Thank you for this accountability opportunity. I anticipate 10 days of eating clean will set a much healthier tone for my life in the weeks ahead. Although most programs recommend completely eliminating caffeine I have not done that--simply decreased my usual 2-3 cups of coffee to 1 cup. In addition I add coconut oil and cinnamon to my coffee for an added boost of healthy fat and immunity. I recently read a study that indicates coffee may decrease risk of Alzheimer's disease which runs in my family,thus, for the sake of brain function, I reserve the right to my morning cup of joe! I met Ron for lunch at the sushi restaurant on Thursday and ordered delicious whole food, steamed Edamame. These soy beans are full of protein, low in carbs, and high in fiber leaving me quite satisfied. Friday I had scheduled a tennis match through the "floating singles" league. Women sign up to play other women of similar ability over the course of 3 months. It is challenging competitive play and I am glad I committed to the matches during our dreary spring. Two hours and 3 sets later we congratulated each other for our mutually surprising aggressive play. Honestly, I felt better on Friday just from two days of eating whole foods and drinking lots of lemon water than I had in months.
"Crybaby" Boobie first appeared on July 5, 1978, but was first referred to a few days earlier. She usually appears as Snoopy and Molly Volley's competitor in tennis matches. "Crybaby" Boobie usually wears a polka dotted tennis dress. Her specialty on the tennis court is whining about how everything is unfair (except when she wins a game], hence her nickname, "Crybaby". The only thing that seems to quiet her down is a punch or kick from Snoopy or being told to shut up by Molly Volley.
(I can't help but sympathize with "Crybaby" Boobie---either we know one or we are one!)
Once home from tennis I received a text from Ron saying he and the kids were planning to visit La Bamba (his collegiate meal-plan) in Madison for dinner. This Mexican restaurant's slogan: "Burritos as big as your head." They were spending the day watching high school state basketball semi-finals; stellar players and effort. At the same time I was preparing to juice beets to which Ron replied, "yuck." I had bought them a few weeks ago based on recommendations from Drew Canole's Juicing Vegetables but never quite found the motivation to blend them. This 10 day detox however was the perfect excuse to try something new. So I sent Ron this picture...we are so different! And they were a bit yuck but only because I didn't think to blend an apple or pear to camouflage the bitter flavor.
Auburn agreed to go to beginner yoga with me this morning at Yoga One in Cedarburg--under one condition--we visit Amy's Candy Kitchen afterwards. Auburn affirmed the class was excellent and her participation treat even better. It might just become a Saturday morning tradition. I do want my kids to develop healthy coping strategies. Activities that emphasize peaceful relationships, discipline, personal awareness and respect for one's body only improve the longevity of our body, our only vehicle for life's journey.
One additional note, it was called to my attention that a small dose of honey mixed with cinnamon offers an array of benefits. I did take a teaspoon full before my tennis match Friday and believe it was helpful. I will attach a little information about its' benefits--there is much more to be found on the web.
Honey
Antioxidant Effects
Honey, particularly darker honey, such as buckwheat honey, is a rich source of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, that exert significant antioxidant activity.
Energy-Enhancing Effects
Honey is an excellent source of readily available carbohydrate, a chief source of quick energy.
Wound-Healing Properties
The wound-healing properties of honey may be its most promising medicinal quality. Honey has been used topically as an antiseptic therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcers, burns, and wounds for centuries.
Anticancer Benefits
Propolis contains well-researched phytochemicals that have numerous cancer-preventing and antitumor properties. Read more at http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/honey.asp#BeWTCJKQ6fxXC1Z5.99
Beets
1. Beets are nature’s Viagra Seriously. One of the first known uses of beets was by the ancient Romans, who used them medicinally as an aphrodisiac. And that’s not just urban legend – science backs it up. Beets contain high amounts of boron, which is directly related to the production of human sex hormones.
2. Beets are high in many vitamins and minerals Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid. These are but a few of the many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can be found in beets and beet greens. Beets are particularly beneficial to women whom are pregnant, as the vitamin B and iron are very beneficial to new growth cells during pregnancy and replenishing iron in the woman’s body.
3. Beets cleanse the body They are a wonderful tonic for the liver, works as a purifier for the blood, and can prevent various forms of cancer. Nuff said, right? Tastes good and prevents cancer? Sign me up!
4. Beets help your mental health Beets contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate. Beets can also lower your blood pressure. So if you’re already steamed about not eating beets, you can get a two-fer by diving into them right away.
5. Beets are used as a stomach acid tester How in the world does that work? Glad you asked. If you are eating a lot of beets or beet juice, and your pee turns pink, guess what? You have low stomach acid. Pee still clear? Ratchet it up and get juicing (use the greens too)! Nutritionists use beets and beet juice to test stomach acid levels, so stay ahead of the curve by adding beets to your diet now.
6. Beets are a high source of energy At the same time they are low in calories and high in sugar (although the sugar is released into your system gradually, as opposed to chocolate). Very few foods found in the natural world are as beneficial as beets in this regard.
Beets are a wonderful addition to any dietary need. With their high volume of nutrients, delicious taste, and multitude of uses, anyone can jump right into beets without missing a beat. (http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/10/6-health-benefits-of-eating-beets/#s.affvbfo3yaiaa)
Thank you for reading!
One additional note, it was called to my attention that a small dose of honey mixed with cinnamon offers an array of benefits. I did take a teaspoon full before my tennis match Friday and believe it was helpful. I will attach a little information about its' benefits--there is much more to be found on the web.
Honey
Antioxidant Effects
Honey, particularly darker honey, such as buckwheat honey, is a rich source of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, that exert significant antioxidant activity.
Energy-Enhancing Effects
Honey is an excellent source of readily available carbohydrate, a chief source of quick energy.
Wound-Healing Properties
The wound-healing properties of honey may be its most promising medicinal quality. Honey has been used topically as an antiseptic therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcers, burns, and wounds for centuries.
Anticancer Benefits
Propolis contains well-researched phytochemicals that have numerous cancer-preventing and antitumor properties. Read more at http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/honey.asp#BeWTCJKQ6fxXC1Z5.99
Beets
1. Beets are nature’s Viagra Seriously. One of the first known uses of beets was by the ancient Romans, who used them medicinally as an aphrodisiac. And that’s not just urban legend – science backs it up. Beets contain high amounts of boron, which is directly related to the production of human sex hormones.
2. Beets are high in many vitamins and minerals Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid. These are but a few of the many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can be found in beets and beet greens. Beets are particularly beneficial to women whom are pregnant, as the vitamin B and iron are very beneficial to new growth cells during pregnancy and replenishing iron in the woman’s body.
3. Beets cleanse the body They are a wonderful tonic for the liver, works as a purifier for the blood, and can prevent various forms of cancer. Nuff said, right? Tastes good and prevents cancer? Sign me up!
4. Beets help your mental health Beets contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate. Beets can also lower your blood pressure. So if you’re already steamed about not eating beets, you can get a two-fer by diving into them right away.
5. Beets are used as a stomach acid tester How in the world does that work? Glad you asked. If you are eating a lot of beets or beet juice, and your pee turns pink, guess what? You have low stomach acid. Pee still clear? Ratchet it up and get juicing (use the greens too)! Nutritionists use beets and beet juice to test stomach acid levels, so stay ahead of the curve by adding beets to your diet now.
6. Beets are a high source of energy At the same time they are low in calories and high in sugar (although the sugar is released into your system gradually, as opposed to chocolate). Very few foods found in the natural world are as beneficial as beets in this regard.
Beets are a wonderful addition to any dietary need. With their high volume of nutrients, delicious taste, and multitude of uses, anyone can jump right into beets without missing a beat. (http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/10/6-health-benefits-of-eating-beets/#s.affvbfo3yaiaa)
Thank you for reading!
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