Raw Kale and Lots of Water

We are on Day 3 of the cleanse, and even if you aren't cleansing, I hope you will be inspired to look at your diet in new way, perhaps starting with just a little bit of raw kale. A few things have come up and I want to share with you some of what I wrote today to inspire the group.

Last night in the trick or treat madness- which always leaves me wondering if there isn't a better way to celebrate this holiday with my kids- I started thinking about balance. I'm not a big believer anymore of balance being a round perfectly balanced circle, but am starting to think of balance as what is important to us in any given moment or in the phase of life we are in.

For instance, with a young baby, our sleep isn't going to be great. We will be out of balance in that area, and yet it is a great time to discover how organic foods and lots of water can bring us extra energy when we need it. It is a chance to see how to fuel the body without caffeine and instead go for a walk and take a power nap. We also learn that we survive sleep deprivation (I know because I'm going on year 8)!

Today I would like you to think about a few things.

One is feeling centered (we'll use this instead of balance), where do you need to find something to bring more of into your life, or, to lesson in your life so that you have more space?

Two is raw food, how much of your food is raw? In this cold weather we want about 51% or more to be raw. Think of marinated raw kale (I'll blog a recipe for this in just a bit), think raw pickled foods, think raw apples and pears with some almond butter and sesame seeds for a snack.

Three is what does your body need? Do you feel it is missing something? Are you exhausted? More water, more vitamin C, more vitamin D, more hugs, more kisses, more talks with friends, more raw food, more back rubs (yes oh yes), more of what?

Someone mentioned eating as a reward. What else might substitute for this reward? What are ways we can say thank you to ourselves without over spending and over eating? If you feel like you are in one of my group programs right about now, well, you kind of are. This cleanse is a chance to really look deeper into yourself because you are stretching in new ways.

I believe in the power of food just as I believe in the power of love, moving through fear and positive thoughts. For me they go together, each moves us towards the next. So here's to raw kale and love!

Kale and Celery Salad

1 bunch of kale, run your hand along the stem and the leaves will come right off the stem. Chop the leaves into bite sized pieces.

Chop 3-4 stalks of celery. I used the hearts and yes, you can eat the leaves! Add them in too.

Make a simple dressing of 1/4 cup good olive oil (nice thick and cloudy olive oil) and the juice of 1 lemon. Add a pinch of sea salt. (The pear was Lucas' snack as I was chopping.)

Put it all together and gently rub the salad for a few minutes. Yes, put your hand in the salad bowl and rub it. It is fun and if the kids can get a clean hand, let them help. Allow the salad to sit for 2 hours and serve with raisins, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and if you aren't cleansing- add a handful of grated romano cheese.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drink lots of water today and for added inspiration be sure to listen to part 1 of the Andrea Beaman Interview.