Raweirdo? Rapid heart rate..

[missfiggy]

I'm 18 years old and I've been 100% raw for a few weeks now. I was really in to "proper" nutrition before hand and ate my grilled chicken, tuna melts and sauteed asparagus religiously. My family, my friends and random people who have noticed my new "strange" eating habits consider it really, really weird! I then proceed to tell them that I love this way of eating, this new way of life. Of course they jump to conclusions and assume I am eating this way purely for weight loss. While, I must admit, that is a plus it is by no means my soul purpose.

I feel FREE. I'm done with counting calories/carbs or worrying about how fat that pint of ice cream I just ate is going to make me. It's an amazing sense of freedom - no longer worrying about my weight or diet.

It has changed my perspective on many things. I exercise to strenghthen my body.. not to "burn calories." I eat to fuel my life.

I am 5'6" and currently weigh 147 pounds. I gained a hefty 20 pounds while living in Europe (wasn't it supposed to be the other way around?!) Darn it all. Hehe.

So.. starting weight is: 147
Goal weight is: 130

OH.. and a quicky question. I have mitral valve prolapse.. so my heart beats ridiculously fast. I am currently taking Coreg to control it and birth control to "help" with acne. Does anyone know of natural alternatives?

Grazie and ciao my friends - Liza

[Bethanie]

I notice that when my heart rate goes up i take some cayanne pepper in a little water and i also sprinkle some on my food and it really helps with my circulation.
It opens up my arteries and veins so that the blood flows smoothly, i don't have a problem with my heart but this really helps me a lot.
I've learned to love cayenne pepper, the taste. If i eat something without it it just doesn't taste right to me.
Also hawthorn is good for the heart, i've started using it.
Hope this helps:)
B.