Tell Me Why?

I've been seeing a state licensed naturopathic practitioner for about 6 weeks. I love this holistic approach to health and healing. I've had blood test for nutritional deficiencies and allergies along with lab tests for parasites and candida overgrowth. I've had vitamin IV drips including mega doses of vitamin C. Ozone therapy is scheduled in the future.This is an attempt to stimulate my immune system to fight autoimmune disease. It's been wonderful.

What I don't understand is why this holistic doctor is trying to force me to eat meat. She insists that there is no way to get adequate protein without eating meat. She wants to "compromise" and have me eat fish. This is based on her own experiences where she said she would get dizzy and weak when she tried a vegan diet. I'm not having that problem regarding my diet. I've been getting weak and dizzy for years even when I was a meat eater. I've explained this more than once, but at each weekly appointment she continues to bring it up. I told her to stop discussing the idea of me adding dead animals to my diet because it will not happen and it feels harassing and stressful. I told her I would search for another healthcare practitioner if my choice isn't respected. Well, she apologized.

It's frustrating when other's do not respect another person's choice. I can't believe that I had to go through this.

The photo was uploaded to flickr by Sakurako Kitsa.

Green Smoothies & Other Stuff..

Sine I lasted posted I have completed the green smoothie challenge. Sorry I didn't post as promised. I challenged myself to a month of green smoothies. I thought it would be only green smoothies, but it wasn't. I decided to eat very little solid food and only vegetables, beans, fruits, and nuts (I drank as many green smoothies to feel full and satisfied). I learned during this process that I am not vegan in the sense that I will not wear the leather items that I already own - shoes and bags. I haven't bought any new leather and don't plan to either, but I cannot afford to replace what I already own. I do not own leather coats or clothing or belts. I feel good about this decision.

The only animal product I missed eating during this time was butter. I only eat butter on bread and I'm not eating bread so I can live without the butter. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I dropped a few pounds - 17lbs to be exact without feeling hungry or deprived. If anyone is interested the Global Juice Feast began on March 7th and goes for 92 days. You are free to modify this juice feast to fit your life and needs. I haven't decided if I'm going to participate.

Now for the other stuff. When I first started this blog I wanted to talk about healing through nutrition and other natural means. I still plan to do that, but I'll also discuss what's going on with me in general from time to time. I want this to be a place I come to celebrate, to rant, to get support, to talk, to just be - sometimes with no agenda. For those who care I promise to not stay away so long. Next post I'll share some of the things I've been doing while I was away. Until then...

My Green Smoothie Challenge - Week 1

I have been trying to do a green smoothie challenge for a few months now. I am excited to report that I have had green smoothies for 7 days. So far so good. I notice that I'm feeling lighter and satisfied with no hunger pangs.

One reason it took a while is that I had to do research as to the best method to treat chronic systemic inflammation, which I have and have had for at least 7 years. Not one doctor has addressed the danger of chronic inflammation. In fact not one has even talked to me about how to rid the body of inflammation. I've done the research myself and the biggest culprit is a diet high in refined sugars, foods that a person is allergic (and probably does not know it such as wheat, dairy, & eggs). I believe, this is my opinion based on my experience, that most doctors in the US don't believe that nutrition is important. They are usually only educated about the USDA food pyramid. But enough about them.

Here is what I've been doing. I drink a minimum of one quart of green smoothies a day. I've learned to enjoy the taste with far less fruit than I would recommend to someone else, but I am correcting a candida (yeast) overgrowth that has contributed to, if not caused leaky gut syndrome. I'm not consuming a lot of fruit in order to avoid fruit sugars, but will increase my fruit intake after completing the yeast overgrowth treatment. I also consume 6 - 8 cloves of garlic a day with warm lemon water. I actually like it.

Acupuncture has really helped to "clear my head." I have this funny, hazy feeling in my head which no allopatic doctor ever addressed. Acupuncture has helped and helps me deal with my body pains. Therapeutic massage has with my anxiety, which is high most of the time. I'm looking into the art and spiritual practice of Tai Chi; once I find a place to go I'll start. Yoga is another interest of mine. I'll keep you posted.

I thought the oranges looked good; I wanted to see another color food other than green!

While I Was Away...

It's been a while since I posted, but it was a necessary absence. I've set out to start a green smoothie challenge, but instead of jumping in at the deep end of the pool I decided to ease into this regime. A month ago (or longer) I began to pay very close attention to what I was eating and when I ate, and how much. I stopped eating packaged foods and prepared foods from the deli and restaurants. I cooked all my meals using organic ingredients. I weighed and measured making sure I ate correct portion sizes. I ate according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's guidelines as explained in Live To Eat.

I also began colonic sessions, massage therapy, and guided meditation. I have incorporated a detox program with help of my hydrotherapist who is also a registered nurse. I am supplementing with probiotics, milk thistle, and flax seed oil - to name a few - preparing my body for the fast that I will embark on.

I have replaced all harsh household cleaners, soaps, and detergents for safer eco friendly ones and have added plants to my house to aid in filtering the air.

I am in good place within right now. Tomorrow is the day. I will begin posting my daily journey of green smoothie fasting / feasting. Stay tuned.

Out With The Old

Literally...I've started a detox and colon cleanse regime that began 5 days ago. I consulted with a hydrotherapist who is also a registered nurse. The therapist instructed me to expect a healing crisis because it is coming - she guaranteed. That made me a little anxious to say the least. Who looks forward to feeling crappy (excuse the pun).

I am preparing for a 90 day green smoothie feast and didn't want to start it without first ridding my colon of some stuff that's been there probably for ages. After researching and learning how many who follow SAD never really empty their colon, I decided that I should start with a colon cleanse.

For the past 2 weeks I've eaten steamed veggies, brown rice, fruit, nuts & seeds, and beans. I've drank lemon juice and water and vegetable broth. I'm taking a whole body cleanse supplement along with digestive enzymes also. My face is breaking out, but I expected that. Otherwise I've had no problems. What is just crazy is that the during one colonic session, the hydrotherapist was able to tell me what I had eaten the day before. She told me that I was not chewing my food long enough so that it breaks down before going to the stomach and intestines. She also said that I probably don't have enough hydrochloric acid (digestive acid) to break the food particles down even more and that I am a good candidate for having yeast overgrowth. The best way to deal with candida albicans is to stop eating all sugars in every form even fruit sugar, to eliminate yeast based foods, fermented foods, and dairy. The except to no fruit sugar is tart, green apples in moderation. Candida Albicans loves sugar and feeds on it to multiple. Once the yeast is back to normal levels then fruit can be eaten again.

After a month of green smoothies I plan to have a month of vegetable juices, veggie broth, and herbal teas in order to kick this yeast overgrowth in the blankety - blank - blank (my niece's words of frustration).

In the meantime it's out with old.

My House is Green - Kind of, Sort of...

I've been on a green path for 3 years now, from vegetarian to vegan and living consciously aware of my impact on the planet. I share my thoughts, ideas, dreams, etc with my husband of nearly 16 years, who I'll call EJ. He will listen, but never really engage. I often wonder how intently he is listening and how often he zones out.

In the 18 years that we have known each other he has never bought a book. He received a book as a gift one Christmas and he tried reading it, but soon lost interest. Well, EJ bought a book this week and the book was Green Collar Economy by Van Jones. When asked why that book, he said that he didn't realize how many African Americans were interested in the ecology. (Say what?) He then said that he didn't know that there are jobs available now and jobs that will be created in the near future that are dedicated to the ecology. (Say what?) EJ also said he was interested in opportunities that will help inner city residents and those in low socio-economic groups obtain access and education about "going green." (Say what?)

I said to him that we must practice what we preach. He then turned to me and said, "Teach me what you know." My house is going green!

Living Cruelty Free In a Cruel, Cruel World

While reading Youngbon's essay at Baby Boomer Vegan I could identify with the path her journey is taking. Youngbon said she first became vegetarian for health reasons and along the way something inside her changed. The same thing has happened with me - I've changed. I care more about living creatures, both human and non-human. I care about our planet; my vocabulary has changed (carbon footprint, greenhouse gases, living green, sustainability, eco friendly). This has been my path to veganism.

I have come to realize that being vegan is MORE than eating no animal products. It involves not wearing, buying, using, animal products and products tested on animals. Cruelty Free is the path I have meandered my way onto.

Veganism is life affirming and it connects me to the power that is greater than I am. This in turn helps in my spiritual formation. I've heard and read carnivores who opinioned that vegans think more highly of themselves than they do of others and that vegans make their lifestyle seem better than those who misuse animals. But I wonder if vegans feel more connected spiritually to the universe, to the creator and it comes across as arrogance. I'm sure there are some who try to force others to live by their philosophies, belief system, and spiritual truth, but I hope this is the exception and not the rule.

This is the life that has chosen me and I freely embrace it. To otherwise is to live as an apostate. Truth has made me free - cruelty free.

Green Smoothie - Recipe #2

1 cup parsley

1 stalk celery

2 med oranges (or 1 large)

1 pomegranate (seeds only)

1/4 to 1/2 lemon

ice

Remember: If the taste of the veggies is too overwhelming just add more fruit. Green smoothies are best made with blenders with very powerful motors. If you don't own one, I suggest that you blend your green veggies first with a little filtered water then blend the fruit. You may have to strain the fibers from the veggies to get a smooth tasting smoothie.

Power of Green!

Here's the story: I began having cold symptoms on Dec 2nd, by Dec 3rd I had post-nasal congested, ear ache, and a dry cough, by Dec 5th all symptoms were gone except the dry cough and small amount of mucus. It may seem that I'm giving too much info, but I'm amazed that my cold didn't last by 2 days 3 if you count the onset. Loving Husband was congested for two weeks.

What I did differently than he was that I continued drinking green smoothies, had vegetable broth with cayenne pepper, and drank warm lemon water. I stopped eating solid food. I also took liquid form of goldenseal. I also made sure to get plenty of rest and limit my exposure to stressful events.

Loving Husband decided to continue eating solid food including diary, took a traditional over-the-counter cold & flu medicine. He was insistent that I take this medicine and eat to "keep up your strength." I think he was wrong this time. I feel great! I'm starting a green smoothie fast on Dec 11th.

The reason I haven't posted in a while is that I've been busy with this Wii & Wii Fit that I purchased.

I Have A Cold...

Courtesy of my Loving Husband, I have a cold and I feel miserable - more so than usual. I always have muscle and joint pain because of lupus and fibromyalgia, but never the sneezing, congestion, coughing, and itchy watery eyes. These are the same symptoms he had before getting full fledged head cold. I bet it happened on Thanksgiving when he kept kissing me and thanking me for cooking. That tells you how often I cook and I'm a really great cook.

So even though I feel listless I am heading to the health store for some herbal remedies. I'm getting zinc, echinacea, goldenseal to go along with the vitamin c I already have. I'm drinking ginger tea with lemon. It may sound like I'm doing too much, but once one thing is out of balance my system goes haywire. I don't like the fact that this mucus is in my nasal passage, in the back of my throat, and it refuses to budge. It grosses me out just thinking about it. My head hurts, my ears hurt, and my throat is sore from this dry cough.

Since I have no appetite I'll drink smoothies today along with freshly juiced oranges.

I'm off to the store because Loving Husband is working.

Photo courtesy of SCol22

Green Smoothie - Recipe #1

Green smoothies are so delicious. This recipe was inspired by Ravynn. I thought I was buying ingredients she listed, but I forgot the written list and so I bought what I thought was on it. This smoothie is delicious.

1 cup spinach
1/2 banana
1 lime
1/2 cup pineapple
coconut water & jelly-like insides of 1 coconut
1/2 cup water
ice

Blend and enjoy!

image by thagokae on photobucket

VitaMix Blender

I bought a VitaMix blender and I'm using it! When I first heard of this blender several years ago I must admit that I thought it was overpriced. I didn't think I really needed such a powerful blender. Truth is I didn't need it then, but I do now. I purchased a centrifugal juicer and it's okay. I find that it's wasteful - leaving all the pulp behind - and it's so time consuming to clean.

I have enjoyed fruit smoothies for the past week. They are delicious and allow me to get my fruit servings in for the day. After a week I can feel the difference in my energy level and my digestive system. I've now had my first green smoothie and it was soooo good. I will now be able to get my veggies in with no problem.

Although I've been vegetarian (vegan more so than not) for nearly 3 years, I must confess that I don't like vegetables. It goes deeper than not liking them, I can't eat them without gagging. Never could even as a kid. My mother tried her best, but I wasn't having it. It's a wonder that my body has held up this long. No doubt that my poor diet has contributed to my current health woes and has more than likely exacerbated the autoimmune diseases that I have.

My vegetarian lifestyle has reversed high cholesterol and pre-hypertension. I can hardly contain myself when I think of the healthy, life-giving, healing nutrients in live, whole foods.

This blender is the best thing I've bought in the past 5 years. I'm not exaggerating.

photo by tofutti break on flickr

World AIDS Day - 2008

The theme for World AIDS Day 2008 is "Leadership." Leadership is the power and authority to make a difference by action and example. The overall purpose of the World AIDS Campaign from 2005 to 2010 is to ensure that leaders and decision makers deliver on their promises on AIDS, including the provision of Universal Access to Treatment, Care, Support and Prevention services by 2010. - continue reading

Photo by Benny Solz on Flickr

Living Long and Living Well

I watched a repeat of "Oprah" show about Blue Zones, places that have a large population of centenarians - people living into their 100s. I was so inspired to live better, to live healthfully.

The Blue Zones are towns in the countries of Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, and US. The one US city was Loma Linda, CA where there is a large population of Seventh Day Adventists who are committed to eating healthy vegan diets.



I was a little surprised that Loma Linda had so many active seniors. The air quality is usually bad there. Well, the air quality is horrible in Southern California period. I know that there diet and there spiritual practices contributed greatly to their quality of life. I'm in prayer on how to implement life-giving habits into my life. I want these behaviors to become who I am, to define me.



Here is a list of what persons living in Blue Zones had in common:
1. eating a plant based diet (organic, home grown)
2. physical activity daily
3. stress free work
4. social support - spending time with family and friends
5. rituals & sacred time
6. purpose for living

This way of being can be achieved. It is possible. I plan to examine each one on the list and see what I'm currently doing well and where I need to make improvements.

Photo Credit: Photo by Phillie Casablanca on Flickr.

My First Blog Award: Friendship Award

My sincere thanks to Akua at Sheabutter Cottage for bestowing me the honor of the Friendship Award. How kind and thoughtful of you Akua.

I share this award with Ensayn1 at Supremeultimate whose posts are so thought-provoking and spiritually uplifting. Also, I share this award with Ravynn at Ravynn's Rawthentic Life whose words encourage me to drink green smoothies and eat raw foods.

According to the rules, I am to share this award with 8 other bloggers, but I don't know 8 bloggers yet. The rules for acceptance of the award are as follows: Pick 8 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on their creativity, design, interesting material and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language. Congratulations and please pass the award to others who are deserving. Share the friendship........

TEST POST

The blog is experiencing technical difficulties. I can't view my blog. On dashboard I can manage, write, and edit posts. However, I can't view the blog. If anyone has any suggestions please send me an email: veganrev@gmail.com Blogger support is unreachable.

It's Not A Typo

Deciding a name for this blog wasn't a small task. I chose a name that would inspire me to continue my journey to wholeness each time I came to my blog. I was a little taken aback when I received an email asking if I meant to use the word "holy." The short answer is "no."

I will explain why I chose this title with a brief English lesson and short vocabulary list.

Holily is an adverb. Adverbs describe or modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adverbs tell how or in what way something is done. Holily means to do something in a devout or sacred manner; to do something with sanctity, sacredly, or in a holy manner.

Wholesome is an adjective. Adjectives modify or describe nouns and pronouns. Wholesome is to be conducive to moral or general well- being, bodily health; healthful. It means to promote mental, moral, and/or social health.

Living can be a verb, an adjective, or a noun - depending on its use. It means having life, being alive, active, thriving. Living also means the experience of being alive. It is the act of living or the manner of life a person lives.

Putting all of this together is to affirm that I am actively thriving in a sacred, devout manner that promotes well-being bodily, mentally, morally, and socially.

This is my new consciousness!

Photo by Jovike on Flickr.

Why Me, Why This Blog, Why Now

I've been battling autoimmune disease(s) from a very young age. I remember when I began kindergarten I started losing my hair. Although there were only about 3 small dime-sized to quarter-sized patches, I clearly remember my paternal grandmother, paternal aunt, and mother were very alarmed. However, I don't remember anyone taking me to the doctor.

My hair grew in full and rather thick until I was about 14. It was the summer I turned 14 that I remember my hair becoming so thin that if I stood in the sunlight a person could see through it. Again, no one took me to the doctor. I also remember being extremely fatigued. When I did see the doctor, he said it was hormonal and normal for teens to sleep a lot. I've never grown out of it and my hair has never grown back either.

At about 19 or 20 I was diagnosed with lupus, but no treatment plan. In my late 20s I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease - a hyper thyroid. By my mid-30s fibromyalgia syndrome was added. Now in my early 40s I have come to understand that what all of these diseases and illnesses have in common is that they are all autoimmune. My body's immune system is fighting against my body and I hurt all the time. I spent the past 4 years taking prednisone everyday, muscle relaxers everyday, prescription pain medicine - narcotic and NSAIDS to treat inflammation everyday, low dose anti-depressant for sleep every night, and a prescription sleep medicine every night. However, the pain and fatigue continued.

What I have learned over the years is that my health and wellness is MY responsibility. Allopathic medicine is great for acute illness and trauma, but for many chronic diseases and for prevention - not so much. Every doctor has told me that there is not much that he or she can do to help me. I am tired - physically, mentally, and spiritually. I've prayed for answers and this is the path that God has put before me.

This blog is my journey to attain optimal health even with chronic illnesses. I plan to do this by fasting at times, by juicing, by eating vegan, and by eating raw foods for most of my meals. I have replaced by primary physician (traditional medicine) with a licensed naturopathic doctor. I'm also including complementary treatments of massage and acupunture along with yoga and stretching.

I've been eating veg*n for about 2 1/2 years and I don't like vegetables; never have. I've learned to juice them. So what you eat in a salad I drink.