PFMs Healthy Living - Renewal through juicing

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i have been more than a little stressed lately.  with my boys back in school and strict routines back in play, i find that i am being pulled in more than three directions all at one time.  i have a feeling that, though i feel like it's just me, i'm not the only one being stretched to the limit.  most of us, when stressed, prefer to eat sweets or grab a cocktail to help "unwind".  i am no exception.  there are many junk food items that still qualify as vegan not to mention my love of wine and beer!  ...and though i may not let myself go past a certain point, there were many signs that it was time for a change. 

though i am a huge advocate of fasting, embarking on a true fast (juices and raw foods only) has not been attractive to me for a while.  i know for a fact that fasts are only doable when both your desire and mind are in the right place.  well, i can't say that i am ready for a fast, but i am ready for creating change by starting with diet.  i realize that right now, i can only handle baby steps but sometimes baby steps are all you need.  my first step was to start adding fresh vegetable juices to my everyday.  finding time in my already packed morning (or any part of the day) has always been my excuse as to why i haven't pulled out my juicer earlier.    i went to pull it out and dust it off (yes, it had been that long - i'd rather purchase a juice than do it myself lol) and wrapped my mind around that this was one thing i had to do for me.  ...so with my knowledge as well as my new found desire  (and help from Trader Joe's - fresh organic veggies at reasonable prices), i have been juicing to start my day.  i have also made all three of my boys drink some so that they get used to having it more often;  it is the perfect way to bring in the fall season and prevent early illness!   

i know that juicing isn't the solution to world peace or anything (or is it??) but, i do believe that maybe with a clearer body, i'll have a clearer mind.  then maybe i can channel some clear messages for how to make life a little easier.  who knows... either way, i know it starts with me and i have definitely renewed how important taking care of me is - first and foremost.  i'll keep you posted!  xo Sesheta

PFMs Healthy Living: Change of season

okay, okay... though i hate to admit it, i can't ignore the obvious signs that summer is coming to an end - cooler days, back-to-school prep, the end of August. :( whether i like or not, the earth is preparing to return to a state of hibernation and, just like mother earth, there are things we can do that can help us transition to cooler weather yet save us from the sniffles.  here are some tried and true things that keep me healthy*.

• water - although it's cooler, now isn't the time to slow up on the water intake.  now more than ever, your body needs assistance in flushing out.  drinking a minimum of half your body weight in water (in ounces) per day can ensure that you keep you body hydrated and your cycles flowing.
• raw fruits and vegetables - increasing your intake of raw fruits and vegetables can provide the extra fiber needed to naturally keep the body cleansed.  substitute salads for rice for at least one meal a day and this will assist in smooth bm's (bowel movements, of course).  pack in-season fruits instead of chips for a mid -morning or mid-afternoon snack.
• immune boosting herbs - you can visit your local Vitamin Shoppe or Health food store and pick up extracts of echinacea and/or astragalus.  both of these herbs can help to strengthen your immune system and also keep away any nasty bugs.
• vitamin c - did you know that at the beginning of the sniffles, taking extra vitamin c can help to flush your system?   if taken at the early signs of a cold, an ascorbic acid flush can assist in literally flushing out an infection.  in addition, vitamins c is great as an everyday preventative measure to keep colds at bay.  the energy boost that it provides is also an added bonus.
• colonics - colonics are gaining popularity as part of cleansing and maintenance regimens.  a colonic or a series of colonics, can assist in speeding up the body's cleansing process by eliminating old waste from the colon.  colonics have been linked with the elimination of a variety of health problems and is the perfect accompaniment to a fast.
• fasting - fasting for short periods of time can assist the body in naturally eliminating toxins and waste which will in turn cut back on how often the body falls prey to viruses and infections.  as we head into flu and cold season, the body needs as much assistance as it can get.  raw foods or juice fasting are common and provide the best results for cleansing the body.  

i still have hopes for a warm September but i definitely plan to be prepared for the season ahead! - sesheta

* if you have questions about any of the above suggestions, don' t hesitate to ask me.  as with any health advice, please consult your health practitioner(s) to prepare a plan that best suits you.