Smoothies!

     As you know I have been hypernourishing myself for a while now.  I have learned a lot, and really went into it blindly.  I trust the good doctor that helped devise this protocol, but then I got to thinking, I really should do my own research on this.  We should never ever just go into anything blindly.  So I looked up some of the ingredients in this concoction. 

     Kale, now you can use spinach, but I can't as I make a lot of kidney stones.  Spinach contains high levels of calcium oxalates, and there in lies the problem.  So kale it is.  Did you know that kale is in the cabbage family?  I didn't.  It is super easy to grow, and I might plant it in my garden this summer because I can freeze it for my smoothies.  Why eat kale?  It is low in calories, high in fiber and contains alpha linoleic ALA acid.  This fatty acid is good for brain health, reduces type 2 diabetes risk, and boosts heart health.

     Kale is the new beef meaning it contains iron.  It's important to have high hemoglobin (blood count) in your system, and it helps with our energy.  Don't worry, it's not constipating at all.  Just the opposite.  Iron also helps with cell growth!  

     Kale contains 88% of our daily recommendations for vitamin C more than an orange, and vitamin K to help maintains bone health.  It also helps stop the build up of calcium in your tissues that can lead to stroke and atherosclerosis.   It contains 192% vitamin A which helps our teeth, skin and helps prevent urinary stones!  Okay, I'm there!  

     Kale also contains more calcium than milk, and milk is not the kind of calcium you want.  That is another article though.  Kale doesn't leach calcium out of our bones.  It will protect us from osteoporosis, and hip fractures that so often plague our elderly. 

     Kale also is a great antioxidants key ingredients are quercitin and kaempferol.  Research has shown that these play a role in preventing cancer cell formation.  

     Kale also helps with inflammation.  Because kale is high in vitamin K and omega 3 fatty acids, it helps with inflammation which causes issues with autoimmune diseases like asthma and arthritis.

     Kale also is a good detox ingredient.  It helps our livers by ridding our bodies of toxins.  

     Kale is a power house food!  I try to have a green smoothie everyday.  It's a great way to get all your greens in.  Also because the membranes of the greens are ruptured it's easier for our bodies to assimilate the nutrients found in kale.  

     My smoothies also contain 1/4-1/2 cup of flax seeds.  I will talk about those in my next article!

     Here are my smoothies for my 3 day work week.  I threw them in the freezer, and I will just process them in the mornings before work.  I can't drink all of it before work, so I drink at least half before and then when I get home at 8.  Cheers!

 http://dailynaturalremedies.com/9-benefits-of-kale/9/ 

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/30/kale-facts-nutrition-info_n_3671210.html

The Intelligence of Animals

     When I started this 2 years ago (man that went fast!) I did not do this for the animals.  I started eating a plant based diet strictly for my health.  My blood pressure was high, I was over weight, and sluggish.  So 2 years ago on January 1st, I started eating healthier.  I have to admit there were set backs, and still I have a hard time not cheating.  I don't cheat by eating meat, I have tasted it here and there, but it doesn't taste good at all!  My issue is with sugar.  I have an extremely hard time not cheating with sugar!

     As the years have rolled on, I have come in contact with a lot of education.  I have talked to many people, and I have learned so much!  I have found what I'm passionate about.  I could talk about nutrition to anyone and everyone.  Well, at least if they will listen.

     Along with that education, has come a lot of information about animals along with factory farms, cruelty and madness.  I think I have mentioned before as a child going to pick up my father from work, and he worked across the street from a slaughter house.  The stench was awful, but sadly as a child I didn't put two and two together. 

     So how intelligent are animals really?  I used to think that cows were the dumbest animal on the planet, but studies have been done that tell us this isn't the case.  Apparently cows have good memories.  They recognize faces, and even after years they still know someone.  They don't eat plants that aren't good for them, and if they are feeling ill they eat plants that help them to feel better.  I have seen films of calves being taken away from their mothers.  I can't even imagine.  The mothers have been know to cry for their babies for hours, even days.  That to me is just so cruel!  Apparently cows have a leader in their groups.  If there is one cow that doesn't want to listen, that cow is isolated from the rest.  They also can learn tricks just like a dog.  Watch this video.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK-4-5eYRwc  Love this so much! 

     Who likes pigs?  The little ones are so dang cute!  My daughter at one time wanted a mini pig, but we later discovered that mini pigs don't exist.  It's just a scam to make money.  Pigs are highly intelligent.  A study at Cambridge University did a study on pigs, and found out that pigs will recognize themselves in a mirror, that they understand how mirrors work and can use mirrors to find food.  They also will play games in order to get treats.  Some say that they are a dirty animal, and hate the fact that they role in mud, but it's just a way to stay cool.  Researchers have discovered that pigs are as intelligent as a 3 year old child.  Here is another video about a pig named Nelly.  Very interesting.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKgfCH_Phk

     When we lived in Utah, we had the opportunity to bottle raise a couple of goats.  My children enjoyed this immensely.  We found out just how smart they were, and that they loved the affection that we gave them.  We would sit in the backyard in chairs, and they would crawl up into our laps for some love.  I wish I had pictures of this.  Queen University in London did an experiment to see if they could train goats to solve puzzles.  I will let you read the article here.  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/never-underestimate-goat-not-stupid-looks-180950265/

     As you can see these animals are intelligent.  You can see that they enjoy the love and affection that we humans can give them.  Why are they any different than your dog or cat?  I have seen videos of cattle and pigs on their way to the slaughter house, and the fear in their eyes.  I will refrain from showing those videos, but if you are interested there are a lot online. Do your research as I have. Makes me sick to my stomach to watch what really happens in these factory farms.    I know that God isn't happy with how these animals are treated. 

     I have had friends tell me that their farms are not run like a lot of these places, but really the animals are all the same.  They are intelligent creatures.  Eating meat and drinking milk is not for me.  We don't need to eat it!  Eating a plant based diet has blessed my life.  I do still have health problems, but I know I would feel a lot worse if I didn't eat a plant based diet.  I wish a plant based diet would help osteoarthritis, but it's because of my snow skiing and other activities that caused my bad knees, not my diet. 

     We must learn to be compassionate.  We need to learn kindness.  We also need to stand up for what we believe in.  I will never go back to eating meat.  I have learned so much in the last 2 years that it isn't an option for me.  Lets find compassion for all animals!




     

The New Year!

      

 Who fell off the wagon?  Come on, be honest with yourself.  I see posts on Facebook all the time where people say, I have eaten this way for months, and I'm gaining weight.  At times, I don't think they are being honest.  They cheated and just don't want to admit it.  We have all been there.  We all are human.  So what if you cheated, there is always tomorrow!

     I have to admit I did succumb to things I should not have put in my mouth.  My kids came home from college for the holidays.  There are traditions that come with Christmas.  We didn't have the traditional oysters and clam chowder, but there were Christmas cookies with white flour and butter.  Now before you unsubscribe saying I'm hypocritical, please remember that NONE of us are perfect.  We are all on this earth with trials and tribulations, and we are trying to overcome a lot of things.  Sweets are my problem, and cookies that my mom made, and her mother made just come a long with the holiday.  Personally, I don't think one holiday is going to kill us.

     There are those that ridicule others for drinking milk and the milk industry I will agree is horrible.  I am not one of those people who will look down my nose and judge everything that goes in your mouth, after all it's really none of my business.

     Today is a new day, with new ideas and new recipes!  Today we went to Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods and picked up items that filled our fridge and pantry with goodness.  Lots of fruits and veggies.  Potatoes, bananas, soy milk and coconut milk.  Cleaned out the fridge and freezer.  Out with the old, and in with the new.

     The holidays were awesome.  I don't regret making cookies with my kids.  Memories that will last a life time.  I cherish that time with my family.  I look forward to them coming home, and being together.  As we start a new year, do the very best you can to reach the goals you set.  Don't make them unreasonably high or unreachable.  Do something small, and finish that goal, I think 3 goals is perfect!   Try to be a better person than you were last year, but don't beat yourself up if you fumble and fall.  Life goes on, and it's too short to worry about things that are out of your control.  I will never be that skinny 21 year old ever again.  I  need to love myself and accept those things I can't change.  I wish the best for each and everyone of you!  Lets make this a great year!

By the way, my goals are 

1. Get stronger before my surgery, yoga 3 days a week.

2. Eat a WFPB diet NO Cheating!

3.  Read my scriptures every day!