Plum Tree

I like this tree.

Nuts, Just Say No to Candy

Nuts are a life saver. Sometimes I want something meaty and fatty, the nuts feel the need as well as providing me with protein.

The past few days I’ve had some interesting experiences working my 8 week raw vegan experiment. I went to the Trader Joe’s to pick-up some raw Brazil Nuts. On my way into the store, there was a little girl (she was about 10 years old) selling See’s candy bars. She asked if I wanted to buy candy; immediately I said no. Then I saw her face sink with disappointment. I felt like a dick! Sometimes I can be rather rough without meaning to be; I stopped because I wanted to explain that I want to buy something from her, just not candy. I explained that I am a strict vegetarian, and the candy contains milk, eggs, and butter. I asked her if I can give her a buck, and we can call it even. She agreed to that.

School is testing my commitment to this raw experiment. Monday, I brought a few chopped vegetables and a bag of mixed raw nuts for lunch/dinner, and planned to purchase some lettuce at school to make a salad. Once I was done with the tutor workshop, I went to get my pay check then headed to the student union for food. The cafeteria was closed! I stood there for a while just staring—trying to process the meaning of the closed doors, and the closed sign. I had to eat with my fingers because I was hoping to get silverware in the dining area, and even the silverware was gone. Luckily, that morning I went to Jamba juice and had a wheatgrass shot and bought a juice for breakfast. For that experience, I realize that I have to make an effort to get a side salad ($1.69) before the cafeteria closes, and that I have to bring my food.

Salad with Blueberries

I had this salad the other day. It was awesomely delicious. This salad contains cucumbers, yellow bell pepper,Greek olives, jalapeno peppers, blueberries, broccoli, tomatoes,and citrons.

Carrot Juice

Went to the gym today and I did step for an hour and a half. The instructor was late—Why? Because she thinks we (the students in the class) do not like her. Oh, that sucks! Listen this is only my second time with this step-teacher, and I don’t know what has gone on in previous classes, but I tried to assure her that it was not true. But, I think deep down it was true because people where dropping like flies. By the end of the class there were only four of us left. And, I was tore up from the floor up. I could not wait for the class to be over, so I could go home and take shower. I did my best to spread love.

Today, I want to talk about carrots. I am thankful for carrots because they contain phytonutrients lutein-helps to reduce the build of plaque in the arteries and zeaxanthin—protects against macular degenerative diseases such as glaucoma. Carrots have anti-inflammatory properties, and can help relieve some of the inflammation involved in Arthritis Since I have glaucoma and my mom has arthritis, I like to make carrot juice regularly.

Get yourself a 5lbs bag of carrots an juice! Peace...

Magical Radish Shoots

My new favorite sprouts are radish shoots. Please try them. They look like clovers, and have a peppery taste. It is like eating a radish in a leaf. Radish shoots or sprouts add additional flavor to a salad or a wrap, and they are full of enzymes.

I like to add berries to my salads. This one has raspberries in it. Delicious.

This is my dinner for tonight. The salad, apples, and citrus fruit (pink grapefruit & limes).

The injured leg:

My leg is really getting better. In yoga today, I used my block only once because I had strength when I moved into pigeon from downward facing dog. Of course, after yoga class I had to do the Zumba. Sorry to say, my new name is crazy-arms. I could not coordinate my arms with my legs. The instructor and class were moving right and I was moving left.
I had loads of peppermint tea today; it’s cold and overcast, and I feel snugly. I have not drank enough water; feeling the thirst.

On the Spirit:

Yesterday, I had my first music class. It was so awesome to be in the music department. I miss being with artists. In the English department, most students are involved with showing how smart they are. When I entered the building I could breathe--a wave of relaxation flowed over my body. I was happy. I made a friend the first day; it is hard for me to make friends in English. We hung out after class and played with our guitars then we met this dude who is a musician; he plays stings and woodwind instruments. He played and sang to us for half an hour. He also showed us some cool stuff on the guitar. This was all possible because I told myself before I left my house to love the people and not to be an asshole.
Peace...

Mustard Greens, Watercress, and Dill Salad

The salad spinner has the mustard greens and watercress inside of it. On the plate, there are whole olives, grape tomatoes, chopped dill, cucumber, blood red orange slices, avocado, and lemon. In the bowl, I have some sliced mango, and in the sealed container I have garbanzo beans. This is what I ate last night.


Pictured here are the ingredients for my salsa ( I use this instead of salad dressing): tomato, tomatillos, jalapeno peppers, and garlic. Put all ingredients in a food processor with a little salt, half a cap of apple-cider vinegar, and lemon juice, blitz then refrigerate. It tastes better cold.

It's dill.

Watercress

mustard greens, be adventurous with your salad. You can eat other greens besides romaine lettuce.
Peace........

Today is a good day

Today is a good day. I went to the gym. I had a pretty mellow workout even with my leg. Yoga released tension that I have been carrying around for a longtime. The snake pose was liberating; my back stopped hurting. When I was meditating in this pose, it felt like air entered my body and made space.
After yoga, I did the zumba with weights. My arms are blown. I’m glad that tomorrow I have class at 9 am, so I won’t go to the gym. This semester, Thursday will be my day off from the gym.

I've almost completed the first week of my 8 week raw vegan plan; look at what I am eating and drinking today.


Toppings for a spinach & basil salad that I am eating right now. There is avocado, mushrooms, olives, orange bell pepper, and cucumber.

Today, I made a cucumber, carrot, jalapeno pepper, and celery juice. It was refreshing. I can really taste the cucumber,and cucumber is good for the skin. And, I need help with my skin right now because of that gigantic zit on my left cheek. Why do zits have to be on the cheek why not the side of the face near the ear where not one will see? Ah, me, anon (hehehe).

I want to give a shout out to Celery. Yes, you beautiful tall, lean, slightly green, vegetable. You are full of nutritious life-water, and are an excellent source of fiber. Celery is a good source of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. I also want to thank orange bell pepper for its lutein, a vital nutrient for people with glaucoma. Like me..

another picture of my salad toppings. Peace & Soul

Dan the Man on juicing

Be Aware of Negative Self Talk

I want to train myself to be aware of the negative thoughts that come into my head and then let them go. Examples of negative thoughts: “I’m too fat,” “I’m not good enough,” “Good things never happen to me,” “Life sucks.” This is programming from others that I have adopted as my own thoughts.
The spotlight on this came to me when I was watching Letsgetraw youtube channel. She wants to be a raw foodist so bad, but cannot turn the corner. I think she should try to be vegan first then hit the raw side of life because raw is hardcore vegetarianism. She makes informative videos about beginning a raw diet, foods that one can choose, the health benefits of a raw diet, and how a raw diet aids in significant weight loss for those who have excess weight. And yet, she misses the key component of the raw diet—the spirit. If the spirit is not ready, there is nothing the body can do to get the spirit to move. Change moves in waves; sometimes it flows quickly as if one has been hit by lightening. Other times change’s movement is barely felt, and yet change is happening. It is the only constant.
With that being said, I think both Letsgetraw and myself need to just relax and let it happen. Letsgetraw inspirational speeches have a slight negative bent. She calls herself a failure for not losing weight. She gets angry at herself for needing cooked food. I do the same thing, get angry at myself for need. I saw (and still see) myself in her. We are both wrapped up in perfectionism. There is no perfection, life is messy; learning is messy, and it is okay.
A thought came to me about cleansing the body, so the spirit can focus. I feel like I am clearing toxins out of my body, so I can move in a higher vibration. It’s just a thought.
Okay, People, I am out of here. I wish you peace, eye candy everywhere you go, and love.

Check out Letsgetraw talk about her one year journey as a raw foodist.

Nicole's Motivational Picture

Nicole's fighting weight. This is me when I felt healthy and fit before I moved to Stockton. I use this photo as motivation. It was my postcard when I was acting. I think I have about 5 months to go before I will be back at my fighting weight. Then my back will feel good, and my knees will not hurt. The more my health improves, the more my size will move to normal ranges for a person my height.

To increase my mental fitness, I think I need to start performing again. Not, show business, just for fun. I am putting wheels in motion. I have to start writing more, so I will have material. Performing will give me a release.

Sunflower Seed Pâté in Collard Green Wraps

Yesterday, I ate 100% raw, and I made delicious collard green wraps with a sunflower seed pâté, and a tomato and tomatillo salsa.



I soaked the sunflower seed overnight. Before I used them, I rinsed and drained the sunflower seeds. It was my first time making this pâté.



The collard greens scared me at first because I know how long it takes to cook collards, so they are not tough. I thought the collards would be peppery, bitter and not very tasty. I had to figure out how to infuse flavor into the collards while softening them. Grapefruit. I have been on a pink grapefruit kick for the last few weeks; why not continue it with the collard green wraps.
I cut the stem out of the leaves and cut them in half lengthwise. I place the leaves in a bowl and squeezed pink grapefruit & lime juice all over them. It worked; the leaves were peppery with a sweet taste to them.


In this photo, I have gathered the ingredients: sunflower seeds, collard greens, jalapeno pepper, carrot, celery, shallot, nutritional yeast, lime, pink grapefruit, kosher salt. Tomatoes and broccoli slaw are not shown here, but were used in the recipe.

A few things are happening with this raw experiment:
1. I have gotten the biggest zit I have ever had in the entirety of my life.
2. Increase physical and mental energy.
3. Last night, I slept well, and I felt rested this morning.
4. When I first began, I had a headache for 3 or 4 days, but haven’t had a headache since.
5. I feel lighter.
For the first time in a long time my weight loss goal is actually in grasps. I can see my stomach muscles tightening, my back fat disappearing, my thighs have finally stopped touching. I have to keep working it because it works.



Nicole with her friend the zit. Don't forget to check out Eatingvegan1234 on youtube to see me creating the recipe.

Are you a vegetarian or a Vegan?

Today, I am starting all over with my raw thing. I still have not been to the gym because of my leg,but it is getting better.

Yesterday, I went to tutor training at CSU Stan, and yes someone (Jessica) came up to me and asked if I was a vegetarian. Then Jessica asked if I was a vegan and if being a vegan and a vegetarian is the same thing. You know what, I am glad that she asked. She seems to be interested in health and losing weight. I told her, “I am a vegan, which is like a strict vegetarian. Vegetarians do not eat meat, but they eat dairy, things like eggs, milk, cheese. However, a vegan does not eat any type of animal product.” She smiled.

Later that day when we were in the APA training session, Paula and Rachel began a conversation about veal. How they would not eat veal because the animals are treated inhumanly. I believe Rachel said that it disgusts her. I said, “If I ate meat, I would eat veal.” They were shocked by controversial statement. Why would I say that? The point is this, if one is going to participate in the murder and torture of animals, how can one choose one death over another. Killing is killing no matter how you look at it. I asked them if they ate chicken. “Yes” was the reply then I explained how baby chicks are hatched in a machine, they never know the warmth of their mothers, or the safety of their mother’s wings; they are sorted; they have their beaks clipped, so they do not peek themselves to death. I think I grossed Paula and Rachel out. I gave them the nice version.


Writing Center Director Paula thowing down some information for the people!

Lettuce, tomatoes, Greek olives, white beans, cucumbers & zucchini, avocado, blood red oranges, sunflower seeds with dried berries. This is what I ate the other day. I layed out my spread and got down with it.

Still Injured

February 10, 2010
I’ve barely eaten a thing in two days because I cannot exercise. Yesterday, I had refried beans and corn tortillas. I did not have any fruit or vegetables. This injury is affecting my mood. I need exercise and fresh foods, but I know I cannot do yoga and zumba this morning. The sad thing is that I could feel my body getting stronger and lighter with the daily exercise.
I have a fear that I will get fat all over again if the healing does not speed up. I’ve gone off my eight week plan because I have not gone shopping for the fresh foods that I need (remember I cannot walk or stand for long periods of time). So, I am stuck with the items I have in the house. I am going to make an effort to get to Trader Joe’s today, just to pick some stuff up.
Tomorrow, I am going to “Tudor” training at school, which is going to kill me because I can barely walk. Also, I have to bring a dish that I enjoy for lunch; it’s a potluck. Ideas for a dish: kale soup, vegan sushi rolls, onion & Greek olive pizza, a big-ass salad, wild rice and vegetables, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed zucchini, fruit salad, sunflower seed pate with pita bread. I could just buy something and call it a day (idiomatic expression).

Went all raw on Sunday

It’s Monday, and I am still injured. This is a lesson to listen to that little voice, but I cannot live in “if.” Yesterday, I did not eat anything cooked. I ate an all raw diet. I made a salad, which I snacked on all day. I had several handfuls of raw cashews, and some watermelon.

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

February 6, 2010
Up before dawn, I worked on my reading list by starting to outline one of the books I read. I felt great about myself—like I’m really committed. For breakfast, I only drank peppermint tea with lemon and ate a cup of watermelon & pineapple.
I WENT TO THE GYM, and that is when it happened. I had to do step. First, I was late because I thought the class started at 9:30 (it starts at 9 am). I toyed with the idea of walking on the treadmill instead, but no. I had to step because that was all I could think about this morning. I wanted to get a work out on, so I could spritz (perspire) all of the toxins out of my body. I even stretched at home, so I felt warm, yeah. I did not listen to my little voice that said “Nicole, walk the treadmill,” and I got injured—a calf strain injury. I looked it up on the internet. I tried to stretch it out and to go on for about 25 minutes, but it hurt too much, so I just quit. I walked the treadmill for 20 minutes then went home.
Now, in the present, my calf hurts and I can barely walk. So, I am going to take it easy for a few days, but that does not mean I am stopping my 8 week program.

I am grateful to only have a calf strain. I have to keep it positive people.

Jumping to last night, I had my cooked meal for dinner. I prepared meatless (vegan griller patties) potatoes and mushroom gravy with cole slaw.
When I first became vegan, I craved gravy. I didn’t think I could make it without butter and meat drippings. I toyed with buying the little packets of vegetarian gravy, but the flavor not so great. Then it hit me, I can make my roux with olive oil, and I can substitute vegetable stock for meat drippings. The key is making sure to get color on the vegetables. So, here is my mushroom gravy recipe and I hope it helps some of you out there.

Mushroom Gravy (serves 4)
Ingredients: Cremini mushrooms sliced thick, 10oz vegetable stock, ½ yellow onion chopped, 2 cloves of garlic chopped, ¼ cup of flour, lemon zest and lemon juice, 2 sprigs thyme, 1 bay leaf, parsley, ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper.
Process: Place olive oil in hot pan. Throw in the onion and mushrooms (season with salt and pepper to taste); allow them to get some color. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, and cook a little to let the flour lose its raw flavor. Now, add the vegetable stock, and stir making sure to pick up the flavor from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil then turn the heat down. Add garlic, thyme (just leaves not stems), bay leaf, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and let simmer for 10 minutes. This is the point when I add the vegan griller patties to the pan and let them cook through and absorb some of that flavor in the pan.

Green Salad and Assholes in Yoga

February 5, 2010
I’m still doing the raw diet. Last night, I prepared a large and delicious salad. Plus, I got to use my salad spinner, which I only used twice since I bought it in 2008.
Since I have a financial deficit (I’m broke and it’s no joke), I cannot afford the pre-washed greens. I have beautiful green leaf lettuce, but it is dirty. I can actually see the dirt on the leaves.
When I was making my salad, I could not figure out how I was going to wash the lettuce and dry it so my ruby, red grapefruit dressing will not be diluted. That was when I remembered my salad spinner. I was so happy. My lettuce came out clean and dry. Why the hell have I been paying 2.99 for lettuce when I can get it for .99, and spin that shit? That’s what I’ve been asking myself since last night.
Green salad:
Green leaf lettuce, cherry tomatoes, half of green bell pepper, garbanzo beans, Greek black olives, a handful of parsley, clover sprouts, half of an avocado.

Grapefruit Dressing: 1 shallot, 1 clove of garlic, half of a red grapefruit, half of a lime, red pepper flakes, a pinch of kosher salt.
Combine the minced garlic clove and the sliced shallot in a bowl then squeeze the lemon and grapefruit over them (this is important because the citrus fruits mellow these root veggies). Then add the salt & red pepper flakes to taste.

I’ve had a headache since I woke up. I think it is from eating less cooked food. Many of the raw foodist that I have researched and spoken to, tell me that this is normal. Apparently my body is rid itself of toxins. However, I do not feel weak like many people have reported, but it is only the third day.
This morning, I blended a personal seedless watermelon (the whole thing) and a cup of strawberries for breakfast. I’m saving my cooked meal for dinner tonight. I went to the gym on this fruit. I did an hour yoga and an hour of Zumba.

On the spiritual side, I told myself to spread love to humans and think of the many blessings in my life. That was before I got cut off in traffic and started calling people dumb-asses. I came back to my senses and chanted to myself “Today, I will not be an asshole. Today, I will be kind to all humans.” My mini-mantra worked because I did not curse at two bitches who invaded my space and stood in front of my yoga mat, and I mean close like not even an inch away. I found that to be a hostile act because there was plenty of room in the large dance studio for them stand and talk, and neither one of those bitches was near her own mat. They made it a point to invade my space. However, I sat down on the edge of mat and smiled while I gathered myself. I am still a crazy, angry, asshole, who needs to refrain from the consumption of meat. Namasta

Miso Soup for Breakfast

I have been inspired by the life-regenerator to try raw food. Many raw foodists claim that a diet free from cooked foods will provide optimum health. The major effect of raw food is weight loss, but others have claimed to have serious illnesses cured or put into a state of remission. I’m all about the weight loss, and the beauty factor of the diet. I’ve got to start somewhere, so why not with vanity.
On the spiritual side, I have noticed that the fruit & veg has cleared up some of my mental fog. I am able to notice emotions and thoughts that are just programming (thoughts that are on a mental loop, thoughts that I have without questioning). It’s like I am still affected from negative experiences that happen in the past. These experiences come with actual physical sensations. I can feel my heart quicken, the heat rise through my body, and the anger. So, if I can recall negative experiences, then why can’t I call recall positive. That is the programming. I am programmed to focus on the toxic thoughts (e.g. Life sucks, I never get a chance, etc…). I could write a list of these negative thoughts, but I want to focus on the positive and the blessings in my life, to reprogram my mental wiring.
What I am doing to make this reprogramming happen?
I have renewed my commitment to exercise. Lately, I have been getting a little bit of a happy feeling after working out.
Oh, I am off my point. I wanted to talk about the raw food thing. Yesterday, I started an 8 week experiment with eating raw. Realistically, I cannot be 100% raw because I love to cook, but I want to try 80% raw. So, I told myself that I can have one cooked meal a day, which can be breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Today as well as yesterday, I started my day with miso soup. Then I went to the gym and walked for 45 minutes on the treadmill. I really need a mellow day today because yesterday, I did yoga and zumba.

Miso Soup recipe (serves 2):
2 teaspoons of white miso paste, 2 cups of water, 1 green onion, 5 mushrooms, 1kale leaf, and ¼ teaspoon of wakeme seaweed.
Soak wakeme in a little bit of water until it expands, Mix miso paste with the rest of the water, add mushrooms and kale bring to almost a boil, turn fire to low cook until kale is tender. Take wakeme out of water and chop into thin threads, and add the water to pot. Turn fire off and add wakeme.
Serve in a bowl garnish with green onions for flavor and for beauty.