Green Smoothie!

It didn't look like it was going to taste good at all lol. However, it was smooth and great! I fully enjoyed them and plan on having them every now and then even now that my cleanse is over. I have a magic bullet blender and I highly recommend them for those who like to blend and go!

21 Day Cleanse... Finale

Week 3 was much better! Again, I began the week with a 24 hour fast. I began stretching every morning as well and made sure to take my supplements and bee pollen. I was very busy this week in school and in other areas of my life. I had to make sure to find time to take care of myself in the process.

I began posting a quote of the day on my Facebook page. This helped keep my Spirit fed and gave me the beneficial task of finding a quote that fit my state of mind and my new attitude. I began dry-brushing this last week as well. This is exactly what it sounds like. Before my morning showers, I would take a dry natural bathing brush and brush my skin in a circular motion over my entire body. According to Drybrushing.net :
   
This technique not only promotes healthier skin by removing dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, but also by stimulating and increasing skin cell production, giving your skin a healthy glow all year long.  But the benefits are not just skin deep – dry brushing both increases blood flow and circulation and enhances detoxification through the skin.  It is also said that the gentle pressure and brushing sensations have a calming effect – just like a massage!  But be aware that the increase in blood circulation will also give you that “awake” feeling, so a dry brushing session before bed might not be so convenient.

You can visit the site and see the other benefits of dry-brushing. It made an enormous difference in my skin. My face seemed to glow and even the cellulite on my thighs seemed to be decreased! How's that for a good excuse to try it!!??

Since I had gotten used to fasting on Mondays, I added an extra day to my cleanse so that I could fast. It was a pretty smooth week after coming up with solutions to many of my problems during week 2. All in all, I felt amazing, I lost 6 pounds, I felt light and healthier, and I was extremely proud of myself! Thank you all who were interested and supportive of my journey. I plan on keeping up a newer, healthier lifestyle. I also plan on sharing as much of it as I can with my blog readers. So stay tuned! Until next time readers!

In Beauty and Love Always
~Wyzdom D. Vine

21 Day Cleanse... Week 2

Where do I begin!!??? This has been such an amazing experience! I have also been unbelievably busy, so I wasn't able to keep up with the journaling like I wanted to. I apologize for that. Now let's catch up on things!

I began week 2 by fasting for 24 hours. I consumed water, green juice, and herbal tea all day. The next day I was sure to take my organic, vegetarian supplement with pre and pro biotics and a tablespoon of bee pollen. My body and mind felt wonderful after that! I expected to feel hungry and cranky, but that wasn't the case at all.

In week 2 I also added a digestive enzyme (all vegetarian) with every meal, even with juices. This decreased any tummy discomfort I was having. I also had to really delve into my meditation. Week 2 was very emotional for me. The detoxing process was taking place in my body and it had a lot of gunk to get rid of. I realized that I also had a lot of emotional and mental gunk to get rid of as well. Also, sugar and processed foods are definitely addictive. Coming off of them was very similar to coming off of a drug. Sometimes I could smell french fries and sweets from far away, and I began to go through withdrawal (haha). At times, it made me a little mean too. My poor son!

By the end of the week, I was feeling better again and the symptoms had starting to take a new form. My baths and reflections really helped and set me back in the right state of mind. I constantly had to remind myself of the benefits and hang in there. Quitting was not an option for me.

21 Day Cleanse: Week 1

The week went pretty well. It was kind of up and down and I had a rough start. Since day 1 was also my first day of class, (and I also have a 12 year old in school) I'm sure you can imagine how hectic that morning was. I began my morning with two 8 oz glasses of water and some herbal tea with lemon. I was able to get about 5 to 7 minutes of meditation time in and then it was time to leave the house. That morning I got my first juice from my local juice bar (which felt like cheating but I later found out that it wasn't). I had a beet, carrot, celery, apple juice and a 1 oz shot of wheat grass. I sipped purified water from a 25 oz personal water bottle all day. At lunch I was still running around and I hadn't begun packing lunch yet so I ate at a whole foods market/cafe. I had variety green salad (medium sized), bean bell pepper and corn salad (small sized), and a cup of soup with zucchini and tomato in a clear broth (vegetarian of course). For dinner I made myself a quick brown rice and steamed veggie bowl and large plate of variety greens salad with home made vinaigrette.

I weighed myself since it was the first day. Even though I don't believe this should be a focus for the cleanse, I know some of you will want to know the affects (if any) that it had on my weight. I ended that night with a luxurious lavender salts bath by candle light. I had brown rice cakes and hummus for a late snack and all together I drank about 100 ounces of water. I didn't get any physical activity in (other than running around campus) and I didn't stop snacking until about an hour before bed (the recommendation is 3 hours).

The rest of the week was similar to the first day. I got better at managing my time so I was able to juice at home and also incorporate green smoothies. The green juices seem to have a much different affect then just a regular veggie and fruit juice. I didn't have many detox symptoms this week. My skin felt dry and itchy especially at night. My remedy for that was to make a moisturizing oil using almond oil as the base and adding a few drops of sweet orange and grapefruit pure essence oils. This is now my favorite part of the evening. Taking those luxurious baths and ending with this decadent oil feels so wonderful. I have also maintained my promise to myself to use only (mostly) natural products. It is hard finding things that are 97 to 98 percent natural at least. But the juices and the products have made me feel more pampered then deprived this week. I have also increased my meditation time to anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes in the morning.

I found out half way through the week that I was over doing things. I read more and realized that the salads I had every lunchtime and dinner time were not the only way to get those alkaline veggies in my system. I played around with lightly steamed and sauteed veggies in different recipes. I made I tofu salad that was almost as good as my grandmother's potato salad and I have fallen in love with soups. It just goes to show how being healthy should not be a punishment. A person can change an rearrange things to fit her or his lifestyle and taste buds. Eventually, your body starts craving the things you need and they become the things you want. This cleanse is getting me on my way to an even more healthful and bountiful life. Tune in to find out how next week goes!

Until then, Remain in Beauty and Love and
Good Health Always
~Wyzdom

21 Day Cleanse! Preparation

Hello all! It has been far too long since the last time I blogged. I have missed it terribly. Well as you may have guessed by the Title of this posting, I am embarking on a 21 day cleanse. I will be using guides and literature to help me along. So don't think this is a diet or a cayenne/maple fast (not very nutritious). I will be doing green power juices and smoothies and eating a mixture of raw foods and cooked (vegan) foods at a ratio of 80 to 20. I have also decided to fast on juices only for one day per week for the 21 days. I will be exercising 35 minutes a day anywhere from 3 to 6 times a week at least. On top of that, I have made the decision to only use all-natural beauty products, hygiene products, and even clothing fibers when possible. Yes folks, I will be in complete detox!!! I may have mood swings or other possible side affects while going through this journey, but in the end I will feel an enormous amount better than I do now.

I will be journaling my cleanse every day here on the blog.  I want everyone to follow along with me and as I observe both the ups and the downs. That way you can decide for yourself if a cleanse is something you might want to try. Some of you may have already been going back and forth about it in your head but are afraid. Hopefully, this will take some of the edge off for you. Remember, the results will be different for everyone. I already don't consume a whole lot of junk so detoxing for me might not be as bad as it would for a person who has coffee and bacon every day for breakfast or who considers a cinnamon bun to be a healthy mall snack. So be aware and do your own research.

I will be giving out some info but for copyright reasons I wont be plugging a whole lot of names or products. If you want specific info you can always email me and I will be happy to give you all the knowledge I have. Don't be a stranger! Other than that, most of the smoothies and meals I will be using will be made from organic raw vegetables from my local whole food market. If I use a recipe that is not my own, I will not be posting it.

Okay, I think that is about it. So, here I go.... Wish me luck!


In Beauty and Love Always,
Wyzdom D. Vine

Soul: L.O.V.E. my message to all Humanity

For this post I'd like to share an original poem from me to all of you. I made a rough little video to help create somewhat of an experience. It is my first video and my voice is somewhat out of practice. I hope you enjoy it and let the words uplift your Soul. Until next time...

Remain in Beauty and in Love Always,

~Wyzdom

http://youtu.be/orsbLL-APGE

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/orsbLL-APGE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Phytochemicals: Nature's Super Substances!

Phytochemicals are chemical substances found in plants (phyto meaning plant). Science has only recently caught on to the benefits of diets high in plant foods (within the last 25 years). However, it is now quite apparent that individuals who consume high level of vegetables, whole grains, and fruits have lowered their likelihood of developing heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. They also have less cases of infections, signs of premature aging, eye diseases, acne, and a list of other issues some mental and emotional in nature. All in all Phytochemicals seem to be "feel good" substances. Though they are not essential, meaning our bodies don't need for us to consume them in order to function and survive, they are a crucial part of healthy living!

According to www.phytochemicals.info there are more than a Thousand known phytochemicals and those are only the known ones. Here are some examples of how they work:

How do phytochemicals work?

There are many phytochemicals and each works differently. These are some possible actions:

• Antioxidant - Most phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and protect our cells against oxidative damage and reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Phytochemicals with antioxidant activity: allyl sulfides (onions, leeks, garlic), carotenoids (fruits, carrots), flavonoids (fruits, vegetables), polyphenols (tea, grapes).
  
  
• Hormonal action - Isoflavones, found in soy, imitate human estrogens and help to reduce menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.
  
  
• Stimulation of enzymes - Indoles, which are found in cabbages, stimulate enzymes that make the estrogen less effective and could reduce the risk for breast cancer. Other phytochemicals, which interfere with enzymes, are protease inhibitors (soy and beans), terpenes (citrus fruits and cherries).
  
  
• Interference with DNA replication - Saponins found in beans interfere with the replication of cell DNA, thereby preventing the multiplication of cancer cells. Capsaicin, found in hot peppers, protects DNA from carcinogens.
  
  
• Anti-bacterial effect - The phytochemical allicin from garlic has anti-bacterial properties.
  
  
• Physical action - Some phytochemicals bind physically to cell walls thereby preventing the adhesion of pathogens to human cell walls. Proanthocyanidins are responsible for the anti-adhesion properties of cranberry. Consumption of cranberries will reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and will improve dental health. 

Many people have heard about the benefits of consuming phytochemicals. As always when the word gets out about something healthful, people rush to the stores in search of ways to incorporate them into their lives through supplements. I know people personally who love taking pills for a variety of reasons. However, research shows that phytochemicals work best in groups, and as stated above, science isn't even aware of all the groups of phytochemicals that may exist. So it may be possible that taking one hundred phytochemical supplements still would not give you the all benefits of eating broccoli spears (lightly steamed so as not to kill the nutrients) twice a week.

Vegetable extracts and essences are another route some of the public choose to take. These offer dehydrated or liquid forms of vegetables high in certain phytochemicals. One product claimed to have broccoli concentrated in a bottle but was found to contain mostly sulforaphane, which is only ONE of the many chemicals found in vegetables of the cruciferous family (vegetables whose outer leaves form a crucifix ie. broccoli, cauliflower, brussels, cabbage etc.). So again, there is no way of knowing if you are getting all of the phytochemicals offered in the actual food it was extracted from.

I know that in the world of healthy living/eating it is hard to know where to go or what to do. Especially since the media can't make up its mind about many products. It may seem easier to just take supplements, excercise here and there, and continue doing everything else you have been doing. I mean, who wants to give up pies, cakes, french fries, and other "comfort foods" one has grown up on? Of course, taking vitamin supplements and parking further out from the mall so you get an extra walk is better than doing nothing. However, if you are serious about making Life changes, you need to take the next step. Go the extra mile and you will be starting a new legacy to pass down. Comfort foods could consist of brown rice and lentil beans or spinach salad with fruit (yum!). It may be worth the work it will take to live healthy, happy and disease-free lives!

For a list of different phytochemicals, the foods they are found in, and the diseases they help prevent please visit::
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/phytochemicals/index.html

Also check out crazysexylife.com and cancerdietitian.com

That's it from me for now. As always I wish that you all remain in Beauty and in Love and in Good Health always!
Wyzdom D. Vine
* much of my info came from Nutrition Now by Judith E. Brown

Soul: From a Weed to a Flower

My mother always tells this story
of a weed growing in a garden.
This weed was very humble
and admired the beautiful flowers
in the garden. She was careful
to never drink up too much
water and not to soak up
too much sun. She didn't
stretch herself too far
and tried not to grow very big
so as not to disturb the growth
of the flowers. Then one day,
someone walked by and took
notice of the weed. They stopped
and praised her beauty. They
boasted about her dainty
petals and her aromatic scent.
Then they said "What a beautiful
and unique Flower!" The humble weed
wondered "could this be true? Could
I be a flower, beautiful and fragrant
like the rest?" Upon this realization
she began to soak up a little more
sun and drink in a little more
water. She stretched her leaves
and petals and soon began to grown.
She blossomed and bloomed to
eventually become one of the most
beautiful flowers any one had ever seen.


I took this picture of a "weed" in my garden. She was struggling to grow against the cement bricks off to the side of the house. The rest of the flowers had not survived the weather conditions, but this "weed" was strong and tall. It reminded me of this story. Here, against the odds, was a beautiful plant. It had vibrant colors and dainty petals. Who was I to uproot it? She had survived the weather and her position next to the cement. She had made the decision to soak up a little bit of sun while not bothering anything else. She had grown into something beautiful in spite of it all. So I let her stay and finish her journey and move on when it was her time. Everyone, male, female, and all others in the spectrum of humanity need to remember to grow into the beautiful flowers we deserve to be.

Until next time... Remain in Beauty and in Love Always
~Wyzdom

Information for Athletes and Weight trainers!

Protein. Americans consume 100% more protein than our bodies need. The recommended daily value is 46 g for women and 56 g for men. Those who are extremely athletic or may be weight training and desire more muscle mass, may believe they need to consume extra amounts of protein especially from supplements and shakes. This is not necessarily true. Research shows that the best results may come from consuming 20 g of High Quality protein just after training or exercise. Much more protein than this amount would not be beneficially used by the body. You may be wondering "what is High Quality protein and where can I find it?" For that answer I referred to energyfanatics.com. There I found the following information posted by P.L. Chang:



High quality proteins are usually found in foods that are high in nutrients and protein, low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Foods high in saturated fat are known to increase the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Switching to high quality protein will help decrease your cholesterol levels and give your body the necessary nutrients to heal itself. High quality protein is also good for weight management because it helps slow down the digestion process. This will help keep your blood sugar level constant which prevents fatigue. Most people have been conditioned at an early age to believe that beef, poultry and fish are the best sources of protein. This is a misconception that can be harmful to people’s health. The best sources of high quality protein are from fruits and vegetables. Their proteins are easier to absorb, more stable, and contain little or no cholesterol.
Great sources of high quality protein

• Corn
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Tomato
• Wild Rice
• Squash
• Cucumber
• Green Beans
• Lentils
• Asparagus
• Brussels Sprouts
• Broccoli
• Spinach

I  also found, on Livestrong.com, that High Quality protein can be obtained from combining protein rich foods to get complete benefits. For example, they recommend having lentils with wild rice instead of a bowl of lentils alone.

Proteins contain amino acids. There are 20 amino acids but only 9 are essential. *Note: Essential means the body cannot synthesize them and they must be consumed.* As a general truth, plant foods do not contain all 9 amino acids at once. There is,  however, one exception to the rule and that exception is the Soy Bean.

So the next time you are returning from the gym, remember to have a bowl of beans and rice waiting for you to warm up and enjoy. Or try making an all natural shake containing soy milk or other ingredients high in protein. 20 grams is all you need!

Until next time, remain in Beauty and in Love always,
Wyzdom

It's been a long time bloggers!

I know it has been forever since the last time I posted. I have been busy with my first semester back in classes since I graduated five years ago. The good news? I'm taking a nutrition class and I'm eager to communicate all that I am learning! I also have many new meditation strategies and mindfulness tips to share with all of you. It's going to be great, so stay tuned!