Exercise

My doctor told me that, "people who exercise tend to do better."

I once was really consistent at exercising...then I had kids.

I was consistent again when first diagnosed with cancer, and then the kids were still there, and we moved, and my legs hurt, bla, bla, bla...

To support my daughters, who are taking karate classes, I attended their free Mother's Day "bring your mom and do karate with her" night. It was very fun. The catch? After class they say, "if you sign up for karate, Moms, it's only $50.00 a month.

So naturally I sign up.

I now exercise regularly, at least the twice a week of my karate class.

It takes me the rest of the week to recover from the push ups, squats, jumping push ups things, and cart wheels. Not to mention kicking and punching bags.

Did you know that karate uses EVERY MUSCLE IN YOU ENTIRE BODY?

Well, it does.

So thanks to super food smoothies that help me recover from said muscle excretion, I'm spending less time in recovery each week.

Soon, I might be able to attend the second class of the week without tearing up from fatigue and trying to remember all the combinations.

So, Doc, now I am "doing better" and getting oxygen to my cells.

Goal reached.

Raw

I have been experimenting with raw foods. 

Why raw food? It's all about live energy. We are living beings, and so we need living energy. Raw food enthusiasts wholeheartedly embrace this idea. By not heating or cooking food all of the living energy can be transferred to our bodies. That's why fresh fruits and vegetables give us more clarity of thought, energy, and we just feel better. Our bodies are getting what they need as a base level and don't have to work at breaking down complicated proteins to get fuel.

I don't really think I will ever go completely raw, because when I try I begin eating more sugary foods. For me, I'm aiming for about 70% to 80% raw. I still want my pastured chicken and wild caught salmon and halibut- good quality meat in moderation.  I notice that when I focus more on eating 80% of my food raw with lots of vegetables, life is just better.

I am by no means a raw foodist, I'll leave that up to amazing cooks like Omar from Omar's Rawtopia in Sugarhouse: http://www.omarsrawtopia.com/

I do like to try new things - so I use a lot of recipes from some favorite websites. 

Here's a few:

The Rawtarian
http://www.therawtarian.com/

Clean Cuisine and More (some raw, some not)
http://www.cleancuisineandmore.com/

Nouveau Raw
http://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipes/

I Love Raw Food Recipes
http://www.rawfoodrecipes.com/

MOMables.com (not raw but glutin and dairy free)
http://www.momables.com/recipe-index/

Happy non-cooking!

Super Foods

What is a "super food" anyway?

It is a food that is packed with many different kinds of nutrients, so a little goes a long way. Here are some I learned more about recently. 

Don't know what some of these are...look them up! They are pretty amazing!

• Goji Berries - they have more than 30 trace minerals, are a complete protein with 18 amino acids, they boost HDH, and are also known as a 'wolf berry.'

• Raw Cacao - high antioxidant (20 times higher than green tea, and 15 times higher than blueberries), has a natural bliss chemical, and high in magnesium (so good before a workout).

• Maca Powder - it gives the body energy when it is spent, it holds onto energy until the body needs it and then releases it, repairs the blood brain barrier, helps those addicted to chemicals wean off them, works as a hormone replacement, balances hormones, and it gives energy, endurance and strength (1 Tbs a day for women, 2 Tbs for men).

• Bee Pollen - helps get rid of allergies, gives natural high energy, helps eliminate free radicals, helps with muscle growth and definition, helps with acne, aging and wrinkles, can help relieve type 2 diabetes by restoring deficiencies, it is 25% protein, can eat straight or put into a smoothie, when new to bee pollen begin with 2 granules and work up to 1 tsp a day, and keep it in the fridge.

• Raw Honey - healthiest form of a sweetener, increases reflexes, increases IQ, improves mental alacrity, helps with gestational problems (IBS, diarrhea, stomach problems, intestinal issues), balances the nervous system, good on cuts, great after a workout, good as a face mask (put it on raw after washing your face).

• Spirulina - an algae from the ocean, 65-71% protein, all 18 essential amino acids, as much iron as red meat, good source of chlorophyll, contains natural salt, and antiinflammatory, take 1 Tb a day.

• Chlorella - also an algae, more chlorophyll than any other food, blood cleanser, supports the brain and liver, helps those with addictions wean off, improves digestion, protects against radiation, and accelerates the healing process.

• Hemp Seeds - make you happy! They are just good for you, 35% digestible protein, 75% fat, 12% carbohydrates.

• Coconut - use the young coconut in the white skin, 90% saturated fat, awesome oil, helps the body utilize blood sugar, helps with absorption of calcium and magnesium, when taken with other super foods it doubles the nutrients you absorb, and it helps the thyroid. (Check out the book The Coconut Oil Miracle, by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D.)