Happy New Year!

Wow, what a liberating year it has been!
I am thankful for so many things......To start with I am so thankful that my daughters and daughter in law have their own blogs and websites and deeply inspired me to create real raw women and share my love and ideas about living the raw lifestyle.... Hannah's website,  http://www.giveyogamemphis.com/, Amy's blog,  http://www.clickclackmom.com/, (which by the way she was just interviewed by the Tronto Tribuune for one of her posts)...very proud mom!!! My daughter Melissa writes for realrawwomen, and my daughter in law Megan's blog is http://www.prettyinpinkmegan/.  All of these women are amazing in their own rights, and blogs, and I am so thankful that they are part of my life!

Moving forward into 2010 I plan to continue to inspire my readers to live life on a higher frequency.......

Even though the blog didn't get off the ground until November of this year, there was alot to digest......

How to begin to eat healthier and transition into a vegatarian, vegan or raw diet and all the beneifits through Natalia Rose's books....

Supplements, avocado masks, body brushes and eco friendly cleaners.....

You found out about dead sea salt baths, chocolate, MSM powder, juicing and Milk Thistle for saving your liver!!!!

Last but not least....how important it is for all of us to be responsible and RECYCLE and take care of our planet!!!

These posts are only a drop in the bucket to what is ahead in 2010!

Thank you all who have been a part of this journey with me....Looking forward to an amazing 2010!

Happy New Years to all!                                  CHEERS!

Jan

Detox your liver for the New Year

While I was at my daughter Hannah's house for Christmas, I noticed that she was taking an herb called Milk Thistle. I personally was not taking this herb, so I was very intrested in finding out it's benifits and properties.  After researching Milk Thistle I came to the conclusion that this herb should be part of my daily regiment. I always encourage everyone to read and gather information for themselves, but I will give you alittle jumpstart to wet your appetite.
Milk Thistle is a member of the the sunflower family, the seeds hold the magic key. An active ingredient within the seeds is called silymarin, which is where the theraputic benifits derive from. One of the main benifits is it's antioxidant abilitiy, which is more potent than most vitamins.(Antioxidants remove free radicals....Free radicals cause cell damage which is the root of diease and premature Aging......)

But perhaps the most important benifit of Milk Thistle is the effects on the liver....and I don't know too many people that couldn't use some major benifits for their liver.
Milk Thistle detoxifies, and protects the liver from toxins and alcohol.
It promotes regeneration and repair of liver cells,  and reverses liver damage.

Literally hundreds of research studies, mostly in Europe have confirmed the remarkable abitlity of Milk Thistle to  protect the liver against virtually all types of damage, toxic side affects of medication, hepatitis, and our own self infliction and overindulgence of rich food and alcohol. The Europeans have been using the herb for over 2000 years.

You can buy Milk Thistle in liquid or pill form. I buy the liquid from The Vitamin Shoppe, but it can be purchased on line or at Whole Foods.

What a great way to start the New Year by being loving and kind to your body and organs.  Then reap the benifits of a healthy productive liver which in turn produces beautiful vibrant skin and complexion.

Google it, read about it, talk to a friend, then go out and do it!

Until next time,

Jan

Recycling-It's what's hot this season

Melissa put up this post last holiday season, and I thought it was definitely worth reposting!
What's Hot....Recycling
This time of year is so geared around consumerism and excess that we have to work extra hard to do our part. This year, lets all delight in recycling boxes, wrapping paper, Starbucks cups, food containers, and everything else that needs to be recycled.   It feels so rewarding to be responsible and sustainable.  I know I harp on this a lot, but I consider the health of the planet the most fundamental of all issues.  If any of you have children, know someone who does, or have ever even seen a child, you can understand how important this is.

I started recycling 10 years ago.  My husband and I lived in an apartment without a garage.  I remember storing one months worth of recycling in our truck (with a topper).  We drove 3 hours round trip to the closest recycling center.  It was our monthly Sunday drive. Now, we live in a city that cares so much about recycling and being green.  We can recycle everywhere, finally.  If it is very inconvenient in your city to recycle, then make a public stink about it.  You would be surprised how much power you have to make changes.

What's Not Hot...Throwing away anything that can be recycled.

Recycling Facts
Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, and saves energy equivalent to 185 gallons of gasoline.  When recycling post consumer paper, 50% less energy is used, and 75% less water. Recycling reduces poisonous greenhouse gases.  Recycling preserves the rainforest which is losing approximately 137 species EACH DAY due to de-forestation.  The US has 5% of the worlds population, yet we produce half the world's trash. 

Conscious Deliberation
I formerly worked in an office with 20+ employees.  I was disgusted by the amount of paper being thrown away each day.  So, I bought everyone a waste basket from the dollar store.  They all complied, and I recycled heaps of paper daily with a huge smile.

Imagine a completely treeless, barren wasteland with dirty water...this is where we are headed, if we don't make ch ch ch ch changes!

Come on Everybody, It's Time

    Let's all set our New Year's Resolutions to be the greatest Recyclers we can be!

                 *******************   Happy Holidays   ********************

Keep it Raw -
Melissa

Chocolate-Jan's guilty pleasure!

Wow, here we are winding down the year, and I can't think of a better time to talk about something in life that makes me very very HAPPY...............

CHOCOLATE.......just makes my day! Actually I love to eat chocolate after dinner at night...

There are sereral types of chocolate that are part of my daily diet.

Raw chocolate nibs and Dark chocolate bars...According to research studies dark chocolate-can lower high blood pressure, and has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times those found in green tea. Antioxidants protect the body from all those free radicals which speed up the aging process.

Chocolate also contains more magnesium than any other food. Magnesium is the number one mineral deficiency in the west. It is the most powerful stress relieving mineral. It relaxes the muscles and builds strong bones and teeth.

Okay, so let's think about this...raw and dark chocolate do all of these wonderful things for us.
lower blood pressure
fill us with antioxidants
provide a very necessary mineral for stress relief,and building of bone and teeth

But there is one catch....Im not talking about snickers bars or M&M's!!! Im talking about real raw chocolate, which is pretty bitter or 70% + dark chocolate.

You can order raw chocolate  nibs on line..(Live Superfoods.com)  I gind these up in a coffee grinder into a powder and make "hot chocolate with almond milk"... except my hot chocolate means barely warm...enough to dissolve the cocolate... but if you are not full swing into a raw diet yet ....heat it on up... I warm the milk and add 2 teaspoons of the ground raw chocolate, add some raw agave and then pour it through a strainer to remove any little floating chocolate pieces.

For the dark chocolate bars I buy Black and Greens or Dagoba dark chocolate bar. You can buy them at Whole Foods, or I have found Black and Greens in the Health food section of Kroger.  Also if you ask these grocery stores that have a health food section to order items for you, them are more than happy to help!

So show yourself some love and enjoy some dark chocolate during the Holidays and keep the tradition going through 2010, it's really good for you!........ Just one other little catch-PORTION!  Don't go crazy with it, just enjoy it!

Until next time....
google it, read about it, talk to a friend, then go out and do it!

Jan

Avocado-The Raw Holiday Stress Reliever

Ahh, the beatiful green avocado! It has so many uses.....But one of my favorite uses of the avocado is as a fask mask. There is nothing better than applying a avocado face mask to relax and relieve stress....
Avocados are high in sterolins, which are reputed to reduce age spots, help heal sun damage and scars.
The sterolins (plant steroids) in the oil help to soften the skin and imparts a superior moisturizing effect. The reason the avocado oil has the advantage over other plant oils is because it has the highest skin penetration rate. It is an extremely good moisturizing and nourishing compound, assisting in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin.  So with all that being said here is how easy it is to make.............

1 avocado
(scoop out the contents into a bowl)
1 tea honey

Smash the avocao until creamy and mix in the honey
Apply over face, keeping away from the eyes
leave on for 15-20 min
Rinse face and cleanse

I cut 2 pieces of cucumber to put over my eyes and the relaxation begins....................

(I look like an alien but it feels amazing!)

Just find a place in your home where you can be by yourself for 15-20 min and turn on some music, use some aromotherapy, and relax. The cumcumbers have an amazing cooling effect, and they help you to relax because they block out the outside world. You might just find yourself doing some meditaion!

When your time is up, just rinse your face in warm water and clease as normal. I moisturize my skin with avocado oil because it penatrates the skin so well and leaves my skin soft and supple.

( I took this picture right after I rinsed the mask off)

So take a little time for yourself and be treated to a wonderful relaxing experience!

Also don't forget about the salt baths and camomille herb tea.................
P.S. I have been known to enhance the relaxation with a chilled glass of wine!!

Until next time,

Google it ,read about it, talk to a friend, then go out and do it!

Jan

Dead Sea Salts-Spoil Yourself!

For all of you that have never been to Hot Springs Arkansas, or somewhere like it , I would highly reccomend a road trip.  Over Thanksgiving I went to Hot Springs with my daughter Hannah and her family.  It was am amazing experience.  A spa package was included with my room and on Thanksgiving morning I headed down to the spa.  Not like any spa morning I have ever had.  I was greeted at the desk and given a card with my personal attendants name (personal attendant?...didn't know quite what to expect!).  I found the locker room and was told to put all my clothes in a locker and wrap this large white sheet around me,  and wait for my "personal attendant". Within minutes Jackie appeared and said" follow me".  She took me to my own private room with a bath tub being fiiled with natural mineral water pumped in from the springs. She took my sheet and I stepped into this incredible water ...... Traditionaly called "the healing waters"....So for the next 30 minutes I soaked and detoxed. Then after the bath I was wrapped in hot towels drenched in the hot spring waters. Then on to a full massage. No words to describe the wonderful experience. I left the bath house feeling renewed and cleansed.

Which leads me to the subject of salt baths. Dead sea salt baths are the same as getting a mineral bath from one of these wonderful resorts. The waters of the dead seas are renowned for their theraputic effects. The dead sea salts contain various  minerals, magnesium, potassium, callcium chloride and bromides.

Why are all these minerals beneficial you ask? Well, magnesium is known  for combating stress and water retention, slowing skin aging  and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation, and strenghthing bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral  to replenish following intense workout.  Last but not least bromides to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles.

So how do you get these amazing effects in your own home???... It's as easy as a click of the internet.  I have been ordering dead sea salts for years, and enjoying all of their benefits. There is nothing more relaxing than coming home after a long day and soaking in a bath tub full of dead sea salts along with essential oils.

I order my salts from http://www.sfbsc.com/, the San Francsisco bath salt Co. You can buy your salts in bulk, and they come with a zip lock contained bag. I throw about a cup in my tub along with 20 to 30 drops of my favorite essentinal oil., light some candles, and turn on some great music! I would reccomend this treat for everyone-I often catch my husband snatching my salts because they are that good!! They make a great gift for the Holidays or birthdays.

So what are you waiting for? Treat yourself to a salt bath and reap the tremendous results!
Who knew how great salt could be for you? It does so much more than just season your food!
Writting this post made me realize I needed to replenish my stash. So I just got on line and ordered 20 lbs of the fine grain for myself...They are running a limited special, if you place an order now there is free shipping!

Oh, and fyi, drink lots of water, its a natural detoxer, and to get the full benefit, take your bath when you can stay in the tub for at least 20 minutes.

P.S. Thanks to my son in law Herb for a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Until next time,
Google it, read about it, talk to a friend , then go out and do it!

Jan

Eco Friendly Green Cleaning

CONSCIOUS DELIBERATIONS

I put a lot of thought and emphasis into my raw food diet.  Thinking about what's in the fridge, when am I going to juice my green drink, what's raw for dinner tonight?  I think about how much I understand food and digestion now.  Lots of thought towards the raw food life.  So, I started thinking about how I would like for all aspects of my life to be as clean, organic, and thoughtfully deliberate as my choice of food.  This is an evolving journey that is always improving with the goal to make my whole life as clean and green as the food I eat. 

I will share many conscious deliberations over the course of the blog.  Today, I will share conscious liberation from toxic household chemicals.  Cut and dry... get rid of all of them, please recycle the bottles.  So what do I use?  Glad you asked.  I am always checking labels, but right now Seventh Generation products.  They are environmentally safe, non toxic products.  You can buy laundry and dishwashing detergent, dishwashing soap, bathroom and kitchen cleaner, and trash bags.  They sell non toxic diapers and wipes, also 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer toilet paper and paper towels.  I seriously do not want another tree cut down for toilet paper.  The brand Marcal, another paper company, has been saving trees since 1950. Their paper is also from 100% recycled material, check them out.  Yes, you will pay a few dollars more, but there is something to  say about treading light, leaving a small carbon footprint, or just being responsible.  Not to mention what a great investment into your health by preventing toxic chemicals in your home, in your lungs, and on your skin.  You can find Seventh Generation at Whole Foods or online at http://www.seventhgeneration.com/, or for discounts http://www.vitacost.com/, and I get Marcal at Fred Meyers or Kroger.

A great non toxic cleanser you can make in your own home is:
1 cup vinegar
1 lemon juiced
1/4 cup of salt
1 tablespoon of non toxic soap
2 liters of hot water
Mix all the ingredients together and get to work

I clean floors, walls, counters, cabinets, refrigerator, bathrooms and more with this concoction.  I use it in a bucket and a spray bottle. 

Join the Revolution...
Protect Our Earth, Protect Our Health, Protect Our Children

Keep it Raw-
Melissa

Jan's little bag of magic

PART 2


Hey everyone,

I had such a great response on part one of my little bag of magic, I decided to go ahead and post part two, sooner than I thought. In this post I am going to be sharing with you my daily supplements that I take for my hair, skin and nails. If I hadn't seen amazing results I wouldn't even waste your time! But I think you will be very interested!
The largest organ on the human body is our skin, so it would stand to reason that we would do every thing in our power to protect, nourish and keep it healthy. So in honor of my skin...... these are some of the things that I do along with my raw diet.

I start my day off with these Raw vitamins-Vitamin Code for Women.
                                                                        

  It almost goes without saying that I choose Raw One because it is made from premium Raw ingredients....*Uncooked, untreated,unadulterated
                     * Binder Free-No fructose,Maltodextrin (food additives),
                        Magnesiumstearate (lubricant, delays the absorbtion of nutrients)
                     * No Corn Starch (filler)

The benifits are directed specifically for women:
                          *  Breast Health
                          *Reproductive System
                          *Bone Stength
                          *RAW Energy
                          *Healthy Heart
                       ***Healthy Skin***

If you are looking for a new multivitamin, or you are not happy with your current one, give this one a try-
You can find Raw One at Whole foods or you can go online -It is made by Garden of Life.

........Another supplement that I take is MSM powder which is short for a big word (Methlsufonylmethane)

Whoa.... I can't even pronounce that-so for all intents and purposes-MSM!

What is MSM you ask? It is a relatively new dietary supplement form of sulfur that is found in living tissues. It has unique action on body tissues decreasing the pressure inside the cells and removing fliuids and toxins.   MSM is an organic form of sulfur taken from the ocean.

Many associate MSM with helping arthritis or joint problems, but MSM has been called nature's"beauty mineral" because it is needed to keep the hair glossy and smooth and keeps the complexion clear and youthful...............

From what I have read, if there is insufficient sulfer in the body when new cells are being manufactutred, the new cells will be ridgid.  The end result of this means the skin experiences cracking, wrinkling, and scar tissue.  If there is sufficient sulfer for new cells, the skin will be softer, smoother and more flexible. MSM has been scientifically proven to increase the growth of hair and nails!

Your body produces sulfer, but as you age you produce less and less, so Im just helping my body out with some extra sulfer that it needs.....

From my own personal experience of  taking MSM powder, my skin is smoother and softer, my hair and nails are growing faster than when I didn't take it, and my hair has this amazing shine that it didn't have before....

I use a brand called Blue Bonnet-I've used other brands, but I like this one best. I put a teaspoon of MSM in cranberry juice or water-that's about 5200mg

You have to give it 2-3 weeks to begin to see results, but I couldn't be happier!
You can find this brand at Whole Foods and is fairly inexpensive.

What are you waiting for?  Smoother skin, longer hair and nails-with no side effects! Wow

So now that you know a few of my supplements-in part 3 I will be sharing what I put on the outside of my skin to keep it healthy,smooth and vibrant.

Until next time- goole it, read about it, talk to a friend, then go out and do it!

Jan

Melissa's Real Raw Truth

Raw Organic Hemp Seed

One of my favorite "SuperFoods" is the Hemp Seed.  They are known to be the earth's most nutritious seeds.  They are packed with 33% protien and 40% essential fatty acids, and are rich in iron.  They are high in antioxidants such as naturally occurring chlorophyll and vitamin E complex.

Nutritional Information Serving size : 2 Tablespoons (19g), Calories 120 (calories from fat 90), Total Fat 9g, Saturated 1g, Trans 0g, Cholesterol 0g, Sodium 0mg, Carbs 2g, Protein 6g, Omega-3 2g,Omega-6 5g, Super Omega-6 GLA 4g, Super Omega-3 SD .2g

SuperFoods are claimed to be the powerful source of lots of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, clean protiens, enzymes, essential amino acids, and alot more nutrients. SuperFoods are linked to;

lowering cholesterol
improving your mood
reducing heart disease

The tasty little Hemp seed look like sesame seeds but have a subtle nutty rich flavor, and are delicious sprinkled on raw salads, cereal, and smoothies. But I just like to eat them by the spoonfull!

One of the many questions I get asked about concerning the raw diet is"what is your protien source"? Well, hemp seed is one of the best sources of protien that I have come across.You can buy them at Whole Foods, but if you want to buy in bulk, you can go online to http://www.livesuperfoods.com/ .

Hemp is all around the most useful plant on the planet.  Hemp is food, clothing, paper, oil, medicine, and so much more.  This plant has over 25,000 uses.  We could build our homes, drive our cars, clothe ourselves, feed the world, stop deforestation, reverse global warming, and so much more...only if we could grow this plant in our own country.  Planting just 6% of our nations farm land in hemp would end the demand for fossil fuels in America forever.  Not to mention hemp enriches the soil for other crops and does not require the use of pesticides.  This plant can actually save the planet!  I have three children and I think about their future on this planet all the time.  If I was not such a believer, I would be afraid for the health of the earth and the inhabitants (our children and grandchildren, mine and yours).  However, I am a believer, and I know if we become educated about this plant we can turn the fate of this planet around and live incredibly sustainable abundant lives. 

Do yourself a favor and eat some hemp seeds for their nutritionial value, but watch out for the side affects, you could be contributing to saving our planet.

Keep it Raw-

Melissa

Jan's little bag of magic

PART 1



People ask me all the time,"what else do you do besides eat a raw diet"? They want to know what exercise I do, what supplements I take, what secrects I have for  healthy, vibrant, glowing skin. So I thought I would take a few posts and share my little bag of magic and how a day in the life of Jan goes!

I wake up and start my day out with an amaxing cup of hot herbal tea, sweetened with raw agave and raw honey.... the brand of tea I am using right now is Mighty Leaf. I have 2 personal favorites, chamomile citrus, and african nectar.  I started drinking the african nectar when I found out that it was made from the african rooibos leaves. I think you might be intrested in the amazing qualities of the rooibos leaves....Pronounced "roy-boss".

Studies have shown that this tea helps delay the aging process. (That got my attention right off the bat) It contains a mimic of the enzyme Super Oxide Dismutase, an antioxidant which attacks the free radicals.
It helps to relieve nausea, constipation and heartburn.
Increases the asorption of iron in the body
Often perscribed for tension and mild depression
Helps control your appetite
Last but not least-Helps Recoup after a Hangover!

So who knew all of this in alittle tea bag!!!
It can be purchased on line or Whole Foods. I have also found it in the health food section of Kroger



Next, head to the shower... but first I use my dry body brush-A very necessary part of my daily routine.

This is exactly the body brush that I have. And here is alittle lesson on how to use it:
Start at your feet and brush upwards towards your heart
Brush legs, arms,abdomen, chest, neck with a circular motion
Lift your arm over your head and brush the armpits,
Brush also behind the knee caps, then head to the shower.

The benifits of dry brushing are incredible...It helps clean the lymphatic system, removes dead skin cells,stregthens the immune system, tones the muscles and tightens the skin. And if that isn't enough, it improves the function of the nervous system, and stimulates circulation!! Wow, and all of that takes maybe 3 to 4 minutes a day, and your skin has been detoxed and exfoliated, and rejuvinated!
You can purchase the dry body brush on line, but I have found it to be cheaper at Whole Foods.

Well I can see that this could turn into a very long post if I don't stop...So for now I will  save the vitamins and supplements for part 2.

Google it, read about it, talk to a friend, then go and do it!

Jan