Counting my birthday blessings

Today is my 34th birthday and it was humbling, quiet and amazing. I spent most of the day at chemotherapy with my father. Afterward, picked up my daughter from school and we had a quiet dinner with my husband at home. There were no flashy gifts or big parties, just a peaceful day of reflection and family bonding.

Although I am saddened by my father's very challenging and debilitating fight against cancer, I couldn't help thinking how his journey humbles and inspires me through his strength and ability to remain a humble student of life. He could be angry, but he isn't. He is poised as he moves forward, determined to conquer the cancer that lurks inside of him. My father's courage to forge forward also inspired me to meditate about what a healthy life means to me. I have a passion for nutrition even though following the straight and narrow path of proper food nourishment in a world of crooked paths is very difficult for me. I recognize I have a food addiction and I also recognize that the addiction will speed the degeneration of my body and my spirit if I don't change. My goal today and through the weekend (and ultimately life) is to really learn how to meditate on my food intake as a blessing, as a source of nourishment, as a path to health and life.

My 15-year-old daughter asked me to snuggle with her tonight (something that doesn't happen often in these teenage years) and it warmed my heart. Lying with her as she fell asleep filled my heart with so much love and joy and I remembered how desperately I want to be the best mother, and someday grandmother, I can be in this life. I want to go to the beach with my daughter and play volleyball, to get on the floor with my grandchildren someday and play and giggle and laugh, to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle that she will emulate with her own family as an adult. These things are very important to me. I must believe I am capable of achieving a happy and healthy body so that I can better project my happy heart.

Today I am counting my birthday blessings and promising myself a life of health and happiness.

I've been a bad, bad girl

So...I completely fell off the wagon. I don't want to admit it and that's why I haven't posted in eight days. Gosh...8 days!!!! It gets away from you so fast. My husband I did really great for the first week, but we were having a hard time eating so much salad, so we were tired and very hungry. I was up to five lbs. weight loss and then...We went to the happiest place on earth. Yep folks, Disney World. The land of corn dogs, turkey legs, burgers, fries, churros, cotton candy...well, you get the picture. Then the following day was Mother's Day and that required a very large, very delicious brunch. I'm afraid I'll be chubby forever. Uggghhh. It's very frustrating and what is worse is that it's my very own fault. I'm going to give it another shot. I think this time I'm going to take it a bit slower and work my way to the more strict plan.  I so hope I can do it.

Quick Hello!

I just wanted to drop in and say that my husband and I are going strong with the ETL diet!!! I'll post pics and details tomorrow. I made a raw food dessert (awesome!!!) and have lost some pesky punds! I can't wait to share it tomorrow. Off to bed now. Sweet, or rather--leafy green, dreams to all!

Day 1-- (Sigh) I want cheese.

Today was Day 1! I went to the local farmer's market yesterday and bought $53.00 in fruits and vegetables. Geez louise! The lady in line behind me looked at me like I was a little wacky. I certainly got my money's worth. I bought apples, oranges, pineapple, coconut, watermelon, cantaloupe, mangoes, boston lettuce, romaine, spinach, cherry tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cucumber, broccoli, mushrooms and celery. Man, oh man! Lots of produce. My husband and I spent most of the day cleaning the refrigerator and cutting up vegetables to organize for quick access.

Here is a breakdown of the 6 week plan I am using to jumpstart my weight loss:

Eat to Live 6-Week Plan



UNLIMITED (eat as much as you want):


•all raw vegetables, including raw carrots (goal: 1 lb. daily)


•cooked green vegetables (goal 1 lb. daily)


•beans, legumes, bean sprouts, or *tofu (minimum 1 cup daily in total of these)


•fresh fruit (at least 4 daily).


•eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomato and other non-starchy vegetables, cooked and raw (unlimited)


*Beans should be eaten daily; tofu should be eaten less frequently.


LIMITED (not more than one serving):


•cooked starchy vegetables OR whole grains–Maximum 1 cup per day (butternut or acorn squash, corn, sweet potato, brown rice, cooked carrots, whole grain breads*, whole grain cereals*)


•raw nuts and seeds (1 oz. or 28.5 grams a day) or 2 ounces avocado

•ground flaxseed (1 tablespoon a day)

•soymilk, low-sugar preferred–Maximum 1 cup a day

*avoid breads and cereals as much as possible

OFF-LIMITS:

•dairy products

•animal products

•between meal snacks

•fruit juice, dried fruits

•salt, sugar

NUTS and RAW SEEDS, but not ground flax, are optional for obese or overweight persons while they follow this weight loss plan. People who have difficulty losing weight may also eliminate the starchy vegetable/grain.

So, how do I feel so far? Not great. I knew I was eating unhealthy and drinking way too much diet soda, but I didn't realize how much. I have felt like someone ran over me with a van, got out and beat me with a hammer and then kicked me in the head. Yep, that's how I feel! I just keep reminding myself: detox, detox, detox. Here is today's menu:

Breakfast: 2 cups of mixed fresh fruit

Lunch: A large salad with lots of fresh veggies, a handful of sunflower seeds and a water-based italian dressing

Dinner: 1 cup black-eyed peas, 1 cup organic wild rice, raw veggies.

Snacks: Fresh fruit and raw veggies

The veggies and fruit are allowed in unlimited quantities, so I have been loading up on those today. I have an awful headache and I am so disoriented that I almost brushed my teeth with icey-hot, but I have faith this will pass :). Here are my stats:

Weight: 178.4 lbs.

Chest: 39 inches

Waist: 35 inches

Hips: 45 inches

I've decided these are the only measurements I will follow. I'm not too concerned with my wrist and neck circumference! Day 1 is almost over! I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.

P.S. My husband breezed through today on the same regimen. I want to poke him in the eye!

Happy Birthday Adaire!

My beautiful daughter turned 15 today. We spent a wonderful day together getting her learner's driving permit, shopping, laughing and enjoying our blessings. I am so thankful for this beautiful day and my incredible family. Happy Birthday angel!

Raw foods?

I finished the book! That means stats will be up soon. I plan on starting the diet on Thursday. Then it's 185 days of pure veggie goodness. It appears there are several other blogs of Eat To Live followers. Oh well, I am just one more health warrior and proud of it! I am considering going completely raw in the future. Any raw foodies out there? I'll be back on Thursday to begin this exciting, anxiety-producing, enlightenment-seeking, necessary journey. Check out some YouTube videos on Angela Stokes. She also has a website, rawreform.com. She is a pretty amazing person. Have a fantastic day! Could there me any more exclamation points in this post?! I must be excited.

This nutrition stuff is serious business

I'm still reading, reading, reading and getting pretty nervous. As I get closer to the section about the actual diet (I've been peeking ahead here and there), I'm realizing this guy means business. The first six weeks of this diet is hardcore. Greens, veggies, and fruit. Not much more. No wonder he has you read the entire book first and puts the diet at the end. The first half of the book shares one medical study after another that tells us how truly miserable the American diet is. I have to admit, I'm embarrassed that we make such horrible food choices considering we are are supposed to be a highly developed country and have unprecedented, convenient access to whole foods. Dr. Fuhrman certainly does his homework and cites every single bit of it. I'm still convinced this is the way to go, but it isn't going to be easy. I keep reminding myself that I quit smoking after fifteen years. I can do this.


My father has stage IV lung lung cancer than spread from a tumor on the base of his tongue. He is in his second round of chemotherapy and not feeling great. I am inspired by his strength. He still insists on complete independence, even claiming that there is no room for me at chemo and he is okay by himself (a scenario that makes me sad because he is there alone). I respect his fight for independence and freedom. His fight reminds me that I can fight for my own health by lowering my own cancer risk through nutrition. I want to honor his strength by being strong myself.


 Because of my dad's cancer, I have delved even further into the nutrition world, watching documentaries and reading blogs as well as case studies whose arguments for nutrition as a weapon against cancer are incredibly convincing. The body is a miracle and I'm realizing I must give it the opportunity to heal by giving it proper nutrition. Sorry folks, that excludes fast food and processed food which makes up 90% of many of our diets. I watched Kris Carr's documentary Crazy, Sexy Cancer. If you have someone you know or love who has cancer, this is a must-see documentary. Even if cancer is not in your life, it is an eye opener in regard to nutrition and overall well-being.


So, that's where I am. Still reading, still learning. There are so many fantastic resources out there. I am more ready than ever to get started!