKenna gives permission to do that. <br />
<br />
I'm enjoying where I am at right now. I'm not terribly concerned about weight loss. It's happening very slowly. <br />
<br />
I don't weigh myself anymore. <br />
<br />
This time is all about <u>severing that bond to emotional eating...for good</u>.<br />
<br />
No more putting the CART before the HORSE.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
_ _ _ <br />
<br />
Curiously, the rest of life takes care of itself when answering HUNGER is paid attention to! Babies learn this...why did I never?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>McKenna says, "There are two reasons to eat. Because you are hungry, or because you want to change the way you feel." </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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... <br /><br />Yes, there are OTHER things BESIDES FOOD that can serve to:<br />
<ul>
<li>protect </li>
<li>comfort</li>
<li>soothe</li>
<li>entertain</li>
<li>distract</li>
<li>celebrate</li>
<li>commisserate</li>
<li>stimulate, etc...</li>
</ul>
<br />
McKenna says we are trying to HELP ourselves by using food, it's just our faulty "programming" that is at fault. <br />
<br />
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: <br />
<ul>
<li>togetherness</li>
<li>sensory stimulation</li>
<li>movement</li>
<li>self pride</li>
<li>excitement</li>
<li>confidence</li>
<li>community</li>
</ul>
Life answers our needs in such BETTER ways.<br />
<br />
And food never tasted as good as it does when I am truly hungry for it. <br />
_ _ _<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.thewalkingsite.com/images/template/walkers.jpg" /><br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Upping our average weekly steps by 500 per week is suggested until we reach 10,000/day.<br />
<br />
McKenna states that 2,000 steps is about a 15 minute walk. <br />
<br />
I can DO that! (So can you!) <br />
<br />
In fact, I can get 250 steps just by walking down my street, half way! <br />
<br />
It's amazing how steps add up. I'm SO excited to keep going with this! Won't you join me?<br />
<img alt="A couple talking while they are out on a walk" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900157213.jpg" /><br />
<b><u>Walking Benefits: </u></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Burns calories</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Strengthens back muscles</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Slims your waist</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Easy on your joints</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Strengthens your bones</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Lowers blood pressure</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Allows time with family and friends</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Shapes and tones your legs and butt</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Cuts cholesterol</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, & more</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Reduces stress</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Sleep better</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Improves mood and outlook on life</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Can be done almost anywhere</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">Requires no equipment</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 13px;">AND it's Free</span></li>
<br />
<i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-54864431797309385282013-02-09T21:41:00.004-08:002013-02-09T21:44:29.817-08:00STEPS TO PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS<br />
Hello dear Readers!<br />
<br />
Thursday is Valentine's Day! <br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.history.com/images/media/slideshow/valentines-day/my-valentine-card.jpg" /><br />
<br />
If you are local, I am planning a special <i>Raw Valentine's Meal</i> at <b>Arnold's Way Raw Vegetarian Cafe'</b> <i>(www.arnoldsway.com)</i> in Lansdale, PA on <b>Thursday, February 14th</b>. 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.<br />
<br />
I had a good day today. Not a <i>raw</i> day. But a good day! <br />
<br />
By the end of today I should have walked 5,000 steps, a VAST improvement over the last sedentary weeks. <br />
<br />
Wearing a step-o-meter is so motivating!!!! <i>Highly recommended!</i><br />
<br />
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. <i>So good!<br /></i><img height="212" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/12/07/health/08recipehealth_600/articleLarge.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
We had warming soy milk hot chocolates from Starbucks mid morning. <i>A yummers treat! </i><img alt="Hot Chocolate" height="200" src="http://globalassets.starbucks.com/assets/cc42a7ecffd04b67b84e737b92611f92.jpg" width="168" /><br />
<br />
Later, we enjoyed lunch at <b>South Street Souvlaki. </b><img alt="
Opa!" src="http://www.southstreetsouvlaki.com/southstreetsouvlaki.com/Welcome_files/shapeimage_2.png" /><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: black; color: #3635ff; font-family: Geneva, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 51.421875px;">Can </span><span class="style_1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: black; color: #3635ff; font-family: Geneva, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 57.75703125px; text-decoration: underline;">healthy</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: black; color: #3635ff; font-family: Geneva, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 51.421875px;"> food really taste this delicious? <i>www.SouthStreetSouvlaki.com</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For a light dinner, a bowl of homemade vegan Lentil soup with tons of veggies in it hit the spot. <img alt="Lamb and Chickpea Soup With Lentils" src="http://food.sndimg.com/img/recipes/11/13/23/small/picLO8XLT.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I had a homemade veggie burger sans the bun....for dessert. <i> (Couldn't resist!)</i><br />
<br />
Good news! I've maintained the habit of avoiding processed Veggie Burgers and Veggie Meats since reading <b>Never Be Fat Again</b> by Raymond Francis.<br />
<br />
<img height="200" src="http://beyondhealth.com/images/products/Books_CD/NBFA.png" width="135" /><br />
<br />
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. <i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>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. </i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>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. </i></blockquote>
<br />
The veggie burgers I created tonight were a very nice vegan non-processed all homemade from scratch achievement. I'll call them "<b>Spicy Mumbai Oat Sunflower Almond, Bean and Brown Rice Veggie Burgers." </b><i>What a mouthful! <br /><br />(And, mmm, they are quite a yummy mouthful!) </i><br />
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. <i> Amazing! SO GOOD!! And they stick together firmly without egg. </i> <br />
<br />
<img height="200" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/vegetarian/1/6/a/F/-/-/94116774_9.jpg" width="161" /><br />
<br />
Perhaps I can get back to eating mostly raw. And twice a day, as I was at the BLLC. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
I am working my way back, feeling more balanced, motivated, and disciplined today, and I'm glad for it. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
And we need constant inspiration. We never know just WHAT will light that fire and propel us forward. <br />
<br />
We must just NEVER GIVE UP! <br />
<br />
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:<br />
<ol><a href="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aafd_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-McKenna-Site/Sites-McKenna-Library/default/v1360283176639/images/homepage/home-product-image.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aafd_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-McKenna-Site/Sites-McKenna-Library/default/v1360283176639/images/homepage/home-product-image.png" width="320" /></a>
<li><b>Eat when you are hungry.</b></li>
<li><b>Eat what you want.</b></li>
<li><b>Savor your food.</b></li>
<li><b>When you are satisfied, stop. </b></li>
</ol>
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
I also ordered some Richard Simmons exercise videos!<br />
<br />
<img alt="The Complete Collection of Sweatin' to the Oldies" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ogYbqtt5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<b><br />Sweatin' To the Oldies </b>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. <br />
<br />
Forgive me, but I could not recall number six!<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Think Positive</b></li>
<li><b>Practice Patience</b></li>
<li><b>Forgive Yourself and Others</b></li>
<li><b>Have Faith</b></li>
<li><b>Let Go of the Past</b></li>
<li><i>.....</i></li>
</ol>
<i>Never Give Up</i>, perhaps?<br />
<br />
<i>I'll let you know once I go upstairs and check the DVD!</i><br />
<br />
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!!! <u>DO READ! </u><br />
<br />
http://www.fitwoman.com/support/fitbriefings/permanent-weight-loss/<br />
<br />
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! <br />
<br />
<i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-27025129435267931752013-01-10T19:05:00.003-08:002013-01-10T19:10:05.782-08:00FEELING BETTER, SINGING, BUCKWHEAT, SMALL CHANGES, AND LETTING GO OF PERFECTIONISM!<br />
Greetings, kind folk, how are you?<br />
<br />
I hope you are all well!<br />
<br />
I had a really great day at work today at Arnold's Way, where I am a raw chef :-)) <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
I had a <i>good</i> energy level today!...which was a very pleasant surprise! I didn't think I was doing so well with my diet, still overeating, but <u>the changes I have made</u> - (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! <br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
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! <i>Better diet - better energy - better singing. Yippee! </i> 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! <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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!<br />
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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 <u>entire day</u>!!! 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!" <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">wikipedia on buckwheat - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckwheat</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="buckwheat groats" src="http://www.sproutpeople.com/seed/pics/groats.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Organic Hulled Buckwheat Groats</i></td></tr>
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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. <br />
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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! <br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ktRKLxP6GxA#!<br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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This is a SERIOUS lesson. <br />
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<i><b>Small changes DO make a big difference, even when EVERYTHING we're doing is not good, it is <u>still good enough</u> 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! </b></i> </blockquote>
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And you know what? When you realize you feel better, despite not doing "perfectly," it <u>empowers you</u> so much because you realize you don't NEED to be perfect to make changes. And you actually begin to grow in real confidence! <br />
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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! <br />
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Baby Steps, baby steps, baby steps!<br />
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<i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-75295136087127212112013-01-09T06:43:00.001-08:002013-01-09T06:43:24.283-08:00DESIRES, BEHAVIORS, AWARENESS....AND CHANGE<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">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.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>--- Abraham</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So, I wake up this morning, crazy early, at 4:30 a.m. <br /><br />By 6 a.m., I'm in the kitchen, hungry. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I peruse the fridge. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I'm cold.<br /><br />I don't "feel" like a green smoothie. <br /><br />_ _ _</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />I "feel" like something warm. <br /><br />I "feel" like Sprouted Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin toast....with vegan cream cheese...and tart cherry jelly.....<i>(so good, it's from Switzerland)</i>, and a hot cuppa Earl Grey tea with almond milk and raw honey. <br /><br />It sounds right, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">feels like it would be comforting. <br /><br />I'm gonna do it. </span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The kitchen is quiet and peaceful. We cleaned it yesterday so it feels so nice in there! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It's still dark out, Cliff is still asleep. <br /><br />I feel relaxed this morning but melancholy as I crunch into the toast. <i> Man, soooo good. </i>This cinnamon raisin toast is better than the un-sprouted kind. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I enjoy my breakfast as guiltlessly as I can, knowing it's not on the plan. K</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">nowing I'll write about it takes some of the sting away. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. <br /><br />_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sugar is a no-no. Sugar is what is keeping me fat, Raymond Francis says.<br /><br />The problem is - I really LIKE it!<br /><br />_ _ _<br /><br /><br />According to this morning's "Abe," <i>(my friend Joy and I refer to our daily email of Abraham quotes as Abes)</i>, I do think I was maybe doing something good this morning. <br /><br />I was in vibrational sync with myself and my desire. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I was being and expressing me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The BIG question is......Is that OKAY???</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />_ _ _ <br /><br />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. <br /><br /><i>How does tea and toast make me feel, after I eat it?</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need to know and fully realize how I feel after I eat something. Then I can make better informed decisions!<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Logging ones food is so powerful, says Francis. I need to do this. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _<br /><br />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! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I suppose that's human nature....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ <br /><br />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. <br /><br />_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So I ask myself....<br /><br />Do I really want to be sugar-free? <br /><br />Do I really want to be wheat-free?</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Do I really want to </span><u style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">never be fat again</u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and do what Raymond Francis says I need to, to get there?</span><br /><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pretty HUGE implications!</span><i><br /></i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. <br /><br />Sort of ike a healthy Geneen Roth plan! Kind of cool and freeing. I can dig it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And the www.TurningInstitute.com Therapist would probably say for me to determine what I want to eat myself, too. <br /><br />Self-awareness and self-determination would lead to greater and greater degrees of intuitive eating. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And there is something HUGE to say about INTUITIVE EATING because </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">most naturally thin people do it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />_ _ _ <br /><br /><br />On the other hand, green smoothies ARE my favorite breakfast, really, because I FEEL the best when I drink them. <br /><br />Energized, even, and just GOOD knowing they are the best for me...green smoothies makes me feel good. <br /><br /><b>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.</b></span></div>
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<u style="text-align: center;"><b><br />Important point to constantly remember.</b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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.<u><br /></u><br />Green smoothies are just good! <br /><br />I'm still hungry, i think i'll have one!<br /><br />_ _ _ <br /><br />The other morning I had Sunshine Burger and Leftover Pasta for breakfast. <br /><br />Whew, what an energy slump that led to!!<br /><br />_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I'll keep Francis' plan and book forefront in my mind. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I'll keep studying it, and allow the info keep washing over me, through me and not expect perfection. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />I think in that way, his education will ultimately change my desires. <br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After all, if we attack </span><u style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">there</u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, and actually </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">change our desires</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, real change occurs. Our desires and behaviors will finally be in alignment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is the Roy Masters approach. (www.fhu.com.)</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Roy teaches, "just <u>watch</u> your behavior. Don't react. One morning, you'll wake up and you'll do it." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. <br /><br />Ego/effort changes never hold. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My mom has been eating vegan, well, mostly vegan, for quite a while now. <br /><br />Under my suggestion, she cut out most meat. She has a taste every now and again. <br /><br />She also cut out quite a bit of dairy, though she still eats some. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Every morning I make the green smoothie," she tells me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She is so good. <br /><br />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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ _</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bad news.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />My mom broke the news to me that the Doctor called last week and the lump on her thyroid is bigger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />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. <br /><br />She doesn't want to have more surgery, but they will try to convince her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She is amenable to going to see Dr. Arcilla for a live blood test to see if her situation could improve naturally. <br /><br />We're both going to see him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Time to bite the bullet and take whatever criticism he hands <i>me,</i> too. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />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." </span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every week she says, "Really?" And really means it. But she still makes him meat. <br /><br />He does love that dressing. And now the green smoothies!<br /><br />My parents do hear me, but I think it's a matter of belief, and of conditioning. <br /><br />It's the same with me! <br /><br />We just ALL need constant CONSTANT encouragement and education over and over and over and over. <br /><br />Really.....we need <u>brain washing</u>.<br /><br />And we need awareness. <br /><br />And we need to be connected....spiritually. <br /><br />Of ourselves, we can do nothing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />We have to have patience with ourselves until our Highest Self's desires and our desires SYNC. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel really bad about my mom.<br /><br />Why her diet changes didn't help?<br /><br />Maybe they did. <br /><br />Maybe the lump would have been worse by now.<br /><br />She is on ALOT of meds. <br /><br />And she has not been walking. <br /><br />And she doesn't follow vegan or even vegetarian perfectly lately. <br /><br />She eats white bread and stopped buying the sprouted, so I bought her some more sprouted yesterday. <br /><br />And she doesn't drink much water. <br /><br /><i>(deep sigh)</i><br />I hope it's not cancer. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I have some lentils on the stove. <br /><br />They smell so freakin' good. <br /><br />I boil them in water with fresh garlic and italian herbs until they suck up all of the water, then I add more. <br /><br />Every time they suck the water up, i add more, until they're done. <br /><br />In like 30 mins, oila. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ <br /><br />I'll make lentil burgers with them using </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">the Sunshine Burger recipe I told you about. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Sunshine Burgers I made the other night are so entirely YUMMERS! <br /><br />I baked them with a little olive oil.<br /><br />Half of the batch I made plain with the carrot/celery/onion/garlic. The other half I added spinach and sage. <br /><br />MMMmmm! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I brought my mom a wonderful vegan lunch of leftovers from my house. <br /><br />Chickpeas with steamed veggies.<br /><br />Mashed potatoes with vegan butter and vegan cream cheese.<br /><br />Sunshine Burgers.<br /><br />Tinkyada Brown Rice spirals with vegan cream of mushroom sauce <br /><i><br />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. </i><br />....and then added chunky peppers, onions and mushrooms. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She loved it. <br /><br />Cliff loved</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it. <br /><br />I loved it. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />...so much i ate it for breakfast the next day.<br /><br /><i>Oh yeah, we already went over that. </i></span><i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Starchy stuff is so yummy, even if it's gluten free, and I invariably overeat it. <br /><br />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...<br /><br />Dr. Fuhrman's plan says NO STARCH for obese people. <br /><br /><i>Ignorence is bliss, I tell ya. </i> <br />_ _ _ <br /><br />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. <br /><br /><i>Compulsions, compulsions. </i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ <br /><br />Last night I had Greek dairy yogurt on top of frozen fruit with agave drizzled on top. <br /><br />It was so frickin' good. I think I will have that every night, and I actually might. <br /><br />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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ <br /><br />I did, however, buy Fermented Coconut Milk Kefir at Whole Foods to push myself in the right direction. <br /><br />Blech, not nearly as yummy as the dairy kind, but I might be able to get used to it. <br /><br />Chock full of healthy bacteria, it is a better choice.<br /><br />After all, almond milk in my tea is nowhere near as good as dairy milk. But I can get used to it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">_ _ _ </span><br /><br /><b>IN CONCLUSION</b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. <br /><br />Realizing ahead of time, i KNOW i can't do it, says I'm being authentically me finally. <br /><br />I am going to try a better route. <br /><br />I am going to try to be easy going on myself, as Abraham and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Roy Masters suggest. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />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. <br /><br />Be happy eating the wrong thing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Because eventually you will attract the RIGHT thing into your existence. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />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. <br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This new way is certainly a new way to be.<br /><br />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. <br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. <br /><br />...All the while, enjoying, and smiling. </span></b><br /><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">xoxo michelle joy </i></div>
MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-8457625784649683612013-01-07T14:30:00.000-08:002013-01-07T15:45:47.940-08:00"NEVER BE FAT AGAIN" by RAYMOND FRANCIS<img alt="Never be Fat Again: The 6-week Cellular Solution to Permanently Break the Fat Cycle" src="http://cache0.bdcdn.net/assets/images/book/medium/9780/7573/9780757305313.jpg" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good day to you all!<br /><br />After finding the amazing book, "Never Be Fat Again," by Raymond Francis, I feel re-directed, back on track, and so very grateful!<br /><br />_ _ _ </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Here is a description of the book from Amazon:<br /></span><br />
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<strong><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fight Fat at Its <em>True </em>Source . . . Your Cells. </span></strong></strong><strong><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />An M.I.T.-Trained Scientist Explains the ONE Secret You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Keep It Off.</span></strong></strong></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Raymond Francis is the scientist people turn to when diets don't work. His groundbreaking approach treats excess weight for what it <em>reall</em>y 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 <em>opposite </em>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 <em></em>can help you <em></em>turn this fat cycle around and reclaim your waistline--and your health.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His simple yet scientifically supported plan will have you looking and feeling better than you have in years-- <em>in just six weeks. </em>You'll discover:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Which low-fat and no-fat products actually make you</span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><strong style="color: #274e13;"><em>fatter</em></strong></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How one missing nutrient can signal your body to store fat</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which food additives are most toxic--and how to spot them on a label</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The 'Big 4' worst foods to eat--with delicious and nutritious alternatives</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How to sneak more fiber- and nutrient-rich foods into your day</span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plus, delicious recipes for meals and snacks and week-by-week to-do lists to keep you on track</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Your body already knows how to regulate its weight--you just need to give it a fighting chance. Now you can--for life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">_ _ _<br /><br />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. <br /><br />So we are not fat because we are weak willed gluttons? <br /><br />No, we are fat because we have a DISEASE caused by malfunctioning cells!<br /><br /><b>That takes a lot of the guilt and shame out of it. </b><br />_ _ _ <br /><br /><b>THE NEVER BE FAT AGAIN DIET</b><br />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. <br /><br />Francis offers a wise transition plan to help wean oneself away. <br /><br />_ _ _ <br /><br />Basically, what is left makes up a MOSTLY RAW ORGANIC VEGAN DIET, including: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">raw organic fruits and vegetables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">steamed organic vegetables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cold pressed organic E.E.V.O, Flax and Hemp oils and grape seed Veganaise</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">raw nuts and seeds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seaweed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all beans, sprouted or cooked</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sprouted breads on occasion or never</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cooked or sprouted raw starches - brown rice, quinoa, millet, etc... </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cooked starchy vegetables - potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, etc...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">natural Stevia as a sweetener, and agave, raw honey and molasses only very occasionally or never </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">grass fed organic meats, wild fish, organic free range eggs in very small portions, if desired. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daily Exercise</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />It is a common sense WHOLE FOODS PLANT BASED diet very similar to what I learned at the Better Living Lifestyle Center.<br /><br /><i>Hm, interesting.</i> 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!<br /><br />I love that he recommends soaking beans and nuts/seeds. This is always a good reminder. <br /><br />He even recommends soaking <u>starches</u> to improve digestibility, and then eating them raw the next day, or cooking them. <br /><br />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! <br /><br />Francis recommends the following <b>food combining</b>:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fruit alone or with soaked nuts for Breakfast. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or, soaked / cooked grains for breakfast. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salad, and raw and cooked vegetables with <u>protein</u> for lunch. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salad, and raw and cooked vegetables with <u>starch</u> for dinner. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fruit - or raw nuts - or raw veggies with hummus, etc... for snacks. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel grateful for fruit today, because if sugar is off limits, something sweet is SERIOUSLY appreciated. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />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!<br /><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>For an EXCELLENT overview of the book: </b><span style="color: blue;">http://www.diet.com/dietblogs/read_blog.php?title=Never+Be+Fat+Again%3A+The+Science+Behind+Slimming&blid=12013</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">_ _ _ <br /><br /><b>WHAT WE ATE YESTERDAY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, we had green smoothie for breakfast: <i>spinach, papaya, pineapple, banana. </i><br /><br />For Lunch, we had vegetables with chick peas sauteed in olive oil, and sprouted grain garlic bread, using an organic vegan soy butter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>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.</i></span> </blockquote>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, no more microwaving. We're heating up our food on the stove on low. </i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />For dinner, I forget what Cliff had. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had leftover chick peas and veggies, and a smoothie.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>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. </b></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>No black and white. Just what I need to succeed! Easy going, relaxed. No rules, just <u>guidelines</u> to work my way <u>into</u>! NO STRESS!!!</b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Oh, and my dessert smoothie was super delicious: </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">banana, blueberry, carob, brazil nut, vanilla. A real winner~! </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />For snack, I had an apple and 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds while watching Downton Abbey. <i>I LOVE THAT SHOW!!!</i><br /><br />_ _ _ <br /><br /><b>SUPERMARKET SHOPPING TO NEVER BE FAT AGAIN</b><br />Today, i went to the Market and <i>carefully </i>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. <br /><br />It's really important to have things that can be prepared <u>quickly</u> for when we don't have time or are really hungry or tempted, like canned beans and boxed almond milk. <br /><br />It was a new-fangled shopping experience. It was very <b>peaceful</b>. I guess that's because I wasn't buying lots of stimulating toxic foods....which stimulate me when I buy them!! <br /><br />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, t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hat 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, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm glad processed is out. It feels right. And, as I passed the aisle with the veggie meats, I sadly said, "Bye Bye..."</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm excited to make cooked vegan <b>Sunshine Burgers</b> this week. They are an excellent replacement to boxed veggie burgers. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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!!! </span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><i>(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><br /><br />I also bypassed lots of things with hidden sugars that we enjoy, like ketchup, applesauce, baked beans, etc...<br /><br />I passed the cracker, cookie, bread aisle, and headed straight for the sprouted breads. <br /><br />Surprise! The Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Breads were on sale. 50% off!!<br /><br />_ _ _ <br /><br /><b>NO WHITE FLOUR / NO SUGAR</b>Looking 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. <br /><br />On both of these programs WHITE FLOUR and SUGAR were off limits.<br /><br />On both of these programs, foods were seriously restricted. <br /><br />I find it interesting to note that these were the only two plans that ever "worked" for me and produced somewhat lasting results.<br /><br />Al Roker, who is maintaining a 100 lb weight loss, follows the same type of restricted plan. He says this works best for him. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, I think it works. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are addictive substances, and, they give us cravings and make us fat. </span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />_ _ _ <br /><br /><b>WHAT WE ATE TODAY</b><br />For breakfast today, we had green smoothie<i>: spirulina, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, spinach.</i><br /><br />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. <br /><br />I'm aiming to re-establish my 2 meals, but tonight I plan on having a fruit-based snack, if I need it. <br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">_ _ _<br /><br /><br />It feels so good to be back on track today!<br /><br />After only one day of doing better, I awoke this morning actually feeling GOOD.<br /><br /><i>xoxo michelle joy</i></span></div>
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MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-14446506444119828502013-01-06T10:20:00.002-08:002013-01-06T11:22:18.054-08:00PICKING UP THE PIECES - A JOURNEY TO WELLNESS - A COURSE OF SELF STUDY<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><i>"Hope the fact that you haven't posted for so long doesn't mean things are going badly. By the way, have you read Brain over Binge by Kathryn Hansen? She also has a blog - google it. I had a binge eating/bulimia issue for 10 years which I thought was hopeless but using her theory I haven't binged or purged for two weeks - and it hasn't been difficult. I know it's early days, but this feels different to all the other things I have tried. Maybe it will help you too." </i></span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><i>- Anonymous</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br />Hi Anonymous!<br /><br />Ah, you know me so well! Yes, I've been having trouble the last month, and as sometimes happens when trouble arrives, I abandoned my blogging. </span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br /><br />I'm happy to be back blogging, however, and feeling very hopeful and motivated again for the future. <br /><br /><i>(A hug also to Lisa for her loving encouragement to begin blogging again!)</i></span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i>I have not yet read "Brain Over Binge" by Kathryn Hansen but I'm so glad you are having success with it and I totally support and encourage you! Kudos on your two weeks of success! Appreciate and have gratitude for every success! If it feels right, it is. You are doing GREAT and exactly where you need to be! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br />It sounds like a great book and blog and totally right up my alley and </span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">I thank you for thinking of me and supporting and encouraging me, and </span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">if I weren't knee deep in my own study already at the moment, I'd take your cue. For now, I'm feeling like I'm right where I need to be, learning so much. <br />_ _ _ </span><br /><br />Yes, I fell into a very bad depression the last month. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things began to fall apart with my program and I became increasingly discouraged. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or more rightly, I became discouraged first, and then things began to fall apart with my program. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm learning that "feelings" always precede food issues. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />What's amazing is, all it took was the flip of a 'mental switch' to turn the feel-good lights back on.<br /><br />Intentionally willing myself to feel good, no matter what my weight now, I connected to living in the Joy of the Lord. <br /><br />I was suddenly blessed with a very powerful upsurge in energy, got back to living, and entered into a intense course of study to renew my commitment to myself to get back on my program.<br /><br />With that, the depression lifted, immediately. <br /><br />I have embarked on 4 new areas of study I'm excited to report on: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I happened upon an online eating disorder program, run out of Dublin, Ireland, by a Psychotherapist who specializes in Eating Disorders, called <b>The Turning Institute,</b> www.TurningInstitute.com. Turns out, this program is award winning in Ireland. By means of videos and tutorials and assignments, the self paced program teaches coping strategies for lessening eating disorder symptoms. The website is confusing to navigate, but after I figured it out, Part I of the Mindfulness Seminar, which was free, was very enlightening. I am now embarking on the Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Course. Courses are about $65, (85 Euros), and take about 4 weeks to complete. There is one other course offered, the Family Course. In the free Mindfulness course, a simple, but amazingly powerful lesson was taught about emotions and food-free ways to deal with them. Learners are encouraged to write a list of emotions. Next to each emotion, they are asked to write food/s which might match that emotion in a compulsive state. For example - Bored - Popcorn, cookies. Or Dejected - Icecream, grilled cheese. Or Lonely - Donuts. Then, we were asked to add <u>an activity</u> to match that feeling. Bored - Popcorn and cookies - <u>Visit a friend</u>. Dejected - Icecream and grilled cheese - <u>Get a Manicure, Go to the Hottub at the gym</u>. Lonely - Donuts - <u>Bring a neighbor cookies, Visit my mom, Go to the potluck</u>, etc. Now when I find myself thinking of food/binge eating at an inappropriate time, I am immediately drawn to ask myself, "What am I feeling right now? Is there another activity that I might do that could address the emotion I'm feeling?" Very powerful to associate FEELING <u>FIRST</u>, then FOOD, then ACTIVITY. A particularly powerful statement on the website says, "<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #636b75; line-height: 20px;">IT'S NOT ABOUT THE FOOD, IT'S EMOTIONAL EATING. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #636b75; line-height: 20px;">One of the most common myths about eating disorders is that they are about food, or weight. This is not the case. Eating disorders are a way of coping with difficult feelings and emotions. A person engaging in abnormal behavior around food or weight, is doing so because they are trying to avoid dealing with something else."</span> <span style="font-style: normal;">I am excited to delve further into the courses in the coming weeks.</span> </i><img alt="Turning Institute" src="http://www.turninginstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/turning_logo.gif" /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around the same time, I happened upon a website called <b>"Becoming Thin Within,</b>" written by a chronically obese women who finally lost her excess weight for good, and not by dieting, but by simply changing her thoughts and beliefs about herself, using the Law of Attraction. Sierra was stuck in her obesity but decided to follow her dream of moving to Hawaii to work with dolphins and whales anyway. She was tired of putting her life on hold until she got thin. Paradoxically, when she began her soul's work and dream despite her weight, suddenly she began to lose weight. Sierra explains, "I decided to live my dream life and feeling so happy, I attracted a smaller body into my existence!" Sierra's website is www.iam-iam-iam.com and she has a lovely blog at www.sierra-goodman.blogspot.com. I have begun to read her e-book called "Becoming Thin," and am looking forward to starting the guided visualizations, and the teachings on Emotional Eating, Body Image, Exercise and Metabolism, Fear, and Stepping into Your Thin Body that I purchased very inexpensively. Sierra proves <u>happiness</u> is the source of thinness, not the opposite! <img height="257" src="http://www.iam-iam-iam.com/images/sierrabeforeafter.jpg" width="320" /> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thirdly I happened upon THE MOST AMAZING book in the oddest most innocuous place yesterday - a clothing store! The generic looking diet book was on sale for $1, and I picked up "Never Be Fat Again" to peruse it casually. I was like, "Wo, doggy." Miraculously, the book completely supports what I learned at the Better Living Lifestyle Center. I mean, how odd is it to pick up a diet book...just kind of waiting there for you...and to find it teaches a mostly raw vegan diet and outlines everything you needed to hear, to read, to know to pick yourself back up again!! <i>That is GOD at work, people! </i> This amazingly informative and well researched book is by an M.I.T. trained chemist who understands the science of regaining health and the science of weight loss. There are endorsements from Dr. Joel Furhman, Dr. Harvey Diamond, and David Wolfe. <b>"Never Be Fat Again - The 6 Week Cellular Solution To Permanently Break The Fat Cycle" </b>by Raymond Francis is going to help me get back on track, hallelujah! Raymond Francis first wrote <b>"Never Be Sick Again - Health Is A Choice - Learn How To Choose It,"</b> which details the same basic program for curing disease. A link for <br />"Never Be Fat Again" is www.amazon.com/Never-Be-Fat-Again-Permanently/dp/0757305318. <img alt="Never Be Fat Again: The 6-Week Cellular Solution to Permanently Break the Fat Cycle" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51n9X4vo%2BvL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /><img alt="Never Be Sick Again: Health Is a Choice, Learn How to Choose It" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KuBu%2BVvQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I am now watching <u>videos </u>of Esther Hicks/Abraham on www.youtube.com as well. My wonderful friend, Joy (<i>I love you, Joy King!!I</i>) uses Abraham videos as an amazingly effective tool when she is feeling down or low and they always set her back on a positive vibe! She suggested I do the same, and man, is it true! These videos are just amazingly uplifting and re-directional and I'm so grateful she introduced me to them! I am always amazed and inspired and uplifted in about 5 minutes. <span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I am truly beginning to understand more than ever that <u>everything</u> has to do with ENERGY, and either allowing it or disallowing it... </span></span>F</span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">or specifics on diet, Abraham says (I'm paraphrasing), "There is so much contradiction out there, it's amazing anyone can find anything to eat anymore! Between food combining and every book purporting food that's good or bad for you and all of the books contradicting one another, I'm surprised anyone has any food left to eat!" This expression of utter frustration about knowing "what" to eat was so real and I really related. So, what should we do? Abraham simplifies it all and says, </span></span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">"Forget all of it." "Eat what you </span></span><u>believe</u><span style="color: #202020; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> will help you feel better and move forward." A recent bowl of brussel sprouts and brown rice felt right when planning, and left me feeling energized. How invigorating to feel in control. It's also nice that the "Never Be Fat Again" book and my Better Living Lifestyle program both supports those types of foods. </span></span></span><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">Here are a few particularly <u>excellent</u> youtube videos of Esther Hicks/Abraham: </span></span><ul style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS</b>: <span style="color: #202020;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5iwooFszo8</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>DESPERATE TO LOSE</b>: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhL0KVwapxg</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>VORTEX WEIGHT LOSS</b>: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlG9JT97zEk</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.abraham-hicks.com/images/Time_Awakening_Thumbnail.jpg" /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />SO WHAT HAPPENED???</u></b><br /><br />I've given it a great deal of thought. What led to me falling off of my program?<br /><br />After leaving the Better Living Lifestyle Center on November 4, 2012, I did really well on my "S.T.A.R.T. A.N.E.W." plan I'd learned there for an entire month:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>S</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">unshine - get outdoors daily</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>T</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">rust in God - uplifting spiritual quotes and reading, meditation, Abraham</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>A</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">ttitude - positive no matter what </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>R</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">est - 8 hours a night</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>T</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">emperance - moderation with cooked and raw</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>A</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">ir - stretching and vocalizing daily </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>N</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">utrition - mostly raw, chew, chew, chew, 2 meals a day, vegan, supplements</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>E</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">xercise - walking daily 1-3 miles daily</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>W</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">ater - 1.5 gallons daily for my body weight</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><u>C</u></b><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">leansing - daily colon cleanses, charcoal and tea</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />I didn't do perfectly every day, but I felt an easy going trust in the program and in God and more importantly, in myself! I was learning to trust that <u>success doesn't demand perfection</u>, and I was happily just doing the best I could, renewing my plan daily, getting up whenever I fell. I struggled with water, the next day I did better, etc...<br /><br />I lost more weight and was feeling so incredibly hopeful!<br /><br />I bought a 2x Michael Kors top at Marshalls and danced around the fitting room! I was so so so happy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br />_ _ _ <br /><br />After a particularly troubling visit with a friend some time later in early December, things seemed to go downhill. <br /><br />I was enormously emotionally upset after the visit. I'd felt like my life was invalidated, that everything I believed in was criticized. <br /><br />And, worse, back home, I'd just eaten lunch and staring into the fridge, was honestly certifiably hungry again. <br /><br />I didn't understand what was happening to me. My hunger had been </span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">growing steadily over the last week, and today seemed like a breaking point. True, I was emotionally upset, but real hunger pangs don't lie. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">The less live nutrition we receive, the hungrier we are. </span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"Never Be Fat Again" is hugely instrumental in my new understanding of that. </span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br />Now, I understand, but I didn't then. <br /><br />On a purely physical level, I had progressively been eating more and more cooked at my Linner meal, absorbing less and less nutrition, thus feeling hungrier and hungrier. </span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /><br />We'd run out of bananas, too, which meant my morning smoothie no longer satiated me without that dense caloric load of bananas. I was feeling inordinately hungry all week and scared. <br /><br />I was also running out of most of my supplements and m</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">y hair began to fall out again and was greyer. </span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />All signs of nutritional depletion, I now understand.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /><br />Emotionally, this left me extremely extremely fragile and vulnerable. It was a crux moment.<br /><br />Upset about the meeting with my friend, but buried down even deeper than that, I was scared, confused, lonely, lacking support, reaching out but getting no answers, and seriously losing trust. I was losing my footing and didn't know what to do. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />An extra meal after that lunch out to satiate my hunger, turned into a binge later. <br /><br />I continued to fall over the coming days and weeks, abandoning the 2 meals for daily binges including dairy again. <br /><br />Gaining weight, lacking energy, losing motivation, </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I became angrier and angrier at myself for failing. Again.<br /><br />The more upset I got, the more I ate. <br /><br />A chronic sore throat and flu symptoms plagued me for weeks. It was a pretty rough time, physically and emotionally. Not to mention spiritually. I was angry at God, too, and at everyone else who wasn't helping me. </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br />I think I wrote to Joy finally, being honest, telling her how depressed I'd gotten. <br /><br />_ _ _ <br /><br />Alas, with the new year came new energy! </span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /><br />In the snap of my fingers, I'd changed my outlook, and my energy and hope changed for the better. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br /><br />I have a significant hill to re-climb, but this is where I need to be today. I understand I hadn't learned the lessons needed to allow me to stay where I was. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">Wish me luck.<br /><br />And let me know how you're doing.<br /></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">My affimations:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">I am worthy! I am strong! I am perfect....just the way i am. I am exactly WHERE I need to be! I am a work in progress! It's not how many times I fall, it's how many times I pick myself back up again that matters!</i></div>
</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"> </i></div>
<span style="color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">Lots of love to you all, <br /><i>xoxo michelle joy</i></span></span></div>
MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-25136837828179411142012-11-13T15:27:00.001-08:002012-11-13T15:33:24.305-08:00A WONDERFUL ALMOST-RAW LUNCH!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvV9_PjSkkXegYhRuGsuc_Cs_rxCDKWEEgCJxPip3HC7ciR5Gvga0R3dx_O_ENvY-yMp9isxMY1Y8D4JfFNR8aJYYno9U8QJIVLEdw0rPQXvfHwLFgollsKK9-UIBXPH3-SFMB4q1RA/s1600/salsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvV9_PjSkkXegYhRuGsuc_Cs_rxCDKWEEgCJxPip3HC7ciR5Gvga0R3dx_O_ENvY-yMp9isxMY1Y8D4JfFNR8aJYYno9U8QJIVLEdw0rPQXvfHwLFgollsKK9-UIBXPH3-SFMB4q1RA/s200/salsa.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a pretty pic i found of raw salsa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hello, friends,<br />
<br />
How are you all? I hope you are well. I am feeling VERY fine, indeed! I have so much energy today, wow!! I just got back from a walk with Cliff...it was nice!<br />
<br />
My honey and I had SUCH a delicious lunch today, I just felt inspired to tell you about it! And to update you on my progress! <br />
<br />
As I've told you, lunch is Dinner for me (last meal of the day), since I am only eating 2 meals a day now. It was early at 2 pm.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSFoEq6ENLiupnVnJaFsjLEefaIBQBCXbWsHkY0tSF-nBkEGOsKa7XQLFnpefxE-q_VjBi8hiJi_T5AvMn6QLRF8LZuL33Y9dJxCq3HOujgUmMvrjGWVZowN8QCnwWVhA5WYOxrHPPQ/s1600/guacamole+plate+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSFoEq6ENLiupnVnJaFsjLEefaIBQBCXbWsHkY0tSF-nBkEGOsKa7XQLFnpefxE-q_VjBi8hiJi_T5AvMn6QLRF8LZuL33Y9dJxCq3HOujgUmMvrjGWVZowN8QCnwWVhA5WYOxrHPPQ/s200/guacamole+plate+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A luscious pic of guacamole I found. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a hearty meal, so I feel very satisfied and don't expect to be hungry later. Although, hunger signals popping up from time to time are becoming...normal. I feel them in the morning, mid day, and sometimes before bed, but incredibly, they are in no way irritating and frightening as they used to be, only a curious sensation, which I can easily bypass. I'm actually more interested in doing whatever activity it is I'm doing and <i>usually</i> don't give them much notice, unless it's meal time. I drink some water and that helps.<br />
<br />
This must be how "normal" people experience hunger. It is so new and surreally fascinating! I guess since my system (colon) is cleaner and more 'normal,' I react more like a normal person, where hunger doesn't COMPEL me to eat IMMEDIATELY or COMPULSIVELY. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlijJLhgy7upJn82DUAfYRco_fHAAYZQSuuLPfX5ej8dCUmHj1b_5gdyTXgdxXCsV0Xs_JzLJmZ8UZhjD4YHmYH8ZBbGfTrS4_nKSvpm16y7jeJOmM-foGCG-4_RtGzR_yFAvAe0rzQ/s1600/flax+cracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlijJLhgy7upJn82DUAfYRco_fHAAYZQSuuLPfX5ej8dCUmHj1b_5gdyTXgdxXCsV0Xs_JzLJmZ8UZhjD4YHmYH8ZBbGfTrS4_nKSvpm16y7jeJOmM-foGCG-4_RtGzR_yFAvAe0rzQ/s200/flax+cracker.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A lovely pic of flax crackers I found online. <br />I make mine so much bigger! Sandwich size!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Actually, Dr. Arcilla says these are not 'real' hunger signals. He says they are signals for THIRST! So, I drink. And they do go away!<br />
<br />
For our lunch, we had RAW RED PEPPER CASHEW CHEEZE spread on RAW homemade FLAX CRACKERS. We piled RAW homemade GUACAMOLE with tomato chunks and (jarred) SALSA on top, then topped that with RAW CUCUMBER, ONION and JALAPENO SLICES! Mmm, the open faced 'flax cracker sandwhiches' were absolutely delectable! I ran out of tomato, so jarred salsa it was. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQGImFKilAY90BtKtI7u3IJ4MHwy5LYA4vIwzIK_6I8lRNjnUN0fv04QqPY-sqD1j7N0f1Wd3Crw62T48xhqZpeBarg5zmNv3X2GV1F6yno8odwxrGie0ANvB0LaluA0iM0GbVDDhiw/s1600/pepper+cashew+cheeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQGImFKilAY90BtKtI7u3IJ4MHwy5LYA4vIwzIK_6I8lRNjnUN0fv04QqPY-sqD1j7N0f1Wd3Crw62T48xhqZpeBarg5zmNv3X2GV1F6yno8odwxrGie0ANvB0LaluA0iM0GbVDDhiw/s200/pepper+cashew+cheeze.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My red pepper cashew cheeze. <br />Today's was brighter red from more red pepper <br />and flecked with green from cilantro. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;"><b>RAW RED PEPPER CASHEW CHEEZE</b> is easy to make in the Food Processor with the S blade. I take whole organic dry cashews, maybe 2 cups, fresh red pepper, sliced, usually a whole pepper worth, a few cloves fresh garlic, a wedge of onion, some himalayan salt, maybe 1/4 cup Nutritional yeast, maybe juice of 1/2 a lemon or more, some jalapeno, 1 pitted date, and process, while adding just enough water to create the perfect thick-like-cream-cheese-consistency. I scrape the processor bowl down a few times and when the cheeze is finely blended, I add fresh cilantro and pulse chop that in. </span></blockquote>
<br />
Man, it is the most yummy cheeze! This particular one I did not use salt. Still delish! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtdvMLYYxCPTjpjbSNy-X1cPSw2BSfItMdK_hfLPcCQYpaJQrK8GIfEuZ-fjOw_hUPg52x8VQrN0JAU_K45qfABODtqseb1KJ2N-_wlXJRwGtMm-edDR5nx8psdff2cSGz7xCoZVCeg/s1600/tm1d37_romaine_salad_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtdvMLYYxCPTjpjbSNy-X1cPSw2BSfItMdK_hfLPcCQYpaJQrK8GIfEuZ-fjOw_hUPg52x8VQrN0JAU_K45qfABODtqseb1KJ2N-_wlXJRwGtMm-edDR5nx8psdff2cSGz7xCoZVCeg/s320/tm1d37_romaine_salad_lg.jpg" width="320" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Yummy Romaine Salad....!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also served a raw ROMAINE LETTUCE SALAD with my homemade Vegenaise-based "RUSSIAN DRESSING" that is one of Cliff's favorites. <br />
<b><br /></b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>VEGENAISE RUSSIAN is easy - In a small bowl, I take Vegenaise, some Ketchup, a little Agave, a sprinkle of Himalayan Salt, a Tbsp or two of Raw Vinegar or Lemon Juice, some Onion and Garlic Powder, and some water and fork blend until smooth. Easy, vegan and yummy. Not raw, but fast and simple.</b> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV2ZA9ssgova1WViE0H-geTriUQ90FZLVCaCh0FrSsYJxh3ajoQ5cse-54x3nMtYMBDt5-syqClPxAWDb_KMfke_m7EfHQ4GL7pPSmFLQUo3XZ5rutQA69DLf99H19h3EogBmDWc7tA/s1600/vegenaise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV2ZA9ssgova1WViE0H-geTriUQ90FZLVCaCh0FrSsYJxh3ajoQ5cse-54x3nMtYMBDt5-syqClPxAWDb_KMfke_m7EfHQ4GL7pPSmFLQUo3XZ5rutQA69DLf99H19h3EogBmDWc7tA/s1600/vegenaise.jpg" /></a>Not sure if vinegar is bothering me or not! (We did not use it at the Better Living Lifestyle Center in Berlin, NJ because it is said to impair digestion). I must say i DO notice my belly feels a little funny after I use it, so I'm going to try to get back to more lemon usage instead. I can make this Russian Dressing using tomato paste and lemon instead of Ketchup. Or make it in the Vitamix using raw sun dried tomato. <b>For that matter, I might as well use Cashews and make the entire thing raw!!</b> <i>I'll keep you updated!</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L7MJDtD2SMTtZ9dqC4YWYAxCJnJB2JZVu-8wJqQrERcdXEn3R4awsC7h6dJwo6fXkixDA586WkmRoYRLMXEZjC8Ag9W2rSUYHzn8DmclLPeeuaTUGYtFFvfEheUHs0SRwIyDwklCTw/s1600/prayer-before-doing-some-work-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L7MJDtD2SMTtZ9dqC4YWYAxCJnJB2JZVu-8wJqQrERcdXEn3R4awsC7h6dJwo6fXkixDA586WkmRoYRLMXEZjC8Ag9W2rSUYHzn8DmclLPeeuaTUGYtFFvfEheUHs0SRwIyDwklCTw/s1600/prayer-before-doing-some-work-150x150.jpg" /></a>Cliff led us in prayer before we ate, and let me just tell you, this prayer thing is not only having an incredible effect on my diet, but on our relationship...and on our HOUSE! Did I tell you Cliff painted the living and dining rooms? If you know about all of my woes with a messy house, you will be gladdened to hear that we are becoming super organized, super tidy and super responsible for beautifying our house. We are becoming our best selves, and are so energized by this, and feeling so in love! You know what? God WORKS. Connecting to positive energy brings about positive change!<br />
<br />
I'm doing so well with my new program. I haven't had <u>any binges</u> at all! <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Connecting to positive energy brings about positive change!</i></span></b></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApCIk2TNjCWfEVm-bzJ5Q9Evk6-gHnmn_nP5bhOOe1IFsQsdGvA8cqtlRpuVg6VgZmf_vIzdrS3YwDjLXwsFNWPSeGJ6OJblDaib8Ke2CkkKfAPI9iLG456p6TBNi0MPORkIL57G9_w/s1600/MP900430786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApCIk2TNjCWfEVm-bzJ5Q9Evk6-gHnmn_nP5bhOOe1IFsQsdGvA8cqtlRpuVg6VgZmf_vIzdrS3YwDjLXwsFNWPSeGJ6OJblDaib8Ke2CkkKfAPI9iLG456p6TBNi0MPORkIL57G9_w/s320/MP900430786.JPG" width="237" /></a>I will get weighed at Dr. Arcilla's at my monthly office visit beginning of December and let you know how I'm doing weight wise. I decided it is best for me to not stir up all of those insane and obsessional Eating Disorder Demons about pounds gained and lost. Persistent and consistent Lifestyle changes are the most important thing!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
</blockquote>
If I continue to live binge-free, eat only 2x a day, continue with green smoothies for breakfast and mostly raw for dinner (as I have consistently been doing), and walk, and drink my water and take my supplements and herbs, and bypass hunger, and chew and chew, and end up eating less (but absorbing more nutrition and being more satisfied), I don't see how I WILL NOT eventually lose ALL of my excess weight! YIPPEE!!! <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">I have decided how my weight works itself out from day to day or week to week is NOT my business.</span></b></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">The OVERALL WEIGHT <u>TREND</u> is what is important.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span></b></blockquote>
<br />
I do know this - my bras are getting too big and my pants are baggy!<br />
<br />
The Doctor has me taking some appetite suppressing herbs, too, which I think are helping.<br />
<br />
I do struggle with getting all of my water and walks in, sometimes in a BIG way, and often fall completely short of the daily goal, but I just keep plugging away and try to do better, one day at a time. <br />
<br />
All in all, I feel I am in a very blessed, sane, Divinely supported state of reprieve from food compulsion and I am so grateful!!!<br />
<br />
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Persistent and consistent Lifestyle Changes are THE MOST important thing!</i></span></b><br />
<br />
Raw blessings to you, dear people!<br />
<br />
Please keep in touch and let me know how YOU are doing!!! I love to get emails!<br />
<br />
<i>xoxo michelle joy </i> MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-42033263918595479042012-11-09T07:41:00.003-08:002012-11-09T07:41:48.148-08:00RAW HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS IN LANSDALE, PA - THURS, NOV 15, 2012!<br />Greetings, Raw Foodies,<br /><br />Yesterday, I taught a Raw Holiday Cooking Class at Arnold's Way (20 people were in attendance!) and it went so well, we are offering the class again next Thursday!<br /><br />Everything turned out so delicious, people were raving! Succulent Raw Gourmet Holiday Fare...without guilt, loaded with enzymes and nutrition! You and your family will LOVE these delicious Raw Traditional Holiday Recipes...and feel terrific afterwards!<br /><br />If you are local to Philadelphia area, and would like to come, please email me with your reservation!! Please include your name and phone number.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center" style="background-color: #ffb966; color: #595500; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Chef Michelle's <br />RAW HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS</strong></span><strong style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> </strong></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #ffb966; color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 20pt; text-align: center;">
<span color="#ff0000"><strong>Thursday, Nov 15, 2012<br />7pm sharp</strong></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #ffb966; color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: center;">
<strong style="color: #595500;">$25/per person<br /><br />Arnold's Way Raw Vegetarian Cafe'<br />319 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446<br />www.ArnoldsWay.com<br />215-361-0116</strong></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: #ffb966; color: #595500; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Chef Michelle's ALL RAW VEGAN HOLIDAY Menu:</strong></span></div>
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<em><strong>- Smashed "Potatoes"</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>- Chunky Mushroom Gravy</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>- Holiday Cranberry Sauce</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>- Pecan Sage Stuffing</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>- Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>* Bonus Recipe - Kreamed "Spinach!"</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>RSVP: Chef Michelle at <a href="mailto:LaSoprana@aol.com" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;">LaSoprana@aol.com</a>. Please include your name and phone number. Thank you!</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>We need 10 for this class! </strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>We need you to sign up right away because class is already next Thursday!</strong></em></div>
<br /><i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-63166003380111429812012-11-07T09:54:00.001-08:002012-11-07T09:54:15.165-08:00DISCIPLINE IS CRUCIAL TO MY SUCCESS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello Folks, </div>
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I am feeling well today and finally more on track with my program!<br />
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I just got back from an almost 30 mins walk in my neighborhood, so that was good. And earlier, Cliff and I went to the Mall for a short walk. <br />
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I'm so grateful that my right knee is feeling much better today. Pretty normal! My left knee was REALLY bothering me yesterday, clicking! It was AWFUL. But I finally returned to my stretching routine this morning, and low and behold, the clicking almost stopped completely today. Thank you, God, for giving me the wisdom that returning to my stretching would help! I was really getting scared.<br />
<br />
I have to keep my very regimented program forefront in my mind and accomplish as much of it daily as possible:<br />
<ol>
<li>wake up -<b> I did!</b></li>
<li>study -<b> I did!</b></li>
<li>stretch - <b>I did, several times today, actually, and it really helped!</b></li>
<li>water 1/2 gallon - <i>missed</i></li>
<li>cinnamon tea for cleansing - <i>missed</i></li>
<li>walk - <i>missed</i></li>
<li>prayer and raw breakfast - <b>I did!</b></li>
<li>walk - <b>I did!</b></li>
<li>morning supplements - <b>I took my acedophelous.</b> </li>
<li>water 1/2 gallon - <b>I did!</b></li>
<li>work -<b> I did dishes and cleaned the kitchen!</b></li>
<li>prayer and mostly raw dinner, chewed slowly - <b>I did!</b></li>
<li>walk - <b>30 mins!</b></li>
<li>evening supplements - <b>I did!</b></li>
<li>water 1/2 gallon - <b>I did!</b></li>
<li>herbal pooping tea before bed - <b>I did!</b></li>
<li>bed early - <b>I will!</b></li>
</ol>
Cliff and I had Green Smoothies for Breakfast made from swiss chard: <i>swiss chard, bananas, maca, cacao, maple syrup. <br /></i><br />
Chard makes smoothies jello-ey, like blueberries do!<br />
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For dinner, we had Veggie Wraps "Vietnamese" style. I used Vietnamese rice paper, which you have to soak to soften. I spread one out, layed a nori sheet on top just because I love nori, then raw swiss chard leaves, veggie strips <i>(carrot, celery, red pepper, jalapeno)</i>, zucchini spaghetti, raw cashew red pepper cheeze, tiny bit cooked seitan, fresh cilantro, ginger root, and home made cucumber salad. <br />
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Then I rolled the wrapper up and cut in half diagonally. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Traditional Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce. My rolls were all Vegan...and mostly Raw!</i></td></tr>
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Super pretty and yummers served with a Vietnamese Peanut Sauce I created from Braggs, Honey, peanut butter, raw vinegar, garlic powder, a little olive oil, some water, and fresh raw peanuts chopped in it. YUMMO! I found raw peanuts at an Asian store and was excited to experiment. I guess the sauce could have been really raw had I not used the cooked peanut butter. I'll try next time! <i>Note: I now use Braggs today instead of Nama Shoyu. It contains ALOT less sodium. <br /></i><br />
Raw salads, veggies, and about 1/4 cup cooked potato accompanied our wraps. Very satisfying! <br />
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I am slowly getting back on track with my water drinking. I had 1/2 gallon this morning, and will have another 1/2 gallon now. Better get to it!!! <i>Gulp, gulp! </i><br />
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So much water drinking is not easy, but I understand the reasoning behind it. It really helps that I have my 3 1/2-gallon bottles from the BLLCenter with my name on each. <b>"MICHELLE'S WATER!" </b>Otherwise, who drinks all that water, unless one has a system set up, right? We got Poland Springs Spring Water, and I have my filled bottles in the kitchen, so when I pass them, I realize, it's water time. Water helps to clear away the toxins, lessens the impact of salt on me, lubricates my tender joints, keeps my bowels regular, reduces my appetite, and quenches my thirst! I awoke so parched this morning....I gotta get back on track with my 3 bottles per day!<br />
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I will also take my supplements this evening, including my colon cleansing powder the Dr. gave me. Gotta get back on track with the supplements! <br />
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I'm good taking my 2 bags of the Asian Poop Inducing Tea the Dr. recommended for me to get my slugglish bowel moving. It does induce poops predictably the next morning, like <i>Whammo!</i> <br />
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Wish me luck as I work on becoming more disciplined! Discipline is a GIFT of a connected Spirit. And discipline is the ONLY way for me to succeed losing weight, maintaining my new mostly raw diet, and overcoming binge eating!!! <br /><br /><i>"Ya just gotta do whatcha gotta do!!" No way around it!</i><br />
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<i>xoxo michelle joy</i>MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-39679832855576120182012-11-06T11:45:00.001-08:002012-11-06T11:45:20.756-08:00FAREWELL DINNER AT THE BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER<br />
Hi Folks,<br /><br />Just got some pics back from Dr. Arcilla's wife, Carmen, of our Farewell Meal at the <b>Better Living Lifestyle Center</b> (<i>www.drarcilla.com</i>). After 21 days there, we were ready for a special treat! What a delicious meal!<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Carmen Arcilla's <b>Phillipino Vegan Spring Rolls with Peanuts and Garlic Sauce</b>! Mmmmm, these wraps were so delicious and just filled with so many veggies and crisp romaine!!! </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>For dessert, I made Raw Pear/Apple Crumble...so delish!</i></span></td></tr>
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<br /><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Raw Pear / Apple Crumble RECIPE</span></b></u><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>I shredded about 4 large Asian Pears in the Food processor with the shredder blade. Asian pears are crisp. I transferred the shredded pears to a large work bowl. (As the pears sit, they get watery, but it's okay, the apples will fix that). </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>I processed 2 Honeycrisp apples with the s blade until as fine as apple sauce. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>I added the apple "sauce" to the pears, along with 1/2 tsp. vanilla, a pinch of Himalayan salt, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 Tbsp of cinnamon, about 1/4 tsp of chopped fresh ginger, about 1/2 cup of agave (more or less to taste). Apples have pectin and help to jell processed raw fruits. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>I mixed the apple/pear mixture up thoroughly and added about 1/2 cup each yellow and black raisins that I had soaked. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>I transferred the mix to a rectangular Pyrex dish and flattened the mixture into the bottom of the dish to leave room on top for the crumble. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>For the crumble, I processed with the s blade about 2 cups of walnuts, 1 cup of shredded coconut, 1/2 tsp Himalayan salt, 1 tsp maca powder, and 1/2 cup of soaked yellow raisins until the mixture pulled away from the sides of the processor. I tasted and it was slightly salty which would be the <i>perfect</i> compliment to the nice and sweet apple/pear mixture. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>I piled the crumble on top of the apple/pear mixture and it didn't look like it would all fit, but it did. It looked so yummy...like a Crumble!!! </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>I decorated with cinnamon, raisins and coconut shreds!!!</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<br />It was much prettier in person. Everyone enjoyed!<br /><br />Try this delicious comforting homey-feeling raw dessert that is positively teaming with raw enzymes, nutrition, and minerals! It would be nice for the holidays! Leave out to room temp. You'll feel comforted, your mouth will feel happy, and your tummy and intestines will say, "Mmmm, Thank you!"<br /><br /><i>xoxo michelle joy</i> MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-63473215452113219752012-11-05T14:09:00.005-08:002012-11-05T14:09:26.222-08:00FIRST DINNER TOGETHER BACK HOME!<br />Hello there, friends!<div>
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I'm writing with a very full and happy stomach and a smile on my face! <br /><br />Cliff and I just enjoyed our first meal together at home since my return from the BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER. <br /><br />It seemed like the perfect proportion of raw and cooked, and I saw myself doing things I learned at the Center, like going very light on the oil and salt, using avocado rather than oil, and using lemon juice as preferential to even raw vinegar, making several simple dishes to choose from buffet style, actually chewing my food during the meal, and praying with Cliff before eating. It was SO nice. <br /><br />Together, we made: <i>(Details included)</i><br /><ul>
<li><span style="color: #783f04;"><b><u>RAW MARINATED MUSHROOMS</u></b> </span>- 1 lb raw mushrooms sliced, dressed in a little braggs liquid aminos, a little olive oil & agave, mushroom powder, garlic & onion powder, a little raw vinegar. <i>Let sit for 20 mins and they get juicer. </i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><u>RAW ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI</u></b> </span>- spiralized raw green and yellow squash. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">RAW SPAGHETTI SAUCE</span></b></u> - 5 roma tomato food processored with s blade along with 1 small red pepper, 1 avocado, 1 small carrot, 3 cloves garlic, 2 rings white onion, 1 loose cup basil, 1/2 cup loose cilantro, himalayan salt, 1 date, squirt lemon juice - until smooth. <i>Funky colored, but tasted delish!! </i> <i>Try it! TIP: Serve and store the sauce separately from the zucchini. If you put the sauce on top of the spaghetti, and don't eat it all, the leftovers get too watery, but hold just fine, separately. </i> </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">RAW CUCUMBER SALAD </span></u></b>- 1 fresh cucumber sliced thin, sprinkled with onion and garlic powder, himalayan salt, agave, lemon juice, 2 tbsp Veganaise. <i>Let this sit for 20 mins and you get a nice dressing as the cucumber water leeches out of the cukes and makes the salad very moist. Totally yummers. </i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: lime;"><b><u>FRESH GREEN SALAD</u></b> </span>- So simple - a large green salad of Romaine & Arugula lightly dressed in 1 tsp maple syrup, 1/2 lemons juice, a few teaspoons olive oil, a few squirts braggs liquid aminos. <i>The Dr. taught me this simple but delicious dressing. Cliff said, "Mmm!"</i> </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b><span style="color: #741b47;">BABY FINGERLING GOURMET POTATOES</span></b></u> - simply boiled in water spiked with fresh thyme and a little olive oil and himalayan salt. <i>We had about 1/3 cup of potatoes, each. </i></li>
</ul>
Cliff said on a scale of 1-10, this dinner was a 10. "Wow, you have to make this meal at Arnold's Way!," he exclaimed. I hope and pray he continues to be so supportive and involved! <br /><br />We decided if we're hungry tonight, we'll have a smoothie. It's just SO GREAT to have a partner!<br /><div>
<br />David Wolfe says 90% raw is the minimum amount of raw food we should eat. This dinner seemed like a perfect example of that percentage. And Dr. Arcilla said my blood obviously shows that I still need so much more enzymes and minerals. "Do I have to take supplements for that?," I asked. "No," he answered, "You'll get it from raw."<br /><br />We'd bypassed breakfast this morning, so busy food shopping and running errands, and you know what? With what seems like a "new belly," it was actually surprisingly easy. We didn't eat until 2:30p.m. and I was fine. When I get hungry now, now that I have a much cleaner colon and digestive system, hunger registers as just this mild but not unpleasant feeling that doesn't insanely compel me to address it immediately. I can wait now to eat, hours, if need be. <i>Pretty cool.</i> <br /><br />I also examined my tongue in the mirror yesterday, sticking it out, "Say ah!," and was surprised to find it pink and clean looking and not coated with white as it had been - evidence of a cleaner colon. <br /><br />You want to know how to stop binge eating? Get a cleaner colon!!! I am telling you, this is one of the GREAT HUGE secrets I have discovered because I couldn't stop eating before...and now have zero compulsive desire. <br /><br />Do cooked potatoes compel me to eat out of control today? No. They are sitting on the table as we speak, not calling my name. A clean colon and good eating habits and we actually digest food and don't create toxins and depletions which, I hypothesize, register for us foodies as 'food cravings.' <br /><br />Truly, a clean colon is proving to be the ticket to physical, mental and spiritual health and well being! I am just more spiritually attuned eating cleaner and being cleaner inside. I'm more focused, more level headed. I am just witnessing all of this happen to myself and I'm so blessed by it. And the more spiritual we are, the less carnal we are, too. Connected to God, we don't act like animals with food. <br /><br />What are my other new tips to stop binge eating? Leave at least 4-5 hours between meals. This is so important I learned for good digestion, and I have found it to be so true. I wake up with a clear voice today. No more reflux. Plus, not stirring up digestive juices constantly with food on the hour makes eating normally so much easier. I think alot of the time we think we are hungry, but our belly's are just making digesting noises. So, actually eating LESS frequently helps us to not crave food insanely and constantly.<br /><br />And of course, eating raw helps so much with stopping binge eating. More nutrition, more minerals, more enzymes? Less cravings for food. <br /><br />We MUST chew our food 30-50x/bite. too. If we're putting food down the chute in un-chewed pieces, the stomach does not have teeth in it, and the body will not ABSORB the nutrition from it that it could, and we will be left feeling starving. Another binge-proof tip that has seemingly nothing to do with binge eating, but really has everything to do with it. <br /><br />Cliff observed, "My God, you used to chew ONCE, and swallow. You're actually chewing now! And you're not compulsive!" He's so happy with my new behavior. And my trimmer waistline. <br /><br />I can't say that prepping lunch was QUICK. It wasn't. But thank God, I have patience with food now, where I had none before. Again, that's from a cleaner colon, no frantic low blood sugar feeling, no shaking hands, no compulsive monster driving me. Cool, calm and collected, not having eaten all day. Yes, it does take time to make fresh good wholesome mostly raw food. But it's worth it! <br /><br />I feel great, feel totally un-compulsive, satisfied, nourished, loved, and blessed. What more could I ask for?<br /><br /><i>xoxox michelle joy</i></div>
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MICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48316345466072463.post-49884359744136876372012-11-02T17:36:00.000-07:002012-11-02T17:36:08.000-07:00Autumn Greetings From The Better Living Lifestyle Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello Friends,<br /><br />My time at the <b>BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER</b> (<i>www.DrArcilla.com</i>) in Berlin, NJ, just 20 minutes outside of Cherry Hill, has almost come to an end...<br /><br />I'm sad to leave such a special place of growth, education, discipline and new habits, but excited to get home to Cliff and start my new life together with him. He will be joining me on my new food plan!<br /><br />All in all, I am leaving here armed with much: a <u>new eating plan</u> (at least 90% raw / eat only 2 meals a day / drink 1.5 gallons of water daily between meals / an end to binge eating and a continuation losing weight), a <u>new body</u> (30 some pounds slimmer, more toned, a cleaner colon, and tons less water retention <i>as the less toxic the body is, the less water it retains</i>!), a <u>new enlightened mind and Spirit</u> (from prayer, meditation, study), and <u>new emotions</u> (peaceful and content...<i>most of the time!</i>).<br /><br />Sometimes you just need to get away and have someone wiser say, "Do this!" You do it. And, shazaam, you feel better!<br /><br />Today, as my 21st day is nearing and I will be going home, Dr. Arcilla did another "live blood test" on me. He remarked how much better my blood looked my 3 weeks back on (mostly) raw with lots of water. My blood had been thick and sticky before, but is now perfectly fluid, showing that I am no longer dehydrated. In my first test, he saw fat running around between my blood cells and none was visible on this test, showing that I'm obviously on my way with a much cleaner, lighter diet. Also, no more evidence on this test of furry-looking cells denoting free radical damage. Only a few of the cells are still oval shaped, (lack of B complex) the rest are perfectly round. Cells are still clumped up, unfortunately, meaning I still have lots of internal work to do on building up my enzymes and minerals. "You need lots and lots of green smoothies!," Dr. Arcilla said. <br /><br />The Dr. also cautioned me, "You know what you need to do. Now you just need to develop your regimented and disciplined routine at home. The only area of weakness I see with you is Discipline." <br /><br />Wish me well as I recover from a rather painful and troubling challenge with what Dr. Arcilla diagnosed as a Tendonitis or Fasciitis of the right knee. It is very painful and tight after getting up from sitting, and seems to bother me less the less I walk. He is cautioning me to not let that area of Discipline slide. "It WILL get better!" </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our "walking track," a beautiful road right outside of the Center which measures 1 mile from the front door to the Main Road and back. I was up to 5x when my troubles with my knee started....</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There I go...on my way!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What a face...my knee must have been hurting!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The gorgeous trees and Autumn leaves around the property. <br />One day I was walking, swinging my arms lightly, and praying to God, when a leaf floated right from the sky into my open palm. As i was just talking to God asking Him for confirmation, I marveled at the chances of something like that happening. It was a wow moment. And confirmation to me that God hears our prayers. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dr. Arcilla running a class on sprouting!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>He is an excellent teacher! So imaginative! He brings concepts to life!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In just a few days these dormant seeds grew white tails! We will eat the sprouts tomorrow! <br />Sprouting is alot easier than I thought. Step 1) Dr. Arcilla filled large jars with seeds and water and allowed to soak overnight. Step 2) The next morning, he drained the water out of each jar,added some more water and re-drained, having attached a sheer mesh screen over the top of each jar secured with a rubber band. Step 3) He set the jars upside down down on a 45degree angle facing down on a kitchen drying rack and covered them with a towel. "Sprouts love the dark!," he said. Step 4) Rinse the sprouts 1x/day...and put back to bed. They were ready in 3 days! We sprouted lentils, sunflower seeds and fenugreek! I'll let you know how they turned out! </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This looks like a plate of Tilapia, but it's not....!!!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's a sweet potato! A special Japanese kind of sweet potato. When we all tasted these scrumptious sweet pillows of butter yellow flesh, we went nuts. The creamiest dreamiest sweet potatoes any of us had ever had!! I had only a 1/2 of a very small one as I am moderating my cooked food intake. These sweet potatoes are so sweet, they are dessert in a purple jacket...no honey, butter, NOTHING needed! SCRUMPTIOUS as is, just baked!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The very next day, we made the Arcilla's take us shopping (!) so we could ravage a diminishing pile of these unreal jewels of the earth....such amazing sweet potatoes....and take them home with us. <br />Cliff is going to love these and I can't say I won't be enjoying my small portion either!!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Smile....you're on candid "yam"-era!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>If you eat a little cooked, run to your nearest Asian Market for these purple skinned, buttery fleshed (not orange inside!) sweet potatoes that are sweeter than any sweet potatoes I've EVER tasted. They are called KOIMO! </i></td></tr>
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xoxo michelle joyMICHELLE at FREEDOM FROM BINGINGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11790199375565017205noreply@blogger.com0