Ok ended my juicing on Friday.........after 26 days

Car is packed and ready for a private picnic,
way different from the average Easter Day.

I did what I could,that is all I can do with the juicing. I took a break with orange and grapefruit and coconut water all day Saturday. But no,no, 
no  I did not eat a traditional Easter as many have done .Oh no I will share with you some photos of my Easter Sunday. This is what my husband myself and all 3 dogs did......... We got in the car and headed North in Washington on the Peninsula, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and community. Almost went to the farthest tip of Northern Washington State, but not quit.

3 dogs in the car ,with the sun shining,and that's
a plus on Easter in Washington State.

Four Raw Nori wraps with Pistachio (Raw)used as a spread. Topped
 with celery ,red pepper,cucumber,carrot. Then made a dip
 of Nama shou and honey with grated ginger in it.
Oh my what a great taste. Salad in container with stuff
added got eaten later that night.

Making the nori wraps on site,it was like camping.

Here is the dipping sauce-yummy.

We took a drive to Port Angeles,which is about 50
 more minutes from this site we did lunch at. This salad was eaten later
 in Port Angeles as we sat in the car and looked at the water.

Looking out at the water. One hour 10 minutes
from home and its cloudy.

Looking at the Hood Canal bridge as we sat and ate
our Raw Nori Wraps.

After eating the Nori wraps the Salad you see in two photos above was

 eaten later that evening about 6 pm. I made a lovely mango dressing to top
off the salad. We added kelp noodles cut up  and that  made the salad have a great
texture change that we will make again. This day really was a nice different
calm day, that was awesome.

Day 22 juice feasting

After last night I filled 2 of the bottles that I bought for Kombucha, I have to say I am in heaven with my 2 flavors that I made. I tasted both and I love them. I love them so much that I poured a bit from both bottles to test them today and then I topped them off with the original batch that is on its 9th day of brewing,and so far left the 2 bottles on my counter. 

Left over batch of Green tea  Kombucha. 

Two bottled up teas I made below. Light batch but I used 

8 teabags of Organic Green Tea. My brew spot is my Oven :-)

Oven light is on for the photo so I think the tea seems lighter that it really is.

Notice my newer self made Scoby that appeared on the top.The bottom of the jar has 

some older stringy stuff from the other scoby I got ,(but fell apart.)

17 ounce bottles of homemade Kombucha.

Both have a dehydrated pear in it for flavor, and the red one has

two flower hibiscus in it for more flavor.

I am heading on the road today and when I do that I take an insulated  lunch box

unit to take my water and juice. If I leave without juice I have a juice making place 35 minutes from my home. I have done that before but not today.

In this juice today I have : Kale,Celery,Cucumber,

Celery,Red pepper for sweetness, Lime and Ginger  

We have the sun out today and that makes me come out of my yucky feeling syndrome. I will say I  think the whole USA has wacky weather except parts of the South like Texas. I hear California only is 67 degrees today and that is abnormal. All I know is Raw is my life, Juicing is my longer goal,and keeping on track is my happy place. 

I am back to walking daily as my back still gives me issues if I walk too long. So off I go and enjoy the sunshine.

Day 21 of juicing......

OMG, Warm water with lemon juice. I like warmer water over colder water in the A.M. I have been playing in the kitchen. I am making my first batch of Kombucha. I got a starter scoby ,but it sank in the mixture and didn't stay flat so my batch which is 8 days old (and still brewing) started a new scoby. My batch started a new scoby on the top as the liquid had a good amount of the stringy yeasty stuff that Kombucha thrives on and  this batch is some tasty stuff. What I did was buy several glass bottles with a latch top.  I took two bottles and put a piece of dehydrated pear slice in each bottle, and one of the two bottles has hibiscus flowers and the pear slice. I took my made scoby and the remainder Kombucha back in the Oven to brew a few more days. I mean I buy Kombucha in the bottles all the time and enjoy the flavor, but nothing compares to freshly made Kombucha. I have a new Raw favorite.

So wow between Rejuvalac, Kombucha and ACV Water I am a happy chick with alternative choices. I now have instant some  probiotic drinks .Can I tell you what NEVER to do as I accidentally made myself vomit. Oh lord about 1 month ago I drank about 1/2 bottle of the GT Kombucha and before bed I took my Live refrigerated probiotic, not thinking that I just double gave myself a probiotic kick. Well lets just say I got up at 3:30 am a vomited. I can't tell you the last time I vomited. I am quit healthy when it comes to sickness. I don't get colds either since our grandaughter moved out last June 2010. Tomorrow I will take photos in the AM as the light of the room is nicer.


As of today I stuck with Collard, Kale, Celery, Cucumber, cilantro, parsley, lime,and ginger, juice all day......And I had plenty of water. I would love to get bold and attempt 1 day of pure water,but I haven't come to do that yet.

Day 15 of Juicing....

 I have been away from home a good 3 days Saturday, Sunday and Monday from early am until late pm in order to add to this blog, which never gave me time to add info here. I won't write here as I have a broken laptop and my phone makes it too hard to get down what I want to say, without making typo mistakes when I am away from my home. I am so old fashion that I am not into testing and it seems the rest of society does do lots of texting.

Today was a Sunny nice beautiful day. Maybe Spring is here after all. Maybe we will get the yard mowed today Tuesday. Our property is 1.34 acres and most is mowing land. My hubby will mow after work because he has a riding lawnmower.  

One of my busy days was Saturday I went to a up North  a 1 hour drive, to a 3 hour potluck and part of the potluck was having a lesson in Kombucha making, Sauerkraut and fermenting vegetables in general. The funny thing is, I actually had 5 day old fermenting Sauerkraut brewing  that I happened to make for my First Time. Friday eve it went in the refigerator and to the potluck on Saturday Day 6.

I made mine with Red and green cabbage ,some shredded carrots,and herbs,
spices or Caraway seed and fennel  (both ground with a mortar and pestle), and dill.

                                 

Leaving my kraut in the oven to ferment. Hey it's a dark place .
 I took the one container on the Right side while I left the left one in
the oven to ferment 3 more days. Notice in photo
below all of the saurerkraut turned purple.

This is the result of my cabbage. This was a good batch as all of the surekraut was gobbled up.

                     

                     

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing:

· Cleanses the lymphatic system and stimulates the lymph canals to drain toxic mucoid matter into the colon, thereby purifying the entire system. This enables the lymph to perform its house-cleaning duties by keeping the blood and other vital tissues detoxified. NOTE: After several days of dry brushing, you may notice the gelatinous mucoid material in your stools. 

· Removes dead skin layers which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal. 

· Strengthens the immune system

· Stimulates the hormone and oil-producing glands

· Tightens the skin by increasing the flow of blood, thereby preventing premature aging. 

· Stimulates circulation to skin, encouraging your body's discharge of metabolic wastes, which greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body. When the body rids itself of toxins, it is able to run more efficiently in all areas. 

· Improves the function of the nervous system

· Helps digestion - helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores. Healthy, breathing skin contributes to overall body health. 

· Dry skin brushing helps with muscle tone and more even distribution of fat deposits. 

· Dry skin brushing also rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin. 

· Individuals who sit at a computer screen all day long will particularly take pleasure in the benefits of skin brushing. People who have inactive lifestyles or jobs usually experience stiff and sore necks and shoulders that reach even into their arms and down their spines and into their lower backs. Increased blood flow begins entering the areas brushed and you will experience an increase in electromagnetic energy that permits you to feel energized and invigorated. 

· Removes cellulite - LADIES--Cellulite is toxic. Cellulite is toxic materials that are accumulated in your body's fat cells as they are unable to be eliminated. So, rather than liposuction surgery, how about utilizing the "dry skin brushing" techniques coupled with an alkaline diet program and a great exercising routine. It will break down the unwelcome toxic body deposits and send them scurrying out of your body through the elimination channels we discussed above

AND it's easy, inexpensive and invigorating! Tips and Tricks for Dry Brushing: 

* Always dry brush your dry body before you shower or bathe because you will want to wash off the impurities from the skin as a result from the brushing action.

* You can do the brushing head-to-toe or toe-to-head. It really doesn't matter as long as the entire body is brushed. Long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, and from the hands towards the shoulders, and on the torso in an upward direction help drain the lymph back to your heart. Note: Stroking away from your heart puts extra pressure on the valves within the veins and lymph vessels and can cause ruptured vessels and varicose veins.

* Use light pressure in areas where the skin is thin and harder pressure on places like the soles of the feet.

* Skin brushing should be performed once a day, preferably first thing in the morning. A thorough skin brushing takes about 15 minutes, but any time spent brushing prior to bathing will benefit the body.If you are feeling ill, increasing the treatments to twice a day is good. You can also dry brush areas of cellulite five to 10 minutes twice a day to achieve cellulite dissolving, but the technique needs to be done consistently for a minimum of five months. 

* Avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken such as areas of skin rash, wounds, cuts, and infections. Also, never brush an area affected by poison oak or poison ivy.

* Finish up with your regular shower and ending with three hot and cold cycles. That means turning on the water as hot as you can take it for several seconds, then as cold as you can handle it, then hot, then cold for three cycles. End with either hot or cold. This will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation, bringing more blood to the outer layers of the skin.

* After getting out of the shower, dry off vigorously and massage your skin with pure plant oils such as olive, avocado, apricot, almond, sesame, coconut or cocoa butter. Add a little peanut and Castor oil to the mix if you have arthritis. Edgar Cayce says this works to take out some of the pain, and we've found that to be true over the years.

* Clean your skin brush using soap and water once a week. After rinsing, dry your skin brush in an open, sunny spot to prevent mildew.

* Any well designed program will take about 30 days to see and experience the changes. Please be patient and keep up the program! For a thorough lymphatic cleansing, perform skin brushing daily for a minimum of three months.

 I am back to using my skin brush again ,as in the winter I was too lazy to stand there naked because the weather was too cold.II like the way the skin feels when using the brush.

    

Day 10 Juice feasting.....

Awe another weird weather day. I am beginning to think we will never see the sun again. I see the sun and it goes right away. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of the weather here in Washington State. I again started my day with my Rejuvalac water and MSM tablets. I started with 32 ounces of water and 8 ounces of the 32 this A.M. was the Rejuvalac/Water combo.

Health benefits of water

Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

How much water do you need?

Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.

So how much water does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? In general, doctors recommend 8 or 9 cups. Here are the most common ways of calculating that amount:

• Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule" — drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," as all fluids count toward the daily total. Although the approach really isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this easy-to-remember rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.
• Rumor has it we should all drink 1/2 of our Body Weight in Water ounces. Each of us need different amounts of water with this rule in place.

And this is my Wheatgrass,and I don't own a wheatgrass juicer. Yes it is possible to get wheatgrass into our body without a wheatgrass juicer. What I do is cut a good bunch of the grass and take about 6 ounces of fresh water and add them to my Vitamix. I then take a fine strainer with the back of a spoon and push down my spoon until the grass is dry. Yes ,I may not be getting a potent blast but I assure you I have been taking my Wheatgrass this way for over 2 years and have had great changes as posted back in my blog awhile ago.


WHAT I AM FEELING: I am actually having in and out thoughts of my life and the negative it had. I know it is detox as I have been eating fairly good. I just can't get a grip on much positive as I had an unhappy childhood. I am not going to cherry coat my life. I just like staying raw and I feel so good, and this is my intension: 
*stay Raw 
*stay juicing
 *have some Elixir teas 

Day 8 Juice feasting....

I started my day with 32 ounces of warm water with MSM in it. The photo to the right is a 1/4 of a glass of my Rejuvalac that I now make. Instead of making a huge batch of  soaked wheatberries :  what I now do is soak about 1 small handful of berries soaked overnight,then sprouted and rinsed for 2 days and then I pour about 8 cups of water in my big glass jar. I proceed to leave the jar and the sprouted wheatberries in my dark place 
( my oven), for 1-2 days depending on the flavor I want. I now pour the finished glass of Rejuvalac and add some fresh squeezed lemon into the water, then I also add some fresh Spring water. I think plain Rejuvalac is something I have to slowly get used to drinking straight. I know the Rejuvalac is good for my intestinal tract.

After being up  a few hours I did a SWF (Salt water flush). I hurt my back so doing an enema right now is not ok. So I do the next best thing. Today I got  a package that I was real excited to get in the mail and I want to say I am happy. Here is what I received from Fed-Ex today: I have myself the real deal REAL Ceylon Cinnamon- Not Cassia Cinnamon.<---Click the link and read the difference. The tin contains 90 - 100 pieces of five inch long Cinnamon sticks which are individually cellophane wrapped and enclosed in an alufoil pack preserve the aroma .

Real  Ceylon Cinnimon from Sri Lanka

 A rough distinction can be made between two types of cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon only contains low levels of coumarin which are safe from the Institute’s risk assessment perspective. By contrast, cassia cinnamon contains high levels of coumarin and large amounts of this cinnamon should not, therefore, be eaten.
Be wise and buy only Ceylon Cinnamon pure and straight from Ceylon .

Cinnamon and Sri Lanka's affinity is so strong that the very botanical name of the spice - Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is derived from the island's former name, Ceylon Affinity between Cinnamon and Sri Lanka is so strong that the very botanical name of the spice - Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is derived from the island's former name, Ceylon.

This is a tea I make with several ingredients including Fresh Cranberries saved in my freezer for the Holiday time and Gogi berries, hemp seeds, just to name a few ingredients then I add  chinese herb ingredients and whip me up a wonderful elixir drink! I cut 1 cinnamon stick into this already made teabase . What I did is warm my tea on the stove with the cinnamon and all I can say is what a lovely smell in the warm tea and I taste it in the tea too. Yummy too. Funny thing is the cinnamon has no scent just out of the wrapper. But I am very happy with my purchase.

My choice for today is very different. I feel so good drinking the Mint elixir that I will only drink Water, Rejuvalac ,Tea base ,and this elixir above. I am listening to my body and I am really not wanting anything else so far today. 

Day 6 of Juice feasting....

I want to start off by saying yesterday was a super busy day and that's why I didn't get on here yesterday. My hubby and I left our home approximately 1 pm and the day was beautiful and a blue sky with light wind. I had to go into Seattle to pick up some soap products and some organic goods to make some juices. However once we got over the Narrows Bridge and headed north the sky was dark ,and  pouring rain on and off all the way into Seattle. Parts of Seattle got sunny and the ride home was more pour down rain episodes. And guess what we came home to a sunny sky, but I will say about an hour went by and we did get a tad bit of rain once we arrived home. I was a good girl as I look in the car some Coconut water ,1 juiced orange ,1 juiced grapefruit  and 1 teas. of Vitamineral green. I love this drink it is a winner!
Juice I made in my AM -Midday~My V-8~ALL ORGANIC produce


* Whole Stalk Celery
* 1 large Cucumber
*Broccoli Stalk 
*2 Red Chard
*10 large basil leaves
*Trader Joe Tiny red and yellow baby tomatoes
*Zucchini
*3 Small garlic
*Parsley (good amount)
*1 large carrot
*Burdock root about 10" long(bought at Asian market)
*Small Spinach bunch-------I use my Breville,BUT I take the pulp and put in in a nut milk bag. Oh My I actually got 8 more ounces this time around ,which is the most in ounces I ever have gotten from squeezing my pulp.

This made 1.5 mason jars~ I really like this one too.....So Many good ones I am happy with.


When I first started raw in October of 2008 I never intended to eat organic in my beginning adventure, although the more I learn and the more I eat raw, I know know I am doing the body good. Some items I get at a Asian market such as Young Thai coconuts and Fresh ginger,and large stalks of Burdock root sometimes if they carry organic and the item looks good I buy some produce,but not usually will I buy produce at an Asian market due to non-organic. This is my first choice in buying juicing and eating my raw from here on out ....


Today is Saturday and I woke up and I made a lovely tea of: 1/2 bag 
frozen cranberries (saved from Christmas), 1/4 C gogi berries, of *2 Tbsp.* these next herbs: pau d'arco bark shaved, horsetail, licorice root, milk thistle, cats claw, nettle leaf,and 10 pieces of Reishi pieces about 4 "long: I put the teas to a slow 
heating ,turn the tea off and leave alone covered for about 5 hours and put into mason jars.
And here is a photo of the kind I purchased. I want to say this tea making then tonic making is a new path I am doing and I am loving this. Again I am newer at making teas but its very much a fun and good tasting adventure. 

Now I will take a break and hubby and I are heading to Olympia South of us , another 1 hour drive to fill our many containers and get the best water out of the ground you could ever imagine. I have been getting this water for at least 9 years. Oh my What a blah kinda day,not sunny but grey and just yuk. Yes you are probably saying that how can this be a natural spring in the middle of a parking lot. The spring has been here since 1914,so the built a city around this ..

Tonight is country music awards, my kinda music. Yet,country music is my favorite. Actually all music is fine but total rock is too hard core for me. So off I go and make me another juice.

Day 4 of Juice feasting

I have had a good 4 days. How really amazing is it to know juices can feed our body and with very good nutrition at best.


My goal is to take in 2 lbs of green leafy vegetables. I am ready to get back to exercise since I was having trouble with simple walking as I twisted my back on Monday March 7th. My plan is to walk at this time and slowly work back into rowing and using the elliptical machine. Right now I can not jar my back too much as I have slight pain if I move wrong or get pulled (By my dog's leash pulled that is):-).




Today I had 48 oz kale,spinach,celery,red pepper,lemon,burbock root,apple,pear and ginger


18 oz of oranges,grapefruits,into fresh coconut water with Vitamineral green


32 oz swiss chard, celery, cucumber, garlic, lemon, burdock root, apple and ginger.




Time to head to the store in Tacoma, where I can get local organic, although I pay more money there. I have to travel over 1 hour South to a Co-op with great prices or head to Seattle to PCC co-op and/or Whole foods. These runs take place either Saturday or Sunday.


Why I am juicing: The reason I juice is I feel the need to clean out unwanted food, lift mental clarity and remove toxic yuk that probably is in me as I am not the most perfect Raw food eating Gal. Although my goal is to juice and track what I eat and then change over to Raw recipes and tally the calories ,fat and carbs. Most people don't count these things ,but I know my body and the more I know about what my intake is the better I will  succeed.~

Day 3 of Juice feasting....

Wheatgrass and The health benefits of chlorophyll

The power of sunshine in chlorophyll is wonderfully cleansing in the body. The greener the leaves, the more concentrated the amount of chlorophyll.

The reported health benefits from chlorophyll consumption are just too many. Taken consistently in sufficient amounts, here are some of the powerful remedial effects of this amazing substance:

• Increases blood count
• Detoxifies and cleansing
• Alleviates blood sugar problems
• Reduces or eliminates body odors
• Relieves gastric ulcers
• Greatly relieves respiratory troubles like asthma and sinuses
• Kills bacteria in wounds and speeds up healing
• Reduces inflammation pain
• Improves bowel functions
• Improves milk production in lactating mothers
• Soothes painful hemorrhoids

Although many argue that fruit juices taste better than vegetable juices there are still many great reasons to drink vegetable juice. We can get more benefit from juicing vegetables when compared to juicing fruits because our digestive systems find it harder to break down and digest vegetables. Fruit juices also tend to contain higher concentrations of sugar than vegetable juices. Because of these points many people who juice for health reasons argue that it is more beneficial to juice vegetables than juice fruit. Personally I like some sweet fruits as you will see, I strive for green juices most often and I like a Red pepper to sweeten instead of using an apple.

How I was today was well lets just say laying low. We have so many rainy days that juicing is kinda just on my mind.I can't go outside and walk. I just got my self back to feeling normal after not being able to walk upright after hurting my back again.Today is Wednesday and Monday was 3 weeks of walking hunched over and really body sore.

Today I started with 32 oz of lemon water and MSM caps


Water,Water,and more water

Green juice of Kale,Spinach,pineapple,cucumber,celery,cilantro,parsley and ginger


Elixir tea of Horsetail,nettle tea and more spices like cinnamon,clove and other herbs. Off to bed now :-)

Juice feasting Day 2 on a roll

What a day,we are back to wet yucky weather. I have the hardest time because when we juice our body gets colder. I was hungry but made more juice Juice feasting is this:

What is Juice Feasting? 

“Juice Feasting” is quite simply put, feasting on Juice! Very exciting things happen when you do this.

You may have heard of “Juice Fasting” or “Juicing,” but this is something quite different. “Juice Feasting” involves drinking large quantities of plant-based juices  that you make yourself, right in your own kitchen, using nothing more than a blender and a nut milk bag. (You don’t even need a juicer to do this.) I happen to use a Brevelle, however I squeeze the pulp in a nut-milk bag, and usually get about 2-3 more ounces since Breville juice's tend to leave the pulp wet.I like using mine because you do get to make juice quit fast,clean-up and all~

Juice Feasting is a nutritional protocol where you replace all of your meals with freshly-made vegetable and fruit juices. So instead of eating cooked food, processed food or “instant” foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you drink delicious raw juices throughout the day. There’s no deprivation, no heavy fasting and no starvation. You can drink unlimited quantities of all the fresh, delicious juice you want!

This provides every nutritional element needed for human consumption, and yes juices provide your body with plenty of protein (amino acids). (Raw vegetables are loaded with protein (amino acids). It’s only when you cook them that the protein is destroyed.) Plus, it delivers literally thousands of disease reversing phytonutrients, including many that are well documented to reverse cancers, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, arthritis and many other conditions.

If you want to you can consume super food supplements or high-grade nutritional supplements targeted to your specific health needs. Juice Feasting doesn’t replace your supplements; it replaces your unhealthy cooked food with nature’s most delicious, drinkable food!

Today I started with Wheatgrass and 1 hour later was 32 oz of water and  1/4 C was the Rejuvalac. I stuck with Lemon water, with Cayanne as if to be making  the "Master Cleanse" recipe, for most of my day. My second 32 ounces was my beet drink with: Beet, Broccoli,Kale,Cucumber,Apple,Lemon, and Ginger....I LUV this drink~

I also drink lots and lots of Water and tea in and out of the day.

Starting my Juicing days -Day 1

Oh Oh,is it that time again. I am so glad that Winter is ending and Spring is beginning. The weather may not feel so much like so here in the Pacific Northwest but we have too many rainy days and this gets real old real fast. I am spending my beginning days with myself by taking it easy and see what happens. I have been eating raw food with vegan meals too, but my passion is to become a full raw eating human being. This is a testimonial to myself. I think Vegan seems to be much easier although I will be concentrating on my ever day and every meal putting nothing but tea, broth, juicing into my body and take 1 day at at a time. Today I sipped on a juice made from :

beetroot and greens,broccoli,kale,romaine,cucumber,celery,lemon,ginger.And check this out I have been making rejuvalac with winter wheat berries:

Now what I do is make rejuvalac and put in into the refrigerator,then what I do is  add rejuvalac into my juice and my water at about 1/4 C  2-3 times per day times a per day. If I don't wake up to 32 of oz. spring water with lemon or ACV, then I add rejuvalac into my morning water. And I must say I really like this every morning. Switching out the rejuvalac, for lemon,or the ACV makes each day good, and I don't get boring tasting the same old lemon water every AM.Some mornings I will actually start with Wheatgrass then wait 1 hour before having my first juice of the day.

I blog for myself~but it is work

Tomorrow Monday March 28th, 2011will be another Day one adventure in the Dianne saga of a"Juice Feasting Adventure" in the Pacific Northwest. This is my journey and I need to write my plan in order to help me succeed. Now I have prepared myself with several recipes and tons of new reading material that keeps my brain happy with knowledge. What I did was buy a big spiral notebook that has pockets in order to put important info into them in order to help me through my journey. What my plan is to sit down every evening and plan my following days menu. So off to watch some T V before bed~

My New Raw Life and my Weight loss Journey

Tools I Will Use To Lose Weight

1)     MIRROR….Take a good look at yourself in a full length mirror… are you happy with what you see? If you are ready to change you must start right now, because by tomorrow you may find an excuse and if you really want to change you will start right now… Be Honest with yourself!!
2)    PEDOMETER…    Get yourself a good pedometer… Just put it on and get moving.  I find a pedometer a good motivator, you want to get those extra steps by using the stairs or parking farther away from stores and walking… get moving and you can get the recommended 10,000 steps a day…..Broken down into one long walk 10,000 steps is equal to about 4-5 miles a day depending on your stride length.  Work your way up to a 30 minute walk 5 days a week… It is so doable just get moving!!!
3)    JOURNAL… Get a journal or even a small notebook.  Every day write down how many steps you took, what other exercise you did, time spent exercising, how hard did you exercise and what you ate for the whole day.  I do this just before I go to bed. I write down my weight for the day and then reflect on my day.  Things that went well and things not so well that I want to do better.  If you are honest and write down your food choices it is easier to track what may be holding back from losing weight!!
4)    BREAKFAST… most people who struggle with weight do not eat breakfast. You must give your body a healthy start to the day. A healthy Breakfast will give your metabolism a jump start and get you ready for a calorie burning day. If you skip breakfast your body will go into a starvation mode.  Your metabolism will slow down. This happens because your body needs to store everything it takes in for the future when you will again skip meals. When you do eat again your body prepares for that starvation time by storing a large amount of fat. You really need to start the day out right and get the energy you need for the calorie burning day ahead. I still am not a breakfast eater, so I drink a juice with greens like kale and other yummies in my drink in the A.M.~
5)    WATER…Water will help your body to function properly.  Water is the elixir of the Gods.  Drinking 8 glasses a day will clean out your system and move food through your body more quickly.  Drinking Cold water actually burns calories. Drink water before meals it will help to fill you up and force you to eat less at meals.  If you go out to a restaurant drink a large glass of water before you even order, trust me you will order a smaller meal!!!
6)    HEALTHY SNACKS… Every morning a cut up a bowl of fruit for the day a head.  I cut 1 large apple, 4 strawberries, ½ cup of blueberries... I use whatever fruit I can find.  I then cover this fruit and keep it in the refrigerator for the day.  I snack on this fruit all day.  When I need a quick bite it is there and ready for me.  When I go out on a long run or bike ride I bring baggy of fruit with me for snacking. When you go out shopping or whatever bring this fruit with you and if you are out and need a snack you have a healthy one and will not be tempted by fast food or unhealthy easy foods. Go out prepared with a good food choice at your finger tips!!!
7)    NUTS…  I love nuts.  They are easy to store and to carry.  Almonds and Walnuts are a great source of omega 3s.    Natural unsalted all the varieties that grow on trees, what an easy healthy snack.  I usually eat nuts as a mid day snack they really curb hunger.  I suggest eating a small handful 10-12nuts for a good snack.
8)    VITAMINS… I take a few different vitamins.  I take a multi vitamin and then a cocktail of vitamins/supplements that I feel may be lacking in my diet.   I live in the Pacific NW and we don’t get a lot of sun so I feel that it is really import to take Vitamin D.  I take 2000 IU daily.
9)    NO FOOD FOR 3 HOURS BEFORE BED… This was one of the first things I did to change my life.  I started losing just by not eating before bed. If you have reflux problems, this will help alleviate this problem.  It is so easy to do. If you go to bed at 11:00, don’t eat after 8:00PM!!
10)   MARK ERASE BOARD… I have a mark erase board in my kitchen.  I write positive affirmations to myself, words of inspiration or goals. . Be positive and believe in yourself!!
11)  SMALL ATTAINABLE GOALS.. If you say I need to lose 100 pounds, it will seem so hard and just so unattainable. If you say I need to lose 100 pounds and you lose 5-or-10 pounds you may feel like wow I only lost 5 pounds I  have 47 to go, well I can start eating now and I will start losing tomorrow(and we know that tomorrow doesn’t work, do it now). It is so much better to set small goals say like 10 pounds. When you reach that goal give yourself a reward, a new shirt, shoes something, then set your next goal maybe now you will say my goal is 20 pounds and wow you are already half way there!!
12)  IPOD/NANO…    I love my IPod.  My husband surprised me with the NEW  color Nook from Barnes and Noble,so when I am out and about I read Raw food books and I put all of that in my head!  It is a great motivator when I am out and about.
13)TIME FOR YOUR SELF… As a mother I never took time for myself.  I was just happy living life through my children’s eyes.  I learned through this process that in order to be a good mother or wife I needed to be good to me first.  If I am not a me how can we be an us? Take time for yourself every day. You are important. Find your joy in life and live it! Be the best you to yourself only then can you be the best wife, mother and person. Life is a gift and live every moment to its fullest!!!