Weighin' in as the Big Winner: Raw Food

Well I did it! I ran our open mic on all-can-eat-fish-n-chips-night and didn't eat anything! Before ya go thinking I'm trying to hold off food and starve myself into some special weight, (not!) read on....

I was determined to be so full before we left the house, that we wouldn't be tempted while there.

Sho' nuff, it worked.

The raw dinner I made was so quick & easy that I started it at 4 pm, ate it by 4:30, got dolled up and was in the car by 5.

A carrot-pecan 'burger' patty left over from a couple nights ago, and some fresh Angel Hair 'Pasta' with Marinara Sauce and Date Nut Torte for dessert. Yeah, dessert too!

I know it's a repeat of Monday's meal, but it's so dang great, neither of us minded!

So we filled our boots and left, comfortably full, and when we saw the plates of *S.A.D. food getting served up, it was effortless to pass on it. Yayyayyyaaaaaaaaay!!!!

Mind you, it smelled great. But it felt so much greater to know we did the right thing for ourselves. In the first couple months of raw, I sometimes have to 'demonize' S.A.D. food to stay on track. But last night, I decided to look at the people eating it rather than the food, and it humanized it as a choice everyone has.

Here's the thing, and this is big: In the weeks when we were on the S.A.D Highway to Hell ---goin' with the demon theme, here, lol---- and ate the Fish n' Chips, we would either stop at Tim Hortons on the way home and eat another meal, or stopped at the Safeway for donuts or roast chicken. Seriously! And we started to feel like dough people! If this way of eating felt great to me, I would see no reason to discontinue it. I mean, it tastes great! But my own truth is that I can't seem to control my tendency to go 'all or nothing' with everything: food, beer, pot, you name it. You know, the ol' 'If one is good, 10 must be better!' line of thought. And I end up feeling seriously bad, physically and emotionally.

Eating a meal of S.A.D. makes us want to eat another meal of S.A.D. a mere 1-2 hours later...in the evening, before bed! So we were spending over night with clumps of undigested, dead food in our guts, and waking up feeling like a$$. With raw, even though we ate earlier, we were sated for the entire evening and we awaken light and buoyant and ready for the day.

This is so revealing of the addiction and downward spiral of cooked foods. No wonder we couldn't get a grip with our health, no wonder folks struggle so much with it, because on S.A.D. it takes a Herculean effort, because you're fighting an up-hill battle. The nutrient density of raw wins hands down!

*S.A.D. = Standard American Diet

Weighin' in as the Big Winner: Raw Food

Well I did it! I ran our open mic on all-can-eat-fish-n-chips-night and didn't eat anything! Before ya go thinking I'm trying to hold off food and starve myself into some special weight, (not!) read on....

I was determined to be so full before we left the house, that we wouldn't be tempted while there.

Sho' nuff, it worked.

The raw dinner I made was so quick & easy that I started it at 4 pm, ate it by 4:30, got dolled up and was in the car by 5.

A carrot-pecan 'burger' patty left over from a couple nights ago, and some fresh Angel Hair 'Pasta' with Marinara Sauce and Date Nut Torte for dessert. Yeah, dessert too!

I know it's a repeat of Monday's meal, but it's so dang great, neither of us minded!

So we filled our boots and left, comfortably full, and when we saw the plates of *S.A.D. food getting served up, it was effortless to pass on it. Yayyayyyaaaaaaaaay!!!!

Mind you, it smelled great. But it felt so much greater to know we did the right thing for ourselves. In the first couple months of raw, I sometimes have to 'demonize' S.A.D. food to stay on track. But last night, I decided to look at the people eating it rather than the food, and it humanized it as a choice everyone has.

Here's the thing, and this is big: In the weeks when we were on the S.A.D Highway to Hell ---goin' with the demon theme, here, lol---- and ate the Fish n' Chips, we would either stop at Tim Hortons on the way home and eat another meal, or stopped at the Safeway for donuts or roast chicken. Seriously! And we started to feel like dough people! If this way of eating felt great to me, I would see no reason to discontinue it. I mean, it tastes great! But my own truth is that I can't seem to control my tendency to go 'all or nothing' with everything: food, beer, pot, you name it. You know, the ol' 'If one is good, 10 must be better!' line of thought. And I end up feeling seriously bad, physically and emotionally.

Eating a meal of S.A.D. makes us want to eat another meal of S.A.D. a mere 1-2 hours later...in the evening, before bed! So we were spending over night with clumps of undigested, dead food in our guts, and waking up feeling like a$$. With raw, even though we ate earlier, we were sated for the entire evening and we awaken light and buoyant and ready for the day.

This is so revealing of the addiction and downward spiral of cooked foods. No wonder we couldn't get a grip with our health, no wonder folks struggle so much with it, because on S.A.D. it takes a Herculean effort, because you're fighting an up-hill battle. The nutrient density of raw wins hands down!

*S.A.D. = Standard American Diet

How Many Meals To Good (or Bad) Health?

This article was written by Mark Idzik, and is just what I needed to read, after eating a SAD (but delicious, dang it!) meal at my step-sons' home tonight! I went with the flow and ate what was served rather than risk being a 'bad guest'. It was their first time inviting us Geezers over, so I didn't want to be a pain... I know, I know... but tomorrow is a brand new day!!!

Without further ado...

****************************************************************************

How Many Meals To Good (or Bad) Health?


To most people, eating an occasional fast food meal or drinking a soda once in a while is acceptable. Even eating out regularly would be considered healthy to most.


But how many meals does it take to lead you to good as well as bad health?


How many meals would you have to eat before you would get on the road to better health or on the path to poor health?


Well, a review of dietary research published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology now has the answer.


One.


Just one meal can either bring us closer to health, or further away from it.


This is groundbreaking since never before has there been research to backup the effects of just one meal. Your health is literally determined by your last meal. What did you last eat?


We’ve know for decades the effects of eating poorly over long periods of time, but this research explains why just one meal makes a difference.


You see, just as long term poor eating habits clog arteries and increase risk of heart attacks and strokes, there are short term effects as well.


Once you eat that one fast food meal, that one processed (anything in a wrapper or box) food item, drink that one soda, it sets off a chain reaction in your body. Tissue becomes inflamed (just as if it was infected), blood vessels constrict, free radicals that are know to cause cell damage, contributing to aging and chronic disease are generated. The body is now under stress and the response has an effect on blood pressure, raising it above normal. The spike and then drop in insulin levels not only leaves you feeling lethargic within hours, but also leaves you hungry as well.


All these happen within minutes and hours of eating anything other than primarily natural, whole foods.


And here’s where it gets interesting.


Most people trying to switch from ‘S.A.D’ (standard american diet) of processed foods will feel unsatisfied at first when trying to start eating more healthy meals. That’s in part because of the insulin effect that leaves you hungry in a short period after eating. Additionally, sugary and fatty foods promote excretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which shows to stimulate your appetite for more ‘calorie-dense’ foods. The spikes in blood sugar after these meals are also more likely to occur in people who aren’t active and don’t exercise or anyone that carries excess weight in their stomach area.


So it’s often a vicious circle for those wanting to modify their eating habits to healthier alternatives. The more fatty, sugary, fast, junk and processed food you eat (even once), the harder it becomes to stop. And the less active you are, the more the unhealthy food affects you.


What’s the best way to break this circle of addiction?


First, avoid fast, junk and processed foods completely. The less you eat them, the less the vicious circle will affect you.


Next, eat a diet compromised 70-80% of fresh, natural and organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seed and grains. A small portion of steamed vegetables is good as well.


Drink water and eliminate all other drinks with the exception of fresh squeezed juices and occasional herb teas.


Stay active, walk or bike instead of driving when you can. Take 15-30 minutes daily to exercise at home.


By following these tips you’ll see results within days if not sooner.


The good news is that just one healthy meal of fresh fruits or vegetables can bring you closer to better health. And knowing that, what will you plan to eat next?


To your best health!

How Many Meals To Good (or Bad) Health?

This article was written by Mark Idzik, and is just what I needed to read, after eating a SAD (but delicious, dang it!) meal at my step-sons' home tonight! I went with the flow and ate what was served rather than risk being a 'bad guest'. It was their first time inviting us Geezers over, so I didn't want to be a pain... I know, I know... but tomorrow is a brand new day!!!

Without further ado...

****************************************************************************

How Many Meals To Good (or Bad) Health?


To most people, eating an occasional fast food meal or drinking a soda once in a while is acceptable. Even eating out regularly would be considered healthy to most.


But how many meals does it take to lead you to good as well as bad health?


How many meals would you have to eat before you would get on the road to better health or on the path to poor health?


Well, a review of dietary research published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology now has the answer.


One.


Just one meal can either bring us closer to health, or further away from it.


This is groundbreaking since never before has there been research to backup the effects of just one meal. Your health is literally determined by your last meal. What did you last eat?


We’ve know for decades the effects of eating poorly over long periods of time, but this research explains why just one meal makes a difference.


You see, just as long term poor eating habits clog arteries and increase risk of heart attacks and strokes, there are short term effects as well.


Once you eat that one fast food meal, that one processed (anything in a wrapper or box) food item, drink that one soda, it sets off a chain reaction in your body. Tissue becomes inflamed (just as if it was infected), blood vessels constrict, free radicals that are know to cause cell damage, contributing to aging and chronic disease are generated. The body is now under stress and the response has an effect on blood pressure, raising it above normal. The spike and then drop in insulin levels not only leaves you feeling lethargic within hours, but also leaves you hungry as well.


All these happen within minutes and hours of eating anything other than primarily natural, whole foods.


And here’s where it gets interesting.


Most people trying to switch from ‘S.A.D’ (standard american diet) of processed foods will feel unsatisfied at first when trying to start eating more healthy meals. That’s in part because of the insulin effect that leaves you hungry in a short period after eating. Additionally, sugary and fatty foods promote excretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which shows to stimulate your appetite for more ‘calorie-dense’ foods. The spikes in blood sugar after these meals are also more likely to occur in people who aren’t active and don’t exercise or anyone that carries excess weight in their stomach area.


So it’s often a vicious circle for those wanting to modify their eating habits to healthier alternatives. The more fatty, sugary, fast, junk and processed food you eat (even once), the harder it becomes to stop. And the less active you are, the more the unhealthy food affects you.


What’s the best way to break this circle of addiction?


First, avoid fast, junk and processed foods completely. The less you eat them, the less the vicious circle will affect you.


Next, eat a diet compromised 70-80% of fresh, natural and organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seed and grains. A small portion of steamed vegetables is good as well.


Drink water and eliminate all other drinks with the exception of fresh squeezed juices and occasional herb teas.


Stay active, walk or bike instead of driving when you can. Take 15-30 minutes daily to exercise at home.


By following these tips you’ll see results within days if not sooner.


The good news is that just one healthy meal of fresh fruits or vegetables can bring you closer to better health. And knowing that, what will you plan to eat next?


To your best health!