Dr. Ritamarie’s Fresh’n Fun Living Blog

30 Day Fun and Sleep Challenge: Recommitting to Health Goals

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on March 6, 2010 – 1:31 am -

I am making good progress towards establishing my healthy sleep pattern.

It’s always amazing to me how much power there is in creating a goal and committing to it.

Earlier this year, I created a product with Jane Hardin, who’ you’ll get to officially meet before too long. She’s a registered dietitian who has completed training in Living Foods Nutrition and has a lot of experience working with terminally ill patients in a counseling capacity. We created a program called Creating the Vibrant Helath Mindset because we both have seen the mindset in making long lasting changes in your habits. This is the first of many projects we’ll be doing together.

This week, I’ve reconnected to the value of continuing to revisit my goals and make commitments based on these.

I’m pleased to report greater success on my sleep goal for yesterday! Yeah!

So here’s my report card for yesterday:

64 ounces smoothie/green soup – DONE
Off computer by 11PM – Surpassed. I was off by 10:06PM!
Sauna 30 minutes – missed this because I went to bed early!
Bed by 11:30 – Surpassed - in Bed by 10:15 – My 11 year old son, Kevin, has recently been worried about the toxic smells at school. They watched a video about the dangers of marker inhalation, and talked about a 13 year old who died as a result of marker inhalation as a way to get high. Kevin accidentally got a big wiff of a marker at school the other day and got dizzy and light headed. Since then he has been reacting to smells, like air fresheners, wipes and cleaning supplies used at school. He is scared of dying from breathing them. He asked if he could sleep with me last night so he could feel safe. So he and I went to bed at 10:15.
Fun reading for 15 minutes – missed this because my Kevin slept with me. Fun was talking to him and cuddling instead.
Lights out between 11:45 and 12. Surpassed Lights out by 10:15

My commitments for today:

Exercise 30 minutes
Fun: Quality time with my husband – a date for dinner at Beets Cafe!
water – 8 cups
Get myself signed up to take the Vibrant Health Mindset Course and recommit to my own goals.
Bed by midnight

How did you do yesterday? What are your commitments for today? Comment below.

Enjoy!

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

Tags: Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, DrRitamarie, fun, livingfoods, raw and living foods holiday recipes, whole foods
Posted in Articles, exercise | 1 Comment »

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30 Day Sleep and Fun Challenge Day 4: Support Your Adrenals and Decrease Fatigue

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on March 5, 2010 – 6:22 am -

Wow. What a day. I’ve been in sessions all day, and didn’t get to post my commitments for today until now.

It’s quite interesting for me…making a public commitment to go to sleep. It has really been driving my late night behavior. Last night it was particularly tempting to just ignore the commitment and work late, as I had lot to do. Yet I would have felt really bad having to post that I went to bed at 3 when I committed to 12.

I did a class on adrenal health last night for my online program, Balance My Body Blueprint. It was a great reinforcement for me to teach everyone about the importance of breathing, sleep and having fun. I’ve been focused on breathing and appreciation all day and I love how it feels. This activity can ease the burden your adrenals and alleviate fatigue.

So here’s my report card for yesterday:

Exercise: 2:30 – 3:30 get out for a run and do a few weights – I did this at 4:30. It was a beautiful day and i had a great time.
Fun break: 9:30 PM – after my Balance My Body Blueprint teleseminar call on Balancing Adrenals – I am afraid this was a flop, unless you count cuddling with my 11 year old…which I think is fun.
Off computer by 11:30, in bed by 11:45, lights out before midnight. I was off computer by 11:27. My 11 year old was troubled by some school events and needed cuddle time with Mom, so I lay with him in his bed, dozing, until I went to my own bed, lights out by 12:15! Great accomplishment!

And here’s my commitment for today:

64 ounces smoothie/green soup
Off computer by 11PM
Sauna 30 minutes
Bed by 11:30
Fun reading for 15 minutes
Lights out between 11:45 and 12.

How did you do yesterday? What are your commitments for today? Comment below.

Enjoy!

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

Tags: Adrenal Fatigue, commitment, fatigue symptoms, fun, livingfoods, raw foods, whole foods
Posted in Adrenal Fatigue, Articles | 3 Comments »

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True Confessions and an Invitation to March Daily Health Commitment Challenge

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on March 2, 2010 – 12:34 pm -

I’ve come to a realization and I feel the need to be really honest and open about it.

I spend my days connecting with thousands of people all over the globe, sharing the message of health–vibrant health–through focused actions and nourishing choices.

And for the most part, I totally live all that I teach.

Because I overcame debilitating fatigue in my 20’s through whole fresh plant foods, exercise and focused self care, I’ve dedicated my life to teaching others to do the same.

Lately, I have been falling short on my commitment to self care and I feel I need to own up to it and reaffirm my dedication to my own self care in order to best guide you as you work on your own.

I’ve always been a night owl, but over the past 3 months it has become worse. While I recognize the need for sleep for rejuvenation and detoxification, I just can’t seem to get myself to follow through.

I have several projects that are near an dear to my heart and I’ve been staying up into the wee hours more than I should.

The universe has been giving me subtle signals (and some not so subtle signals). I wrote a blog post about it a few weeks ago, right after I took a nasty fall and hurt my elbow. The message I was getting loud and clear was to slow down. And I did–for a couple of days.

When you’re really healthy and get a couple of extended sleep nights it’s enough to make you feel like you can conquer the world again…so I started back on the late nights a few days after the injury. I know better than anyone the importance of sleep for recovering from injury, yet I continued to push myself.

The universe has been talking to me again and the message is the same. Only this time it wasn’t so subtle. Twice in the past 2 weeks, I got a wave of exhaustion at 3PM on Friday afternoon. It was so powerful that I did something completely out of character…I took a nap. I haven’t felt exhausted like that in many years.

This morning during my exercise session, I re-injured my arm. In fact I completely dislocated it. Fortunately, I was able to re-locate it myself, but it’s talking to me now. It’s saying “slow down”.

I’ve had some administrative challenges over the past few weeks, which I believe may be on the way to resolution, and as a result, I got behind on answering emails, creating some bonus materials for my Balance My Body Blueprint program, and completing a few e-books. In spite of all of that, however, I am committed to lights out before midnight for the rest of the week.

That may not seem like much for some, but for me, it’s big. Once I get the hang of it, maybe I will push it back to 11pm.

The world is on the verge of a whole new paradigm in health care, and we are the leaders. We need to teach by example and that’s just what I intend to improve at doing.

I believe that it’s important to keep commitments, and I also feel it’s important to make realistic commitments. I believe some of my commitments have been realistic only if I am willing to work 16 hour days, so my new commitment is to be realistic and keep in mind the importance of balance whenever I make commitments.

One other commitment I am re-affirming—having fun everyday. When I was leading my Jumpstart Your Energy class back in October, we did daily goals on the forum, and each of us told what we planned to do for fun. By publicly declaring it, I made time for fun everyday.

I decided to re-awaken that ritual. The plan is a blog post every day, in which I declare my bedtime from the night before, and my health goals for the day, including the fun activity I choose each day.

Would you like to join me? All you need to do is subscribe to the blog so you get notified when I post a new entry, and comment each day with your commitments. I commit to doing this for 30 days. Who’s in? It’s absolutely FREE.
I’ll probably come up with some sort of contest as we go along, so don’t miss a single day…register and make your comment for Day 1 here. I’m calling it the 30 Day Sleep and Fun Challenge.

Dr. Ritamarie’s commitments for Tuesday, March 2:

Lights out by midnight
Exercise 30 minutes or longer
Drink at least 2 quarts of green smoothie

What are you committing to? Comment below.

Wishing you Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

P. S. And speaking of FUN, there’s still time to sign up for the teleseminar I’m doing with Nomi Shannon, author of the Raw Gourmet. It’s going to be so much fun. But don’t take my word for it. Read all about it here:

http://drritamarie.com/DeliciouslyQuickRawFood-SignUp.php

Join Nomi Shannon, the Raw Gourmet and I for Deliciously Quick Raw Food ~ Tips from the Raw Gourmet ~ on Tuesday March 2 at 7:30 PM Central time as we demystify raw foods meal planning and preparation, tell you how to make a couple of quick and delicious snacks to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds, answer your most pressing questions and offer you a rawking good time as well.

Here’s the link to sign up.

http://drritamarie.com/DeliciouslyQuickRawFood-SignUp.php

We’ll record the call, so if you can’t make it live, sign up anyway and we’ll send you the recording.

Tags: commitments, exhaustion, fatigue, fatigue symptoms, Gluten Free Diet, nomi shannon, raw abd kiving foods, raw foods, vegan foods, vibrant health, whole foods
Posted in Articles | 30 Comments »

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3 Keys to a Vibrantly Healthy Valentine’s Day

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on February 14, 2010 – 5:36 pm -

Valentin's day background

Valentines Day is the LOVE holiday…the day when we express our love to the special people in our lives.

The tradition of Valentine’s Day is believed to have originated from the pagan customs of the Third or Fourth Century B.C., when the Festivals of Purification were celebrated in Ancient Rome. With the advent of Christianity, priests attempted to replace all ancient heathen practices, and in the fifth century A.D., they created its own holiday around the same date, and selected a saint who to honor for his devotion to love.

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is a day when health takes a backseat as most people embellish their loved ones with chocolates, little candy hearts with sayings on them and all sorts of sweet, heart shaped treats and lavishly rich dinners.

What would it be like to enjoy the magic of your Valentine’s Day love connections without compromising your health and your waistline?

Here are 3 key strategies that you can use to create new and memorable health promoting Valentine’s Day rituals.

1- Celebrate and thank the one person you can count on to be there every moment in your life, through thick and thin, good times and challenging ones and until you take your last breath…YOU. Do something special for yourself. Self love and care is health care. One of the best candle ways to improve the quality of your health and increase your energy and longevity is to consistently make time to reward and acknowledge yourself.

Take a minute right now to stroke and massage your shoulders, arms and hands. Doesn’t that feel great? Plan a time for a candle-lit hot bath, or an evening in bed to read, write or meditate. What’s your favorite pass time? What do you love to do? Reward yourself by scheduling time to do it. Schedule it right NOW.

Jot me a note in the comments box and let me know how you plan to show self love.

valentine chocolate small 2- Create special treats for your loved ones using whole, fresh, organic and living foods.

As a special Valentine’s Day gift from me to you, I created a recipe sampler you can use and enjoy.

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

3- Make aphrodisiac foods a part of the celebration, to spark some passion into your love life. These traditionally include:

Almond – aroma is supposed to induce passion in a female.
Arugula – has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D.
Avocado – The Aztecs called the tree the “testicle tree”.
Basil – Is supposed to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility.
Chocolate – contains PEA, a neurotransmitter that stimulates a feeling of love and connection.
Fennel – a source of natural plant estrogen, fennel was used in the early Egyptian times as “libido enhancement”.
Figs – An open fig is said to resemble the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant.
Garlic – is said to stir sexual desires.
Mustard – is believed to stimulate the sex glands and increase desire.
Pine Nuts – have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times.
Raspberries and Strawberries – are described in erotic literature as fruit nipples
Vanilla – The scent and flavor is believed to increase lust.

Do you have any favorite aphrodisiac foods? Submit your recipes and a description of the aphrodisiac properties of the food here:

http://www.drritamarie.com/newsletter/contributions/

I’ll be choosing one to publish in this month’s newsletter, which will be sent on Thursday February 18.

Please comment below… what are your valentines day plans?

Happy Valentines Day!

Remember to download your Valentines Day Recipe Sampler HERE and have fun!

With Love, Roses and Raw Chocolate Kisses,

Dr. Ritamarie

Tags: Add new tag, aphrodisiac, chocolate, gluten free holiday, holiday recipes, living foods, livingfoods, raw and living foods holiday recipes, raw foods, Valentines day, whole foods
Posted in Articles, Gluten Free recipes, Raw and Living Foods Recipes | 9 Comments »

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Taking Care of YOU – Slow Down and Enjoy Each Moment to Protect Yourself from Cancer

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on February 7, 2010 – 12:31 pm -

lotus yoga

It’s been a week to remember and all the messages I’ve received all week were “slow down” and “take care of yourself”.

A couple were obvious…others more subtle.

I don’t consider myself a tired person; quite the contrary. My energy seems almost without limit. I sleep very little, am constantly on the move and I get a lot accomplished. Yet a nagging voice in the back of my mind has been wondering if I may be causing some hidden damage to myself by sleeping so little.

On Wednesday evening I ran into to technical challenges with the teleconference for Week 3 of my Balance My Body Blueprint course. I had a slide presentation ready to go, and was all set to launch into new territory. The technical challenges prevented participation on the web, where more than half my students participate. So I decided to do a question and answer segment. It was just the right thing to do. I was able to answer lots of questions, and even helped a few people to determine the probable cause of long standing health challenges. Wow. Slow down. Most people were not ready to jump into what I had planned. They were perfectly fine with slowing down and getting their questions answered.

On Thursday, I was moving quickly through my kitchen, and caught my slipper on a door stop. It sent me flying through the air and I landed hard on the tile floor. My left arm hit first, and it hurt so badly that I immediately thought it was broken. While I had lots of plans for the rest of the day and the next, I spent most of the time in bed, icing my arm and resting. Slow down. It took an injury to get me to get a good night’s sleep. It’s recovering nicely now, as evidenced by the fact that I can type today. Yesterday I could barely hunt and peck with one hand.

I’m getting small messages, and I’m taking them to heart. Better listen to the soft calls than to wait for a big one.

Earlier this week I received the sad news that a dear friend had died of cancer. She was a young woman, in her forties, and she’s survived by her husband and four children. The children are young. Her oldest is about the same age as my youngest. And now they are without their Mommy, and the world will no longer experience the joy of Anna’s sweet, kind heart and loving and giving nature.

I’ve experienced the loss of a loved to cancer several times over the past 5 years. And while the importance of diet and detoxification are high on my list of cancer prevention techniques, Anna’s death forces me to really look at the bigger picture.

Anna was a raw food enthusiast. I met her at an Alissa Cohen Teacher training. She was the founder of Purely Delicious magazine. She was excited about sharing what she learned about the health benefits of raw and living foods with the world. Still, she got breast cancer. Sure, her diet wasn’t perfect, and we can point fingers at her imperfections, and blame them for her cancer. Yet others, many of my family members included, eat way less “perfectly” than Anna did, and use toxic home and body care products and drink tap water, and they don’t have cancer…yet.

The sad truth is that almost 50% of us will get cancer. Perhaps not all will die as a result, yet it’s an alarming statistic nonetheless.

While it may be easy for skeptics and critics of the living foods lifestyle to use Anna’s story as an excuse to just let it all go and eat whatever they want, it’s important to look beyond, and continue to hold the utmost respect for the value of high antioxidant, unrefined, whole fresh plants as a vital element in keeping you healthy.

I could quote from all sorts of research right about now, and try to convince you from an intellectual level of the importance of diet in protecting you from cancer, yet I’d rather speak to you from my heart. It’s easy to hear Anna’s story and become fearful, and doubt your choice to lead a healthy life and eat a healthy diet. The truth is, there’s a big picture here. And many of its parts are a somewhat mysterious.

Cancer is always caused by exceeding your body’s ability to detoxify and repair. Cancer starts almost daily in just about everyone, and is quickly thwarted by an intact immune system and a working detoxification system.

The choices you make daily effect your ability to detoxify and thwart cancer before it takes over. Those include the quality and quantity of the water you drink, how much sunshine you get on bare skin, your movement, your thoughts, your feelings – fear and judgment create a breeding ground for cancer–how much fun you have, how much deep restful sleep you get, the quality of the air you breathe and of course, your diet.

There are so many elements that determine your cancer risk…and your ability to be healthy. Some may appear to be beyond your control:

Genetics: some of us were born with genetic variations, called single neucleotide polymorphisms, aka SNPs (pronounced snips), that make it difficult to detoxify our environment without a little extra help.
Your Mom’s Emotional State when she was pregnant with you. You may have been born with worn out adrenals and low cellular energy as a result, making you prone to cancer and other illnesses.
Your Mom’s nutritional status and toxic exposures while she was pregnant with you. If she was depleted, you were born with nutritional imbalances.
Early feeding:Whether you were breast or bottle fed and what your early solid foods were determine the state of your digestive tract and immune system. Leaky gut and immune system problems can increase your risk of cancer and other illnesses.

Many people embark on a health journey and address a single aspect. I see many living foods diet followers who don’t exercise, or stay indoors all the time, or push themselves hard and don’t sleep enough (like me). It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that the good food can compensate for shortcomings in the others, but very often it cannot.

It’s time to look at the big picture. Sometimes just eating a healthy diet isn’t enough.

As a mother of 4 and editor and chief cook and bottle washer for a quarterly publication, Anna had no time left for herself. Even after she found out she had breast cancer, she continued to put others first, until she had to slow down. Unfortunately, it was too late for Anna. She opted for chemotherapy and radiation out of fear and perhaps desperation.

Most likely one or more of the early factors were at play with Anna. Yet, in spite of your genetics, early exposures and maternal environment, you can do what it takes to give yourself the best possible healthy and happy life. Once you identify the early factors that may be at play, through a combination of family history and genetic testing, there are steps you can take to correct for the inborn and early deficits.

It’s important to take inventory of your life and self correct where you can. If you’re not sleeping enough because you’re not going to bed at a reasonable hour (guilty as charged) then make a different choice. If you’re not sleeping enough because you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, you might have a hormonal imbalance. Adrenal imbalance and insulin dysfunction are the most likely culprits and they are both correctable.

If you have a lot of stress in your life (who doesn’t) you owe it to yourself to master te relax in pool chniques for transforming the negative impact on your body to positive.

Enhance your body’s detoxification systems, harness the power of blended greens and drink your greens at least once a day. Look for the positive and practice appreciation. Get in touch with really matters to you, and make daily choices that are consistent with your highest good.

Take care of others, but not at the expense of yourself. It’s important to take time for fun and pleasure each day, even for just a few moments.

No one can predict the length of your life – that’s out of your control. You can effect the quality of your life and decrease the likelihood of suffering as Anna did by making conscious and consistent choices to put your self first. Yes, you need to put yourself first. It is only by taking care of your needs that you have the energy and ability to take care of others. And if we all took better care of ourselves, there would be a lot less need to take care of others.

Love yourself. Slow down and have fun daily. Choose happiness daily and allow good health to follow.

In memory of Anna Tipps, friend, Mom wife, daughter, teacher and kind hearted loving soul. You will be missed.

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

Tags: Adrenal Fatigue, cancer, cleansing programs, detoxification programs, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, livingfoods, raw foods, raw foods recipes, whole foods
Posted in Articles, Immune System Support | No Comments »

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Peppermint Patties Go Raw: Gluten Free Raw Food Recipe for Superfood Candy Made with Hemp Seeds and Green Powder

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on December 19, 2009 – 12:45 pm -

My latest Yummy treat – I just made this as a variation of my Peppermint Patty Recipe from Healthy Halloween Treats , a complete guide to raw and living foods, gluten-free recipes for Halloween.

This 100% raw foods recipe is also gluten free and sugar free. Much better for you than the peppermint patties you may have eaten before. It’s high in omega 3 fats from the hemp seed, selenium from the brazil nuts, copper from the macadamia nuts, chlorophyll from the greens and antiviral lauric acid from the coocnut. They are very low glycemic, as they contain no sweeteners. If you prefer the filling a little bit sweeter, you can add 1/4 cup pitted dates.

Super Food Peppermint Patties

by Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo

Ingredients

Filling

1/2 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup brazil nuts
1/2 cup raw macadamia nuts
1 1/2 cup dried coconut shreds
1/8 teaspoon green stevia
1 Tablespoon each chlorella and blue green algae powder (or your favorite green powder)
3 drops peppermint essential oil

Chocolate Coating

1/4 cup cacao paste, softened in the dehydrator for 15 minutes at 115 degrees or in a double boiler
1/8 cup cacao butter, melted as for the cacao paste.
1/8 teaspoon stevia
2 drops mint essential oil

Directions:

Process the filling in food processor until almost smooth.
Press the filling into silicone molds, disposable mini cupcake papers, or any other shapes desired. If you prefer, you can spread it on a piece of wax paper and score into desired sizes.
Freeze the filling for at least half an hour.
Stir all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl or blend in blender.
Pop the filling from the molds or cut into desired sizes.
Dip the filling pieces into the chocolate sauce (you may need to re-soften it unless you made it right before dipping.)
Place carefully on a piece of wax paper to harden. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Chocolate topping variation

1/4 cup cacao powder
1/8 cup melted cacao butter
2 drops mint essential oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder

Other Variations

You can add a couple of drops of mint essential oil to your favorite chocolate sauce or any of the chocolate sauce recipes in my books Healthy Halloween Treats and Healthy Holiday Traditions: Nourishing Recipes for Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Celebrations. Both of these books are filled with gluten free raw and living foods recipes for holiday treats using health promoting ingredients.

Enjoy this recipe.

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

http://www.drritamarie.com

http://www.GreenFoodMagic.com

Tags: Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, DrRitamarie, Gluten Free Diet, gluten free holiday, Halloween treats, healthy holiday, holiday recipes, living foods, livingfoods, omega 3 fats, raw and living foods holiday recipes, raw foods, raw foods recipes, selenium, whole foods
Posted in Articles, Gluten Free recipes, Raw and Living Foods Recipes, healthy holiday | No Comments »

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Cancer and Children, the SAD Connection: Are Raw and Living Foods Part of the Solution?

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on December 11, 2009 – 3:07 pm -

It’s always sad to hear about a child who’s suffering and dying from cancer. It’s heartbreaking, actually. Such a waste of a life, to be stricken down so young. And what a painful experience for a parent…to lose a child is the worst nightmare of every parent.

Yet it happens every day, and it is frustrating to no end to observe the scenario. As you may recall, I lost my sister to cancer just over a year ago, and I watched in horror as they tore her immune system to shreds with the drugs, foods and treatments, in the hope that they could kill the cancer. She, like most cancer patients, died from the treatment, not the disease.

How can you expect a body to heal from cancer when it’s fed hospital food…white bread, milk, sugar, canned vegetables and bottled fruit juice. None of the food has life, and as such it has no ability to create life, or save life. It has only the power to destroy life.

This post was prompted by the story of a young boy named Dominic. I met his mom, Elaina Love, for the first time earlier this year, and again just a few weeks ago when she came to Austin to teach a class on how to make holiday meals that are life giving, in place of the holiday typical menu, containing foods that are life depleting.

Elaina and Dominic

I cried as I read this story and I’m tearing up again as I recount it. I have a son who’s around the same age, and the thought of losing him is unbearable. As I read Dominic and Elaina’s story, I couldn’t help but put myself into her shoes, and feel the intensity of the pain she is experiencing.

Dominic, age 14, became ill with leukemia earlier this year, and much to Elaina’s anguish, Dominic and his dad decided to put their trust in mainstream medicine — chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant. All the while, he continued to eat the food served in the hospital,and the foods he and his dad chose, rather than follow Elaina’s recommendations of green foods, wheat grass juice and no sugar.

They thought it was successful until November 25, 2009 when the doctors told them the leukemia was back and more aggressive than ever. There was nothing more that mainstream medicine could offer Dominic, except to keep him comfortable as they waited for him to die. Their estimate was that he had between 1 week and 1 month to remain on the planet.

Finally, Dominic and his dad agreed to follow Elaina’s advice and take him to the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida, where they are famous for helping people to heal from cancer and where people go when they have no other choice. There Dominic will eat a completely green raw diet consisting of juices and greens, get daily wheatgrass implants , oxygen therapy and other non conventional therapies that the institute has to offer. It is their last hope.

Before leaving for Hippocrates, Elaina took Dominic off everything that feeds cancer- sugar, fruit,bread, dairy, pastries, salt, caffeine, meat,and everything that is served on he hospital cafeteria trays sent to his room three times a day. He started consuming liquid blue green algae, wheat grass , green juice , cucumbers, avocado, lettuce, red bell peppers and only raw, vegan foods that contain no sugar. They stopped the IV, which contained sugar water.

Elaina and Dominic have been at Hippocrates for about 10 days now, and Elaina reports that he seems to be getting stronger. Only time will tell. You can follow Dominic’s progress on Elaina’s blog, at http://elainalove.wordpress.com/

The therapy and airfare combined are going to be close to $20,000 for the first 3 weeks. Drs Brian and Ann Marie Clement are offering a partial scholarship and there is a donation fund being set up.

You can help in a several ways:

1- Keep Dominic and Elaina in your thoughts and prayers. Send healing energy in their direction.

2- Donate, even $5!

http://www.purejoyplanet.com/store/index.php?cPath=26

Any help you can send their way would be so great.

3- Shop at Elaina’s website. Christmas and Hanukkah are coming up. Buy a gift for yourself or your loved ones. Buy Elaina’s books, DVDs, e-books, or a nut milk bag or Irish Moss.

http://purejoyplanet.com/store/

I bought her cultured foods DVD, that includes how to make kefir, saurkraut sour dough crackers, yogurt and more, her Irish moss e-book, Flavors of China e-book, and vanilla, cherry and hazelnut essential oils. Plus I donated $25! Everything helps.

Elaina Love is a professional Chef and Instructor, Lifestyle Counselor and Owner/Director of the raw food store and Pure Joy Planet. She authored the raw, vegan, living food recipe book Elaina’s Pure Joy Kitchen. She is the creator of the Amazing Nut Milk Bag.

Elaina has been teaching raw food courses worldwide since 1998. She is a Chef/Instructor at the renowned Living Light Culinary Arts Institute where she has been on staff since 2000.

Here’s what Elaina has to say:

“It is my life purpose to help people be as healthy, feel full of life force and joy that they can be, and I have helped soooo many people through my teachings, recipes, personal example and website. My family, however, from my son to my ex to my parents, have never wanted to embrace raw foods, and in fact shun it at all costs.

I got over it a long time ago and didn’t give it much thought anymore. But when Dom got cancer in Jan of 2009, my world turned upside down. I wanted so badly to help him with raw foods, but he and his dad just wouldn’t bite (literally and figuratively). So even though I begged, cried and pleaded, they opted for the traditional medical route.

And after awhile my initial rage filled resistance was kept under wraps to protect my son, and spirit told me to surrender and go along with what they had chosen, so I did and embrace it I did, with every fiber of my being hoping with all my heart that it would work.

I have been told by higher power that it’s going to be one of those miracle stories, where instead of the boy getting the girl, he gets the rest of his life…healthy, happy, cancer free and no drugs (the girl comes later)!”

Donations have been pouring in to help Dominic, and Elaina to pay for the expensive treatment at Hippocrates, for which insurance will not pay even a penny. Overwhelmed by the generosity. Se says”The gratitude I feel for you as I write this, even though I don’t know who you are yet, is so huge I want to cry”.

Let this story serve as a wake up call. Your children, our children, the children of the planet, NEED to be fed whole fresh foods, not the packaged, refined, cancer-causing fare served in schools, restaurants and most people’s homes.

We need to wake up, as a culture, to the fact that nature has its “laws“. Just as you can’t defy gravity, you can’t defy your body’s nutritional needs, feed yourself and your family toxic foods,and expect to be healthy.

Over 40% of the US population will get cancer. A large percentage of those WILL die from it. And these numbers are going up. The only way to put yourself and your loved ones on the “safe” side of the fence is to throw all the cancer causing foods and chemicals over the fence, and as far away from you as possible.

It’s painful to lose someone you love. It’s even more painful when you lose them to a preventable illness, as I lost my parents then my younger sister. Make a commitment today to, as Gandhi said, to ” be the change you want to see in the world”. Create vibrant health for you AND your loved ones, one bite at a time. Whatever the temporary pleasure attained from eating SAD food, it’s tainted by the long term suffering of cancer.

Get support if you need it. Surround yourself by like minded people who care about their health. Get a mentor and make a commitment to your health, your family’s health and the health of the planet. Dare to make unpopular decisions, and you’ll live to tell about it.

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

Tags: cleansing programs, detoxification programs, Elaina Love, green juice, Hippocrates Health Institute, leukemia, living foods, livingfoods, raw foods, raw foods diet, sprouts, wheat grass juice, whole foods
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Healthy for the Holidays: Nourishing Foods for Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years Celebrations

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on December 9, 2009 – 4:02 am -

Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo

I can’t believe that it’s almost Christmas? I’m really not ready at all! I haven’t started shopping, writing cards or even finished putting up my tree. My family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, bringing together the best of my husband’s family traditions and mine. And Hanukkah is just a few days away.

I used to bake a lot for the holidays, but since I no longer eat sugar, flour, butter and all the ingredients of my old favorite recipes, and I prefer to eat raw and living foods, I had to develop new recipes. My favorites were for cookies, especially gingerbread, cranberry bread and pecan pie. My new recipes taste as good or even BETTER than my old favorites.

The foods that used to fill my holiday plate did nothing to enhance my health and did everything to clog my arteries, raise my blood sugar, expand my waistline and left me feeling sluggish, bloated, and foggy headed.

When I eat the foods I make using my new recipes, I feel great! I no longer feel bloated or exhausted after eating my favorite Christmas cookies and pies.

Even if you’ve been dedicated to vibrant health for a long time, staying strong and true to your health commitment is a challenge when you’re surrounded by the smells and tastes that remind you of past holidays and connect you with family and friends. You may have even learned to equate these foods with love.

The pressure from friends and family to eat the old favorites can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve only recently adopted healthy eating habits. Add to that the magnitude of the long holiday to-do list (shopping for, wrapping, and exchanging gifts; sending cards; decorating; and making food) and it’s only natural for you to become overly stressed or anxious.

You may have grown up using food to comfort and soothe you.

Certain aromas may remind you of the comfort of grandma’s house on a special holiday, or a special person or feeling that you became connected to early on in your life.

Rather than giving in to temptation, or depriving yourself of tasty foods and feeling angry and resentful about it, you can learn to recreate your favorite holiday meals in ways that are delicious, nutritious and fun and easy to make.

http://www.drritamarie.com/WinterHolidays

Since I’ve been married to Scott, I’ve learned to make Hanukkah foods, too, like latkes with homemade applesauce and dairy free sour cream.

I’ve been working on putting all of these recipes together and finally have them ready in the form of a book. By the time I finished putting in all the recipes and tips for creating low stress holiday celebrations, the book ended up being over 160 pages! And the recipes are all gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, and made with whole, fresh, plant-based, raw and living foods.

http://www.drritamarie.com/WinterHolidays

I’ve put together a couple of very special packages that include my new book, “Healthy Holiday Traditions: Nourishing Recipes for Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Celebrations”and I’m ready to share them with you!

So go on over to

http://www.drritamarie.com/WinterHolidays

and reserve your copy. The book is in e-book format, so you can download it instantly. I’m working on getting a printed version available too, and those who purchase the e-book during the next couple of weeks will be offered the print book at for a nominal upgrade fee.

I’m so excited about this.

I’ve added some juicy new bonuses, for a limited time only, and a very special “Deluxe Holiday Toolkit”. When you order the e-book, one of the bonuses you’ll receive is access to an online video of me making some of the recipes.

Here’s a comment from someone who watched the Holiday Video when I offered it with the Thanksgiving Feast book:

I just watched the Holiday recipe video…OMG, it was WONDERFUL!!!! And so helpful! I bought the e-book, but it makes such a difference to actually see you putting the elements together!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CREATING THIS VIDEO!!!!

I look forward to hearing from you. The message I’d like to hear is how you stayed healthy throughout the holidays, had lots of energy and enjoyed the connection with your loved ones while eating delicious foods and having a blast.

Please comment below and let me know what your favorite holiday foods are. If health enhancing versions of them are not already in the book, rest assured they’ll be in version 2. And if you contribute a recipe or idea that makes it into the second edition next year, I’ll be sure to send you a free copy.

Go ahead and let me know what foods you really love and have a healthy and happy holiday season.

Love, Health and Gratitude,

Dr. Ritamarie

http://www.drritamarie.com/WinterHolidays

Tags: Christmas recipes, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, DrRitamarie, fatigue symptoms, gluten free, Gluten Free Diet, gluten free holiday, Hanukkah recipes, healthy holiday, holiday diet, holiday recipes, holiday survival, living foods, livingfoods, New Years Recipes, raw and living foods holiday recipes, raw foods, raw foods diet, raw foods recipes, vegan foods, whole foods
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Gluten-Free, Holiday Treats – Organic, raw and whole Fresh foods

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on December 7, 2009 – 11:48 am -

Tis the Season to Be Jolly

PB050884

Holidays are about connection and love, not fretting about food and worrying about feeling deprived while everyone else is stuffing themselves with sugar and fat. If you are dedicated to staying healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season, yet still have a desire to fit in, and enjoy the holiday cheer, there are lots of resources for you. Here are a couple:

1- If you live in or near Austin, you’re in for a treat. There’s no reason to feel deprived this holiday season. You can enjoy delicious Holiday Cookies – Raw, Vegan, naturally sweetened and gluten Free- festively boxed and ready
to give as a gift or as a treat for yourself. Karen Osborne, my dear friend and the Fresh’n Fun Living Co-op Manager, talented chef and recent graduate of Living Light Culinary Institute in California has created these beautiful and delicious gift boxes for you.

The boxes include a dozen holiday cookies, and will be ready for pick-up in the
Austin area beginning in mid December. The boxes contain 2 each of the
following:

German Chocolate Brownies, Pecan Pie Squares, Not Oatmeal Raisin Cookies,
Lemon Cookies, Rocky Road Brownies and Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies.

Carob can be substituted for Chocolate in these cookies…please specify
your preference when you check out.

Supplies are limited so order early. Orders will be processed on a first
come, first served basis.

Schedule:
2 dozen boxes will be ready for delivery on Dec. 13 or any day of that week
2 dozen boxes will be ready for delivery on Dec. 20.

Each box is $30. Please specify Chocolate or Carob when you order.

To place an order, click on a link below and specify the number of boxes you
desire in our secure shopping cart.

An e-mail will be sent out when the boxes are ready with dates and locations for pick-up in the Austin area.

1 Cookie Box for the week of Dec. 13 $30.00

1 Cookie Box for the week of Dec. 20 $30.00

2) You can learn to make cookies and close to 100 other delicious holiday foods. It’s easy to do when you ahve the right recipes.

My new book, “Healthy Holiday Traditions: Nourishing Recipes for Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Celebrations” will be announced very soon. We’re putting the last minute tweaks on the bonus and graphics pages on the web page. We’re even offering it as a part of a Deluxe Holiday Toolkit. Those who ordered the toolkit have already received the book.

If you already know you want it, you can get it right away by going to www.IndulgeWithoutBulge.com There are over $100 in bonus gifts being offered. When you get the deluxe toolkit, one of the bonuses is an instantly accessible online video of demonstrations of 9 of the recipes.

There are also some blog posts from last year and this, and some tips in my newsletter, www.drritamarie.com/newsletter

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

Tags: Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, DrRitamarie, Gluten Free Diet, gluten free holiday, healthy holiday, holiday diet, holiday survival, living foods, livingfoods, raw and living foods holiday recipes, raw foods, raw foods diet, raw foods recipes, vegan foods, whole foods
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Quick and Easy Healthy Lunch Suggestions: Raw Food on the Run

Written by Ritamarie Loscalzo on November 10, 2009 – 1:22 pm -

It’s tough to get quick meals on the run when your goal is to eat healthfully.. in ways that improve your energy and keep your brain clear. If you live in or around Austin Texas, you’re in for a treat. On Friday, November 13, 2009, I’ll be hosting a class called “Lunch & Learn” . Join Dr. Ritamarie Losclazo and visiting certified raw foods chef and instructor Tonya Cole Lightfoot for a fun and delicious lunchtime.

We’ll teach you to make a delicious gourmet lunch using only fresh organic, gluten free, dairy free un-cooked plant foods. Then we’ll serve you the full course meal.

Register early and receive $10 off the already discounted tuition. Pay only $37 for a full course meal, a recipe guide, instruction and demonstration, and lots of tips and tricks for making meals in a hurry.