A WONDERFUL ALMOST-RAW LUNCH!

a pretty pic i found of raw salsa

Hello, friends,

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!

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!

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.

A luscious pic of guacamole I found.  

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 usually don't give them much notice, unless it's meal time.  I drink some water and that helps.

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.

A lovely pic of flax crackers I found online.
I make mine so much bigger!  Sandwich size!

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!

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.

My red pepper cashew cheeze.
Today's was brighter red from more red pepper
and flecked with green from cilantro.

RAW RED PEPPER CASHEW CHEEZE 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.

Man, it is the most yummy cheeze!  This particular one I did not use salt.  Still delish!  

Yummy Romaine Salad....!

I also served a raw ROMAINE LETTUCE SALAD with my homemade Vegenaise-based "RUSSIAN DRESSING" that is one of Cliff's favorites.

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.  

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.  For that matter, I might as well use Cashews and make the entire thing raw!!  I'll keep you updated!

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!

I'm doing so well with my new program.  I haven't had any binges at all!

Connecting to positive energy brings about positive change!

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!

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!!!

I have decided how my weight works itself out from day to day or week to week is NOT my business.

The OVERALL WEIGHT TREND is what is important.  

I do know this - my bras are getting too big and my pants are baggy!

The Doctor has me taking some appetite suppressing herbs, too, which I think are helping.

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.  

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!!!

Persistent and consistent Lifestyle Changes are THE MOST important thing!

Raw blessings to you, dear people!

Please keep in touch and let me know how YOU are doing!!!  I love to get emails!

xoxo michelle joy    

RAW HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS IN LANSDALE, PA - THURS, NOV 15, 2012!

Greetings, Raw Foodies,

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!

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!

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.

Chef Michelle's
RAW HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS 

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012
7pm sharp

$25/per person

Arnold's Way Raw Vegetarian Cafe'
319 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446
www.ArnoldsWay.com
215-361-0116

Chef Michelle's ALL RAW VEGAN HOLIDAY Menu:

- Smashed "Potatoes"

- Chunky Mushroom Gravy

- Holiday Cranberry Sauce

- Pecan Sage Stuffing

- Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust

* Bonus Recipe - Kreamed "Spinach!"

RSVP: Chef Michelle at LaSoprana@aol.com.  Please include your name and phone number.  Thank you!

We need 10 for this class!  

We need you to sign up right away because class is already next Thursday!

 
xoxo michelle joy

DISCIPLINE IS CRUCIAL TO MY SUCCESS!

Hello Folks, 

I am feeling well today and finally more on track with my program!

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.  

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.

I have to keep my very regimented program forefront in my mind and accomplish as much of it daily as possible:

1. wake up - I did!
2. study - I did!
3. stretch - I did, several times today, actually, and it really helped!
4. water 1/2 gallon - missed
5. cinnamon tea for cleansing - missed
6. walk - missed
7. prayer and raw breakfast - I did!
8. walk - I did!
9. morning supplements - I took my acedophelous. 
10. water 1/2 gallon - I did!
11. work - I did dishes and cleaned the kitchen!
12. prayer and mostly raw dinner, chewed slowly - I did!
13. walk - 30 mins!
14. evening supplements - I did!
15. water 1/2 gallon - I did!
16. herbal pooping tea before bed - I did!
17. bed early - I will!

Cliff and I had Green Smoothies for Breakfast made from swiss chard: swiss chard, bananas, maca, cacao, maple syrup.

Chard makes smoothies jello-ey, like blueberries do!

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 (carrot, celery, red pepper, jalapeno), zucchini spaghetti, raw cashew red pepper cheeze, tiny bit cooked seitan, fresh cilantro, ginger root, and home made cucumber salad.

Then I rolled the wrapper up and cut in half diagonally.

Traditional Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce.  My rolls were all Vegan...and mostly Raw!

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!  Note: I now use Braggs today instead of Nama Shoyu.  It contains ALOT less sodium.

Raw salads, veggies, and about 1/4 cup cooked potato accompanied our wraps.  Very satisfying!  

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!!!  Gulp, gulp!

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.  "MICHELLE'S WATER!"  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!

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!  

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 Whammo!     

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!!!

"Ya just gotta do whatcha gotta do!!"  No way around it!

xoxo michelle joy

FAREWELL DINNER AT THE BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER

Hi Folks,

Just got some pics back from Dr. Arcilla's wife, Carmen, of our Farewell Meal at the Better Living Lifestyle Center (www.drarcilla.com).  After 21 days there, we were ready for a special treat!  What a delicious meal!

Carmen Arcilla's Phillipino Vegan Spring Rolls with Peanuts and Garlic Sauce!  Mmmmm, these wraps were so delicious and just filled with so many veggies and crisp romaine!!!  

For dessert, I made Raw Pear/Apple Crumble...so delish!

Raw Pear / Apple Crumble RECIPE

• 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).  

• I processed 2 Honeycrisp apples with the s blade until as fine as apple sauce.  

• 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.  

• I mixed the apple/pear mixture up thoroughly and added about 1/2 cup each yellow and black raisins that I had soaked.  

• 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.  

• 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 perfect compliment to the nice and sweet apple/pear mixture.  

• 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!!!  

• I decorated with cinnamon, raisins and coconut shreds!!!

It was much prettier in person.  Everyone enjoyed!

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!"

xoxo michelle joy 

FIRST DINNER TOGETHER BACK HOME!

Hello there, friends!

I'm writing with a very full and happy stomach and a smile on my face!

Cliff and I just enjoyed our first meal together at home since my return from the BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER.

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.

Together, we made: (Details included)

• RAW MARINATED MUSHROOMS - 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.  Let sit for 20 mins and they get juicer.  

• RAW ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI - spiralized raw green and yellow squash. 

• RAW SPAGHETTI SAUCE - 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.  Funky colored, but tasted delish!!  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.   

• RAW CUCUMBER SALAD - 1 fresh cucumber sliced thin, sprinkled with onion and garlic powder, himalayan salt,  agave, lemon juice, 2 tbsp Veganaise.  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. 

• FRESH GREEN SALAD - 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.  The Dr. taught me this simple but delicious dressing.  Cliff said, "Mmm!"  

• BABY FINGERLING GOURMET POTATOES - simply boiled in water spiked with fresh thyme and a little olive oil and himalayan salt.  We had about 1/3 cup of potatoes, each. 

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!

We decided if we're hungry tonight, we'll have a smoothie.  It's just SO GREAT to have a partner!

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."

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.  Pretty cool.

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.

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.

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.'

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.        

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.

And of course, eating raw helps so much with stopping binge eating.  More nutrition, more minerals, more enzymes?  Less cravings for food.  

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.  

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.    

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!

I feel great, feel totally un-compulsive, satisfied, nourished, loved, and blessed.  What more could I ask for?

xoxox michelle joy

Autumn Greetings From The Better Living Lifestyle Center

Hello Friends,

My time at the BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER (www.DrArcilla.com) in Berlin, NJ, just 20 minutes outside of Cherry Hill, has almost come to an end...

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!

All in all, I am leaving here armed with much: a new eating plan (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 new body (30 some pounds slimmer, more toned, a cleaner colon, and tons less water retention as the less toxic the body is, the less water it retains!), a new enlightened mind and Spirit (from prayer, meditation, study), and new emotions (peaceful and content...most of the time!).

Sometimes you just need to get away and have someone wiser say, "Do this!"  You do it.  And, shazaam, you feel better!

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.

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."

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!"             

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....

There I go...on my way!

What a face...my knee must have been hurting!

The gorgeous trees and Autumn leaves around the property.
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.  

Dr. Arcilla running a class on sprouting!

He is an excellent teacher!  So imaginative!  He brings concepts to life!

In just a few days these dormant seeds grew white tails!  We will eat the sprouts tomorrow!
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!  

This looks like a plate of Tilapia, but it's not....!!!

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!

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.
Cliff is going to love these and I can't say I won't be enjoying my small portion either!!

Smile....you're on candid "yam"-era!

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!  

xoxo michelle joy

10 NATURAL LAWS OF HEALTH!

Howdy, fine folks!!

Hope you are all well!  I have limited computer access and I wanted to fit a lot in here...sorry this is a longy!

I have been at the BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER for a week and a half!  I am fabulous!  I will be here 10 more days.  I'm so excited to update you and show you pics (lots below)!

You KNOW my history with various raw diets, trying to find "the answer," my battle with salt or no salt, my questions over cooked or no cooked ad infinitum, my chronic binge eating and morbid obesity.

All I can say is, I seem to be breaking many of my hard-won preconceived notions here, yet things are miraculously....WORKING!

1. I'm eating salt here....yay, tasty food!
2. I'm eating only 'mostly raw'...(we have cooked nut butter, some cooked veggies, some cooked cereal, even small slices of cooked cake on rare occasions, etc...)....
3. I'm eating in moderation...what really feels like an answered prayer. 
4. I'm eating plenty of fruit, really as much as I want (without counting carbs or worrying about weight gain from fruit sugar)....
5. I eat as much as I want at Buffet style meals...
6. I'm eating plenty of nuts and NOT counting FATS...., wow, I can't believe this is working!
7. I'm not Food Combining but eating Nuts WITH Fruit.
8. I'm not counting calories or any of that....
   
   And YET...and YET (drumroll, please), my body has released 32 POUNDS in only a WEEK AND A HALF!!!!  It is TRULY amazing.  I am so intensely GRATEFUL to have found this WONDERFUL program!

I wrote the following a few days ago:

Yesterday we began a 5 day Cleanse (no solid food) which involves several different colon cleansing concoctions, one, a salty broth that has 5 tsp. of sea salt in it (!!) that induces almost instant mega-poops!  I took 11 poopies yesterday!

My weight went up the next morning (scary!) even with the lack of any food due to my particularly sensitive body's proclivity for fluid retention - which we knew would happen and are monitoring exactingly.

Today, to give me a break from the salt, I received a salt-free-poop-inducing-Herbal Tea from the Dr., among many other Cleanse elements, such as herbal tablets and fiber supplements to propel the Cleanse along, in addition to my now routine 1.5 gallons of water daily and several cups of herbal tea on top of that!

I am 5 poops in so far today and it's only noon!

Even with the pseudo-weight gain, I am BEYOND THRILLED that I chose to come here.

Learning to trust the Dr.'s wisdom through the temporary weight gain (scary for someone with "an eating disorder") was challenging, to say the least!

HAPPY NEWS! I lost 11 pounds AFTER the cleanse was over! (Total of 32 lbs. in 1.5 WEEKS!)  P.S. The Doctor prescribed pears and watermelon as a part of breakfast after the Cleanse, since I retained fluid.  Pears and watermelon are natural diuretic fruits. Who knew?  Hallelujah, they work!

I am learning SO MUCH!  I really feel like I completely (completely!) understand the cause of my binge and overeating.  Finally!

I am CONFIDENT that I will be able to follow the simple food plan, as well as follow the simple LIFE plan I am learning!

I know in the past I have often had great trouble following through with diets, but I am learning a LIFESTYLE, not a diet.  There's a BIG difference!  Yet, it's been a challenge to trust at times because I've been fearful of slight indulgences causing a loss of control or weight gain.  The black-and-white thinking of an eating disorder is being seriously challenged here!  Old dysfunctional thinking is going out the window!  I'm amazed that I am doing so well while still indulging in small ways.  I just can't believe it.  

And I'm learning something even MORE important - that predicting the future based on the past is a BAD practice and all a part of living in FEAR.  What was driving my binge eating?  Plain and simple: FEAR.  An all consuming FEAR had been driving my life!

I grow in confidence daily here by focusing on God's promises, and by replacing fearful thoughts with empowering ones that tell me I can do ANYTHING!

Positive actions follow positive thoughts.  Self defeating thoughts propel self defeat.

According to Dr. Arcilla, there are 10 NATURAL LAWS OF HEALTH.

These are found in the Bible...so they are really GOD'S 10 NATURAL LAWS OF HEALTH!

This is how I am living them here.

• 1). Sunlight - I am so enjoying my morning time here, feeling the warm sun on me before I go into my morning prayers and body stretches, before my morning walk.  It feels so nourishing!  The sun's energy brings forth life...and healing...and Vitamin D!  The sun's rays stimulate our 'third eye' or pineal gland which helps regulate wake/sleep patterns by producing naturally occurring melatonin.  As I abide by waking with the sun and turning in early after sundown, the quality of my life and health have improved drastically.  When I was acting out with food, I felt horrible, sick and drained, with only enough energy to lay in bed all day, and up all night watching TV.  I abused food for STIMULATION, among many other reasons.  Enjoying stimulating activity instead - in the sun - is a huge and energizing component of the program here.        
• 2). Temperance - "Temperance" is biblical language meaning self control.  Temperance has eluded me my entire life!  I am learning here that temperance is AMAZINGLY POSSIBLE!  Self control is so much simpler than I thought.  It's a result of following this whole amazing program which addresses the spiritual, the emotional and the physical.  In a nutshell, what I really feel is helping are the following:

• Simple raw food (for the most part) which reduces overall cravings/appetite stimulation because it is so nutritious and packed with enzymes

• Being part of an amazingly SUPPORTIVE program of people all doing basically the same thing (there are those in the group that eat much more cooked than I do)

• Someone trustworthy, wise and skilled to turn to anytime for advice/direction/support (the Dr and his wife)

• The inclusion of God into eating with prayers before every meal, and all day!

• Allowing at least 5 hours between meals 

• Actually, we eat only 2 meals a day and this has been HUGE in reducing cravings

• Practicing ZERO (I mean ZERO) food/snacks between meals for optimal digestion and craving control

• Chewing 30 -50 chews per bite

• Savoring and really tasting my food

• Sticking to regimented meal times (10:30 a.m. and 4p.m. usually, and that's IT!)

• Recognizing HUNGER and FULLNESS and taking care not to eat extra food past full

• The LONG meals here (we eat SO SLOWLY, we sit and eat for 1-1.5 hours per meal!)

• Stimulating conversation at the table

• Busy and stimulating schedule

• Amazingly satiating and appetite-reducing effects of drinking the RIGHT amount of water for my body at the right time

• The practice of moderation, eating small amounts of cooked foods (even cake!), so as not to feel completely deprived

• Ability to CONTROL my own food intake as we are served BUFFET style and I am entrusted to control myself with portion size (with support and constant encouragement)...  

Temperance, so far (Thank you, God!!!) is....EASY!  This program is just SO GREAT!  And know this: there is a fridge full of food not 10 feet away from me right now and all day, evening and night, but I've lost the compulsion!  My connection to Spirit guides me, my Obedience serves me, my Mind is renewed constantly with uplifting words, my "new" Body (it feels brand new!) has changed it's desires and I've said good-bye to my former inability to control myself.        

• 3). Air - Diaphragmatic exercises, deep breathing to cleanse the lungs, and several walks a day in the fresh air make me feel so good!
• 4). Rest - The quiet country life in the woods of New Jersey, a dark bedroom, going to bed on an empty (never hungry or growling) stomach, and genuine tiredness from so much exercise make for good and easy rest.  When I first arrived, I slept as much as 10 hours a night.  Mornings I feel rested and ready for my day!
• 5). Trust in the Divine Power - This is HUGE and SO MUCH of what had been missing in my life!  Obedience to God and obedience to a sensible Lifestyle/Health Regiment and I am a completely NEW person!  I know that as I grow to Trust God more and more and learn to continually let go of living in Fear, I will succeed!  
• 6). Attitude - Attitude is HUGE.  As a matter of fact, the Dr. and his wife are the epitome of a happy, sunny, joyful people, who are cheerful and a delight to be around.  I had a strong inkling of this teaching before I came here with the www.abraham-hicks.com messages teaching us the way to happiness and success in ANY endeavor is to adopt an attitude of "happy under all circumstances."  (I'm so grateful to Esther Hicks for giving me insight into this important practice).  Now, seeing it modeled in action daily confirms my knowing that it is REALLY right.  Why fret about ANYTHING?  God will take care of it all.  We just have to learn to "give problems to God," and TRUST and KNOW that there is ALWAYS a SOLUTION on the forefront.  A happy attitude under ALL circumstances is really one of the MOST IMPORTANT answers to health and healing.  
• 7.) Nutrition - I am following an AMAZINGLY SIMPLE FOOD PLAN here: Assorted Fruit and some Nuts for breakfast (10:30a.m.), Salads, Veggies and some Nuts for dinner (4p.m.).  That's basically it!  How simple is THAT?  So much variety, so delicious, so simple.  There can be SO MUCH complication in the raw world - With so many experts, my mind was reeling and I became incapacitated, paralyzed to even TRY to get back on raw it seemed so complicated.  www.rawfoodbootcamp said this, Arnold says this, Doug Graham says this, OHI says this, etc...  Calgon, take me away!  I'm so ENTIRELY grateful for the simplicity of this program.  And knowing that Nutrition is only ONE ELEMENT of the puzzle.  Nutrition is NOT the solution.  But it is PART of it.  Not having to worry about food combining is so freeing.  In the Book of Genesis, God says, "...of all of these trees, ye may eat freely."  Not having to worry about constant hunger is so freeing!  It's GONE- I get hungry 2x/day and that's it from two very filling (as much as I want) meals a day eaten excessively slowly...and lots of exercise....and that's it!  Proper eating and digestive practices make the constantly grumbling tummy a thing of the PAST!  Hairloss has stopped and weight is flying off of me so something is seriously working.  
• 8.) Exercise - Exercise has been a HUGE component to my plan here.  I worked up to one mile 3x/day.  Today, day 11, I walked one mile 5x during the day.  You know what?  It feels wonderful!  TIP: Frequent walks burn more fat that one long walk. 
• 9.) Water - We have been instructed to drink half of our body weight in water...in ounces.  For me, that's 1.5 gallons.  Drinking so much water reduces the appetite REMARKABLY, makes your skin look smooth and feel soft, it cleans your insides, your organs, lubricates your joints and energizes you.  The Dr. says water is ENERGY.  No wonder I am not hungry in between meals or during the 5-day fast, I'm drinking so much water and tea!  Water is also HEALING to almost ALL diseases.  Almost all diseases involve not only inflammation but severe dehydration!  We follow two simple rules when it comes to timing - no water until 1 hour after a meal and no water 15 mins before eating.    
• 10). Cleansing - Internal Bowel Cleansing and External Body Cleansing keep the body healthy, no ifs ands or butts, oops, I mean, buts.  If its colonics and enemas like we did at OHI, or more effective colon cleanses like I am learning here, it is vital we keep the colon regularly cleaned. The topic of Cleansing also includes Emotional Cleansing and Spiritual Cleansing, two ENORMOUSLY VITAL parts of the program that have made me feel renewed, recharged, reborn!

 What do the first 9 Natural Laws spell?

S.

T.

A.

R.

T.  

A.

N.

E.

W!

We have to START ANEW and follow these Laws DAILY if we want to be healthy and happy!  God will help us if we ask Him for help, follow THE 10 NATURAL LAWS OF HEALTH and do away with living in FEAR!

PICTURE TIME!

       

One of the gorgeous breakfast smoothies here.  We always get fruit, nuts and a gorgeous smoothie!  A few times a week, we get raw cereal, too. 

Mmmm...kale salad for dinner!  I was on the fast and missed this one!

Raw soaked buckwheat groats for breakfast...along with a  smoothie and more fruit and it keeps you full all day!

A gorgeous dinner salad here.

The Drs talented wife, Carmen, prepared this wonderfully filling and delicious raw meal to go with a salad for dinner and maybe even some dessert!!  I was on the fast and had to miss this one, too.  But be assured, we are NOT hungry here!

The Bowel Cleanse drink component of the 5-day Cleanse.  The Bowel Formula contains charcoal, turning the drink black!  Blech!

The Magic Bullet to the rescue!  Whips up the drink quickly!

Yum Yum!  3x/day for 5 days....and not much else...except for the salty broth...below!

One one of the first days of the fast with one of the other guests.  On the table you see a pitcher of the salty pink broth of which we must drink the entire thing within 30 mins.  It is a crucial part of the Cleanse and it makes you poop like 10x a day and works almost instantly...and for sure within an hour!

It actually tastes delicious! 

Breaking the fast with the Dr.s amazing Zucchini Alfredo!  Wow!

Salad to go with Zucchini Alfredo!  He made Honey Mustard to go with it!

The viking ship!  Watermelon Fruit Boat for breakfast, plus smoothie and  nuts.  Yum!

Raw Pad Thai!  I got to play and helped make dinner this evening.  That's the yummy  collard "noodles" with  my ginger garlic Thai sauce , chopped herbs and tomatoes.  Everyone enjoyed.  

GRAPHIC PICTURE ALERT!  This is a part of my colon lining which expelled in one of my many poops during the fast.  It looks green and hairy because of the bowel formula coating it which propelled it out.  Ookey, i'm glad it's outta here!  Buh Bye!  Here's to MUCH HEALTHIER LIVING!!!!!

xoxo michelle joy

GOOD NEWS! UPDATE FROM THE RAW RETREAT!

HI Folks!

I weighed in this morning and was pleased to find I lost 19 lbs in 6 days....and that's with eating SALT on my dinners!!!

And get this - my hair stopped falling out!!!  I am incredulous!  For 4 months before I came here, Cliff and I ate vegetarian at home, and every time (I mean EVERY TIME) I'd run my fingers through my hair, there would be like 10 hairs left in between my fingers.  If I did this 10x, I'd get 10 hairs each time.  This was FREAKING ME OUT SERIOUSLY.  

It has STOPPED.  

Praise the Lord!!!  Something is seriously WORKING!!!

An example of an early breakfast in the program.  A lovely fruit platter with a yummy smoothie.  This smoothie was pear, banana, strawberry, i believe, decorated so lovingly with a carob puddle on top and a gorgeous frozen blackberry!  The Dr. always so artistically gifts me fresh herbs on and in my smoothies and meals which i happily devour.  Num num!!  By the way, who woulda thunk it, but thyme tastes DIVINE with fruit as does lavender!

Soon after this breakfast, I began to receive nuts along with my fruit.  Perhaps all of the protein is helping my hair?  And eating so slowly, at least 30-40 bites per mouthful, it takes me a while to eat, but perhaps I am finally ABSORBING nutrition.  Also, by only eating 2 meals a day, what I eat, really gets to DIGEST.  I'm jazzed!
  

Another gorgeous smoothie with mint leaves on top.  I tear up the leaves and add them to the smoothie for a burst of herbal yumminess with every spoonful!  P.S. The Dr. gives me pears alot in my smoothies as they are diuretics.  Mmm...making me hungry!!

A luscious dinner of low fat avocado guacamole on lettuce scoopers.  How did they get the guacamole low fat?  There's tons of asparagus pulverized in with the avocado!!!  So yummy!  The tomatoes were such a flavor complement.  MMM, I remember savoring this one!!!  And yummy walnuts, too!  And chia seeds on top!!!      

I'll be here for another 2 weeks and a day!  I'm glad I get to catch up with you when I can!  I borrow the Dr.s computer!!  Check the center out on facebook.

THE BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Better-Living-Lifestyle-Center/413869575316712?fref=ts 

xoxo michelle joy

DAY FOUR RAW - BETTER LIVING LIFESTYLE CENTER

Hello, Friends!

I'm doing very well!  My feet/ankles look almost normal again and not blown up like balloons.  My knee, which felt like a tight rubber band was around it, stopped hurting after the first day!  My athlete's foot went away after the first day, too!  After 4 days of lots of pooping, I'm feeling trimmer and slimmer already!

The food here is simply amazing!  The Doctor is an Amazing Raw Chef, wow!  I am so excited to bring back so many new ideas for meals to Arnold's Way!  What I am being served is so SIMPLE in ingredients, but prepared so artistically that looking at it, my mouth waters!  Today I had pear "stacks"...that looked like bisquits filled with jelly...but it was slices of pear filled with kiwi and strawberry....so simple...but like the most gorgeous thing you ever saw!  Like something you'd get in Hawaii at an expensive resort spa!   

And it's not strict-strict raw....  At first it frightened me, but I relaxed and trusted.  (Michelle, you are in the right place...God sent you here!)  (What have I been seeking all along anyway?  SOME form of moderation.  Finding it here feels like an answered prayer.)  For instance the Dr. used Veganaise as a dressing for one of my salads.  I LOVE Veganaise...why NOT?  And I was gifted an amazing piece of cooked chocolate cake after one of my dinners earlier in the program when company was over.  It was so delish and made from some health ingredients!  Zucchini!  Apples!  Bananas!  No eggs!  No butter!  In fact, no fat at all, except for the fat in the walnuts and the cocoa!

We don't receive Salvation from raw food, but from GOD!!!  Raw food is a tool.  After understanding that, I "let go, let God!"   Yes, I actually LIKE that it's not so militant raw!  I have simple guidelines to follow and over the coming weeks, I will be cultivating more and more TRUST and KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to know what my limits are.  I felt an answer to prayer when the Dr. suggested,  "Cooked foods are more stimulating.  And you need to lose the inflammation and the weight.  You will be on raw for at least a year."  I like having this guideline with a good reason behind it, all the while knowing that I may be able to add Vegan cooked foods in, and still maintain self control.  Since I'm learning self control comes from God, I am really starting to believe this will be possible!  And i'm blessed that Dr. Arcilla www.drarcilla.com will be here to guide me, so close to Philadelphia, where I live.

And there is no food combining here!  That is actually a relief.  The only thing i have to really watch is when I drink my water - not with my meals, wait at least an hour after meals and wait at least 15 minutes after drinking to eat.  As far as eating rules, that's about it!  I'm getting fruit and nuts/seeds and smoothies for breakfast, and salads with veggies, fruits and nuts/seeds and smoothies for dinner.  It really feels SO simple!  And I get smoothies that contain both banana and strawberry even though that's supposed to be poor food combining, but the Dr. doesn't follow those rules.  It's actually FINE with me.  I feel great!  For breakfast the Dr. makes me these gorgeous amazing platters of fruit with some nuts.  And I get 1-2 juices for lunch and before sometimes.  And then for dinner I get huge salads with lettuces and veggies and apples and raisins and nuts and only a little olive oil.  So, it's SIMPLE, kind of normal!  I could definitely do this at home and that's exactly what i like best.  And sometimes I get juices and smoothies instead of meals.  He changes it up.  Oh, and for breakfast every morning I also get a smoothie WITH my fruit/nut plate!  So, I am NOT hungry in between!   He uses a little salt from time to time.  We're monitoring it.  My mouth is sure happy, but i awoke with my face a little bloated from a sprinkling of black salt on my dinner salad, so no salt in my salads today. 

This is a BIGGIE: I have to drink 1.5 gallons of water a day.  That's alot!

And ZERO eating between meals.  That is one of the most important insights i have received, how eating in between meals creates so much digestive disturbance and actually creates cravings and toxins and just wreaks havoc on absorption of nutrition.  I've suffered from thinning hair and brittle nails my whole life and to a greater degree at some times in my life.  I am anxious to see my hair restored with no eating in between meals...i'll be finally receiving nutrition from what i eat!

And i have to chew chew chew my food!  That will also be the ticket for me.  Sadly, 30 chews a bite, which is about all I can seem to manage before the food slips down my throat, is not enough.  The Dr. says I have to aim for 50-80!  Uy!

And i have to walk walk walk!  I started with 1 mile, then 2, now I am doing 3 and then some.  Whew.  I'm tired!  This will be a huge key to weight loss and to digestion.  And to mood elevation, as it already is!  

And a big part of the program is educational videos, so during the day and in the evening, I watch one of the multitude of health / inspirational videos available, like "Meet Your Meat," "Kentucky Fried Cruelty," "Diet For A New America," and so many more.  Such amazing info out there the Dr. has collected!  

The accommodations are fine and very comfortable, but not fancy.  "It's not the Hilton," as the Dr. said.  It is an extremely homey and very warm environment with beautiful decorations and fresh flowers and inspirational sayings everywhere you turn.  And the Dr. and his wife Carmen are so loving and friendly, I honestly feel like I'm with family.  

Now, we are in the woods, so there are crickets that unavoidably invade the house to contend with, but I just send love to the little creatures and they seem to quiet down.  The Dr. and his wife comically run around catching them.  

I think the MOST important part of the program is the spiritual angle.  The Dr. gives me daily lectures and he leads and teaches me quite a bit during meals, and I pray daily and read devotional quotes that he's hand selected for me to inspire me and comfort me.

One of the most important quotes I refer to daily is a scriptural passage from The Ten Commandments.  "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me."  Whew, that's a good one.  Food has been my God.  Today food is placed back into it's proper perspective - into something that nourishes and fills me and is making me healthy so that I can be the best me possible and serve a loving God!

When I didn't think that was possible, I abused myself mercilessly and destroyed this "Temple of the Holy Spirit."     I can't help that I am becoming so tuned into God.  It is such a huge part of the program and I am benefitting so hugely from it!  There is a biblical scripture that says something to the effect of "Don't you know this body of yours is on loan, that it does not belong to you?"  My body is not mine own to do with what I please anymore.  I'm supposed to reflect God and beauty in my body.  All new extremely intensely amazing awarenesses which seem to be propelling me forward...so I ain't gonna argue with success!      

There is a very nice library of health and spiritual books here, too.  Today, I read in one of the Drs. many books some very insightful information regarding binge end and overeating. In "A More Excellent Way" by Henry Wright, Wright states that overeating is caused by wanting to pacify ones emotions.  (Well, that's certainly true), but he goes on saying overeaters, in general, are fearful of rejection, fearful of people, fearful of failure, and fearful of abandonment.  The overeater has low self esteem, insecurity and the need to be loved.  The mouth is "a contact place for love and security," like sucking ones thumb.  Food has become a false God.  

Whew, that really hit home base with me.  I mean, just for one thing, no wonder I've never done many opera auditions.  I'm scared to death of being rejected.  And talk about insecurity and low self esteem...  
The Drs. first lecture to me was on finding my life's purpose.  "You cannot stop eating unless you have a Higher reason, a Higher purpose.  You need to figure out your purpose."  After not too long, I spontaneously blurted out, "I think my purpose is to inspire, and it has something to do with singing...and most definitely with weight loss."

It seems I lost my way somewhere after the Raw Wedding of the Monarchs in Oregon.  I felt like a true inspiration then, singing at their wedding, showing off my new thinner body!

While I was doing the raw catering, my catering partner prepared me some cooked beans with my raw salad.  I figured, 'what the heck, why not?'  I soon became propelled by a FEAR that knew no bounds.  What I ate (some beans) (my first departure from raw) was nowhere enough to send a person into an addictive tailspin.  It was the FEAR of what i had done and not knowing that my Salvation came from God, and not from raw food.  After the beans, I felt like I was doomed, and then for 2 years following, I tried to figure this thing out.

FInally, things are becoming clearer and clearer.

Now I must keep on track, because inspiring is God's Plan for my life.
With such a plan...to inspire...life is going to be challenging without my "crutch."  So, it's CRUCIAL that i find a NEW way to "pacify" myself.  So, here, when i am feeling alone and fearful and not good enough and scared and overwhelmed and discouraged, I need to God.  I read verses.  I pray.  I meditate.  This many-times-daily connection to Spirit I've begun here is a crucial blueprint for my weightloss success and a cessation to binge eating.

And walking and the water drinking and the clean simple easy diet all seem to play into everything to lift my spirits and keep me positive and motivated and on track and focused.    

Thanks to the Dr., I have a lovely practice in the morning which I SO enjoy once i begin.  (I often resist beforehand.)  After my cinnamon tea first thing in the morning (this helps to release toxins), I read quotes back in my room that pacify my soul and work on memorizing the ones that really speak to me, and then i go outside into the sun, feel the rays on my face, and pray silently.  I am really getting to like this alone time with God.  Then i begin the warm up exercises the Dr. taught me, stretches that don't only just stretch and lubricate my body, but exercise my voice!   To have a Dr. prescribe VOCAL exercises feels like every part of me is cared for!  I am an opera singer after all!   Was I ever surprised to find an electric piano in my living space, also.  It's as if God hand selected this retreat for me, knowing exactly what I needed.

Well, I think He did! 

~

I have a lot of time on my own in which i have to fit in my several times daily walks, my many showers, my water drinking, my videos, my spiritual study and my personal for my upcoming opera, and so much more.
I have been taught to shower after each walk to wash off toxins so they don't get reabsorbed into the skin.

Many short walks helps with fat burning, rather than one long walk, but it means LOTS of showers a day. 
Today in our meeting time, the doctor told me I am doing GREAT and that he could tell I really want to get well.  I DO!  I DO!  He said he was impressed with my diligence and discipline.  I had to roll my eyes because I am such a tremendously undisciplined person.

But I find that I absolutely THRIVE in a structured environment.

Of structure, I have PLENTY here - walks, water, meals, all very regimented, but my time is self-directed and self-motivated.  The Dr. encourages me often, but I'm forming the blueprint for how I will live once I return home.

Today, I was feeling somewhat discouraged, and tired.  So much to accomplish in the day.  Will I actually be able to do this on my own?

I often feel fear I won't follow through, knowing "me," but he gave me a wonderful quote to help me when i feel this way, and made me say to him, "I CAN DO IT!"  So I'm saying it again to you!  I CAN DO IT!

My billions of cells actually hear me speaking, so speaking positively to and about myself....is crucial!

Looking forward to keeping you updated!

xoxo michelle joy