DAY FIFTEEN - Half-way there!

So sorry I missed yesterday, very exhausted from my IRS "experience" which is now re-scheduled for a later date, but ALL is good!

I can't believe we are already through half of this challenge and I have learned, even more this time than when I was doing it here at my home with Rosemary, this cannot simply be a 30-day challenge; at least for me, it MUST be a life-long challenge.  Weighing myself daily, seeing the fluctuation in what one muffin or one "thin" slice of pizza can do to my progress, is so eye-opening. For sure, I am NOT 30 years old, I don't have years to correct bad habits.  Time is fleeting and my health and mobility with it, unless I do something about it NOW, not later!

The past two days I have had fun creating frozen bars.  I looked online for silicone molds and found a wonderful, easy-to-use commercial one called, ColdMolds.  It was so simple to create eye-appealing and delicious frozen bars by simply tweaking some of my tried and true dessert recipes.  All this tweaking and sampling and still down a pound and a half....gotta love that!

My Bars . . .

Pina Colada

The Crazy Monkey

The Chi-Chialicious!

Thus far, "The Crazy Monkey", with its coconut/cashew base, packed with unsweetened coconut flakes, fresh pineapple and bananas is my personal favorite. This morning I am making "Jumpin' JOY Juice" bars from one of my green smoothie recipes . . . all of this is simply TOO much fun, no suffering here!

For anyone wanting recipes, please email me at raw.reboot@gmail.com and I will be happy to share with you.

Before I get busy with food orders and bars, the intention for the day - "Today I will be open to the process of change.  I will trust my Higher Power and believe that the place where I will be dropped off is better than the place where I was picked up.  I know that change is necessary to take me wherever I need to go."  Indeed, indeed.

Have good one, friends!

Santé, To Your Health!

Sue Ansari, RN
CancerGuide 

Raw Food Chef and Food for Life Instructor
www.santetoyourhealth.org

www.laughteryoga-michigan.com

http://twitter.com/#!/MICancerCoach 

 

DAY THIRTEEN - Keep movin' the weight to left!

Oh yeah, the little weight on my scale - pushing it off to the left, away from me, means I have lost a little more weight, YAY!  Those half pounds, like this morning, all add up.

This was the first thing I saw when I opened Facebook this morning from Hanna in Finland - 

"I am dieting - not dying! Healthy diet is painless, fun, tasty and good for me. I do count the calories - because I love myself. I am not denying anything from myself, I eat what ever I want, and exactly what I want."  

How could it be said any better....BRAVO, Hanna!

 

 And from an old classmate yesterday - 

"Today is Day 10 for me and this morning I recorded 10.6 pounds lost! This means I'm lower than I've been in years and I have hope to finally go much lower. Thank you, Sue! Am also getting more adventurous and trying new things. Made the chips and salsa last night. Even survived well a dinner out with an old sister-in-law I hadn't seen in 10 years on Saturday. Another "noticing" is that the arthritis in my finger joints seems much less touchy."

Keep up the GREAT work, everyone!  Yesterday I decided to blend my salsa recipe, DIVINE!  My favorite savory drink thus far!  I have about a pint left which is going to be breakfast.

If you want a quick, simple taste treat, how about spreading a little almond butter on a collard leaf, then plop down half a banana and roll it up, YUM! Okay, fine, drizzle a TINY bit of honey on it first, then enjoy every bite . . . no moaning! 

Big IRS day tomorrow, then I can breathe! 

Santé, To Your Health!

Sue Ansari, RN

CancerGuide

Raw Food Chef and Food for Life Instructor
www.santetoyourhealth.org

www.laughteryoga-michigan.com

http://twitter.com/#!/MICancerCoach 

 

DAY ELEVEN - GUEST BLOGGER!

Guest Blogger on 07/16/12 (Sue's focus was on the IRS today, so I offered to blog)

As a sister on this raw FEST journey, I am learning so much. Basically, I classified myself as a flexitarian. For me, that meant mostly vegetarian and meat when I had to have it (e.g., at someone's house). My body paid for eating the meat in unpleasant ways.

Much of what I ate was raw, because I didn't take the time to think ahead to prepare a meal; plus, I live alone and don't have to consider anyone else's palate. My "cooked" meals generally consisted of roasted veggies .... especially sweet potato fries. I could devour several potatoes' worth of those roasted delicacies (EVOO, sea salt, and ground black pepper). I'd eat left-overs cold (too "busy" to even use the microwave) for breakfast, snacks, bed-time snacks, any time!

Taking the leap to full, hard-on, raw (sorry, I do not intend to offend anyone by using that word/phrase, but EVERYthing seems sexual to me, at this stage of my life..... celibate for 6+ yrs and something woke up in me a few months ago and it is RAW!!) food sounded exciting and it gave me a way to channel this new energy that I won't waste Plus, I know Sue, trust her, have witnessed changes in her physical appearance (and life), and love her. Surely, she would never encourage me to do anything that would hurt me.

It is possible that I may be a pound or two underweight (many contributing factors) so I am intentional in managing my weight so that I remain healthy. Consequently, during the past few days, I have nibbled on dark chocolate; savored, almost sucked every flavor out of salmon this past weekend; eaten a few, okay, half box of "healthy" crackers with almond butter in one sitting; eaten almond butter out of the jar - remember, I live alone and eat many nuts (darn, there's a word that can mean many things), etc.

Tonight, I made the Kick Ass Kale Salad and I may end up eating the entire concoction before I make it to bed. It is amazingly delicious in every sense (helps satisfy a deep, inner craving!)!

Reading everyone's comments encourages me and gives me tremendous ideas, which I forget, but hopefully, will recall at some point and write down, and then forget where I placed the written idea..... Oh well, life is! For several years, I've been very curious about green smoothies. The combination of ingredients sounded totally disgusting to me. When I read that a green smoothie was to be made and consumed on a daily basis, I trusted Sue. She doesn't look like green smoothies have harmed her! Now, I LOVE GREEN SMOOTHIES - cannot imagine starting a day without one. In fact, each night before I go to bed, I made sure my blender (which works really well - don't have a VitaMix) is cleaned, assembled, and ingredients are set aside thereby eliminating the opportunity to make an excuse of not having time in the morning.

I am eager to find a dehydrator I want to afford!! I can almost taste the satisfaction (smiley face) of those nachos/crackers & curried cauliflower. Well, I will stop here and go to ebay and Amazon to see what is offered tonight. I am grateful for each of you; you hold me accountable!

Angeeeeeela, in her element!

 Blessings Abound!!

 Angela (my name is pronounced: Ann-GEE-la) <- that is important! 

Thanks so much for helping me out, Angela!

DAY EIGHT - IRS, get thee behind me!

I have never had an IRS audit, but I have one now, July 19 8:30AM. I am NOT happy. I don't like figures and am refusing to pay a small fortune to my accountant to go for me, so I have been paralyzed with fear.  Finally, yesterday, I analyzed the list and found that it was not bad at all, hallelujah!  I was up most of the night, because of it and must continue today, until I have this mess out of my hair.  Consequently, I will not post another recipe until it is complete....nor will I make one more thing in my house!  A brand new Cuisinart commercial ice cream maker arrived late yesterday and I REALLY want to try it, so I am going to fly through the remainder of these figures!

Appropriately enough, this is the card I pulled for today - "Today I will ask God to help me let go of my need to be afraid.  I welcome peace, trust, acceptance and safety into my life.  I will make a point of listening to my healthy, rational fears and will relinquish all the others."

Fears be gone!  Have fantastic day . . .  stay cool, stay RAW!

Red Mini Peppers stuffed with Almond Pate

Santé - To Your Health!

Sue Ansari, RN

CancerGuide

Raw Food Chef and Food for Life Instructor
www.santetoyourhealth.org

www.laughteryoga-michigan.com

http://twitter.com/#!/MICancerCoach 

DAY SIX - I VALUE myself

It's disappointing when the scale doesn't move from one day to the next, but that's okay, I have been here before, and I know that it will.  Today I will concentrate on moving more, increasing my fluid intake, increasing my greens AND decreasing my nibblings on almond pate!

I like the intention I drew for the day, "Today I will search for my own truth and I will allow others to do the same.  I will value the worth of my own vision and the vision of others.  We are all on our own paths, making the decisions that are right for us today."

Make the decision today about what feels right for you and your body - remember, NO SUFFERING! 

Today, because I am still tied up with other things, I will re-post what was a MAJOR finding to me in January 2011, chia pudding!  Divine, almost decadent, with a comfort food sort of feel, at least for me.  I hope you will enjoy, as well.

Sante!

Sue

January 23, 2011

Chi-Chi-Chi-Chia, where have you been all of my life?

A shocking revelation.....this stuff is sinfully delicious!  I say shocking, because ordinarily something so scrumptious must be filled with all kinds of unhealthy ingredients, but not this!  My friend, Anne, mentioned it, Rosemary asked me if I knew how to make it, so I bought a bag of Chia seeds,  searched the Internet for recipes and came up with one of my own.  I was going to add Medjool dates, but then at the last minute I thought it would be cheaper and possibly even more "therapeutic" to add prunes.  Am I glad I did!  This is incredible....I wish I had known about this when I had my assisted living center - the residents would have loved it and it would have loved them!  They used to love it when the cook would prepare prune whip for them - this is many notches above!

I didn't know much about Chia  seeds, so I researched this afternoon - it does, indeed, pack a powerful nutritional punch.  Not only does it have more Omega-3's than flax seeds, it does not need to be ground to obtain all the powerful nutritional benefits. The tiny seed is 20% protein and 16% fiber.  Long-term consumption results in lowered blood sugar, lowered insulin levels and reduced body fat!

Additionally, it is the easiest possible food to prepare....where have you been all of my life?!  Just stir the seeds into any liquid and watch it gel within minutes! Not only is it easy, it is the dieter's best friend - its ability to expand in liquid (it holds up to 12 times its weight in fluid) fills the stomach, keeping you full and satisfied for hours.

I experienced this effect after eating about a half cup serving this morning.  After my coconut almond smoothie, I decided to have some of the Chia pudding.  I won't lie, many days on this routine, I have found myself extremely hungry in between meals, but not today - I ate my salad because it was time, not because I was hungry.  From now on I will add one tablespoon of Chia seeds to all of my smoothies.  I can hardly wait to experiment with different spices and fruits, YUM!

Chi-Chi-Chi-Chia....ENJOY!!

Chia Pudding with Prunes

6 T Chia seeds

1 1/2 c almond milk

2 T maple syrup
1 t pure vanilla extract

1/2 c dried prunes, snipped into tiny pieces

Stir altogether and ENJOY!

Santé - To Your Health!

Sue Ansari, RN

CancerGuide

Raw Food Chef and Food for Life Instructor
www.santetoyourhealth.org

www.laughteryoga-michigan.com

http://twitter.com/#!/MICancerCoach 

Chi-Chi-Chi-Chiaaaahhhhh!!!

DAY FIVE - Preparing for JOY!

I am having another sleepless night, many things weighing heavily on my mind, so I decided rather than tossing and turning, I might as well post this blog early.  I gathered my decks of cards together and of them all, especially for these 30 days of raw, "The Language of Letting Go" seems the one I am most drawn to.  The card I pulled for today's intention states, "Today I will trust that the events occurring in my life are not random.  My experiences are not mistakes, and the Universe, my Higher Power, and life are not picking on me.  I am going through exactly what I need to go through to learn something valuable-something that will prepare me for the joy and love I am seeking." Preparing me for "the joy and love that I am seeking" . . . that is something to think about!

I did not plan for this 30 days of raw nor did I plan to be blogging again, but I am and I know none of it was a mistake.  Since I started five days ago, I have felt better than I have in a long time and I hope you do, too!

Last evening I looked through many "Mock Tuna" recipes, then came up with one of my own that I have simply named, "Almond Pate", because I don't like assigning animal protein names to plant-based recipes.  My mouth and brain are ready for tuna and although it might be tasty, it's always a bit of a disappointment.

This is a recipe that is good to prepare at the beginning of the week - one that will be readily available when you open your fridge and you're hunting for something more substantial than a grape.  Although the almond is one of the most alkaline nuts, it still has a high fat content . . . go easy!

 

 

Almond Pâté

1 c raw almonds, soaked for several hours, drained

one handful of  fresh basil or parsley

2 T raw almond butter

the juice of one lemon

1 T low sodium tamari

½ c chopped carrot

1 t dulse flakes (optional)

1/8 t sea salt

1 t turmeric

1 T maple syrup or 2 Medjool dates

Pulse above ingredients together in a food processor fitted with an “S” blade, until they it looks like a soft meal.  Set aside in a mixing bowl and add ¼ c chopped red onion, one celery stalk, chopped fine and one large dill or sweet pickle of your choice, preferably without any preservatives.

This pate can be used on crackers, as a spread for a collard roll-up or the “rice” in sushi.  Think CREATIVE!

Santé…To Your Health!

Sue Ansari RN

MICancerCoach

Raw Food Chef and Food for Life Instructor

www.santetoyourhealth.org

www.gogreencleanse.com

DAY FOUR - Finally Getting into IT!

I may be a raw food chef, but I am NOT a raw foodist.  In addition to being a three-year breast cancer survivor, I am also a registered nurse, a lymphatic therapist, laughter yoga teacher, holistic health counselor, wellness coach and a Food for Life Instructor.  I have spent hundreds of hours studying with The Center of Mind-Body Medicine (Food as Medicine and CancerGuides), as well as with Andrew Weil’s Cancer and Nutrition program, so it’s not that I am not well-informed.  From so many sources, I know and fully believe that a plant-based, low-fat diet significantly reduces the risk not only of cancer, but a host of other diseases as well. The ever present question in my mind is this, why it is so difficult for me to commit? Why has it taken me until day four to feel comfortable with this 30-day raw “challenge” when I know all the benefits?  Very simple, lack of self-care.

I found a list of 25 points to ask yourself which would indicate that you do, indeed, lack self-care and of those points, the following called out loud and clear to me –

• The inability to commit to exercise as an integral part of your day

• The inability to ever take time to serve yourself, but the superior ability to constantly serve others

• The inability to express that “something” you are so yearning for

• The inability to ask for help or support

• The inability to set healthy personal boundaries – or even know what they might be

• The inability and unwillingness to let go of something you know does NOT serve you

• The inability to praise yourself for a much of anything and the ability of being your own worst critic

• The inability to take time out just for yourself

• The inability to get out of a self-dug hole and move on

Maybe none of that applies to you, but it certainly does to me . . . however, being a part of a supportive group, sharing my knowledge and expertise with all of you is a MAJOR support for me!  Every day that passes makes ME feel better and I hope you are feeling the same.  I am busy taking baby steps toward self-care which is the heart and soul of wellness.  Four days have passed, I am down 3½ pounds and I am finally getting it, hallelujah!

Appropriately, this morning I pulled the card from Melody Beatie’s deck, “The Language of Letting Go” which will be the intention of the day,  “Today I will let someone GIVE to me.  Whether it’s a compliment, an offer to help or even a gift. I will stand there and take it joyfully.  I know that I’m deserving of good things, so I will simply say, “Thank you.”  Yes, receiving joyfully…. you CAN do it!

Below is the recipe for the quick and easy zucchini pasta I prepared yesterday which is fabulous, a TOTAL indulgent treat that I lost a pound and a half on!  In contrast to the pasta recipe from the day before, there is no need to salt and drain the zucchini before adding the sauce . . . just spiralize, shave or julienne the zucchini, add the Spicy Thai Sauce, the marinated tomatoes, Brazil nut parmesan and ENJOY!

 

Getting ready to make brueschetta. 

Cut organic grape tomatoes in half.

 

Chiffonade the basil. Very simple, I find the largest basil leaf for the bottom, pile the other leaves on top, roll them into a cylinder, then finely shave them off. 

Chiffonade is a French term meaning, to tear into ribbons.

 

See how nice and fine it is? It is a good way to break down the fibers....

ALWAYS the technique of choice for kale and excellent for basil, as well. 

And that's it, so simple and quick! I also chop again a couple of times across all of it, to eliminate long pieces.

 Place the basil on top of the tomatoes, add sea salt and black pepper to taste and enough olive oil to cover. 

Better to use a rectangular container, so you will not need to use as much olive oil.

 

I was taught to puree cloves of garlic which I really like, because then the flavor is easily spread throughout the entire recipe and NO ONE will be biting down a big chunk of garlic!

 

See, the garlic becomes a soft, thin paste

 

Mix it altogether.....and there you have it! 

It will keep for days in the fridge in an airtight container and the flavor improves with age! 

Endless ways to use this wonderful, simple and nutritious topping. 

It would be a smart thing to mix a batch of this up every week.

 

I spiralized 1/3 of a large zucchini for my dinner this evening and am dressing it with my Spicy Thai sauce that has been a staple for me ever since 2006 when I first developed the recipe during my training at 

Living Light Institute of Culinary Arts. 

The recipe is posted below. It can be used for so many things and again is a staple to be constantly in your fridge.

Rub the sauce into the pasta with your fingers, until well incorporated . . . this dish is almost dressed!

Fully dressed with the addition of brueschetta, avocado and Brazil nut parmesan from yesterday's post. Beautiful, nutrient-dense, flavor-friendly - who wouldn't be tempted to try this?

Spicy Thai Almond Sauce

6T raw almond butter

6T raw tahini

¼ c water

½ c + 2 t sesame oil

½ T toasted sesame oil

3 T tamari, low sodium

1 t turmeric

½ T crushed pepper flakes (or to taste)

2 cloves garlic, pureed

6 dates (I like medjool)

6 T fresh-squeezed lemon juice

¼ c agave nectar or maple syrup

1-2 t fresh ginger, pureed (use microplane)

Blend all ingredients together, stopping to scrape sides of blender.  Add a little more water if it is too thick.  This recipe can be used as a vegetable dip, as a sauce for noodles or a spread for spring rolls.

Cover and keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. A GREAT staple to always have prepared.

Santé…To Your Health!

Sue Ansari RN

MICancerCoach

Raw Food Chef and Food for Life Instructor

www.santetoyourhealth.org

www.gogreencleanse.com

DAY THREE - Taking Liberties . . .

Yes, so I made this "creation" yesterday, but it was lacking a name. About 10PM last evening, "Liberty Lasagna" hit me, because not only was it the week of the Fourth, but eating raw simply allows you so many liberties without unhealthy consequences. I don't even know when I have had a piece of the traditional fat and calorie-laden lasagna nor do I plan on ever eating it again (it always made me sick anyway), but not so with this type of nutrient-dense dish!  The flavors are through the roof with lots of textures and good mouth feel - a layer of zucchini, then one of marinara, followed by an amazing pine nut cheese, topped off with a dusting of Brazil nut "parmesan".  No miserable bloat afterward, but instead a pleasant feeling of satisfaction and well-being.

This recipe requires four steps -  preparing zucchini pasta, marinara, pine nut cheese and Brazil nut parmesan.  Despite the steps, it is really a very uncomplicated recipe to prepare, plus there will be plenty of leftovers to use in upcoming recipes.

Liberty Lasagna 

Zucchini Pasta

Wash and dry one LARGE zucchini, then spiralize, julienne or shave into “noodles” with a vegetable peeler – your choice.  Place pasta in a bowl, sprinkle with a little sea salt, fluff it up to make sure all is covered with salt.  Allow the zucchini to sit for at least 30 minutes.  The salt pulls the water out of the zucchini which if not done will destroy the look and flavor of your dish. This process also softens the zucchini and gives it a cooked feel.  Drain the water from the zucchini and place it in a colander.  Rinse with copious amounts of water to wash away the salt.  A handful at a time, squeeze the remaining water out of the zucchini. It is best if used the same day. 

Use as you would any pasta, but without the calories….enjoy!

Marinara Sauce

5 medium tomatoes

1 ½ T red onion, minced

1 ½ t garlic, pureed (I use a microplane)

1 ½ T fresh basil, chiffonade

1 ½ T fresh oregano, minced

¼ t sea salt

½ t turmeric

¼ t cayenne

½ t anise seeds

1 T agave or maple syrup

pinch of black pepper 

Remove stems from tomatoes and cut in fourths.  De-seed tomatoes, save the seeds and juice in a separate bowl.  Place tomatoes in a food processor fitted with an "S" blade and process very quickly – tomatoes should still have some chunkiness.  Remove tomatoes to a colander and allow them to drain for at least 30 minutes.  Place tomatoes, along with remaining ingredients in another bowl.  Mix well, then let the mixture set for at least 30 minutes.  With your hands, squeeze the juice from the mixture and place in separate bowl (the juice is worth drinking right now!).  Your sauce is now ready to layer with the pine nut cheese and zucchini pasta!  Will keep for two days in the fridge.

Pine Nut Cheese 

1 ¾ c pine nuts, soaked or unsoaked

3 T lemon juice

3 T nutritional yeast

two very small pinches of grey sea salt (or any other uniodized salt)

5 T filtered water

Place ALL ingredients in a mini-prep food processor and pulse until thoroughly mixed and is light and fluffy in appearance. Keeps for weeks refrigerated in an airtight container.

Use in place of ricotta and also as a veggie dip and sandwich spread.

Brazil Nut Parmesan

1 c Brazil nuts

two cloves garlic, pureed (I use a microplane)

1/4 t sea salt

Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor fitted with an "S" blade and process until fluffy.  A versatile garnish for many recipes.  Keeps for weeks refrigerated in an airtight container.

Assembly: 

It is your choice how to assemble.  It can be as simple as a pile of zucchini on your plate with a spoon or two of marinara next, followed with a dollop of pine nut cheese and a dusting of Brazil nut parmesan.  Or, layer it twice in a food ring, ending with zucchini.  Push out and garnish with Brazil nut parmesan and a sprig of basil.  The marinara, pine nut cheese, and Brazil nut parmesan will keep in airtight containers in the fridge for many days.

Liberty Lasagna

Food Form Method

Liberty Lasagna

The Drop Method!

For this morning's intention,  I am pulling from "Power Thought Cards" by Louise Hay - "I love and approve of myself.  I appreciate all that I do.  I am good enough just as I am.  I speak up for myself.  I ask for what I want.  I CLAIM MY POWER!"  To that, I say, YES!

Enjoy the cooler day, at least here in Michigan!

Santé, To Your Health!

Sue Ansari RN
MICancerCoach
www.santetoyourhealth.org
www.gogreencleanse.com

DAY TWO - Oh, How I Love a Concave Belly!

Don't you LOVE it, the feeling of empty and unbloated?  This morning my stomach already was actually concave as I lay on my back, contemplating getting out of bed. I passed my hand over my tummy . . . and oh wow, even the hint of pelvis, my iliac crest, could be felt, woohoo!  Honestly, I must tell you there was more than one time yesterday I seriously considered a few bites of cooked food.  Instead, I cleaned out my refrigerator, purged it of ALL things cooked, but I can tell you, it will be difficult the next time I get an order.  I have already decided what I will do with the leftovers, and there are always leftovers, I am giving it all away!  Being down another pound and a half this morning is more than enough incentive for me; had I drunk more water yesterday, it would have been even more.  Today, this morning, as in the minute after I post this, I am going to the kitchen and measuring out 64 ounces!

How perfect that today I pulled this card from the deck, "The Language of Letting Go" by Melody Beattie, "Today I will ask God to help me begin to take healthy risks.  I will ask for assistance in letting go of my fear of failure… and success.  I will ask for help in fully living my life so that I can start experiencing all the wonderful parts of my journey.”

I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, it is way past time for me to start experiencing all the wonderful parts of my journey and let go of the past!  Right now, before it gets blistering hot out there, I must run to the Farmer's Market in Royal Oak.  Raw spaghetti and, if I have time, perhaps even lasagna are on the agenda for today with photos and recipes to follow!

In the meantime, enjoy your day!

 My savory green smoothie (gazpacho) yesterday -

1 large red pepper

1 med yellow pepper

an entire little box of Campari tomatoes

3 small Persian cucumbers

1/4 avocado

1 handful of cilantro

juice of one lemon

1 LARGE handful of Spring Mix

a shake or two of cayenne

1 t turmeric

3 T sherry vinegar

2 T low sodium tamari

YUM!

Santé, To Your Health!

Sue Ansari RN

MICancerCoach

www.santetoyourhealth.org

www.gogreencleanse.com

DAY ONE of RAW for 30 DAYS!

Hello Everyone and Greetings from Michigan! 

Okay, we are going to do it again....30 days of RAW or as many days as you can handle.  For those of you who have never done this before, don't panic you CAN do it.  I never thought I could and I confess, I was plenty hard-headed when it came to certain things....like GREEN smoothies and salt water flushes! But you know what?  They are both GREAT, although it took me years of having my brakes on before I realized that!  More on that later....

Today we need to get started and I like to start the day with a BIG cup of hot water, the juice of half a lemon and a shake or two of cayenne.  Sip it slowly and I will tell you about the health benefits later.

To set our intention for the day, I am pulling from the deck, "WISDOM for Healing Cards" by Caroline Myss - "Identify one area of your own life where you're angry at yourself or where you've yet to forgive something you've done.  Healing requires forgiving oneself as well as others.  Your goal: LOVE YOURSELF enough to HEAL."

Love yourself up today.  Look in the mirror and say with gusto, "I LOVE YOU!"  Go ahead, kiss the mirror if you feel like it! Don't forget to LAUGH every chance you get....and for no reason.  Food is medicine, but laughter is the BEST medicine....they walk hand in hand!

Make your smoothie. Measure out your water....I know if you are at a job, this might be difficult.   Adjust to your various situations.  Try walking on your lunch break.  Take the stairs, instead of the elevator....and remember to BREATHE!  You CAN do this!

Have a GREAT day!

Santé, To Your Health!

Sue Ansari RN

MICancerCoach
www.gogreencleanse.com

www.santetoyourhealth.org
http://www.livestrong.com/article/164077-what-are-the-benefits-of-lemon-water-with-cayenne-ginger/

A Green Smoothie Reunion!

Later today I will be driving across the Canadian border to meet my friend, Rosemary, with the most appropriate gift, a large green smoothie!  I can hardly wait to see her - it's been nearly seven months since we had our raw month.  A lot has happened, but I have to say, I have not gained back any of the weight I lost during that month and in fact, have even lost more.

I apologize for not posting sooner, but it has been seven months of introspection, trying to figure out exactly what I need and want to do with the rest of my life.  The programs were all in place in my mind, but how to make them all mesh coherently was my challenge.

Early summer, late Spring, I received a message on Facebook from an old nursing classmate who asked if I might consider coming to Montana in August to present a helping of both my food and  laughter.  It sounded like a bit much to me, but after much thought, I decided it was a novel and challenging idea.

Shortly before my time to leave for Montana, a 35-year-old cousin was diagnosed with a very rare and deadly cervical cancer.  Her emails, phone calls and text messages, asking questions, pleading for guidance and assurance, plus my classmate's insistence that I make a trip to Montana, suddenly solidified everything in my mind and my new program was born, CANcer-Proof Your Life.  Within two weeks my website www.cancer-proofyourlife.com  was complete and two six-week programs were booked!

Montana welcomed me with open arms, along with a sense of belonging and purpose I have not felt in a very long time.  The first morning there, my friend pulled out her Vita-Mix and began packing it with fruits and greens.  I didn't turn up my nose, but I have to be honest when I say, the idea of green smoothies has never been high on my lists of "must-have's" for breakfast, despite knowing what tremendous health benefits they have and preaching those benefits to others.  Along with my friends, green smoothies were breakfast fare every morning I was in Montana....and within days, I could feel my pants getting looser, my skin getting softer and my energy increasing.  Thus, my love affair with green smoothies began!

I find I do NOT need a fresh coconut smoothie to start my day, although I still love them; the green smoothie is what I literally lust after and cannot live without. It gives me a bigger burst of energy than my Starbucks grande non-fat latte ever did, plus my pants are literally falling off, my skin is soft and glowing, I walk every day without fail and I feel great!  Who would have ever thought that I would be making a green smoothie for myself at 11PM?!

I have converted some of my salad recipes to create savory green smoothies, incorporating as many ingredients with high anti-cancer properties as possible in the mix....all have been delicious.  As a result, the appearance and appreciation of green smoothies has taken an even greater role in the CANcer-Proof Your Life program and has even become its own program, TheHighOctaneCleanse!

 Rosie's Green Smoothie

 YES, You CAN!

Here's to Rosie, Montana and my cousin, Sara, who all guided me toward my very own green smoothie reboot and revolution - an even better way to easily cancer-proof my life and you, yours!


Santé. . . To Your Health!
Sue

http://about.me/suecarteransari

Day 30 - We Did It!!

Rosemary and Sue - January 1, 2011

Rosemary and Sue after 30 days of Raw!

January 30, 2011...I was saying to Rosemary this morning as I took her to Windsor to catch the train for Kitchener, two weeks would not have been enough for me.  At the two-week mark, I was finally ready to release myself from thinking that I really needed and wanted that feta omelet.  It took me that long to remove myself from its clutches, that long to cut my avocado portion in half (1/4 per day, instead of 1/2), and that long to relinquish excessive amounts of fruit.  It was my internal belief that if I didn't feel any suffering whatsoever, I could manage.  The only suffering I felt, was when I could not continue to move the weight on the scale to the left! I was not hungry, my food was delicious, for sure I was not suffering in any way, so I released the fruit and avocado......and with it, I began releasing weight as well, amazing!

It has been an enlightening, and overall,  amazingly easy and painless transition.  The real challenge was changing habits which I knew would not happen overnight and why I suggested the 30-day time frame.  I asked Rosemary if she would post what she had learned in the past 30 days when she settles back into her home in Kitchener.  I will do that now......

What I Have Learned in the Past 30 Days

Green Smoothie

Energy Soup

• Posting events to the calendar on my iphone is really simple and it makes my life so much easier
  
• Mailing packages is a smarter alternative than letting them sit in the back seat of my car for months
• Zumba can be for seniors, haha!
• Perky music in the kitchen (with Zumba moves!) makes food prep so much more fun!
• Life will not come to an end if my Vita-Mix and Champion juicer remain sitting on my kitchen counter.  Kitchen Police have not arrested me yet!
  
• Weighing myself AND recording it EVERY morning is an ABSOLUTE must!
• All that I do for others is of no avail if I fore go taking care of myself first
• There is life after Starbucks
• I can and will take time to prepare food for myself
• When I move, I feel soooooo much better!
• I like having my picture taken when I look and feel good
• I should have listened to my daughter years ago about yoga and what it could do for me
• The Detroit area is filled with incredible beauty, ie Cranbrook, the Fisher Building, U of M
• Pants were meant to be buttoned!
• Cancer makes life better in more ways than I can even begin to explain
• If I am to be truly better, my internal landscape must be drastically changed
• In order to accomplish that change, I must and will claim my own personal power on a daily basis
• Cracking a young Thai coconut is not a big deal
• Preparing and planning food in advance is the only way to stick to a healthy diet
• I will never again host a dinner in my home without having someone help me in the kitchen
• Sharing my knowledge of raw food and how to prepare it is such fun and so rewarding
• A full body massage by a knowledgeable therapist makes everything feel better!
• Laughing alone may be therapeutic, but shared is soooooo much better
• "Really good food" is not necessarily the best for me and my body...taste is not an indicator of "good"
• Public bathrooms are not so bad and often necessary when drinking a gallon of water a day!
• Dry skin brushing makes me feel alive and well all day 
• Making delicious green juice and energy soup is a challenge, but so easy
• Drinking delicious green juice and energy soup is an energizing delight!
• Doing all of this with a supportive friend is much easier than doing it alone
• Forget the schedule - sleep is more important
• Always keep a stock of fresh fruits, veggies and herbs clean and ready for use
• Remove all "no-no" foods from your home, once and for all!
• Make "To Do" and "To Buy" lists - post them on your phone, yes!
• Stop making excuses...life is too short - just DO IT!

This project will not be complete until I lose A LOT more weight and get much healthier...it may never be complete!  I will continue to blog, because now that Rosemary is back in Canada and I am here alone once again, YOU will be my support system.  I promise, I will not let you down....but more importantly, I will not let myself down!

16.25# in 30 days - YOU can do it, too!

Santé - to your health!

Sue
www.santetoyourhealth.org
www.laughteryoga-michigan.com
http://twitter.com/#!/MICancerCoach