Wellness Journal

In an effort to get back on track (again) I decided I'd start keeping a food journal. But then it occurred to me that there's more to being healthy than just food. That's when I decided to keep a what I'm calling a wellness journal instead. Besides keeping track of food I keep track of exercise and other good things I do for myself, like drinking a glass of water with lemon upon rising, dry skin brushing and hot/cold showers, the vitamins and supplements I take. I also note whether I take time for meditation and prayer. At the end, I write my reflections of the day. I think my wellness journal is going to be a very useful tool for helping me maintain balance and overall well being.

The Truth

This past month since I joined the Raw Fu challenge I've gone through a roller coaster of emotions. I've felt like I didn't know who I was anymore. You don't realize how much of your identity is tied to the food you eat until you make a drastic change in your diet. Without certain foods I actually felt disoriented and unable to concentrate. I felt on edge and unable to sleep. I found myself withdrawing from friends and family; I just wanted to be alone to process this new programming. When I got sick (detox probably) and began feeling afraid I ran as fast as my long legs could carry me back to the foods that gave me comfort and made me feel "grounded." You know...the bad stuff. Whew that was close!

I realize now what was happening and so feel better equipped to deal with it next time, but man was that scary. I could completely relate with the man in the Raw for 30 Days video who couldn't make it through. Imagine what it felt like to go through that at his age. Not that he couldn't have made it regardless of his age (I think it's more related to your personality and outlook on life) but it must have been tough for him. Anyway I have no intention of quitting. This is too important. Sure, it's about the food and about being healthy. But it's also about being someone I've never been before; it's about being the best that I can be. Rawsome!

Home Sick Today

Ever since I got back from hiking in Harpers Ferry last Saturday, I've been feeling like I'm coming down with something. With all the media about swine flu I was beginning to get worried. Part of my concern stemmed from the fact that the trip was made up of students from various countries and I had no idea if any had travelled lately. I kept scouring the web for symptoms to see if I had any. I have a few, sore throat, coughing, but in general it looks like all I have is a cold. (Thank God!) No wonder with the damp, rainy weather we've been having here along with lower than normal temperatures. All the more reason to build up my immunity by staying as raw as possible.

Along those lines I've been looking for raw soup recipes. I always find soup comforting when I'm not feeling well but I was not about to indulge in chicken soup. The following is a recipe I created based on those I found on the web.

JazzyRaw's Creamy Green Soup

2 cups tightly packed kale, chopped
1 Roma tomato, chopped
1/4 cup young coconut meat
1 cup young coconut water
1/2 avocado, chopped
Raw agave nectar to taste
Dulse flakes

Blend kale, tomato, young coconut meat until smooth. Add 1/2 of the chopped avocado and blend again. Add agave nectar as desired. Serve immediately with the remaining chopped avocado as a garnish. Sprinkle dulse flakes on top.

So Cool!

I went food shopping this evening. It was so cool to shop in the produce section and then leave. I was done. I didn't even need to look at the rest of the store. It was a great feeling.

It's Here!

The inaugural issue of RawFu Magazine has finally made it to my mailbox and I couldn't be happier. The articles are great (especially the feature on Philip McClusky) and the photography is gorgeous. If you're into the raw lifestyle you owe it to yourself to sign up now. If you subscribe within the next 10 days you'll be eligible to win a Blendtec blender for your kitchen. Do it now!!!

JazzyRaw's Almond Hummus

I was looking for a way to use the pulp after making almond milk. I knew there had to be a way to use it so I got online to look for some recipes. There were some interesting ones, especially the one for cinnamon rolls, but that was too labor intensive for me. The ones for almond hummus intrigued me. After looking at the ingredients for several recipes I decided to just throw something together one my own. Here's the delicious result. Because I just threw things together the measurements are approximate. Taste as you go and adjust flavors to your own preference.

JazzyRaw's Almond Pulp Hummus

1 1/2 cups almond pulp

3 Tbsp raw tahini

2 cloves garlic

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

1 handful chopped fresh cilantro

1 Tsp cumin

1 Tsp chipolte chili powder

1/2 Tsp Celtic sea salt

3 sun-dried tomatoes

Water

Combine and blend all ingredients, except water, in a food processor. The mixture will be thick. Add small amounts of water until desired consistency is achieved. Chill in refrigerator to marry flavors. Enjoy in a salad, in lettuce wraps with assorted veggies, or with raw crackers (absolutely great with Livin Spoonful Coconut Curry Crackers from Natural Zing).

The Lightbulb Goes Off

This journey to raw has begun to create in me a new perspective. I'm beginning to see things more clearly and to see them for what they are. For instance, today, I was eating some corn chips (yeah, I know) and at some point while eating I was struck (I mean really struck) by the realization that what I was eating wasn't food. I then began to think about all the products manufacturers have passed off to the public as food and how we've fallen for it hook, line and sinker. Then, I remembered the day this week when I was shopping in the produce section, feeling happy because I was buying wholesome foods that are good for me. I looked with disdain at the aisles jammed with boxed and canned items that could only pretend to be food. I thought about the outdated fallacies the food industry have "fed" the public like we must eat meat to get adequate protein or that milk "does a body good." We've been hoodwinked. We've been bamboozled. It's time we opened our eyes and free ourselves from these food myths. Time to start thinking for ourselves and start realizing what good food really is.