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Saturday, July 23, 2011

It's (R)awesome!

   I apologize for the silence around here but I've been busy working and enjoying the gorgeous weather we've been having!  (Excluding last week's intense heat wave).  I've also been busy reading anything and everything I can get my hands/eyes on that has to do with good things for me (and you!).
   I've actually been feeling kind of sluggish lately which I know is partly due to this crazy heat but I also think it has to do with what I'm eating.  I kind of feel bad for my poor body cause I've been putting it through a lot of changes this year.  And, even though they were all good changes, I'm pretty sure my body is probably yelling "just make up your mind already!"  Or maybe not?  Ha!
   About two months ago I joined an intense (more like psychotic) boot camp type program.  It's 45 minutes of insanity 3-4 times a week plus kickboxing and cardio on the 'off' days.  Yikes!  Anyway, when you sign up you get to attend a Nutritional Seminar.  At the seminar we were told that we HAD to eat every 3 to 4 hours and each meal HAD to include 1 protein, 1 fat, and 1 carb.  The carb of course being in the form of mostly veggies and some fruit for at least the first three weeks.  It basically boils down to five or more meals a day, depending on when you wake up.  The protein is the size of the palm of your hand, the fat is a tablespoon (nuts, nut butters, seeds, good oils, etc), and the carbs are one or two fistfuls depending on what you are having.  I lasted about three weeks eating like this until I had had enough.  Maybe if I were a body builder I would need that much protein and fats but, for someone who rarely eats "meat" (animal or otherwise), this was too much for me.  I felt like all I ever ate was tofu this or tofu that, and then soy hotdog this and soy burger that.  Soy, soy, soy!  Ugh!  Once in a while is fine, but this was everyday.  And then if I wasn't eating soy protein I was drinking it with a vegetarian protein shake.  Anyway, I've decided that I don't feel my best when I eat like that.  I love my fruits and veggies too much to make them an afterthought in my meals.  BUT, I do enjoy eating mini meals throughout the day because It makes me feel lighter.  I slowly started adding things back in my diet and taking out some of the protein.  I was still feeling kind of off so I decided to eat less of the grains and beans as well.  I'm definitely feeling better.
   I've also been eating more raw food lately, and I don't know if that's because it's so hot outside but it's what I've been craving.  Last week I ate about 80% raw with maybe a cooked veggie or grain at dinner (and some pretzels for snacking!).  The cooked food has been making me feel kind of blah and heavy lately so I'm loving the raw right now.  I'm also learning a lot because when I get something in my head I have to soak up every last bit of information that I can.  And I have to say, raw food is pretty fascinating and unbelievably good for you!  So far my meals have consisted of smoothies and salads, which isn't much different then how I was eating before, but the ingredients have changed a bit.  My salads have been (thankfully) free of any kind of soy protein (sorry, I need a break!) but are full of yummy greens and seeds, and nuts and of course, nutritional yeast (yum!).  My smoothies are my favorite because I pack them full of yummy fruit combos, greens and superfoods (more on those later) all in one.  Next up I'd love to try juicing but I don't currently own a juicer.  However, my totally fabulous Aunt owns one and she may just find me on her doorstep one of these days with a basket full of fruits and veg!  (Thanks in advance Aunt V, cause I know you're reading this and I know you'll let me use it! :D)
    Anyway, I wanted to share with you the yummy dinner I made for myself tonight.  It was super nutritious, delicious and raw!  It filled me up but not in a sluggish kind of way.

Tomato and Spinach Lasagne
Yum!

Have a totally RAWesome weekend!
Love,
Ves

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