Wow, I’m over the half-way hump!  And what’s amazing  is that I don’t want to stop.  I’m really getting into my RAW groove, and I’m not ready for it to be finished so soon!  We’ll see how I feel in the coming weeks, but at this point I’m actually considering a 15-day extension.  But sshhh, don’t quote me on that!

This week was definitely better that the last.  After reading up on exercise-induced muscle fatigue, I learned that a lack of simple carbs, not protein, was the culprit. Simple, easily utilized carbs (like from sweet fruits) need to be available for quick burn-off during workouts, and I was not getting enough of them.  So Tuesday I began eating a piece of fruit before bed (dessert!), and very soon I noticed the difference in my morning exercise ability.  On Wednesday I woke up feeling amazing and my skin has just been glowing!  Thursday my energy level was really good, and by Friday my muscle aches were pretty much better.  On the downside, I feel easily dehydrated, my skin has been dry, and my lips are persistently chapped.  On Saturday I was having massive sugar cravings as well as some cooked foods cravings, but Damian was out of town so it may just have been the result of boredom.  In general, I seem to stay up later and need less sleep these days.  Even when I try to sleep in like I did Sunday, I’m too buzzy and I just can’t.  Overall I feel incredible and I’m loving my relationship with food.  It’s pleasure and nourishment and such a joy!  And I have so many awesome recipes to share with you all!

 
And of course the true measure of my health, my movements:

T- yes, W- yes, R- yes, F- yes, S- yes, S- yes, M- yes  --> Thats every single day!

Food Journals

I kept food logs for three days this week, and once again I analyzed them using this website.  I continue listening to my body, eating when I feel hungry and stopping when I feel full.  Still, I’m having a difficult time keeping my calories up and have to work hard to get close to 1500/day.  On Saturday I approached 2000, but that was with a decadent dessert and a lot of nut butters.  But even with relatively low calories I feel wonderfully well fed and my nutrient levels are great – so no worries.

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

• Green Smoothie – 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 wedge of lemon, 4 chunks frozen mango, small bunch of celery tops w/leaves,small bunch of cilantro, 1 big collard greens leaf, 1 tbsp Spirulina powder
• handful of string beans and small head of broccoli with RAW Refried Bean Dip
• 1/2 bottle Kombucha
• Green Plate -  arugula, romaine, 1 collard greens leaf, 1/2 a mandarin, 1/2 a green pepper, 1 small tomato, 1 medium carrot, 1 stalk green onion, 1 large celery stalk, cilantro, diced white onion, 1 tbsp flax seeds, 2 tsp olive oil, 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 braeburn apple with almond butter

Total Calories: 1425

60% from carbohydrates (848 calories)

33% from fat (469 calories)

7% from protein (106 calories)

 

Total Carbohydrates: 234 g

• Fiber: 44 g
• Sugar: 142 g

Total Fats: 55 g

• Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Omega-3: 594 mg
• Omega-6: 12684 mg

Total Protein: 35 g

Vitamins – I was well over my vitamin requirements *except* for these:

• Riboflavin: 88% DV
• Niacin: 60% DV
• Vitamin B12: 10% DV

Minerals:

• Calcium: 59% DV
• Iron: 73% DV
• Magnesium: 113% DV
• Phosphorous: 88% DV
• Potassium: 128% DV
• Zinc: 34% DV
• Copper: 124% DV
• Manganese: 177% DV
• Selenium: 40% DV

 

 

Thursday, 12 March 2009

• Green Smoothie – 1 banana, 1 small beet, 1 large apple, 1 kiwi, spinach, 2 tsp Spirulina powder
• 9 string beans, 1 medium tomato, 1/2 green bell pepper, and 6 celery stalks w/ a dipping sauce made of 1 tbsp tahini, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Tamari, and spices 
• Kelp Noodles with walnut basil pesto
• Mixed green salad with 1 medium carrot, 1/2 green bell pepper, diced onion with 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tablespoon white balsamic, spices 
• handful raisins
• kiwi
• big apple with almond butter

Total Calories: 1422

54% from carbohydrates (767 calories)

39% from fat (555 calories)

7% from protein (100 calories)

 

Total Carbohydrates: 211 g

• Fiber: 45 g
• Sugar: 126 g

Total Fats: 64.5 g

• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Omega-3: 2123 mg
• Omega-6: 15476 mg

Total Protein: 31 g

Vitamins – I was well over my vitamin requirements *except* for these:

• Vitamin E: 59% DV
• Vitamin B12: 66% DV

Minerals:

• Calcium: 80% DV
• Iron: 64% DV
• Magnesium: 86% DV
• Phosphorous: 70% DV
• Potassium: 129% DV
• Zinc: 40% DV
• Copper: 105% DV
• Manganese: 190% DV
• Selenium: 25% DV

Saturday, 14 March 2009

• Green Smoothie – 1 banana, 1 whole small lemon, 1 small apple, 1/2 cup frozen mango, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 2 big collard greens leaves, 1 tsp Spirulina powder
• big bunch of celery w/ a tbsp of Tamari and 2 big carrots w/ dressing of 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp balsamic + herbs 
• slice of Raw Pecan Torte with Chocolate Ganache
• Mandarin Curry Sprouted Quinoa Salad
• salad w/ mixed greens, 1/2 big carrot, 1/2 bell pepper, diced onion, + homemade orange vinaigrette
• 1/2 Kombucha
• handful of raisins
• big apple with lots of almond butter

Total Calories: 1939

48% from carbohydrates (941 calories)

45% from fat (871 calories)

7% from protein (126 calories)

 

Total Carbohydrates: 257 g

• Fiber: 51 g
• Sugar: 129 g

Total Fats: 102 g

• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Omega-3: 1036 mg
• Omega-6: 16250 mg

Total Protein: 38 g

Vitamins – I was well over my vitamin requirements *except* for these:

• Vitamin E: 68% DV
• Thiamin: 78% DV
• Riboflavin: 87% DV
• Niacin: 57% DV
• Vitamin B12: 10% DV

Minerals:

• Calcium: 76% DV
• Iron: 92% DV
• Magnesium: 148% DV
• Phosphorous: 108% DV
• Potassium: 138% DV
• Zinc: 53% DV
• Copper: 140% DV
• Manganese: 310% DV
• Selenium: 25% DV

 

This week I added Spirulina to my morning smoothies and I really like how it feels (but not necessarily the taste – a whole tbsp is too much Spirulina for a newb!).  I’m still only getting 7% of my calories from protein, even after adding the Spirulina, more nuts, and other foods like quinoa.  I’ll continue tweaking this formula but it’s really just out of curiosity.  I’m getting over 30 g protein/day, so I’m not actually concerned.  This week I’ll be trying out some new and exciting stuff, like fancy uncooking techniques and quirky specialty products.  So be on the lookout for some really fun recipes and reviews, coming up soon!