In my previous post I talked about how I prefer eating a part raw and part cooked natural foods diet. I am in tune to my body's needs as well as it's wants LOL! I have discovered that I am an intuitive eater. Over the years I have traveled many paths around food and have now arrived at a balanced place regarding my body, food and nutrition. I'm realizing that my body knows best, and I follow it's lead. There are times where I realize that I'm eating due to emotional circumstances (grabbing for the all comforting chocolate bar!) However those detours are in the minority.
Being the type of eater I've developed into I have found it is wise to keep a good variety of food types on hand. Pantry stocked with whole grains (qunioa, buckwheat groats, sticky brown rice...), my fridge stocked with different kinds of greens (kale, a favorite, arugula, spinach... for eating and making green smoothies and juices), a variety of veggies (cukes, carrots, fennel, zucchini...). All of these veggies and greens transfer into tasty cooked dishes, like tasty stews as well as yummy raw dishes such as raw zucchini pasta or fennel, orange and spinach salad. Fresh fruits especially the juicy ones (grapes, my favorite, melon, berries both fresh and frozen ). Apples are great baked on a cold winter's night topped with a little granola or raw shredded (like cheese, yes it gives it a different twist) with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves on top! You see it isn't hard to have the best of both worlds!
I now when I'm not feeling my energetic best, my body craves raw dishes, especially fruits and veggies along with some good nut butters (both raw and roasted, almond, cashew, sunflower seed...). There are times when my body wants a little meat (usually fish, fresh or canned chicken and turkey), all are great pared with a big green salad, the fiber in the salad helping to push along the meat. Fiber also slows down the absorption of sugars. So if I've been eating a lot of fruit or other sweet foods, I will follow it with a green smoothie made with dark leafy goodness (dino kale, spinach, collards and other greens mixed with cucumbers as they are filled with water our body so needs, and herbs like parsley).
Over the past few years I've chosen to deepen my connection to myself and have learned to trust my inner wisdom. This has lead me to live my live more honestly, in all areas. It's comforting to have found my place on the food map. What kind of eater are you?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Day 18 of Raw Food Challenge
Hi Folks :)
I like to put myself through different challenges because I always learn something about myself that helps me to grow and keep moving forward. Whenever I'm engaged in any raw food preparation and consumption I get a happy feeling inside that lets me know that I really am in the place I should be. Nothing feels better in the morning than whipping up a fresh raw smoothie! (Today's smoothie consisted of cranberries, apples, cinnamon, a handful of spinach, agave and water. A refreshing sweet/tart combination!).
Wondering if I've been 100% raw, I would answer no. However the closer I stay to raw the better I feel and look (all of the high water content of fresh raw smoothies and produce do wonders for my skin. It's like a 'natural botox' LOL!) I have also been eating cooked dinners at times. They consist of whole natural foods such as quinoa, cabbage stew, short grain brown sticky rice stew (Yum!) and some dark chocolate. As I stated in previous blogs I plan on incorporating natural healthy cooked foods along with raw foods. I feel they compliment each other well and I get the best of both worlds.
What this raw challenge is teaching me is that I hit the right way of eating for myself. I was able to see that what works for me and makes me feel good is still and always to remain about 70-80% raw. I'm comfortable with this and feel balanced. We all have to learn to gain information and utilize it in a way that works best for our OWN lives, to personalize it. Never follow anything anyone says when you feel it really isn't going to work in your life. Have your own mind and forge your own way of living based on what you learn is best for you.
I no longer put pressure on myself to be a certain way. I know that it isn't necessary. I am gaining better health and a peaceful sense of mind. I now no longer feel a need for this challenge because I've learned from it what's best for me, and keeps me from rebelling back into foods I'm better off without. (I couldn't imagine going through a Midwest winter without a hot heart stew or soup!) I am grateful for this challenge and the knowledge I've gained from it. What challenge can you grow from? :D
I like to put myself through different challenges because I always learn something about myself that helps me to grow and keep moving forward. Whenever I'm engaged in any raw food preparation and consumption I get a happy feeling inside that lets me know that I really am in the place I should be. Nothing feels better in the morning than whipping up a fresh raw smoothie! (Today's smoothie consisted of cranberries, apples, cinnamon, a handful of spinach, agave and water. A refreshing sweet/tart combination!).
Wondering if I've been 100% raw, I would answer no. However the closer I stay to raw the better I feel and look (all of the high water content of fresh raw smoothies and produce do wonders for my skin. It's like a 'natural botox' LOL!) I have also been eating cooked dinners at times. They consist of whole natural foods such as quinoa, cabbage stew, short grain brown sticky rice stew (Yum!) and some dark chocolate. As I stated in previous blogs I plan on incorporating natural healthy cooked foods along with raw foods. I feel they compliment each other well and I get the best of both worlds.
What this raw challenge is teaching me is that I hit the right way of eating for myself. I was able to see that what works for me and makes me feel good is still and always to remain about 70-80% raw. I'm comfortable with this and feel balanced. We all have to learn to gain information and utilize it in a way that works best for our OWN lives, to personalize it. Never follow anything anyone says when you feel it really isn't going to work in your life. Have your own mind and forge your own way of living based on what you learn is best for you.
I no longer put pressure on myself to be a certain way. I know that it isn't necessary. I am gaining better health and a peaceful sense of mind. I now no longer feel a need for this challenge because I've learned from it what's best for me, and keeps me from rebelling back into foods I'm better off without. (I couldn't imagine going through a Midwest winter without a hot heart stew or soup!) I am grateful for this challenge and the knowledge I've gained from it. What challenge can you grow from? :D
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