I have never spent so much money on groceries in my life, but, I have also spent much less on eating out! I spent a lot of time cooking and cleaning, this means giving time to myself, something I have not been very good at in the past.
 I made: 
- Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Zucchini stir-fry
- Bone Broth Veggie Soup
- Smoothies
 and in between jobs I had to be innovative. I stopped at the local Wawa and got  hard boiled eggs and a Greek yogurt. Twice I ate veggies with eggs, and an ill fated steak bowl. It was terrible and not worth the calories. What I learned was I enjoyed the simple hard boiled eggs  and yogurt, better than any of the above. I enjoyed my own cooking and began to really crave fruits and veggies. 

This week, now that I am a bit better I want to get in my 30 min of activity again while maintaining the cooking and prep time needed to do this detox.

I am trying to move into a lifestyle change and really bring about significant health and weight loss. I will do a 5 days on 2 days off. Even when off I still made better choices.

It was my Birthday on Friday and I went into Panera with every intention of getting a wonderful cupcake. But I walked out and made some pancakes instead. I could not justify 770 calories for four bites of cupcake. And the pancakes were awesome!! I added blueberries, a banana, cinnamon and walnuts and had pancakes for two days. They may become a regular weekend treat.

Tonight I made more fruit salad and already packed it for work lunches and will make a salad as soon as I am off of here. All of the extra fruit got bagged into the freezer for future smoothies!
 I did loose a total of 6 pounds and am looking forward to much more. 
Many blessings all!
​J.D.

sHello Friends,
I injured myself last week and have not been able to fulfill my 30 day challenge as I need to stay off my ankle. So Since I am forced to take some time off, I have started to ease into a detox. I have inherited my families issue with edema in the legs and sensitivity to salt. The injury has exasperated this. So instead of going metaphysical, I am going physical, very physical.
 
Metaphysical ties:
Since doing this work 7 years ago, my weight has ballooned up well over 50 pounds and now it is  time to address this. Fat acts as a protection from negative energies and boy has my body responded lol. I also have spent enormous amounts of time sitting: Driving to appointments and events, sitting with clients, sitting for classes, basically my time is spent in my head and not my body.
 
I have spent the past year and a half upping my steps and up until now have been successful. This however has not made much of a difference, do now I must address my diet.  So I decided to make a nutrient rich organic salad to help detox and lessen my dependence on salt and sugars.  I am not going low carb, but I am reducing my use of refined cars, except on special occasions. I am not jumping in as I had in the past, but wading slowing, and working towards a life change.
 
I am also looking forward to a vacation that will include a lot of pool time and walking time and I want to be healthier and happier for both!
 
As I go through my journey, I am including recipes and nutrient facts. There are a ton of links at the end of the article to help you research for your-self. I will be including my fruit salad later. I invite you  to comment and share and of course to like!
 
Detox salad:  Each component and their benefits

• Kale
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins K 684%, A 206%, C 134%, B6 10%, Calcium 10%, Magnesium 7%, Iron 5% Protein 2.2 g. For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2461/2
  • Is an anti-inflammatory
  • Brain
  • Bone
  • Heart
  • Sugar Levels
  • Skin and Hair
  • Cholesterol
  • Weight Management and digestion
• Mixed cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins  C 32%, A 25%, K 15%, B6 10%, Potassium 10%, Protein 1.3 g  For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2461/2
  • Contains four carotenoids
  • Hair and Skin
  • Eyes
  • Kidney
  • Blood sugar
• Beet
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins  K 190%, C 19%, A 48%, Potassium 8%, Protein .8 g  For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2352/2
  • Heart
  • Respiratory
  • Eyes
  • Capillary
  • Libido
• Cucumber with peel
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins K 11%, Potassium 10%, Protein .3 g  For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2439/2
  • Hydrates
  • Detoxes
  • Eyes
  • Weight loss
  • Blood pressure
  • Digestion
  • Hair and nails
  • Muscles
  • Kidneys
  • Diabetes
  • Cholesterol
• Avocado
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins  C 25%, E 16%, K 39%, B6 19%, Folate 30%, Potassium 21%, Pantothenic Acid 21%, Niacin 13%, Riboflavin 11%, Magnesium 11%, Protein 3 g  22 g healthy fat, 10 grams of fiber. For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1843/2
  • Heart
  • Eyes
  • Bones
  • Mood
  • Detoxing
  • Protection from many chronic illnesses
• Red onion
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins  C 20%, B6 10%, Manganese 10%, Potassium 7%, Protein 1.8 g  For a full analysis click on this link http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2501/2  
  • Blood Sugar
  • Anti-Fungal
  • Anti-Inflammatory
  • Fights free radicals
  • Antioxidants
  • Digestion
  • Sleep Aid
• Red peppers
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins  C 317%, A 93%, B6 22%, E 12%, K 9%, Folate 17%, Potassium 10%, Protein 1.5 g  For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2896/2
  • High Vitamin C
  • Vision
  • Antioxidants
  • Metabolism
• Lemon juice
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins  C187% Protein .9 g  For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2896/2
  • Ph Balance
  • Detoxing
  • Bowels
  • Weight Management
  • Acne
  • Parasites
  • Asthma
  • Mood
  • Breath
  • Blood
  • Bones
• Roasted chick peas
  • 1 cup contains - Vitamins  C 32%, A 25%, B6 6%, K 5%,Manganese 32%, Folate 27%, Phosphorus 11%, Copper 11%, Magnesium 8% Potassium 6%, Protein 5.6 g  For a full analysis click on this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2461/2
  • Cholesterol
  • Weight
  • Intestines
  • Diabetes

 
 
 
These Links were very helpful in putting this list together!
http://www.myhealthylivingcoach.com/eight-surprising-and-amazing-health-benefits-of-tomatoes
http://www.livescience.com/50818-kale-nutrition.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/beets.html
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/16-superb-health-benefits-of-cucumber.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270406.php
http://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/eating-red-onions.php
http://www.naturalblaze.com/2014/10/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-onions.html  
http://www.chatelaine.com/health/healthy-recipes-health/five-health-benefits-of-red-peppers/
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/02/22-health-benefits-of-lemons.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/408455-benefits-of-chickpeas/

​ Part 4
 Electronic Pollution:
We have touched on this subject already, but in the age of electronics you are inundated with electricity. Since we intuitively pick up on energy I would challenge that our entire intuitive system of senses are being clouded with an electronic cloud. It makes it more difficult to feel people’s pure energy. It is not impossible, but just more difficult.
​
When I unplug, I immediately feel my stress decrease. Last year I started to take days and disconnect from the phone and internet. During that time I would feel an immediate calm come over me. I have no computers in my office space and only use a few lights, to keep it as unplugged as possible.  Find or make a space in your home or work space that is free of electronics.  Go there when you are stressed and meditate. Use a candle instead of electric lights to illuminate the room.

That being said, you can use it to your advantage. The internet has vast resources of metaphysical information, meditations, and groups of kindred souls that you can connect with and explore. But you do not need to be connected 24/7 and should turn off these products when you sleep, are with friends and family, and or are meditating (unless you are using you tube to meditate!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELBIGaqsJ8k&list=PLHB10r5cVJOlAYeXX-AgSUeB7JOWUOnap
 I hope that you liked this article series. Be on the look out for next month’s helpful hints and tools!

Hello my friends,
I hope all of you had a great March and even greater success with your challenges!
Well for a deep cleanse, mine involved very little of what I actual cleaning. I wish it had been just that. Instead it involved big and pronounced ousting of exes, a month of being sick on and off, (On right now) and emotional release.

This month we are looking towards our bodies. They house our spirit and should be cared for in ways that we often neglect. This month's challenge is simple: move for 30 extra minutes a day. Your normal activities do not count. If you clean every Sunday or do Groceries every Sunday then that is your normal activity. For me my average weekday consists of about 4,000-8,000 steps. So in 30 minutes I can expect to add another 1500 steps. So my daily goal is now 5,500-9,500 steps. If you do not count steps, then at the beginning or end of your day do something active. Try to switch it up: walking, running, work out your upper body, dance, yoga, anything that will honor your body.

If you are not able to use your legs, then do upper body activities. There is always something you can move and groove to. I do urge you to consult your health care peeps before doing anything new or strenuous. The idea is not to over do it, but rather honor your body and show it some love.