Showing posts with label senior health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label senior health. Show all posts

Thursday, July 26, 2012

DAY TWENTY-ONE - This month is going FAST!

Doing an entire month of raw immediately preceding my first raw food chef certification class, August 5-11, has been a blessing to me - I really needed this, even though it was not planned.  Your feedback has been inspiring and beneficial in so many ways.  How often we have no idea what to do next, which path to follow, when the Universe simply steps in to guide the way, beautiful!

Today's intention pretty much says exactly that, "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."

I don't know about you, friends, but I have gone through some pretty tough times, especially in the past ten years.  All of those experiences were not random, they all happened for a reason, something that has taken me years to understand and accept.  With that acceptance has come JOY, a joy for me that is supremely manifested in healthy, beautiful JOYFOOD creations I can pass on to you!

Please enjoy the following salad which brings great joy to me every time I prepare it and please help me name it!


Vegan, gluten and low fat, this light, energizing salad packs a powerhouse of nutrients and will have you bursting with energy. Nothing is wasted and EVERY ingredient is nutrient dense.  I also suggest finely processing kale stems in this, if you have them sitting in your fridge or freezer.  The sweetness of the raisins, along with the sweet tartness of the cherries, balances out the flavors and with the addition of the amazing dressing, healthy becomes heavenly!

Ingredients (10 cups, at least) 

2 heads broccoli (1 bunch), including stems
1 head cauliflower, including stems
1 bag broccoli slaw
1 cup shredded or julienned carrots
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup yellow raisins, soaked and drained

Instructions
1.  In a food processor, process broccoli until very fine.  Remove to a large bowl.
2.  Process the cauliflower until very fine and add to broccoli.
3.  Stir in the broccoli slaw, carrots, sunflower seeds, cherries, raisins, and parsley.
4.  Dress with Lemon Tahini Dressing or dressing of your choice. For a totally oil-free and soy-free dressing,  dress with the juice of two lemons/limes and drizzle a little maple syrup over the salad before eating. (I prefer to use the Lemon Tahini Dressing)
5.  Keeps for several days refrigerated.

Lemon Tahini Dressing

Ingredients
1/4 cup tahini
1 heaping tbsp miso (yellow)
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp turmeric
1/8 tsp cayenne
3/4 tsp sea salt + freshly ground black pepper to taste
the juice of 3 lemons or to taste
3/4 cup Nutritional yeast or to taste
2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp flax oil
6 tbsp water or as needed to thin

Place all ingredients in VitaMix or whisk.  Blend until smooth.  Keeps for weeks refrigerated.

Santé, To Your Health!
Sue Ansari, RN
CancerGuide 
Raw Food Chef and Food for Life Instructor
www.santetoyourhealth.org

Monday, July 16, 2012

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!

Monday, July 9, 2012

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

Sunday, July 8, 2012

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








Saturday, July 7, 2012

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


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Beginning of a New Month...and I'm doin' it RAW!!

February 1, 2011....I must say living alone changes things, many things, preparing food is just one of them.  My cat, Dora, and I have spent most of the day in my bedroom.  It's comfortable, spacious and the way things are right now, the only warm room in the house, other than the laundry room and I don't feel like hanging out there!

I ventured out a few times to make fresh juice and a small batch of Chia Pudding...that was about it.  Still very tired today.  The "big" event of the day, other than my car battery being dead, was the 30 minutes I spent on the treadmill...and the BIG news, of course, is the impending blizzard.  Snow was predicted to start at 7PM and like clockwork, it began falling at 6:45.  Amazing, huh?

February 2, 2011.....And the snow continues to fall!  I find it amazing how weather can be so easily predicted which is what I was thinking about last night when I was overcome with sleepiness and had to stop writing. Weather is predictable, just as is our behavior.

I have been hiding behind 30-40 extra pounds ever since my last child was born and she was 28 years old two weeks ago.  Despite having invested massive amounts of time and money in various programs over the years, knowing the science inside and out, as well as believing it fully,  my brain was not in the game.  Consequently, my predictability for success was nil.  Being raw for the month of January was my choice.  I was ready to commit, willing to be realistic, but I knew I needed support in order to stick it out.  Rosemary was that support and I thank her deeply for participating in the program for the entire month. Everything that I now need to continue on this path has been put in place....I have not even removed the Vita-Mix from my counter, imagine that!

For me, hiding behind my weight was a result of sagging self-confidence and my excuse for not putting myself out there to be seen.  Fortunately, as I have said so many times before, laughter found me, but even more importantly, with the laughter came the most beautiful group of loving, caring souls who have supported and buoyed me up during some pretty dark times.  Family, obviously, should be there, but for me, to be remembered and thought of by a myriad of friends outside my family unit, something I had never before experienced, had a profound impact.  All of it, including getting through breast cancer treatment, boosted my confidence level to the point where at last my brain was ready to think and believe, "Yes, I can....and I will!"  and I did!

I believe it's all about self-confidence which equals self-love which brings me to the lovely Lubbock lady who has started a "30-Day Love Yourself Up" page on FaceBook, so here's to Carla, The Confidence Queen!   I needed that boost during the mid-point of last month, but I need it not just for 30 days.  Let's keep loving ourselves up every day from now on!

Daily reminders...
  • Amaze yourself by doing something you never thought you could
  • Treasure your health - walk for at least 30 minutes every day, drink at least 64 oz of water, and stick to a primarily plant-based diet
  • Never leave home without lipstick...or at least gloss!
  • Look at your least favorite body part, caress it tenderly and say out loud, "I love you,_______!"
  • Remember, skinnier girls cannot do some things you can do!
  • Refuse to be invisible ever again!
  • Even if you are a bit inflexible in the yoga studio (or at Zumba!), thank your body for what it can do...and do it!
  • Whatever your capabilities, NEVER stop moving!
  • Stop obsessing over how you look - appreciate and love your body as it is
  • Focus on what you can do and don't compare yourself to others
  • Stop worrying about yourself.  Focus on others and how you can make them at ease and happy
My prediction is if our thoughts and behavior are channeled in this direction, the pathway to health and happiness will be a piece of cake....raw, of course!

Santé - to your health!

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



Monday, January 31, 2011

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!



Friday, January 28, 2011

Day 29 - Celebration Time, Come On! It's up to you, what's YOUR pleasure?


Me on Jan 2 with Rosemary

Me, 27 days later and 15 pounds lighter!









































Amazing, huh?  I can't even begin to tell you how much better I feel in every way - my skin is perfectly clear, pants I have never been able to button, button with ease now and others are ready to fall off.  Aches and pains I had 27 days ago are long gone.  The biggest change is in my feet...absolutely no swelling whatsoever.  I pulled out a pair of Prada heels I bought at least four years ago, but have never been able to walk more than across the room in and was ready to sell on ebay.  Today I not only walked with them for several hours, but I actually skipped and ran through the house with them on!  The only problem is...I still have absolutely no reason or place to wear them, so they still might go on ebay!  I also took a headless photo in pants and bra Jan 1, but I am not quite ready to post before and after's yet!  It looks like I lost a few years with those 15 pounds, as well....yippee!

This is all well and good, but facts are facts and I still need to lose at least another 25-30 pounds and re-evaluate at that time.  I intend to continue with a primarily raw diet until the weight is gone for good, with at least 75% of my diet continuing forever raw.

We have a busy day tomorrow with no time for posts, so thought I would send this off tonight, along with the menu for our dinner tomorrow evening.  Rosemary's before and after photos will be posted tomorrow.

Appetizers

Herbed Cashew Spread, Spicy Thai Spread, Olive Tapenade, Marinated Tomatoes and Basil, Indian Mango Eggplant Spread, Indian Garlic Eggplant Spread served with a variety of Raw Veggie Crackers

Salads

Red Cabbage with Pineapple and Dried Fruits and Berries (raw)
Pad Thai (raw)
Lentils, Brown and Wild Rice (cooked) served on a Bed of Spring Greens  

Entrees

Zucchini Pasta with Basil Pistachio Pesto (raw)
Falafel (raw) 
Veggie Spring Rolls (raw)

Desserts

Mont Blanc Parfaits (raw)
Marinated Fruit Kabobs (raw)

Beverages

Herbal Teas
Sparkling Water

Although not everything is raw, all is vegan.

Enjoy the weekend...Bon Appetit!

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

Day 28 - OMG, Down 15 Pounds!

Yesterday I was whipped, feeling very tired all day.  Rosemary wanted to tape some food preps and I did one, but I just wasn't into it.  Sleep has been a big problem with me for some time, much worse during and after chemo.  It is so frustrating to awaken at 3AM and not go back to sleep again until 6, but last night, a perfect 8 hours, yay!  An even bigger "yay!" when I got on the scales and knocked that weight even further to the left - one more pound!

My unwritten goal for this month was 20 pounds which I realize was a bit unrealistic, but 15 is fine with me!  I am able to fasten pants I have never fastened...others are ready to fall down.  My bra is now very comfortable.  My coats button without a pull.  Two days ago, I went for a haircut.  My Russian hairdresser looked at me with a big grin and said,  "Ah, Sue, you look so good!  You have new love?"  The raw truth was, the glow was from greens and nothing more!   She was so excited about it, I went back yesterday with samples of crackers, Chia Prune Pudding, Spicy Thai Sauce with carrots and a Brownie Bite.

Today we will be busily preparing for our 30-Day Raw Celebration Dinner tomorrow evening with about 15 friends, so I need to get busy, but first must share the delicious green smoothie I created last night.

Hmmmmm.....this is Michigan and I have only U of M connections, but think I will call this drink, "Go Green!"....it was an unexpected winner!

GO GREEN!

The flesh of one cantaloupe
About 1/4 fresh pineapple
One large handful of fresh basil
A spot of cayenne

Blend all together...and there you have it - a real winner!

My fruit was room temperature, good for this time of year in Michigan, but this would be delicious chilled or over ice.


Fifteen pounds today, BRAVO for me....now, on with the day!!

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

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Day 26 - My Baby Brother's 60th Birthday

Oh yeah, for those of you who don't know me, or for that matter, for those of you who do, I am over 60, 62 to be exact.  I don't feel 62, luckily don't look nor do I feel 62, but I must say this past birthday was the only birthday in my life that really smacked me in a hard way.  I found myself remembering that eight years ago I was freshly divorced, then wondering what I had done with my life for the past eight years and thinking ahead to the next eight years and the golden age of 70, yikes!

Working with the elderly and their maladies for years has kept the end of life and its many challenges extremely clear in my mind....for the most part, I do NOT want to have any part of what I have experienced.  The reality of my situation is that I know for optimum health I need to drop at least 30 pounds which will happen if diet and exercise improve.  My blood sugar has been creeping upward and that needs to stop.  My flexibility must improve if I don't want to be running around with long-handled pick-ups hanging from my belt.  Did I say running?  Bent and shuffling would have been a more appropriate description!

Funny?  No, not at all....a body that doesn't move, doesn't move, period!  This wonderful home that I moved into last year had been sitting empty for six years.  It didn't look bad, but I moved in only to find the plumbing needed re-vamping, the furnaces were all messed up, even the garage door wouldn't move up and down properly.  The house and everything in it had been stagnating for six long years, nothing was moving - all moving parts had basically shut down.  The same is true of our bodies - like it or not, we MUST move...and not just from the sofa in the living room to the kitchen counter!

I am happy to say already this morning I have jumped on my trampoline which I moved into my bedroom (so I would trip over the thing and remember to jump on it!) and have hula-hooped for several minutes as well, yay!  After my Coconut Almond wake-up drink in a few minutes, Rosie and I will be heading for the mall for at least a 30-minute walk before we get on the the rest of the day....and we will LAUGH!


Sue at the Fisher Building, Detroit 1/11
Words from Browning's poem are always in my mind...."The last of life, for which the first was made..."  How we will live the last days of our lives is essentially dependent on how we are living right now in this present moment.  Are we being mindful of what foods we put into our bodies?  Are we being mindful of how we move our bodies?  Equally important, are we monitoring and being mindful of our thoughts, as well as our actions?  Eat, dance, laugh, sing, pray and let the good times roll...for a very l o n g time.....and don't forget Jack!!

You can do it! 

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

Sunday, January 23, 2011

One More Week!

Veggie Spring Roll
Where does the time go?  Rosemary and I have been so busy every day with something and this week will be even busier.  For weight reduction reasons, I purposely have kept food prep to a minimum, despite having so many fabulously wonderful raw dishes I would have loved to have shown Rosie how to make.  Had I made them, I would have been compelled to eat them and that is not exactly what this 30 days is all about.  The "goodies" must be saved for another time.....and that time will be for our little "celebration" dinner on Saturday evening.

As many of you know who prepare gourmet raw food, unlike Chia Pudding, much of it must be prepared in stages and often, days in advance.  Today we made corn crackers...or I should say, corn crackers are currently being created!  They are dehydrating right now and will be ready some time tomorrow - a new recipe I came up today using Chia and flax seeds - the pre-dehydrated mixture tasted delicious!

Next was the Spicy Thai Sauce recipe I developed when I was at Living Light.  It is far from low-cal, but it is amazing and never fails to induce all decibel levels of moaning!  We used it today as the dressing for Collard Wraps and Veggie Spring Rolls.  I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful these are - they must be experienced.
Collard Wraps

All of this in preparation for our Saturday evening celebration dinner.....we will be preparing all week and filming as much of it as we can.

Stay tuned.....!

Sue

 

 

Chi-Chi-Chi-Chia with Prunes!

Chia Pudding with Prunes
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
1/2 c dried prunes, snipped into tiny pieces

Stir altogether and ENJOY!

Santé - to your health!

Sue Ansari, RN
CancerGuide
Gourmet Raw Food Chef and Instructor
Chi-Chi-Chi-Chiaaaahhhhh!!!