Cleansing for Health

Cleansing and detoxification programs have been used as a health restoration technique for thousands of years. Yet only recently has the general public become aware if them.

While some might argue the need for a cleansing program, on the basis that your body can adequately cope with the daily bombardment of toxins in your air, water and food supplies, still others (and growing numbers of others) strongly emphasize the profound benefit of periodic cleansing.

I personally completely turned my health around when I was in my 20′s by doing a 28 day water fast. The effects were profound. Unfortunately, extended water fasting is not something that most people can do successfully on their own. It is best to do it under the supervision of a professional.

Over the past 22 years, I have done several 7-10 day water fasts and always benefit. The problem is that I can’t seem to stay on track unless I do it with a partner or a group.

I started to do Green Smoothie Cleanses a few years ago, instead of water fasts, because it was easy to cleanse and maintain my busy work, family and exercise schedule. I love how I feel when I do them. Still, I often found that my plans to do a multi day green smoothie cleanse on my own often go by the wayside when a “better offer” comes along ( like a party, family birthday, invitation from a friend). It seems that when I make the comittment only to myself, it’s easy to decide part of the way through that the timing isnt’ right and schedule it for another time.

When I make a commitment to someone else, I keep it. Regardless of what comes up, if I commit to others to do a Green Smoothie Cleanse, I follow through.

So birthed the idea of a group cleanse program. At first, I figured I’d put together a bunch of recipes, create a yahoo group for all of us to communicate and take it from there. What ended up happening is that I created an elaborate implementation guide, pre and post health self assessment questionnaires and objective tests, recipes, menu planners and post cleanse guidelines.

It has been a labor of love for me. I’ve lead groups of over 50 people 4 times so far this year. Next week, will be the fifth. There are still a few spaces left and the early bird special pricing has been extended to midnight Friday. The details are at http://drritamarie.com/GreenCleanse

I’m looking forward to feeling lighter, clearer and more energetic,

Green Smoothie Power

I’m heading back to Austin after a very exciting extended weekend in Tucson. Not only did I have great family time, but I attended a business strategy retreat that has me buzzing with excitement. Within the next month I will begin to unveil my plans for a program that is unique, affordable and deeply empowering. I can’t reveal the details yet, but over the next few weeks, some of it is sure to leak.

My 8 month old nephew Jason had another green smoothie today, and he enjoyed it immensely. It was so heartwarming to listen to his squeals of delight as my sister, his grandmother, fed it to him with a spoon. I am coaching her to continue to give him green smoothies daily to provide him with an abundance of nutrition and a powerful immune system.

As for me, I’m excited to be doing another green smoothie cleanse next week, I lead a group cleanse every two months or so and I participate fully. Form, it’s the perfect way to give my body a rest from eating on the run, eating too late at night and not sleeping enough. I always feel lighter, more energetic and happier after I complete a Green Smoothie Cleanse. The group support helps me to follow through. I always keep my commitment to others. On my own, I sometimes fail to follow through.

Here’s the green smoothie recipe similar to what I made for 8 month old Jason:

• 1 Peach
• 1 cup pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
• 1 Apple
• A couple of handfuls of spinach
• A couple of leaves of kale
• 1 cup water

Blend and Taste. Add more fruit if needed. Thin with water if desired.

Enjoy a fabulous day.

Love and Health,

Dr. Ritamarie

P.S.  I wrote this on Monday Sept 29 at the airport and just got it posted today.  I am hosting a FREE teleseminar today called “Simple Strategies to Creating Vibrant Health, In Spite of Day to Day Challenges” You can sign up by going to:

http://www.drritamarie.com/greens_teleconference.htm

Green Travel Food: Getting Greens on the Go!

Greens are such powerhouses of nutrients that they are considered nature’s superfood. I am always looking for ways to help people to eat more greens. For the past week and a half I have been doing a green cleanse, during which the only food I consume is blended greens – soups and smoothies. I am really enjoying it. My energy is super high, and I sleep well because I go to bed feeling so light. I am getting ready to go on a plane trip to Colorado to go skiing for a few days, and want to continue to eat as much green food as possible. So, tonight, in preparation, I made 3 flavors of blended green soup and dehydrated them into rounds, like big tortillas. Portable Green food for travels and eating on the slope!!! Very tasty too.

I am working on an e-book of foods that are abundant with greens- green soups, green salad dressings, green smoothies, green desserts, green wraps, and more. Last week we had a wonderful green sorbet and the week before chocolate “ice cream” with greens in it. Eat your greens was never as fun as it is now!!! Stay tuned!

In the meantime, I just posted the upcoming class schedule at www.drritamarie.com/. The classes are filled with unusual ideas like this, as well as demonstrations and tastings! Hope to see you at one soon!

Healthfully yours,

Dr Ritamarie

Yummy Greens Recipes: Cleansing Food!

I have been doing a Green Cleanse this past week. It has been a great experience. 14 people joined me, and we had an email support group where we shared recipes, challenges and successes. I’ll be organizing another one soon.

For a description of a green cleanse and more information, check the website www.drritamarie.com/ . Check back here or there for the dates of the next cleanse.

On Friday evening we hosted a Movie night and Raw food Potluck. We had a nice turnout. I really enjoyed chatting with everyone. After the meal, we watched Gabriel Cousen’s Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine. It was both informative and inspiring. Our next Movie Night and Potluck will be February 17. For more info go to http://www.drritamarie.com/ and click Events Calendar. Since I was doing a green Cleanse, rather than my usual potluck fare, I made 3 Green concoctions. Here are the recipes.

Tropical Green Sorbet

2 cups papaya
1 mango
½ of a pineapple
3-4 cups spinach

Blend the pineapple first then add the mango and papaya and blend until smooth. Add spinach a handful at a time to desired sweetness. II was surprised at how much I could add and still have it be sweet. Pour into container of ice cream maker and run until frozen. Yum. You can also drink it as a smoothie. A few ice cubes would be a nice addition if so.

Italian Soup

1 ½ cup dried tomatoes, soaked in 1 cup water
4 cups fresh tomatoes (I used Roma)
6 stalks celery
1 bunch basil
A few springs of fresh oregano
A few sprigs fresh rosemary
2 heads of romaine hearts
1 clove garlic

Blend all until smooth. Add sea salt or other seasonings if desired

Lime mint drink

¼ cup lime juice
1 bunch fresh mint
3 apples
3 heads hearts of romaine
2 cups water
Ice cubes

Blend all. Adjust lime to taste. Add water if too thick. Add ice cubes and blend to cool down. Very refreshing.

Comments and questions are always welcome.

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Bye for now

Dr. Ritamarie