Inspiration

This past weekend I had the privilege to hear some amazing and inspiring speakers at the Institute For Integrative Nutrition Conference. The message among all of the speakers was we need to go back to the basics and eat more whole foods, fruits, vegetables, organic grass fed meats and whole grains and limit processed foods. Wonderful I thought - that's what my family does now. Or does it??

I spent this summer with my two beautiful boys and husband on vacation for a month (bread and cheese in France, etc.) and down at the beach club for the remainder of the the time. No alarm clocks, lunchboxes to be packed, homework or schedules. We relaxed and had fun. What I didn't realize over this time was how quickly processed foods crept into our diets, with whole fresh living foods being crowded out. We were eating more foods from concession stands, restaurants and I wasn't cooking as much.

I looked around my own kitchen and couldn't believe how many boxed items I have here. What happened to the real grains, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables? My husband asked "Don't you always cook healthy meals?" Do we really eat a lot of processed foods? When I went through the list : bread, pasta, pretzels, bagels, waffles, cold cereals, chips, cookies, ice cream. Yup - pretty much at every meal and no nutritional value. It's not that these foods should never be included in your diet, it's that they should be a small part. They don't provide any source of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals or fiber that are found in fresh fruit and vegetables.

As a nutritionist I strive to keep the balance within my own family, but now realize how quickly processed foods became a staple in our home. I don't want my children to feel deprived, but where do you draw the line. No honey we don't drink soda in our home - followed by begging, whining and crying. Don't give in I tell myself and I almost crack, but we make it through dinner with water and the kids are happy. I was a happy to receive a note from the director of my sons school asking parents to send in water instead of juice and noting that juice is filled with sugar, empty calories and tends to fill the kids up.

The good news is that in one day we were eating a lot of processed foods and the next day with a conscious effort it was more fruits and vegetables, and less processed foods. I taught the kids what a processed food was (my next post will talk about this) and said we need to eat more from the whole food category. When I got them involved in the process they were more open to trying new foods and eating the vegetables that were on their plate. Last night it was broccoli, string beans and asparagus - they tried them all.

School Lunches

Have you ever sat down and thought about the food that your school age children are eating?? Are they buying lunch at school and if so what foods are they choosing? I encourage parents to talk to their children about the food choices they are making. Many of the foods that our school aged children are eating today are highly processed, high in sugar and have minimal nutritional value.

Feeding our children doesn't have to be complicated. By planning ahead and being organized about meal planning you can easily create balanced and healthy meals most of the time and send your children to school with healthy lunches and snacks. A simple way to get organized is to plan your weekly meals out on Sunday and make sure you have all that you need on hand. By preparing one or two healthy soups or meals on Sunday you already have a great place to start. I love the ec0- friendly lunch boxes found at Laptop Lunches. These are great to pack fresh fruit, yogurt, hummus, cut up vegetables and a sandwich. A thermos is a great from some hot food, soup or even a frozen smoothie for snack.

At home try choosing fresh, organic and local food when available. Keep processed foods to a minimum and involve your children in the menu planning, shopping and cooking. What I've found in my own home is by being organized you can more easily stick with what is important.

I hope to be a resource to other parents, to educate and to be a part of the change that is already starting in this country. Two great pioneers who are passionate about changing our school lunch program are Alice Waters and Jaime Oliver.

Here is a great video that talks about the farm to school program that helps to improve our school lunch program and educate our children about nutrition.

VIDEO: Change Your Child’s School Food | Healthy Child Healthy World

My favorites

5 Ways to Reduce your toxic burden and risk of cancer.

The chances that you are like me and know at least one person who has been affected by cancer are probably very high. For me I've had family members battle lung, breast, stomach and bladder cancer. The one thing that continues to show up in the research is the impact of environmental factors have on our overall health.

The risk of developing some type of cancer in your lifetime might be higher than you thought. For men the risk is 1 in 2 and for women it is 1 in 3. Although these numbers can be frightening there are a lot of things you can do to decrease your risk and help improve your odds.

Some of the things that we do have control over in our life are the things we choose to put in our body. This includes food, cigarettes, and alcohol. We also can choose what products we use in our home and on our body, the water we drink, the thoughts we think and the ways in which we move our bodies.

When we treat our body with love and kindness the choices we make are more in line with optimal health. Here are some ways to reduce your toxic burden and reduce your risk of cancer.


1. Choose organic foods that are free of potential cancer causing pesticides. The fruits and vegetables that contain the highest amounts of pesticides and are known as the dirty dozen are:

Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Cherries, Kale/Collard Greens, Potatoes, Imported Grapes - Adapted from the Environmental Working Group

Organic produce is grown without harmful man-made pesticides and herbicides. Visit a farmers market for locally grown organic fruits and vegetables. Choose hormone-free beef or dairy to eliminate those traces of hormones that can enter our bodies and contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.

2. Limit your exposure to chemicals in your household products. Avoid: Phthalates, Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and perfluorooctanoic acid (found in non-stick cookware)
Use simple, nontoxic cleaning products. Seek out nontoxic cleaning products or make your
own. A little baking soda and vinegar go a long way toward everyday household cleaning and
even larger jobs.

3. Limit your exposure to BPA - Bisphenol A
When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's food. Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA. Avoid canned foods - The lining in canned food can leach chemicals like BPA. Look for foods packaged in glass, Tetra Paks (box packaging commonly used for soy milks, juice boxes and some soups) and other alternatives to BPA- lined cans.

4. Get a water filter for drinking water
Choose a water filter that can remove hormones, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and
pesticides, and replace the filter as directed.

5. Choose to think happy and positive thoughts - Start you day with a simple affirmation like "I choose to eat healthy foods that nourish and heal my body" or "Today I choose to see the positive in all situations" or "I choose to be kind to all that I meet today"

Cancer Prevention - In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Change your diet and reduce your risk of breast cancer and many other cancers...... It is estimated that diet contributes to approximately 35-50% of all cancers today and research continues to show that eating a plant based diet high in vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains helps to lower your risk of cancer and also reduces your risk for diabetes and heart disease. For more information on how a vegetarian diet can help reduce your risk of cancer check out www.pcrm.org.

Although a vegetarian and plant based diet might not be for everyone, I do recommend trying to cut back on animal protein and including more vegetarian meals in your diet. This will help you to increase your intake of cancer fighting phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables, increase your fiber intake and lower your fat intake. All of these things also help to aid in weight loss, so you get an extra benefit. Try and choose foods that are closest to their natural state and are not processed.

Fiber also plays an important role in reducing your cancer risk. Some experts recommend getting 30-40 grams of fiber per day to help prevent cancer. Good sources of fiber include whole grains, beans, peas, lentils, vegetables and fruits.

Here are some tips to help you get started and increase your intake of vegetables, fruits, and fiber.

1. Set your intention - before you get out of bed in the morning think about how you are going to honor your body that day and feed it foods that heal and energize it.
2. Have a green smoothie for breakfast and add a handful of leafy greens like spinach or kale. This is a great way for kids to get their fruit and veggies in too.
3. Make 1/2 of your plate a colorful palette of vegetables and then add some whole grains and beans to complete your meal.
4. Switch out animal protein for a plant based source of protein like beans or tofu. Instead of grilled chicken on your salad add a some chic peas or mixed beans.
5. Choose vegetable and beans soups for lunch or dinner. They are a great source of fiber and an excellent way to get your veggies in and create a meatless meal.
6. Choose whole grains like quinoa, oatmeal, brown rice, millet and whole wheat / whole grain bread or pasta (switch out white products that are processed and contain very little if any fiber).

** Check out this recipe from one of my favorite sites called "Meatless Monday." Meatless Mondays are also supported by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Lentil Winter Warmer

Lentils, carrots and celery are seasoned with cumin and then simmered until tender

Serves 4

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 stalks of celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup of brown lentil, rinsed and picked over
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 4 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup additional low-sodium vegetable broth
• or 1/4 cup of cream

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped celery, carrots and onion. Sauté for 3 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften.

Add lentils to the pot and stir to combine. Season the lentil veggie mixture with cumin and cook for 2 minutes, or until the cumin becomes fragrant.

Add 4 cups of the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

Turn heat down to low and let cook for 25-30 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Do not stir for the last 15 minutes of cooking time so the vegetables are able to float to the top.

After 30 minutes, scoop off the vegetables off the top of the soup with a slotted spoon. Puree in a food processor with the additional ¼ cup vegetable stock or cream.

Add pureed veggies back to the pot and stir to combine. Cook 5 minutes more and enjoy!

Green Smoothie

Kale Pear Smoothie (makes 4 cups)

1 c green grapes
1 orange peeled
1/2 Bartlett pear
1 frozen or fresh banana
1 cup kale (or spinach)
1/2 cup water
2 cups ice
*add all ingredients to blender and blend for 2 min.

Roasted vegetables

Jacqueline's vegetable roast:

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 small beets peeled and diced 1/2 inch cubes
1 large parsnip cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 pound of asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces
6 cloves of garlic - cut into two
1 onion cut into thick slices

Cut all vegetables and transfer to a bowl, add olive oil, sea salt and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 400 for 50-60 minutes. Enjoy on their own, over salad or as a side. Simply delicious!
You can also add a splash of apple cider vinegar, and some fresh herbs if you like. Add some carrots too.

Five things you can do now to improve your nutrition

1. Remove diet soda and fake sugars like Aspartame. Why? It's fake, it sends a message to the brain that creates a craving for more sugar and studies have shown a link between diet sodas and weight gain. Who would have thought? So stick with good old water with fresh lemon. We're not made to drink all these fancy waters and no you don't need any special fortified drink - it's all about marketing. In fact did you know that the 8 a day water frenzy started after Coca Cola launched their bottled water campaign. Now tap water is nothing to sing about and I do recommend buying a water filter, but we really don't need any of these bottled beverages. For starters they are loaded with sugar which has numerous problems including lowering your immune system, being linked to diabetes, are not natural, empty calories, the list goes on. Some safer alternatives include Agave nectar which has a very low glycemic index and doesn't spike your blood sugar like table sugar and stevia which is from the leaf of a plant.

More information on Aspartame

2. Remove High Fructose Corn Syrup from your diet - This cheap ingredient is found in so many of your food items including ketchup, bread, tomato sauce, cookies, granola bars, salad dressings, marinades and cereals. This ingredient preserves foods and also creates a craving for more carbohydrates. If you'd like more information click the link below
High Fructose Corn Syrup

3. Reduce the amount of dairy in your diet. Consumption of dairy has been linked to certain cancers, increased mucous and sinus problems and many people have physical symptoms including bloating, diarrhea and rash when they consume it. I've read so many studies and books from thoughtleaders on nutrition and this one keeps coming up. You might ask why the USDA recommends dairy for strong bones, but the reality is we don't need dairy and we sure don't need it in the amount we are consuming it. The lowest incidences of osteoporosis is found in the countries that consume little or no dairy.

4. Limit processed foods and increase your consumption of raw and living foods. There is a food movement that focuses on eating only raw foods - meaning foods that have never been cooked and never heated above 110 degrees. The philosophy is based on the idea that once we cook our foods we lose all of the natural enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins. One of the thoughtleaders on the raw food diet is David Wolfe who I had the pleasure to hear speak earlier this year. Following this diet helps to clean out the body, boost the immune system and in many cases has been used for patients who are experiencing disease.


5. Eat Less - decrease your portion sizes and overall calorie consumption. Our bodies do not require the amount of calories we are eating. This is a result of increased portion sizes over the last 30 years, hidden sugars, processed foods and eating habits that cause cravings for foods that are high in calories and high in sugar. When you bring your body into balance you are able to reduce your calorie amount without feeling deprived. We are all aware of the diseases that are related to these high calorie diets, but yet many of us are waiting until we are diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease of cancer. Some tips to decrease your portion sizes include using a salad plate for dinner, bulk up on greens which are very low in calorie, utilize a food journal so you can get a better picture of what you are eating and how you are feeling. Studies show that people who eat less and are at their ideal weight report more energy, live longer, are happier and are generally at much less risk for developing disease. As Pollen says we live in a culture of of cheap and abundant calories with no deeply rooted set of rules to curb overeating. We need to plan ahead, buy less and practice mindful eating. It takes time to change a habit, so start slowly. Pick one area in your life that will give you the greatest benefit and start there. When I work with my clients we set realistic goals that are achievable. Do the same for yourself. Do you a lot of processed foods - if so get rid of them and start clean. If you find yourself eating on the go a lot - plan ahead. Planning and organizing are the essential elements that can help you make the changes you want to make.

Food Inc - Official Trailer [HD]

3 weeks post cleanse

It's been 3 week since I completed my cleanse. So how am I feeling?? GREAT! I've continued with many of the eating habits I created while cleansing. I can still say that I don't have any cravings for cakes and candies. Yes, I do crave sweets, but I am satisfied with healthy alternatives like fruit, teas with raw honey, dark chocolate and sweet vegetables. I added animal protein back in, but am eating about 1/2 the amount of animal protein that I was eating before. Some days I am eating 100% vegetarian and other days I'll have a small piece of fish, chicken, turkey or beef. I do still enjoy the taste of the meat, but have a new found understanding of my body and what it really requires on a day to day basis to feel good. I am still staying away from dairy products primarily because of their association with eczema and also because after much research I don't believe we are meant to be consuming dairy the way we do today. Everything in moderation - eventually I will add some dairy back into my diet, but most likely it will be an occasional treat.

My goals for the week are to drink more water since I've noticed myself slipping over the past few weeks and to start juicing again.

In health and happiness!
Jacqueline

Cleanse Days 8-12

I'm just back from a weekend away upstate New York. I really enjoy the mountains and can feel all stress leave my body once I get up there. We stayed right outside of Woodstock where I knew they had a fabulous organic juice bar and health food store. It was quite difficult staying on a cleanse and not having my own kitchen, but at least I was able to get juices every day. The first two days I primarily ate fruits, vegetables, salads, smoothies and fresh squeezed juices. On day two I was getting very hungry (without a good protein source again and the nuts weren't doing it) I wound up having a small amount of french fries at a fair because there was nothing else. I had been off of potatoes for the past week, but decided to add them in. I felt fine afterwards and felt as if were okay - I didn't have a hot dog or fair sausage roll. The following day I again was very hungry and finally found a restaurant that served quinoa - YEAH! When my vegetable plate arrived there was about one 1/2 cup of quinoa on the plate. I couldn't believe it, so I asked the waiter if I could order a side order and guess what, he told me no because they often run out of it through the evening. Okay I thought, I am being tested, but I stayed with it.

So my plan for the week is to juice everyday through Thursday and a liver flush tomorrow (Tuesday) I'll post the recipe too. I will be adding beans and fresh fish back in on day 14 (Thursday). I don't think I will go back to eating meat or dairy the way I did in the past. I feel too good to ever want to go back to my old ways. This has been an unbelievable experience for me and I can't wait to share it with my clients.

Cleanse Day 7

Day 7

This week went very quickly and I suprised that I'm not craving a slice of pizza or something sweet. Today I was able to add quinoa and millet back in to my meal plan, so I feel much more satisfied. My husband is actually considering doing a cleanse with me in the fall, but would like to start cleaning up his diet now. He wants me to make a meal plan for him at the office and on the road. I'll be posting about this too when he gets started.

Appetite - Normal - felt very satisfied.

Feelings - I have great energy today and great overall. I noticed that my skin is brighter and my clothes are fitting a bit better, so that made me feel good.

Symptoms - None

Cravings -None

Thought of the Day - If you don't take risks you'll never know what you might've missed. I have learned more about my body in this past week then I have in my whole life. I truly learned (although I've always known this) that cravings often come from inbalances in your diet or for emotional reasons. My diet has never been this pure, nor have I even been this satisfied on so little. Less is more.

Cleanse Day 6

Day 6

I can't believe it's day 6 already. Today I added a weight lifting class to the regimen. Although I've been taking a yoga class every morning, I realized that to eventually get the results that I want I need to add more cardio and strength training to my routine. I think my body is finally adjusting to getting up so early and I found that I had the extra energy today to push forward. As I picked up my dinner this evening a feeling of sadness came over me. I've really enjoyed picking up fresh, organic meals in my neighborhood - it takes the guess work out of eating. I'm already thinking of ways that I can continue this. Next week I'll be continuing the cleanse and introducing new recipes.

Appetite - I'm the hungriest I've been all week today - I think it's because I didn't have a source of protein (quinoa and nuts were excluded today). I ate some extra vegetables and fruit in the afternoon and was satisfied for the rest of the day until dinner.

Feelings - I still feel great, happy , positive and committed to doing this another week. I've realized that my body needs some sort of protein on a daily basis, but it doesn't necessarily have to come from animal protein.

Symptoms - A slight headache today - I must still be detoxing as it's definitely not a caffeine withdrawal headache.

Cravings - A piece of bread - the craving came and went very quickly. As I sit across from my husband sipping a glass of red wine - I'm really wanting a sip. This is the first time that I've really wanted wine - the chicken and sweet potatoes look amazing too. He's eating one of my favorite dinners. Although I thought pasta was a favorite, I didn't have a problem serving pasta the other night. An interesting observation.

Thought of the Day - It's all about balance. In all aspects of your life. If you are stressed you need to do something relaxing to balance your body. When it comes to food if you are eating well most of the time and splurging some of the time you help to keep the body well and healthy.

Cleanse Day 5

Day 5

Appetite - Today was the first day without the liver cleanse. I had my fresh squeezed organic juice at 9:00 and had a banana at 10:00. I was hungry for lunch and was very satisfied with a salad and a side of quinoa. Dinner time I didn't really have much of an appetite, but I had the pea soup that was prepared and now at 9:00 I'm still not hungry. I usually eat so much more than I am eating right now, but amazingly I'm not hungry.

Feelings - I feel so good eating this way that I am considering doing this for an additional week.

Symptoms - None

Cravings - None

Thought of the Day - Committing to yourself is the best gift you can ever give. As you improve - those around you benefit too.

Cleanse Day 4

Day 4

Today was the last day for the liver flush and the supplements to help support the liver detoxing. Your liver is also the organ that is tied to anger and skin disorders. I have eczema - so maybe I have some anger that I need to release (don't we all??). My Kundalini Yoga class today focused on movements that also help to facilitate the releasing of anger.

Appetite - Still not hungry -although the shrimp and garlic over pasta that my dad had for dinner smelled wonderful. I resisted.

Feelings - I have a great amount of clarity - at times I feel foggy and I noticed today that I was very focused.

Symptoms - None

Cravings - None

Thought of the Day - Learning how to let go! This can have many meanings, but for today I am thinking about letting go of clutter. I've noticed over the years that my cabinets, closets and book shelves are getting more crowded. As I look around I realize that it's time to clear out and let go.

This cleanse inspired me to go through my wardrobe and donate a bag of clothes and let go of some other things that I really didn't need any longer.

Think of some things that you'd like to let go of today. It's a very freeing feeling to clear out both internally and for your external home environment.

Recipe - Braised Spinach

1 bunch spinach
2 tbsp first cold pressed olive oil
1/2 cup crushed raw almonds or pumpkin seeds
juice or 1/2 fresh lemon
1 clove garlic (optional)
Bring a small pot of water to a boil and add escarole and boil for 1 minute minutes (longer for escarole, kale and other greens)
Drain and toss with olive oil (crush 1 clove of garlic in oil)
Celtic sea salt to taste

*** An excellent way to cook vegetables is to braise them and add olive oil after the cooking process - this is because olive oil cannot withstand high temperatures and has a lower smoke point than butter or safflower and coconut oils.

Cleanse Day 3

Day 3

On days 2, 3, and 4 you start your day with a "Liver Flush" a combination of orange, grapefruit, and lemon juices mixed with garlic, cloves, cayenne pepper, fresh ginger and olive oil. I know it sounds terrible, but it doesn't taste too bad and I can feel my body detoxing afterwards.

I'm amazed at how great I'm feeling, despite being off meat for almost a week now. I've always admired vegetarians and never thought I'd be able to do without it, but I'm considering keeping this lifestyle and adding a small amount of meat back into my diet when I'm done cleansing.

Appetite - I wasn't very hungry at all today - again it's a surprise to see how little I'm eating, yet I'm not very hungry.

Feelings - WOW!! Happy Happy Happy

Symptoms - Slight headache again in the morning, but it went away quickly.

Cravings - I was craving something salty today - so I had some avocado, celery and celtic sea salt and it did the trick.

Thought of the Day - I'm practicing patience and being more patient with my children.

Recipe - Avocado Soup (Ultimate Energy Cleanse)
1 cucumber
1 avocado
mint (optional)
Celtic Sea Salt to taste

Place all ingredient in a food processor or blender until smooth. Garnish with mint leaves and serve

Cleanse Day 2

Day 2

Here we are day 2. My son woke me at 4:30 AM, but I still managed to make it to my yoga class. I am also being mindful during the cleanse, not doing too much, and taking it easy - it means saying NO more than YES. I spent the day with my children and husband in nature. We went for a lovely walk and rolled around in the grass. I had a lovely Pea and Pear Salad for lunch with avocado and millet mashed potatoes for dinner.

Appetite - As yesterday, after drinking the fresh juice, I didn't have much room for breakfast in the morning. I had a piece of fruit at 11:00. Lunchtime I was very hungry - something I usually don't feel everyday because I snack frequently

Feelings - I feel amazing - I'm actually surprised how great I feel.

Symptoms - NONE - although I headed right to the bathroom after the liver flush. Not the greatest tasting, but I can feel it doing it's job.

Cravings - NONE - Even as my son had an ice cream cone and my husband had yet another bagel. I usually really enjoy them. It feels great to be off of wheat. My body is thanking me.

Thought of the Day - Focus on letting go and forgiveness. We are on all this journey together.

Recipe - Millet Mashed Potatoes - Integrative Nutrition

Millet Mash

Prep Time:	5 minutes
Cooking Time:	30 minutes
Yields:	6 servings
Ingredients:	1 cup millet 2 ¼ cups water ½ teaspoon sea salt 2 cloves garlic, sliced 1 medium head cauliflower, florets only 1 tablespoon umeboshi vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Handful of chopped parsley
Directions:	Wash grains. Bring water to a boil and add grains, sea salt, and cauliflower and garlic. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20 minutes until grains are cooked and water is absorbed. Turn the heat off and let sit, covered for 5-10 minutes. Add other ingredients and mash with a potato masher - leave cauliflower a bit chunky. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes:	For extra rich and delicious mash, roast garlic cloves in olive oil over low heat while the grains cook.

Cleanse Day 1

Today is Day 1 of my cleanse. It's amazing how great I feel from cleaning up my diet over the past week. I will be tracking my progress, ups and downs, how I'm feeling and my favorite recipes of the day. This cleanse is being run as a co-op cleanse, so my meals will be prepared by my team members - YEAH! You can also do this alone and reap the same benefits or ask a friend to join you.

Here is an overview of the cleanse:

Everyday - 1. Take a Kundalini Yoga Class at 6:00 AM (this is optional but
helps the body and mind cleanse)
2. Drink 2 glasses of fresh squeezed juices in the morning and
afternoon
3. Sip on 32 ounces of a detox drink with lemon, maple syrup
and cayenne pepper
4. Take various supplements from the Ultimate Energy
Cleanse Program
5. Eat cleansing and nourishing foods allowed on the cleanse
6. Get enough rest, relaxation and do one thing a day that
supports the cleanse (bath, massage, exercise, detox
treatments)

Days 2-4 Prepare and drink a liver flush drink first thing in the morning followed by 8 ounces of the lemon detox drink

Day 1
Appetite - After drinking the fresh squeezed juice (carrot, beet, celery, spinach, cucumber and apple) I was not hungry for breakfast. I sipped on my detox drink and had a delicious and cleansing soup for lunch prepared by one of my team members - I was filled for hours) NOTE - I am usually very hungry in the morning.

Feelings - Very motivated, inspired, excited and proud that I am committed to "practicing what I preach", and healing and cleansing my body.

Symptoms - A little bloated today and a minor headache, great energy levels despite waking at 5:00 AM

Cravings - NONE - I'm shocked - several days without sugar

Thought of the Day - Be generous and loving.

Recipe of the Day - "Eileen's Turnip Soup" The Chakra Cookbook
(compliments of Coach Judy of Nourishing Solutions for Life

1 Turnip
3 Parsnips
3 Carrots
1 Cup baby onions (frozen)
2 Cloves garlic
1/2 cup Fresh dill
1 tsp Thyme
1/2 cup Pumpkin seeds
8 cups Vegetable broth
Bay leaf
1 cup Quinoa (toasted dry in skillet for 5 minutes)

Add diced vegetables, toasted quinoa, herbs and salt to broth. Simmer for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally. Serves 6

Day 7 of My Pre Cleanse

Today I completed my last minute preparations for my cleanse. I picked up a few ingredients that I needed and made sure I had plenty of fruits, vegetables and nuts to snack on if I get hungry.

I am completely off of wheat, caffeine, sugar, dairy, meat, processed foods and of course alcohol.

I spent tonight at a spiritual concert for peace" Snatam Kaur" http://www.snatamkaur.com/ with many members of the team cleanse and students of Divine Yoga. What a way to kick start the cleanse. I just started Kundalini yoga a few months ago and I already feel the transformation.

Day 6 of My Pre-Cleanse

I started my day out by going for a walk with one of my clients. It was a great way to start the day and it made it more fun to have someone to exercise with. When we finished our walk we made a great smoothie with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, spinach and filtered water.

My next stop was Jandis where I picked up some more ingredients for the cleanse. I will be preparing spinach pea soup next Tuesday for the cleanse team. Today I added juices into my diet to get me ready for the cleanse. I had a kale, spinach, apple, carrot juice (even my kids liked it).

What a great evening - our holistic moms group celebrated it's one year anniversary. We had a great turnout and the best part of the evening was the various holistic practitioners who were providing services. I received an amazing massage and a network chiropractic treatment. It's so important to take care of yourself and this is one way that I was able to do that today. I also ate fantastic organic, whole foods prepared by Jandis an all natural and organic market. This is where I will be purchasing my juices for the cleanse over the next week.

My dinner was a lovely beet salad, wild rice pilaf and quinoa sald with tomato, scallions and cucumbers. I will be eating a lot of quinoa over the next week as my main source of protein.

One day left before the cleanse !!!