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Showing posts with label living/raw foods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living/raw foods. Show all posts

Thursday, March 11, 2010

AGAPE NUTRITION BARS... YUMMMM.




Hi Gorgeous!

Had to share with you about some wonderful treats I that had the opportunity to enjoy. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn Akens in person. Such a beautiful person.

She gifted me with some of her Agape Nutrition Bars for my birthday. {{Hugs}}
The ingredients of her bars are all uncooked and unprocessed, gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free. Absolutely good for you and very tasty. Yummmm.
They come in Cranberry Orange, Blueberry Ginger (loves that ginger) and Apple Cobbler flavors. All of which are so delicious.

My fav bar is the Cranberry Orange. OMG!! When I opened the package, the scent took me back to the days of orange creamsicle’s. Even three days later, I could still smell the scent on the packaging. Even as I sit here and type this up I can still smell “orange creamsicle” on the packaging. And to answer the question that I’m sure is in your mind. Yes, I did. It smells soooooo delicious that I had to hold on to the packaging. Don't judge me. Lol. I do love my citrus scents.

For a clean, healthy and nutritious snack or breakfast-on-the-go, you can order Agape bars at AgapeNutritionBars.com & Foodoro.com.

Post Title AGAPE NUTRITION BARS... YUMMMM.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

MACA-NATURE'S LOVE DRUG **Repost**



**With respect to Valentine's Day (and due to the feedback that I continue to get on this particular post) I've decided to "repost" from September. Hope you all enjoy this repeat!!**

In my journey to incorporate a majority of raw/living foods into my diet, I have come across a lot of foods, supplements and herbs that I had never heard of. One of such herbs was Maca.

It has amazing properties and is becoming more well known of for its effectiveness in health challenges, including osteoporosis, male impotence, menopause, menstrual difficulties, chronic fatigue, and depression. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is related to the turnip and beetroot. It grows underground, enduring extremes of temperature due to the altitude and proximity to the equator. A true superfood it is the only native vegetable in South America to be a member of the cruciferous family, sharing the cancer fighting properties of its relatives. It is similar to a sweet potato but in the West we can buy raw organic maca in powdered form, keeping all of the nutritional benefits intact. Maca is an adaptogen - that is, a plant classified to have certain medicinal qualities that can fight stress and reduce many degenerative diseases. Maca supplements are often marketed as an herb, although 'herbal maca' is actually a root vegetable. It is widely known for its libido enhancing powers and medicinal properties, but it has been a food product for thousands of years in South America.

Key phrase here is “libido enhancing powers”. So let me lay this personal experience out to you.

Some months ago, I decided to incorporate Maca powder into my diet because I wanted to try this popular food out. After all, it was well known and often mentioned in recipes on raw food blogs, sites and circles. So, of course, me being me decided to give it a try. After all, it’s a raw food and certainly is good for you. Well, I should have read a little more about it or asked some other raw foodies more indepthly about this food because it really had an impact on me. Not long after consistently taking it (I purchased the powdered form and would add it to my smoothies), I noticed something..different about myself.

I was abnormally “hot-n-bothered”. Now please understand. I am a healthy, adult woman with natural sexual desires. But suddenly, I noticed that I was always….ready. Oh my goodness! It got to the point where I could just be reading, laying in the bed, talking on the phone, reading the bible (insert holy book of choice) and urges would just hit me almost overwhelmingly. (Please note that at this same time, I was not in a relationship so I had no one to work this out with. Pure torture, I say! Pure torture! Lol.) I was about ready to jump the mailman, and believe me, he’ ain’t “jump-worthy”!


Yes, this dude needed to watch his back! Really!!

So let’s talk a little more about the uses & history of Maca because I obviously didn’t pay close attention to the stuff I read or didn’t give it much stock.

JUST SO YOU KNOW:

When the farmers were grazing their flocks in Peru many years ago they noticed that when they let their animals graze where there was lots of Peruvian maca root growing the animals would become much healthier, hardier, and stronger, and also they would tend to copulate a lot more and have a much higher fertility rate.

After a while the farmers tried the Peruvian maca root on themselves and found that it made them much more energetic, and strong, and better able to withstand the high altitude, and harsh climate, and also that it made them more sexually active, and fertile as well. Since then, there has been much widespread recorded knowledge and facts about the reputed abilty of Peruvian maca root to be a true aphrodisiac, and a fertility enhancer as well as a very effective energizer, strengthener, and instiller of a feeling of well being.

Maca holds a special place in Peruvian culture. Its dried roots have been treated as a delicacy for thousands of years. To the ancient natives of the Andes, maca was also reputed to restore the fertility of their livestock which often suffered in the high elevation. The Inca's used maca as an energy enhancing potion to give themselves more power before going into battle.

Maca has also been valued as trading commodity. Maca crops are often exchanged with communities at lower altitudes for other food staples such a rice. They were also traded with the Spanish conquistadors as a means of paying taxes. Maca has also been used as a herbal medicine believing to improve fertility, sexual desire, strength and endurance.

Did you notice the words “fertility”, “sexually active”, “libido “and similar terms as it relates to Maca? I challenge you to google it. As a matter of fact, I double-dare you to google it! I guarantee you that you won’t find anything different. And from personal experience, I can definitely tell you that its true.


Now of course, it offers other benefits like:
* Increases energy and endurance

* Increases stamina

* Alleviates chronic exhaustion (fatigue) syndrome

* Can regulate hormonal irregularities

* Aids in alleviating depression, gives a sense of well being, reduces anxiety

* Reduces anxiety and stress

* Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; Speeds wound healing and reduces anemia

* Enhances memory, learning, and mental ability

* Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; gives skin a more youthful appearance

* Helps treat anemia, rickets, osteomalacia, and stomach cancer

* Good for healthy teeth and bones

* Inhibits the growth & reproduction of fungi and bacteria

* Acts as an anticarcinogen and antioxidant

* Is an alternative to anabolic steroids, helps to build muscle


So it will definitely benefit you while getting your wheels in gear. I’m just sayin’.

So if you’re looking to increase you and/or your mates libido, I’d say go for. I had to put this stuff away…at least for a minute.

Lol,
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title MACA-NATURE'S LOVE DRUG **Repost**

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A TREAT FOR YOUR "SWEET"

Hi Sweeties!

So to keep with the Valentine’s Day theme, I wanted to give you a couple of healthier suggestions for V-day treats to prepare for you and your sweetie. Whether your "sweet" is your hubby, wifey, life partner, partner, boo or yourself they (and you) are bound to love one of these healthy treats.

You know how strawberries with chocolate are common fair for this day (or any other romantic time)? Well, you can opt for a healthier version by using organic strawberries (and/or bananas) and raw chocolate sauce.

Making raw chocolate sauce is pretty easy. Use 1 T. of raw cacao to 2 T. of agave nectar. Put it in a blender and blend til smooth. It’s soooooo good. And the fact that it’s healthier for you than processed chocolate makes it even “gooder”. ;)



The pic above is not the pic that I wanted to post. My camera's acting funky (and I don't mean in a good way either) so what you see here is to give you an idea of the type of plates that you can present your dish on. I took pics of some heart-shaped plates that I purchased years ago. A small white one, that I purchased from Target. And a smaller deep-dish red one that you can put a sauce, mousse or cake in. Now that I think about it, it's actually a small ramekin. Uh, don’t quite remember where I got it from but if I take a guess at it my hunch would be Crate and Barrel. I’m sure you could find something like them in Walmart, Target or maybe even the dollar store. I posted the pic of them because they’re great for presentation. Just to give you some ideas.


Now onto the other recipe:
I found the other V-day recipe while on twitter thru a VegaTeam tweet. If they sounds familiar to you, it is probably because you've seen their products in Whole Foods, health food stores and/or in the natural section of some grocers. Sequel Naturals is the company who makes the wonderful Vega products. They also make MacaSure and ChlorEssence products. Anyhoo, you can click here to see this wonderful recipe and get another idea for your V-day celebratory tastings.

P.S. You don’t have to mention that they’re raw or living foods. Matter of fact, don’t even say it’s a healthy alternative. Just serve up with a smile and happy heart.

If you have any Valentine's Day inspired healthy recipes, please share. I'll be juice fasting that day, but I'm sure there are others who would love to get some recipe ideas.

Hearts,

Post Title A TREAT FOR YOUR "SWEET"

Thursday, December 3, 2009

WHERE I'M AT



Hi Beautiful Ones!

Happy Friday! I hope that you all have had a lovely week, full of beauty, peace and joy. Mine has been quite busy as is the typical life of a mom.

I wanted to update you all on my Raw Foods Journey and let you know how it’s going thus far. It is not where I intended it to be. For one thing, I’ve had to come to grips with the fact that I can be an emotional eater. That is my biggest contender. Secondly, it’s cold. I often get cold easily. Especially when it’s rainy… and cold. No likey. During these colder months, I’ve decided that I will simply focus on vegan foods and still include a fresh juice or smoothie daily. The living/raw foods entrees will get included when I feel inclined to. No stipulations just return to going with the flow while being intuned to what my body needs. Once it’s warmed up again, my focus and intent to increase my raw vegan intake will be back in full swing. At first, I felt slightly defeated by this decision but I’ve gotta do me. I certainly haven’t given up on my decision to go 70 to 75% raw. This, of course, is an ongoing process. A journey that I do intend to go the full course of. On top of which, Vegan eating is healthy.

In lieu of this conclusion, I am posting the standards that some highly acknowledged raw food leaders agreed upon at the International Living Food Summit 2009. I figure some of you reading this may be wondering what I’m talking about when I refer to the living/raw foods lifestyle. This summit is convened to unify the leadership in the Living Food Movement, establishing scientifically based common standards for optimum health. Leaders from eight countries (with a combined total of over 500 years following this lifestyle) agreed on the following standards:

The Optimum Diet for Health/Longevity:
• Vegan (no animal products of any kind, cooked or raw)
• Organic
• Whole Foods
• At least 80% raw (the remaining to be Vegan, whole food, and organic)
• High in nutrition such as vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients
• Highly mineralized
• Contains a significant quantity of chlorophyll-rich green foods
• Contains adequate complete protein from plant sources
• Provides excellent hydration with a large proportion of high-water content foods and pure water
• Includes raw vegetable juices
• Contains all essential fatty acids from naturally occurring plant sources
• Has moderate, yet adequate caloric intake
• Contains only low to moderate sugar and exclusively from whole food sources (fruitarianism is strongly
discouraged)
• Contains minimal amounts of unprocessed salts, as needed (depending upon your constitution)
• Is nutritionally optimal for both detoxification and rebuilding

We also agree:
• Eating local, ripe, seasonally available foods as appropriate is advisable.
• Deficiencies of both Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D-3 are common issues for mental and physical health, for
anyone on any diet. Plant-based supplementation of Vitamin B-12 is imperative. Adequate Vitamin D levels
can be maintained with sufficient sun exposure. When exposure is inadequate, take appropriate levels of plant –
based Vitamin D-3.
• The addition of enzyme active superfoods and whole food supplements is also advised but does not take the
place of the optimum diet described above.
• Caffeinated and/or addictive substances (even in their raw form), such as cacao/chocolate, coffee, caffeinated
teas, and alcohol are highly discouraged. etc.
• This way of eating can be further optimized by tailoring it based on individual needs (within the principles
stated).
• Benefits derived by following these principles are proportional to how well they are followed.
• We will remain open-minded, and this information will be updated and expanded upon, if necessary, as new
research becomes available.
• Diet is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, yet not the entire picture. A full spectrum, health supportive
lifestyle is encouraged. This includes physical exercise, exposure to sunshine, as well as psychological health.
Avoiding environmental toxins and toxic products is essential. Paramount is pure water (for consumption and
bathing), the use of natural fiber clothing, and non-toxic personal care products. Also consider healthy options
in home furnishings/building materials and related items.

All participating leaders agree that eating according to the International Living Food Summit Guidelines will
significantly address the urgent issues of health, environmental sustainability, world hunger, and a
compassionate respect for all life.

The following leaders support this Summit Statement:
Fred Bisci, PhD – USA
Tamera Campbell – Vision – USA
Katharine Clark – RN, CMT, CCT - USA
Brenda Cobb – Living Foods Institute - USA
Gabriel Cousens, MD, MD(H) – Diplomat American Board of Holistic Medicine - USA
Anna Maria Clement, CN, NMD, PhD – Hippocrates Health Institute - USA
Brian Clement, CN, NMD, PhD – Hippocrates Health Institute – USA
Karin Dina, DC – RawFoodEducation.com - USA
Rick Dina, DC – RawFoodEducation.com - USA
Dorit – Green Lifestyle Film Festival – USA/Israel
Carole Dougoud – Institute Haute Vitalite - Switzerland
Kare Engstrom – Dietician - Sweden
John Eagle Freedom – Health City USA
Laura Gonzalez – GWAH Healing Institute – USA
Jane Holmes – Living Foods Institute – USA
Elizabeth Kapadia, DN – GWAH Healing Institute – USA
Viktoras Kulvinskas – “Grandfather” of the Living Foods Movement – USA/Costa Rica
Dan Ladermann – Institute for Vibrant Living – USA
Marie Christine Lhermitte – Chemin du mas Magnuel - France
George Malkmus – Hallelujah Acres - USA
Rhonda Malkmus – Hallelujah Acres - USA
Paul Nison – The Raw Life – USA
David Rainoshek, MA – JuiceFeasting.com - USA
Katrina Rainoshek – JuiceFeasting.com - USA
Claudine Richard – Naturopath - France
Michael Saiber – Vision, E3Live - USA
Jameth Sheridan, ND – HealthForce Nutritionals – USA
Cherie Soria – Living Light Culinary Institute – USA
Diana Store – RawSuperfoods.com – UK/The Netherlands
Jill Swyers – Living Foods For Health – UK/Portugal
Walter J. Urban, PhD – USA - Costa Rica



Have a wonderful weekend!
And remember, do you and do you fabulously!

Much Luv,
CO

Post Title WHERE I'M AT

Sunday, November 22, 2009

IT'S GOOD NEWS MONDAY!!!



Hola Beautiful Ones!

I hope that your weekend was lovely. Mine was busy, productive, fun and wonderful. On Friday, I hung out with one of my good friends at Loca Luna. Cool spot in Atlanta. I saw that they offer Salsa lessons so I may go back just for that. On Saturday, I, my daughter, and my mother had a lovely Girls Day Out on Saturday. It was so fun! What did you do this weekend?....

I am so excited about today's "Good News Monday"! Have a couple of things to talk about.

First up:

I read in a local paper about fresh, local organic vegetables being available at Wonderland Gardens for the holidays. I can't believe that I've overlooked this place. It's not far from me at all.

Wonderland Gardens is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to stewardship of the Earth through programs that actively promote organic gardening, Green education, recycling and healthy living in communion with nature.

The Wonderland Garden’s mission is to create a self-sustaining greenspace destination and community resource that connects people to nature.
The nonprofit garden is located in Decatur, Ga in the heart of what would be considered the urban community. This nonprofit garden is taking orders for collards, mustard, kale, turnips and sweet potatoes from Oaktree Farms for delivery before Nov. 24.

Proceeds benefit the School Garden Initiative which is sponsored by Wonderland Gardens and the Organization of DeKalb Educators, which is working to put gardens into local schools. (Thanks God!)

Christmas and New Year’s vegetables will also be available. For more information, check out Wonderlandsgardens.org or call 404-286-6163, ext. 1.

Not in the DeKalb, Atlanta (let alone Georgia) area check out this website, LocalHarvest.org to find local CSA’s near you. You can also read why local organic foods are looked upon as the best foods to buy here.


and secondly:

I am so excited for fellow blogger, CurlyNikki. She’ll be on the Tyra Banks Show. CurlyNikki has become the recent addition to Tyra’s website, Tyrashow.com. Representing for all us textured-hair folks. Loves it!! So happy for her! I remember when she was on the forums on Nappturality.com and NaturallyCurly.com (Well, she is still NC.com). She’s such a sweetie. Can’t wait to see her on the show. Work it out, CN! Work it out!

Make this day your best,
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title IT'S GOOD NEWS MONDAY!!!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

DANDELION GREEN SMOOTHIES


Hi Gorgeous!

It is sooooo beautiful here. I hope that you are having lovely weather where you are. If not, happythoughts. =)

On last week, I decided I wanted to really expand on the types of greens that I was using for my green smoothies. Typically, I've stuck with spinach and kale. But after more reading & research on green smoothies, I see that rotating the greens in them is very important.

Why? Because almost all greens contain trace amounts of alkaloids. Tiny quantities of alkaloids cannot hurt you. It can actually strengthen the immune system, in tiny amounts. However, if you keep consuming kale, or spinach, or any other single green for many weeks without rotation, eventually the same type of alkaloids can accumulate in your body and cause unwanted symptoms of poisoning. Mixing them or putting your greens into rotation is the best way to consume them in your diet. And just so you know, this does not apply to fruit.

Having said all that, I decided to try some weed. Dandelion weed that is. Why dandelion? Well, because I had seen some green smoothie recipes with dandelion in them and was curious as to the taste and benefits. I had read in one of Victoria Boutenko's books that weeds are high in vitamins and minerals, especially because they haven't been cultivated by extensive farming methods. Only thing is they (weeds) are quite bitter in taste. It has been said that the more bitter a green is the better is for you. I figured that (bitterness) was easy to get around though. Just add a sweetener.

I'll share the two green smoothie recipes I made but let me tell you some of the benefits of the dandelion green.

Antiviral - The roots possess strong antiviral properties.
Blood Sugar - May help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Digestion - General The root acts as an appetite stimulant, helps promote digestion and gastrointestinal health, encourages the growth of healthy bacteria, and alleviates flatulence.
Gallbladder - Cleansing and healing to the gallbladder. Typically, the roots or juice from the leaves are used for this.
Heart - May help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL).
Kidneys - The leaves support kidney function and act as a diuretic.
Liver - The roots promote liver detoxification.
Menstruation/PMS - Alleviates the bloating associated with PMS.


Now before you go to pullin' weeds in your back yard (As a friend of mine thought I was doing. Lol.), I recommend that you get them from your local farmer's market (where I got mine from) or you may want to consider taking a class to help you identify plants.

Now onto my yummy smoothies:



1 bunch of dandelion
1 frozen banana
some frozen mango chunks
1 C distilled water
some agave nectar (to sweeten)

This was good, however it still had somewhat of a bitter after-taste to it hence the drinking of it in a wine glass. Hey, I had to do what I had to do to help me consider it more palatable. The next smoothie was awesome.



1 bunch of dandelion
2 granny smith apples (Their tartness really balances out the dandelions bitterness)
1 frozen banana
distilled water

This one was sooooooo delicious! It's my favorite now.

Well, that's all for now. I'll talk more on the benefits of wild edibles (weeds) on next week.

Happy healthy living,
CO

Post Title DANDELION GREEN SMOOTHIES

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

GINGER {revisited}

**THIS IS A REPOST**----**THIS IS A REPOST**
I wanted to revisit this because ginger is a "warming" herb. Great year-round but also during the cooler/colder months. So if you're looking to spice it up a bit, this is one of the herbs for you.


One of my fave smoothies of the moment contains mixed berries, an apple, spinach, and a little ginger. Oh, how I love the smell of ginger. When grating it, you partake in such a wonderful aroma. It’s so pleasing to the senses. It’s also pleasing to the body. Let me tell you how.

A researcher at Cornell University Medical College discovered that ginger has an effect on blood clots that is similar to that of aspirin. By the same token, it appears that high cholesterol levels are lowered using the same active ingredient in ginger.

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Ginger

Ginger has been found to be helpful in blocking the harmful effects of prostaglandin, a substance that can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain and even cause migraines.

Ginger has been associated with alleviation of the feeling of nausea, even in the case of pregnant women.

The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it effective in alleviation of the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Ginger helps to promote warmth in the upper respiratory tract and thus, is quite effective in treating the cold and flu.

Those suffering from cramps, caused by stomach gas have found ginger to be quite effective.

Ginger makes the platelets less sticky and is thus, pretty helpful in case of circulatory disorders.

The cineole content in ginger has been found to be a mood enhancer and can help in relieving stress. (Hmmm…no wonder.)

Ginger is a natural and effective mouth freshener and also aids digestion.

Ginger reduces inflammation and also helps lower cholesterol.

Ginger is good for those suffering from gas and bloating.

Naturally firms and tones skin with moisture retention properties

Ginger is believed to have anti-caner properties.

Ginger has been associated with easing of menstrual cramps and mitigation of headaches and migraines.

Ginger is quite effective in treating diarrhea.
Note this: When buying ginger, fresh is best! Be sure to avoid ginger with dry, wrinkled skin, mold or soft spots. African and Indian ginger are the most potent. Grating or using a garlic press will give you the maximum benefit. Also, ginger can give you many benefits but more is not always better. An ounce a day should give you all the benefits you will need.

Post Title GINGER {revisited}

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

JUICING {RELOADED}


Freshly juiced vegetables (also referred to as fresh green drinks containing ingredients such as cucumber, celery, spinach, lettuce, sprouts, kale, pak choi, broccoli, cabbage, parsley etc.) give your body an instant boost of nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and minerals in a form that the body can easily assimilate, absorb and digest – in fact, studies have shown that the nutrients from juiced vegetables are within our bloodstream within 30 minutes of consumption!

At the most basic level, juicing allows us to add so many more vegetables to our daily diet, and to up the amount of raw food we consume giving the body energy and boosting the immune system and the body’s cleansing process.

A quick summary of why juicing is so beneficial:
- Green juices contain lots of chlorophyll which is incredibly effective in detoxifying our bodies. Chlorophyll can help make our bodies strong, detoxify the liver, can purify and help to rebuild our blood cells (as the molecular structure is very similar to haemoglobin which moves oxygen through our blood), remove mold, parasites and myco/exotoxins from the body and (as many, many studies show) can help prevent and remove cancer cells.

- According to macrobiotic.co.uk – one of the biggest health benefits of juicing can be summarised in one phrase: cellular cleansing. According to Steve Meyerowitz (the Sprout Man!) all changes to a persons health should start at a cellular level by oxygenating and cleansing the system of toxins and other damaging foreign invaders. This is known as creating and enhancing health and fitness from the inside out. The cellular environment is the environment where all of the cells in our body live, including the lymphatic system, digestive system, and cardiovascular system. This could be a whole article in itself, however, it is important to remember that fresh vegetable juices are massively beneficial to the body’s efforts to cleanse its cellular environment.

- Raw, fresh vegetable juices are extremely alkaline. We have several other articles on the importance of alkalising your body, however, very briefly – it is highly beneficial to ensure that your body does not become over-acidic and that an alkaline balance is maintained in the blood & tissues. Over acidification is the common theme and cause of almost all conditions of ill health!

- As mentioned, raw vegetable juices/ green drinks are an excellent source of vitamins & minerals, trace elements, enzymes and nutrients which supply essential elements required for the body’s healing processes and cell regeneration.

- Vegetable juices are rich in natural medicines, vegetal hormones & antibiotics. For instance, certain hormones needed by the pancreas to produce insulin are present in cucumber & onion juices and freshly juiced garlic, onions, radish & tomatoes contain many beneficial antibiotic substances.

- Easily absorbed organic minerals such as calcium, potassium & silicon are contained within fresh vegetable juice. These minerals assist the body in restoring the biochemical & mineral balance in the tissues & cells, which helps to prevent the premature aging of cells & disease.

**info from energiseforlife**


Just wanted to share a couple of the juices that I've made in my juicer. I really enjoy them.

The Acidity Buster by Sandra Cabot

1/2 grapefruit, peeled
1 lemon
2 stalks of celery, leaves removed
1 cucumber
1 red radish
2 inch slice of pineapple
1/2 inch ginger root


The Oxygenator by Natalia Rose

1 lb of carrots
1 medium beet
1 Tablespoon fresh ginger
1/4 tsp fresh Serrano chili

For my juices, I stick with organic foods. Also, the juicer that I have is the Breville Juice Fountain Plus. And yes, I enjoy this juicer! I hope to purchase a Greenstar juicer one day, so that I can juice leafy greens really well.

Juice recipes came from the following books:
"Raw Food Life Force Energy" by Natalia Rose
"The Juice Fasting Bible" by Sandra Cabot, MD

Cheers to vibrant health!
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title JUICING {RELOADED}

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

CHIA {REVISITED}


Hola Beautiful Ones!

I just had to share this part of my journey with you all. You may find this interesting.

Earlier this week, I had some juice which I added chia seeds to. About 30 minutes later, I had to take my daughter somewhere. While she was tending to her work, I sat in the lobby w/the other parents. It was very quiet. Well, until my intestines started talking. I was so embarrased! Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle. I ended up waiting outside because the gurgling was crazy loud. I figured it had to do w/the chia seeds which I hadn't had in a while.

Well, here's one of the attributes of chia seeds that I had forgotten.

Intestinal Broom:
Chia seeds bulk up, then work like an incredible digestive broom, sweeping through your intestinal tract, helping to dislodge and eliminate old accumulated waste in the intestines. Many people find their stools also become more regular once they eat chia.
*info from Chia Cheat Sheet from www.TheRawFoodWorld.com*

Needless to say, this has reminded me that its good to include chia in my diet on a daily basis.

If you've never read my original post on Chia then click here. I also winged a couple of smoothie recipes with them that you can see here.

Places You Can Find Organic Chia Seeds:
Organic/Health food stores
Whole Foods markets
ShopRawFoods
VivaRaw
TheRawFoodWorld

Post Title CHIA {REVISITED}

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

HEAVENS TO MURGATROID!!! MY PEE IS PINK!!



Hi Beautifuls!

A couple of weeks ago, I tried a delicious and naturally sweet juice Here’s the recipe:
2 medium carrots, trimmed
4 oranges, peeled
3 medium beets, trimmed


It was wonderful! And I knew it was super healthy for my body. What I didn’t know or expect was that it would turn my pee pink...ish. You can only imagine my thoughts when I first saw this. Especially, since I’m normally a “clear”…... pee'er. Anyhoo, after I calmed down and dismissed any and all wild thoughts about UTI’s or internal bleeding, I knew it had to do something with the beets. So I hit up the internet and sure enough it was there in abundance.


Beets can turn your pee pink! This does not occur in everyone. I REPEAT: THIS DOES NOT OCCUR IN EVERYONE. It happens in about 1 to 8 people. This occurrence has been coined as “Beeturia” and can indicate an iron defiency. This is not surprising to me because I was told years ago that my iron level is low. As a matter of fact, when I was pregnant w/my daughter that was the first thing the doc recommended me to begin taking. You can read more about “Beeturia” here.

So you know what this means... I’ll be incorporating more green smoothies and juices in my diet and including bee pollen and b12. Definitely making a high raw/living foods intake my lifestyle.

Just so you know.
Smooches,
CO

Post Title HEAVENS TO MURGATROID!!! MY PEE IS PINK!!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

ICE CREAM.......OR IS IT?

Okay, I know that the weather is turning (or has turned depending on your location) cooler but sometimes I just want me some. Ice cream, that is. And seeing as I am so into eating as healthy as I possibly can, I found a recipe for something that will definitely satisfy your sweets craving.



Can you guess what this is....
It’s actually frozen bananas, creamed in a food processor (using the S blade). I got this recipe from ChoosingRaw blog (great raw foods blog). She (Gena from ChoosingRaw) calls this dish "Banana Soft Serve". I could not believe that something this simple could be so good. So of course, I had to put this recipe to the test.




Here’s the recipe :
3 frozen organic bananas
Cinnamon (optional)
Chocolate Sauce (optional)


I took 3 frozen bananas and popped them into the food processor. Pulsed them for about 5 minutes, during which I would stop it and scrap the bananas off the sides to make sure everything was creamed.


In the meantime for the chocolate sauce, I used 1 Tablespoon of raw cacao (raw chocolate) to 2 T of Agave nectar and blended until smooth. And just to make things a little funky, I shook a little bit of Cinnamon on top. Ummmmmm…. So delicious.

I was especially happy when my daughter tried it and loved it. So tryin, to get that girl to eat more raw so I took this as a victory and beginning for her. ( I do believe she’s opening up to it more.) She even requests this. Lol.
It really is a simple win-win recipe. If you try it, let me know what you think.


Ice Creamy Smooches,

CO

Post Title ICE CREAM.......OR IS IT?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

MACA -- NATURE'S LOVE DRUG



In my journey to incorporate a majority of raw/living foods into my diet, I have come across a lot of foods, supplements and herbs that I had never heard of. One of such herbs was Maca.

It has amazing properties and is becoming more well known of for its effectiveness in health challenges, including osteoporosis, male impotence, menopause, menstrual difficulties, chronic fatigue, and depression. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is related to the turnip and beetroot. It grows underground, enduring extremes of temperature due to the altitude and proximity to the equator. A true superfood it is the only native vegetable in South America to be a member of the cruciferous family, sharing the cancer fighting properties of its relatives. It is similar to a sweet potato but in the West we can buy raw organic maca in powdered form, keeping all of the nutritional benefits intact. Maca is an adaptogen - that is, a plant classified to have certain medicinal qualities that can fight stress and reduce many degenerative diseases. Maca supplements are often marketed as an herb, although 'herbal maca' is actually a root vegetable. It is widely known for its libido enhancing powers and medicinal properties, but it has been a food product for thousands of years in South America.

Key phrase here is “libido enhancing powers”. So let me lay this personal experience out to you.

Some months ago, I decided to incorporate Maca powder into my diet because I wanted to try this popular food out. After all, it was well known and often mentioned in recipes on raw food blogs, sites and circles. So, of course, me being me decided to give it a try. After all, it’s a raw food and certainly is good for you. Well, I should have read a little more about it or asked some other raw foodies more indepthly about this food because it really had an impact on me. Not long after consistently taking it (I purchased the powdered form and would add it to my smoothies), I noticed something..different about myself.

I was abnormally “hot-n-bothered”. Now please understand. I am a healthy, adult woman with natural sexual desires. But suddenly, I noticed that I was always….ready. Oh my goodness! It got to the point where I could just be reading, laying in the bed, talking on the phone, reading the bible (insert holy book of choice) and urges would just hit me almost overwhelmingly. (Please note that at this same time, I was not in a relationship so I had no one to work this out with. Pure torture, I say! Pure torture! Lol.) I was about ready to jump the mailman, and believe me, he’ ain’t “jump-worthy”!


Yes, this dude needed to watch his back! Really!!

So let’s talk a little more about the uses & history of Maca because I obviously didn’t pay close attention to the stuff I read or didn’t give it much stock.

JUST SO YOU KNOW:

When the farmers were grazing their flocks in Peru many years ago they noticed that when they let their animals graze where there was lots of Peruvian maca root growing the animals would become much healthier, hardier, and stronger, and also they would tend to copulate a lot more and have a much higher fertility rate.

After a while the farmers tried the Peruvian maca root on themselves and found that it made them much more energetic, and strong, and better able to withstand the high altitude, and harsh climate, and also that it made them more sexually active, and fertile as well. Since then, there has been much widespread recorded knowledge and facts about the reputed abilty of Peruvian maca root to be a true aphrodisiac, and a fertility enhancer as well as a very effective energizer, strengthener, and instiller of a feeling of well being.

Maca holds a special place in Peruvian culture. Its dried roots have been treated as a delicacy for thousands of years. To the ancient natives of the Andes, maca was also reputed to restore the fertility of their livestock which often suffered in the high elevation. The Inca's used maca as an energy enhancing potion to give themselves more power before going into battle.

Maca has also been valued as trading commodity. Maca crops are often exchanged with communities at lower altitudes for other food staples such a rice. They were also traded with the Spanish conquistadors as a means of paying taxes. Maca has also been used as a herbal medicine believing to improve fertility, sexual desire, strength and endurance.

Did you notice the words “fertility”, “sexually active”, “libido “and similar terms as it relates to Maca? I challenge you to google it. As a matter of fact, I double-dare you to google it! I guarantee you that you won’t find anything different. And from personal experience, I can definitely tell you that its true.


Now of course, it offers other benefits like:
* Increases energy and endurance

* Increases stamina

* Alleviates chronic exhaustion (fatigue) syndrome

* Can regulate hormonal irregularities

* Aids in alleviating depression, gives a sense of well being, reduces anxiety

* Reduces anxiety and stress

* Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; Speeds wound healing and reduces anemia

* Enhances memory, learning, and mental ability

* Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; gives skin a more youthful appearance

* Helps treat anemia, rickets, osteomalacia, and stomach cancer

* Good for healthy teeth and bones

* Inhibits the growth & reproduction of fungi and bacteria

* Acts as an anticarcinogen and antioxidant

* Is an alternative to anabolic steroids, helps to build muscle


So it will definitely benefit you while getting your wheels in gear. I’m just sayin’.

So if you’re looking to increase you and/or your mates libido, I’d say go for. I had to put this stuff away…at least for a minute.

Lol,
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title MACA -- NATURE'S LOVE DRUG

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME, I SHOULDN'T HAVE....


Hi Beautifuls!

I miss yooooooouu.... Have to get a new laptop (So excited about it!) and that should be done by Thursday so that I can be back on top of my blogging game by next week.

In the meantime, I'd like to have some fun. For the randomly picked person who can correctly complete the line in this blog title, "It's been a long time, I shouldn't have __ __. _ _ _ _ _ _ _.", I'd love to give away some Navitas Naturals Chia Seeds. Along w/this bag of Chia, you will receive a few recipe cards and maybe a little somethin' extra. =)

If you need a refresher or missed my post on Chia, click here.
Also, be sure to leave your email address in the comment after you've completed the line so that I'll be able to contact you for your winnings.

This giveaway will be open until noon (Eastern time) on this Friday, Sept. 18th.

Smooches,
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME, I SHOULDN'T HAVE....

Thursday, September 3, 2009

JUST JUICE



Many people are enjoying the health benefits of consuming raw juices. These powerful elixirs have the ability to strengthen and heal weak cells, increase your oxygen levels, and electron activity through their enzymes, and importantly, saturate your body with needed nutrients. When people are ill, they sometimes have difficulty digesting food. Juice is typically a food that anyone can digest no matter how impaired their anatomy is. Keep in mind that disease states are not the only areas helped by consuming raw juice. Athletes and people who aren't ill use these powerful liquids to prevent free radical damage through the wide spectrum of antioxidants that they provide.

Speaking of which, I have been juicing it up with my Breville Juice Fountain. My current fav juice is a Watermelon/Lemon juice. Very easy and delicious. Tastes like punch.

There are many healthy benefits that you get from watermelons and lemons. The following is a listing of these:

Benefits of Lemon:
1. Lemon act as blood purifier and improves the body’s ability to get rid of toxins.

2. Lemon fruit is excellent in fighting disease that's related to infection.


3. Buy lemon to get rid of certain insects. It’s mother nature’s version of insecticides and will help to repel mosquitoes and flies

4. Some people love antiseptics and would apply it to their skin whenever they have the smallest cut. The good news is you can use lemon on cuts too since it's nature's antiseptics. Not only that, because of its styptics property, it is said that lemon could be applied on cuts to stop bleeding.

5. Drinking lemon juice is useful for people with heart problem - because of its high potassium content

The use of Lemon:
1. Drink fresh lemon juice to cleanse your system

2. Use pure lemon juice on wasp and bee stings to relieve pain

3. Lemon juice mixed with olive oil may help to dissolve gallstones

4. It is believed that regular intake of fresh lemons may be useful in treating cases of kidney stones

And the list goes on for watermelon so I'll try to make this as to the point as possible...

Benefits of Watermelon - Watermelon Nutrients
Watermelon is 92% water, 8% sugar, and high in electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and magnesium), making it a wonderful "energy drink" to hydrate the body.

Watermelon is a good source of vitamin A and beta carotene. Eating watermelon is actually better for your eyes than eating carrots in preventing age-related vision loss (such as macular degeneration and cataracts).

Other watermelon nutrients include vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B1.

Benefits of Watermelon Nutrients - Antioxidants
Besides including the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta carotene, research has recently discovered watermelon is rich in lycopene (a phytochemical). On average, watermelons have about 40% more lycopene than raw tomatoes.
Antioxidants protect cells against free radicals (damaging molecules that play a role in cancer, heart disease, and other diseases). Lycopene is said to be particularly effective in preventing prostate cancer.

Benefits of Watermelon Nutrients - Citrulline
Watermelon is high in citrulline, a non-essential amino acid our bodies use to make arginine, an essential amino acid. Benefits of these amino acids include:
• removing ammonia from the body
• lowering blood pressure
• promoting energy
• strengthening the immune system
• stimulating the pancreas to release insulin
• maintaining acid base balance.

*According to scientists at the Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, citrulline found in watermelon acts similar to sildenafil citrate (better known as Viagra).


You may be wondering what is that stuff at the top of CO's watermelon-lemon juice. Well, I decided to add some Chia seeds to it. Remember my Chia seed post. I just soaked about 1.5 Tablespoons of Chia seeds in distilled water for 30 minutes. After I juiced the melon and lemon, I added the seeds to it.

Oh, here's the recipe which I mostly wing.

WATERMELON PUNCH
1/4 to 1/2 of a small watermelon
1 lemon
I simply juice it, drink and enjoy.

Also, here's a list of issues and some juices that you can drink to address them.

**from : THE JUICING BOOK – Steven Blauer

Acidosis papaya, pineapple
Anemia alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, bean sprouts, beet, beet greens, buckwheat greens dandelion greens, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsley, purslane, spinach, string beans, swiss chard, turnip, turnip greens, watercress, wheatgrass, cherry, grape, lemon, lime, orange, prune
Asthma cabbage, cabbage sprout, carrot, celery, kale, kohlrabi, parsnip, radish, radish sprout, scallion, sunflower greens, turnip, turnip greens, wheatgrass, cranberry
Bladder Disorders beet, beet greens, carrot, cabbage, cabbage sprout, kohlrabi, parsley, parsnip, purslane, sunflower green, summer squash, tomato (fresh), turnip, turnip greens, watercress, wheatgrass, cranberry, melon, pear, watermelon
Blood Pressure Beet, beet greens, cabbage, cabbage sprouts, cucumber, spinach, wheatgrass
High Blood Pressure orange
Cancer asparagus, bean sprout, beet greens, carrot, kale, kohlrabi, parsley, parsnip, spinach, sunflower greens, swiss chard, turnip, turnip greens, wheatgrass, grape
Constipation cabbage, cabbage sprout, celery. Dandelion greens, endive, lettuce, purslane, spinach, wheatgrass, cherry, grape, lemon, lime, melon, papaya, peach, pear, prune, strawberry, watermelon
Fever cucumber, cranberry, grape, grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, strawberry
Fluid Retention bean sprout, cucumber, fenugreek sprout, cranberry, strawberry, watermelon
Hay Fever carrot, kale, parsnip, wheatgrass
Heart Disease beet, beet greens, buckwheat greens, dandelion greens, endive, fenugreek sprouts, kohlrabi, parsley, pepper, purslane, scallion, spinach, sunflower greens, turnip greens, orange, papaya
Kidney Disorders alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, beet, beet greens, cabbage, cabbage sprouts, celery, cucumber, lamb’s quarters, apple, cranberry, grape, melon, papaya, strawberry, watermelon
Liver Disorders Alfalfa sprouts, beet, beet greens, carrot, celery, dandelion greens, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lamb’s quarters, lettuce, parsnip, purslane, spinach, sunflower, tomato (fresh), turnip, turnip greens, watercress, wheatgrass, apple, grapefruit, grape, lemon, lime, orange, papaya, pear
Prostate Disorders asparagus, parsley, cherry, pear, strawberry, watermelon
Pregnancy & Delivery alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, beet, beet greens, carrot, kale, lamb’s quarter, parsnip, swiss chard, greapfruit, peach, watermelon
Rheumatism asparagus, apple, cherry, grape, lemon, lime, orange, strawberry
Skin Disorders asparagus, beet, beet greens, carrot, dandelion greens, endive, fenugreek sprout, kohlrabi, parsley, parsnip, pepper, purslane, radish sprout, scallion, spinach, string bean, sunflower greens, swiss chard, tomato (fresh), turnip, turnip green, watercress, wheatgrass, cranberry, grape, grapefruit, melon, lime, orange, watermelon
Ulcers cabbage, cabbage sprouts, carrot, kale, parsnip, spinach, wheatgrass, papaya


Happy Juicing,
CO

P.S. Next week I'll feature another juice I've tried.

Post Title JUST JUICE

Thursday, August 27, 2009

A DIFFERENT INTERVIEW WITH CHICORO..part II



Hi Beautifuls!

On yesterday, I featured part 1 of an interview with Chicoro, regarding raw foods. As I mentioned yesterday, many of us in the natural hair community are very familiar with Chicoro and her healthy, long hair but after really visiting her fotki, I was surprised (and excited) to see that she was into healthy eating via raw foods. Every interview I read of her was about hair. So I thought, "Wow! Does anyone notice that she's into raw/living foods?". This is the aspect of Chicoro that I wish to focus on in hopes of encouraging the thought to eat healthy and take care of ones self.


And so, here it is. The completion of "A Different Interview with Chicoro".

6) I can't talk about eating raw foods without talking about the detox that comes with it. I believe in being informed & informing. Did you have a period of detox? If so, how did you manage it?

Yes. My taste buds changed. Sometimes I found that I was sick of eating raw food and it was not satisfying. Some days I would be so hungry and would prepare a raw meal and it would taste so nasty, that I would just throw the whole thing out. I would be hungry, mad, and out of my money and my time.

At the same time, cooked food would taste greasy and fake. I guess my taste buds were transitioning! I also would sometimes have an increased number of bowel movements per day. In the morning, I would wake up with lots of waste in my eyes, lots of sleep in my eyes. My eyes sometimes would be sticky and my upper lid would be stuck to some parts of my lower lid when I would wake up.

Another interesting thing about "detox" is the detox of people in your life. I truly believe that when you venture into raw foods, you really need to be ready for your relationships around you to change. When you go raw, people leave your life and others come into it. I do not believe that there is anything mystical or magical going on and I hope no one equates them to what I am saying about raw food. It's like when you decide to stop going clubbing. The people who you used to go clubbing with fall out of your life. If you stop drinking, the people you used to go drinking with, fall out of your life. Raw food is no different.

But again, I would relate it to hair. When many of us go from relaxed to natural hair, sometimes our friends and even our significant others just don't get it. Some people vacate your life and others make an adjustment so that they can stay with you.

I think that when you go raw, it detoxes your relationships as well. You may discover things about yourself and the person with whom you live that you never ever knew before, no matter how long you have known or lived with him or her, or yourself!




7) I love your blog. Its so inspiring and truly feeds the spirit. Many raw foodists speak of gaining mental clarity and spiritual awareness from this lifestyle. Was your blog birthed from this place?

Thank you for the wonderful compliment regarding my blog. The blog was birthed from raw foods, but indirectly. My book series that I am working on was birthed from raw food. The blog was birthed from my book series.

Like with hair, everyone's expericence can be very different. But for me, yes, I was able to see more clearly. I think that when we ingest processed and food laden with chemicals, our bodies have their total focus on picking out the bad stuff from the good. Our bodies are busy. When we have only raw foods and natural foods inside of us, that frees up our bodies to be able to do more.

The body is not working so hard to get the junk out and separate the good stuff from the bad stuff. I think that is part of the clarity. I would liken it to us minding several children or having less of a course load at school or less of a work load at our jobs. Once you get a handle on things, you can focus on more than what is in front of you. You can start looking at the bigger picture, think and muse on other things because you are not so burdened down with having to keep up with all the children, all the classes and all the work. You can take a 'breather'. I think with raw food, this is what the body can do. It can finally take a 'breather'. Then, you have energy left over to focus on other things, hence, the clarity comes into play.





8) Finally, with statistics showing that a high percentage of blacks suffer from obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc., in your opinion, tell us what you feel could be the reasons why alot of blacks don't do "healthy eating".

Healthy eating can be expensive if you are trying to eat one way and everyone else is eating a standard diet in one household. You literally are doubling the family food bill. It is far cheaper and easier to get a hamburger from the fast food dollar menu and a lot cheaper, than to buy three (3) organic apples for $2.50 per pound.

For the average person, that hamburger represents a filling inexpensive meal. Those apples are just an expensive snack that will leave you hungry, if not dissatisfied.

Amidst all of this, I feel that black people are focused on surviving. Even when we are stable financially, we may still be or feel as though we are under siege. That might look like doing a good job at your place of work but still having your skills and ability questioned. That might look like going to the store and experiencing women reach for their purses when you approach their basket, because they think
you are trying to steal their purse. And the ONLY reason you are even going near their purse is because it and their basket are in YOUR way and in the way of you accessing that food item you plan to purchase.

What I think black people need to understand is that we will either pay up front or we will pay in the end.

Either, you will spend the extra time it takes to ensure that you and your family have healthy meals and spend the extra cash on the food, or you can continue with eating only what tastes good to you and what is easy and cheap. People believe that they cannot spare the money for raw foods. But, can you spare money for health bills that may inevitably come in the long run, in the not so distant future?


What tastes good is not necessarily what is good for you. Like most things, whether it be bad hair care habits or bad eating habits, making a change takes effort and things may not look or feel good, at first. Just like you have to train your eyes to 'see' and appreciate and love your transitioning and natural hair, you need to do the same things with your tastebuds and raw food.

One cannot compare the taste of raw foods to that of cooked processed foods. You must embrace raw food for what it is just as you do with your natural hair.

Most of us know it is absurd for us to expect that our natural hair will look and feel like our processed relaxed hair. Yet, why do we expect for raw foods to taste and smell like processed food?

If you choose to pay on the back end and continue to eat only what tastes good- assuming it is the standard American diet type foods, things like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure tend to hit home sooner, at younger ages for us and harder, where blindess, amputation and death due to these illnesses visits us more.

There are no guarantees in life. With all things, your are accountable for your choices. In this life, you are on your own. I say give raw food a try and see how you feel. The fastest and quickest way to get results is to eat completely raw food for 7 -30 days. Try it for a weekend, from Friday to Sunday, or whenever you don't have to work or when you don't have outside, external obligations pulling on you.

Is it easy to do? Not necessarily. As with hair, you have to dive in and determine what best fits for you and your life. That takes trial and error and a leap of faith. Step out on faith. If you have health issues, consult your doctor before you embark on the raw food journey. Get some books and study, prepare and then go for it.



Chicoro, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Is there anything more that you want to share? Future plans? Words of wisdom? Whatever comes to mind.

The food you eat and the care that you give your body are very important. They can impact the quality of your life. I believe so much in this that I am writing a book called, "Nurture It" on food and self care. It will be published and available on Amazon.com in December 2009. It is the second book of the seven (7) book series I am writing.

Words of wisdom? Hmmm? I don't know. But I do know that you can be more beautiful tomorrow than you are today if you focus on yourself. It is not about being more beautiful than someone else. It is about elevating your beauty, your own beauty, to the highest levels. You control that and you are accountable. It is do-able, so just do it!



And there it is. We actually spoke for awhile over the phone regarding this and I can tell you Chicoro is truly passionate about this subject. After speaking with her, I do believe that a change in our way of seeing ourselves, our health, the world and how we operate in it is coming. I am so glad that I gave into that nugding that I had to contact her for this interview. I've come to the conclusion that if I operate by.. tune into..listen to my gut, my spirit then I'll more clearly see my path & my purpose.

Thanks again to Chicoro for her graciousness and taking the time to answer my questions. I'm really excited about her forthcoming book series. Hope that this has encouraged, enlightened and/or blessed you in some way.

Much Love,
ChocolateOrchid


**Chicoro is the author of the book "Grow It: How To Grow Afro-Textured Hair To Maximum Lengths In The Shortest Time".

You can purchase her book at the following link:
Amazon
You can also check out her site at Beautify Bit By Bit
and her blog here.
She's also on youtube here.

Post Title A DIFFERENT INTERVIEW WITH CHICORO..part II

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A DIFFERENT INTERVIEW WITH CHICORO


Hi Beautifuls!

Most people in the natural hair scene are familiar with Chicoro. You know, Chicoro with the beautiful and healthy long hair. The one who authored the book “Grow It. How To Grow Afro-Textured Hair To Maximum Lengths In The Shortest Time”. Yes, the same Chicoro with the awesome and informative fotki.

Well, lo and behold, when I was pleasantly surprised to see in her fotki that she’s into raw foods. I thought, “Oh, my God! I’ve got talk to her about this.” Well, after I stopped dragging my feet I reached out to her to share with everyone her way of healthy eating and thoughts on it. I hope that this interview inspires, encourages and/or motivates you to feed your body better, if just a little bit, than you have before.

Enjoy….

1) How did your interests in raw foods begin?

Before I begin, I wanted to tell you thank you for your time and for this
platform opportunity, your blog, to express my thoughts and feelings regarding
raw food and self care!

It happened over many years for me. It was not instantaneous. There were many aha moments for me. Here are a few that stick out for me right now. I have been dabbling in raw food since I was a little girl, before I was a teenager. The two turning points happened when I was an adult. I always had pimple marks and spots on my face so I sought out books to help me clear my skin. Food was always a key component. I began with juicing.

The second turning point was when I developed some health issues. I found books specifically for addressing my specific issues. In one book, in the food section of the book, it advocated the use of salads, green vegetables juices and fruit juices and herbs and water to cleanse and purify the body. The book did not refer to the food as "raw food" but called the food a part of the natural living lifestyle. Then, I found a book about raw food that had more variety. It made raw food do-able for me. I was so inspired that I took a raw food certification class with the author of the book.


2) We've all eaten "raw foods" at one time or another without giving it much thought. Like fruits, vegetable such as carrots, salads, etc. How long have you been consciously eating raw foods?

I first started eating raw foods conciously about five (5) years ago. I go in and out of raw. I have not been a raw foodist for five years!

3) What difference/improvements did you notice in your physical health after beginning to eat this way?

Let's start with the most fascinating thing first. When I am eating nothing but raw food, children respond to me the most. They turn to wave at me and speak to me. Whether they are in a grocery cart or their parents' arms, you should see how they twist around to wave or stare or say, "Hello!" My husband has witnessed this so many times. He always looks at me so strangely when this occurs. He can be standing right next to me and the children don't even acknowledge him.

When I first started eating only raw food, I felt that I was always walking around with my eyes bugged out and wide open. I even asked my mother and my teacher, "Do my eyes look like they are popped out? They sure feel like it." My raw food teacher told me that is the energy or buzz from all the live and raw food. It's like your eyes are opened, literally and figuratively.

In the morning when I am completely raw, I leap out of bed. I am up from anywhere between 4:30 and 5:30 am. This is not because I am UNABLE to sleep. This is because I don't need anymore sleep. I feel light and not groggy. But, I must say, when I first start back on raw food, I feel exhausted and tired for the first 3-5 days. The exhaustion is like when you just finished a project at work and you exhale and know that it is finally over and done. Then you can just collapse and relax. Or, when you get home from a business trip or get home from school. You are tired, but you are comfortable and can relax and exhale.

You glow! Physically, the texture of the skin on my face becomes creamier and smoother. My blemishes disappear and the yellow in my eye whites disappears. The skin on my body is smoother as well. There is less of a need for deodorant. Body odor, not that I smelled before, becomes even less apparent. It seems to just disappear. Cellulite also goes away, or decreases. If you have knots in your breasts, those tend to reduce in size as well- then knots, not your breasts! I could go on and on! Painful cycles become easier and less painful.

Emotionally, I am not moody or move quick to irritation like I am when I eat
processed sugary foods or meat laden meals and food.

Also, because the food is so clean, it burns through your body. You have to eat on a regular basis. Otherwise, you can become ravenously hungry. Because of this, I suggest that people try to eat 4-6 meals, including snacks,per day. You want to keep some structure in your life, even while eating raw food. I don't subscribe to the "eat all you want" because it is raw kind of thinking anymore.


4) The raw foods lifestyle is considered extreme, even foreign to most folks. Did you experience any opposition, negative comments and/or "side-eyes" to your decision to incorporate raw foods into your lifestyle?

When I first started, I was desperately trying to heal a condition I had.
I only had books as a reference so I literally experimented on myself. The first time around, I lost so much weight. I was emaciated, extremely skinny looking and
looked sick.

My mother was totally against my raw food lilfestyle and told me every time she saw me that I was too, too skinny. She is a nurse and she is indoctrinated in the medical industry way of thinking. She never encouraged me and did more discouraging than anything, at first. Then one day, on my 50th round of trying to get it right for me and my life, I went home. My mother lifted my chin, looked into my face and said, "You look good!" I was so happy that day. Two other relatives complimented me as well during that trip. That's when I knew that I had gotten it and that it was working for me!

Then, my mother met or crossed paths with a 45+ year old raw foodist and she said that he looked incredible. From that day on, she was more open to what I was trying to do. She recognized him [as a raw vegan] because all he had was vegetables and fruits and nuts in his cart. Also, of course because of how great he looked to her.
I have no idea who he was or how he looked, but to this day she seems to be in awe of that man. I wish I could have seen him. She has even shared raw meals with me and enjoyed many things I have prepared.

I am used to folks looking at me with side-eyes. They did it when I wanted to go work and live in Japan, when I said I wanted to grow my hair to my waist and when I decided to go raw. I was successful with all these endeavors. You just have to forget about what other people think and not look for approval.



5) What advice would you give to someone seeking to incorporate or transition into eating raw foods?

In the least, try to eat something raw everyday.

I would suggest that you eat something raw with EVERY single meal. Reduce the size of the portions of the cooked food and decrease the amount of meat, potatoes and rice you eat. Add a large pretty, salad to every meal. Leave the croutons and the bacon bits out. Use your favorite salad dressing for now, even if it is like a Ranch dressing. Just get used to having a large, raw vegetable or fruit laden salad with every meal. Eat all of it.

As with transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair, you have to transition your mind FIRST. Start thinking of that large salad as the center piece of your meal instead of building a meal around a piece of meat. Build your salad and think of the other non-raw things as complements to your main meal component, your salad.



**Due to the length of this post, I will continue it on tomorrow. Check out the completion of this interview right here. See ya, tomorrow!**

Peace and blessings,
CO

Chicoro is the author of "Grow It: How To Grow Afro-Textured Hair To Maximum Lengths In the Shortest Time". You can find more information on it and her at her website Beautify Bit by Bit. She also has a wonderful and inspiring blog that you can see here. Subscribe to her on youtube here.

Post Title A DIFFERENT INTERVIEW WITH CHICORO

Thursday, August 20, 2009

MY 3 DAYS OF HIGH-RAW


Hola Chicas y Chicos!

On last week, I decided to eat a simple high-raw diet for as long as I felt to do it. No pressure. No definitive outline. Just a "go with the flow" kind of thing. Well, I shouldn't say "randomly decided". It was more like I was feeling crappy because I had been eating alot more processed heavy foods than normal. (I have pretty much gotten that intake down to almost non-existent.) And drinking more coffee than norm (Yes, I still drink coffee from time to time.) and a few more drinks. Which all combined to make me feel pretty yuckky.

So I chose to listen to my body and eat light, simple, organic raw vegan food. About 95 to 98% of my daily intake was raw vegan. I didn't go out and buy a bunch of stuff, I just ate from what I had. My daily intake consisted of smoothies, fruit, salads, veggies and one meal of granola based cereal. I must say, I felt great! I had no cravings. No thoughts on what I couldn't eat but rather on foods that would be good to my body that I had a taste for. It really was a freeing feeling of sorts. Focusing on feeding my body the right fuel so that it could function properly really works!

You may think that it was just a fluke but it wasn't. Over the weekend, I ate heavy and definitely felt the difference. So I've decided to go back to high raw eating. Again, without any detailed menus or time frame specifics. But just go with the flow and tune into my body and what it may crave or want.

Oh, almost forgot to mention that during my 3 days I continued to work out with no problems. If anything, I was more focused. The one thing that I plan on doing is adding more fat (nuts, avocado). Near the end of my three day run I did feel a gravitation towards some type of fat.

What are you doing good for your body, yourself?......

Post Title MY 3 DAYS OF HIGH-RAW

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A LITTLE ADVICE.....


Hi Lovelies!

A few weeks ago, a fellow natural emailed me with some questions regarding what I use for my twist-outs. I decided to share this conversation in hopes that it may be of some help to someone. Also, to add any information that I left out in my haste to answer her questions.

Hello, I’m a newbie and wanted to ask what products you use, hair type, and method of your twist out displayed. I attempted my first twist this week and my hair frizzed in many spots by the end of the day and somewhat lost it’s definition. Maybe I’m not twisting tight enough? Your hair and many of the videos I’m previewing are displaying tighter twist outs. I’m definitely attempting hair growth and healthy hair, so I’m trying to start with the best products. I do know I’m going to have to try things to see what works best on my hair. Here’s to experimenting. Hopefully, through the help of natural hair friends.


My Answer:
Hi Natural Newbie!

Congrats on going natural! I know that it can be somewhat overwhelming but you're right to check out all the videos, hair blogs, fotki's and such that you can. I'm glad to here that you do know that it comes down to trying different things to see what works for your hair. Having said that, my first advice to give you is to be patient. I'll be "all natural" for 2 yrs later on this month and I don't mind telling you that I still get frustrated some times and that I'm still trying different things.
As far as products I use, I mainly stick w/all natural products. But let me tell you, sometimes all natural may not work for you and that's okay. You have to do what works best for your hair. As far as hair type, I don't put too much stock into it mainly because its confusing to me. Confusing b/c there are so many variances within the "hair type" idea and so many different takes on it. It may help to guide you w/the type of products you get but I wouldn't get too caught up in it. What works for someone in your hair type range may not work for you and vice versa. But if I take a stab at it, I would say that my hair is 4a/4bish. I guess...

MY METHOD OF TWIST-OUT:

Wash: Devacurl No-poo or a clarifying shampoo or similiar (if I've used a non-soluble product on hair like Miss Jessie's stuff)
or
Conditioner Wash: Herbal Essences Totally Twisted or Herbal Essences Hello Hydration
Deep Condition: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose mixed w/Jessicurl WDT or Curl Junkie's Hisbiscus Banana Deep Fix
I sit under a heat cap for at least 30 minutes and somewhat to mostly rinse it out.
Leave-In Condish: Mop Top Leave In or Oyin's Handmade Honey Hemp Condish or Giovanni Direct Leave-In
Styler: I twist with Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue. No, it's not all-natural but I've found that this product gives me the best hold without any frizzies which makes me really happy.
Sealer: oil of preference (coconut, almond, jojoba or a mix)

Once I put the leave-in condish on my hair, I wrap it up (my hair that is) in a Curlease towel (you could use a t-shirt or a microfiber towel) for about 15 minutes or until most of the drip is gone. I do like to twist damp hair. Then I section my hair in to halves w/a part going down the middle. I start from the front to make both sides of my head as uniform as possible. I apply some MJ Meringue to each section and twist almost all the way to the bottom. I twirl the ends with my finger and move on to the next sections until done. I seal my ends w/an oil.

During the process, I put sections of twists in butterfly clamps( I guess their called that) to keep the hair stretched out until it is mostly dry. I may oil my scalp w/Carol's Daughter Hair Elixer. Then I cover it w/a scarf and go to bed.

Sometimes I'll leave the twists in for a day or two, depending on whether I'm working out or going out. Lol.

Once I take them down, I retwist nightly by lightly spritzing my hair w/lavender distilled water or just plain distilled water. Then retwisting them w/shealoe. Cover my hair w/a scarf and go to bed.

Newly Natural, I will tell you that the older the twist-out, the better it looks. At least for me.

Oh, I don't twist tight but taunt enough, if that makes sense. Not to the point where I'm pulling on my scalp but tight enough that it's a good strong twist.

Newly Natural, I will tell you that the older the twist-out, the better it looks. At least for me.

Hope this has helped you in some way.
Keep in touch,
ChocolateOrchid


Here are some pics of me in the process of a twist-out hairstyle:

The twist-out set


The twist-out a la toothy grin and all. Lol.



If you have any suggestions or tips, please leave them in the comments. You never know who you may be helping. Could even be me.

Thanks a bunch and enjoy the day!
CO

Post Title A LITTLE ADVICE.....