Monday, August 31, 2009

Love this family


I've been following this family online for a few years now. Every few months I'll remember them and go to their website to see how they are doing. They are probably viewed as "odd" to most people, but I find them absolutely intriguing! They are raw food vegans that promote a simple "back to nature" lifestyle. The father, Storm, is 60 and looks about 35. Jinjee is the wife of Storm and mother of 5 children! She looks very young, beautiful, and fit, and is 42. All 5 of their children are being raised on an exclusive raw vegan diet and they have such a healthy glow about them and seem very intelligent for their ages.
If you want to check them out for yourself their website is www.thegardendiet.com.



This is Jinjee. 7 months pregnant on the left, and 10 days after giving birth on the right.

The reason I admire this family, is because they truly value their body, which benefits their mind and overall well being. Instead of watching other people pretend to live on TV, they ARE LIVING and enjoying it. I would LOVE to grow my own food, go on adventures in the wilderness like they do, practice yoga every day, and not really have to make much money because I can make most of what I need . I want my children to know how to be self sufficient and "live off the land," know that their bodies are temples and should be treated with respect, be conscious of what they put in their mouth's, and dance and run and just MOVE!

I am not there yet (probably won't ever be as hard core as them), but I'm working on it. They have inspired me to eat more raw nuts, fruits and vegetables, and reduce the amount of dairy in my diet, and almost eliminate garbage (food with NO nutritional value) from touching my lips (I do have my weak days still, like weekends, ahem!). I don't think I will ever stop eating meat or eggs because nobody has convinced me that I don't need them yet. I like to make some of my own beauty products and find that they work wonderfully. After gradually doing these things, I have noticed a gradual improvement of my overall health (balanced hormones, clear skin, easily getting rid of "baby weight," etc.). Once we move (35 more days!!) I want to start doing hot yoga again, and then I will be even closer to homeostasis! Maybe I won't live in their village made of earth friendly materials and plenty of space for your animals and garden, but I WILL visit their Raw Spa in California one day.

www.rawspaliving.com

You have to watch this cute video produced by their 13 year old daughter. She composed the song, and the little girl dancing and singing is her 6 year old sister.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Don't forget to brush your body!

Have you ever used one of these?

If you're like me, then you've seen these brushes around, maybe used them once, but after scrubbing your body a little in the shower didn't use it again because the bristles are too rough! Well, I finally figured out the proper way to use these brushes, and it's not in the shower. It's a body brush, but AKA a dry brush. You use it before you get into the shower on your dry skin. Body brushing can get rid of, and prevent cellulite, stimulate blood and lymph flow, exfoliate the skin, and encourages new cell growth. I read that it also helps ADD, but you will have to research that on your own, because I haven't looked into it that much.

To brush your body, start with your feet and go up the leg with long, light, brisk movements. All skin brushing movements should be towards the heart, to encourage the return of blood and promote lymphatic flow. You should concentrate on areas that are prone to cellulite (ie, the thighs). Then move to your stomach and use a circular clockwise motion. Next, brush your arms from your wrist and over your shoulders the same way you did your legs (toward your heart). And then you can do your back a little if you can reach it, or you could have a friend do it for you. The first few times you do it, it might hurt a little, but try not to do it too hard, because it could irritate your skin. I always do it in the morning while I'm waiting for the water in the shower to heat up. It really helps me wake up too! I bought my brush from the Body Shop
for $12 (see below), but any one will do.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Wine + Painting = Really Fun



Last night a friend and I went to this place in East Cobb called Sips n' Strokes. You pay $25 and go to a room full (about 60) of women (we tried to talk our significant others into coming with us next time because it would be hilarious, but haven't convinced them yet). Sips provides the paint, brushes, canvas, cups for drinks, and an instructor on a stage to guide amateurs into creating a masterpiece of their own. Everyone paints the same thing, but everyone has their own interpretation of the original painting. What helps get the creative juices flowing, is that you are allowed to bring alcohol if you want! We brought wine, but some people brought backpacks full of stuff like beer, cheese, crackers, fruit, liquor, and sandwiches. It was so much fun!! I haven't painted since I was 10 or so, so I was scared to see what my painting would look like. I have to say, I am satisfied and surprised at how mine turned out! It was neat looking around at everyone else's too because there were no 2 alike. We are definitely going again, but next time we will be more prepared and bring a backpack full of goodies. If you would like to go, you can visit www.sipsnstrokes.com to see the calendar for upcoming paintings.

This is what the original painting looks like



This is how mine turned out



Thursday, August 13, 2009

I want this...



...but can't have it now. I want to get something like this to wear to one of Sweetface's little football games he likes to go to. I don't really like orange or purple. But I love white, and having the orange shoes (below) would add all the school spirit needed to tailgate with him and his tiger friends.



Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Thankful

When I found out I was pregnant with little Sweetpea, Sweetface had 2 years of school left and I was working full time. I had planned on continuing to work to put food on the table and a roof over our head...Then I held that little girl for the first time in my arms and it was all over...I couldn't let someone else raise her. I missed her when she was sleeping, and would watch her sleep. I've wanted to be a mother since I was 2 years old! Is that weird? My little brother was born when I was 2, and I would carry him around and dress him up and pretend he was my baby.











My baby bro and me




Anyway, Sweetface works part-time as a bartender for a catering company. He only works when he doesn't have to study which ends up being 3 or 4 nights a month (sometimes more). I decided to go back to work part-time (for the same company I was with before as a seminar host and I am thankful to them for working with my schedule), which ends up being 4 or 5 days a month. My mom babysits (for free) while I work, so I know my baby is in good hands.


I honestly didn't know how we would make it through financially for the remaining time Sweetface was in school...I pray every night for God to support us and provide for us. I was thinking about all this today and looking at our bank accounts and can't believe we have made it 15 months on two part-time salaries with money to spare!! God has answered my prayers, been with us the whole time and has supported us and provided for us. I try to think about all the little things that made a difference: I stopped shopping as much, we moved to a 1 bedroom apt, we have received numerous gifts for Sweetpea to get her through the first year, we have received checks from family members to help out, my mama has bought our groceries during low income months, we had free health insurance for Sweetpea, big tax refund, our vacations were paid for by his parents, we had mold in a storage closet and got a nice check from our renters insurance company for stuff we didn't even use anymore and got to stay at a nice hotel on them for a weekend, Christmas gifts, Birthday gifts, extra student loan money...I'm probably forgetting things, but I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. We are safe, healthy, and moving up in the world! All I know is, I will never judge other people by their clothes, their home size, or their job because you don't know where they have been or where they are going. I will always be kind to servers and people just trying to get ahead because we have BEEN THERE. I hope that there is a way we will be able to repay our family for being so generous during this time. I'm sure we will think of something. But for now, I have to get ready for bed, and ready for another day I don't have to work, and get to play with my little Sweetpea.

The day she was born. Love at first sight.


Sunday, August 9, 2009

Satisfying and healthy dessert

For anyone out there who is actually reading this blog, I appolagize for not updating in a long while. I've been busy taking Sweetpea to the pool, going on walks with Sweetface, working a little, had a girls night, hung out with my long lost high school buddies who I miiiiiissss so much, the usual cleaning and upkeep of our teeny tiny home, and I've been getting ready for our move down South (which will happen in 56 days)!

As Sweetpea sleeps and Sweetface studies, I am entertaining myself, and maybe you, on the computer while eating one of my favorite desserts. My recipe is listed below, but you will have to forgive me, because I never measure any of my ingrediants so you will have to add yours "to taste."

AP's Satisfying Raspberry Yogurt

-Raspberries (fresh or frozen, I use frozen because it makes the yogurt really cold): about a handful
-Plain Organic Greek Yogurt (I prefer Stonyfield Farms) : 2 or 3 spoonfuls
- Raw Almonds : about 8
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (do NOT go overboard with these) : about 10

First put the raspberries in a bowl and put the yogurt on top. Smash or crush it all together so the yogurt is a nice bright pink color. Then add the almonds and chocolate chips. Mix and enjoy! Too easy huh? And did you know that's how you spell raspberry? I just figured that out.

Now, I will explain why this is so healthy. The raspberries are rich in vitamin C, folate, iron and potassium. Raspberries also provide high amounts of insoluble fiber (thanks to all those little seeds) as well as respectable amounts of the soluble fiber pectin, which helps control cholesterol levels. The fruit is a good source of ellagic acid and other cancer-fighting antioxidants. Since cooking does not destroy these compounds, raspberry jam may also be beneficial (FYI).

Yogurt is simply milk or cream that is cultured with active live cultures. These cultures are the key to many of yogurt’s health benefits. Active live cultures are basically good bacteria that are necessary for the body to function at its best. These good bacteria prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that cause bacterial infections and diseases. Healthy levels of good bacteria also promote digestive health and boost the immune system. Good bacteria prevent imbalances in the body’s yeast levels, which can prevent various types of yeast infections. It has been shown that good bacteria can also prevent urinary tract infections. Active live cultures actually reduce yogurt’s level of lactose, making yogurt a delicious dairy alternative for anyone who is lactose intolerant.

Raw almonds, the heartbeat of all nuts, literally, have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, a rich source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, protein, fiber and antioxidants to name a few. Now, these once amazing and life enhancing health benefits have become devastatingly reduced if not completely eliminated in the pasteurization process. That's why I recommend raw :)

Chocolate chips have some anti-oxidant properties, but they also make you feel good and make this dessert satisfying, but should be consumed in moderation.