My continued "Raw Foods" journey...

Last August when a dear friend introduced me to the concept of Raw Foods, I felt so inspired and ready, that nine months later I feel even more alive and radiant. As a result, my body became 15 lbs. lighter, lots of new hair growth, higher energy level daily, lighter digestive system and just amazing overall well-being!

I am still learning and fine tuning a balanced Raw Foods meal planning that is right for me. I have to say that changing to a plant-based diet/ raw foods requires a period of time, maybe a year minimum, for the body's chemistry to adapt, stabilize and for the mind to accept this new natural way of relating to foods. The social pressure, habits and our own beliefs and rules about food/nutrition go deep in our DNA programming.

The many health benefits of being on a Raw Food/Plant-based diet are so rewarding once you go through the adaptation process. I feel healthier, younger, and still have many friends that will comment on how much smaller and healthier I look.

For me, this new way of relating with whole live foods and their preparation has become my way of contributing towards a healthier me and this in turn is a benefit to others that view my example. We can all make this change, if we really want to, become healthier, vibrant and most of all Happy with ourselves!

Educate yourself, make a decision to take responsibility for your own health, have a support group or coach and don't wait another day to start a healthier New YOU!

I may be reached for coaching or support.

To your health,
~Madelin

"My pot garden"

You may have though I started to grow a "pot (marijuana) garden?"...not quite!
I finally decided to start my veggie/herb garden and this time in pots.

No matter where we plant a seed as long as it has soil for nutrients, water to hydrate and sun for energy...they will live and grow!

I water my plants daily. Simply watering makes them come alive after a sunny day. I can truly feel their joy when watered. Now I understand why my dad loves farming as a hobby, he loves to care for his plants and the joy after they complete their full cycle of growth to receive their fruits...what JOY to watch a growing plant give its fruits!

In apparent stillness life lives, grows, and gives fruits. Nature is truly amazing!

When can one know the Way?

So, when is the leaf not part of the tree?
When are you not a part of me?
When is the day not the night?
When is the wrong not the right?
When is my question not my answer?
When is my stillness not my dancer?
When is my end not my beginning?
When is my living not my dying?
The figure and the ground
are inseparable,
interdependent,
mutually arising.
Only when reality is non-dual
can I know the Way. -jf


"The surest sign of a genius [I'd say peacemaker] is the ability to hold two disparate ideas in your hands at the same time, and learn from them both."
-A. Einstein.

The very notion of only two options (good or bad), shows how firmly the mind is bound to dualism.

Journey

~ The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~ Lao Tzu

Healthful Raw Foods

Feeling Vibrant & Alive on a Raw Food Diet

Vibrant and alive is what my friends notice about me lately. Two months ago dear friend introduced me to the concept of Raw Foods.
I had already been modifying my diet, and specially after a diagnosis of melanoma on a mole, and then surgery. I carefully listened to his experience and knowledge, and felt a readiness to immerse myself in this Raw Food Diet.

I purchased a raw foods recipe book, cleaned my refrigerator of what I no longer was going to eat, and began my journey of experimenting with delicious recipes. I was totally blown away how tasty, delicious, and fast it was to make these...no cooking time involved! I am still carefully planning my meals to receive all the necessary nutrients that the body requires for optimum energy.

I'm finding that I can't rush myself, but feel so excited because the benefits have shown up rapidly. I have been feeling amazing energy level, lighter, and as a bonus have lost some weight. My skin is no longer dry, it just looks radiant. My digestion and elimination are so much better. I have also noticed having less inflammation on hands, as well as more salivation due to more hydration in the digestive tract.

Daily exercise, conscious breathing have also been very important. Making me feel more toned muscles, flexibility, as well as mental clarity and higher energy level. Reducing and providing overall balance of chemistry released from stress.

Happy mind = Happy body!!!

We all definitely have to make some lifestyle changes to a more natural and healthier one. My time has finally come up to once again go back to basics, to this healthier and vibrant way of living with healthier choices for optimum health.

I am committed to "consciously practice" a Healthful Living Lifestyle that for so long I did not follow through completely because of environmental and social influence. I guess where there is a will or need, there is a way. I found my way. Hope you find yours too, or on your way there!!!

I will continue to share with you my findings and benefits of this Raw Food Diet, and hope that in some small way it may benefit and inspire you as well towards your own healthier lifestyle.

To your health,
Madelin

- Albert Einstein

"A human being is part of the whole, called by us 'universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest -- a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
- Albert Einstein, 1921

My Raw Food Kitchen

My first raw food dish...yummy!

It has been three weeks now that I went back to a plant-based nutrition, and began by trying new recipes with raw food. I had no idea how fast and tasty these recipes were. I got so excited that I began to share this dish with a few friends when they came to visit, and they absolutely loved how tasty, simple, and fast it was to make.

Didn't want you to miss this delicious "Raw Pasta" with raw zucchini, and sun-dried tomato sauce. You have to try it...Bon appetit!

Ingredients (makes 4 servings)
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1 small garlic clove
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loose packed
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon or lime, about 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon pitted dates
1 teaspoon oregano, fresh or dried
1/2 teaspoon rosemary, fresh or dried
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes
1 teaspoon coarsley chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 medium zucchini (1 3/4 pounds)

Directions
Sauce - in a blender, combine the fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, lemon juice, dates, oregano, rosemary, and salt until smooth. Add sun-dried tomatoes and blend until mixed well. The sun-dried tomatoes will absorb excess moisture and make your marinara thicker.
Zucchini - Using a mandoline, or julienne slicer, cut the zucchini in strips resembling spaghetti. Transfer the zucchini noodles to a bowl. Add the marinara sauce, toss to coat and serve immediately.

The marinara can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

(Recipe by Ani Phyo)