Fasting and Miso

I've been fasting this week, and no, it's not because of Ramadan.  I just finished a FANTASTIC book called Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr, and learned so much about the benefits of fasting!

Fasting is basically consuming liquids and cleaning out your system, usually when you're feeling a bit sluggish and "gunky" - at least, that's what I call it :)

After a couple of weeks of indulging on processed treats, fasting seemed like the natural solution.  That being said, one should consider their health when fasting.  Those who are ill or elderly should be more careful.  Pregnant women should not fast at all.

So what does a fast include?  First of all, LOTS of water!!  Drink more than you usually do.  Flush that system out!  You can cater a fast to your own preferences, but check out Crazy Sexy Diet or Crazy Sexy Life for more information.

For me, it includes drinking a cup of water before I get out of bed.  It's best if this water is warm, even better if it has a squeeze of lemon or apple cider vinegar.  Then, when I get hungry, I drink a juice smoothie.  I just throw an apple, pear, banana, fresh berries, spinach, carrots, and a teaspoon or so of spirulina into the trusty Vitamix.  Ummmm!  

This juice smoothie keeps me wired and full until lunch.  Then, I indulge in one of my favorite meals ever - miso soup!  You can make your own with miso paste, or buy it in packets.  I prefer paste, but whatever you like is best.  I add a few pieces of nori (seaweed) and slurp away.  DELISH.  And yes, nori is not liquid, but it is SO important to eat your sea veggies!!

Through the rest of the day, make sure you are drinking tons of water, and if you get hungry, drink fresh fruit juice or a smoothie or another bowl of miso soup.

For dinner, I usually eat some tasty veggie soup.  Yes, solids again.  But, the majority is liquid, and I feel you benefit more from the beans and veggies.  Legumes have so much protein, and help move things right out of your colon.  Terrific!  But they also use a lot of water, so make sure you are hydrating.

If I'm craving dessert (ummm, ALWAYS!) I drink a glass of rice milk with some Nesquick mixed in.  Yes, it has sugar :(  But it has vitamins, and most important - chocolate!  Plus, if you aren't indulging every once and a while, you are sure to go overboard one day.  

Check out Crazy Sexy Life for more information.  And next time you're feeling gross, consider a fast, and if you're really brave,  a colonic!   

A Book and Some Grub

If you frequent this blog, or personally know me, you are probably aware of my obsession with books. More specifically, books on health and veganism. Well folks, I found another one. And of ALL places, it happened to be on a shelf in the BX (base exchange).

First I see this cutie, combined with "beauty" and I'm like, "Huh, what is this about?".  Then the stamp of approval - Dr. Oz.  Anything that Turkish Delight of a health wiz recommends might as well be part of the Holy Grail.  So yes, I pick it up and start thumbing through.  Five pages in I decided to take it home, or I'd be at the bookstore all day.

Kimberly breaks down how to eat foods (for example, only eat fruit on an empty stomach), and how to optimize your overall health, as well as outward beauty.  Fantastic!

I've also been trying new dishes, as of late.  Adding nuts to my diet has been high on the list.  I want to make sure I'm getting enough protein!  So I picked up some almond and sunflower seed butters at the commissary.  Mid-morning I either eat oats or a wholewheat english muffin with a nut butter and fruit preserves.

PB& J for adults!

And Matt LOVES cous cous.  We both do, really, and it has been a while since we've had it.  So last night we made garlic cous cous with roasted cumin sweet potato chunks.

Oh.  My.  Gosh. 

And my good friend, Melanie, sent us an all vegan package, include udon (DROOL!), teas, and miso soup. 

I honestly have the GREATEST friends in the entire world.  Thanks Mel!