Now that I'm over the "death flu", as of last Thursday, I can finally feel the effects of the raw vegan diet and thought I'd share. First thing I noticed is that I don't need as much medication as I used to. I usually take a 12 hour pain reliever, (2 pills a day) a hard core break-through pain med (5 pills a day), a muscle relaxer (3 pills a day) and an anti-spasmotic (2-3 pills a day). And now that I've been exercising, and not laying around in bed, I would normally need MORE medication.
But I find myself going all day just on my 12 hour pain med. I've gone days without my break-through med, which is a miracle! I've also noticed a big change in my sleeping pattern. Whereas normally I have trouble getting to sleep, even having to take meds to sleep if I'm still up at midnight, now I find myself getting drowsy at 9:00! That is a huge change for me and doesn't seem to be effected by exercise. I'm staying asleep and not up half the night, that's a big change too.
Finally, my mental health has improved. I don't know if it's just that I'm proud that I'm sticking to a program and not cheating, or the diet itself. But I feel happier, I think less about my disability, and want to do more, both in the house and out.
So, I think I'll continue on this diet until I reach my weight loss goals. After that? Guess it depends on how I want to feel :)
Check out the diet at www.21daysraw.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Tuesday:
Screwed up and made Monday's breakfast again. Papaya, banana, and raspberries, chopped up as a salad.
Lunch was surrounded be falafel, but we were on the run all day and didn't have time to make it so I had the leftover Quiche Salad from last night.
Tonight was Celery Soup, celery, avocado, lemon, and alfalfa sprouts. It didn't say to peel the lemon, and in hindsight I should have. It turned out quite bitter. Luckily I was still stuffed from lunch. Here's a pic from the tragedy:
Looks good huh? Next time I'm peeling the lemon, no matter what the recipe says!
No exercise today, we're having a storm, an actual storm with rain and howling winds right here in California! Hopefully It'll blow over and I can ride tomorrow.
I did do 15 min. on my WII Fit Plus. They have stuff I can do sitting down or on my forearm crutches. I am out of shape cause after 15 min. I was pooped! I was missing my hand cycle.
Screwed up and made Monday's breakfast again. Papaya, banana, and raspberries, chopped up as a salad.
Lunch was surrounded be falafel, but we were on the run all day and didn't have time to make it so I had the leftover Quiche Salad from last night.
Tonight was Celery Soup, celery, avocado, lemon, and alfalfa sprouts. It didn't say to peel the lemon, and in hindsight I should have. It turned out quite bitter. Luckily I was still stuffed from lunch. Here's a pic from the tragedy:
Looks good huh? Next time I'm peeling the lemon, no matter what the recipe says!
No exercise today, we're having a storm, an actual storm with rain and howling winds right here in California! Hopefully It'll blow over and I can ride tomorrow.
I did do 15 min. on my WII Fit Plus. They have stuff I can do sitting down or on my forearm crutches. I am out of shape cause after 15 min. I was pooped! I was missing my hand cycle.
Monday:
Monday morning was fruit salad and cherimoya. I didn't have a cherimoya, they were hard as a rock and eight bucks each at the store. The fruit salad was banana, mango and raspberries. All of which I luckily had leftover from last week. I paired them with a piece of durian. It has about the same amount of calories and fat as cherimoya.
I didn't have the ingredients for lunch as we haven't been able to do my shopping yet. So I drank sesame mylk leftover from Sunday.
Got the shopping done and had an interesting dinner. It's called Quiche Salad. It has broccoli, cauliflower, younglings coconut meat, green onion, avocado, Olivia 've oil, and lemon juice. I was allowed to add salt and ground in some Himalayan sea salt.
The result was interesting. It tasted rich but fresh. Very filling, you could tell you were getting your fats and calories. I loved it but couldn't come close to finishing it. Definitely a great way to eat raw broccoli and cauliflower. With the right seasonings it could make a raw Indian curry. Hmm, might give that a try for the leftovers!
Monday morning was fruit salad and cherimoya. I didn't have a cherimoya, they were hard as a rock and eight bucks each at the store. The fruit salad was banana, mango and raspberries. All of which I luckily had leftover from last week. I paired them with a piece of durian. It has about the same amount of calories and fat as cherimoya.
I didn't have the ingredients for lunch as we haven't been able to do my shopping yet. So I drank sesame mylk leftover from Sunday.
Got the shopping done and had an interesting dinner. It's called Quiche Salad. It has broccoli, cauliflower, younglings coconut meat, green onion, avocado, Olivia 've oil, and lemon juice. I was allowed to add salt and ground in some Himalayan sea salt.
The result was interesting. It tasted rich but fresh. Very filling, you could tell you were getting your fats and calories. I loved it but couldn't come close to finishing it. Definitely a great way to eat raw broccoli and cauliflower. With the right seasonings it could make a raw Indian curry. Hmm, might give that a try for the leftovers!
Sunday:
Yay, real food day! Breakfast started with a big fruit salad.
Yes, that's a mixing bowl! Banana, blueberries, raspberries, apple, pear, papaya, some leftover pineapple, and orange juice. I left out kiwi as I'm allergic. My roommate has become increasingly interested in my diet (a convert perhaps?) and shared it with me. Here's what was left after we both worked on it for 30 min.
I ended up blending the rest into a smoothie and drinking it later as a snack.
Lunch was a green smoothie. Banana, one peeled orange, kale, and romaine lettuce. My kale and lettuce both got pushed to the back of the fridge and froze! So I substituted with a dark greens blend of baby kale, spinach, and collard greens. It worked great and was delicious.
Look at that dark green goodness!
Dinner was supposed to be almond mylk, but I forgot to soak my almonds. So I made sunflower seed mylk instead. It turned out great, though almonds are sweeter, so I added a few extra dates. Forgot to take a pic but it looks just like almond mylk.
Exercise today was 30 min. On my hand cycle. I got a new outfit for the cold weather!
Do I look skinny yet ? ;)
Yay, real food day! Breakfast started with a big fruit salad.
Yes, that's a mixing bowl! Banana, blueberries, raspberries, apple, pear, papaya, some leftover pineapple, and orange juice. I left out kiwi as I'm allergic. My roommate has become increasingly interested in my diet (a convert perhaps?) and shared it with me. Here's what was left after we both worked on it for 30 min.
I ended up blending the rest into a smoothie and drinking it later as a snack.
Lunch was a green smoothie. Banana, one peeled orange, kale, and romaine lettuce. My kale and lettuce both got pushed to the back of the fridge and froze! So I substituted with a dark greens blend of baby kale, spinach, and collard greens. It worked great and was delicious.
Dinner was supposed to be almond mylk, but I forgot to soak my almonds. So I made sunflower seed mylk instead. It turned out great, though almonds are sweeter, so I added a few extra dates. Forgot to take a pic but it looks just like almond mylk.
Exercise today was 30 min. On my hand cycle. I got a new outfit for the cold weather!
Do I look skinny yet ? ;)
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Saturday,
Morning was cantaloupe mylk. I love cantaloupe and this was a great way to consume it. Tasted very rich and yummy.
Lunch was a simple sprout and avocado salad.
I wasn't as hungry today as yesterday, but I did have a dragon fruit. The salad was tart and a little bitter so I was craving something sweet. Yummy yummy dragon fruit.
Dinner was "Power Green Juice" with kale, cucumber, and apples. I left out the bell pepper as it's the only veggie I don't like raw. It was sweeter than I expected and completely satisfied me. At eight cups it should!
Looking forward to tomorrow and the big fruit salad for breakfast!
Morning was cantaloupe mylk. I love cantaloupe and this was a great way to consume it. Tasted very rich and yummy.
Lunch was a simple sprout and avocado salad.
Dinner was "Power Green Juice" with kale, cucumber, and apples. I left out the bell pepper as it's the only veggie I don't like raw. It was sweeter than I expected and completely satisfied me. At eight cups it should!
Looking forward to tomorrow and the big fruit salad for breakfast!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Friday,
Watermelon juice for breakfast. I cut up the other half of the melon and ran it through my Vitamix. The melon was already cold so I didn't need ice. It was delicious and made seven cups.
Lunch was juiced beet and carrots with the water of a coconut. It didn't say what to do with the meat of the young coconut though, and I couldn't let it go to waste. So I put it in the Vitamix with the coconut water and liquefied it, then added it to the carrot/beet juice. It was rich and yummy.
All the hunger I didn't have yesterday caught up with me today. I "snacked" for the first time on this diet. I had a can of coconut water as a snack and felt better.
Dinner was almond mylk, one of my favorites!
Later though I felt hungry again and juiced five apples. Hopefully I just stretched my stomach during the water fast and it will shrink back down.
I exercised today as I am feeling better. I took my hand cycle out and found a good route around my neighborhood that doesn't require me to go on to a major street. It was just under three miles and took 30min. I felt great afterwards!
Watermelon juice for breakfast. I cut up the other half of the melon and ran it through my Vitamix. The melon was already cold so I didn't need ice. It was delicious and made seven cups.
All the hunger I didn't have yesterday caught up with me today. I "snacked" for the first time on this diet. I had a can of coconut water as a snack and felt better.
Dinner was almond mylk, one of my favorites!
Almond mylk mustache :)
I exercised today as I am feeling better. I took my hand cycle out and found a good route around my neighborhood that doesn't require me to go on to a major street. It was just under three miles and took 30min. I felt great afterwards!
Friday, December 26, 2014
Thursday,
Christmas day, I don't celebrate it, but my family does and so the day was spent with my family and lots and lots of food. Food that I can't eat. No problem you think, just have a big salad or something, right? Wrong. Thursday was a water only fast. Yup, water only on Christmas.
But, big pat on the back for me because I made it! I made it the whole day drinking only water. I didn't take even a bite of food, and I wasn't even hungry! I was drinking so much water it tricked my stomach into feeling full. I expected headaches and nausea and a general run-down feeling, but I had no side effects at all. So if you ever want to try a water fast, just sign up for the raw food cleanse at 21 days raw.
Christmas day, I don't celebrate it, but my family does and so the day was spent with my family and lots and lots of food. Food that I can't eat. No problem you think, just have a big salad or something, right? Wrong. Thursday was a water only fast. Yup, water only on Christmas.
But, big pat on the back for me because I made it! I made it the whole day drinking only water. I didn't take even a bite of food, and I wasn't even hungry! I was drinking so much water it tricked my stomach into feeling full. I expected headaches and nausea and a general run-down feeling, but I had no side effects at all. So if you ever want to try a water fast, just sign up for the raw food cleanse at 21 days raw.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Wednesday cont:
Lunch was half a watermelon, blended into juice. I added ice and was in watermelon heaven. I haven't had watermelon juice since Thailand back in the 90's! I think if more people tried it, more people would drink it. Anyway, another seven cups of juice down the hatch!
Dinner was a smoothie: five oranges, a banana, and a cup of fresh berries. I used raspberries, blueberries, and leftover strawberries that were going to go bad if not used. The results filled my Vitamix and my tummy :) It was very good!
Because tomorrow is a water only fast (on Christmas! Who scheduled that?) I decided to treat myself and have a late night snack of durian.
For those who don't know, durian is a fruit from South East Asia that I first had in Thailand. It stinks to some people, ok most people (the first time I had it my husband thought there was a gas leak in the house!) But it smells and tastes luscious to me. Here's a pic of the package (I buy it frozen) and one of the "pods" that are inside.
Lunch was half a watermelon, blended into juice. I added ice and was in watermelon heaven. I haven't had watermelon juice since Thailand back in the 90's! I think if more people tried it, more people would drink it. Anyway, another seven cups of juice down the hatch!
Dinner was a smoothie: five oranges, a banana, and a cup of fresh berries. I used raspberries, blueberries, and leftover strawberries that were going to go bad if not used. The results filled my Vitamix and my tummy :) It was very good!
Because tomorrow is a water only fast (on Christmas! Who scheduled that?) I decided to treat myself and have a late night snack of durian.
For those who don't know, durian is a fruit from South East Asia that I first had in Thailand. It stinks to some people, ok most people (the first time I had it my husband thought there was a gas leak in the house!) But it smells and tastes luscious to me. Here's a pic of the package (I buy it frozen) and one of the "pods" that are inside.
It is creamy, almost like custard, sweet, and delicious. I've found that people either love it or hate it. I'm a lover. Soooooo excited it's on the menu.
Wish me luck tomorrow, everyone will be eating delicious food and I will be drinking water. Sigh. Willpower, don't fail me now!
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Got my shopping done and I'm finally able to eat what's scheduled. This morning was green juice:
It's kale, cucumbers, celery, apples, and a whole lemon, peel and all. I admit I was skeptical of leaving on the rind, but it was delicious! Very bright and summery on the palate. The down side? It made eight, count 'em 8 cup! Took me an hour to drink it. But I immediately felt better which is good since I'm still fighting the flu. All the vitamins, minerals, and micro-nutrients are doing their job!
It's kale, cucumbers, celery, apples, and a whole lemon, peel and all. I admit I was skeptical of leaving on the rind, but it was delicious! Very bright and summery on the palate. The down side? It made eight, count 'em 8 cup! Took me an hour to drink it. But I immediately felt better which is good since I'm still fighting the flu. All the vitamins, minerals, and micro-nutrients are doing their job!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Tuesday cont.
Lunch was a large greens only salad with an avocado dressing. Very nice.
Dinner was a blended salad of tomatoes, avocado, kale, celery, cucumber, and lemon. It was supposed to have bell pepper as well but I hate bell peppers and after the gazpacho disaster I was a little shy. The result grossed out everyone in the house but it tasted delicious:
Lunch was a large greens only salad with an avocado dressing. Very nice.
Dinner was a blended salad of tomatoes, avocado, kale, celery, cucumber, and lemon. It was supposed to have bell pepper as well but I hate bell peppers and after the gazpacho disaster I was a little shy. The result grossed out everyone in the house but it tasted delicious:
My husband said it would look the same going out as going in. Hardy har har. Anyway, I was happy and this was the first day I ate everything on the menu. Finally not coughing up my lungs so maybe my flu has started to abate. Fingers crossed.
Monday I kinda winged. I had six apples juiced (4 cups) for breakfast. Lunch was fresh squeezed sugarcane juice. Not sure how nutritious it is but we were at a Vietnamese restaurant and it was the only raw thing on the menu. Dinner was a piece of durian. My absolute favorite:)
Sorry I'm a little behind on my blog, I've been sick as a dog, with a chest flu.
Saturday's breakfast was mandarin juice. The mandarins I got weren't very juicy though, so I through in a few oranges to make four full cups. Delish.
I had almond mylk for lunch, Friday I ended up having the bok choy and guacamole for dinner and not lunch. I just was too sick to eat.
Sunday was also mandarin and orange juice for breakfast, and lunch was the first recipe I didn't care for, gazpacho. Tasted like watery tomatoes and red bell pepper. I ate as much as I could keep down and went to bed at 5:00pm.
I hope tomorrow I start to feel better, because I was too sick to go shopping for next weeks food. I'll have to do it when Rob gets home and just wing it with leftovers until then.
No problem sticking to the diet so far, we'll see how it goes when I get well.
Saturday's breakfast was mandarin juice. The mandarins I got weren't very juicy though, so I through in a few oranges to make four full cups. Delish.
I had almond mylk for lunch, Friday I ended up having the bok choy and guacamole for dinner and not lunch. I just was too sick to eat.
Sunday was also mandarin and orange juice for breakfast, and lunch was the first recipe I didn't care for, gazpacho. Tasted like watery tomatoes and red bell pepper. I ate as much as I could keep down and went to bed at 5:00pm.
I hope tomorrow I start to feel better, because I was too sick to go shopping for next weeks food. I'll have to do it when Rob gets home and just wing it with leftovers until then.
No problem sticking to the diet so far, we'll see how it goes when I get well.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Went for a night ride on my hand cycle last night, all bundled up. For those who don't know what one looks like, here are some pics:
. 
I'm an incomplete paraplegic, my legs go in the "stirrups" along either side of the front wheel, and I "pedal" with my hands. I worked out for 30 min.
Dinner was guacamole with jicama. It was supposed to be zucchinigetti, but I had missed lunch, and needed something substantial. This was actually lunch from Monday that I had also missed. There is Soooooo much food on this diet, I have been playing catch up.
Today, Friday started out with four grapefruits and four oranges juiced, it made four cups! I'm glad, because I've caught a cold or the flu and this should help my immune system. Lunch is almond milk, one of my favs! I forgot to soak the almonds though, so I'll have it for dinner and have dinner (guacamole with bok choy) for lunch while the almonds soak.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Yesterday went great! Lunch was celery chowder (I know, sounds gross, but it was delicious!)
Dinner was supposed to be raw apple pie. We went to Disneyland, so I just took the ingredients - apples, raw almonds, and dates and ate it deconstructed. I also had a persimmon for a snack. Looooooove those persimmons.
Woke up this morning sick. It was cold, really cold last night, but I was bundled up pretty good. I think my feet got too cold.
Still haven't exercised properly, but I did push myself in my wheelchair all through California Adventure and Disneyland. Check out the new addition to my chair:
Dinner was supposed to be raw apple pie. We went to Disneyland, so I just took the ingredients - apples, raw almonds, and dates and ate it deconstructed. I also had a persimmon for a snack. Looooooove those persimmons.
Woke up this morning sick. It was cold, really cold last night, but I was bundled up pretty good. I think my feet got too cold.
Still haven't exercised properly, but I did push myself in my wheelchair all through California Adventure and Disneyland. Check out the new addition to my chair:
Got my juicing/blending/grating station:
Breakfast, which I didn't drink until 3:00, was an orange/banana/strawberry smoothie. My favorite so far.
Heading out for my first real exercise, 30 on my hand cycle. Hoping I can push through this cold/flu/whatever I have and maybe get better faster.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Day 1 was a rousing success! I never felt hungry, and the food was delicious.
Today, day 2 started with 4, yes four cups of fresh grapefruit juice for breakfast. It was supposed to be more, but that was all I could drink!
Lunch was a huge salad with everything. It was supposed to be a full bag of greens but I could only do half. It filled me up and was delicious.
I had a piece of durian(yum!) For dessert. I had a snack, a persimmon, earlier in the day, other than that, just the meals have kept me full. If you want a diet where you can eat as much as you want, and always feel full, Storm and Jinjee's 21 day cleanse is for you! Find it at 21 days raw.
So far feeling great! It rained today, so no bike ride. I'm hopeful for tomorrow.
Tomorrow's breakfast is an orange/banana smoothie. Can't wait!
Today, day 2 started with 4, yes four cups of fresh grapefruit juice for breakfast. It was supposed to be more, but that was all I could drink!
Lunch was a huge salad with everything. It was supposed to be a full bag of greens but I could only do half. It filled me up and was delicious.
Dinner was kale wraps. Kale leaves filled with tomato, green onions, cilantro, lemon, olive oil, and salt. I left out the oil and added half an avocado left over from lunch. It was better than I expected, very yummy. As with breakfast, I couldn't eat all that the recipe called for, I ate about half and was stuffed!
I had a piece of durian(yum!) For dessert. I had a snack, a persimmon, earlier in the day, other than that, just the meals have kept me full. If you want a diet where you can eat as much as you want, and always feel full, Storm and Jinjee's 21 day cleanse is for you! Find it at 21 days raw.
So far feeling great! It rained today, so no bike ride. I'm hopeful for tomorrow.
Tomorrow's breakfast is an orange/banana smoothie. Can't wait!
Monday, December 15, 2014
Starting off strong!
Today I begin a 21 day raw vegan cleanse with my pals at The Garden Diet. You can check it out at 21 Days Raw. I'm hoping to lose weight and get healthy!. I am an incomplete paraplegic and get around on forearm crutches in the home and a wheelchair outside the home. Luckily I have a hand-cycle so I'll be able to get exercise while following the diet. You can follow my progress here, I'll be posting embarrassing (and hopefully skinnier) pics all through the diet.
Here are my "Before" pics. I'll take pics at the end of each week. My friends may be surprised but clothing hides a multitude of sins :) My starting weight is: 180#.
Breakfast today was 16 oz fresh squeezed Orange Juice. Yum!
Here are my "Before" pics. I'll take pics at the end of each week. My friends may be surprised but clothing hides a multitude of sins :) My starting weight is: 180#.
Breakfast today was 16 oz fresh squeezed Orange Juice. Yum!
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