I work mostly weekends, and since I am taking this weekend off for the Raw Union, there was a huge dent in the hours I was working this week. I was only schedule 11 hours for the ENTIRE week...haha, it's almost comical how lame that is. I asked around and picked up more hours, and yesterday I worked a whopping 12 HOURS! I work at a coffee shop in a very high paced environment, so this is tough work. At least I was physically active ALL DAY LONG (caps means serious business). But, surprisingly, it wasn't bad at all! Wanna know my secret...(?) I loaded up on a TON of spirulina and astaxanthin for breakfast, and stayed hydrated all day. This stuff is, in my opinion, the ultimate superfood. I must do really well on a plant based protein, because man did this kick me into high gear for most of my day. I felt stimulated, alert and just plain happy as can be. It helped that I didn't eat much most of the day except little snacks here and there on a break, so digesting food didn't really subtract from my energy level. Then, today I covered an OPENING shift (5:00am!), again making a loaded raw cacao, spirulina, almond milk, maca, bee pollen and banana smoothie along side 12mg of astaxanthin, and BOOM...all day again. It was wonderful. I feel five again!
Later in the afternoon I went to the People's Co-op farmers market. It was such a blast. I ended up hanging out with a fellow PDX raw-y, listening to live music, eating fresh strawberries and salad. Sometimes Portland feels like a real treasure. It was great. I got some E3Live that I am really excited to try out. A really cool guy was sampling it out and gave me such a huge shot of it, just to see if I could handle it. Whoa, it was intense, but fantastic! I ended up being so impressed that I bought some, and convinced the woman standing in line behind me to pick some up as well :). Hope she needs energy! I also am excited to try out a locally cultured coconut yogurt that I got...I'll go get it...her it goes......MMMMMMMM! Soooo delicious. Probiotic goodness! Yum. With the strawberries I just got...delicacy.
As of today my top fav superfoods that I am using:
1) Spirulina
2) E3Live
3) Maca
4) Bee pollen
5) Chia seeds
6) Cacao
7) Goji berries
8) Cocunut 0il/water/yogurt/dried
9) Loads of blueberries
10) Mesquite powder
I have been kind of on a budget lately so my cupboards are getting bare, but theses are what I absolutely have to keep stock of for the time being. I add some, and subtract some depending on what else I want to experiment with. I usually throw all these things into a smoothie in the morning, have a salad mid day, and a small snack in the evening.
Tomorrow Kevin and Ann Marie Gianni from the Renegade Health Show will be speaking in Portland, so I will look forward to hear what they have to say. They will talk on "The pit-fall of a plant based diet." Should be interesting. I watch their show almost daily, and love the stuff that they share about.
Now I have to go get ready for the Raw Union! I have a jam packed schedule tomorrow and I leave bright and early Friday morning for the long drive down to Ashland.
Thank your local farmer :),
Katie
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Trip to Astoria & Photos!
Sunday Farmers Market in Astoria, Oregon!
Cute little corner health food store
Lunch!
This was the BIGGEST tub of Nutella I've ever seen! They imported it from Italy! About 6 months ago I would have eaten it all :)
Aww, fluffy pooch!
Road side Swiss Chard...love it!
This was a fantastically decorated wall in a boutique hotel
View of the Columbia River
Man vs. Nature
And beach fun!
Yesterday was a LOAD of fun! I went to the Sunday farmers market in Astoria with my pops. Like typical Oregonians we brought rain jackets and left our high hopes for sun back home...but ALAS! SUN! it ended up being the perfect day. No rain, no wind, not too hot...perfect. We high tailed it to the nearest place we could find that resembled the ocean, and found the beach. Yes, not the coast, this was full on beach baby! Sun, waves, sand castles and smiles. It was fun.
Other than that, not much happening 'round here. Enjoy the photos!
Sun n' Smiles,
Katie
Other than that, not much happening 'round here. Enjoy the photos!
Sun n' Smiles,
Katie
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Day # 2 - Water Fast & Garden photos
We call this Niagara Falls :)
Only one little guy would come out for the camera.
Pollinate away my furry little friend!
My back yard
Kale, Garlic and Chard...oh my!!
Attack of the Massive Dill!!!
Starters
Aww, baby tomato
I went out for a short time today and shot some photos of my garden! Here they are!
Today was...intense...very difficult. I was struggling very hard with many things. Worst part about it is that I had to pick up some shifts next week to pay the bills. I'm not sure how things will work out...If I keep on like this I won't be able to do it. I might have to break the fast tomorrow, so on Monday I will have full strength again. If I do, oh well. I tried, and I did gain a lot from this. Some other season when I don't have as much going on I will try to do it again. If I had a few weeks off from this life, I'd go for it. Two days though, that's impressive to me at least! I felt very weak today, and struggled emotionally off and on. Nice liberation from a full belly though!
Love it all!
Katie
Friday, June 12, 2009
Day #1 - Water Fast
Today was my first day going through the detoxification of a water fast...and surprisingly, it's not that bad! I filled my ipod with audio programs and relaxing music, turned off my cell phone and clock, closed the curtains and doors to my bedroom, turned off the lights and just relaxed. I experienced the pangs of hunger on and off throughout the day, usually after filling up my stomach with water to get that "full" feeling, but overall not too bad. I stayed hydrated all day, remembering to drink about 16 oz of water every hour or so (not sure! didn't have a clock! :). During the process I noticed that weird memories kept coming up, especially related to past relationships, not just romantic, but strong friendships as well. Most of them were related to memories back in Turkey.
For all those who don't know, I spent a year and a half teaching English in Istanbul, Turkey where I had some of the best and worst times ever. Lot's of strong emotional attachment was created there, and it has definitely been a struggle unwinding the knotted spiderweb that I created. The time I spent there was so life changing, and I went through a journey of such self realization. It was the first time that I had nobody to depend on but myself. No longer did I have the shoulders of loved ones, or familiar places to comfort me if I was ever in distress. My surroundings where completely foreign and unfamiliar, and it got a bit overwhelming at times. Slowly I carved out a life, developed friendships, learned the language and culture, and started calling it "home." When I would travel other places, I would soon miss the familiar sights and smells that filled the streets in Istanbul, and when I would be back where the mosques and Turkish flags rolled freely over hills and roadsides I would feel at peace. I would tell myself I was back home. When I started distinguishing my life in Istanbul as my home, my emotions took over. It soon became too much to handle, and I felt a burden, like I was carrying the smog of the city's pollution on my shoulders. I soon stopped going out with friends, and became a recluse wandering the streets. I suppose I knew that I would soon leave, for soon after I did decide that it was time to go back to my native home, Portland. Of course, when I did return I had to "un-shock" myself, and it took a toll on my health. I fell into a state of chronic fatigue, depression, digestive issues, skin irregularities, weight gain, bladder and yeast infections...the works. I was a very unhappy soul being swallowed up by the pain that consumed my mind, body and spirit.
This leads me to where I am today. I became a live foodarian and a superfoodarian because of a sudden, very strong force of resistance that bubbled up to the surface from who knows where. One day I refused to succumb to levels I was allowing myself to sink to, and told myself that I would turn my life around. I started engulfing myself in every piece of information I could get my hands on and, after a short journey, stumbled into raw food. It was almost overnight that I decided to try out the diet, and never stopped. I am changed for the better because of this journey. I have always liked adventures, and so far raw food has kept me on my toes the entire ride. Now I am going back to school to study food nutrition. Funny how life takes the strangest twists and turns.
Anyway, I say all that to say this fast is finally bringing up those memories. And like a owner guides his dog on a leash, my memories guide my emotions and I am forced to deal with them. It is not a bad thing, as I feel this is the appropriate time to deal with them, knowing they will have to come up eventually. The most important thing I've discovered is not to beat myself over them. Past is past, and as much as some of it hurts, it never goes away unless I acknowledge it, forgive the person and myself. I cry a little if I must at times, then move on. I've been judging myself less and less, and that has let me experience huge amounts of release.
When fasting there tends to be a void where the food usually goes. This food usually acts like a clogged drain. The water (emotions) fill up in the sink very fast, all at once, and the crud (food) makes the water drain very very slow. This water will soon become dead, rancid and host many critters like bacteria. This is what happens in our body, and the more we let these emotions become stagnant, the harder they will be to deal with when we do unclog. If we never unclog we will always carry this forever increasing burden, creating many dis-eases. I am finding out that the easiest way is to deal with them as they come, and practice the art of living in the present. Overeating is a way to fill this void, but we don't realize that the more we use to fill it, the more expanded the void becomes, and then the more we have to eat to fill it. A vicious cycle. I'm using fasting as a way to fill the gap in the void, allowing me to unclog my drain. What a relief! Everyone should experience something like this, even for a short time. Go one day without eating just to experience the unfamiliar feelings that become so present to the moment.
One time I tried to do a juice fast, and I really wasn't mentally and emotionally in the right place. I just up and decided that I should do it because it is something everyone must do at one point or another an I should just get it over with. Uh-uh, no way sister. I lasted a very short amount of time, and I got so freaked out by what was happening that I went on a massive binge eating parade. It was still raw, but it was avocado, coconut oil, chocolate fudges, heavy dressings, flax cookies and crackers. Anything that would fill me up to the point where I was numb. It was a pretty bad period, and I told myself that I could never do that to myself unless I was really willing and wanting to do it from all of my being.
Ok, this is getting long, so I will end this by saying that so far the fast has been wonderful and eye opening. I'm excited about the next two days.
Stay hydrated :)
Katie
For all those who don't know, I spent a year and a half teaching English in Istanbul, Turkey where I had some of the best and worst times ever. Lot's of strong emotional attachment was created there, and it has definitely been a struggle unwinding the knotted spiderweb that I created. The time I spent there was so life changing, and I went through a journey of such self realization. It was the first time that I had nobody to depend on but myself. No longer did I have the shoulders of loved ones, or familiar places to comfort me if I was ever in distress. My surroundings where completely foreign and unfamiliar, and it got a bit overwhelming at times. Slowly I carved out a life, developed friendships, learned the language and culture, and started calling it "home." When I would travel other places, I would soon miss the familiar sights and smells that filled the streets in Istanbul, and when I would be back where the mosques and Turkish flags rolled freely over hills and roadsides I would feel at peace. I would tell myself I was back home. When I started distinguishing my life in Istanbul as my home, my emotions took over. It soon became too much to handle, and I felt a burden, like I was carrying the smog of the city's pollution on my shoulders. I soon stopped going out with friends, and became a recluse wandering the streets. I suppose I knew that I would soon leave, for soon after I did decide that it was time to go back to my native home, Portland. Of course, when I did return I had to "un-shock" myself, and it took a toll on my health. I fell into a state of chronic fatigue, depression, digestive issues, skin irregularities, weight gain, bladder and yeast infections...the works. I was a very unhappy soul being swallowed up by the pain that consumed my mind, body and spirit.
This leads me to where I am today. I became a live foodarian and a superfoodarian because of a sudden, very strong force of resistance that bubbled up to the surface from who knows where. One day I refused to succumb to levels I was allowing myself to sink to, and told myself that I would turn my life around. I started engulfing myself in every piece of information I could get my hands on and, after a short journey, stumbled into raw food. It was almost overnight that I decided to try out the diet, and never stopped. I am changed for the better because of this journey. I have always liked adventures, and so far raw food has kept me on my toes the entire ride. Now I am going back to school to study food nutrition. Funny how life takes the strangest twists and turns.
Anyway, I say all that to say this fast is finally bringing up those memories. And like a owner guides his dog on a leash, my memories guide my emotions and I am forced to deal with them. It is not a bad thing, as I feel this is the appropriate time to deal with them, knowing they will have to come up eventually. The most important thing I've discovered is not to beat myself over them. Past is past, and as much as some of it hurts, it never goes away unless I acknowledge it, forgive the person and myself. I cry a little if I must at times, then move on. I've been judging myself less and less, and that has let me experience huge amounts of release.
When fasting there tends to be a void where the food usually goes. This food usually acts like a clogged drain. The water (emotions) fill up in the sink very fast, all at once, and the crud (food) makes the water drain very very slow. This water will soon become dead, rancid and host many critters like bacteria. This is what happens in our body, and the more we let these emotions become stagnant, the harder they will be to deal with when we do unclog. If we never unclog we will always carry this forever increasing burden, creating many dis-eases. I am finding out that the easiest way is to deal with them as they come, and practice the art of living in the present. Overeating is a way to fill this void, but we don't realize that the more we use to fill it, the more expanded the void becomes, and then the more we have to eat to fill it. A vicious cycle. I'm using fasting as a way to fill the gap in the void, allowing me to unclog my drain. What a relief! Everyone should experience something like this, even for a short time. Go one day without eating just to experience the unfamiliar feelings that become so present to the moment.
One time I tried to do a juice fast, and I really wasn't mentally and emotionally in the right place. I just up and decided that I should do it because it is something everyone must do at one point or another an I should just get it over with. Uh-uh, no way sister. I lasted a very short amount of time, and I got so freaked out by what was happening that I went on a massive binge eating parade. It was still raw, but it was avocado, coconut oil, chocolate fudges, heavy dressings, flax cookies and crackers. Anything that would fill me up to the point where I was numb. It was a pretty bad period, and I told myself that I could never do that to myself unless I was really willing and wanting to do it from all of my being.
Ok, this is getting long, so I will end this by saying that so far the fast has been wonderful and eye opening. I'm excited about the next two days.
Stay hydrated :)
Katie
Water Fasting
Hiya!
As I mentioned before in my previous blog, I have requested the next couple of days off to head off some kind of detoxification process...and after thinking long and hard about where I am at emotionally, mentally and physically, I think it is time. Time to do the water fast I have been wanted to do for so long now. The catch is that I requested the time off to spend some time at the beach as a way to relax, but now that I'm considering a water fast, I'm thinking that being all alone at the beach (miles from anyone I know) isn't such a great idea after all. As I know from previous juice feasting and reading other water fasting experiences, I understand that there are many things that can seem scary and a bit off. I'm not one to get nervous but there is a point where it just downright isn't smart to put myself in a dangerous position. I would feel way more at ease if I was close to home, meditating in a dark room instead. It will still be a relaxing break, and I feel this will be a great experience. I have never done a water fast, and have no clue how my body will react under such deprivation. I'm kind of excited.
So that will start tomorrow! I just wanted to cue you in on my sudden change in plans. Probably no beach. It will be rainy anyways :/. But, not worries, because I feel I will gain a ton from these next couple of days. Depending on how I am feeling, I may keep the blog updated during the process, or just record entries from my journal when it is all over. Either way, you'll be informed eventually about how everything is going.
I will break the water fast with a very diluted juice fast, then full juice feast, then slowly get on energy soups and smoothies, then small salads, etc. Who knows how long it will take, but I hope I will be able to stomach some raw chocolate and durian that will surely be present in abundance at the Raw Union next weekend. We'll see!
Stay hydrated; I know I will!
Katie
As I mentioned before in my previous blog, I have requested the next couple of days off to head off some kind of detoxification process...and after thinking long and hard about where I am at emotionally, mentally and physically, I think it is time. Time to do the water fast I have been wanted to do for so long now. The catch is that I requested the time off to spend some time at the beach as a way to relax, but now that I'm considering a water fast, I'm thinking that being all alone at the beach (miles from anyone I know) isn't such a great idea after all. As I know from previous juice feasting and reading other water fasting experiences, I understand that there are many things that can seem scary and a bit off. I'm not one to get nervous but there is a point where it just downright isn't smart to put myself in a dangerous position. I would feel way more at ease if I was close to home, meditating in a dark room instead. It will still be a relaxing break, and I feel this will be a great experience. I have never done a water fast, and have no clue how my body will react under such deprivation. I'm kind of excited.
So that will start tomorrow! I just wanted to cue you in on my sudden change in plans. Probably no beach. It will be rainy anyways :/. But, not worries, because I feel I will gain a ton from these next couple of days. Depending on how I am feeling, I may keep the blog updated during the process, or just record entries from my journal when it is all over. Either way, you'll be informed eventually about how everything is going.
I will break the water fast with a very diluted juice fast, then full juice feast, then slowly get on energy soups and smoothies, then small salads, etc. Who knows how long it will take, but I hope I will be able to stomach some raw chocolate and durian that will surely be present in abundance at the Raw Union next weekend. We'll see!
Stay hydrated; I know I will!
Katie
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Juicing!
Welcome everyone! Isn't everyone glad that it is SUMMER! What is it about the sun that makes us feel so great? Today I did a semi-juice feast...but it was more out of lack of appetite than detoxing. I have been on a spirulina craze. Ever since I purchased Cyanotech's spirulina and natural astaxanthin, I've been in a algae kind of mood. It is seriously some serious stuff. It has been five days since I've been using both of the products and I see a massive improvement in my stamina, especially in the morning about an hour after taking it. I take 12mg of astaxanthin, and that keeps me going pretty much until the late afternoon, when I have another juice loaded with more spirulina or fun kale juices and what not. Great stuff! Go on their site and do some reading about their products. I love what they are getting into and how they go about making and packaging their products. Today I enjoyed fresh spirlina, carrot, radish, celery, cucumber, kale stem, and lemon juice! It was delicious and so power packed. I loved it!
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday I requested some time off of work to get in some relaxing time at the Oregon coast. It isn't suppose to be super nice, but hey, it's Oregon! I'm use to the rain! I am so into getting proper amounts of relaxation. If I ever feel stressed, run down, apathetic, or just a bit snotty, I know it's time for a break. This summer is going to get crazy, so I decided I better get it in now. I'm planning on doing some kind of water fast or dilute juice fast to do a small little detox. Next week I'm not working very much, which opens up a perfect opportunity for such a massive detoxing process. I've tried to do a juice fast while working a full schedule, and it turned sour within the first hour, haha. I'm a poet and I just don't knowit. I need my food and energy when working in a fast pace environment. But, it should be nice to be away from the house, and the drama of life to get in a nice solid week or so of detoxing. There is a fresh water spring on the way to the coast, so it will be a nice fresh water week!
Also, the weekend after that I will be attending the Raw Union festival where Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes will be getting married. Woopwoop! That should be a blast! I wasn't able to make it to the Raw Spirit Festival in Santa Barbara, but alas, there are always more good times awaiting around the bend. It just so happens that they will be getting married in Ashland, Oregon! Such a fantastic opportunity and so close to home! I hope I will see a lot of you guys there!
Starting June 22nd I will....dare I say it....be a student once again. After dipping in and out of art, photography and business school, I've finally decided on something that I will stick with. I will be studying nutrition, and hopefully make it to Seattle, Washington to attend Bastyr University somewhere soon in the future. For now I am just finishing up the basics. It will be rough to be in class while the sun is out, but hey, there are a lot more summers to come!
Keep that smile shining!
Katie
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A toast to new beginnings!
Hello everyone, and welcome to the SuperFood Sanctuary, a blog following my raw journey and a place where I can record my thoughts, discoveries, insight, photos and whatever else. So why a sanctuary, and why superfoods? Well, there are some reasons why these two work hand in, and for the most obvious reason we must first further understand these words.
Sanctuary: Usually known as a sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque. Ah, but wait... the word is also defined as: a reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially wild animals, are protected from hunting or molestation...and the best yet: The state of being protected or safeguarded, as from danger or hardship. Protection from danger and hardship. Now where is the only place you can get this type of insurance? Not in a car. Not in a church. Not in your own house. The only place is in your own body! Think about it. Wherever you are, no matter how comfortable, safe or secure you may feel, you are still prone to danger. Your body carries many critters, diseases, toxins, tumors...and who knows what else! No place is safe if your body is not safe. Isn't thy body thy temple? Thy sacred place? So, let's clean up our body temple...with Superfoods!
SuperFoods: "a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that some may believe confers health benefits as a result. For example, blueberries are often considered a superfood (or superfruit) because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber (see here on answers.com)." Now, I am fairly new on this raw journey. Four months into it and let me tell you, superfoods are where it is at. With all the fruit, nuts, seeds and veggies...it ain't nothin until you've had your first smoothie loaded with spirulina, marine phytoplankton, bee pollen, cacao, goji berries, chia seeds, macha...whatever else you can fit in. A karate kick right through your day...that is for certain. It is kind of like playing the game shoots and ladders. The ladders are fruits, veggies and dehydrated foods. They get the game going, but it takes longer and is frustrating at times. Getting on superfoods is like rolling all shoots. Slippin and sliding all the way to first place. Then there are those that never take the game out of the box...isn't that SAD(Standard American Diet)? So, lets turn our bodies into sanctuaries, and get on superfoods!
So, in celebration to a new blog, I would like to give a toast: Here is to our superfood sanctuaries! May they be a place where we can always find love, happiness, well-being and load of fun! (I am toasting with fresh carrot/spirulina/cilantro juice. What will you toast with?)
One superfood that is highly underrated and underused is the SUN!! Vitamin D!! I'm going out and gettin' myself some of that! Go have a blast!
Katie
Sanctuary: Usually known as a sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque. Ah, but wait... the word is also defined as: a reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially wild animals, are protected from hunting or molestation...and the best yet: The state of being protected or safeguarded, as from danger or hardship. Protection from danger and hardship. Now where is the only place you can get this type of insurance? Not in a car. Not in a church. Not in your own house. The only place is in your own body! Think about it. Wherever you are, no matter how comfortable, safe or secure you may feel, you are still prone to danger. Your body carries many critters, diseases, toxins, tumors...and who knows what else! No place is safe if your body is not safe. Isn't thy body thy temple? Thy sacred place? So, let's clean up our body temple...with Superfoods!
SuperFoods: "a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that some may believe confers health benefits as a result. For example, blueberries are often considered a superfood (or superfruit) because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber (see here on answers.com)." Now, I am fairly new on this raw journey. Four months into it and let me tell you, superfoods are where it is at. With all the fruit, nuts, seeds and veggies...it ain't nothin until you've had your first smoothie loaded with spirulina, marine phytoplankton, bee pollen, cacao, goji berries, chia seeds, macha...whatever else you can fit in. A karate kick right through your day...that is for certain. It is kind of like playing the game shoots and ladders. The ladders are fruits, veggies and dehydrated foods. They get the game going, but it takes longer and is frustrating at times. Getting on superfoods is like rolling all shoots. Slippin and sliding all the way to first place. Then there are those that never take the game out of the box...isn't that SAD(Standard American Diet)? So, lets turn our bodies into sanctuaries, and get on superfoods!
So, in celebration to a new blog, I would like to give a toast: Here is to our superfood sanctuaries! May they be a place where we can always find love, happiness, well-being and load of fun! (I am toasting with fresh carrot/spirulina/cilantro juice. What will you toast with?)
One superfood that is highly underrated and underused is the SUN!! Vitamin D!! I'm going out and gettin' myself some of that! Go have a blast!
Katie
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