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