Day 30 of the Self-Love Detox Challenge!

                  

Good blessed morning!

                    

We have arrived, 30 days come and gone with loads of healthy foods, informative/encouraging posts, and scrumptious recipes! I hope this was a positive journey for you, this week you get to make your menu all by your lonesome. You can pick and choose whatever you like, maybe you'll want to keep to a rawfood vegan diet, maybe you'll continue to incorporate some fish, add back some meat, do what works best for you and yours. Prep meals in advance for the week, people may look at you funny but you're making your life easier by being ready. Food is the most difficult part of wellness for many of us and that is because time gets away from, and it's easier to grab something quick and unhealthy in those situations. That's why meal prep is so important!

                 

This is what a clean eating fridge should look like:

                       

Do not keep bad food in the house, I know it is too difficult of a temptation, if you must have some junk then force yourself to go out and get it. This will make it less appealing; because we often prefer to forgo what is not easily available. Also, get the smallest size of the item you are craving. A small bag of chips is easier to recover from than stacking your cupboards with big bags. You know who you are.

Just make an effort to stick to healthier options, keep juicing, enjoy smoothies, stay away from chemical/sugar/preservative/fake ingredient laden foods. Whole foods means real ingredients you know and can pronounce, food you don't regret eating, and that leaves you feeling satiated, vibrant, energized, and blessed. You still have these menu's to fall back on:

                   

                       

                    

                 

                  

The difference being, that you are not fasting and you can play by adding recipes, changing up the menu , and adding your own kitchen creations. Have fun with it and apply the principles you learned over the last 30 days. All recipes can be found on the site, check the labels section down below.

Also, because this was a kind of elimination diet, I would strongly suggest that if you plan on adding gluten, dairy, oats, grains, soy, or meat back to your diet; that you try one item only, per week. That way you can see what food you react negatively to, without overloading your system and being unsure what actually triggered a response. I discovered that refined sugar was responsible for arthritic-like shooting pains in my hands, shoulders and joints. I also found that I became more sensitive to poorer quality food. Its simple, our bodies instinctively know what we should and should not be ingesting.

                          

Good post on what to stay away from:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/deenashanker/health-claims-to-ignore-at-the-supermarket?utm_term=.xdZbwYMYN#.jlRxmjZjr

                         

This is an easy chart that will help you understand how to choose clean and environmentally friendly organic produce.

                     

                          

A whole plate looks like the above and below are portion sizes simplified, based on your hand. No fuss and easy to recall.

                          

So, remember kiddies:

And don't forget the importance of exercise:

             

I found some really great smoothie recipes on Pinterest, I know, I am a Pinterest binger. Let's not judge, hehheh.

                              

Summer holidays apply to this next delicious looking number.

                           

This detox water is too pretty and cinnamon has so many health benefits!

                              

http://carbswitch.com/2015/04/29/low-carb-cleanse-drink/

                               

I am including this turmeric smoothie because turmeric is great for inflammation. If you are really struggling with pain from inflammation, there is also something called golden milk. Apparently it is great as a cancer fighting drink and general all over health elixir.  You CAN find a video for it on YouTube, and I will be trying this out myself, in May. Will let you know how it goes then.

                         

I have touched on nightshades in previous posts but want to make mention of it here again, especially with regards to inflammation, aches, pain, food sensitivity, and those with chronic kidney and liver issues. Most people are not even aware what these are and how bad they can be for us. Why is that?

Nightshades taste great! 

We use them A LOT, however they are very hard on our organs and should only be consumed sparingly. 

If you are unwell, in constant pain, suffering from inflammation or seem to be responding negatively to things like salads, spicy foods, potato dishes, etc. You may be having problems with foods from the nightshade family and should try steering clear for 7-14 days, to see if these may be the culprits. It seems extreme but there are autoimmune protocols that specifically insist one removes these permanently, and it's with good reason. Here is a list and there is a link below to some more information should you need to learn more.

                               

Link:
http://paleomagazine.com/list-of-nightshades-foods

                

Well done to all of you who have tried this challenge!

If you are thinking about starting to do this, there's always plenty of information, recipes, and support to be found on this blog. Leave your questions and comments down below, I love to hear from you and don't forget to keep a heart of gratitude and loads of love for yourself.

Keep it simple, as close to nature as God intended, fill your thoughts with kindness towards others and yourself, and last but not least-remember to rest without guilt. You go you good thing you!

                            

                Abba love and bless you all!

            

Trout w/ Seasoning & Roast Vegetables, Day 29 of The 30 Day Self-LoveDetox Challenge

Morning health warriors,

It's day 29 and we are almost at the finish line for our 30 day challenge. Because we end tomorrow, today's post is a recipe for this scrumptious fish dish. I want you to have a few more healthy recipes to add to your roster, that are simple and taste great!

It uses a West Indian spice mix that I get from the specialty shop. These spices can also be found on amazon.

There are several brands you can choose from, ranging from fish seasoning's to jerk seasoning. Jerk seasoning is very spicy but the fish seasoning is not, it contains papaya and I find people find it tastes so good. I have gotten non-fish eater's to gobble up their serving and ask for seconds. The one I use is called Islander's Fish Seasoning, and it looks like this:

That's the packaging and this is what the spice looks like:

These are some of the other companies:

ROASTED VEGETABLES

Preheated oven to 375 degrees F

Ingredients:

1 Red pepper, seeded and sliced

1 Zuchinni sliced into sticks

1 Yellow onion sliced

1 Pkg Sliced Mushrooms

Herb seasoned salt like Herbamare

Black pepper

Dried thyme

Method:

-On a parchment lined tray lay each vegetable out in its own row. A line of peppers, a line of onions, a line of mushrooms, and a line of zucchini.

-Sprinkle seasonings over vegetable to taste, I use about 2 tsps combined, total.

-Sprinkle about 2-3  Tbsp over vegetables.

-Place tray in oven and roast for 1 hour until well cooked. 

-Serve with fish and salad

TROUT WITH ISLANDER'S FISH SEASONING & ROASTED VEGETABLES

Ingredients:

1 Filet of trout

1/2 tsp Fish seasoning

1/4 tsp Fresh black pepper

1/2 tsp Fresh thyme

1 Clove garlic crushed

1 tsp Extra virgin olive oil

Method:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

-Wipe down filet with a paper towel

-Sprinkle spices all over the fish

-Spread garlic over fish

-Sprinkle olive oil over fish

-Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until fish is flaky and cooked through.

-Serve with roasted vegetables and side salad.

The salad recipe is the avocado scallion salad from another post, you can find it in the labels section below.

Come back tomorrow and have fun making this recipe.

Anxiety & Strategies to Overcome Fear Day 28 Self-Love Detox Challenge

            

Today I want to talk about a subject that is very close to my heart and I feel is very apropos, for the self-love part of this 30 day challenge. We're discussing fear & anxiety and the impact, reality, ways to cope, & how and why we need to.

Overcoming anxiety and the fears that quickly rise like a wave of terror, threatening to drown you is important; for the very simple reason that you are in horrible pain. Much of which is hidden and causes you to suffer in silence.

           

              I used to struggle feeling like this all the time before I got the help I needed:

                                 

It took a long time to seek out that help because I didn't understand what was happening to me, I was isolating, retreating, so I could protect myself, and avoid freaking out in public. It was terrifying to be exposed, alone, and unsure how bad an episode might be; so I kept to myself and started to venture outside less and less. 

                               

This became so bad that I began to experience debilitating panic and very real physical symptoms, the moment I even tried to put my hand on the doorknob. 

Outside became impossible, inside felt safe, but I was not cocooning myself in security. 

I was allowing myself to become trapped by a multitude of fears, real & imagined. 

It was not until I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and informed of all the symptom, as well as treatment plans, that I finally stopped feeling crazy. BTW, it took a round of 6 tries before I finally found the right people and help. It was a seriously infuriating and maze like road.

             

Anxiety and depression still carry tremendous stigma in our society, and I believe it stems from three places. 

1-We are still learning so much about the brain and what we know and understand now, is still pretty new in our human history. In early world wars, soldiers would be suffering from PTSD but this term had yet to be coined and the effects and symptoms were not understood. It was classified as neurasthenia, a type of fragility that was viewed by some as a weak and flimsy excuse to get out of war service. 

This is the dictionaries definition:

Neurasthenia: an ill-defined medical condition characterized by lassitude, fatigue, headache, and irritability, associated chiefly with emotional disturbance.

This is now understood to be something completely different, valid, real, and is taken seriously; as it should be. 

2-It makes us uncomfortable because we realize that we are all vulnerable to the realities of anxiety, depression, as well as the after effects of trauma, and we do not like it. Vulnerable=weak and that is perceived as bad, instead of as an opportunity for growth and reaching max potential for a better quality of life.

3-We are not socialized/taught about these issues in school or at home, and the ignorance is detrimental.We prefer to brush it off, make light of it, and not bother to learn more so we can be effectively helpful and supportive. Often the wrong things are said, which make the person saying them feel better because they can extricate themselves from what puts them at ill-ease, but it further damages the individual who really needs compassion, kindness, and support.

Asking for help is crucial and one of the most difficult steps; facing rejection, ridicule, and disdain are further damaging and can lead to people seeking other and more dangerous ways of coping. 

Such as: self-medicating, addiction, abusing others, self-harm, and even suicide.

If people are telling you that your anxiety is all in your head, that you should do better and stop complaining, why aren't you stronger, why isn't your faith stronger, why don't you just get over it, it's not that bad, you're dumping your problems on others, or you are just downright melodramatic; look at the ways that anxiety impacts the body:

                                       

I am placing this post as part of the detox challenge because when we make changes to our diet, juice fast, get out junk, and commit to a healthier lifestyle, several things have been known to happen.

Some people become really emotional, have crying jags, fuzzy head, experience anxiety/depression, feel overwhelmed by their emotions, and find it difficult to cope. Old wounds and unhealed places in us surface and need our attention. 

Do not ignore this and if you cannot go it alone, I am asking you to please seek help; and if you cannot find it right away, keep searching and fighting your way to it until you find it. 

Do not give up, you matter!

That brings us to another point, the people in our lives.

Sometimes you are changing and people around you will not like it, they will try to minimize what you are going through, they may try to sabotage your attempts to incorporate positive change, you may have to move away from toxic people and situations because they no longer serve you and are causing more harm than good. Be warned, when you begin to demand change, because you are able to recognize what is harming you, people who benefit from your silence will not like it. You need to recognize that they like the status quo because they get something out of it, that does not mean they have your best interests at heart. I am not saying every person is horrible, I am saying trust what you know, and people's actions really do speak louder than their words.

I liked this:

                                 

When I first started reaching out for help I got some whopper comments, horrible responses, and some rather painful rejections from people I believed in. 

I came to realize that I was on a journey they could not be a part of, that there are times in this life when humans lack the capacity to be whom/what you need, and that God is the best one to comfort and love me. It was not easy, sometimes it can still be difficult, even lonely, but it is worth it. 

                                   

I eliminated those that were harming, detracting from, hurting, refusing my means of communication, and dismissive of my very real pain. 

I eventually found people who cared, wanted better for me, were and are still patient and loving to this very day. I give God thanks, it has been a 20 year road. I am still on it but I stumble much less, have more good days than bad, and reach out to friend's and God when it all becomes too much.

                                          

I learned that I have to love and place myself as a priority, I have to honour my truth, and that there are ways to find some semblance of peace. It is not a quick fix but it is possible.

I want to mention that I used natural alternatives to modern medicine as I do not like taking drugs. I used skullcap in tincture form aka liquid form to ease my anxiety and I used Gaba, an amino acid to sleep better and help support my brain. These were recommended by a naturopath along with elimination of all toxic body and house care products, as well as no sugar, no caffeine or allergen triggers, and loads of rest, sunshine, walks, and kindness. To this day I use skullcap when I have an episode or too much stress is triggering anxiety attacks, I go with it and do not ignore or fight what my body is telling me.

I highly recommend you seek out naturopaths with experience in this domain and if you choose to take these natural products, do not mix them, do not over dose-follow the instructions, and be super gentle with yourself. Surround yourself with people who love and accept you, as well as respecting who you are, imperfections and all!

                           

                                         

Check out the sites that follow, to get the help you may need.

http://www.highanxieties.org/archives/3932

                                          

Should you need more information, some validation of what you are experiencing with regards to PTSD, I found this site and it is a good beginning place.

"PTSD and PTSD symptoms are real and real science says you can't just get over it. Here are 3 important facts on how trauma affects the brain." www.HealthyPlace.com

http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/traumaptsdblog/2013/10/23/ptsd-symptoms-what-people-need-to-know/

Wednesday Important Detox Juicing Info. Day 20 of The Self-Love Detox Challenge

                    

Picture courtesy of:

http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/30-days-of-juicing/

Morning health warriors!

It's Wednesday and I know that for this Self-Love Detox Challenge, I have been posting menu's on Friday but this week I will be posting it on Thursday. It is pretty much a re-post of the juice segment from last Friday's menu but I have added a whole leap of other juice recipes for you to choose from. The reason I am posting it earlier is because I want you to begin juicing this Friday and that means you need to be ready in advance. I buy my fruits and vegetables along with water and supplements, the 1-2 days before I start my cleanse. I don't like having to do energy draining tasks the first 48 hours of juicing; and shopping is energy draining. The first 24 hours my body is adjusting to going without food and I have been known to experience mild headaches, feeling more tired than usual, and running to the bathroom for more #'s 1&2. This is normal, it's another reason I like to stick close to home, do very gentle stretching or a short walk, (remember to not be too far from a washroom) and lots of water, juices, and rest as I need it. Don't fight the urges to rest, it's good for you.

                          

I have been known to tell people that I will be away for 3 days and won't be bringing my cel or any electronics as it is a health retreat. I don't care if it's not 100% truthful, I car about my health & creating an opportunity to succeed at what I am doing. Juice/liquid fasts are serious business & they are not to be entered willy nilly, without proper prep, or without true commitment. I am giving you 3 days to do this, I like doing 7 days when time and finances allow but a solid three days is great for a seasonal boost. 

I also do colonic irrigation as it helps with elimination, eases detox symptoms-which are worse for eczema or psoriasis sufferers, and it cuts the headaches big times!

    

It's not for everyone & I am not judging those who don't want to do this. I am only giving it as a recommendation, I used to get them done professionally, then I studied colonic irrigation, and now I do them at home with an enema kit I bought at the pharmacy.

                          

I know some of you might not like this topic but it's important to know about. My first liquid detox was a thousand times worse than it had to be, and it was all because I detoxes too much, too quickly, and my skin suffered horribly for it. I have never had an eczema flare like that before and it would have been completely avoided, if I had known about colonic irrigation. It was a Naturopath, a client, and a Rabbi, who taught me about detox and the importance of elimination in the colon. I am including a link to a video from YouTube that shows you how to do a home colonic safely. This is something you should discuss with a health provider before attempting, especially if you have a medical condition. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZEqQlOYXSo   

BTW, I DO NOT recommend coffee enema's or anything other than a water enema/colonic. That's my personal and professional opinion. Also, enema's and colonic's are not an every day thing, they are for use during cleanses or as a medical professional suggests. People get hooked on these types of methods because they result in rapid weight loss, however, our bodies have a very efficient, effective, and properly constructed method of expelling waste. Irrigating the colon is only needed for specific reason's and for short periods of time.

If you are not comfortable performing a home enema, by all means go to a professional. Just research, check qualifications, and reviews before hand. Personally, when I juice fast, a colonic every day is a necessity. 

I would also like to suggest that you clean your home and especially your bathroom, really well, before your fast begins. You will not have the energy to do these things and you will feel much better attempting this in a clean and sanitary environment. 

The benefits of colonic irrigation: 

 

        

I also highly recommend that you do not change or stop taking medication that your doctor has prescribed you, while cleansing. You must consult your health provider before beginning any detox program and juicing is no different. Try to seek out a Naturopath who will listen to you and knows about juicing. My family doctor was big on natural alternative's and had no qualms about my juicing but I did stick to taking my probiotics, my thyroid meds, and I slowed down on days I needed to. I also drink loads of spring water and detox water when juice fasting.

I am going to focus on those of you with adrenal, thyroid, and autoimmune issues for a moment.

Juicing is a great way to kick start a sluggish metabolism, support the body's natural desire for health, to detox, and turn over a new healthy leaf. However, if you struggle with the above mentioned issues, you need to be aware of some important things. 

1-Take it easy on goitrogenic foods that could worsen your thyroid's functionality. Here is an info-graphic on goitrogens:

         

I personally do not have a problem with almonds, flax, pumpkin seeds or figs. I eat from the above listed foods sparingly and usually have them cooked when I can.

I incorporate a bit of cabbage, peaches, strawberries, and pears when juicing but it's about 2 juices over my whole juice fast. I know my body, I listen to what it's telling me on any given day, I am aware that on some days my thyroid is not operating well and I respect what my body needs & doesn't need.

2-I have incorporated bone broth on liquid fasts when my thyroid was particularly bad and my body was in autoimmune response over drive. I am including links to my bone broth recipe & Dr. Josh Axe's site, he helped me with a lot of issues that modern medecine, specialist's, tests, and regular doctor's, were just not finding or listening to me about. I would also recommend the Stop The Thyroid Madness blog if you are struggling, all your tests come back as normal but you know something is wrong, and you need help or have question's, that you are not finding or getting answers to,

3-Drink juices that support your thyroid. I always include them in my fasts and they do make a difference. 

4-Don't push it! And this applies to everyone doing a juice/liquid cleanse, you cannot expect to be well if you abuse your body, no matter how well nourished it is. I mean it when I say rest, gentle exercises, and kindness to yourself. Self-Love, there is a reason why the word self is first.

5-You may want to keep a 3 day juice journal. The reason why is because some juices may negatively or positively impact your body more than others. I know that when I took a mix of carrots, apples, a beet with a know of ginger and a stalk of celery, that juice made my energy levels sky rocket! I was hyper but super charged and happy. It's good to take notes, so you can refer back to them and decide which juices make you feel the best; this way you can incorporate them in your daily routine, even after the juice fast is done.

6- Drink when you need to, don't deny yourself juice because you think you're having too much. These juices are your source of nutrients, let yourself have them. My first day is usually 6-7 juices and then my second day goes up, along with having warm almond milk and all the other recommended liquids. I feel fine and full.

7- Lastly, I suggest getting some Tulsi tea, I like Pukka Three Tulsi tea. It's a bit pricey but I feel really great when I drink it, it's also known as Holy Basil tea and is purported to have a number of health benefits. I discovered that I feel much better and less sluggish when I drink it, on bad thyroid days. I also drink lemon, ginger, fig-wort detox tea in the morning and just before bed. These support my detox process and ease digestive issues.

                                                             

  

     

  

Numbers 4-7 really apply to everyone but are most important to those with thyroid difficulties. 

Here are some info-graphic's to help you out. Keep coming back, don't forget to subscribe & leave questions or comments down below.

  

                                    

http://thekinkycoconut.blogspot.ca/2015/02/paleo-bone-broth.html  (recipe)

http://draxe.com/the-healing-power-of-bone-broth-for-digestion-arthritis-and-cellulite/   

Should you want more info, here is a link to a previous spring cleanse I did with some background on why and how I got into liquid fasts:

http://thekinkycoconut.blogspot.ca/2015/05/spring-cleanse-liquid-fast-clear-green.html 

Take care & be well sweetpea's...