Got Skin?

We all do, of course. But having lost 60 lbs or so I had a little too much of it. It wasn't so awful but the little bit of extra skin left over from weight loss left on my stomach and thighs did bother me. I researched it quite a bit. I read that surgery was an option, however, in my case, I didn't have that much in excess. I also found that it can take up to two years for your skin to snap back to normal state and it is important to moisturize it daily. However, after reading the raw food cleanse book, I read about a technique called dry skin brushing. I decided to give it a go.

Here are the benefits of this practice:
1. Assists in the removal of cellulite
2. Stimulates and cleanses the lymph system
3. Removes dead skin
4. Stimulates and strengthens the immune system
5. Stimulates hormone and oil-producing glands
6. Tightens the skin (that's what I was looking for!)
7. Aids in toning the muscles
8. Stimulates circulation
9. Improves nervous system functioning
10. Aids in digestion

Technique:

I use a standard soft body brush that you would use in the shower. You can purchase a really good one at health food stores.

1. Start at your feet and softly brush your skin in an upward circular motion (you can also start at the head by brushing your hair and scalp; see number 5)

2. Work your way up; always brushing towards the heart. Don't skip any spots. Don't forget your back.

3. When you get to your shoulder and neck area, brush down now...always toward the heart.

4. I lightly brush my face and ears.

5. I end the brushing by briskly brushing my hair and stimulating my scalp with a standard hair brush.

6. Immediately get in the shower. I go through through cycles of rinsing, alternating between hot and cold water. (hot water then cold water= 1 cycle then repeat 2 mores x's)

7. Wash your body with a good soap. I use Tom's Natural soaps.

8. Upon exiting the shower, massage coconut oil into your skin. Throw all those synthetic moisturizers away.

Twice a week, after the brushing and before getting into the shower, I dampen my skin and scrub a natural salt scrub into my skin to help with the exfoliation process.

Yes, I have noticed a HUGE change in the appearance and feel of my skin. Not only do I notice, others have noted the changes as well. I highly recommend adopting this skin care regimen. If you are in the process of losing weight, start today! It's so easy and very inexpensive. You can even make your own body scrubs right at home. Here is a link to an easy one. Now get brushing and enjoy the new look and feel of your beautiful skin!

Thirsty Thursday

Quite honestly, I just made up this juice as I went. I went to the Farmer's Market yesterday and used a lot of what I bought- all local and organic. For those that are local, this is my favorite grower at the Farmer's Market. They are there on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. Which gives me an idea....I will have to do a post on my weekly visit to the Farmer's Market. Coming soon....

Ingredients
1 medium parsnip (of course)
1/2 cucumber (peeled if not organic)
2 white radishes
2 stalks of celery
4-5 carrots (I used very small ones, if using standard or large I would use only 1 or 1 1/2)
5-6 blood oranges
1 teaspoon of raw local honey (I used avocado honey)
1 wedge of a sweet lime

Run the 1st 6 ingredients through your juicer. Mix in 1 teaspoon of honey. Top with a squeeze of sweet lime and enjoy!


Ingredient spotlight: Blood Oranges
The red pigment in a blood orange is called anthocyanin. It is an antioxidant that decreases the risks connected to many illnesses including some age-related illnesses. Blood oranges may also reduce the threat of heart disease, certain kinds of cancer, and the accumulation of bad cholesterol. Furthermore, they may possibly lessen the risk of cataracts, and lend support in the body's natural healing processes.
Like all citrus fruits, blood oranges, are excellent sources of vitamin C. A typical orange provides about 130% of the recommended daily amount of the vitamin. It also provides fiber and are also is a valuable source of folate, calcium, and vitamin A.

For other juice recipes, type "juicing" or "Thirsty Thursday" in the search box in the upper left hand corner of this site.

The Fruit Guys

I have mentioned the fruit guys in a few of my posts. I receive a mix of fruit and veggies from them every other week on Thursdays. You can choose any delivery options you want: weekly, bi-weekly, every other week, just a one time delivery, etc. They are very flexible in this area and there customer service is top notch. The produce you receive is local to your state, with the exception of some of the apples and pears which come from Washington (at least in my mix). Depending on the area you live in, you can choose just the fruit mix or the fruit and veggies mix. The mix is seasonal. I love that! I have been ordering from them for a few months and the quality is excellent, never a bruise or even a cut; it's super fresh and tastes so yummy. I also love the fact that you sometimes get foods that you are not familiar with. They provide you with recipe cards that include several of the foods in the mix. By ordering from the fruit guys, you are supporting small family farms. They tell you the farm that each piece of food comes from and its all organic. One less thing for me to worry about especially if time or weather doesn't permit a visit to my local farmer's market. The really cool thing about their spring mixes is that they are including seeds in each mix. This week I received peas...such perfect timing for our garden. The mixes are $32 which is 25 servings. They also have a smaller box of 16 servings for $24. I think there is a small delivery charge of $2. The produce comes in a box that is 75-100% post consumer recycled cardboard. It is also printed with soy based-ink. You can recycle the box or return it for them to re-use.

They also have gift boxes that can be delivered wherever as well as a "dorm snack" program where you can send a mix to that special college student of yours that might not be making such healthy choices-think, the dreaded "freshmen 15." They do deliveries to offices and schools as well.

Here is a brief "about us" taken from their website:

About Us

The FruitGuys is the industry leader in providing farm-fresh produce to the
American workplace.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in San Francisco, The FruitGuys has
pioneered this fast-growing category that provides viable solutions to the
ever-challenging workplace health crisis. The company was founded on the premise
that bringing healthy brain food to the office can boost productivity, improve
wellness and help companies improve their bottom lines.

The FruitGuys provides fresh seasonal fruit from local farms to thousands
of American businesses, from small family-run businesses to major Fortune 500
corporations. The FruitGuys has been called upon by some of the most well-known
businesses in the nation, including Littler Mendelson, Yahoo!, Yamaha, VMWare,
Wells Fargo, among thousands of other industry leaders.

We consider ourselves fortunate to work with customers who share our ideals
about health, the environment, and our communities. The FruitGuys launched our Farm Steward Program in April 2008 to support sustainable small family farming.
We donate 88,000 pounds of fresh fruit a year (more than 7,000 pounds a month)
to non-profit groups and regional food pantries nationwide, such as Somethin'
Fresh. With your support, we sent over 7,000 pieces of fresh fruit to
food-banks and programs for families in need over the winter holidays with our Donate-A-Crate Program.

Thirsty Thursday: Get "Rooted"

This juice is a blend of several different root vegetables with a hint of green apple. It’s very refreshing and great to have anytime of the day. I used all organic ingredients which is a big plus.









Ingredients:

1 Parsnip
3 stalks of celery
1 inch piece of ginger root
1 green apple
A couple slices of celery root

Run through your juicer, top with a squeeze of sweet lime juice and a sweet lime wedge for garnish. Enjoy!





Ingredient profile: Celery root

I received the celery root in my mix from the fruit guys. I considered making a soup out of it, but the juicer was calling its name. Celery root contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, K and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Vitamin C contained by celery supports the immune system, making the body more resilient against new diseases. Along with magnesium, iron is helpful in lessening the effects of anemia. Celery has the ultimate measure of iron and magnesium to keep diseases like cancer from making progress. This plant has diuretic properties and is also purifying to the body. Due in part to its purifying properties, the ingestion of celery is suggested for those people who are “always-on-the-go” and find it difficult to keep up with healthy eating. Since it is diuretic and purifying, celery is the perfect ingredient for those who are trying to achieve weight loss. Diets based on celery have reviving and stimulating effects on the body. It doesn’t stop there. It has other benefits which include expectorant and emollient properties which make this plant effective against bronchitis. It also adjusts hormonal dysfunctions assisting in conditions such as sever menstrual cramps (dysmenorrheal), infertility, menopausal disorders and acne.

Garden Update: Week 3

Just a quick update on our garden. You can see the many changes in the pictures. Jason added a water system and drainage. We also added the trellis for the tomatoes. Everything seems to be super happy, especially with this fantastic weather we've had this week. In the photos below, you will see how the drains were constructed. I also took a picture of my bok choi, a flower on my tomato plant and some broccoli. So exciting!

Note: hand watering is for the birds. :)

A Breakfast for Champions

And I am not talking about Wheaties here. Put away that box of corn syrup and sugar and fill up your bowl with something fresh and healthy. This is my latest favorite breakfast: fresh mixed berries, bananas, raw sunflower seeds, crushed raw walnuts and almonds, and local raw organic wildflower honey.

Here are some the benefits of the ingredients in this fabulous breakfast.

Dark colored berries like blueberries, blackberries and raspberries (all seen here) contain powerful antioxidants. Berries contain phytochemicals and flavonoids. Eating a diet rich in berries can help reduce your risk of several types of cancers. Blueberries and raspberries also have lutein which is important for healthy vision. Raspberries are also rich in anthocyanins and phytochemicals such as ellagic, coumaric and ferulic acid which can fight cancer.

For more on the health benefits of berries, go here.

Raw sunflower seeds will take care of your hunger, while improving your health by supplying significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium. Phytosterols, present in sunflower seeds, are compounds found in plants that have a chemical structure very similar to cholesterol. When these compounds are part of our diets in good amounts, they may reduce blood levels of cholesterol, improve the immune response and decrease risk of certain cancers. They also contain magnesium which is necessary for energy production. The list for these little seeds can go on and on.

Almonds lower ldl-cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. High in fat? Yes, but it's good fat. They are are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of fats that are in olive oil and are associated with reduced risk of heart disease. Whole almonds provide the most heart health benefits. Almonds are also high in protein. One fourth of a cup has about 7 1/2 grams-more protein than is provided by the typical egg, which contains about 5 1/2 grams. How's that for a vegan dream?

Walnuts are high in Omega 3's fatty acids which can help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. They can reverse and prevent high blood pressure. They also decrease pain and inflammation throughout your body and may help prevent breast and colon cancer. These acids can also help to reverse and prevent depression and other mental/emotional health challenges.

There are numerous benefits of consuming raw local honey. If you suffer from allergies, a spoonful a day can be very beneficial. For more on raw local honey, click here.

Now, do you really want to pour those Wheaties in that bowl?

Thirsty Thursday: Pretty as a Parsnip

Pretty as a Parsnip

Ingredients:

3-4 stalks of celery

1 parsnip (my new fave)

1/2 of a small cucumber

1 fuji apple

1 lemon

1 handful of mint

Run all of the ingredients through your juicer and enjoy!

I received some parsnips in my delivery from the fruit guys so I decided to juice them (of course). They have a great light, sweet flavor. I'd love to juice them with some ginger. I'll experiment with this one and let you all know how it goes.

Here are some of the benefits of parsnips:

Parsnips are a good source of vitamin C thus making them an immune booster as well as a potent antioxidant. They also have niacin (vitamin B3) which helps digestive system function, skin, and nerves. They also provide some vitamin E which is another antioxidant as well as potassium and dietary fiber. Parsnip juice contains far less calories than carrot juice which makes it a valuable ingredient in juice recipes that aim to help weight loss. Parsnip has been associated with improving bronchial tube functioning in the lungs and so may be of benefit to those who suffer from asthma. Who knew?

Garden Update: Week 2

As you can see from the photos below, we have accomplished a lot since my last garden update. Dirt was brought in, supports were put in place, organic topsoil was mixed in and finally I was able to add some plants. The whole family helped bring the dirt from the front yard to the back. The girls enjoyed filling up their wheelbarrows and dumping it in the bed. Jason brought most of the dirt to the back while I raked it and evened it out. Audriana packed the soil down. Jason has also done a lot of work making the outside of the bed look nice. He stained the outside of the bed and added the supports. He also added a border around the bottom of the bed and raised the pipes to put the watering system in place. I bought baby plants and put them in the ground today. I planted tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, red leaf lettuce, yellow squash, artichokes, red peppers, broccoli, white kohlrabi, bok choi, eggplant, rainbow chard, parsley, cilantro, basil, oregano and mint. I also bought a raspberry and blueberry bush but have not quite got them in the ground yet. The girls had such a good time helping me put the plants in the soil. They especially enjoyed watering them with their new Dora watering can. We also planted carrot and parsnip seeds directly into the bed. Audriana’s seeds that she planted are getting quite big. The girls’ pumpkin and tomato seeds haven’t quite sprouted yet but should any day now. We will probably put one more bed together within the next week or so. Thanks for reading!

The photo at the top of this page was taken by my super talented daughter, Audriana. How does she figure out that pics like that will turn out so neat? She is so unique. :)

A family effort: Bringing the dirt from the front of the house and into the beds.

Raking....

...and raking.

The girls with their gardening gear and gerbera daisies ready to be planted.

Everything before we put it in the ground. So beautiful.

Planting Rainbow Chard

Watering.

The finished beds.

The start of my herb bed...a work in progress.

Thirsty Thursday: Juice Recipe of the Week

I thought that it would be fun to post a juice recipe every Thursday since I am enjoying this juicing process so much. I have been making several of the juices from my raw cleanse book but this morning I decided to experiment on my own.

I will call this juice:

"Soothing Glow"

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups of green or red grapes
1 Granny Smith Apple
½ cucumber
2 stalks of celery
1 large handful of Spinach
1 small handful of mint

Run all the ingredients through your juicer. I topped the juice off with a squeeze of lemon juice and a wedge of lemon. Enjoy!

This juice is full of antioxidants; its ingredients fight certain cancers such as lung cancer, colon, skin, lung and breast cancer. It also contains ingredients that fight heart problems and Alzheimer’s Disease. This juice is loaded with polyphenols such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and resveratrol. It is a source of silica which improves the complexion and health of the skin. In addition, its high water content makes it naturally hydrating which is good for glowing skin. It is also rich in vitamin C. It contains compounds called coumarins. This helps prevent free radicals from damaging cells. Spinach,one of the key ingredients, has anti-inflammatory properties and is a good source of iron. The juice also contains mint which is soothing to the stomach.

Garden Progress- Week 1

We started last weekend constructing and planning our raised bed garden. My husband purchased the untreated Douglas Fir wood at Dixieland Lumber. He was able to construct the large bed and split it into two 12 x 5 foot planting areas in less than 20 minutes. Purchasing your own wood vs buying a pre-constructed raised bed saves a lot of money. The purchase amount for the wood and other materials was only $60. You can see his handiwork in the photos shown below. He is also planning on placing supports along the front of the beds to keep it stable after we put the dirt inside. We have ordered the dirt and it will be delivered on Thursday. We will then purchase an organic topsoil to mix in. We purchased a compost bin from Sam’s Club for $38 and plan to start composting in the next few days. My husband is also planning on making another bed or two this weekend. We have a large hill (pictured) in which we will plant our corn, pumpkins and melons such as cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew. Also you will see my oldest daughter’s, Audriana, mini greenhouse seed starter. She has planted green onions and multi-colored peppers. Some of her seeds began sprouting today. Yesterday, I went outside with my two youngest girls and they started seeds with their Sesame Street gardening kits that we purchased at Lowe’s. They planted pumpkins and tomatoes and should sprout within the next 7-10. The timing should be perfect. The plants should be good and ready to plant in the ground once the soil is prepared.

This was before the dividers were put in.

After the dividers were put in. The small area will be a work space.

A view of one of the corners from inside the bed.

The connection between the two boards in the front/center.

This is where we stand till tomorrow when the dirt is delivered.

We will plant corn, pumpkins and melons on the hill.

Fiona and Mia's pumpkin and tomato seeds

Audriana's mini greenhouse with onions and multi colored peppers.

Goal Assessment

Like most people, I set goals for myself for 2010. Being the beginning of March, I have decided to perform a self assessment to see where I am at two months into the New Year.

My goals were to inspire others, plant an organic garden, make a large dent in my degree program and become a certified group fitness instructor. After performing a quick self assessment, I have done extremely well!

As far as inspiring others, I have been helping some friends with weight loss and fitness goals. I am constantly answering phone calls, text messages and emails with questions in regards to health and fitness. I have been a “scorekeeper” for a weight loss competition in which women compete to lose the highest percentage of weight. I have also been more active with my blog and from the feedback I receive, have helped motivate people that I wasn’t even aware of. Inspiring others to be the best they can be is a fulfilling experience and in turn motivates me to stay accountable for my actions.

My husband and I began planning our organic garden (post and pics to come later this week). We have picked a spot and my husband began building the raised beds. My oldest daughter started 72 seeds and my youngest two girls have started a total of 12seeds. Between the three girls, we have onions, multi-colored peppers, pumpkins and tomatoes. The other plants we will put into our garden will be baby plants that we will purchase in a few weeks. I purchased a compost bin. Dirt is being delivered in a few days to fill our beds. We have been doing our research and have been shopping around for ideas. This is a goal that is definitely in the works.

In regards to my degree, I had a phone appointment with my advisor. He was able to reduce the amount of classes that I have left. He also lined me up with a full schedule of classes that were in the correct order. I should be finished by fall 2011. Perfect!

Last but definitely not least, I signed up for my group fitness instructor certification on April 3. I should be receiving my study materials and text book soon and will attend an eight hour workshop. I will then take a test and will officially be a certified group fitness instructor. I also signed up for my CPR/AED certification which is a requirement for the certification. I began teaching yoga to my playgroup moms in the park just to gain a little experience.

Come back in a few days for my garden update and pictures.