So my husband and I have decided to do the Engine 2 diet 28 day challenge. Whole F.oods Market is hosting the 28 day challenge and they have weekly meetings and even teach you how to make some of the meals in the Engine 2 diet book! I'll keep you all posted on our progress. I'm really excited! I am going to be reading the Engine 2 diet book as well, but have done research online and it makes so much sense to me. For more info, please see: http://engine2diet.com/about_e2
My husband wants to lose weight and I want to fill my body with phyto-nutrient rich foods high in vitamins and nutrients, devoid of cholesterol (because our bodies make all the cholesterol we need on their own) and saturated fats. I am not trying to lose wight, I simply want my body to have the chance to heal itself. Eating a plant strong diet is proven to do that. So far I have stopped eating chips and found myself hungry so I made Avocado Tomato Mango Salsa. It is amazing! You can find the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/avocado-tomato-and-mango-salsa/detail.aspx I skipped the oil and salt though. Trying to get my taste buds used to low salt and less oil! Check out some of the videos over at the Engine 2 diet website. Pretty remarkable stuff!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Low Fat Vegan Diet Is Ideal
It's been a while since I've written. I think that's because I am trying not to complain and focus on negative and sad feelings. It's really hard though. One thing that's really bothering me right now is that all my friends are on Fa.cebook. I think I've called 4 of my friends /relatives today and each time I've had to leave a message. Why aren't people picking up their phones anymore? I'm convinced it's because we all have cell phones and we can choose to just let it go to voice mail. Especially if we're busy and / or would rather talk to that person later. I know everyone is busy and I should not take it personally. It's just lonely when you're not on F.book and that seems to be the main way to stay in touch with people now. Instead of being on F.book I am working on charting and also busying myself with my part time home business. And right now I'm not liking either. I'm frustrated. My charts are not showing anything glaringly wrong so I'm left wondering what is the problem?? Why are we having a difficult time conceiving? Only God knows.
On Saturday my husband and I watched The Gerson Miracle. If you haven't seen it, you must. It's a true story and the Gerson Institue really exists. A place where cancer paitents go for alternative medicine. They skip chemo and any mainstream procedures and go straight to a major diet change. Within weeks, people have reported healing and are free of cancer. We stumbled upon this movie on our Hul.uplus movie list in the health section. I actually thought it was a sign from God. I'm not kidding! The reason is, I've also read the book The Ch.ina Study and both this book and the movie we watched were in line with each other. My husband and I have been trying to drink "green drinks" (blended organic greens and fruit in a V.ita.mix blender- great way to get your vegetables btw) since we first read The China S.tudy. I have been trying to limit meat (much harder for my husband) and incorporate more fruits and vegetables through blending green drinks and things like that. Anyway, this movie helped get me back on track. I really felt like God was pointing me in a direction that was more diet-change oriented. I am already gluten and dairy free, and now I want to get more serious about limiting animal products. Basically both the movie and the book I've mentioned above advocate a low fat vegan diet. In my case, I would also add to that gluten free. I want to heal my body of whatever is wrong and the thought of expensive surgeries and so many blood tests and ultrasounds just makes my head dizzy. I feel overwhelmed and sad. Sad to think what if those things don't even work? Money and time wasted. And would a surgery even heal me? Would it really address the root cause? Already, we haven't learned much from charting. I know I have painful periods, but since they've been helped somewhat from a gluten and dairy free diet, I am willing to go further and limit animal products all together.
There are many interesting things the book and movie above brought to our attention. The first is that our teeth as humans are vastly different from animal teeth. Besides that, we have much longer, twistier (a word?) intestines which are designed to pass food slowly through them. This fact is ideal for plant based foods, because our bodies have the maximum time to seek out nutrients as they pass through. This fact is not ideal for the digestion of animal products. An animal's intestines, on the contrary, are short and straight, making them perfect for the digestion of animal products (freshly caught meat). The meat an animal eats passes through it's body before the meat has a chance to age and turn bad. Animal products should not be in our bodies for long. First, the product is already dead, and so the longer it stays in our bodies, the worse off we are. These two physical differences between humans and animals help aide in the argument that we're not designed to eat animal products.
But what about protien, you're probably wondering. The Ch.ina Study goes into that in depth. The recommended amount of daily protein, it argues, is way over the actual amount humans need to thrive. We simply don't need the high protein content found in animal products. The coolest thing I learned from this book is that cows milk is actually very difficult for our bodies to assimilate. Animal products in general, produce an acidic environment in our bodies thus requiring calcium to help regulate the internal pH balance. The calcium is often taken from bones in order to break down and digest cow milk protein. Whew. If you are skeptical about this, I just would say to look at how eastern cultures eat and notice the lower incidence of cancer and diseases in general. The western standard American diet is simply not healthy. We push a high animal protein diet and to top it off, we fill ourselves with processed junk food. Western diseases are actually acquired by those who have immigrated to our country, due solely from their having adapted the standard American diet. When I learned that, I thought, wow, healthy immigrants are unknowingly paying a high price with their health just from adapting our eating habits. Food, I'm telling you, is the only game changer. It's what we put in our bodies that determines the pH of our whole system. If it's too acidic, which animal products are, then our body must work harder to keep the inflammation and pH under control.
I've actually wanted to write a post about the green drinks we make and my thoughts on The C.hina Study. It just hadn't happened yet. But the movie this weekend fueled my fire again and I felt inspired to share this all with you. I'd love to hear what you think. It's definitely not an easy concept because we are all so accustomed to hearing that meat and dairy are good for us. We need protein, we need calcium! Of course we do. But we don't need as much as the market tells us we do. And the crucial part is, we can get both protein and calcium and our bodies will have a much easier time assimilating them (incorporating and using them) when they come from plant based foods. I challenge you to challenge the mainstream thought about which foods are good for us. And then let me know your thoughts.
On Saturday my husband and I watched The Gerson Miracle. If you haven't seen it, you must. It's a true story and the Gerson Institue really exists. A place where cancer paitents go for alternative medicine. They skip chemo and any mainstream procedures and go straight to a major diet change. Within weeks, people have reported healing and are free of cancer. We stumbled upon this movie on our Hul.uplus movie list in the health section. I actually thought it was a sign from God. I'm not kidding! The reason is, I've also read the book The Ch.ina Study and both this book and the movie we watched were in line with each other. My husband and I have been trying to drink "green drinks" (blended organic greens and fruit in a V.ita.mix blender- great way to get your vegetables btw) since we first read The China S.tudy. I have been trying to limit meat (much harder for my husband) and incorporate more fruits and vegetables through blending green drinks and things like that. Anyway, this movie helped get me back on track. I really felt like God was pointing me in a direction that was more diet-change oriented. I am already gluten and dairy free, and now I want to get more serious about limiting animal products. Basically both the movie and the book I've mentioned above advocate a low fat vegan diet. In my case, I would also add to that gluten free. I want to heal my body of whatever is wrong and the thought of expensive surgeries and so many blood tests and ultrasounds just makes my head dizzy. I feel overwhelmed and sad. Sad to think what if those things don't even work? Money and time wasted. And would a surgery even heal me? Would it really address the root cause? Already, we haven't learned much from charting. I know I have painful periods, but since they've been helped somewhat from a gluten and dairy free diet, I am willing to go further and limit animal products all together.
There are many interesting things the book and movie above brought to our attention. The first is that our teeth as humans are vastly different from animal teeth. Besides that, we have much longer, twistier (a word?) intestines which are designed to pass food slowly through them. This fact is ideal for plant based foods, because our bodies have the maximum time to seek out nutrients as they pass through. This fact is not ideal for the digestion of animal products. An animal's intestines, on the contrary, are short and straight, making them perfect for the digestion of animal products (freshly caught meat). The meat an animal eats passes through it's body before the meat has a chance to age and turn bad. Animal products should not be in our bodies for long. First, the product is already dead, and so the longer it stays in our bodies, the worse off we are. These two physical differences between humans and animals help aide in the argument that we're not designed to eat animal products.
But what about protien, you're probably wondering. The Ch.ina Study goes into that in depth. The recommended amount of daily protein, it argues, is way over the actual amount humans need to thrive. We simply don't need the high protein content found in animal products. The coolest thing I learned from this book is that cows milk is actually very difficult for our bodies to assimilate. Animal products in general, produce an acidic environment in our bodies thus requiring calcium to help regulate the internal pH balance. The calcium is often taken from bones in order to break down and digest cow milk protein. Whew. If you are skeptical about this, I just would say to look at how eastern cultures eat and notice the lower incidence of cancer and diseases in general. The western standard American diet is simply not healthy. We push a high animal protein diet and to top it off, we fill ourselves with processed junk food. Western diseases are actually acquired by those who have immigrated to our country, due solely from their having adapted the standard American diet. When I learned that, I thought, wow, healthy immigrants are unknowingly paying a high price with their health just from adapting our eating habits. Food, I'm telling you, is the only game changer. It's what we put in our bodies that determines the pH of our whole system. If it's too acidic, which animal products are, then our body must work harder to keep the inflammation and pH under control.
I've actually wanted to write a post about the green drinks we make and my thoughts on The C.hina Study. It just hadn't happened yet. But the movie this weekend fueled my fire again and I felt inspired to share this all with you. I'd love to hear what you think. It's definitely not an easy concept because we are all so accustomed to hearing that meat and dairy are good for us. We need protein, we need calcium! Of course we do. But we don't need as much as the market tells us we do. And the crucial part is, we can get both protein and calcium and our bodies will have a much easier time assimilating them (incorporating and using them) when they come from plant based foods. I challenge you to challenge the mainstream thought about which foods are good for us. And then let me know your thoughts.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Gluten and I
I am trying to avoid gluten pretty strictly. In fact, I have noticed a definite increase in anxiety when I eat something with gluten in it. Perhaps I am more sensitive now that I've been avoiding it for a while now? I don't know. One of my siblings has Celiac disease and it was after she got diagnosed that my Mom and I started trying to eat less bread and things with gluten in it. After I started avoiding gluten, I noticed my headaches, sinus stuffiness and anxiety all started getting much better. I just feel better not eating it. I have been tested for an allergy to gluten, however, I had been avoiding it for a while before the test so when the test came back negative, I wasn't convinced. My Napro doctor said that I shouldn't waste money on a retest if I know I'm feeling better without gluten. The annoying thing is, it's hard to explain to other people why I'm avoiding it. I can't say, oh I have celiac disease. I usually just say I have an allergy. Oh, and I almost forgot one of the biggest beneftits I've noticed being off gluten - my menstrual cramps aren't as bad (I also stopped dairy at this time too, so both dairy and gluten have contributed to the less painful periods. They're still painful, but not as bad as they were prior to avoiding gluten and dairy). I think that a gluten allergy can be linked to infertility. Is there any research out there on that? I know I could ask dr. goog(le) but I trust you ladies more. One of the reasons my Napro dr. was suspicious of endo with me was becauase I told her that my painful periods got a little better once I started avoiding wheat and dairy. She said that if those dietary changes are helping that could be a sign I have endo.
Do you ever write a post and are not sure where it's going? That's me right now. I guess I want to let people know that if they are up for cutting out gluten for two weeks and seeing how they feel, they may be very happy they did. I know I am! Oh, and I don't miss bread. I think my cravings for gluten and my cravings in general have all been calmed since I took the leap and cut all gluten out.
Well, I'm off to do the dishes before the husband comes home. Have a nice night!
Do you ever write a post and are not sure where it's going? That's me right now. I guess I want to let people know that if they are up for cutting out gluten for two weeks and seeing how they feel, they may be very happy they did. I know I am! Oh, and I don't miss bread. I think my cravings for gluten and my cravings in general have all been calmed since I took the leap and cut all gluten out.
Well, I'm off to do the dishes before the husband comes home. Have a nice night!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Back To Normal
Today we got our first electrical bill since using the wood stove for our main heating source. Oh, did I mention we have electric heat in this house? Very expensive. Last year at this time we used 114 kWh in electricity and this year we only used 22 kWh in one month. That translates to only $120 this month compared to about $600 or so. Pretty significant savings, if you ask me! So, dear readers, if you are paying too much for oil or electric heat, please consider a wood stove. Especially if you stay home and can keep the fires burning while your hubby is out winning the bread. ;)
In other news, my in-laws were vising this past weekend. It was nice to visit with them and it also helped distract me from the start of this new cycle. Which reminds me, I don't know if I mentioned this before, but my husband and I are different nationalities. He is Filipino and I am Caucasian. Sometimes, my visits with the in-laws are kind of tough, because they can speak in their native language and have certain mannerisms that I have been known to misinterpret at times. My husband was born in the states though, and grew up speaking only English, so at least we are in a similar boat when his parents start talking to each other in their language. Sometimes I still worry, are they talking about me? My husband always assures me that they aren't, even though he can't understand what they're saying either. Oh well. The cultural differences that exist have caused me anxiety at times, but we don't really visit with them that often, so it's usually not a big deal. I was thankful to be back to just the two of us when they left though, we're back to normal here in our home and it feels good.
I took our Christmas tree down yesterday. For some reason I really like taking all the decorations down once the Christmas season is over. I really just love Spring and so taking Christmas stuff down is like one step closer to the arrival of Spring. Winter is not my favorite season. But I do put up with them for the dawn of Spring! And I love summer, too. So our house is looking more ordinary-time-ish and I'm loving it.
Well, I better get something to eat, my tummy is growling!
In other news, my in-laws were vising this past weekend. It was nice to visit with them and it also helped distract me from the start of this new cycle. Which reminds me, I don't know if I mentioned this before, but my husband and I are different nationalities. He is Filipino and I am Caucasian. Sometimes, my visits with the in-laws are kind of tough, because they can speak in their native language and have certain mannerisms that I have been known to misinterpret at times. My husband was born in the states though, and grew up speaking only English, so at least we are in a similar boat when his parents start talking to each other in their language. Sometimes I still worry, are they talking about me? My husband always assures me that they aren't, even though he can't understand what they're saying either. Oh well. The cultural differences that exist have caused me anxiety at times, but we don't really visit with them that often, so it's usually not a big deal. I was thankful to be back to just the two of us when they left though, we're back to normal here in our home and it feels good.
I took our Christmas tree down yesterday. For some reason I really like taking all the decorations down once the Christmas season is over. I really just love Spring and so taking Christmas stuff down is like one step closer to the arrival of Spring. Winter is not my favorite season. But I do put up with them for the dawn of Spring! And I love summer, too. So our house is looking more ordinary-time-ish and I'm loving it.
Well, I better get something to eat, my tummy is growling!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Rejoice Always
Today my period came. I have been thinking of my pledge to trust God with an even greater trust than I think possible for me. And I want to learn how to rejoice in the Lord in all things. Even this.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:4-7)
Lord Jesus, you are all powerful, all knowing and all loving. I place my desires and my whole life in your hands. Teach me to trust in your beautiful plan for my life. As I over my life, I can see how you guided me and led me to where I am today. Help me not forget how my sorrow has turned to joy in so many past events. Like the time we almost bought a house that was totally not as good as the one we have now. You turned my sorrow into a greater joy than I thought possible. You always have my better interest in mind, even when I don't understand what that is. Help me to have an eternal view of my life each and every day. Give me your love and your grace, that's enough for me.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:4-7)
Lord Jesus, you are all powerful, all knowing and all loving. I place my desires and my whole life in your hands. Teach me to trust in your beautiful plan for my life. As I over my life, I can see how you guided me and led me to where I am today. Help me not forget how my sorrow has turned to joy in so many past events. Like the time we almost bought a house that was totally not as good as the one we have now. You turned my sorrow into a greater joy than I thought possible. You always have my better interest in mind, even when I don't understand what that is. Help me to have an eternal view of my life each and every day. Give me your love and your grace, that's enough for me.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A New Year, A New Kind Of Trust
I am due for my period in a couple days. This past month our charting instructor calculated a very good cm score so I want to have hope that this month could be our month. My in laws are visiting this weekend, and I am already thinking how we could have wonderful news to share. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but both our charting instructor and my napro doctor have said they are really happy with the way my charts look.
I always want to have hope because ultimately God is the author of life. He is in control. If it's His will, then it WILL be done. No matter what this month brings, I trust in His will for me. This is a new year and I am striving to trust ever more in God, I want to have a new kind of complete and utter trust in Him who is Love itself! Thank you sweet Jesus, for the blessings you have in store for me in this new year. I am so grateful for your blessings and your love for me.
I always want to have hope because ultimately God is the author of life. He is in control. If it's His will, then it WILL be done. No matter what this month brings, I trust in His will for me. This is a new year and I am striving to trust ever more in God, I want to have a new kind of complete and utter trust in Him who is Love itself! Thank you sweet Jesus, for the blessings you have in store for me in this new year. I am so grateful for your blessings and your love for me.
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