findings from notcot. Nightfall by Colin Rich.
8.30.2012
8.29.2012
8.28.2012
8.27.2012
findings from tasteology
too soon? yes.
Slowly but surely, I will be re-introducing foods back into my diet, testing for allergies and sensitivities. Today: chocolate. No, I will not be having these Brownie Cookies with Maple Bourbon Buttercream... instead, raw cacao is back into my smoothies. The powerful superfood loaded with antioxidants, iron, magnesium, fiber, protein, calcium... The cookies will be tried at a later date.
8.26.2012
Day 14.
Last day of the cleanse. This past week has been tough for me. I have been on some great highs and steep lows. My cravings have been blatantly glaring at me. Empowering myself, I did not give in... even though I want a cup of coffee SO badly. And, even though I was craving anything and everything, I realized that it wasn't about the food at all. The food was simply a comfort for something I felt I was lacking in my life.
So now, the greater challenge begins: how you come off the cleanse. No matter what I decide to eat tomorrow, my relationship with food has changed yet again. I have learned more about my own eating habits, where my vices stem from, and how I can look past certain cravings and see the root. I have been inspired in the kitchen to create different foods. I have been inspired to live a better life... as cheesy or cliche that may sound, it's true. Cleansing allows you to see how rich your life can be. My skin is literally glowing, I've lost weight, I'm sleeping incredibly sound, I have lots of energy, and my mental clarity and senses are stark.
Last year, when I came off the cleanse, I made a huge dinner and downed a bottle of wine... hoping this year, I've grown up a bit. The cleanse has been revised quite a lot, and this time around, coming off has been given just as many guidelines and care, as when you were on it. It's a time where we can test for allergens, which I find super interesting. Since our bodies are so "clean" right now, when we re-introduce the common allergens that we haven't been eating, we can see how our bodies react, and pinpoint what makes us feel great or not so good.
It's a program I highly recommend. It's not about losing weight or depriving yourself; it's about living a vibrant life. Check out Conscious Cleanse.
xo.
So now, the greater challenge begins: how you come off the cleanse. No matter what I decide to eat tomorrow, my relationship with food has changed yet again. I have learned more about my own eating habits, where my vices stem from, and how I can look past certain cravings and see the root. I have been inspired in the kitchen to create different foods. I have been inspired to live a better life... as cheesy or cliche that may sound, it's true. Cleansing allows you to see how rich your life can be. My skin is literally glowing, I've lost weight, I'm sleeping incredibly sound, I have lots of energy, and my mental clarity and senses are stark.
Last year, when I came off the cleanse, I made a huge dinner and downed a bottle of wine... hoping this year, I've grown up a bit. The cleanse has been revised quite a lot, and this time around, coming off has been given just as many guidelines and care, as when you were on it. It's a time where we can test for allergens, which I find super interesting. Since our bodies are so "clean" right now, when we re-introduce the common allergens that we haven't been eating, we can see how our bodies react, and pinpoint what makes us feel great or not so good.
It's a program I highly recommend. It's not about losing weight or depriving yourself; it's about living a vibrant life. Check out Conscious Cleanse.
xo.
8.22.2012
Week One of the cleanse came and went: I felt amazing, light, inspired, emotionally raw, and renewed.
Week Two comes, and all I want is a beer. My cravings have been super apparent. I have noticed that I am eating out of boredom or frustration. Even though I'm eating vegetables, I'm still eating when I'm not hungry. The fact that I am aware to it, does somehow make it a bit easier to deal with. I have been able to step back and really observe myself. I remember this same thing happening last year when I cleansed. Week one was fantastic, week two kicked my ass. My relationship with food has been such a whirlwind ever since I was little. For me, cleansing really puts it into perspective. I am able to see my habits and thought processes. When a craving comes up, I can look past what I am craving and see where it might be stemming from. I am able to see myself in new lights, as I remove shadows, and slowly get through more layers.
Week Two comes, and all I want is a beer. My cravings have been super apparent. I have noticed that I am eating out of boredom or frustration. Even though I'm eating vegetables, I'm still eating when I'm not hungry. The fact that I am aware to it, does somehow make it a bit easier to deal with. I have been able to step back and really observe myself. I remember this same thing happening last year when I cleansed. Week one was fantastic, week two kicked my ass. My relationship with food has been such a whirlwind ever since I was little. For me, cleansing really puts it into perspective. I am able to see my habits and thought processes. When a craving comes up, I can look past what I am craving and see where it might be stemming from. I am able to see myself in new lights, as I remove shadows, and slowly get through more layers.
8.19.2012
purify.
Day Seven.
Over the weekends of the cleanse, there is the option to take the detoxification to another level, by eating only fruits and vegetables. It's a time of rest, letting your body do some internal work and giving yourself the space it needs to heal. Creating this space allows us to let things come into our lives, as well as for them to leave. If we attach to thoughts, toxins, material items, bad habits, emotions, etc., we don't have room to let go, to let new opportunities come into our life, or truly grow. Having space within our mind and body, allows us to move with more ease and grace, as different things come our way.
We are creatures of habit and rely on food for so much more than pure energy and nutrition, whether it is used as a coping mechanism or you eat out of boredom. Eating purely fruits and vegetables not only gives our digestive system a break, but it opens our eyes to what food really means to us. Our cravings for food usually aren't about the food; it stems from something else.
Yesterday, I practiced yin yoga, in hopes to detoxify my body even more. Yin yoga is a gentle yoga, where you hold most poses for 3 minutes or so. Holding the poses longer creates a stretch in the scar tissue, rather than the muscles, and allows toxins to be released from deep inside. Toxins come in many forms, whether it be from years of smoking, drinking, eating poorly, emotions, past experiences, you get the idea. I could literally feel my body releasing negative energy that I had been storing. It was pretty powerful.
For me, this cleanse always blows my mind. The strength and insight you obtain from eating purely is sometimes hard to grasp. I think it allows for a glimpse into the beings we are are capable of being. I have been able to thoroughly observe how I react to certain situations, how I treat people, and what I can work on to improve my quality of life, as well as others. The below quote came up from separate sources twice last week, so I think it's worth sharing:
Over the weekends of the cleanse, there is the option to take the detoxification to another level, by eating only fruits and vegetables. It's a time of rest, letting your body do some internal work and giving yourself the space it needs to heal. Creating this space allows us to let things come into our lives, as well as for them to leave. If we attach to thoughts, toxins, material items, bad habits, emotions, etc., we don't have room to let go, to let new opportunities come into our life, or truly grow. Having space within our mind and body, allows us to move with more ease and grace, as different things come our way.
We are creatures of habit and rely on food for so much more than pure energy and nutrition, whether it is used as a coping mechanism or you eat out of boredom. Eating purely fruits and vegetables not only gives our digestive system a break, but it opens our eyes to what food really means to us. Our cravings for food usually aren't about the food; it stems from something else.
Yesterday, I practiced yin yoga, in hopes to detoxify my body even more. Yin yoga is a gentle yoga, where you hold most poses for 3 minutes or so. Holding the poses longer creates a stretch in the scar tissue, rather than the muscles, and allows toxins to be released from deep inside. Toxins come in many forms, whether it be from years of smoking, drinking, eating poorly, emotions, past experiences, you get the idea. I could literally feel my body releasing negative energy that I had been storing. It was pretty powerful.
For me, this cleanse always blows my mind. The strength and insight you obtain from eating purely is sometimes hard to grasp. I think it allows for a glimpse into the beings we are are capable of being. I have been able to thoroughly observe how I react to certain situations, how I treat people, and what I can work on to improve my quality of life, as well as others. The below quote came up from separate sources twice last week, so I think it's worth sharing:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
~ Marianne Williamson
8.17.2012
8.16.2012
For me, one of the greatest things about cleansing is it encourages me to be in the kitchen. Yesterday, I worked all day and night, so I brought this easy salad along in a tupperware.
black lentils
arugula dressed in lemon juice
raw shaved fennel
haricot verts
cucumber
avocado
fresh parsley, cilantro, and mint
turmeric, freshly grated
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper
8.15.2012
Fascinating. This month's video from Food for Nine Billion.
In researching my own project for how different cultures look at food and their relationship to it, I'm reading The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan. Both his book and the above video touch on similar topics. It's really interesting to see how Americans eat and how small changes can make a huge difference, not only in the States but world wide.
8.14.2012
smoothie love.
My friends know how obsessed I am with my smoothie. I really do believe this thing keeps me alive and well. I have it every morning... sometimes for dinner too. I just can't get enough. It might not look very appealing, but it tastes great, and it makes you feel amazing.
8 oz. hazelnut milk (rice, almond, or any non-dairy milk - oat milk is yummy, when not cleansing**)
1 Tbl. flaxseed meal
1 Tbl. chia seeds or powder
1 tsp. maca powder
(when not cleansing, add 1 Tbl. raw cacao powder**)
1 tsp. raw almond butter
2 small to medium leaves of collard greens, stems removed
ice
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender, until completely smooth.
*If ever the smoothie tastes too "green," I usually do one of the following: add more milk; add a tiny bit of vanilla extract, or if you have them, pure vanilla beans are outrageously good (but, quite pricey); or add more fruit or dates, but that increases the sugar content, which I try to avoid.
8.13.2012
Day One.
The cleanse officially starts today. I have been "pre-cleansing" for the past five days, slowly cutting things, like alcohol, refined sugar, caffeine, gluten, and dairy, out of my diet. Already, I feel a huge difference: my eye-sight has become more vivid; my sense of smell has heightened; I have more energy and mental clarity. I am always astounded by the power in eating simply what nature provides for us. When I did this cleanse last year, it completely changed me. It greatly influenced the way in which I eat and look at food. Eating this "clean," allows room for you to look much deeper at yourself: I realized that I wasn't happy anymore in Boulder, I wanted to quit my job, and go to Bali to learn more about yoga.
In wanting to study the human relationship with food, across different cultures, I think it's crucial that I start with my own relationship with it. For me, this cleanse isn't about losing weight (obviously, that's a plus) or restricting my diet; it's about listening to myself and seeing how vibrant my life can be. Food can either give me energy and bring happiness or can make me depressed and sluggish. So, how do different foods affect me? I've said it before, but I have always had a love/hate relationship with food, and I believe so many others have. I think food can be a huge root to our suffering but also to our success.
Our bodies spend 80% of our energy on digestion alone. So, if we can make the digestive process easier on ourselves, by eating more whole foods and less processed items, don't you think that will leave us with more energy? Not only more energy, but it creates space within ourselves, and space leaves room for growth. "Creating space" was one of the biggest things I learned in Bali last year. I will touch on it more soon.
Check out Conscious Cleanse.
In wanting to study the human relationship with food, across different cultures, I think it's crucial that I start with my own relationship with it. For me, this cleanse isn't about losing weight (obviously, that's a plus) or restricting my diet; it's about listening to myself and seeing how vibrant my life can be. Food can either give me energy and bring happiness or can make me depressed and sluggish. So, how do different foods affect me? I've said it before, but I have always had a love/hate relationship with food, and I believe so many others have. I think food can be a huge root to our suffering but also to our success.
Our bodies spend 80% of our energy on digestion alone. So, if we can make the digestive process easier on ourselves, by eating more whole foods and less processed items, don't you think that will leave us with more energy? Not only more energy, but it creates space within ourselves, and space leaves room for growth. "Creating space" was one of the biggest things I learned in Bali last year. I will touch on it more soon.
Check out Conscious Cleanse.
8.12.2012
8.09.2012
8.08.2012
8.05.2012
Round Two
Last year, I did a cleanse that two of my yoga teachers in Boulder put together. It's called Conscious Cleanse, and they do them a few times a year. Honestly, this cleanse completely changed the way I look at food. I learned so much about myself, how food affects me, and the power of eating whole foods.
I have been struggling with trying to quit smoking for far too long now. Since I did my inversion challenge, I have significantly cut down, which is really inspiring. I started running again, practicing yoga (actually even started teaching private lessons twice a week), and continue to eat super healthy. So, I feel like the cleanse will only continue to push me in the right direction, and keep up this pace I've started. Falling back into bad habits can happen too easily, and I hope to finally put this vice to rest. So, if anyone feels so inclined to do the cleanse too, it starts on August 12th, but they start transitioning your eating habits a few days before, so sign up by Wednesday. The link is above.
I have been struggling with trying to quit smoking for far too long now. Since I did my inversion challenge, I have significantly cut down, which is really inspiring. I started running again, practicing yoga (actually even started teaching private lessons twice a week), and continue to eat super healthy. So, I feel like the cleanse will only continue to push me in the right direction, and keep up this pace I've started. Falling back into bad habits can happen too easily, and I hope to finally put this vice to rest. So, if anyone feels so inclined to do the cleanse too, it starts on August 12th, but they start transitioning your eating habits a few days before, so sign up by Wednesday. The link is above.
8.02.2012
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