Effort

My body went from effortlessly walking about. Capable, defying flexibility & dynamic motion. I could do anything physical, would work out & play sports with ease. In an instant, of unfortunate timing, I was struck by a car while riding my bike. 

Effortless because extreme effort. My biggest challenge. Simply walking. I was always very physical and now just the simple motion of walking takes extreme effort and work. My left leg, I’ve been able to modify my movements with the support of the right leg so it works like a pendulum because I can’t feel it, it only produces pain in motion & cause & affect issues because I’m swinging my leg to walk instead of pushing off the ground.  My ankle will drop if I truly don’t pay attention to my motions. 

Effort. Every movement. Using my fast brain to literally study my every movement to see if I can do anything to reduce the amount of pain, increase my mobility & decrease the effort it takes to walk.  I have to manipulate my nutrition to control the inflammation and use soaking and heating as well. I’ve slowly found ways to improve then hit plateaus. Sometimes I slip and don’t mind my motions and it sets me back a bit. The one thing that never changes is the effort it’s taking to try to make it effortless.  

It’s truly amazing how you can repair the body & push through to continue to see improvement with effort. Really gives me the strength to keep trying because I think the minute I sit down & stop putting in the effort  is the minute my body will lock up & I’ll loose it all. I guess it’s living the dream because although it’s a struggle I’ve turned it into a positive & a better understanding of the human body & psyche! Using nutrition, mental & physical therapy, nerve therapy & excercise to repair the problems & make improvements as much as possible with THC & CBD to help take the edge off instead of pharmaceuticals. 

The one thing that has made it easier to continue to put forth such effort is eliminating the need for people to understand or know my pain. It doesn’t matter & I no longer need others to validate what I know exists & removing that part of the effort has allowed me to hyper focus on treating myself. I find that seems to be a huge road block for people who suffer from pain issues or hidden handicaps, the effort into convincing people about what they feel, limitations and needs. That’s the part of the human psyche that needs the effort to be towards a change in perspective. Knowing your effort & focus on getting better is the only validation you need to spark the ability to thrive & feel better by making the effort to improve & reduce pain to work towards becoming effortless. 

“Those times when you get up early and you work hard; those times when you stay up late and you work hard; those times when you don’t feel like working — you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself — but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. That’s the dream. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that, what you’ll see happen is that you won’t accomplish your dreams, your dreams won’t come true, something greater will.” - Kobe Bryant

Cold and Flu Elixir

 

Cold and Flu Elixir

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1 cup sliced ginger root

2 tbsp Cloves

1 tbsp Sliced Jalapeños 

1 tsp Black Peppercorns 

120 ounces Alkaline Water

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1. Add all ingredients to a huge pot 

2. bring to a boil for 10 minutes then let simmer for 20 minutes

3. Strain and serve hot or over ice

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This powerful elixir will help flush out the common cold or flu and get you back to feeling great.  Here’s the benefits from each ingredient:

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1. Cloves: Cloves are low in calories and provide some fiber, manganese, vitamin K and vitamin C. They are high in antioxidants, including eugenol and vitamin C, both of which can help reduce oxidative stress. Thanks to their antimicrobial properties Cloves help kill harmful bacteria.  Studies show that clove extract and clove oil may increase the production of gastric mucus and help protect against stomach ulcers.

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2. Jalapeños: Jalapeños are a good source of fiber, vitamin C and vitamin B6. They also contain a compound called capsaicin, which can help relieve pain, congestion and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and yeasts that cause infectious diseases.

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3. Ginger: Ginger is high in gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Ginger can help prevent various types of nausea as well as lower blood sugar, cholesterol and help lower your Rick for heart disease.  Ginger aids in gut health as well

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4. Black Pepper: Black pepper is rich in a potent antioxidant called piperine, which helps prevent free radical damage to your cells. Black pepper increases the absorption of essential nutrients and beneficial plant compounds.

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Joy and Fulfillment

The very core of a persons foundation for joy & fulfillment is set by what encompasses their first experiences. When taking my child to experience things like for example a Museum, I noticed that the Museum in itself is not the focus of the experience but rather the snacks & gift store purchases. When I take my daughter to an experience, she eats snacks in the car on the way & when we get to where we are going what we are seeing, learning, touching, viewing and the people we meet are the joy and the fulfillment within the experience. 

To see that birthday’s & holidays at school & how people define joy all mean unhealthy food, drinks & candy that are horrible for a persons health, it makes me step back & evaluate the possibility of how important it is for us as parents to treat the focus of an experience to be about the festivities, dancing, singing, being silly or just the exploration & what unfolds being what joy is derived from instead of the connotation that unhealthy choices in a new environment for another reason are what joy is based on because you can’t achieve fulfillment within that. 

Could shifting the mentality & focus help make it easier for people to create a life of balance & fulfillment because from their very core foundation they were directed to focus on actually being present in the moment & finding joy in singular things as they are. Dancing & singing with your friends at a birthday party without holding a drink or food in your hand but actually just enjoying it as it is. Do we contribute to the likelihood of unhealthy lifestyles as adults by the focus we put on the external unhealthy additions to simple moments. 

I’m not saying delish treats and cocktail splurges aren’t fun additions to a birthday party, I just wonder how different society would be if we tweaked the focus of how we achieve joy & fulfillment.  My intention is to set the foundation for my child not to focus on unhealthy choices but be happy in the present moment, not needing anything as a co dependent to achieve fulfillment & joy by giving her the foundation to easily achieve joy & fulfillment in each singular present moment of life, experiences & celebrations. 

 

Raw Chocolate Truffles

Raw Chocolate Truffles:

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8 Medjool Dates (add more if needed)

3 tbsp @navitasnaturals Cacao Powder

2 tbsp Raw Honey or Maple Syrup

1 tsp Cinnamon 

1 tsp Nutmeg

1 drop of Pure Lemon Extract

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1. Blend ingredients in food processor until it forms a log. 

2. Form into balls 

3. Roll balls in Hemp Heart, Coconut Shreds or Cacao Nibs! 

Rich and chocolatey delicious! 

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This delicious recipe has 6 ingredients and packed full of nutrients, vitamins and essential minerals. It may taste like a delicious treat but it feeds your body fast using energy nutrition!

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Top Dangerous Ingredients to Avoid in Beauty Products

Raw Earth Medicine: Awareness 

There are so many different brands of beauty products out on the market today that promise the consumer the world in results. Although we may want to add  volume to our hair and have skin as soft as a baby, at what price to our health are we willing to go to get these results. The key to buying products that won't cause tumors to grow while giving your hair that beautiful sheen, is reading the ingredients.  After researching what ingredients to avoid I have found that Accure Shampoo and Conditioner work wonderfully on my thick unruly mane and ShiKai Body wash leaves me feeling clean, refreshed and smelling delicious! Both products are natural and safe without any of the hazardous ingredients I learned were dangerous to my health. 

While doing my own research, I came across a great excerpt from Dr. Frank Lipman's book REVIVE: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again (2009) that lists the most dangerous ingredients in beauty products that you should avoid and why.  Here's the list:

1. DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine)

These three chemicals are hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing agents — research indicates a strong link to liver and kidney cancer. They are commonly found in shampoos, soaps, bubble baths and facial cleansers. 

2. Phthalates and Parabens 

Banned by the European Union in 2003, phthalates and parabens are a group of chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They keep hairsprays sticky and bacteria and fungus out of things like nail polish and perfume. Both have demonstrated themselves to be carcinogenic and particularly linked to breast cancer.

3. FD&C Color Pigments

Most FD&C color pigments are made from coal tar and studies show that almost all of them are carcinogenic. Many of these pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation, or even oxygen depletion in the blood. FD&C Red #4 is no longer available for use in foods because of a known threat to the adrenal glands and urinary bladder. 

4. Fragrance

“Fragrance” is a euphemism for nearly 4,000 different ingredients. Most “fragrances” are synthetic and are either cancer-causing or otherwise toxic. Exposure to fragrances has been shown to affect the central nervous system. “Fragrances” are found in most shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens, skincare and body care products. 

5. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin

These are formaldehyde donors, which means that they are derivatives of the formaldehyde, which is what scientists and morticians use to preserve corpses and body parts. Remember dissecting frogs in school? These chemicals are linked to allergies, chest pain, chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, ear infections, headaches, joint pain, loss of sleep, and can trigger asthma. They can weaken the immune system, and, surprise surprise, cause cancer. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin are used in skin, body and hair products, antiperspirants and nail polish.

6. Quaternium-15

Quarternium-15 commonly causes allergic reactions and dermatitis, and breaks down into formaldehyde. Quarternium-15 is used as a preservative in many skin and hair care products.

7. Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl Alcohol is used in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotion and aftershave lotions as well as in your car’s antifreeze and shellac! Scientists believe that it has the ability to destroy intestinal flora, leaving the body’s major organs open to parasites, and thus to cancers. Beyond attacking the intestinal flora, isopropyl alcohol can cause headaches, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, and coma.

8. Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is a petroleum derivative that coats the skin like saran wrap, which prevents the skin from breathing, absorbing and excreting. It also slows the skin’s natural cell development, causing the skin to age prematurely. Note that baby oil is 100% mineral oil – and 100% bad for your baby’s sensitive skin.

9. PEG (Polyethylene Glycol)

PEG’s are most commonly used in spray-on oven cleaners and in many hair and skin products. PEG’s main fuctions are to dissolve oil and grease. Thus, on the body, they take the protective oils off the skin and hair, making them more vulnerable to other toxins.

10. Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is the active ingredient in antifreeze. It is also used in makeup, toothpaste and deodorant. Stick deodorants have a higher concentration of PG than is allowed for most industrial use! Direct contact can cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. The EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with it. And yet, the FDA says we can put it in our mouths!!

11. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are the most toxic ingredients on this list. When used in combination with other chemicals, they can form nitrosamines, a deadly class of carcinogen. They are used to clean engines, garage floors and at car washes. AND still the most popular ingredients for makeup, shampoo and conditioner and toothpaste. Exposure causes eye damage, depression, diarrhea and many other ailments. 

12. Triclosan

A synthetic antibacterial ingredient that has been compared to Agent Orange. The Environmental Protection Agency registers it as a pesticide, highly toxic to any living organism. It is also classified as a chlorophenol. In other words, it is in a cancer causing chemical class. Triclosan disrupts hormones, can affect sexual function and fertility and may foster birth defects. Triclosan has been linked to paralysis, suppression of the immune system, brain hemorrhages, and heart problems. It is widely used in antibacterial cleansers, toothpaste, and household products.

13. Talc

Talc has been linked to ovarian and testicular cancer. It can be found in makeup, baby and adult powders and foundation. 

14. Petrolatum

Petrolatum is a petrochemical that contains two well-known carcinogens: Benzo-A-Pyrene and Benzo-B-Fluroanthene. As you might imagine from a petroleum derivative, petrolatum prevents the skin breathing and excreting.

I know it may seem like nothing is safe out on the market from our foods to our beauty products but the more we educate ourselves on what to look for and start buying from responsible companies that make products that aren't harmful, the less we will see of the products that contain these ingredients. We have all been blind to what was going into our favorite products and now that we know what the true consequence is to our health we can make educated decisions about what products are safe to use! 

Ginger Veggie Roll

 

Ginger Veggie Roll: 

Rice:

1 cup Brown Rice 

2 cups Water 

1 tsp Raw Coconut Sugar

1 tbsp Fresh Grated Ginger

1 tsp @braggsacvhealth Liquid Aminos

1. Bring water to a boil then add Brown Rice and Coconut Sugar. 

2. Boil for 15 minutes then start stirring every few minutes. 3. When the water starts to thicken (about 25 minutes into boiling) add the Ginger and Liquid Aminos. 

4. Keep stirring until the water is gone and the rice will have a creamy Brown coating on it. 

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Sushi:

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1 Carrot Sliced into long thin Strips

1 Cucumber Sliced into long thin Strips

1 Avocado Sliced into long thin Strips

1 cup Bean Sprouts

Nori Seaweed Papers (will say for sushi)

1. Lay the Nori Paper on a plate. Make a thin layer of Ginger Rice leaving about a 1/2 an inch boarder on two sides. 

2. On one end layer Carrots, Cucumber, Avocado and Sprouts. 

3. Using the 1/2 inch boarder start to roll the Nori Paper tightly over the veggies. 

4. Keep rolling until it forms a log. 

Tips: You can use parchment paper or your hands to press on the roll to make sure it's all tightly rolled. You can use a sushi roller but you really don't need to because it's really easy to roll. 

5. Using a very sharp serrated knife cut the roll into pieces. Yum! 

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You don't even need a dip with this roll because the ginger and Liquid Aminos give this roll an authentic Sushi Soy Sauce taste. 

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I like to pair this roll with a Smokey Cucumber Salad!

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This recipe is low fat, all natural, gluten free, gmo free, vegan and so delicious! .

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The 80/20 Split for a Healthy Life

Foods to eat in Moderation: .

20% of your nutrition can come from this list if you don't want to be full vegan and plantbased! Most people are surprised that they need to limit their intake of these foods. By reducing your intake of animal proteins and fats you highly reduce your risk for: heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes, diabetes, obesity and Cancer.

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By no means am I advocating that it’s at all healthy to eat animal products as I 100% believe it causes cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, infertility, arthritis and more but I understand human nature. I would much rather see someone reduce their intake and recommend reasonable guidelines on consumption than be staunch and insist all vegan or nothing. Most people have eaten animal products their entire life and it’s not realistic to expect people to give it up over night, it’s a transition so I treat it accordingly

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Eat in Abundance: 

Eat to your hearts content. Your nutrition should be filled with bountiful amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains that feed your body the vitamins, nutrients, phytonutrients, antioxidants, minerals, essential oils and carbohydrates it needs to function in good health and prevent diseases while maintaining a healthy body weight! (Grains After 4 is for the Raw until 4pm Lifestyle)

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Theses foods lower your risk for heart disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke and Cancer. They boost the immune system, create digestive health, provide natural energy to the body, improve skin health, improve vision health, oral health and mental functions. *

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(This is an excerpt from "Eat Well Live Well: Transitioning to an Unprocessed Lifestyle) Available on Amazon :

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074P7VHL1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_JshLzb3B8N1Z4

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