Grocery shopping, weight loss stories, and hot yoga!

I went to the grocery today and stocked up on all my favorite fruits and veggies. I can't believe I am saying this, but it was actually fun! The kids were behaving and so many things looked good! I buy a lot of frozen organic fruit at Costco during the fall and winter and we went there first. The Vita-Mix demonstrator was there today doing his thing. He made a great drink -- 3 cups of grapes and a slice of lemon (peel and all). Jake and Emma couldn't wait to get a sample. We all liked it; needless to say we bought some grapes and lemons. I'll be making that again!

Today I saw a couple of people I haven't seen in several months. They were astonished at how much weight I have lost and wanted to know how much I have lost and what I have been doing to lose it. It felt so good to get such a reaction! I told them all I had done was become a raw vegan. We ended up having a 20 minute conversation about what kinds of things I eat and how much healthier I look and feel. One girls mind was ticking, I could tell she was considering it. It is such a joy to share my story with other people.

I am thinking about enrolling Jake, Emma, and I in a trial hot yoga class. They are willing and I am interested. My sister-in-law used to take a hot yoga class and she loved it! I am wanting some fitness for myself and some physical education for the kids. If you've ever participated in a hot yoga class I would love to hear from you about what you thought! I talked to a teacher this morning and she thought the kids could definitely do it. I will let you know what we decide.

Hands on research and experimentation

The new book I ordered off of amazon got here today and I have been devouring it!  I feel the need to learn more and more about what goes into my body and the bodies of my family.  The more I read the more I cannot believe how ignorant I have been.  One of the quotes in it is from Oscar Wilde, "The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."  Can I get an Amen?

The book I is by Victoria Boutenko, 12 Steps to Raw Foods.  I have just finished Part I and I already highly recommend it.  I am learning so much.  While my family is benefiting from my eating raw foods, I still cook for them and they are still eating animal products.  They get much more raw foods than they previously did and eat much less cooked food and animal products, but I am wondering if it is enough.  Just this week Phillip has had borderline pneumonia and Emma has complained of headaches and her ear hurting.  Funny thing is that this afternoon when she complained about another headache I made her a huge green smoothie (which she loved), and within a half hour her headache was gone.  Coincidence, possibly, but I don't think so.

How do I get kids to drink greens?  Easy.  They taste good!  I promise.  Just try it.  Here is the recipe for the one I made today:

two large handfuls of spinach

1 cup papaya

2 ripe bananas

2 kiwis

1 cup of water (good water)

2 cups of ice (made from good water)

1 -2 tablespoons of agave nectar

Blend all ingredients in the Vita mix.

My kids gave me a face when they saw the color, but once I convinced them to taste it, they loved it!  I hope you do, too!

TGIF

I am so glad that today is Friday!  We don't have any real plans, in fact, Phillip (my four year old) is sick, but it will be nice to have some down time.  We rented a couple of movies, so we will just "veg-out" and watch movies.  

I have been full of energy today!  That is the number one benefit of eating raw for me.  My energy level has shot through the roof!  AND I AM HAPPY!  The boost of energy is helping me get so much stuff done; I am even cleaning my house.  I don't know about you, but in my house cleaning usually happens with a scowl on my face, and getting my kids to help usually only happens after a few tears, pouting, and a bit of yelling (possibly even a little bribery).  Today however, I was bouncing around here and singing while cleaning the toilet. Don't get me wrong, cleaning the toilet is not exactly my idea of a good time, but the task was manageable and I was even able to get Jake (my 12 year old) and Emma (my 10 year old) to help today, too!  I made them a super-berry shake this morning for breakfast and they have also been happy, helpful, and full of energy today!  The recipe for the shake:

A cup of mixed frozen berries (for us, it was blueberries, blackberries, rasberries, and brambleberries)

A cup of water

A tablespoon (give or take  little) of raw honey

a large handful of spinach

  ** Blend in the vita-mix, half a strawberry on the side of the glass, and add a straw.

The kids think they are getting special treatment because of the presentation and the name of the drink.  We all started off the day on a good foot!  Phillip is still not sure of the shake, but I will keep offering them to him.