Raw Foods Summer Recipes and Raw Vegan Wedding Food

This weekend was a raw foods eating extravaganza.   It started on Saturday with a raw foods vegan wedding and ended with my monthly raw foods potluck on Sunday.

Have you ever attended a raw foods wedding?  I hadn’t before yesterday.  It was wonderful.

Not only was the ceremony a beautiful expression of love and commitment in a breath-taking setting overlooking the lake, the food was an amazing spread of delicious and beautiful delicacies.

We started with light appetizers before the ceremony.  The center attraction was the “jalapeño poppers”, tiny jalapeno peppers stuffed with a cashed cream and “breading” of crushed nuts.  Our beverage was delicious cucumber-lime water. They were delicious.

Along with the stuffed peppers was an array of veggies with delicious southwest dip.

The bouquets included lacinato kale and rosemary along with the flowers.

For dinner we enjoyed spring rolls, stuffed with romaine lettuce, carrots, jicama sprouts and a delicious sauce, along with stuffed pesto mushrooms and zucchini pasta.

The desserts were over the top.  2 multi layered chocolate cakes, with raspberry filling, fudge balls stuffed with cherries, key lime pie, chocolate covered strawberries and brownies.  I decided to go for it and try a piece of each.  I haven’t felt that stuffed in a long time.

The potluck this evening was a blend of swimming and relaxing, delicious light summer food and an inspiring and informational health talk.

Those that arrived early soaked and swam, or sat around the pool chatting.

The food was extraordinarily elaborate and delicious.  We had a variety of cole-slaw like creations, sauerkraut, spring rolls, and all sorts of salads.  Dessert was over the top.  I made peach pie, and banana coconut cream pie.  I can’t believe I forgot to take pictures of them.

The talented Karen Osborne, raw foods chef and instructor,  who made the raw desserts for yesterday’s wedding brought one of the chocolate layer cakes minus one piece.  Someone made brownies that were the talk of the evening and another made 2 beautifully decorated date nut torte.  3 OR 4 fruit bowls rounded out the dessert counter.

After dinner, we gathered in my living room and I lead a health talk.  Our topics ranged from traveling, eating in restaurants, setting goals, and strategies for sticking to the diet and lifestyle habits that support health.  We also talked about thyroid issues, gluten free diets, smoothies, fasting and detoxification.

We were honored to host a group of deaf raw food enthusiasts, who brought their own interpreter.  The interpreter said she loves coming to out potlucks because she learns so much!

Here are my pie recipes.

Crust:

• 2 cups almonds, soaked for 6 hours or overnight
• 1 cup pecans soaked for 4 hours
• ½ cup pitted dates
• 1 cup dried coconut

Process all in food processor until it holds together.

Press crust mixture into glass pie dishes.  This made one 7 inch and 1 9 inch pie.

Peach Mango Pie

• 6 large peaches
• 3 mangoes
• 4 dates
• 1 tablespoon psyllium powder (optional)

Directions

• Cut peaches into bite sized pieces and place in a bowl.
• Peel and pit mangoes and put flesh in blender with dates and psyllium.  Blend well until creamy.  Add a little water if needed.
• Add blended mango mixture to peaches and stir well.
• Pour mango mixture over peaches and stir well to combine.
• Place peach mango mixture in crust.  Sprinkle top with finely ground dried coconut. And decorate with sliced peaches.

Banana Coconut Cream Pie

• 4 bananas
• ½ cup coconut butter (Artisana)
• ½ cup water
• 4 pitted dates
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

• Slice 3 bananas and place in a bowl.
• Put 1 banana, coconut butter, dates, water and vanilla in blender and blend until creamy smooth.  Add extra water if needed.
• Pour mixture over bananas and stir well.
• Place banana coconut filling in 7 inch pie crust.
• Sprinkle top with coconut and vanilla, and decorate as desired.

Do you have a favorite summer recipe to share?  Please post it below in the comments box.

Love, Health and Joy to You,

Dr. Ritamarie

Detoxification and Health: Overcoming Chronic Disease by Unburdening your Body

What would the world be like if we all felt good… all the time?

Its a wonderful fantasy.

War…gone

theft…gone

poverty…gone

We’d be left with joy, generosity, love, caring, beauty…..

If everyone felt good, there would be no need to hurt others, feel less than or engage in activities that are self destructive, other destructive or planet destructive. Everyone would be too busy enjoying life to bother with hurtful activities.

When was the last time you felt really good? I mean REALLY good…as in jumping for joy, full of energy, bursting with love?

It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of the moment and lose track of whats really important.

The Cancer Toxicity Connection

A recent guest on my Blog Talk Radio Show was Dr. Brian Clement of Hippocrates Health Institute. We talked about cancer, and the primary cause of cancer, namely a breakdown of the immune system as a result of exposure to toxic elements in food, water, environment and emotions. If you missed the show, you can listen in here: http://www.drritamarie.com/go/ClementInterview

Less than half an hour later, I was interviewed by Tera Warner of the Raw Divas on the subject of detoxification. The calls tied in so well together.

All effective cancer management needs to include detoxification. According to oncologist Thomas Lodi in Arizona, the first step in cancer management needs to be “Stop Making Cancer” by stopping the activities, foods, exposures and thoughts that cause cancer to get out of control. The next step is “killing” the cancer cells.

Western medicine has a distorted approach. The therapies that are aimed at killing the cancer with no attention to building up your body’s natural defenses are doomed to failure. It’s like a race to see if they can destroy the cancer before the treatment destroys you.

Regular detoxification is a great way to cleanse and restore immune function and thus can help prevent cancer. In addition, regular cleansing programs lead to more energy and overall health improvement.

Most health complaints that I come across in clinical practice result from a body out of balance. Your inborn detoxification systems are designed to handle the “normal” toxic exposure – from your metabolic processes and a few environmental things that sneak in. Our modern world has become so overwhelmed with toxic exposure. The food supply is poisened with pesticides and fungicides and other toxins that are damaging to your immune and nervous systems. Drinking water is treated with chlorine. The air is filled with car exhaust, factory fumes, and outgassing from the myriad of plastics and chemicals used in paints, cleaning products and a long list of other “modern conveniences”

With all the exposures, your natural detoxification mecahnisms become overloaded, and the chemicals that should be neutralized and eliminated get caught in the backlog and are recycled and stored in your precious cells. The result? You don’t feel so good!

Symptoms of Toxicity

Symptoms of body toxicity include skin rashes, depression, difficulty focusing, digestive problems, sinus congestion, headaches, “brain fog”, hormone imbalances, autoimmune disease and persistant weight gain that doesn’t seem to respond to calorie restriction.

When I was in my 20′s I suffered from many of these symptoms. You can read my full story at www.sixweekdetox.com

After my first cleanse, I was on cloud nine. Symptoms I’d experienced for decades began to melt away and I became more clear headed and energetic than I’d ever dreamed possible.

To learn more about the benefits of detox, listen in on my interview with Tera Warner .

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If you’d like to experience the profound changes that detox can bring, join us for the next 6 week detox program. You’ll be guided step by step through the process of reduciing toxic exposure, restoringn and rebuilding digestive function, and enhancing your liver’s ability to neutralize and eliminate stored toxins. The result? You’ll feel lighter, more energetic and emotionally balanced than you ever thought possible. We’re startign the preparatory phase of our 6-Week Deep Tissue Detox on Monday!

http://www.sixweekdetox.com

As a special bonus for new members

4 audio recordings and e-book transcripts

1- Candida and Leaky Gut

2- Unlocking the Gut-Brain Connection Behind Brain Fog, ADHD, Autism, Depression and more

3- Hormones, Thyroid Imbalances, Weight Gain & Water Retention

4- Understanding Environmental Sensitivities & Allergies

The special bonuses we’re offering on this call are for new registrations only. After May 17th, they will no longer be offered again for fr.ee.

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Join the Six Week Detox Program:  www.sixweekdetox.com

Love, health and Joy to you,

Dr. Ritamarie

The Miracle of Aloe Vera for Digestion, Wound Healing,Your Immune System and So Much More

Aloe has always been one of my favorite plants. We keep them in the kitchen and the bathroom, ever ready for action – on burns, cuts and all sorts of wounds.  It can be used topically or inside your body.  It even combines well into raw and living foods recipes and can be used as part of a cleansing program.  One of my readers contributed this very informative article about aloe, that provides us with an understanding of how Aloe works it’s magic and all the ways we can be helped by this powerful plant!  Did you know that aloe can even help destroy tumors?

The Ancient Aloe Vera

by Melissa Giesbrecht

The ancient Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) plant with its spear-like, succulent leaves has made its way from native Africa, to your favorite health food store, and even your own home. There are more than 300 types of aloe, but it is Aloe vera that is used most commonly. The Liliaceae family in which Aloe belongs is also home to garlic, asparagus, and onion. What a powerful Family! Aloe has been traditionally used to help treat burns and other wounds, and as a purgative (constipation aid). Yet, over the years, more and more uses for aloe have been discovered. With more active research taking place, the list of incredible healing powers of this herb is sure to lengthen.

Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents who all work synergistically. These include anthraquinones, saccharides, vitamins, non-essential amino acids, essential amino acids, inorganic compounds, and enzymes. It is this powerful combination of molecules that allows the plant to repair itself if the skin becomes damaged. This is visible when you break off a piece of the leaf to use, the next day there is a seal and the plant is protected again.

The anthraquinones are part of the aloe latex, the bundle of sheath cells from its skin. These cells stimulate the walls of the digestive system to contract, essentially aiding in the relief of constipation. This practice should be guided by a health practitioner as it may cause severe cramping. Other plants (cascara and senna) from the same family as aloe are considered to be gentler laxatives. Some of the enzymes found in Aloe vera include carboxypeptidase and bradykininase. These enzymes, along with the amino acids tryptophane and phenylalanine, are involved in relief of pain and reduction of inflammation and swelling. The mineral zinc in the aloe gel also aids in the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant. The polysaccharides, especially glucomannan, in the gel are thought to greatly increase the health of the skin.

Aloe vera has been proclaimed as a strong preventative agent for ulcers and other digestive problems. A research article on the International Aloe Science Council’s website noted an interesting study whereby an individual was given aloe gel before an ulcer-inducing stressor. This group resulted in a 80% reduction in the number of ulcers compared to a control group that was given saline. If the aloe was given after the ulcer had formed, the participant healed three times faster than the control group.

The health benefits of Aloe extend to heart related diseases as well. A study on Albino rats that were fed a high cholesterol diet along with aloe polysaccharides had decreased total cholesterol levels, decreased phospholipids levels, and increased HDL (the “good”cholesterol) compared to the control group. According to a Natural News article, aloe can reverse blood that is clumpy and sludge-like in appearance. This would allow the blood to carry greater amounts of oxygen, reducing the chances of a heart attack or stroke.

Cancer is a terrible disease that will affect 40% or more of us in our lifetime. There are many herbs and plants that contain anti-cancer compounds, including Aloe vera. Aloe’s effects are twofold; it builds up the immune system and destroys tumors. An experiment using mice with Sarcoma-180 tumors that were fed aloe exhibited reduced tumor growth. Another study using a molecule from aloe called Aloctin-A showed anti-tumor capabilities via increased immunity.

Burns, cuts, and wounds are commonly treated with aloe. Its antifungal and antibacterial capabilities make it Mother Nature’s band aid. The gel actually creates a physical barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the wound while simultaneously drawing blood to the needed area. This allows for faster healing.

These are just a few examples of the amazing capabilities of Aloe vera. New research is exploring aloe’s immune boosting abilities and how it can be used to treat HIV/AIDS, its anti-cancer molecules, and its ability to save soldiers who have lost extreme amounts of blood. I hope that you go pick up an aloe plant (or two) and start using it right away! Your body will thank you.

I add aloe to my smoothies, use it to keep my summer tan, and apply the gel directly to my face for firm, smooth skin. It really is an awesome herb to have available in your home. If you can’t find a plant, then head to your local health food store as they have 100% aloe vera gel to purchase.

About the Author:

Melissa Giesbrecht is a health fanatic from Vancouver, BC. She loves all aspects of health and tries to implement them into her life. She wants to take her knowledge to the next step and become an ND. She is a vegetarian who incorporates as much raw food into her diet as possible. She really wants to spread the word that being healthy can be fun, affordable, and truly rewarding. She writes about all these topics on her blog http://contagioushealth.blogspot.com.

References

Foster, Steven & Johnson, Rebecca L .(2006). Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine. Washington,D.C. : The National Geographic Society.

Hutchens, Alma R.(1973). Indian Herbology of North America. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications , Inc.

Duke, James A, ph.D. (1997). The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA:Rodale Press

Fatigue and Burnout: Strategies for Adrenal Exhaustion and Just Plain Tiredness

Are you suffering from adrenal burnout and fatigue? Low thyroid function? Chronic fatigue or Fibromyalgia?

Do you have as much energy as you’d like to have?

What would you do if you had more energy? Think about what it would be like  to pop out of bed in the morning, bright, cheery and ready for the day.

As you go through your day, you feel energized by your food, your conversations, your work and your activities. When asked by a friend or family member to participate in a fun evening activity , you always say yes,
without fear of losing steam at the end of the day, and being too tired to to do much more than flop on the couch.

You participate in activities you love, eat healthy meals, exercise and are fully present for your relationships. You never hear yourself utter the words, “I’m too tired.”  Instead you say, “I feel so energized.”

Sound like a romantic fiction novel? This life is possible for you.

Fatigue, exhaustion, tiredness, weariness, low energy…whatever you choose to call it, it’s a real problem and it happens to real people like you. There are many causes. Some are obvious, others not so obvious. When I asked  at one of my workshops for a show of hands of people who felt that were fatigued, or had low energy, all but 1 or 2 people raised their hands.

Then I proceeded to give one of my favorite definitions of fatigue. The definition goes something like this:

The decreased capacity or complete inability of an organism, an organ, or a part to function normally because of excessive stimulation or prolonged exertion.

I talked about how you may feel like you have plenty of energy (caffeine and other stimulants can give you that illusion), yes parts of you are operating sub par. Maybe your neurotransmitters are sluggish and you have difficulties with focus, or your digestion and you’re constipated, or your hormones, and you have menstrual irregularities.

It takes all of your parts working in harmony to achieve vibrant energy.

At the end of the presentation, one of the women who’d not considered herself fatigued, thanked me and said that she didn’t associate the sluggishness in her digestive tract with fatigue. She just figured it was “normal” for her. My talk inspired her to look at ways she could energize her digestion and thus improve her overall experience of vibrant health and high energy.

There are many causes of fatigue. Here are five:

1. Underfed and toxic mitochondria
2. Hormone imbalances – especially thyroid, adrenal, insulin and leptin
3. Digestive Inefficiencies
4. Autoimmune Processes
5. Serious diseases, like cancer, heart disease and diabetes

I’ll be exploring the topic of fatigue and its underlying causes and strategies for identifying and removing them on my Creating a Vibrant Life Blog Talk Radio Show on Wednesday, March 24 at 12:30 PM central time.

We’ll demystify adrenal fatigue, and distinguish it from thyroid fatigue. We’ll share strategies, stories and inspiration, to help move you from exhausted to energized.

Submit your questions for me pertaining to fatigue and regaining energy in the comment box below so we can address your concerns on the show.

The shows are all recorded and you can access the recording and download to iTunes by going back to the show link afterward. There are archives of past shows there as well.

http://www.drritamarie.com/go/RadioShow

And watch for my article called Running on Empty in the spring edition of Purely Delicious Magazine, due out in April.

http://www.drritamarie.com/go/PurelyDelicious

I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Love, Health and Joy to You,

Dr. Ritamarie

P.S.  Comment below:  What are you committing to for your health?  Today is day 22 of the 30 Day Sleep and Fun Challenge.  I am happy to report that I have gotten more than 6 hours of sleep for 3 days straight.  Over the weekend, I actually managed to get 9 hours!  And my exercise is consistent again – almost everyday!

How about you?  Commit below and make it happen.

WISH: Detoxification to Support Adrenal Exhaustion, Low Sex Drive and Digestive Issues: Sleep and Fun are Important Components

Detoxification and cleansing programs are in the news, on the health food store shelves and talked about now in casual conversation. They are said to cure everything — adrenal exhaustion and chronic fatigue,  sluggish thyroid, depression, decreased sex drive and even cancer.  Seriously, you’ve probably heard about detoxification over and over…yet do you have a clear understanding of what the process is all about? There are powders and potions, and olive oil liver flushes and lemonade diets that have become popular, yet what really is detox and why is it important?

On my interview for the Women’s International Summit for Health (W.I.S.H.) I discuss the process of detoxification, it’s importance in hormone balance, digestive health, energy, sex drive and every other function your body does for you.  Learn how to support your body’s natural detoxification mechanisms daily and when to engage in a special program.  If you haven’t already listened in, you can sign up at Women’s International Summit for Health (W.I.S.H.).

If you’ve already listened to the call, you know that we decided to do a Women’s 3 day mini green detox program.  It’s short, easy and powerful.  And you don’t need any special equipment or potions to make it happen.  All you need is a blender, some fresh, raw leafy greens and some fresh or frozen fruit.  Are you ready to begin?

To start, download my FREE e-book “Blended Greens for Health and Longevity”.  If you’ve already participated in my powerful 7 day Green Smoothie Cleanse, you can use your Green Cleanse Recipe Guide, with over 50 delicious smoothie and soup recipes.

Here’s what to do:

Preparation for 3 Day Green Cleanse and Detoxification Program

Download “Blended Greens for Health and Longevity” or search the web for green smoothie recipes.

Join in on the Raw Divas 3 day green smoothie mini course for day to day email support.

The essence of the program is to do the following for 3 days

• Drink Green smoothies and green soup all day long, as much as you’d like and as much as you need to keep you satisfied.
• In addition to the green smoothies, you may eat one or two large salads, loaded with greens and rainbow vegetables and fresh whole fruit.
• For Dressing, you can keep it simple by blending cucumber, apple and fresh herbs, or blend tomato,celery and lemon juice, or tomato, mango and lime juice, or red bell pepper, tomato, lemon or lime and herbs.  Or, make up your own simple blend – it’s easy.  You can also get the e-book  70 Healthy Salad Dressings Recipe Book, a collection of  easy, low fat  and tasty salad dressings you can make in less than 2 minutes.  For the 3 day cleanse, choose dressings that contain little or no added fat for best results.

You’ll soon be feeling lighter, cleaner and clear-headed.

If you like how you feel, who knows, you may decide to keep it going a little longer, or may even decide to join on my next green cleanse.

Comment below if you’re joining in.  Make a commitment to yourself and to thousands of women across the globe.

And also join in the ongoing 30 Day Sleep and Fun Challenge.  Every day, we’re posting our commitments to health supporting activities that we’ll do that day.  It helps keep you on track.  Take a look through previous days posts to see the kinds of things people are accomplishing.

So what do fun and sleep have to do with detoxification?  Lots!  Fun changes your chemistry, decreases internally produced stress toxins and frees your liver to more effectively detox.  The WISH call talks more about this.  And sleep is master at helping you to cleanse.  While you sleep, your detox mechanisms are going full steam ahead and cleaning you up from the days debris.  Between the hours of 11 and 1, your liver is especially active at detox, unless you’re still awake.  Then you get hungry because of the increased metabolic fire that’s intended for detox. So sleep, especially before midnight is very important for cleansing

My challenges lately have been not taking enough time for fun and sleep. That’s why I started this challenge.  I’m making progress, but as you’ll see below. I’m not perfect yet.

My report card from yesterday:

1- bed by midnight - I had so much to do with the WISH summit, Balance My Body Program and private client follow-up that I missed my deadline and made it to bed by 1:30am.  Still, a lot earlier that I’d been doing before this challenge started.  Progress, not perfection is my motto.  The important thing is my awareness is there and I am not unconsciously staying up too late.  Plus I feel so energetic at midnight.

2- running in the sun - it rained here so running up and down stairs was the best I could do

3- 15 minute fun break - my fun was creating a kelp noodle lunch!

4- 2 quarts green smoothie - this is easy for me by now.  I love my green smoothies

My commitments for today

1- get out for a run in the sun (its sunny again)

2- finish writing a chapter in my new book

3- bed by 12:30 – I am being realistic here…knowing what needs to be completed

4- Green smoothies only ’til dinner

Are you joining the 3 day green detox challenge?  What are your goals?  What are you committed to today?  Comment below and be sure to sign up here to be notified whenever I post a new article here so you don’t miss anything.

Subscribe to Dr. Ritamarie’s Creating Vibrant Health Blog

Love, health, joy and happy green detox to you.

(how appropriate that we begin on Saint Patrick’s Day, the day of the green.)

Dr. Ritamarie