Smoothie Support Group to get out of Obesity!!!! [Archive]

menat

04-28-2008, 01:23 AM

I wanted to start this thread, because as long as I eat plate food, it seems like I am tempted to eat non-raw by sneaking foods in, because in my mind I am like "Oh, I lost 4 lbs raw, a little of this won't hurt" then I am back on the SAD food cycle.

I think smoothies, whether green or not, fruit or veggie or combination forces us to avoid the SAD snack or binge habit, because we can only consume liquid foods. It is very hard to eat SAD liquids, unless you are consuming soda beverages, shakes, malts or root beer floats. Or even high sugary teas.

This thread is to help people to get out of the obesity range according to BMI (Body Mass Index). Some of us might want to continue in this thread to get out of the overweight into the normal range. But for right now, this is considered an health emergency thread to fight health risks due to obesity.

It would be cool if we can put our BMI and Weight in our signatures. And state what weight and BMI would put you out of the obesity zone. You should vow to stay on the smoothie raw diet until you reach your non-obesity zone.

Here is a BMI site in both English and Metric systems.
BMI Calculator (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.htm)

In order to find out how to get out of the Obesity range into the Overweight, you have to keep playing with the BMI calculator. I say, keep lowering your weight by every 20 lbs. or 9 Kilograms until get into the overweight range. Let that be your goal BMI/Weight to strive for.

This thread is not only a support group, but for anyone with nutritional information to optimize our health while losing weight on smoothies. Plus, let's make this fun with photos once in a while, too.

Anyone with me on this?! I am all for it!

Okay, let me change my signature for this thread now.

Edited:

Let's try to update our weight/BMI every week like on a Sunday. And state how you will treat yourself when you get to your desirable overweight goal. That would be an incentive to stay on track!

Jenifae

04-28-2008, 01:42 AM

Hi Menat,

Well, I'm not what's considered obese but, I do have an eating disorder/body image issue. I was anorexic and then bulemic. I have not acted out in over 12years. But, I do tend to overeat and emotionally eat. I feel like we can relate on this level. But, I understand if you want it to be only for those considered obese. Would I be welcome here or no?
I too have done the 4 pound lose and then gain back with toxic food. Like today I ate a brownie and soy hot chocolate when upset.
What does SAD stand for again? I forget.
Jen

menat

04-28-2008, 01:59 AM

SAD is Standard American Diet, which means high fat, carbs and calories.

I guess, anyone could join this thread. I can't prevent anyone from not to. However, I think your case is different. Or maybe not. Obese people can be bulimic, too. But the anorexia puts another spin on it. The difference is that we are trying to lose weight, because the excess weight is making our bodies sick and unhealthy. On the other hand, you may be normal to underweight according ot your BMI and your eating disorder is preventing you to maintain a normal, non-underweight.

Obesity and anorexia is on the opposite extremes of good health.

I think maybe you should start your own thread, because I am not sure how to handle this. Nor do I want to feel guilty of perhaps triggering something that would make you go back to your old ways. See what I mean. I am sure there are people in this board who have the same issue as you do. I remember going to another health board where I was telling people how I lost weight on Raw, but many people were against Raw, because they assumed that Raw was another low calorie diet to get on in order to hide one's anorexia. It was hard to try not to convince them that I wasn't anorexic, because I was obese in the first place. And I was far from using Raw as an excuse to promote anorexia.

Yeah, I think you need to start your own thread, because your issue would be how to be Raw, but to maintain a healthy weight without triggering anorexic, bulimic and binging issues. Especially, since doing Raw would make you lose weight in the first place due to not eating SAD.

If you do choose to start a thread, include the BMI website, because I think it is important for people who can relate to you to try to be reminded of their BMI inorder to have a normal weight so not to drop in the Underweight Zone.

I hope you don't feel offended. I am just trying to do the right thing. :confused:

Jenifae

04-28-2008, 02:16 AM

No, no.........I'm fine. I think where we can relate is the overeating, binge-eating, and eating at feelings.

I can relate to overweight people because, I too have used food to cope. However, I know and understand it's not exactly the same.

I will not and would not feel triggered. I've been abstinent for a long time now.

I wish you well on your journey and wish to be supportive in you're working on overcoming the SAD foods.

Thanks for the acronym.

Love and Light
:) Jen

PS: I say "No Guilt" only "Love" :)

erialicia

04-28-2008, 08:29 AM

I am IN! Thank you so much for starting this thread! Ive been struggling to stay raw my first week and finding I am binging at night after being 100% during the day. I hope this helps me to finally come to terms with my eating "disorder" I feel like I need [B]immediate[B]intervention so to speak!
Can/should we post what we eat daily also?

1bigfamily

04-28-2008, 09:29 AM

I'll join. I am recovering from a SAd family reunion. I didn't eat that bad but I had a few beers and I am sooo paying for it with bloating. :( I won't do that again. I am going back to my 95% raw and as soon as I learn how to make my chips (goal for this week), I will be 100% raw.

ab_raw

04-28-2008, 09:33 AM

This is perfect timing for me, yesterday I read Valerie Winters blog on her smoothie experiment and am sooo inspired.

My current BMI is 47.2 (275lbs), so I need to get to 30 to be in the overweight category.
Which works out to 175 lbs. Yikes, that is 100 lbs!

I hope some of you are in this for the long haul!

Thankyou for starting this thread!
Anita

MZ B

04-28-2008, 09:38 AM

I think this is what I need. I am still aiming to be 100% raw, however it gets better everyday. My BMI is 49.4 and dropping. I will try to keep the positive attitude and speak those things as if they were.

ab_raw

04-28-2008, 09:58 AM

Aleesha Sattva

04-28-2008, 11:41 AM

I think this is a GREAT idea folks. My hubby and I just finished 20 days on Green Smoothies and released 15 pounds from me and 24 pounds from him!

You can do this... it's not hard. Get some nice recipes:

http://loverawlife.com/store.htm

and

http://frugalrawnews.blogspot.com/

both excellent smoothie recipes inside!!!

northernstars

04-28-2008, 02:59 PM

I just tried to weigh myself and I could not determine the weight! Last week after therapy their scales said I weighed 185, but the week before their scales said 177! According to the BMI I am still, but just barely, in the obese category!

I was 224 in March 2007 had the stoke during that month just after starting eating raw foods! This year I know I have lost quite a bit but am not yet where I want to be.

My goal weight is 124 and that would give me a 100 pound loss never to be found again!

Aleesha Sattva

04-28-2008, 10:10 PM

then make sure to release the weight... don't lose it.

when you lose something you might find it again... if you release it... it's GONE!

blizzful7

04-28-2008, 10:26 PM

I just order a vitamix blender. Just getting over sticker-shock. Anyway, I plan to start a green smoothie feast as soon as it comes. Would love to join then. I've never done one before.

ab_raw

04-29-2008, 09:38 AM

I tried a new recipe for breakfast this morning:
3 bananas
1 large handful parsley
2 large kale leaves
1 c frozen blueberries
1 c water
1 c ice cubes

It was purple and yummy!
Anita

freely

04-29-2008, 12:35 PM

Menat, I love this idea. It doesn't seem so overwhelming when you look at the bmi and getting out of the obese range.

I'm going for 10 days on smoothies to start with... then 3-5 high raw days (90-100%). Then back to the smoothies.

The easiest thing I ever did was medifast, where you drink their liquid drinks every 3 hours. If I think of it like that, it seems more doable. I didn't stick with medifast because it seemed so unhealthy. But this way, you know it's healthy, especially if you include lots of greens.

Anita, your smoothie looks good! I'll post mine daily here, starting tomorrow. I have several kinds of sprouts started, so that will help.

Let's get overweight! :D

Thanks for starting this!

dewraw

04-29-2008, 02:06 PM

I decided today to give the raw diet a real try, I've been researching about the raw food diet for years, I accumulated tons of raw food books and recipes to still be eating SAD. So Starting right now actually I'm tired of being tired and over weight and by me joining this group it will motivate me. It would be good to list the different smoothies we drink so we can get idea.

Current Weight 180-bmi-30.9 :eek:
Goal Weight is 120-bmi 18.5-20. ;)

freely

04-29-2008, 04:43 PM

Hi dewraw :) We'll have this extra flushed in no time!!
We have about the same amount to lose... well, for me to get to "overweight".

I'm just going to experiment. I have mangoes, bananas, strawberries, blueberries and... let me run and see... kiwi and oranges.

For greens... spring greens, spinach, dandelion (in the yard), sprouts and some green powders.

Mango-banana will be my first in the morning. slurp!:p

kiwilorne

04-30-2008, 01:16 AM

This is a great idea!!! I have read Valerie's blog and wonder how she is doing now....

I find if I have a smoothie before I think of eating anything bad, it fills me up and puts me off eating anything else...

ab_raw

04-30-2008, 08:48 AM

I was at the store yesterday checking out the organic food section and they had organic dandelion greens, a huge bundle for $1.99. I was a little scared but bought them anyway.
This is my smoothie I made this morning:
3 bananas
1 large handful parsley
about 2 cups dandelion greens
1 c frozen blueberries
a handful blackberries
milk from one coconut
1 cup ice

This was the best smoothie I ever made! I went a little heavy on the fruit side because I was afraid of the dandelion greens, but next time i wont be. I could not taste them at all.
Anita

dewraw

04-30-2008, 09:10 AM

Question... Are you putting the greens in the blender with the fruit or are you putting the greens in the juicer 1st then adding it to the blender with the fruit? Another question do you think the green powders are ok to add to the fruit smoothies?

ab_raw

04-30-2008, 09:03 PM

I have no idea what the others are doing, but for me I put everything in the Vitamix and make a smoothie.
I'm not sure what green powder is, so can't answer that one.
anita

carolg

04-30-2008, 10:06 PM

How does the smoothie fast work? Are you eating raw foods besides 2 or so smoothies? I want to lose 18 pounds then I can be back to the "good old days." Wow can't understand for some they can shed pounds easy and for me ONE ounce in one week. I don't see myself cheating with junk foods.

carolg

menat

04-30-2008, 11:55 PM

Are we listing our food like in the 30 day challenge?
Actually it would be cool to see how people make their smoothies.
Today for breakfast mine has 1 banana, 1 lemon, 1 mango, 1 apple, about 2 c chard/kale, big handful of parsely and some frozen pineapple. This I am sharing for breakfast with my son and my partner
For lunch I then made a second one to take to work that is all mine:
1 banana, 1 lemon, 1 carrot, 1 cucumber, 2 kiwis, 1 c kale/chard, 1 handful parsley, 1 c frozen pineapple
Delicious!
Anita

Been busy. Sorry. No you do not have to list the foods, if you do not want.

I made a tomato "soup" with 2 tomatos, half an onion, half of jalepeno pepper and tea! Plus, some olive oil. Yeah, I make sugarless suntea and I use it to make smoothies. To make sure I get the anti-oxidant of the green tea in everything I consume.

carolg

04-30-2008, 11:59 PM

With this thread are you still eating foods or just enjoying smoothies for entire day??????? Thanks.

carolg

menat

05-02-2008, 09:55 PM

I lost 2 lbs! I am 220.6 lbs.

ab_raw

05-02-2008, 11:05 PM

I lost 2 lbs! I am 220.6 lbs.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a rough SAD day yesterday and paying for it today. But I will weigh myself every Monday and report in then.

tiffanybiffanypiffany

05-02-2008, 11:54 PM

i'm actually smoothie fasting right now. i am not obese, but i'm overweight.

i want to be 125lbs and right now i'm 179lbs. i have been on my smoothie fast for only 2 days, and already i see a big difference in my stomach and face. my first weight loss goal is 140, and i'm really excited to reach it.

so i guess my first weight loss goal is 39lbs.

in my smoothie fast i include banana ice cream... i recommend others doing that as well if they get bad cravings.

ps. i'm tiff by the way

menat

05-03-2008, 03:52 AM

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a rough SAD day yesterday and paying for it today. But I will weigh myself every Monday and report in then.

Don't worry. I had SAD solids twice this week. But the rest has been smoothies.

I think that doing smoothies all the time, makes me crave to want to chew on something. So I think what I will do is have two raw meals during the week just to keep me sane, since I am not snacking due to drinking smoothies.

menat

05-03-2008, 03:53 AM

SparklePlenty

05-03-2008, 08:21 AM

This thread is a great idea! I'm doing better than ever on raw, and when I'm tempted to eat SAD I'll have a green smoothie.
The whole idea of aiming to get to a normal BMI appeals to me. It's such a positive goal, health wise. Right now my 'numbers' are all great, but have quite a bit of weight to release, ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Thanks.

Aleesha Sattva

05-05-2008, 02:17 AM

With this thread are you still eating foods or just enjoying smoothies for entire day??????? Thanks.

carolg

hey carol no one is answering you so i will :D

i just finished a green smoothie feast. i drank as many green smoothies and water as i wanted. i never ate foods though... although i did have an avocado every few days so i could use the pit in my smoothies. (don't like avo in a smoothie) - but i mushed it up really good so it was smoothie consistency before i ate it LOL

i released 15 pounds in 20 days (5 of those days were water only).

my hubby who was feasting with me... would take a banana to work with him in case he needed it... which i think he only did once or twice for the entire 3 weeks. he drives for a living and i didn't want him to feel faint while driving, but the green smoothies were enough for him.

we chose to not limit the green smoothies at all. we drank as many as we wanted in a day.

hope that helps ya.

Bingo24

05-05-2008, 09:59 AM

I'm am soooo IN - I'm going to try this.

So, just so I understand -

Green Smoothies ONLY - which would be any combination of vegetables -seems mostly green leafs - and fruits. Blend and enjoy? :)

Can you add ground flax seed? :confused:

Can you add Agave Nectar?:confused:

Menat - Great idea and I loved the BMI to focus on gettting out of Obese to Overweight!

Oh, and do we add on to this to report what we drank? Would be nice to have a little accountability.

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to try today - and this week!

Aleesha Sattva

05-05-2008, 11:27 AM

when you add fruit there's really no need for agave IMO.

you can add ground flax or even chia seeds. but be sure to add flax or hemp oil to your smoothies as well. you need to take in fat to release fat!!!

Raspberry4

05-05-2008, 01:11 PM

Aleesha - I am not on an all smoothie feast - but I too like to put in the flax oil into the smoothies as it makes it almost 'creamier' for me and holds me longer due to the fat in there.

Aleesha Sattva

05-05-2008, 08:47 PM

ya i always add either oil to my smoothies... i love taking as much health into my body at once that i can :P

carolg

05-06-2008, 12:59 AM

zig_zag

05-06-2008, 01:20 AM

hey carol no one is answering you so i will :D

i just finished a green smoothie feast. i drank as many green smoothies and water as i wanted. i never ate foods though... although i did have an avocado every few days so i could use the pit in my smoothies. (don't like avo in a smoothie) - but i mushed it up really good so it was smoothie consistency before i ate it LOL

i released 15 pounds in 20 days (5 of those days were water only).

my hubby who was feasting with me... would take a banana to work with him in case he needed it... which i think he only did once or twice for the entire 3 weeks. he drives for a living and i didn't want him to feel faint while driving, but the green smoothies were enough for him.

we chose to not limit the green smoothies at all. we drank as many as we wanted in a day.

hope that helps ya.
Wow, that's amazing! COngratulations! That's got to be the yummiest 'fasts' out there, too! Was there an average you found yourself consuming in a day? ANd is there a particular combination you found that worked best for you?

GoingtoRAW

05-06-2008, 04:35 PM

I am so glad you started this thread. I'm in! I'm in!! I am 5'3 and here are my stats:

Starting: 263/46.6/Obese
1st goal: 169/29.9/Overweight
Ultimate goal: 140/24.8/Normal

I hope to get below 140 though because when I was close to that weight before I felt that I didn't look or feel my best. That was a very long time ago so maybe I'll change my mind if I ever get there and maybe 140 will be fine. ;)

blizzful7

05-06-2008, 06:27 PM

Aleesha,

Do you actually put the entire avo pit into the blender--whole. I ordered a Vita-mix blender. It's being held hostage at UPS right now. Can you actually grind/blend a whole avocado pit?

pamparred

05-06-2008, 08:42 PM

Yes, you can grind up the whole seed. It adds fiber and you really don't taste it. I don't have a Vitamix, but I do it all the time in my Waring Professional. Its great.

Jerseygirl

05-06-2008, 11:24 PM

I've noticed that the more smoothies I consume, the less my mind wanders to non-raw foods. I'm gonna give this a shot and join in!!

Aleesha Sattva

05-06-2008, 11:49 PM

Aleesha,

Do you actually put the entire avo pit into the blender--whole. I ordered a Vita-mix blender. It's being held hostage at UPS right now. Can you actually grind/blend a whole avocado pit?

I sure do! Just make sure it's at the bottom of your smoothie ingredients. Put it in, then add your liquid (water etc) and then your greens, frozen fruit etc.

Turn that puppy on and watch it pulverize that pit!!! :)

*does make your GS thicker adding in the pit*

beckx

05-07-2008, 01:16 AM

i've been a little bit too lenient with including cooked food in my diet for the last month or so. then i went on vacation last week and strayed from raw a little too much for comfort and am dealing with some food issues again... so i'm deciding this is rock bottom, i'm not going any farther down this spiral. i really want to get as many greens into my diet as possible again and blended soups and green smoothies are the easiest way for me... so i'm on board as of the morning. :) i'll be doing juices and tea too.

i haven't weighed in a few weeks but i think i have about 10 pounds to release to get into overweight and 20 more from there to break into the 'normal' range... so i'm looking at 30-40 pounds. i'll try to weigh tomorrow morning so i can have solid numbers to smile at. i'm not into the scale but it is definitely a motivator to see that i'm coming closer to a weight range where my body will feel great.

carolg

05-07-2008, 09:59 AM

On the oil in smoothies I forgot: are we talking coconut oil or coconut butter? Are you adding flax oil to that additionally so you are having two oils? Aleesha, are you there hun. All jump in too.

Today's AM smoothie is going to include spring greens, banana, mango, sliver of lemon, hemp seeds. I don't have the oils yet but do have flax seeds I can use too.

OT: Pam:
Feeling better? What did you decide to do with the high blood pressure numbers rising? In/out today so call if you wish randomly. Tonight gym date with my groupie friends that formed a few months back at gym. This gym is so friendly and helpful. One guy is determined to help get me get my first flat stomach in my life. Also great equipment.
carolg

carolg

05-07-2008, 10:03 AM

you can add ground flax or even chia seeds. but be sure to add flax or hemp oil to your smoothies as well. you need to take in fat to release fat!!!

Okay, just found one of my questions answered here that I asked Aleesha about. Aleesha feel free to share more about the coconut oil or butter added and kind you take. Maybe time to review all these messages, but maybe some has same question. Thanks.

I'm adding flax seeds to her smoothie this AM too. I have to buy oil later. Glad to add fat to loose more fat! Maybe that is my problem in stomach area--fat, fat, fat.

Again, carolg

ab_raw

05-07-2008, 10:29 AM

I hadn't thought of adding oil to the smoothies, I'll try that tomorrow. I've already made my smoothies for today.

I'm recommitting myself to this today. I've really struggled this past week and feel like crap. But last night I watched a DVD with Victoria Boutenko and I know that this is the answer for me.

I hope everyone has a great day!

GoingtoRAW

05-07-2008, 10:37 AM

I am shooting for a goal of 100% smoothies for the month of June. Right now I am drinking a 32 oz. all fruit smoothie and a 32 oz. green smoothie each day. My 1 meal a day is a veggie wrap w/raw caesar dressing and a 6 grain wrap from Whole Foods (right now my weakenss while I am trying to break my addiction to bread). In between "meals" if I get hungry (which rarely happens), I may eat a piece of fruit or a small portion of a raw cashew, raw pecan, and raw cookie treat that I mix like a trail mix and freeze. It is so good when I am craving something sweet. The more I drink the smoothies the fewer cravings I have for sweets and usually I am not hungry at all!:p

Aleesha Sattva

05-07-2008, 10:58 AM

On the oil in smoothies I forgot: are we talking coconut oil or coconut butter? Are you adding flax oil to that additionally so you are having two oils? Aleesha, are you there hun. All jump in too.

Carol, I never use coconut butter... always coconut oil. But honestly I don't use the coconut anymore, don't like the taste of this batch I have when it gets "smoothied" so I'm simply rotating between flax and hemp oil. I pour some in every smoothie I make.

OT: Pam:
Feeling better? What did you decide to do with the high blood pressure numbers rising?
carolg

Pam, Did you know that 5 minutes of meditation a day can lower your blood pressure significantly over time? You can even do little 2 minute meditations throughout you day. Get a little electronic timer, set it to 2 minutes, sit with a straight back - close your eyes and focus your attention on your nostrils. Feel your breath come in (cool) and when you breath out (warm). When your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your nostrils. ;)

I am shooting for a goal of 100% smoothies for the month of June. Right now I am drinking a 32 oz. all fruit smoothie and a 32 oz. green smoothie each day.

How about adding even one sprig of kale or a couple of spinach leaves to that all fruit smoothie? The more greens you get into your body... the better! I'm currently at about 60% greens on a daily basis.

carolg

05-08-2008, 12:01 PM

Carol, I never use coconut butter... always coconut oil. But honestly I don't use the coconut anymore, don't like the taste of this batch I have when it gets "smoothied" so I'm simply rotating between flax and hemp oil. I pour some in every smoothie I make.

Aleesha,
Your messages are always so helpful and uplifting. I appreciate you being honest too.

So to clarify, using just one oil being either flax or hemp? You are not using flax seeds to take place of flax oil are you? I also use hemp seeds--about 1-2 teaspoons.

I haven't had any coconut oil or butter yet, so wll try hearing about it's benefits too. I can always add your suggestions for flax and/or hemp too....everything helps so much.

So am I right saying the coconut OIL is the melted form of coconut butter and becomes liquid when put jar in a pinch of water from the "butter"?

I agree too that even one sprig of kale or a couple of spinach leaves to that all fruit smoothie is great. The more greens you get into your body... the better! I'm currently at about 60% greens on a daily basis.

I love greens and the more the merrier.

Congr. on 85 down. That is awesome girl!!! Way to go!

carolg

Aleesha Sattva

05-08-2008, 03:31 PM

i don't use flax seeds and sometimes add hemp seeds into my smoothie.

i always add either hemp OR flax oil to my smoothies. every single time there's an oil in there.

i have never used coconut butter but coconut oil is in a jar at the health food store... :P i doubt that coconut butter turns into coconut oil though...

hope that makes more sense for ya.

yup... 85 down!!! more to go... health to achieve!!!

blizzful7

05-08-2008, 09:12 PM

I finally got my vitamix and was excited about green smoothies. Made my first one this morning. Horrible. Found my mistake. I'm used to green juice: romaine, celery, cucumber 1/2 apple. I tried the same combo as a smoothie. Blah! Now I notice that most of you use more fruits than veggies. I'll give it another shot tomorrow.

Aleesha Sattva

05-08-2008, 09:14 PM

toss in a couple of bananas, make it a whole apple and perhaps some blueberries and you'll have a GREAT smoothie!!!

pamparred

05-08-2008, 09:40 PM

Been quiet for the last couple of days, trying to get blood pressure and sugars under control. Talked to the nurse practitioner at the Community Wellness Clinic and told her I wanted to do RAW and herbs, no drugs for my health issues. They were a little reluctant at first, but made a deal with them. If after 30 days I show no improvement then we can discuss the meds again. So went to the herb shop and got chromium picolinate, cinnamon and a mixture they call Sugar Ease Compound for my diabetes and for my high blood pressure I got Hawthorn extract, Co Q10 and red rice yeast. I am working out 10 minutes a day on my rebounder, doing stretches and walking about 1/2 mile a day. My blood sugars are below 200 now, avg 165 and I don't know about my blood pressure, my monitor is way off, so tomorrow I will stop by the doctors office and get it checked. I am sleeping 8 hours at a time instead of sleeping off and on all night. Feeling much better now. So, Sat I am starting a 30 day Green Smoothie feast. My appt at the clinic is May 21 and I want to show really good progress so that they will be more willing to work with me on this. I think if I can show them it works, they will be more willing to let others try this. I feel like I am doing this for me, but also for others who don't want to do the drug route.

carolg

05-08-2008, 11:46 PM

Aleesha,
Thanks.

I went for an NAET treatment today with acupuncture and that means I can't eat anything in that food group for 25 hours. or even touch either. I already goofed and touched greens. Hope I don't have to go through this same group again when I go back next week. So it's cauliflower for breakfast, lunch for tomorrow and tonight had that too as I can't eat other things on their list. No I'm not going to do cooked white rice either. I have an all day meeting tomorrow with food present and my water and my cauliflower are my treasures for the day.

It takes 3 months to see this practioner and she is officially not taking new patients as she is way to busy:
www.red-white.net

Above if you wish to see what she does. My ankle was bothering me and she did a few needles in area and the pain is GONE.

I'll have to resume my smoothies tomorrow night. I bet I will be really wanting LOTS too.

Again, thanks for clarification. Have a wonderful day.

hugs,
carolg

Aleesha Sattva

05-08-2008, 11:56 PM

pam,

don't know if i've shared this but i will again. my hubby is diabetic (the doc doesn't consider me diabetic anymore due to my raw lifestyle) - my hubby was never able to get his blood sugar numbers down into the safe range...

he did green smoothies for 20 days... and his numbers are OPTIMAL they aren't even in the safe range... they are LOWER than just simply "safe"... how's that for proof!!! it'll work for ya. trust me.

we did lots of green smoothies - as many a day as we desired AND there was lots of fruit in them. his numbers dropped tremendously.

i know you can do this! just think of how supportive they'll be to others who come after you! i'm soooooooo proud of you!

pamparred

05-09-2008, 09:00 AM

Aleesha, Thanks for the info, it just encourages me to do this even more. Have a great day everyone! :)

joon4yu

05-09-2008, 12:02 PM

count me in too. I did my BMI 28.3. I'M OVERWEIGHT AGAIN, DARN:eek:
NORMAL is 18.5-24.9. So when do we start the smoothie release?

pamparred

05-09-2008, 05:18 PM

joon4yu, I am starting my GS feast tomorrow. You are welcome to jump in any time.

Aleesha, did you use Thai coconuts in your smoothies? Didn't really sink in about the fruits. I looooooove fruits and have been trying to stay away from them and sticking to veggies. I walked into the produce department today and hubby had to drag me out, was walking around fondling the fruit. Guess he was afraid I would be arrested. ;) So glad I can have them. I miss them terribly. Its like unrequited love. But now, my love affair can blossom. :D

Aleesha Sattva

05-09-2008, 05:40 PM

i don't have any access to young coconuts so nope, never used them. we did put a minimum of: 3 bananas, 2 orange (peeled only if the peel is thick) and 1-2 cups of frozen berries/fruit in EVERY smoothie we made! so don't be shy about adding fruit!

i loooove peeling a fresh mango or three and making a smoothie out of them. and IF i really needed to eat something when i was doing my smoothie feast... i'd take a mango and papaya and puree them with no water in my vita-mix... and eat. hey... it's still completely 'smoothie' texture!!! so it's not really cheating!

other than that... i don't cheat when i'm fasting/feasting... cause what's the point of doing it unless i do it!

pamparred

05-09-2008, 09:13 PM

Thanks for all the help Aleesha. Can't wait to get started on my journey of release and recovery.

carolg

05-09-2008, 10:53 PM

Pam,
Starting the day before Mother's Day too. Go girl.

Off my 25 fast and watched everyone enjoy their foods till my 25 hours hit and there was lots of fresh fruit around besides the SAD for others.

I bought my coconut oil tonight. I think Nature's Way and much cheaper than Garden of Life. Tomorrow I start with them.

I also got Hemp Oil and pricey.

Aleesha,
Wonderful about your hubby. See it works!

Pam,
You're next along with the other joiners.

Love,
carol

joon4yu

05-10-2008, 10:15 AM

That's odd! I posted when this thread happen and i can't find my post. Well, i want to be in too. I did the calculations. and once again, my butt is in the overweight range of 28.4 normal range is 18.5-24-8 (trying to remember the ranges when i did it two days ago) that's about right. I weigh 181 and my goal is whatever the body releases. Ok, 170. So when do we start? I'm ready today. This will be good!!!

Aleesha Sattva

05-10-2008, 10:17 AM

then start today!!!

menat

05-10-2008, 12:04 PM

I am gaining weight for some reason. I hope it is from water retention and a combination of my arm reps and me walking by building up calf and thigh muscles or I am going to be mad. I am back up to 223 lbs. Grrr.

I think I will start to tape measure myself so I won't drive myself crazy with the scale.

pamparred

05-10-2008, 12:24 PM

Okay, here I am starting day 1 and ab_raw, yes I am also in it for the long haul. Right now I am having a rather weird GS. It has pineapple, cranberries (hubby made a cranberry juice and wanted to use it up), coconut oil, bitter melon (the flavor really comes through, but is good for lowering blood sugars) basil (trimmed my basil plants) and orange. My hubby and I need to talk about the ingredients in our smoothies.:)

Now here are the scary stats as of today 05/10/08
Wgt: 297.5 BMI: 48 at 5'6"
Ovrwgt BMI 29.1 Wgt release: 117lbs
Blood Sugar 202 (almost forgot to add that in)

Will take measurements later today to keep track of inches released.
Happy GS to everyone!

Aleesha Sattva

05-10-2008, 01:21 PM

muscle is heavy, fat is light.

http://aleeshasrawlife.blogspot.com/2008/02/1-pound-of-muscle-vs-1-pound-of-fat.html

carolg

05-11-2008, 12:03 AM

Pam,
Congr. you made it through day 1.

Suggest to Walt something like:

spinach
banana
apple
hemp seeds
or hemp oil
coconut oil
flax seeds or oil
water in the bottom of container to start

See how that tastes. Maybe read Aleesha's posts to me about clarification about the flax seeds vs. other oils vs. coconut.

Feel GREAT!!!

carol..call me or I'll call you for Mother's Day...if no answer lv. msg..church sometime..not sure on service yet.....

menat

05-11-2008, 05:17 AM

muscle is heavy, fat is light.

http://aleeshasrawlife.blogspot.com/2008/02/1-pound-of-muscle-vs-1-pound-of-fat.html

I know but it really doesn't seem like I am doing a lot of exercising for me to be gaining weight. In all honesty, I only exercise twice a week. I do yoga for an hour then walk as fast as I can for 20 to 30 minutes.

Unless having a mostly smoothie diet burns the fat where your muscles have no choice but to bulk up? Is that biologically correct or not, what I just said?

pamparred

05-11-2008, 11:28 AM

Happy Mother's Day to all! Starting day 2. Yesterday was okay, but made a couple of undesirable smoothies. Drank them anyway and was not hungry, but will cross those recipes off the list. Starting this am with strawberry, banana, pineapple, sunflower sprouts and coconut oil. This will definitely be a much better mix. Went to local nursery and got some plants, tomato, summer squash, zucchini, cantaloupes, sugar baby melons, swiss chard, red bell peppers, hot peppers, some herbs and I think thats it. Going next weekend to pick up some earth boxes to plant them in and between them and the micro greens and salad mixes I plant, should cut down on a lot of my grocery spending. Got to pick up cukes also, they didn't have any yesterday and I should be good to go. Plus this winter I will be able to grow them indoors. Have a dining room and living room I don't use so will turn them into indoor gardens. Happy GS!

Carol, will be gone today, going to Santa Fe to do some shopping.

Aleesha Sattva

05-11-2008, 11:33 AM

menat, if you are only doing green smoothies... you can't be gaining fat weight. simple really. you aren't taking in anything that creates fat!

zig_zag

05-11-2008, 01:06 PM

Aleesha- Not sure if my post was overlooked accidentally or perhaps you were just unable to answer, but nevertheless I'd like to reask if you had a particular smoothie combination that you found to work best for you and your body (in terms of prolonging fullness, palatability, digestability etc), and whether or not you found your body gravitating toward a certain average of smoothie consumption per day... Would love it if you could respond to these, thank you!!!:)

Aleesha Sattva

05-11-2008, 01:20 PM

Aleesha Sattva

05-11-2008, 01:25 PM

carolg

05-11-2008, 03:23 PM

The reason I drank so much is because I don't believe in being hungry on a feast!

Also I want to mention... I released a pound a day after day 5... and this continued till I changed to water, then I released 2 pounds a day.

My hubby was releasing a pound per day as well.

Aleesha,
Question:
Had my very first GS with coconut oil. I just had to try it to see whate everyone was bragging about. It was good and used 3 T of coconut oil. I understand you have weaned yourself off of it.

I'm feeling very sleepy having all this coconut oil too. Maybe too much? I feel like I can take a nap now. We're going out so I can't.

Question: You changed to water fromwhat? Drinking water at same time as you are the GS or in between day?

Thanks always.

Pam, Didn't see you would be gone, left you msg. already. Too late.
Earthboxes? Was I the force? Where are you buying? Price? How many?

carolg

Aleesha Sattva

05-11-2008, 05:06 PM

i don't know why the coconut oil would make you sleepy??? never heard of that. i haven't weaned myself off of coconut oil... the stuff i have right now - when mixed into a smoothie makes it taste like bile... it's horrid :P

what i meant regarding water was... i was drinking a LOT of green smoothies and then slowly drank less, but did NOT increase my water to compensate. i should have.

Catladyintown

05-11-2008, 06:27 PM

Hello everyone. Thanks Menat for starting this thread. I am new here. But have tried raw before. I would like to join the GS team.:) Right now I have 175lb to lose. I only weight my self once a month, because I get compulsive over the scale. So I am doing this to get healthy and feel better. On the GS do you need fruit? I like greens a lot more. I have made my GS with just using greens and stevia. I barely like fruit only dates.

Aleesha Sattva

05-11-2008, 06:29 PM

well it's totally your call but fruits have a lot of benefits. bananas alone are sooooooo healthy for ya!

Catladyintown

05-11-2008, 06:42 PM

Hi Aleesha I do like bananas but right now they are expensive were I live, 59 cents a pound. Can you add oranges to GS. What about food combing?:)

carolg

05-11-2008, 08:45 PM

Catlady,
Welcome. You can do it. I do smoothies with fruits and not dates or stevia. I am not focused on food combining making green smoothies and haven't had a bad reaction to the fruits or veggie combos.a

Can you do just one banana to add flavor?

Aleesha,

Thanks for responding to my questions I asked late this afternoon. about coconut making me sleepy and what you meant by water.

carolg

Catladyintown

05-11-2008, 09:20 PM

Thank you Carolg for the welcome.

GoingtoRAW

05-12-2008, 08:51 AM

Can you add oranges to GS.

Catladyintown, I add 2 oranges and 1 banana to all of my smoothies. If the oranges are juicy enough I don't have to add water. I admire the way you can take to smoothies without fruit. I am trying to work on that because I know I need more greens in my smoothies! :p

Aleesha Sattva

05-12-2008, 09:54 AM

Hi Aleesha I do like bananas but right now they are expensive were I live, 59 cents a pound. Can you add oranges to GS. What about food combing?:)

59 cents a pound? i pay almost $1.50 a pound! (that's organic of course)
yes to oranges. yes to apples and yes to pears! (just to give you a variety)

i don't worry about food combining in my smoothies as everything is so broken down the digestive process (IMO) is made so much simpler for my tummy... it's never been a problem.

i do a little food combining the rest of the day though. although, to be honest, i find that with a raw diet... food combining isn't that important. there is little i can't digest well and part of the reason i became raw was because i couldn't digest my food before. so - to me - this speaks volumes!

hope that helps. remember... i'm just one person with my opinion based on my research and my experience. doesn't make me right... :P

Aleesha Sattva

05-12-2008, 09:56 AM

oh and i forgot to add:

adding citrus to your green smoothies is an excellent idea. it assists the iron in the greens to be absorbed! (and makes it taste like a milkshake!!!)

ab_raw

05-12-2008, 10:03 AM

59 cents a pound? i pay almost $1.50 a pound! (that's organic of course)
:P

And I live in a large city near you and even here non-organic bananas are 79cents a pound, organic 99 cents and up. Banana's are probably the cheapest fruit we have here.
I use 2-3 in my smoothie every day.

Aleesha Sattva

05-12-2008, 10:13 AM

of course the flooding in equidor is causing the rise in prices right now as well.

ab_raw

05-12-2008, 10:17 AM

Oh, Oh, I just drank a glass of a wonderful smoothie, no bitterness at all....

2 bananas
about 1/4 whole cantelope
about 1/4 whole pineapple
1 c water
Then I stuffed the Vitamix full of snow pea tips (from the Asian market) and left just enough room for 2 cups ice cubes.

This is the brightest green I have ever seen and just so fresh and light tasting.

http://www.theproducehunter.com/productdisplay.asp?ID=2275

Aleesha Sattva

05-12-2008, 10:25 AM

mmmm i've never heard of them... you bought them? i'll have to look when i venture into an asian market!

menat

05-12-2008, 12:19 PM

I know this is weird but can putting some string beans/ green beans substitute for green leafy veggies? I am not sure if the greeness of the veggies is what is needed for nutrients or is it just leafy veggies alone that makes the smoothies healthy.

menat

05-12-2008, 12:25 PM

I'm sorry... I didn't see your post. Thanks for asking again.

I find that my body really loves:

huge handful or two of baby spinach
3 bananas
1-2 cups of frozen blueberries
1 orange (peeled only if peel is thick)
hemp or flax oil
chia seeds.

This is the one I crave the most. It's soooooo good. Tastes like a blueberry milkshake!

I found I was drinking 30-40 oz of Green Smoothie goodness 3-4 times a day at first. As my journey progressed on my GS Feast... I found I came down to 20 oz 2-3 times a day. My error was not drinking enough water at the same time... that's VITAL... trust me! So make sure you are getting heaps of water as well.

Can I ask you a question. I have a 32 oz Gatorade bottle I keep around to make sure I drink that much water in a day, because I am not good with drinking water as of late.

How in heck do you drink 30 to 40 oz of smoothie per meal, plus a snack???!!! :p I am curious, how long does it take to drink it all at once. Or did you do it over a few hours? I am lucky if I can get a cup of smoothie down, even though I vowed to drink a glass per meal. But that does not happen.

Aleesha Sattva

05-12-2008, 12:58 PM

I'm a chugger! LOL Honestly, I somewhat 'chew' my green smoothies... and I just stand there and get it done... drink 'er down!

But I don't usually have a snack as well. :P

RaWonderWoman5

05-12-2008, 07:17 PM

Hi!
Been meaning to jump on the thread for a while now.

For the past week, I've been taking an entire container of organic spinach from Costco and shoving into my Vitamix. I combine it with water, strawberries, flax, hemp and strawberries. Yum!

Also, a couple weeks ago, I made smoothies with collard greens. Oh my gosh, to die for!!!!:D

Catladyintown

05-12-2008, 09:06 PM

Catladyintown, I add 2 oranges and 1 banana to all of my smoothies. If the oranges are juicy enough I don't have to add water. I admire the way you can take to smoothies without fruit. I am trying to work on that because I know I need more greens in my smoothies! :p Thanks GoingtoRaw but I can't take credit I just never really acquired a taste for fruit. My problem was good Mexican food.

59 cents a pound? i pay almost $1.50 a pound! (that's organic of course)
yes to oranges. yes to apples and yes to pears! (just to give you a variety)

i don't worry about food combining in my smoothies as everything is so broken down the digestive process (IMO) is made so much simpler for my tummy... it's never been a problem.

i do a little food combining the rest of the day though. although, to be honest, i find that with a raw diet... food combining isn't that important. there is little i can't digest well and part of the reason i became raw was because i couldn't digest my food before. so - to me - this speaks volumes!

hope that helps. remember... i'm just one person with my opinion based on my research and my experience. doesn't make me right... :P

Aleesha $1.50 lb Wow. I won't complain about bananas again being 59 cents and that is organic. But I decided to try and force myself to put a fruit in the GS drink. It seams like everyone does put fruit in their GS. I was thinking a small apple or orange. Maybe that expensive banana.:p The only thing I really do miss is my pinto beans with salsa. But I was thinking of also making a GS with Salsa. :D

Aleesha Sattva

05-12-2008, 11:17 PM

you can totally make a salsa type of green smoothie!!! create it and drink it!
:D

yup... bananas aren't always that expensive but i seldom... very seldom... ever find them under a $1.00 a pound.

SparklePlenty

05-13-2008, 11:55 AM

This thread has helped me focus on such a positive thing to change: BMI. I've already dropped .6 from mine!

Loving my smoothies.

thanks to all!

Raspberry4

05-13-2008, 01:02 PM

Hello to everyone! I was wondering how you handle any cravings for RAW solid food when you are doing a smoothie feast/fast (whatever it is - smoothies all day everyday). It sounds interesting and I have been having a terrible problem with all solid food lately (have to sleep on the sofa at night if you get my drift...) and was wondering if smoothies would help with that. But I worry that I would not be able to handle not being able to eat raw food?

I am also back to being overweight and close to obese again. I find this thread very interesting.

Any advise is appreciated. Thank you!!!!!!!

Aleesha Sattva

05-13-2008, 07:50 PM

honestly you lose your desire for food as you drink this goodness. you will also lose your farts LOL

Raspberry4

05-13-2008, 09:00 PM

Aleesha - I was hoping you would respond to me. I knew you would tell me what I needed to hear. The second part especially is a major concern for me (and my poor family) and only gets worse as I eat more veges - very frustrating as I am trying to eat healthier - I am having bad effects from it. Never happened before like this - makes me think something is wrong? Anyway...thanks for your response girlfriend. :)

debilana

05-13-2008, 09:13 PM

This is cute-

I work in a private home as a nanny/personal assistant type. My boss and I have really worked together at improving our diets over the past few years and the last year esp I have been a huge influence on her. This past weekend my boss took the kids and went to grandmas house a few hrs away, and stayed until today. I was just standing in the kitchen thinking hmm will she want a salad tonight- she is not raw but she eats salads almost every day I make one, plus we drink GS together- and she calls to tell me she feels so fat after 4 days of no greens and please make a gallon of GS and a huge salad for her=)))

First thing in the door she drinks a huge glass of gs...she had 2 more before I left and was eating the salad as I was leaving! Guess she was grateful to get back home to real food:D

Aleesha Sattva

05-13-2008, 09:15 PM

hey... my hubby stopped farting while he was doing his 20 day green smoothie feast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and trust me... the neighbours were celebrating LOL

i would think... that doing a green smoothie feast would assist your body in processing and getting used to the 'raw' goodness coming in... and i would expect that your farts will be gone for good! (well we all get gas but... you know what i mean!)

~~~

that is great news deb... nice to see she's craving the raw goodness!

ltcartwright

05-14-2008, 08:45 PM

I'm doing a colon cleansing that requires a juice fast, so I won't do the smoothies until then. But this is very interesting, I'll be back!;)

rusmiley99

05-14-2008, 09:20 PM

Thanks for starting this thread! I know I needed this :)

Catladyintown

05-15-2008, 09:59 AM

Hello everyone just checking in. Still doing my GS and I loving it. Aleesha I started putting 1 orange in GS it taste good. I also started putting in 1 clove of garlic I really like the taste, gives it a little kick.

Catladyintown

05-15-2008, 10:04 AM

Hello has anyone tried putting flax seed powder in their GS. I have a lot of Flax seeds, so I was thinking of grinding it up and putting some in the GS. But my question is would it make it very thick? I make my GS in the morning and put the rest in the refrigerator to drink threw out the day. Would the flax seed make it more like a jelly or makes no differences? Thanks

Aleesha Sattva

05-15-2008, 11:12 AM

it would thicken it... but when mine thickens (cause greens will often do that as well) i just add a bit of water and shake it up! :D

so the answer is... yes, you can add flax, just be sure to add it ground not whole :D

Catladyintown

05-17-2008, 01:45 PM

Aleesha Sattva

05-17-2008, 04:35 PM

YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEE YAHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO *does a celebration dance!*

Nurse in the Raw

05-17-2008, 04:57 PM

Anyone doing just smoothies all day? If so, what are your results? Are you having an easy time sticking to it?

carolg

05-17-2008, 05:40 PM

Catlady,
Your waitloss is great. I celebrate, and having problems logging in here for 2 days, is 3 POUNDS in Two Weeks 2 days. I was celebrating to know it's gone down that much too. I'm a gym nut so I go about 6 days a week. My workout partner loves to talk so she distracts some of my workout. Next week I have to figure out how to be nice and get the message out to her. Maybe something like "Today let's have our goal let's talk and more ACTion saving talk time for our cardio at the end."

I had a GS (spinach) smoothie today: spinach, coconut oil, 1 teaspoon hemp seeds, or maybe that was a tablesoon, 1 or 2 bananas--didn't pay attention to bananas. Oh, hemp seeds. Maybe I need to do Breakfast and Lunch for smoothies. I heard the word "skinny" yesterday from my raw friend I bumped into at health food store. Boy that sounded nice to my ears. I don't see me skinny however but slowly shedding.

Aleesha,
You are way to funny. I love your direct approach to all of us brothers/sisters. You are RAWKing sweet! Great about hubby and the neighbor smelling so much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know my stomach is so weak that is my husband has even raw toxic smelly BM, I almost gag, run and spray lightly without saying a word. OMG.
It's hardly this way, but once is too much.

carolg

D'vorah

05-17-2008, 06:31 PM

I see hemp and flax being used, in some cases both.

How are they different? How are they alike? What are the benefits of each?

Deborah

Aleesha Sattva

05-17-2008, 07:26 PM

Anyone doing just smoothies all day? If so, what are your results? Are you having an easy time sticking to it?

i did one just recently and it wasn't hard at all. you can make soooo many varieties of green smoothies and you are so full after them as well.

baby organic spinach - .49 cents a bunch
bananas $99 a pound
the health benefits... PRICELESS!

give it a try... you'll like it (mikey likes so why wouldn't you?)

*giggling*

menat

05-17-2008, 07:38 PM

Hello all. Great news to report I have released 10lb in Eleven days. I started the raw food program on May 5th. And started GS on Mothers Day May 11. I believe my GS are helping me a lot with losing weight fast. Mainly I drink GS and make a salad. And I don't skimp on my salads. I put every type of veggie I can think on it, plus it is huge. Oh and I try to eat fruit at least once a day. I mainly make my GS out of veggies. My percentage is 75% greens and one orange plus I put small amount of nuts. Also I did cheat 3 times but I went right back into GS. I love GS plus the fact they are so easy to make.:)

Excellent. Keep it up.

I myself is having a hard time. My diet is mostly smoothies with greens, but they are not really GREEN. Right now I have this huge craving for some quality Mexican food. My favorite food. I think I am craving some fresh avocados, tomatos, onions with jalepeno peppers. All the things I don't have in my home right now. And it is dark and I don't feel like going out to shop.

I only have carrots, ginger root, celery, apple, spinach, oranges and a few cherrie tomatos (I don't like eating those small sweet things. I got them for the smoothies). And I add lots of grapeseed oil to make the hunger stay away.

Please, tell me, what do you guys do for cravings?! Mind you, I am not hungry, I just feel like I am going to lose my mind if I don't eat some nachos.

I think my problem is that I don't have any "bad raw food snacks" around to eat when I get tired of having a super clean and healthy diet.

I think I have gained some muscle. My weight hasn't changed, but I know that is from me adding a lot of salt in order to flavor my veggie smoothies. I usually know my "true" weight when I take a water pill once a week. I can figure out what is water retention from all the salt.

Aleesha Sattva

05-17-2008, 07:41 PM

when i have a craving i go do something to take my mind off of it.

if that doesn't work... i simply remind myself that TODAY I AM FEASTING and i just move on.

it's all about what you are going to allow yourself to think... and seriously your thoughts are not more powerful than you are!

*high five*

menat

05-17-2008, 07:41 PM

Anyone doing just smoothies all day? If so, what are your results? Are you having an easy time sticking to it?

I cheat by having a raw granola bar I made a few weeks back in the dehydrator. I only eat one or two a day to satisfy my urge to chew. But besides, that I do find it kind of challenging at times to not eat from a plate. This when I am usually at home all day though like on the weekends. Like right now, I want....well, I just complained about it in my last post.

Catladyintown

05-18-2008, 12:30 AM

Thank you so much Aleesha. I did do a little dance.:D Carolg I hope to start exercising when I reach around 280lb. Right now it hurts just moving with my arthritis. Menat I always keep tomatoes and peppers on hand. When the bean and salsa crazy hit. Now I just put a pepper in my smoothie and it helps. I am going to make me a spinach and salsa smoothie and see how it comes out. I have always been crazy insane about spinach. Also Menat when I think I am going to go off the deep end. I make myself a smoothie and drink all of it at once and believe me when you drink about 20 oz of a GS you don't want anything.:o

Catladyintown

05-18-2008, 12:32 AM

Hi Nurse In The Raw I hope to go totally GS in a week or so. Right now I have a Salad with plenty of GS.

Aleesha Sattva

05-18-2008, 12:39 AM

hey i can down 30 oz of green smoothie eeeeeeaaaaaaassssssssyyyyyyyyy

LOL

Catladyintown

05-18-2008, 01:22 AM

One day Aleesha I will catch up.;)

raw_danceruk

05-18-2008, 08:37 AM

Well done guys... just wanted to pop in and show my support

I have been reading over Valerie Winters blog recently..really intresting http://greensmoothieexperiment.blogspot.com

I am adding more GS to my diet for the next 4 weeks if not soley Green smoothies. Sending you guys good vibes :D

carolg

05-18-2008, 09:03 AM

From 475 down 300 POUNDS. Great story even though may not be raw you will be inspired you can do it! Wow. How I ever found this link I don't know.

http://www.formerfatguyblog.com/2007/05/27/how-i-lost-300-pounds-my-weight-loss-story.html

Nice name of a blog too.

carolg

Aleesha Sattva

05-18-2008, 10:29 AM

very inspiring indeed! thanks for the link carol!

Catladyintown

05-18-2008, 12:06 PM

Hi Carolg I read forumfatblog it was very eye opening. The only thing that was sad is he went back to eating meat after 12 years vegetarian. He did real well on the veggie lifestyle. But when he started bodybuilding he went back to meat. I know their are raw vegan bodybuilders out there. Storm comes to mind he is totally raw vegan for over 30 years.

menat

05-18-2008, 08:03 PM

Aleesha Sattva

05-18-2008, 11:25 PM

I would - I do 30 oz of green smoothie every time I drink it. If I'm not very hungry... I do 20 oz. ;)

Catladyintown

05-19-2008, 10:23 AM

Hi Menat I would totally up my GS. With me GS are 60% of my meals. And the rest is either Salads, Salsa with chips or anything raw I feel like. I also want to say I am a big eater I do not skimp on anything when it comes to food. I think that is why I like raw I don't have to starve and I eat and eat until I am full. I have always over eaten. But I hope with time my appetite will normal out. I believe the reason I over ate in the past is because nutritionally I was starving. HTH

Aleesha Sattva

05-19-2008, 10:25 AM

catlady I totally agree with you. i ate so much more when i ate SAD food. over the past year i've noticed my eating has reduced... as my health increases!

Catladyintown

05-19-2008, 10:30 AM

That what I am hoping for Aleesha. Because no kidding I can eat more than a football player.

Aleesha Sattva

05-19-2008, 10:42 AM

well that much raw will only assist you... not harm you (((hugs)))

rosehiptea

05-19-2008, 01:21 PM

I really love the idea of tartgeting the BMI to go from obese to overweight.
BUT I just can't do it using smoothies so I think I will start another Thread
but thanks so much for the great idea.

Veganforlife

05-19-2008, 02:35 PM

You all may be interested in this. It start on Wednesday.

http://greensmoothiechallenge.org/

Catladyintown

05-19-2008, 03:23 PM

Thanks Veganforlife I am going to try it.

Aleesha Sattva

05-19-2008, 03:59 PM

thanks for the reminder lucy... my hubby is doing it! he just finished a 20 day green smoothie feast so he figures 14 days will be a breeze!

ManyLittles

05-20-2008, 03:57 AM

I've been thinking about joining this thread for a while. Wasn't sure I could do it...or that my husband would want to. But after reading some of the benefits that a few people, like Aleesha, have had on here, it sounds like it's worth a try, at least. Maybe it will help get me refocused on raw, for good. I'm totally convinced that raw is the right thing, but it's hard to keep that cooked food "monkey" off my back!

I'm going to ask my husband if he'll try it with me, at least for a week. If I could lose a pound a day, like Aleesha said, that would be great. Does anyone here know if that's realistic to keep up with losing at that pace beyond a month? I know it's more likely for someone in the 350-pounds-and-up range, but could that work for someone my weight?

Thanks!

Oh, and I remember seeing that some people had asked questions about coconut oil/butter. I believe that coconut butter is the oil and the coconut flesh blended together. In the jar, you'll see a bunch of smooth coconut oil on top, and find it getting grainier the farther into the jar you get...more coconut flesh, I guess. I prefer coconut oil. There are soooo many benefits to coconut oil, including immunity boosting, fighting of viruses, help in curing yeast infections, urinary tract infections, diabetes, and of course, the best part...helping weight loss by boosting your metabolism. Even if you hate it, eat it!

ManyLittles

05-20-2008, 04:03 AM

By the way, does it matter how much of your green smoothie is greens? I usually only put in a handful (maybe two if it's baby spinach), then mostly fruits. Is that really a green smoothie, or am I just kidding myself?

Also, I've been giving my kids green smoothies for breakfast and lunch, and lately I've noticed my two year old having horrendous poopy blowouts during naptime...often it's extremely liquidy (sorry if this is TMI). Any GS moms out there have this problem? Are the green smoothies messing her system up, or am I giving her too much fruit in the smoothies, or should I cut back to one smoothie a day? It's driving me crazy. Scrubbing and soaking wet poop out of a set of clothing once is bad enough...but once a day? Arggggh!!!

I'm hoping I won't have to stop giving them green smoothies, because they suck it down in five minutes. No time for fooling around or arguing...every mom's dream meal!

Raspberry4

05-20-2008, 08:27 AM

carolg

05-20-2008, 09:26 AM

Gosh, I just drank the most delicious GS and forgot to add coconut oil. So guess what? It may be time to make another one soon. I can't believe it. My, my.

I got lots of dandelions here. Many spray and don't see the blessing this weed is to their liver. I do and invented a yummy drink I just made to share with you:

Dandelion Green Smoothie
water
dandelion without stem
bananas
apple
slice lemon
hemp seeds
coconut oil (which I forgot but will add to next ones)

Blend all.
Enjoy. Super tasty and the lemon does that.

Catlady,
Thanks for the fat weight builder update, but sad he felt meat was his helper in bodybuilding.

All,
Great day to everyone!
carolg

carolg

05-20-2008, 09:36 AM

Does anyone put coconut oil in their green smoothies? If so, does it get totally incorporated into the drink? Even with my Vitamix I still see white chunks of it dispersed throughout. I am not sure if it is just me or if this is 'normal'. I don't want to run it much longer as I don't want to 'heat up' the smoothie. I don't put ice in there either as this would cause the oil to freeze too I learned the hard way. Thanks for any help!

Yes I start with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil while blending my smoothie. When adding more it becomes very overpowering and feels very rich too. Today I forgot to add coconut oil and how badly I need it. It appears to have white particles but they surely blended in. I never add ice to blender and delish.

carolg

carolg

Catladyintown

05-20-2008, 09:52 AM

Hi Raspberry4 I also use coconut oil in my GS. I once used coconut oil in my salad dressing not thinking, and when I put it in the fridge it turned solid. Very hard to get out of the salad dressing jar.:o
Good morning Carolg I wish I had dandelion weeds here. But my yard is nothing but plain old dirt in Tucson AZ. The Dandelion GS looks so tasty to try.

Aleesha Sattva

05-20-2008, 10:27 AM

IIf I could lose a pound a day, like Aleesha said, that would be great. Does anyone here know if that's realistic to keep up with losing at that pace beyond a month? I know it's more likely for someone in the 350-pounds-and-up range, but could that work for someone my weight?

i only shared my experience and my hubby's... not sure what the norm is to be honest. i didn't do it for the weight release... i did it for the health benefits. :)

By the way, does it matter how much of your green smoothie is greens? I usually only put in a handful (maybe two if it's baby spinach), then mostly fruits. Is that really a green smoothie, or am I just kidding myself?

everyone makes them different. victoria boutenko recommends 40% greens to 60% fruit. you'll find you can add more and more greens (and carrots, celery, cucumbers etc) to your smoothies as you do them longer.

Also, I've been giving my kids green smoothies for breakfast and lunch, and lately I've noticed my two year old having horrendous poopy blowouts during naptime...often it's extremely liquidy (sorry if this is TMI). Any GS moms out there have this problem?

Melissa Gilbert (http://rawtoddleralex.blogspot.com/) is raising her son raw and he drinks green smoothies daily with no problems. perhaps it simply their system getting used to it? I emailed her and asked her to comment for ya.

Does anyone put coconut oil in their green smoothies? If so, does it get totally incorporated into the drink?

none of the oils i add completely incorporate into my green smoothies.

Dandelion Green Smoothie
water
dandelion without stem
bananas
apple
slice lemon
hemp seeds
coconut oil (which I forgot but will add to next ones)

Blend all.
Enjoy. Super tasty and the lemon does that.

Carol, is that using the flowers or the leaves?

Good morning Carolg I wish I had dandelion weeds here. But my yard is nothing but plain old dirt in Tucson AZ. The Dandelion GS looks so tasty to try.

have you tried prickly pears? makes a great juice or smoothy. simply peel and blend!

kelley53

05-20-2008, 10:33 AM

After 6 weeks being raw and finally being off Predisone, from a brain disease, I am in need of support and like friends. My BMI is 43.9 today, and going down. Juicing today to get to overweight range. have a great day everyone.
Oh weight now is 250

Aleesha Sattva

05-20-2008, 10:34 AM

you can do it!!! i started off at 265ish (i didn't weigh myself so i could have been higher) and now i'm 179 and going dooooooooooooooooooown.

Veganforlife

05-20-2008, 11:36 AM

Aleesha! YOU GO GIRL! I'm so proud of you! Incredible! Way to go! YAY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Aleesha Sattva

05-20-2008, 11:37 AM

lucy you are the first person i've told. :D i'm so freakin' proud of myself!!! yipppeeeeeeee

Veganforlife

05-20-2008, 11:46 AM

Here's a big old cyber hug for you gal! That is waaaay cool!!! I bet you feel on top of the world too - energy wise, huh?
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))

ManyLittles

05-20-2008, 05:10 PM

Carolg: I put coconut oil in my smoothies. I do get some texture from them. I put in a good bit of it though...rather get it all at once, than put tiny bits in everything. I've been trying to find a solution for that. I usually start with a cup of cold water and the greens, process them for a full minute, then add the frozen and room temperature fruit. Maybe if I start with room temp water, greens, and the coconut oil and blend for a full minute, it will get blended better, before I add the coconut oil. I'll try that and let you know how it works.

Aleesha: I've been trying to piece together from posts you've made here, but I'm unclear... the 85 pounds you've lost (congratulations!)...was it all on raw, and if so, was it mostly raw solids with some smoothies, or mostly smoothies and juices? Just wondering, thanks. Oh, and thanks for asking Melissa to comment on my question...I look forward to reading it! :)

Aleesha Sattva

05-20-2008, 07:30 PM

all of it was on raw foods. it was combination of juice feasting, green smoothies daily and also a green smoothie feast.

remember... it takes time to put it on, it takes less time to get it off... but it does take time :P

Raspberry4

05-20-2008, 09:04 PM

Thank you for your comments on the coconut oil.

Aleesha - congratulations! That is so exciting! Thanks for sharing :)

carolg

05-20-2008, 09:09 PM

Hi all,
Today I went for another NAET treatment, www.red-white.net, to read more about it. We were dealing with my allergy to Vitamin A products which is pretty much everything that we here love. So GS are out of the question till tomorrow, 25 hours later from ending of my acupuncture treatment she does too. I can't even touch the greens, no yellow veggies, or even tomatoes. Basically they said the way I eat have cauliflower and red delish apples for next 25 hours plus of course water.

So I'm talking dandelions here. I use the big leaves, take out the stem and don't get to see the flowers as they are super tiny and I eat the large leaves as they are sitting in my gardenS. I am cutting it down at the very bottom of the leaves so they can grow back. I need room to get my garden going too so I have plenty to eat from now. I would use the flowers if I had them too with the leaves. So no GS today for me after i got the orders. After the 25 hours I return to eating as I was.

Many Littles, thanks for coconut oil talk.

Aleesha,
Your testimony encourages me. You are an inspiration.

Kelly, Wow, off predisone. You probably have lots of weight from that. May want to think Ion Cleanses to get some of that out of uyour system. Foot bathes for short.

Catlady,
I have so many large dandelions I can surely share. Come on over to Denver, CO.

Melissa Gilbert's raw Alex website rocks and my kids are grown. I couldn't find the link. I see she is selling two ebooks however. Missed getting you the link.

All,
Hang in. Off to workout later for 2 hours as I do about 5-6 times weekly. Not running lots but doing treadmill hard with great running shoes on the feet.

carolg

Aleesha Sattva

05-20-2008, 09:21 PM

http://rawtoddleralex.blogspot.com/

and

http://rawmom.blogspot.com/

and to buy her books:

http://loverawlife.com/store.htm

Carol,

What about making smoothies from what you CAN eat? They don't have to be green :D

And everyone... it is YOU who inspires me... trust me... you all keep me going. I so appreciate every post, every comment... so thank you!

Aleesha Sattva

05-20-2008, 09:23 PM

Here's a big old cyber hug for you gal! That is waaaay cool!!! I bet you feel on top of the world too - energy wise, huh?
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))

you know what lucy... i do! i have a great amount of energy. i am choosing to not work out much at all. i'm doing yoga twice a week and a gentle cardio for 15-20 minutes daily, and then my usual stuff like cleaning the house, running after the dogs etc LOL

but i'm feeling completely 100% normal. just the same as when i'm eating raw foods... only i'm juicing instead.

and the weight... that's the icing on the cake. today i walked into the gym and one of the guys said, "hey skinny, nice to see ya!" he made my day! (and ya i know him LOL)

Catladyintown

05-21-2008, 12:42 PM

Aleesha Iam doing the dance for you.:) Great job on releasing the weight. I started raw because of my health also not so much of the weight. But releasing the weight is a nice side effect. Also I will try prickly pears when they come in season.
Carolg I am coming to get some dandelions.:)

Aleesha Sattva

05-21-2008, 03:21 PM

thanks so much!

menat

06-01-2008, 02:19 PM

Okay, i have been off the wagon a little bit. But I am starting back up again, because for the next 5 months, being Raw, especially with smooties will be part of my spiritual development.

This is what I notice that makes me fall off the wagon....making smoothies in the morning. Many times I don't get up early to prepare, so I say to myself. Oh, I will just go to the store and drink some juice while I am out. Then I go to a store like Walgreens to buy juice (even though they are not raw) and then lord and behold, the juice is across from the snack freaking junk food aisle. Then it is like, grrrrr, a little of this can't hurt.

So......

I decided to make my smoothies the night before. Enough for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That is the only way to keep me on track.

Aleesha Sattva

06-01-2008, 06:40 PM

good for you!!!! you can do this... you have the desire. and that's what it takes to succeed!

Nurse in the Raw

06-01-2008, 07:15 PM

This is what I notice that makes me fall off the wagon....making smoothies in the morning. Many times I don't get up early to prepare, so I say to myself. Oh, I will just go to the store and drink some juice while I am out. Then I go to a store like Walgreens to buy juice (even though they are not raw) and then lord and behold, the juice is across from the snack freaking junk food aisle. Then it is like, grrrrr, a little of this can't hurt.

I am the same way (except for the junk food) so I buy my fruit in bulk and spend an afternoon making smoothie bags that I freeze. I buy a case of strawberries, mangoes, blueberries, spinach and romaine. I put a cup of each in a large freezer bag, flatten them so they lay nice in the freezer and I get about 20-30 servings out of the produce. I also include my protein powder, maca, greenfood, etc right in the bag. When I get up in the morning I take a bag out, add water and let it sit a minute, then throw everything into the blender. Saves me tons of time and I don't have to go looking for my superfoods to add to the smoothies.

Catladyintown

06-01-2008, 07:19 PM

Hi Menat I think making them at night is a good idea. Nurse in the raw great suggestion.:D

shakemeupjudy

06-01-2008, 07:41 PM

Hi all!
Today was my first full day on green smoothies.
I can't get over the amount of energy I felt this afternoon. It was as if I had had a cup of coffee . Now, I am the typical SAD eater...hardly a vegetable..cooked or raw ever touches my lips.
Now I am 59 and this month I feel s-i-c-k..and the dr said there is nothing wrong. I just feel so unhealthy.
So I have decided to correct things and eat right.

Green smoothies and fruit are good. But...do you find that you gain weight with all that sugar from the bananas and other fruit?

Also..why do those blended smoothies swell up and thicken so after sitting a bit??!!
Really unpalatable texture....
The smoothies are good, but the thick swollen mixture is nauseating!
I end up dumping more and more orange juice in the glass to water it down.

What am I doing wrong?

2 bananas
4 leaves kale
4 leaves spinach
2 cups water
6 lge strawberries
tons of orange juice to water it down ...and still swelling in the glass as I type.!!!!! Yikes.

starting weight 235
BMI 39.01
goal 200 for now

shakemeupjudy

Aleesha Sattva

06-01-2008, 10:44 PM

oh you are going to release weight - not gain it! my hubby is turning 59 in a few days and he's released 30 pounds in the last few months drinking them!!!

you aren't doing anything wrong... just remember you can add more fruit than you are! i typically add more fruit than greens... and kale or collards always swell up. try starting with only spinach for a bit and get used to the taste/texture first ;)

Nurse in the Raw

06-02-2008, 04:58 PM

What am I doing wrong?

2 bananas
4 leaves kale
4 leaves spinach
2 cups water
6 lge strawberries
tons of orange juice to water it down ...and still swelling in the glass as I type.!!!!! Yikes.

starting weight 235
BMI 39.01
goal 200 for now

shakemeupjudy

I would reduce the bananas to just one or even half. If I use too many bananas I notice the same thing. Also bananas are higher in calories. I stopped putting them in my smoothies altogether and now I am losing weight.

shakemeupjudy

06-02-2008, 06:11 PM

Thanks Aleesha and Nurse!
I did use just spinach today and it was a bit better.

But the bananas...calories galore!
Nurse..what other fruit do you use for flavoring up the greens?
Apples, Pears, Papaya,orange, strawberries are some of what I have been throwing in, but my stomach has the rumbles today...not used to all that fruit!
Perhaps I should stick to salad greens and skip the fruit/smoothie recipe? Or does it get better and calm down?

Aleesha Sattva

06-02-2008, 06:14 PM

i use 3 bananas in every single green smoothie i make.

i've released 100 pounds since august 07!

it's not about calories... it's about HEALTH!!! (and being yummy)

menat

06-03-2008, 02:10 PM

Too keep the stuff from swelling and being too thick, I add water to make it like a juice. I don't like very thick textures. I want to be able to drink my smoothie from a straw.

shakemeupjudy

06-03-2008, 05:52 PM

...and I feel great!
I am amazed that I wake up feeling as if I slept ...not that hung over feeling I was used to from bad eating late in the day.

But the reason I am posting is ....FRUIT FLIES!

Never had 'em before and all of a sudden, 3 days into smoothies...all fruit refrigerated, counters and sink wiped down, utensils washed...here they come a'breezin' along.
Where do the little things come from?
I'm scared one's gonna fly up my nose...no joke.

How do I get rid of 'em...I HATE bug sprays. If they kill the bugs, they can kill me too!

Aleesha Sattva

06-03-2008, 06:23 PM

get one of those little vinegar bottles like you see at a fish and chip restaurant. fill it with vinegar and water. leave it on the counter. they fly in and can't get out!!!

Nurse in the Raw

06-03-2008, 07:55 PM

shakemeupjudy

06-04-2008, 09:06 AM

I will have to try that vinegar bottle remedie; sounds easy and healthier than pesticides.

Oh..last week I began Raws at 240 lbs.

Began green smoothies over the weekend.

This a.m. I weighed in at 232.

More energy.
Better sleep.

At times I could die for BREAD, though.

Aleesha Sattva

06-04-2008, 11:26 AM

well, bread can kill you... so dieing for bread is appropriate!

how about living for green smoothies as your mantra instead! :D

congrats on the weight release!!!!!!!

blizzful7

06-05-2008, 12:26 PM

I'm still experimenting with combinations. Had my first disaster this morning. I don't like wasting food and usually grin and bare things that I think are good for me. BUT, I just had to dump my green smoothie this morning. I realized that I don't like romaine lettuce. It's too bitter for me :eek: . I love spinach but am trying to diversify my greens.

What are your favorite greens to put into your smoothies?

Aleesha Sattva

06-05-2008, 02:06 PM

kale
collards
parsley
baby spinach (baby is better for ya)

:) don't forget your citrus so you get the iron out of your greens! (orange, lemon, lime...)

Vaclare79

06-05-2008, 02:33 PM

WOW I was just checking out Mattye Lee's Frugal Raw recipes and they LOOK GOOD!!!

Aleesha Sattva

06-05-2008, 02:36 PM

i agree. here's a link to her e-book: http://frugalrawnews.blogspot.com/

femaleuna

06-05-2008, 02:41 PM

Alright. I absolutely love smoothies, and I really want to get into the "normal BMI range. I will post my concoctions as of tomorrow morning. NOW....I must go gather my fruit and vegi's as I have not had a smoothie in 1 week! Ugh! I've been on the SAD train and feel horrible!
I look forward to sharing recipes.

shakemeupjudy

06-05-2008, 04:32 PM

Today I took a break from smoothies as my stomach was real rumbly and gassy last evening from all the fruit.
I will go back to them tomorrow having the spinach as my greens.
Thanks for the tip about the baby spinach Aleesha.
I thought I'd have a nice big salad and some cooked quinoa grain.
Not 100% raw, but I'm getting there.

Aleesha Sattva

06-10-2008, 11:29 AM

Just thought I'd share some smoothie recipes. My hubby just finished the 14 day green smoothie challenge and these are the ones they sent him to try:

Recipe #1
2-3 cups of greens of your choice,
2 cups papaya,
2 oranges
No water necessary

Recipe #2
1 handful lettuce leaves
1 handful mint
3 bananas
2 cups water

Recipe #3
4-5 kale leaves
3 apples
1/2 lemon juiced
2 cups of water

Recipe #4
3-4 stalks celery
2 ripe persimmons
1 banana
1 -2 cups water

Recipe #4
1/2 head romaine lettuce,
1 cup pineapple,
1 large mango,
1-inch fresh ginger

Recipe #5
2 -3 cups of your favorite grapes
1 handful parsley
2 handfuls of baby Spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #5
1 cup pineapple
1 banana
2 sticks of celery
1 handful of your favourite leafy greens

www.greensmoothiechallenge.org