A Raw-Vegan Journey

Once again, my entries here have been scarce lately. Why? I've been blogging on a 7-Day Raw Challenge blog board hosted by The Garden Diet. I will begin transferring some of those entries here, to bring you up to speed with my life since I last posted. I will blend old posts with current ones I write.

Sept. 10th Entry from the 7-Day Raw Challenge Blog Board



Hello Everyone:

It's a pleasure to be traveling this journey with you. While the majority of my diet is raw -- and has been for a while -- I still haven't quite "nailed" the all-raw lifestyle, so to speak. However, since we grow through new experiences, I am looking at the upcoming 7-day Raw Challenge as another opportunity to grow on various levels.

What has me most excited about this is that my husband has agreed to come onboard and attempt the challenge, too. (Some days, it's tough co-existing with him as we embrace different diets!) :-) The fact that he is willing to really delve into this challenge truly warms my heart. Already, I can feel progress.:-)

I expect to see transformations on many levels this next week. I'm sure I'll meet lots of new friends here, too.

Hugs and Prayers,

Penny

Here's a reply I received that day from a participant of the raw challenge whom I now call my friend.

Penny,

I am so happy for you as I am experiencing the same progress in my own home. My husband and I are vegan but he is not at the same level as I am concerning the vegan diet. I asked him if he wanted to join the 7-day raw journey with me and he said yes. I was surprised but I am excited.

The fact that he and I are usully not eating the same weakens me on my own journey to consuming raw 100%. I am also hoping that because he and I are eating 100% raw my two-year-old will come on board.

Peace,

Lisa Iyone
The Raw Afrikan

My Juicing Fascination

The science behind juicing just fascinates me, so here goes another juice-related blog entry.

This morning, I was able to make a juice that tasted identical to The Unbeetable juice I love from Native Sun. If you already read this entry, you'll recall me wondering why my homemade beet/apple juice turns out a different color from the one I get at Native Sun. (I'll get to that answer in just a bit.)

In the meantime......

"Why does the color matter?" my husband asked me yesterday, implying that the taste should be the priority. Perhaps, he's right! As long as I am juicing live foods, the color of the juice is probably insignificant, right? Maybe not! According to The Juiceman's Power of Juicing by Jay Kordich, "Old-time raw foodists and herbalists have long known that the color or shape of a fruit and vegetable often convey its healthful properties."

So, if you ever wondered why red beets are just so rich in color, here's why! Kordich explains:

"Beets contain iron, calcium, sulfur, potassium and chlorine. They also are a source of beta carotene and vitamin C. Their rich mineral makeup contributes directly to the well-being of the liver and gall bladder while building up blood corpuscles and cells and stimulating the activity of the lymph glands. Beets emulsify bile and flush the kidneys and bladder. Beet greens are rich in carotenoids which help prevent certain types of cancer. They also contain manganese, which combines with iron to feed the liver and red corpuscles. This vital mineral contributes to normal brains functions, reproductive functions, bone structure and normal glucose metabolism."

"Beet juice is potent stuff. Never drink it solo," Kordich advises. That's the reason for diluting beet juice with milder ones such as apple. "The juice of half a small beet is all that should be mixed with the juice of four apples," says Kordich.

Back to the preparation of my "Unbeetable" juice at home this morning. I was tickled pink about being able to make a juice that was different in color from any I've ever made. Plus, a bright pinkish/reddish colored juice is plain ole' pretty! So, you should have seen my bounce of excitement when:
(1) I ended up with a such a lovely color in my juice glass this morning.
(2) I took my first sip and the taste was familiar to that of the "The Unbeetable" at Native Sun.

What did I do differently this time? Added half of a lemon. That seems to have made the difference with both the color and taste. I didn't have a yellow beet to add, but the lemon seems to have worked just fine for altering the color. (I had previously been omitting the lemon.) I guess it's the red plus white equals pink concept! The recipe: half of a small beet, about four apples, a tad of ginger and half of a lemon. (I think I may have sliced even less than a half of the beet and still managed to secure that "perfect" taste and "perfect" color.)

Again, the study of juicing -- of live foods -- just fascinates me right down to my core!

The Spotlight is Shining on Quince

Unfortunately, I haven't kept my word about putting the spotlight on someone each Friday. I'll try to do better. I've had so much to juggle lately it seems; however, I do try to be a woman of my word and would like to get back to what I initially said I would do.

Today, the spotlight is shining on Quince, my teenage Godson. I've been spending more time with him lately now that he has graduated from high school in Bermuda and has come abroad for the next phase of his educational journey. He has impressed me with his desire and courage to embrace a field that I don't know to be typically explored by teenagers. From what I've observed or have been told or have experienced myself, many teenagers his age are simply trying to figure out exactly where they want to go in life, and that is fine. The timetable of life is not the same for everyone. We're unique. I respect that. Knowing "what we'll be when we grow up" doesn't always just click instantly for many of us. However, I can't help but be impressed that Quince appears to be totally clear that he wants to be an Underwater Mechanic. Yes, an Underwater Mechanic!

He's serious. He's focused. He's determined. He's calm and smiles a lot amidst such a rigorous school schedule to help him meet his career goals. I mean, what teenager is okay with getting up super early each day to participate in major physical training -- followed by a good dose of morning swimming -- prior to attending an 8:00 a.m., class followed by more classes until about 5:00 p.m.

A few nights ago, I got an e-mail from Quince at about 11:00 p.m., and wondered what on earth he was doing up that late knowing the type of schedule he now has. When I spoke to him on the phone and asked why he was up that late, he replied: "I was studying.....for my physics test." Physics is a subject Quince hasn't had a lot of experience with, so he figured that would be a tough test for him. But, he scored a 90 percent on it. Way to go, Future Underwater Mechanic!

Last weekend, when Quince spent the weekend with us, I noticed he brought his books along with him. When I asked if he had homework, his reply was, "No, I just want to go over some things I'm not sure about it." For the Physics test. Impressive! On Sunday morning, when I came out of my bedroom, I noticed Quince at the kitchen table reviewing his school material. This boy is serious, I thought. You know, I often visualize his mom (one of my dearest friends -- we go way back) saying to Quince while hugging him on the day we took him to his new school: "Do your best...okay, Quince!" From what I can tell, he has started out doing just that. His best.

Quince recently celebrated his birthday, so that's another reason why I want to shine the spotlight on him today. Happy Birthday, Quince! You have so much to be proud of. . You have so much future ahead of you. Your parents, your siblings....so many of us are rooting for you and finding great joy in cheering you on. Oh geez, I feel my eyes welling up, so I'll pause here and just let the spotlight shine on our future Underwater Mechanic......the amazing Quince!!!

Quince, keep up the fabulous work. Stay focused. Stay true to yourself. Stay true to God. Stay true to your lessons learned from your parents and other positive role models you have in your life. You are destined for some great experiences.......a road that many of us may never travel but will surely have the pleasure of "living" those adventurous experiences through you.

Hugs from Godma Penny! Love from all of those who love you so much!

Yellow Produce Day

Yesterday, I sampled a yummy Yellow Watermelon at work. Yellow Watermelon? I never knew such a fruit existed. I also found out that a Yellow Beet was included in The Unbeetable juice I purchased from the Juice and Smoothie Bar during my break. Yellow Beet? I never knew such a vegetable existed.
Picture Credit here!


After drinking that Unbeetable juice (apple, lemon, ginger and beet), I returned to the Juice and Smoothie Bar to pay compliments to the chef and inquired about why the Unbeetable juice I purchase at Native Sun is pinkish/reddish, but the one I make at home is bright red (and that's after only using a small portion of the red beet). That's when I learned that in addition to the ingredient of red beet in my yesterday's juice, a yellow beet had been included, too. Perhaps that explains the color difference. Maybe! Whatever the case, that juice was incredibly delicious and looked so pretty!

Sometimes I wonder why fruits and veggies and the many things we can do with them bring me so much joy. Perhaps the answer is simple: They are living foods -- and life plus life equals LIFE, thus the feeling of truly LIVING in the presence and participation of fruits and veggies!

In Life,

Penny

To Blog or Not To Blog?

I haven't blogged in a while, and there are several reasons for that:

(1) I've started a new part-time job outside of the home, and I've been so busy taking in new health information that I haven't made time to sit and blog.

(2) I've had friends visit my home from Bermuda since my last blog entry and have been busy spending time with them for five days and helping my Godson prepare to attend a school in the area. Again, that didn't leave time for much blogging.

(3) Do I want to continue blogging here? That's a question I have been asking myself lately. Although I love journaling -- whether someone reads my words or not -- it seems that many of us blog to connect on a positive, deeper level with people. For me, at least, that's the bigger purpose I have in mind. However, I'm not certain how much I'm "connecting" with others out there. It's hard to tell, if readers don't comment. But, I must thank Jennifer for her regular comments and Linda for her e-mails mentioning that she was inspired in one way or another by my words. So, I am thankful that there's a connection going on with them at least.

(4) Sometimes I wonder if I even need to be revealing aspects of my life this way.

But, the bottom line is that I do love to write and share and take my chances at touching a life along the way. Sooo, if folks such as Jennifer and Linda are inspired by my words as they have generously shared, well, I guess that's enough for me to keep on blogging.

Looks like I just answered my own question.:-) Given that, I suppose I should try to get back into a regular blogging routine.