I have been struggling with some eczema lately and after talking with a friend of mine who is a Certified Raw Food Coach she suggested I try a juice fast. I started this past Monday July 16th. Initially, I had mentally committed to 6 days which was the recommendation. Then after talking with my friend Bia, she decided to join me and we discussed a two week cleanse. So, today is day 6 and I am feeling great. I have lots of energy and I ight confess, it has been much easier than I thought. As of yesterday, Bia and I committed to 40 days of cleaning together. We are juicing several times a day (veggies mostly), whey protein 1-2x per day and some raw veggies. When I weighed last weekend I was back to 140 my seight when I started this blog. Today, I weighed 133.9...So I am off to a good start. More to come....

Taryn's Yummy and Delicious Salad

The salad is simple and full of beautiful colors and flavors...

1-2 bags Romaine lettuce

 3-4 Roma Tomatoes

3-4 stalks Celery

1 cup Diced or shredded carrots 

1- 15 oz can black beans

1-2 Avocado

1 can Hearts of Palm (or Artichoke Hearts)

1 cup pecans

Figs (I did not use these when I made the salad because I am watching sugar intake, but I am sure they would add another wonderful flavor.)

1 can white shoepeg corn (Again, I did not use when I made the salad as I am not currently eating corn)

1-2 Pears

1-2 Crisp apples

1 bag of Crasins 

Dressing: Balsalmic vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix together and pour over salad. That’s it! Bon appetite!

Health Benefits of Far-infrared Saunas

Lyn and I went to a spa here in Denver that has a far-infrared sauna. Not really knowing the difference between a traditional sauna and a far-infrared sauna, I did some research and the results were definitely worth sharing. I have been back once since Lyn and I went last Sunday and I am going again tomorrow. I am not sure if this is contributing to my weight releasing, but I am down 8 pounds as of yesterday! WOOOHOOOO!!!!! Might want to check it out!

Health Benefits of Far-Infrared Saunas

Detoxification:

*Rids the body of toxins thereby helping to relieve current symptoms and preventing future illnesses

*Increases overall health and vitality

*The heat generated by far-infared saunas produces sweat that carries nearly 20% toxins compared with a traditional sauna where you can only expect 3% toxins in the sweat generated. This is due to the fact that far-infrared saunas raise the core body temperature 2-3 degrees versus simply heating the air around the body in a traditional sauna.

Relaxation and Stress Reduction

According to New York Times best-selling author and fitness expert Jorge Cruise – as well as many other health professionals – the more stressed you are, the more cortisol your body produces. Cortisol is a “fight or flight” hormone made in the adrenal glands that raises heart rate and blood pressure and leads to the deposit of excess calories in the midsection.

Scientific evidence also shows that infrared sauna therapy helps the body maintain healthy levels of cortisol. While cortisol levels stay the same or rise slightly during a sauna therapy session, they drop immediately afterward.

Weight Loss

*Far-infrared saunas burn between 600-900 calories in a 30-45 min session.

*While using an infrared sauna, there is a substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories.

Pain Relief

*Far-infrared saunas help to relieve tension and relax muscles by penetrating joints, muscles and tissues, increasing circulation and speeding oxygen flow.

Improved Circulation

*Far-infrared saunas heat your muscles with infrared rays and produces an increase in blood flow similar to regular exercise. In fact, blood flow during infrared sauna use has been reported to rise from a normal rate of 5-7 quarts per minute to as much as 13 quarts per minute.

The elevation in body temperature from far-infrared sauna use also produces an increase in blood flow that mirrors the benefits of a passive cardiovascular workout. The increased peripheral circulation from our infrared heat reduces inflammation, decreases pain and speeds healing, all important steps in helping the body recover from strenuous activity.

Frozen Peanut butter & banana balls

Here is something easy to make, healthy & sweet!

3 to 4 large bananas - not too ripe
16 oz smart balance peanut butter - gluten free:)
1/4 cup toasted walnuts
1/4 cup raisins
1 serving protein powder

Smash the bananas with a fork, mixed the peanut butter and rest of ingredients. Put in the freezer for 1 and 1/2 hour. Take it out and using an ice-cream scooper scoop mixture into balls, put them back in the freezer overnight and enjoy!!

Yummy stuff!!!

Love,

Bi

Finally feeling better

Hi Ladies!

My apologies I've been MIA this week! I was sick for days and so busy at work! Finally feeling better! I've been doing pretty well with all, no coffee, no refined carbs, no dairy, zero animal product and lots of fruits and vegetables! I do eat my cookies but they are pretty healthy and I will send you girls some so if you do crave something sweet really bad you can have some of my cookies and not feel guilty about it!
I weight myself again this morning, still only 4 pounds, but I am ok with this since I haven't exercised in a while due to lack of energy (sick) and busy. Now tomorrow I get back to my workout routine, 5:30am Master Swim, whooohooo!!!
 Be on the look out for my "what is in it for me" post soon....

Love, hugs

Bia

Fell off the wagon

Haven't written in a while - not doing well at all on my eating.  Think the stress of not working and waiting for the next shoe to drop plus Judith passing away has affected me in ways that have made me really think about my relastionship with food.  All I have wanted for the last 2 day is sugar - cupcakes and cookies to be exact.  So, after giving in to my craving after a confront with Lani yesterday I have eaten 4 cupcakes and a pack of cookies!  So I guess I was waiting for the perfect excuse to give in and pig out.  It all started with reading that we really were moving out,  no mention of a future for me with them, and then Judith.  Oh this is really a pity party after all!  I am afraid I can't do all my new part-time job wants from me and for the first time in years, don't know where the money to live is coming from.  So, thanks for listening and being there for me.  Lyn

What's in it for me

Thank you so much Kelly for getting this for us.  I have been pondering your question and it is pretty simply for me that as long as I carry this padding around with me I don't have to face up to who I am.  Our entire journey of "I AM" I really didn't think about the real truth which was I AM hiding behind this weight.  So the whats in it for me is taking my head out of the sand (or snow today) and standing in my power and truth and shinning like a beacon for myself.