Just As A Horse...

"Just as a horse will manufacture all the protein it needs for it's strong musculature from greens, so too will a human." ~Natalia Rose (Author of "The Raw Food Detox Diet")

This phrase has gotten a lot of hype on blog and discussion postings.  Raw food fanatics are raving about it's truths and the all-American meat and potato eaters are claiming it is made-up and false.  There are arguments both ways and in reality it is a statement that works to support how a body's metabolism and chemistry actually manufacture protein and nutrients from the very foods and liquids we intake.  

What a concept!

Plant-based proteins do in fact exist.  Examples are:

• Asparagus
• Dark greens (Beet greens, broccoli, collard, kale, mustard, spinach, chard, turnip greens)
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Sprouts
• Tomatoes
• The list goes on...

A well rounded routine means that you must determine what works for you!  Each body is different.  Each body vibrates at a different frequency.  Each body requires it's own unique balance of energy, nutrients and exercise.  There is no magic formula to fit all.  

It is VITAL that we remove stigmas and false, blanket statements about health.  Wipe the slate clean and start doing your own research.  You will be amazed at what you find rings true for you.

One example is that last year I tried a high protein powder diet.  The idea was to match my body weight with 1 gram of protein each day.  What ended up happening is that I would fill up on any type of protein imaginable (powder, nuts, cheese, meat...) until I was too full to eat anything fresh.  My body was so dense and my system felt so "heavy."  My mood was gloomy and I felt "off."  After two months I had not lost a pound.  In fact I had gained 5 pounds.  This program was obviously not for me! 

So... I found a different way to get protein on a regular basis.  One that worked with my body.

For me, juicing became "the way."  I found that juicing made me feel light, happy, energetic and more aware. I started thinking more clearly, sleeping regularly and am now able to focus on the important parts of my life.  

Based on results, my body is in-fact able to manufacture the nutrients (including protein) it needs based on what I intake.  The form from which it comes is obsolete... because it works for me!

What works for you?

Plateau Obliteration – Day Three!

When “obliterating a plateau” it’s hard to stay motivated.  Progress isn't as fast, my internal engine has slowed down to accommodate for the pace it wants to follow and it is just plain hard work.

Day three is always the day that I seem to hit my slump.  Today I left the gym feeling tired and sore and a little bloated from the weekend.  The scale has not moved an inch and this is about the time when I start to feel a bit defeated.

Time for a little self-talk and some motivation boosting!  Luckily, I have been here before and I know how to push through. 

Step 1:  Stick to the plan.  Make sure that you are juicing each day in accordance with the plan you've created for yourself.  

• For my “plateau obliteration plan” I am making a commitment to incorporate no more than 25% fruit juice into my routine.  This forces me to seek vegetable alternatives which add less sugar and less calories.

Step 2:  Increase intensity and duration.  For your movement or exercise routine, it’s time to pick up the pace and increase intensity and duration.  That means you want to increase your heart-rate for a longer period of time.  

• My current goal during this time is to increase my cardio to 30 min instead of 20 at an intensity of 6-7 vs. my previous 5.  I’m sweating bullets!

Step 3:  Check the negative attitude.  This is about the time when I start the negative talk in my head, “I’m just too tired… I am not making any headway… there’s no point, I might as well take the day off… I think I’m looking fatter… this is just too hard… I've made a lot of progress recently, I don’t’ need to work that hard.”  Do any of these sound familiar?  These are the types of negative thoughts that work against you and against your best interest.  

• I, personally, “fake it till I make it.”  I start talking to myself in the exact opposite manner, reversing those statements.  Even though I don’t quite believe them at first, I keep going until I start to feel the lift in my spirit.

Step 4:  Take a step back.  Look at how far you've already come!  What a feat!  Whether it’s weight loss, better health, more energy… take a moment to recognize and build yourself up for the progress you've already made.  Remember what it felt like to start your new juicing routine.  Remember how hard that first week was.  Now look at the positive progress!  

• I figure... I've already made it through the first phase... nothing is going to stop me from making it through the next!  I deserve this... and I can't wait to look back and remember what this phase was like.

Try this extra green recipe to kick-start your system!

Uber Green (just chug it)

½ bunch kale

½ bunch rainbow chard

1 large bag of spinach

½ cucumber

½in ginger root

¼ lemon

1 apple

The Infamous "Plateau"

Oh that dreaded moment when you step on the scale and it hasn't moved... in fact it has gone up by one pound!

I know that feeling well.  It is known as the "plateau" of weight-loss.  The moment when you realize that what you've been doing will only take you this far.  The moment you realize that something needs to change in order for the forward moving trend to continue.

Let's put this in terms of a workout.  When you go to the gym, diligently, three times a week... incorporating the right mix of cardio, weights, resistance and stretching.  You're feeling good, the endorphins are flowing, the weight is starting to come off and your pants are fitting just a little looser.  You go through the same routine for a couple months and continue to see improvement!

The start of the next month rolls around and you notice that the workouts are easier and that your body is not reacting as much... it is used to the routine and the effort needed.  Your body has become "bored" with the workout and therefore has realized that it doesn't need to exert more effort... so it doesn't!  Your body basically sits back and says, "Ha!  That's a piece of cake... I'm sitting this one out at half effort."

This is the start of the "plateau."

Let's get back to juicing... This same "plateau" can happen when you are on a juicing regimen.  For instance, I noticed that lately, I've been falling into a routine of drinking the same juice in the morning and the same routine of bike cardio at the gym with stretching afterwards.

This routine is what helped me lose 30 pounds!  A fantastic feat that I am very proud of.  Yet now, this routine is not enough to take me past that 30 pound marker.  I have 15 pounds to my goal weight and I am stuck... staring at the scale... feeling a bit defeated.

You know what?  It's time for change... that is what this experience is telling me!  Over the next week I will be researching, posting and coming up with some plateau boosting juice recipes and regimens to help guide myself and you through this phase of the process.

The most important thing is to not get caught up in the halt in your progress.  Recognize how far you have come.  Be proud of the hard work you have put in thus far.  Own and celebrate the positive results you've already accomplished!  If you are just beginning, know that these results are waiting for you!

Reaching your "plateau" is actually a good thing (I know, I'm an eternal optimist)... it indicates that you have passed the first phase and are ready for the next step in juicing!