unassisted birth

Today I was reading a blog entry about unassisted birth.
The blog writer expressed that she didn't feel like she had a bond with her son because, even though it was a natural birth, she had the help of a midwife.... and this is the response I shared on her blog entry:
- I think I understand what you're expressing in this entry. And because everyone is entitled to their own way of thinking I'd like to share with you that I disagree with "I really don't think most moms own their babies". The fact that someone (whether it's a midwife, doctor, husband, etc.) holds your baby as he exits your body and then hands him over to you has nothing to do with ownership. In the same way that having someone else helping you with the birthing process does not mean you're less involved,or less in control.
God did not put us here on earth for us to do everything alone. And in fact being able to do things alone does not mean one is stronger. We are all brothers and sisters, who should work as a team. I believe that it is as much a blessing to give birth to a baby as it is to allow someone else to be involved with the birth of 'your' baby.
I've read a few things about home births, natural births and the like. And I like the idea! I will continue reading about it and contemplating it for myself with this pregnancy (even though my dear husband really dislikes the idea of not having the baby at a hospital). However, I will never think any less of myself, of my bond with my baby, or of my role as this baby's Mama if I decide to have the baby in a hospital, or to have an epidural, or to have the help of others during the birth. I believe that we all have different gifts and doctors and midwives and doulas have a gift when it comes to knowledge and what to do during the birth of a baby. There is nothing wrong about allowing these people to help you (and serve you) with the gifts that they have been given.
I compare it to my gift. I love, love, love reading and learning about health and fitness and proper nutrition. And I'm now working in the fitness industry. There is nothing wrong in another person allowing me to help them in their workout routine (it's my job). When others allow me to help them with their exercise it doesn't mean that they don't own their own health or body, or that they are less in control. They are just allowing someone else (who has a gift in that particular area) to help them.
It seems like so many mothers who do unassisted birth feel like they are better mothers just for that reason. When unassisted birth doesn't necessarily correlate with giving more affection, love, time, patience, etc to a baby.

Sometimes it's easy, but then, sometimes it's hard

So I used to tell myself over and over again that if I got pregnant I would for sure go 100% raw because that would be the best for the baby and for my own body, of course. I kept thinking that having a new being being formed inside of me would be THE BEST motivator to eating healthy all the time, and whenever I would attempt to eat raw but would later fail I just always rationalized that I wasn't motivated enough to do this if it was just for me, BUT if there was another life involved (baby) that I could do it.

Well, I am pregnant! : )
And I have been eating mostly raw fruits. Sometimes it's really easy to eat healthy and to leave aside all the junk that has no nutritional value, however, sometimes it's hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been feeling nausea and lots of times nothing, I mean nothing feels appealing to me. The problem is that if I don't eat then I feel weak and then when I do get super hungry I want high caloric foods - and unfortunately, we all know that fruits and vegetables are very low on calories.
There are days when I eat all fruit in the morning and then some vegetables for lunch, but by the time dinner comes around I WANT SOMETHING COOKED!!!
Plus, I think that one factor that is making it hard for me to want to eat all raw is that fact that it's cold! I get cold very easily and fruit or salads are not appealing because thy do not warm me up.
I'm still eating a vegan diet (except for the *&*^%^%$# pizza hut that I had the other day - I was craving it like crazy!!! And the four pieces of beef I had today from Panda!)
Man, sometimes I think I'm a failure. But I know I shouldn't think like that. After all I am taking better care of my body than most people, and I know that it's not Heavenly Father's way of thinking. Satan is the one that wants me to think that it's either all or nothing and if I make any types of mistakes I'm a looser.
I will just keep making good choices about the food I eat, and I will love my body, my spirit and my soul. The things I do well - I will celebrate, and the things I don't do as well - I will work on improving.

Sofia

savory veggie stews

I get emails from Roger Heaskee regularly and I'm super curious about his savory veggie stews, but there's no way I can afford $97 for a 27 minute  downloadable video that will show me how to make these. At least not now...

So, I've done some searches and these are the only recipes I've come across. The first one I found on a site and it's not one of Roger's original stews (but I'm going to try it this week). The second one I got in an email from Roger and it's by his wife/girlfriend (and I want to try it too).

If anyone out there has a good recipe for a tasty RAW STEW - please share it with me : ) I would send you lots of love and positive energy in return : )

 

You can easily create your own stew based off ingredients you have/like. You can also take any soup recipe and make it chunky by not blending it smoothly or adding in toppings afterward. You can make a stew a combination of sweet and savory by adding dates, sweetener or mild fruit. Here's an example:

1-2 Celery, stalks
4 cups Greens
2 Tomatoes
Carrots, chopped
Green Beans, chopped
1-2 Garlic cloves
Cayenne and/or Curry Powder
2-3 cup Water
Optional: Dash Salt, 2-5 soaked Dates or 2 tsp Agave or honey
Blend Celery, Greens, Tomatoes. Top w/tomatoes, carrots, beans.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Taste Of Asia Gazpacho

By Karmyn Malone

Preparation Time: 10-Minutes or Less

One Large Serving:

2 cups diced tomato (4 roma tomatoes or 1 super large tomato (4"
diameter) will make two cups)

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

2 tbsp raw honey or raw agave (you can also substitute soaked dried
fruit like raisins or dates)

1 2-inch Thai red hot pepper (to taste or substitute your favorite
hot pepper or omit if you don't like spicy food)

1 teaspoon of fresh ginger

1 cup diced, peeled cucumber

Preparation:

Put 1 cup of the diced tomatoes in a large bowl and mix with 1 cup
of diced cucumber.  Set aside.

Add 1 cup of the diced tomatoes (2 plum or 1/2 super large tomato)
to Vitamix or any blender along with onion, bell pepper, hot pepper
and ginger and quickly liquefy in your blender.

Add the 2 tbsp raw honey and blend until the honey is mixed in.

Pour sauce from the blender over the choppings (tomato and
cucumber) in the bowl.  Stir gently until well mixed and serve
immediately.

Just thankful for Jay

I am just thankful for the simple things in life. I am thankful for my husband. He's the best looking guy I know, and we just work well together. I'm thankful that he has a really good sense of humor and mostly laughs when I'm cranky or emotional. We have a very normal life together. Our love for each other doesn't have much to do with "Hollywood love". We don't eat eachother's face (kissing) after spending some time apart - we would rather hug tightly and show a much more tender type of love, versus the extremely physical type of love Hollywood promotes. Jay doesn't always have the most eloquent, breathless phrases to share with me, but he does tell me he loves me in a simple, direct way, numerous times a day!
I am nothing but myself around him. I guess I could say I'm 'raw' around him : )
I am inlove with him, and I want to not only grow old with Jay but I also want to grow wise and enjoy the eternities with him.
Jay isn't perfect, I am not perfect AND we are not perfect together. But that's OK.

I am so thankful to have Jay in my life. He is a blessing. I know he helps me be a better person, I know he loves his Savior and his Father in Heaven, and I think he is truly the best Papa Gabi and Tiago could have.

whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am home again
whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am whole again

whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am young again
whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am fun again

however far away
i will always love you
however long i stay
i will always love you
whatever words i say
i will always love you
i will always love you

whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am free again
whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am clean again

however far away
i will always love you
however long i stay
i will always love you
whatever words i say
i will always love you
i will always love you

Nutritional Yeast - where have you been all my life????

Oh boy, I am in heaven right now; there's a party in my tummy. I just tasted nutritional yeast for the first time in my life!!!!!!! It's delicious!!!!
I just made 'raw popcorn', which has nothing to do with popcorn - it's 10 times better : )
So, what is nutritional yeast?

Definition: Yellow in color and with a nutty cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast that is a favorite amongst many vegans because of its unique flavor and similarity to cheese when added to foods. Sprinkle some on hot popcorn or garlic bread, or add a generous spoonful to a stir fry or pasta sauce. Nutritional yeast is also the only reliable food source of vitamin B12, so if you're vegan, it's a good idea to add some to your food regularly. Nutritional yeast can be found in the bulk foods or supplement section of your health food store. You can look for either nutritional yeast flakes or powder.
This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Protein, Magnesium, Copper and Manganese, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid and Zinc.

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/1323565/2#ixzz1dwKSe65c

weaknesses...

President Lee’s comments suggest some specific things that you can do to overcome your weaknesses. First identify what your weaknesses are. Make a list with your greatest concern at the top and so on in descending rank. Remember, this list is very personal and should be kept secret and private. It is a matter strictly between you and your Savior, and you should never share it in class or in public.
Each morning review your list, particularly noting the problem you want to work on that day. Then pray to the Lord, entreating him for power and promising him you will do all you can. That night report to him on your success or failure. As you find yourself improving (and you will), pray for forgiveness and additional strength. Keep constantly in mind the joy and love your Heavenly Father is feeling toward you because of your efforts. Remember also that your weaknesses can become your strengths; indeed, as each is overcome, it can be a rung of power leading upward to God and your eternal home.

Very well put

• I read this on a blog called Disease Proof and LOVED IT ! It is exactly what I've been going through, and what I've been learning concerning food addiction and concerning staying as far away as possible from the food that  equals trouble for you. Being 100% obedient is easier than being 99%.
•  
• “How closely do I really have to follow my eating plan/abstinence plan?” 

• “How many times a month can I cheat and still have success?”

• “I’m not hard core, but I follow the plan about 85% of the time; that’s good enough, isn’t it?”   

Of which my classic answer to all three questions is, “It all depends on how hard you want to make it on yourself.” 

It’s much easier and simpler to give 100% right from the beginning and keep the pilot light of addictive cravings extinguished, than to be continually fighting obsessive compulsions that are brewing beneath the surface. Been there. Done that. And it’s hard, hard work to keep cravings from becoming an all-consuming monster. In fact, it’s exhausting because it’s a next-to-impossible feat to accomplish!

Plus, it only takes the tiniest spark to ignite the pilot light of cravings to full power again, and that’s THE most dangerous place to live! 

One can do all the work of routinely preparing and eating high-nutrient foods, and get the majority of one’s health restored; but it may only take an emergency phone call, or a sudden traumatic event, or a stress-filled day with the kids to instantly ignite the raging flame of addiction.  

It’s just not worth it. 

Give yourself a break today and make life so much easier.

Give 100% and extinguish the pilot light!     

The willful decision to see how much one can cheat and get by; how much one can straddle the fence, or how much one can habitually overeat . . . . and still keep the addiction eradicated . . . . that’s what I'm referring to as being the next-to-impossible feat to accomplish.

It can't be done!

I repeat ~ it can't be done.

With repetitive compromises, the addictive cravings are rumbling beneath the surface, and it just takes a tiny spark to ignite them to full strength and power!

For one to be truly free, the pilot light needs to be extinguished and remain that way . . . .for life.

AND to live in denial of food addiction's power is to remain its prisoner, or worse yet, the path right back to captivity.

Choose the easy way and keep the pilot light extinguished at all times.
Quoted from:
http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/inspiration-extinguish-the-pilot-light-part-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DiseaseProof+%28Disease+Proof%29

I agree with this completely. I've had moments when I know clearly that I'm 'cheating'. And I think to myself that I can always quickly go back to my 'abstinence'. No, not true. Once you've received the miraculous help to stay away from your food addictions, you better not go back... in fact, don't even look back, or think about 'back'. Just move forward. One day at a time.

Commitment

My husband is off to another trip (this time to Florida), but guess what?
This time I'm COMMITTED.
Sure I'm still a little nervous and anxious about being without my best friend, but this time I'm not going to "drown" my feelings with food (e.g. nutella, white bread, etc.). I trust in the Lord and know He will help me feel safe, calm, happy, organized, and loved.
I am committed to eating 100% raw while J is away.

I'm so imperfect...

... and that's OK : )
I haven't written in a while, and I feel like there's a lot I want to  share about the lessons I'm learning while doing the 21 day Raw Food Challenge.

Everything was going well. I was eating 100% raw, feeling great, being at peace with myself and being very thankful that Heavenly Father was helping me do what I have tried so many times (on my own) and had never been able to accomplish. For 8 days straight I ate a raw diet, it didn't feel like it was hard at all to choose raw foods, and I wasn't feeling deprived. This is nothing short of a miracle in my life. I felt like Peter - walking on water, doing the impossible.
And then something happened. Like Peter (when he saw Jesus walking on water and then asked Him to bid him to come) I was focused on spiritual things. But then, Peter took his eyes off the Savior. He changed his focus  towards wind, waves, the fact that what he was doing was unprecedent, who knows... and he started to sink.
I somehow took my eyes off of my Savior too and lost the miracle that was happening in my life. I remember thinking: this is pretty impossible! How the heck am I being able to eat only raw?  And see, I am not able to eat only raw, He makes me able to eat only raw.
Also, my husband went on a short trip  and staying at home alone with our two children gives me anxiety. Since I'm an emotional eater I numb my anxiety with food - and cooked food does a much better job at numbing than raw food. I was foolish and thought: I can eat some cooked food and then go straight back to eating all raw. But no, that's not true (for me). I had the Lord's help and I took it lightly. After eating cooked food I wasn't able to go back to 100% raw for several days...

So, lesson #1: recognize that I can't, but He can. And acknowledge His power in all I am able to accomplish/do.
Lesson #2: keep the focus on spiritual things, putting prayer and scripture reading as a priority.
Lesson #3: never "throw" the Savior's help out the window thinking I can easily get it again as soon as I decide to turn to Him again.

I'm learning, we're all learning. And I guess that's how it's supposed to be.

Is there such a thing as "Sugar (or food) Addiction"?

Aaarrrrrrhhhhhhh! I'm kind of upset right now because I see how Satan is so cleverly trying to lead us all into self destruction. He is using all the weapons he can think of - including FOOD! People's health now a days is a mess and most of it can be tracked down to the way they eat (high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, bone problems, even depression and cancer are related to what we eat...). And now Satan is trying to make us believe that there's no such thing as sugar addiction or food addiction, and that it is OK to "indulge" a little in whatever it is that we're craving.

Sure!!! I say. Go ahead and eat those things that you know (in fact, you've proven) will make you feel sick and loose control. (sarcastic tone).
Earlier this week we went to our Church's Trunk or Treat. We took some non-member friends and as I was explaining that I don't eat things that have sugar, one of them said: "No one should abstain completely from something they crave. Otherwise they are just setting themselves up for failure. As long as you eat just a little bit here and a little bit there you'll be OK."
To which I replied (in a very friendly way): "Sugar has a really negative effect on me. It gives me insomnia, makes me feel depressed, gives me stomach aches, and makes me have really negative thoughts about myself. The reason I know I'm addicted to it is because I can't have JUST a little bit here and there. When I have sugar and want more, and more, and I'm not at peace until whatever it is that has sugar is GONE! Sugar is bad for me, and just a little bit of it wouldn't help my life in any way.
It's just like someone who is addicted to alcohol. They can't take not even one ounce of alcohol. They need to stay away from it, period."
Now, this is not why I'm upset (like I wrote in the beginning of this post). I'm upset because I just received a magazine from AFFA (fitness) and on the cover you read: "Are you addicted to sugar?" and I was all excited about reading an article that would expose the dangers of indulging in sugar. But instead they have an article that affirms that scientific research shows that there's no such thing as sugar or food addiction, and that if people are craving chocolate they should go ahead and eat just a little bit.

PEOPLE, if sugar is a poison to you, then even just a little bit will be BAD for you.
Drugs are bad for you and if you crave drugs you still should not take drugs. Pornography is bad for you and even just a little bit will hurt you spiritually (not to mention that it'll hurt those who love you and area close to you).
I've read sooooo many books, blogs, and articles that explain in detail how sugar is an addictive substance, and how it is poisonous. I'm not going to spend the time listing them all here though. I believe that if someone is really interested in learning more about a certain subject, then they should put forth the effort and time themselves in gathering the information they need.
So people (articles, friends, acquaintances, magazines, scientists, etc) don't tell me that there's no such thing as sugar addiction please.
I know I am addicted to sugar, I know I shouldn't partake of it if I want to feel at peace with myself and stay healthy. And I know A LOT OF PEOPLE who are addicted to sugar as well.  Some recognize it, others don't.

Sunday, 8th day Raw!

Today was a great day. Church was inspiring, and we got to talk to our family in ID, Port. and England.
I had a delicious green smoothie with collard greens from my garden, pineapple, mint (also from our garden), banana and water. For dinner I asked J if he would like to join me on a totally raw dinner and he gladly said yes : )
Sooooo, we had the most delicious Raw Tacos, with raw cinnamon rolls. The children joined us and loved all the raw food (they always do). Oh, and I'm not sure if I've mentioned that the flax seed crackers I made came out super duper yummy (garlic, cilantro flavor).

I'm thankful for the help Father gave us during nursery... it's not my favorite calling, but I'm learning lots of good things from it.

I've been feeling at peace with myself. Something that didn't happen when I was eating cooked food. And again, I'm not feeling deprived at all. Cool.

Sofia

why I did the 21 day Raw challenge & 7th Day!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONE FULL WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so happy and thankful for personal revelation...
You know, I was soooo close to paying money for an online program that would help me "be" raw for 21 days. The program promised to help you succeed by having you focus on something spiritual every day, send you recipes (and a grocery list), and send you daily workouts.
I prayed about it and then it came to me:
1-I have my B. M., Gen. Conf. talks, etc that I should be studying daily. Remember that quote:
"the study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 20, or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17).  I need to spend more time reading MY scriptures, rather than "men's philosophies.
2-I already have 100s of recipes for delicious raw food (plus, there's the Internet!!!).  I don't need to pay for someone to email me more.
3- and I teach boot camp and zumba classes (there's my workout).
I don't need to pay anyone to help me "be" raw.

So, today is the 7th day 100% raw for me. I'm feeling well. I'm still waiting for the extra energy that should come from eating live foods... and I'm sure it will come in time.
I've known about raw food for about 5 years now and this is the FIRST time I've done it 100% for this long. One tip that helped me (I actually think it has made all the difference) was - "it's easier to go 100% raw than 80% or 90%."  I never really understood how that could be, until I tried it. And, it's true! It's just AMAZING to me how I haven't felt deprived, I haven't craved anything cooked!!!!! For real!!!
I can't believe how something as simple as not putting anything cooked in my mouth as made all the difference. And I'm even cooking a few things for my husband and children...

Anyway, what have I eaten today?
I've had lemonade with grade B maple syrup and cayenne, some dehydrated pineapple (yummy), some flax crackers (that I made and they are SOOOOOOOOOOOO TASTY!!!! the fact that they came out OK makes me so happy!!!), we went to a Raw Restaurant in Tempe (first time ever to eat at a raw restaurant) and I got cheese cake, onion bread sandwich, cinnamon rolls - all raw.  I have also been drinking lots of water.


Heavenly Father - I love you. Thank you for loving me!



Sofia

5th Day!

I did it. I ate 100% raw food all day long. I'm still amazed at how this is going. I honestly didn't think it would be as easy as it has been.
Yesterday I think I went through a bit of an emotional detox. I'm not gonna go into details, I'll just say it was an emotional day.
Today, everything went pretty well, and pretty normal.
I ate:
-green smoothie (kale, pineapple, banana, chia seeds, water)
-raw tacos (delicious and amazing and super easy to prepare actually)
-dehydrated bananas & pineapple)
-home grown watermelon
I need to go to bed. I'm feeling tired. In fact, I'm quite disappointed that I haven't felt the amazing energy that everyone talks about when they go raw. I'm not going to quit just because I'm not seeing results, but it is...sad, frustrating, and intriguing.
Oh, and my foot still hurts... but we'll see, after all it's only been 5 days.
Sofia

DAY FOUR : ) & Steel cut oats breakfast

This is my 4th day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Planing this 21 day raw challenge is making a difference.
I've tried this before and couldn't really do it (plus for some reason whenever I was trying to eat raw I felt deprived of good foods - this time around I'm feeling no deprivation, hurray!!!!!)
BUT... back to planning... I did have to sit down, say a prayer (I learned on my mission that planning sessions go so much better if you have Father's help) and write down concrete/specific ideas for meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Then I went through my 'basillion' = 'lots and lots' recipes and chose the ones that I would like, were simple and had ingredients that I have access to, then, based on that list of meals I also wrote a grocery list (the things I didn't have at home and needed to get). This little bit of planning is helping me a lot I think.

Now, the breakfast:
raw steel cut oats (it's yummy, very filling, and as far as I know, very healthy)

-1/2 cup steel cut oats (u can do it with normal oats, but it's not as good) you soak them the night before (just put them in your cereal bowl and cover them w/ water)

-one or two tsp raw almond/cashew/whatever butter

-one tsp raw cacau/cocoa

-a little bit of either stevia or agave

this keeps me full all morning!!!!!!! Even when I teach my workout classes.

3rd Day!!!

It's the end of the 3rd day and all is well : )
I'm so happy that Heavenly Father is helping me with this. I truly could not do it on my own.
This evening I had a meeting at church and as the meeting was coming to an end I thought about swinging by Fry's and buying a chocolate bar!!!! Can you believe it? I haven't even had a regular chocolate bar in ages!
Anyway, I said a prayer and I told myself that the day was almost over... I could finish it raw.  And so I did.
Today I made the most delicious, amazing, fantastic raw coconut candy. It has coconut, maca, lucuma, coconut oil, a bit of agave and gogi berries (ground into powder). It tastes so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gabi tasted it and she said that we should let all our friends taste it because they would love my raw food.
She's a cutie. Today she also tasted some algae and she liked it. I told her that raw foods taste really good and are really good for our bodies and she agreed.
Yesterday when we went to whole foods market I was commenting aloud that I didn't want to buy any  nut butters with sugar added to them... and then out of nowhere she says: that's right we are a porcucheese family and we don't eat sugar, because porcucheese families eat only healthy things and sugar is not good!
Isn't she the BEST????? I love her.

Sofia

How it's going so far!!!

So, it was fast Sunday and I decided to start my raw food challenge after my fast. I was nervous because we had a couple of friends over for dinner, and I made a delicious meal but I was not planning on eating any of it (except for the salad). Now, my problem was not in not eating the meal I had prepared... I just wasn't ready for my friends to ask me why on earth I wasn't eating anything but the salad. I didn't know how to explain to them all my 1000 reasons to do this and I was not ready for any type of negative criticism (I'm not sure that they would have been negative about it, but I also didn't want to find out).
Well, to my own surprise nobody noticed that all I ate was salad. It was a wonderful evening and I was able to eat only raw foods after breaking my fast.
This is what I ate that 1st day:
-juice of apple, celery, carrot and lemon
-nuts
-salad
-dates

My second day (Monday, aka Today!) is going well so far ; )  This is what I've eaten today:
-steel cut oats soaked overnight with spoon full of raw almond butter, cacau pouder and a little agave
-flax seed crackers
-a really yucky raw broccoli soup

Yeah, I'm feeling well and hope Heavenly Father will keep helping me with this. I'll write later about what I want to get out of this raw food challenge.
Sofia

Raw for 21 days!!!!!!!

So, I finally decided to really try the raw diet 100% for 21 days.
I've tried it for a couple of days before, and in general I eat pretty healthy, my kids eat about 70% raw, and my husband has never opposed my "crazy" juice fast attempts, or my raw recipes experiments...

I've had a problem with my foot for almost a year now. Everything was fine until I started running, teaching Zumba and exercising daily. At first it was plantar fasciitis, then I thought I had a fracture, some podiatrists wanted to give me some cortisone shots, I bought several different insert (shoe soles) and other stuff, I also massaged my foot every night with ice and with essential oils, but nothing was making it feel better. I gave it some rest, and it would feel a bit better, but as soon as I went back to exercising the pain would come back. In Portugal I saw a podiatrist, took X-rays and we found out I have a bone spur on my heel. That doctor said that with the new inserts he made me buy, the pain and inflamation would go away in 3 weeks or less and I would be back to normal... well, it's been about 2 months and it's still not normal!!!!
So, I'm hoping that by eating raw for at least 21 days, I'll be giving my body a chance to heal itself.
We'll see if raw food passes the test, and if I pass the raw food test : )
Beijijnhos

raw broccoli soup... wow!

Hey guys (brothers and sisters),

I just made the most "undelicious", yucky broccoli soup ever for lunch. And because I'm the type of person that will not allow anything to go to waste, I forced myself to eat it. I wanted to throw up with every spoon full... but I ate it!!!

I have enough in my fridge to feed another 4 people. Can I convince any of you to come over for dinner?

Sofia

 

to eat meat or not to eat meat???

Mormon/Animal Quotes

The following quotes of teachings are from Mormon Church leaders, as well as other Mormon related sources. The authors of these quotes did not intend to endorse vegetarianism when these were stated. However, the following teachings and ideas of thinking will appeal to vegetarianism because of their similar ideals.

• "In pitching my tent we found three massasaugas or prairie rattlesnakes, which the brethren were about to kill, but I said, 'Let them alone—don't hurt them! How will the serpent ever lose his venom, while the servants of God possess the same disposition, and continue to make war upon it? Men must become harmless, before the brute creation; and when men lose their vicious dispositions and cease to destroy the animal race, the lion and the lamb can dwell together, and the sucking child can play with the serpent in safety.' The brethren took the serpents carefully on sticks and carried them across the creek. I exhorted the brethren not to kill a serpent, bird, or an animal of any kind during our journey unless it became necessary in order to preserve ourselves from hunger." - Joseph Smith
• "Says one, 'I cannot believe in the salvation of beasts.' Any man who would tell you this could not be, would tell you that the revelations are not true. John heard the words of the beast giving glory to God, and understood them. God who made the beasts could understand every language spoken by them. The beasts were four of the most noble animals that filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect. They were like angels in their sphere." - Joseph Smith
• ...let them be sparing of the life of animals, it is pleasing saith the Lord that flesh be used only in times of winter, or of famine. - Hyrum Smith
• "God...knows what course to pursue to restore mankind to...pristine excellency and primitive vigour, and health; and He has appointed the Word of Wisdom as one of the engines to bring about this thing, to remove the beastly appetites, the murderous disposition and the vitiated taste of man, to restore his body and vigour, promote peace between him and the brute creation, and as one of the little wheels in God's design, to help to regulate the great machinery, which shall eventually revolutionize the earth, and bring about the restoration of all things." - Hyrum Smith
• "Are these great weaknesses to be found in the birds of the air, in the fishes of the sea, or in the beasts of the field? No. The animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms abide the law of their Creator; the whole earth and all things pertaining to it, except man, abide the law of their creation." -Brigham Young
• "...always keep in view that the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms—the earth and its fulness—will all, except the children of men, abide their creation—the law by which they were made, and will receive their exaltation." - Brigham Young
• "According to present appearances, next year [1868] we may expect grasshoppers to eat up nearly all our crops. But if we have provisions enough to last us another year, we can say to the grasshoppers—these creatures of God—you are welcome. I have never had a feeling to drive them from one plant in my garden; but I look upon them as the armies of the Lord..." - Brigham Young
• "Mothers, keep the children from eating meat; and let them eat vegetables that are fully matured, not unripe..." -Brigham Young
• "Thursday, May 6 (1847)--Traveled nineteen miles. The prairie appeared black being covered with immense herds of buffalo. Friday, May 7-- I preached in camp and advised the brethren not to kill any more buffalo or other game until the meat was needed." - Brigham Young
• “If we cease hostility, with the serpents and lay aside all enmity and treat all animals kindly, being humble and faithful with long suffering and forbearance no man need ever have a horse or a cow bitten by a snake. The serpents would soon become perfectly harmless, so that they could be handled without danger, children could play with them without receiving harm." -Brigham Young
• "Let the people be holy, and the earth under their feet will be holy. Let the people be holy, and filled with the spirit of God, and every animal and creeping thing will be filled with peace; the soil of the earth will bring forth in its strength, and the fruits thereof will be meat for man. The more purity that exists, the less is the strife; the more kind we are to animals, the more will peace increase, and the savage nature of the brute creation will vanish away." -Brigham Young
• "The Spirit of the Lord and the keys of the priesthood hold power over all animated beings ... In this dispensation the keys ... will be restored, and we are to return to the favor of the Lord ... cease hostility with the serpents and lay aside all enmity and treat all animals kindly." - Brigham Young
• "If I do not see the evils that result from eating meats to excess, and the benefits that would result from abstaining, what anybody else may see would only have a temporary effect upon me. I must feel in my own heart that it is injurious to me to indulge in these things; there must be a well settled conviction within me that this is the case." - George Q. Cannon
• The question arises...'What then are we to eat if we drop swine's flesh? 'What then are we to eat if we drop swine's flesh and eat very little beef or mutton...why, dear me, we shall starve to death.' In conversation with one of the brethren the other day, the brother remarked 'the diet of the poor is principally bread and meat, and if they dispense with meat, they will be reduced to very hard fare.' I reasoned with him...that other articles of food could be raised more cheaply and in greater variety than the flesh of animals. It is an exceedingly difficult thing for most people to break off and discontinue cherished and long standing habits. We can have variety in diet, and yet have simplicity. We can have a diet that will be easily prepared, and yet have it healthful. We can have a diet that will be tasteful, nutritious and delightful to us and easy to digest..." - George Q. Cannon
• "[Horses] have the same life in them that you have, and we should not hurt them." - Heber C. Kimball
• Apostle Lorenzo Snow "introduced the subject of the Word of Wisdom, expressing the opinion that it was violated as much or more in the improper use of meat as in other things, and thought the time was near at hand when the Latter-day Saints should be taught to refrain from meat eating and the shedding of animal blood." (Journal History, 11 March 1897 p. 2)
• "From boyhood I had been particularly, and I may say strangely, attached to a gun. Hunting in the forests of Ohio was a pastime that to me possessed the most fascinating attractions. It never occurred to my mind that it was wrong—that indulging in "what was sport to me was death to them;" that in shooting turkeys, squirrels, etc., I was taking life that I could not give; therefore I indulged in the murderous sport without the least compunction of conscience." - Lorenzo Snow
• "I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he 'needs' them for food...I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possess life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men who I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood. They go off hunting deer, antelope, elk, anything they can find, and what for? 'Just for the fun of it!' I am a firm believer... in the simple words of one of the poets: 'Take not away the life you cannot give, for all things have an equal right to live'. - Joseph F. Smith
• "...doing wrong to animals is but a stepping stone to the doing of wrong to our fellow men." - Joseph F. Smith
• "Kindness to animals and to all living things is one good way of expressing true religion. Cruelty to the dumb creation always shows an absence of the true religious spirit; and in most cases, is simply barbarous ." - Joseph F. Smith
• "I believe that cruelty to a caged bird is a sin in the sight of God; and if those who do it, or permit it, are not somewhere held accountable, there is no such thing as justice." - Joseph F. Smith
• "We have the assurance that through the sacrifice made on the cross all mankind and every other creature, even the earth itself, are redeemed from death and shall receive the resurrection and be restored to immortal life." - Joseph F. Smith
• “I never could see why a man should be imbued with a blood-thirsty desire to kill and destroy animal life. I have known men--and they still exist among us--who enjoy what is, to them, the 'sport' of hunting birds and slaying them by the hundreds, and who will come in after a day's sport, boasting of how many harmless birds they have had the skill to slaughter, and day after day, during the season when it is lawful for men to hunt and kill (the birds having had a season of protection and not apprehending danger) go out by scores or hundreds, and you may hear their guns early in the morning on the day of the opening, as if great armies had met in battle; and the terrible work of slaughtering the innocent birds goes on.” -Joseph F. Smith
• "We are a part of life and should study carefully our relationship to it. We should be in sympathy with it, and not allow our prejudices to create a desire for its destruction. The unnecessary destruction of life begets a spirit of destruction which grows within the soul. It lives by what it feeds upon and robs man of the love that he should have for the works of God. It hardens the heart of man... The unnecessary destruction of life is a distinct spiritual loss to the human family. Men cannot worship the Creator and look with careless indifference upon his creation. The love of all life helps man to the enjoyment of a better life. ...Love of nature is akin to the love of God, the two are inseparable." - Joseph F. Smith
• "Kindness to the whole animal creation and especially to all domestic animals is not only a virtue that should be developed, but is the absolute duty of mankind ... It as an unrighteous thing to treat any animal cruelly ... It will be a blessed day when mankind shall accept and abide by the Christ-like sentiment expressed by one of the poets in the following words: 'Take not away the life you cannot give, For all things have an equal right to live.'" - Joseph F. Smith
• "It was shown in the history of plant science that plants contain all the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches and the carbohydrates, minerals...water [and] vitamins. The Great builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food. If one uses meat it must be used sparingly and in winter or famine only.... They who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning." - John A. Widstoe (Quorum of the Twelve)
• I think that another reason I have very splendid strength for an old man is that during the years we have had a cafeteria... I have not, with exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind. ...I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health." - Heber J. Grant
• "A true Latter-day Saint is kind to animals, is kind to every created thing, for God created all."- David O. McKay
• President Joseph Fielding Smith's wife, Jesse Evans Smith, said, "my husband doesn't eat meat" and he felt a "disdain of meat and (a) love of vegetables." (Brigham Young University Daily Universe, May 6, 1971, p. 1)
• "Now, I also would like to add some of my feelings concerning the unnecessary shedding of blood and destruction of life. I think that every soul should be impressed by the sentiments that have been expressed here by the prophets. And not less with reference to the killing of innocent birds is the wildlife of our country that live upon the vermin that are indeed enemies to the farmer and to mankind. It is not only wicked to destroy them, it is a shame, in my opinion. I think that this principle should extend not only to the bird life but to the life of all animals." - Spencer W. Kimball
• "I have come to appreciate why our Heavenly Father placed animals on the earth to be used by man. He expects us to be kind to them and not to abuse them. They can add much to our lives while we are here on earth." - Dean A. Larsen (Seventy)
• "Given affection and care, they return affection and care generously and consistently. People whose lives include relationships with animals are usually happier. For me at least, heaven will not be heaven unless the animal kingdom is part of God's kingdom." - Marlin K. Jensen (Seventy)
• "Man's dominion is a call to service, not a license to exterminate. It is precisely because men now prey upon each other and shed the blood and waste the flesh of other creatures without need that "the world lieth in sin" (D&C 49:19-21). Such, at least, is the teaching of the ancient Jews and of modern revelation." - Nugh Nibley
• "And surely, blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands - JST Genesis 9:11
   

_________________________________________________________________________
If you are skeptical on sources, you can go to http://www.mormonanomaly.com/2008/08/meat-and-mormonism-part-i-insulated.html and http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/faith/lds_rsoa_3_2011.pdf and http://mormon-vegetarian.blogspot.com/ and http://www.vegsource.com/articles/catano.htm .

my blessing

My foot has been hurting for the last 8 or 9 months. It seems like I have plantar fasciitis but we're not sure because I haven't been to a docotr because I don't have health insurance.
I LOOOOOOVE doing zumba and I am so happy that I was given the opportunity to teach boot camp (and now I'm even going to get certified, AFAA) but my foot keeps bothering me and having it hurt takes the fun out of exercising and makes me not want to work harder in fear of further hurting myself...
So today paguei o dizimo (generoso) e a oferta de jejum($300) e pedi uma bencao do Br. Ritchie.
Notes from the blessing:
-be disciplined about how much sleep you get and also about what food you eat
-eat food high in antioxidants like blueberries and other berries
-you have been like a 'savior' to your family and Father is very pleased and will continue blessing youfor it
-keep putting your role as a wife and as a mother as a priority
-a prayer of faith will bring you blessings. Keep praying, have faith and Father will hear your blessings and answer them
-reading the scriptures (regularly) will help bring happiness to your life, and so will attending the Temple - in other words- exercising is not the only way for you to feel uplifted- read your scriptures
-testify to the children in your nursery
-share the gospel while you are in Portugal, and be an example so people can actually see the light of Christ in you and know that the gospel brings you happiness - people in Portugal will be able to see a difference in you
-Father loves you

I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and my Father in Heaven. I know that Father will help me recover my health. I have faith.
Ninhas

My little boy

For Mother's Day I got a little poem and my boy's hand-print. I like the poem so much that I want to share it here:
"SOmetimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small,
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls

But every day I'm growing -
I'll be grown up some day,
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a little handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small."
May 2011

I love my little Tiago  so so much. He does know how to push my buttons though. Sometimes I get impatient and even upset at him. He bites, scratches, screams, is defiant, doesn't take long naps : ), he has destroyed a few books, and broken a few other things (including our entertainment center door, and one of my necklaces). Tiago is very strong willed and enjoys doing what HE likes doing... So, at times I get frustrated. I'm not sure how to discipline him and help him understand that he needs to listen to what I say. I know that I don't want to spank him, and I certainly don't want to yell at him either - I have lost it a few times and yelled at my children and I felt the Spirit immediately living our home.
So this poem is a good reminder that he will grow up and his little hands won't always be little. Again, I love Tiago so so much. Tiago sometimes looks at me with a certain smile that makes me feel like he's almost 'flirting' with me. He likes giving really tight hugs - that melt my heart, and he and Gabi are the happiest little children I know. They giggle and laugh ALL the time.

If I get hurt or if one of them hurts me (ex. bites me) they immediately ask: You OK? You OK?
Anyway, I thanks Heavenly Father everyday for "giving" me such beautiful children. They are a ginormous blessing in my life.
Gabi and Tiago - I will always love you, and I will always be your Mama - no matter what you do, or what happens in life.
com amor
Ninhas

cheese IS addictive!!! and so is sugar and meat and chocolate!!!

http://www.vegsource.com/news/2010/01/chocolate-cheese-meat-sugar-physically-addictive-foods.html  video of a really cool talk!!!!!!!!

 

Casein and Cheese More Addictive Than Chocolate?

A couple days ago I joked that I was detoxing from dairy and that I needed a 12-step program because I find it so hard to give up cheese. Amazingly, little did I know that cheese has actually been proven to be addictive. This explains why so many people like me find it incredibly difficult to give up cheese. It has been harder for me to give up dairy than cigarettes. I am not joking about that. Perhaps the more shocking thing is that the Dairy Industry has deliberately fed on cheese's addictive quality, with all of us being completely duped. I feel sickened by the following article. I feel cheated, fooled, angry, repulsed, and depressed that people can be so evil. If you can honestly read the last paragraph of this article and not be furious, you are a better person than I am.
So here is an excerpt from an article in the Orlando Sentinel July 13 2003:

Of all the potentially addicting foods, cheese may be the most complex. In research studies using vegan and vegetarian diets to control cholesterol or reduce body weight, most participants soon forget the lure of ice cream, sour cream, and even burgers and chicken. But for many people, the taste for cheese lingers on and on. Yes, 70 percent of its calories may come from waist-augmenting fat, and, ounce for ounce, it may harbor more cholesterol than a steak. But that cheese habit is tough to break. Why is cheese so addicting? Certainly not because of its aroma, which is perilously close to old socks. The first hint of a biochemical explanation came in 1981, when scientists at Wellcome Research Laboratories in Research Triangle Park, N.C., found a substance in dairy products that looked remarkably like morphine. After a complex series of tests, they determined that, surprisingly enough, it actually was morphine. By a fluke of nature, the enzymes that produce opiates are not confined to poppies -- they also hide inside cows' livers. So traces of morphine can pass into the animal's bloodstream and end up in milk and milk products. The amounts are far too small to explain cheese's appeal. But nonetheless, the discovery led scientists on their search for opiate compounds in dairy products.
And they found them. Opiates hide inside casein, the main dairy protein. As casein molecules are digested, they break apart to release tiny opiate molecules, called casomorphins. One of these compounds has about one-tenth the opiate strength of morphine. The especially addicting power of cheese may be due to the fact that the process of cheese-making removes water,lactose and whey proteins so that casein is concentrated. Scientists are now trying to tease out whether these opiate molecules work strictly within the digestive tract or whether they pass into the bloodstream and reach the brain directly.
(some paragraphs about chocolate addiction snipped)
The cheese industry is miles ahead of them, having gone to great lengths to identify people who are most vulnerable to addiction. It dubs them "cheese cravers," and tracks their age, educational level and other demographics so as to target them with marketing strategies that are tough to ignore. With a $200 million annual research and marketing budget, the dairy industry is not content to have you just sprinkling a little mozzarella on your salad. It is looking for those Americans who will eat it straight out of the package, whatever the cost to their waistlines or cholesterol levels.
At a "Cheese Forum" held Dec. 5, 2000, Dick Cooper, the vice president of Cheese Marketing for Dairy Management Inc., laid out the industry's scheme for identifying potential addicts and keeping them hooked. In his slide presentation, which was released to our organization under the Freedom of Information Act, he asked the question, "What do we want our marketing program to do?" and then gave the answer: "Trigger the cheese craving." He described how, in a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the dairy industry launched Wendy's Cheddar Lover's Bacon Cheeseburger, which single-handedly pushed 2.25 million pounds of cheese during the promotion period. That works out to 380 tons of fat and 1.2 tons of pure cholesterol in the cheese alone. A similar promotion with Pizza Hut launched the "Ultimate Cheese Pizza," which added an entire pound of cheese to a single pizza and sold five million pounds of it during a six-week promotion in 2000. The presentation concluded with a cartoon of a playground slide with a large spider web woven to trap children as they reached the bottom. The caption had one spider saying to another, "If we pull this off, we'll eat like kings."

Cheese Has a Little Known Secret: Consumers Beware

by J.M.K on Feb 02, 2008 with 21 Comments

Most never know that they are addicted; people figure that they just like it. It is deeply disturbing to a cheese loving consumer that there are small amounts of addictive opiates involved in one of America’s favorite foods.

According to an article in 2003, Dr. Neal Barnard authored a book about the cravings of food that many of us face. His book is titled Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings and Seven Steps to End them Naturally. He concluded that cheese is particularly addictive because it has small amounts of morphine that is produced from the cow’s liver. Additionally, other foods like sugar and chocolate are addictive to consumers.

These food supplies are so plentiful that the cravings are easily solved. Most never know that they are addicted; people figure that they just like it. It is deeply disturbing to a cheese loving consumer that there are small amounts of addictive opiates involved in one of America’s favorite foods. After all, we have cheese in most sandwiches, pastas, and snacks that are contributing reasons for obesity. Most fast food places offer plenty of cheese on their sandwiches and people do crave for the tasty meals.
Possibly, the addictive morphine that is created in the cow when digesting has led to increased weight issues. As a society, we must consider that the large quantities and availability is greater than ever in history. Therefore, it is likely to have an impact on the obesity rates for those that become addicted.

Read more in Consumer Information

« Cost and Taste Effective Wine

Six Environmentally Friendly Money Savers »

In the past, it was taught that cheese was a substitute for meat. Now, most people eat them together and they taste great. This could be too much for our bodies to consume long term. More research is truly needed because something as common as cheese could be harmful. Hopefully, more manufacturers will become aware of the hidden potential dangers in the product as well. So far, there have not been any serious complications following cheese consumption, but for how long?
Sharing this kind of information is important to those that are struggling with weight in particular. It could be that most people are addicted to eating cheese products and obesity is not the individual’s fault. Good exercise and a balanced healthy diet should offset any addiction, while cheese may still be part of the eating regimen. To view the actual article, check here. Also, typing a simple search will show other information as well.

I'm still studying the issue of vegetarianism/veganism

So, I found a mormon vegetarian facebook page and I'm a member of it now. It's awesome to see so many people that share the same beliefs as I sharing also the same dietary way of thinking.  But there's this one guy that writes on that facebook page every now and then that seems to just want to put down the idea of vegetarianism and to cause contention. He tries to write in an intellectual, politically correct way but it's clear that his intentions are merely to ridicule the mormon vegetarians in that group.
I believe that we are all entitled to personal revelation and that one's diet can fall under that category. I don't make anyone feel inferior or wrong about eating meat, and all I ask is that others give me the same type of respect.
One of the members of that facebook group wrote the following regarding the comments by that one brother who seems to want nothing but contention:
I don't think vegetarian/veganism requires doctrinal basis to be one's choice. While one might say that the scriptures encourage a certain dietary balance, at no point is it succinctly encouraged or forbidden to eat meat. Personal choice and conviction must sometimes remain exactly that, -personal-. I would not be ashamed to stand in front of God and defend my choice to abstain from eating His beautiful creations. In my view, we will be required to account for the status in which return our stewardship (i.e. the Earth and its inhabitants) to Him and how responsibly, compassionately, wisely we used it. I think there will be a lot to answer for.

I don't see it as prudent, or useful, to go further dividing ourselves against one another over whether we can doctrinally defend our choices as vegetarians or not. I don't think there's much point. If you're ashamed of your choices, perhaps you chose wrongly. On the other hand, if you're comfortable with it, what others think and how they act really won't matter. When it comes right down to it, I don't care that we're (my son and I) are the only vegetarians in our ward. Vegetarianism is not mainstream in our culture, why would it/should it be in any sub-section whether secular or religious?

I agree with her.
I found these quotes on a blog (http://www.jordanriveryoga.com/What_We_Eat_Matters.html)


Many volumes have been written on this subject, and it is too broad to do justice to in one column, so let me just make a few points and let you, the reader, investigate further on your own if you wish.

* It requires 5000 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef for human consumption, but only 25 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat.  (You save more water by skipping four quarter-pounders than you do by not showering for an entire year.)

* 260 million acres in the US have been set aside to grow grain--to feed livestock animals.  (We'd have plenty of farmland in the world if it were used to grow crops for people.)

* The Framingham Heart Study found that vegetarians have the lowest coronary rates in the population, and 40% of the average cancer rate.  (Other studies have found that vegans have the lowest diabetes rate as well.)

* If you are concerned about global warming, a 2006 United Nations report found that the meat industry produces more greenhouse gases than all the SUVs, trucks, cars, planes, and ships in the world combined.  (Eating 1 lb. of meat is roughly equivalent to driving a SUV 40 miles.)

* Many dairy cows in the US are fed Bovine Growth Hormone to increase milk production.  (It has been banned in Canada and Europe because of human health concerns.)  With the increased milk production comes increased incidences of mastitis, for which those same dairy cows are regularly fed antibiotics.  Both the BGH and the antibiotics are in the beef, veal, and dairy products sold in stores.

And none of this addresses the animal cruelty issues.

The statistics above were obtained from GoVeg.com.  Other sources of information are:

The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, 2006.

The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, 2009.

Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, 2005

There Is a Cure for Diabetes by Gabriel Cousens, 2008

drfuhrman.com

greensmoothiegirl.com

fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org

earthsave.org

just random

You can eat something bad and beat yourself up and then soothe yourself for that with some more bad foods. Or you can eat something bad and then do something good to balance it out, like drinking a glass of water and doing 20 minutes of exercise. As humans we can't be perfect all the time. But at the end of the day, if you've done yourself more good than harm, you can maintain your balance and keep on riding in the direction you want to go in!

5x7 Folded Card

Top Reasons Dad Father's Day 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly offers exclusive graduation announcements and invitations.

View the entire collection of cards.

just when you think all is well...

The day started well, I said a prayer with Jay before he left for school, I read a lot from "The worth of a soul" (which, by the way, is an incredible book that I would recommend reading). I said a long, heartfelt prayer where I asked Father to help me have the Spirit during the day and to help me specifically with motherhood - a part of my life where many times I feel like I lack talent... Things were going OK, and then, in a split second I lost it and yelled at my children - making them cry.
Is it Satan? Is he trying to ruin my day that had such a nice beginning?
Well, I better do something about it and not let him carry on with his plans.
It's a good thing that kids are so forgiving, they are already playing with each other and giggling (oh the innocence and joy of childhood). I'm going to take them to the park. This day can still be a great day : )

feeling a little blue

Hey, I'm not sure why I'm feeling like this today... but, yeah, it's one of those days...
actually, instead of blogging I'm gonna read my scriptures for a little bit : ) I think that will help me : )

my day

My experience with eating mostly raw foods is going well. I have been craving cooked food. Nothing unhealthy, just stuff like rice, or something else heated. It's cold and no matter how much fruit I have in my kitchen I still feel like eating worm things, not cold vegetables. I've been making sure that my breakfast is something healthy (today it was the juice of 3 small oranges, 3 celery stems and one cucumber - all organic). But then for lunch I had rice. I feel like Heavenly Father is pleased with my diet. He knows that I want to be healthy, and that I desire the energy to play with my children and to exercise.
I've been watching some mormon messages (short videos on the net) and I've been uplifted by them.
I also did what Barbara asked me to do - study the BM first thing in the day. This is good. I read 2 Nephi 4 and felt the Spirit teaching me. I love my Father in Heaven and His Son - Jesus Christ.

Getting rid of pride and guilt as a parent

I read this article in the deseret news online (http://www.mormontimes.com/article/19600/Getting-rid-of-pride-and-guilt?s_cid=newsline )

We were visiting a little ward in rural Idaho, and the Sunday School lesson happened to be on parenting. We sat quietly and anonymously and listened.
There was another visitor there, kind of a sophisticated city slicker who seemed to have all the answers. He also seemed to have perfect kids because he prefaced each comment he made with something like, "Well, the way I communicate with my son, the student body president ..." or "The way I handled that with my daughter, the valedictorian ..."
If it had just been a couple of times, it would have been fine, but about the sixth time he gave his perfect, pat answer about his perfect kids, you could almost hear the groans about this self-righteous guy who seemed to have no problems.
Then, just after the first bell, a small, quiet-voiced farmer raised his hand, got called on, stood up and turned to face the big bragger. "Excuse me," he said with a high-pitched country twang, "but God must notta thought much of you as a parent, sendin' ya all them easy kids."
There were some soft giggles from every direction and an almost audible murmur of agreement among the class members. We gave each other's hand a little squeeze and both mumbled, "Amen!" No offense was taken, but we all knew exactly what that good man was saying.
Knowing what we know about our children's pre-existence, about the eternity they have already spent becoming who they are, we had better not take too much credit for who they are. As LDS parents, most of us recognize that we have much less to do with who our kids are than their own growth and development over their past parts of eternity. So we had better not feel too much pride for their gifts and goodness.
And for the same reason, we had better not feel too much guilt for their imperfections and problems.
Because that courageous little farmer could have also said, in another situation to another parent, "God musta thought quite a bit of you as a parent, sendin' ya that difficult kid."
When we see other parents struggling with serious behavioral problems, instead of judging them as poor parents, perhaps we should respect them for how hard they are trying and for the fact that they were selected by some divine process to be worthy of very difficult parenting challenges.
Part of eternal perspective parenting — and a big part of looking for spiritual solutions — is remembering and understanding that we didn't create our children; that they come as who they are from a Father who entrusts us with stewardship for them. We do our best to help our children grow and develop in ways that are uniquely right for them, and we seek God's help.
Thus, we try not to judge other parents or ourselves. We replace pride with gratitude when a child does something well or shows promise in some way, and we replace guilt with perspective and added love when a child falls short or makes a mistake.

Raw Food Diet Trial

Nice : )
So far so good. I decided to eat raw for 10 days, and after those 10 initial days to see how I am feeling and then decide whether to continue for another 20 days or not (making the trial be for possibly one month). Oh, I must point out that my goal is not to eat 100% raw. I want to eat everything during the day raw with the exception for dinner, when I want to have the choice to either eat raw or join my family in a cooked vegan dinner.
Yesterday went great. I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to help me (especially with my addiction to sugar) and I can tell that I received help from on high. I felt great and slept very well at night (something rare for me, as I suffer from insomnia). So, what did I eat?
- green smoothie in the morning (banana, lots of spinach, orange and a little bit of pineapple juice)
- an orange for snack
- for lunch I ate 4 DELICIOUS raw tacos ( sprouted walnuts, a bit of red onion, green and black olives, cumin, cayenne pepper all ground up in a mini blender and then divided between 4 lettuce leafs)
- a handful of Gobi berries for snack
- a vegan cooked dinner (potatoes, carrots, corn, and tomatoes baked in the oven with a little olive oil, salt and herbs)
So yeah, I ate all of this, and had energy to workout (strenght training) and slept very well.
This morning I had my green smoothie for breakfast and did a boot camp exercise class.
So far I'm not craving any cooked food badly BUT this is only the beginning and I'm aware of that.
This evening I am teaching 2 Zumba classes (at Curves and at the East Valley Y) so I may need to eat more calories... we'll see.
Just a side note: my skin isn't looking very good. Hopefully this trial will help me detox and my skin will improve as a result.

making a decision

OK, I usually don't follow through on certain things (e.g. quiting sugar, lemonade cleanse). But I want to try eating raw. I want to see what it does to my body. So, starting tomorrow, i will eat everything raw except for one meal (porbably the meal I eat with Jay). So my plan is to eat a raw breakfast (here are some ideas)
- apple, or banana, or orange
-vegetable juice
-green smoothie
Then for lunch, I will also eat something raw:
-salad
-nuts
-fruits
I have my dehidrated cookies and goji berries for snacks. And then for dinner I will eat something vegan (but probaly cooked) with Jay and the children. Sounds good. I will try this for 10 days. And I will write about it here : )

Sunday, today, was great. Heavenly Father helped me with my gospel doctrine class, and we got to go to our meeting in the evening.

just stuff

Today as i was driving I could smell the fumes from the cars on the road and i thought "I bet that in the Celestial Kingdom the air actually smells nice... probably a sweet smell, a smell of clean, pure, fresh air." I bet there is a smell in the air in the Celestial Kingdom. I want to live there. I want to be there with my Jayzinho - he is my best friend and I love him so much. We truly were meant to be together. I want to grow old with him, laugh with him, learn new things with him and simply be by his side for all eternity.
Jay is such a blessing in my life. He is such a wonderful husband. He's not perfect by any means, but he is SO GOOD. He is perfect for me.
When I left home (in Portugal) to come study in the States my biggest fear was that my parents would die without me being near them. Every single night, for more than one year, I begged in my prayers that Heavenly Father would not take away my parents from this earth. I would beg, cry and explain to Father that I would not be able to cope with the loss of my parents while I was away. Heavenly Father not once told me that He would not take away my parents from me. But what He did always repeat to my heart was: "If your parents leave this mortal experience, you will be prepared to handle it. If it happens it is because you are prepared and can deal with it."  Well, my parents are still alive. And I am very grateful that I received the blessing of having my parents be present to see me go on a mission, come back from a mission, get married in the Temple, graduate with a Master's degree and have two children.
Now, my biggest fear is that I wont have Jay to grow old with. I don't want to loose him. I really don't want to go a day without seeing him and hugging him and telling him how much I love him. Jay is my night in shinning armor. He is soooo patient with me, and he helps me to not take life too serious.
Of course we have misunderstandings, or arguments at times.... : ) in fact, there is a time, every month, when I seem to get irritated or hurt by him more often... can you guess what time of the month that is? : ) yeah, the time my hormones go crazy!!!
Anyway, I hope Heavenly Father blesses me with the opportunity to keep growing and learning next to Jay. We want to serve a mission together later in life. I also want to take him to Africa, and I would love to visit China with him : )
Work is going well. I feel like I need to be more straight forward about my feelings and about what I like and don't like. There's a girl at work that likes to badmouth about other people, and I've caught her saying several lies. I don't feel comfortable when she approaches me to badmouth about other people, and I need to just be straight forward with her and tell her that I want to have nothing to do with conversations like that.
Ohh, Tiago is crying... he's quiet now... He is such a "sweet & sour" little boy : ) I love him SO much. He gives me the BEST hugs, cuddles with me like no one else, has the sweetest smile on hearth, and the cutest giggle (well... OK the cutest giggle actually belongs to Gabi) but then at times he is so stubborn, so irrational, and a little brutinho when he kicks at me or tries to slap me... he's an angel in my life.


I'm teaching Zumba at Curves and loving it. I'm also teaching at the Mesa Y and loving that class too. Exercising is definately helping me feel better. Since I went to counseling I've been better at taking time for myself and about finding something that I like doing. This helps me be a better mother and a better wife because this way I don't feel like I'm constantly sacrificing myself for my family and like there's nothing left at the end of the day for me. It's like I'm giving of the water in my well but making sure that I'm putting some water in as well. Before I used to just give and give all the water that I had in my well and then there was nothing, no more water, no energy, no nothing left for me. I thought that to be a good mother this was what I had to do. But there were all these resentments growing inside of me. Resentments for being a mother, for having children that need my help, for not having a career outside of the home, resentments for the fact that Jay gets to leave the house and spend his day with other grownups while I have to stay at home with the children, resentments of not being validated etc. 

temptations....

I feel like eating a candy bar, but I haven't eaten anything with sugar in a little while and I want to stay completely away from it... I know that with Heavenly Father's help I can overcome my addiction to sugar. One day at a time. With Him I can do it. I'm going to brush my teeth and study the scriptures.
I love my little children by the way.
Tiago likes to bite anything when he gets excited, angry, sad, etc : ) we have his teeth mark on our entertainment center!!!! For real, we do!
Gabi today wanted me to put lotion on her hands because they were dry and then told me to also put lotion on her arms so that they don't get hairy like Burke's arms (that's her grandfather)!!!! She cracks me up. The other day she told, "Mama, when I get bigger I will drive to the store to buy things." She is sooo funny.
My Zumba class at curves went really well today. The ladies are so sweet and they love me. I try to make it really fun and full of energy for them. I'm so glad I'm having this opportunity to teach Zumba there (plus they pay well).
Jay is at school right now, studying for a test. I love him. I hope Heavenly Father helps us to stay together for ever.

Gabi's Birthday

Today was Gabi's Birthday. She is now 4 yo. She is such a blessing in my life and I love her so, so much. It was a wonderful day for all of us. I went to work at the Y and Gabi and Tiago played a lot with everyone else. Gabi had on a pink dress and looked adorable.
Then, at home she helped me make cup cakes, and decorate the house while we waited for her little friends to get here. When her friends arrived (there were 9 children total) they played in the backyard, I painted their nails, then we came inside and decorated cup cakes and ate them, after that we went to the park in our neighborhood and played on the slide and in the dirt, later we went back to the house to hit the pinata and get lots of candy. We then sang happy birthday to Gabi and to Lauren Passey who has the same birthday, and all the kids got a turn at blowing out the candles - this is a tradition that I hope to keep bc I know how it is, every little kid wants to blow candles whether it is her birthday or not. Max (Gabi's Prince) was here. He was the only boy. I love him and wouldn't mind a bit if Gabi stayed in touch with him all growing up and dated him and then married him : ) His parents are excellent too.
Gabi was very happy all day long, the kids all had fun and played well together, and now the children are in bed, the house is all cleaned up and I am very TIRED, but happy and thankful for all my blessings (Gabi being one of the main ones).

unbelievable

Unbelievable, just when I think that I've seen, felt or experienced everything I'm surprised with something else that happens in my life. Today I talked to Billy about getting payed for the Zumba class that I taught on sat. and she pretty much said that there wasn't money to pay me and then Shay went on to explain to me that I should have known that I was working only as a volunteer. REALLY people, how am I supposed to know that I'm working as a volunteer if NO ONE tells me that, even after I talked about 3 times with Shay about how to clock in so that I can get payed. and she NEVER mentioned anything to me about being a volunteer... Can you tell by the way I'm writing that I'm pretty upset????????????
And then I go on facebook and this r_ _ _ _ _ ed old roommate of mine as taken me off her list of friends - after MANY years of me putting up  up with her crappy personality, and still making an effort to buy her new baby a present, looking her up and giving her the present when I had very little time in Utah (visiting family). So I wrote her a message (a pretty mild one bc I don't really like being mean to people or telling them everything that is on my mind) asking her if she still wants to be friends with me. But honestly what I feel like doing is just calling her up and having a very honest talk over the phone with her...
Ok, I just talked to my AWESOME husband who helped me understand and realize a few good things and I am feeling better. I love him so much. He truly is my BEST FRIEND and I know that we are a perfect match.
Life is still good. Not always fair, but it's good.
I am thankful for:
-good friends at work (like Kristen and Jolyn)
-my good husband who listens to me, is honest with me and has been a good example of scripture study, journal writing, and personal prayer
-for Gabi's sweetness, for her desire to dance zumba with me, for her great/amazing sense of humor (she can laugh at anything), and I'm thankful that she is so kind to Tiago - she is the PERFECT big sister to him, never hurts him, shares her stuff with him, plays with him, etc
-for Tiago's hugs. I absolutely love the way he puts his arms around my neck and just cuddles with me. I am also thankful that he lest me drown him with kisses : )
-for the opportunity to teach gospel doctrine again next Sunday!!!!!
- for the lessons that the Lord is trying to teach me. - Heavenly Father, I'm trying hard to learn. I'm sorry if I'm selfish and prideful so often. I know that I need to get better.
-for the gift I've received from the Lord to teach zumba in circuit, at Curves, and that those ladies like me and my style.
-that I've been feeling healthy lately
-for my home that looks cute and feels comfortable
It's time to go to bed now.

always your Ninhas

I'm a bit tired

I'm trying to get ready for a marathon in October, a 15 K (9miles) in Feb. and a warrior dash (http://www.warriordash.com/register2011_arizona.php ) in April. I am also teaching Zumba classes at Curves twice a week and at the Mesa YMCA on Saturdays.
I want to feel fit, feel energetic and healthy but today I had to drag myself to the gym to do Body Pum. I just didn't feel like moving : )  I'm glad that I went though. I feel better about myself.
I have a body bug that J gave me for Christmas (he totally surprised me) and it says that I have burned 2400 calories today!!!!!!!!!!! Viva!!!!!!!!!!
I read a talk about repentance this morning and I feel like Heavenly Father totally blessed me with a wonderful rest of the day. The kids and I played in the backyard all morning. The kids got all dirty in the mud, but I didn't stress about it and just let them have fun, I raked the leaves (that felt soooo good) and planted more seeds (kale, carrots and green peas), I also fixed my tomato plants, etc.
I need to make an appointment to talk to the Bishop... so that I can move to step 6.
I love my Father, my husband, my children and my family. Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with so much.
Love,

NInhas
PS- something funny... Gabi now repeats everything that she hears so she's been saying things like:
"Keep an eye on Tiago for my Mama." or "You look so good Mama, you look so young!" and "Tiago you are not being a very nice boy today, look at my hand, I am saying no no"

I am thankful for:

A few months ago I was part of a program where I had to send an email to another person everyday. In the message I had to list things that I was grateful for. I told myself that I had to list at least 7 things everyday. There were days when it was hard to come up with so many things to be thankful for, but overall it was quite amazing the effect it had on me. I became so much more aware of all my blessings. Plus the day always ended on a positive note because I would recall all the good things that had happened to me that day.
A few weeks ago I received a blessing of comfort and in it the Lord told me to keep in mind everything that I do have instead of focusing on what I lack. I was also told to keep serving everyone around me and that as I serve the same type of blessings will come back to me. I know that this is true.
Anyway, so I thought it would be good to write down daily things that I am thankful for and that show Heavenly Father's hand in my life.
Today I am thankful for:
-my body and how it works/functions so well. I went to a body sculpt class this morning...I can move, jump, jam to music, etc.

The Negative Effects of Sugar

 I've read so many things about the negative effects of sugar. Studies have been done about how it effects your mood, your sleep, even your levels of aggressiveness.

The following is from one of the many websites about the negative effects of sugar http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sugar.htm 

"The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of microwave meals.

In the last 20 years, we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. 26 pounds to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year! Prior to the turn of this century (1887-1890), the average consumption was only 5 lbs. per person per year!

 

Here is a list of ways sugar can affect your health:

• Sugar can suppress the immune system.
• Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.
• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
• Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
• Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
• Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
• Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
• Sugar can cause kidney damage.
• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
• Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
• Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
• Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
• Sugar can promote tooth decay.
• Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
• Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
• Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
• Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
• Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
• High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
• Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
• Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
• Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
• Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
• Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
• Sugar causes food allergies.
• Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
• Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
• Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
• Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
• Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
• Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
• Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
• Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
• Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
• Sugar can cause depression.
• Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
• Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
• Sugar can cause hypertension.
• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
• Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
• Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
• Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
• Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.