A Time For Healing

Today is a time to heal. To heal my body and get well. I started today. Today is a time to heal, not later. I am tired of not feeling well, even with being gluten-free, sugar-free, and  dairy-free.

I am going to be following the advice of a good friend (Wendy) and the book The 7     Day Detox that she suggested I follow. I started today with a liquid detox. Lemon water, water, and more lemon water.

Today, I struggled a bit with being 100% liquid and no food...and was really pale and weak by the end of the day so I was kind to myself and followed what both the book and Wendy suggested and that was to have a brown rice protein shake. Which helped and helped a lot. I couldn't believe how full I was and how much energy I had.

Wendy also suggested I could try a few tomatoes (cherry tomatoes or a big one of something) if I got too hungry and could tolerate it..since it was a vegetable and I seemed to do ok before. I found out that my suspicions in the past were correct. I love tomatoes. I really do. Especially now when they are so fresh and delicious straight from the garden. I have fought giving them up before and just told myself it didn't bother me that much and or it was something else. But now I know. I've heard somewhere that it is common for the foods you love to be your own worst enemy...and that would be me lately. Before starting the detox, I started wondering if chocolate, coconut oil (and possibly coconut milk/coconut), almonds, and agave where bothering me...All of these I sure love! But for now, they are off the list.

After the two-day liquid fast, I start on foods again. I can have most vegetables. I can have most fruits. I can have brown rice, brown rice protein shakes, 2 T. sunflower/olive oil/flax oil a day. And for now, that is pretty much it.

According to the book and the help of Wendy, I must avoid "meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, fasts and oils [besides what I mentioned], chocolate, nuts, beans (other than mung beans [and possibly garbanzo beans/soy beans or things made with soy]), grains (other than rice, quinoa, amaranth, and millet), wheat, oats, corn (any form-corn starch, corn flour, corn kernels, etc), [peas], sugar [includes] "honey, molasses, artificial sweeteners" etc.  Plus the things I know bother me...apples (unless it's applesauce), raw carrots, onions, green/red peppers, melons, tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers, yeast, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.'

Although the lists of what I can't have may seem overwhelming, I determined to focus on the positive and what I can eat. There is much I think I will try for the first time and or learn to like more. There are new, simple, delicious, healing foods and a healing body ahead of me.

Although the detox itself only lasts 7 days, days 3-7 being just eating basic meals  using the foods mentioned, afterwards I start testing foods with one food at a time for 3 days. It will be a long process, I'm sure, but I'm willing to do it. Wendy suggested too that I don't bake much now and stay away from sugary things as much as possible...which I know will be hard but will be worth it in the end. She also wanted me to stay away from gluten-free mixes of flours or recipes at the beginning with more than one flour and wait and test each one because I could be sensitive to any number of them.

I'm actually looking forward to a more simple time. I need it. I need to focus on getting myself well, and healing inside (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually), and out.

I am learning to exercise and enjoying it. I've been taking a 15 minute walk during my 30 minute lunch at work and feeling good for doing it.

Also with the detox, I've started using and focusing on more natural products. I'm using my natural deodorant I made still, but I'm making other changes as well. I am also using  natural and fluoride free toothpaste, lotion, and castile soap for my washing my hair, body, and hands. I bought all these things and though I'd rather make them myself, I realize now is not the time to stress. Besides, I saved myself lots of money by buying a big container of Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap and am using it for all those things mentioned above and more hopefully in the end.

Wish me luck on this journey. Let me know if you know of any suggestions or recipes for foods I can make with the restrictions I know have. :)  (Like for example, I bought brown rice pasta but what do I put on it now that I can't have tomatoes (and obviously dairy)? :)

Tomorrow starts day two of the detox. I'll have to let you know how it goes! :)

And don't worry, I still have lots of  things to post that I just haven't had a chance to type up that aren't so restricted, but hopefully, I'll be posting some of the simple recipes I make too during this phase of my life.

--Ari

I made this in the Vitamix my aunt has. It was so good and tasted just like ice-cream!  I had to share. It’s very simple, but very good. :) I’ll be trying it in my blender (which is good, but not a Vitamix) soon.

    

1 and 1/2 bananas

1 lb frozen strawberries

Mix in a vitamix or other strong blender. Scoop and serve immediately. Makes approximately 6 scoops.

Crust-less Colonial Innkeeper’s Pie

   Grandma served this pie (the version with crust, dairy, and sugar) to my mom and her family when she was growing up. They only had it when important or special guest came over.

  (A picture of Grandma’s version)

Mom liked it a lot growing up and so I’ve grown up with it too. We’ve had it for holidays, special guest, or just a fun and tasty dessert. It goes great with vanilla ice-cream.

    If you’ve never heard of this pie, you’ll definitely want to try it. I decided to make my version crust less, which saves time, money (on crust ingredients), and calories…And you won’t really be sacrificing much! :)

My crust less version: :) So delicious!

   This pie is basically like a cake with a rich chocolate fudgy bottom. So in reality, I could just call this Colonial Innkeeper’s Cake…but to me, crust or not, it will always be Colonial Innkeeper’s Pie. :)

My version…what it looks like from the top

    Crust-less Colonial Innkeeper’s Pie

Based of this recipe, which is basically the same as Grandma’s

*Note: I thought that this was really sweet and rich with 9T. stevia and 1/3 c. agave…Next time, I want to try it with less stevia and perhaps a little less agave? :)

Ingredients:

Sauce:

• 1 1/2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup agave (or 2/3 c. sugar or 1/3 c. honey)
• 1/4 c. butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pie/Cake:

• 1 cup flour or GF blend
• 9 T. stevia (or 3/4 c. sugar or 1/4 +2 T. of honey/agave)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 c. butter or earth balance
• 1/2 cup milk or non-dairy milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
•  
• Directions:

1. In a small pan, melt the chocolate with the water. Stir in 1/3 cup agave. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Set aside.
2. Blend together flour, stevia/sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer on low speed to mix. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Mix in the egg. Beat 2 minutes more. Pour the batter into a greased pie plate.
3. Stir the chocolate mixture, and drizzle over the batter.
4. Bake in a 350 degrees F  for 55 to 60 minutes. Serve warm.

Enjoy! Serve with ice-cream if desired!

Peanut Butter No-Bakes (Cookies)

I made this recipe up myself! :)

They are so good and so easy to make! :) No oven required! :)

  

Mix together:

• 3/4 c. peanut butter (natural)
• 1/2 c. melted butter or earth balance or coconut oil (I used earth balance)
• 2-1/4 c. oats (certified GF if needed)
• 1 T. honey or agave (I used raw honey…but any is fine…you can add more if you need…)
• Form into balls and flatten, enjoy, and refrigerate any left over's.