Working Out Tips

So I've lost 15 pounds on this Juice fast. There would have been more, but like I said in the previous video, I was under a lot of stress. So what better to relieve stress than a work out? I found this picture and realized that it was a really goo diagram for "Jiggle Prevention!" (Hahaha)

60 Day Juicing Fast

Are you Crazy?!
I couldn't be without real food!
I need to be chewing something!
I have to eat!
That sounds unhealthy!

Those are the top five things I hear every time I go shopping and buy only fruits and veggies, or lose pounds and people ask me what I'm doing, or family ask me what's new. My favorite is the last. Think about it. Juicing fruits and veggies and peole who are eating highly processed foods and high sugary drinks are telling ME that I'M eating unhealthy? To be brutally honest, by saying those things up there, you sound like an addict. Do you really have so much lack of self control that you couldn't do it even for a week?

Sounds silly doesn't it? However I can't blame them entirely. The food that is available in stores these days has literally brainwashed us into thinking that it's good for us.I recently came across a "wellness depot" by a company that I will not name here out of respect. They offered a free 16 oz smoothie, 16 oz. Tea, and an Aloe Vera shot with a wellness profile. Out of curiosity, I joined my mom as she went to receive her free trial drinks. When I was sked for which flavor smoothie I wanted I asked to see the nutritional information. The girl blinked at me in surprise and then went to retrieve the label for both the smoothie and tea. When I was handed the containers the first thing I asked was: "Why is the tea coming as a powder and just not leaves?" She had no real answer for me. as I looked through the Nutritional information I read a key ingredient that showed up on both: Fructose Syrup and Flavoring. I knew exactly what that was, but I asked her what it was and she said it was fruit flavors and sugar derived from fruits. I smiled and shook my head. "Actually, it's one of the 50 names for High Fructose Corn Syrup." Again, blank stare.

Then she asked if i still wanted any, and I politely declined and told my mom that I would go get real Juice from the whole food and organic store instead. The girl asked me what I was doing and I told her a 60 Day Juice Fast. When she asked what it was I told her. I also told her all the benefits of a Juice Fast. She then replied: "That seems very hard and unhealthy." I just smiled back at her and said: "At least I'm not taking in High Fructose Corn Syrup in any of my meals for 60 days, so I'm finding it quite easy to do." After that I left, because I really didn't want to stir up trouble. I'm glad my mom enjoyed her tea and smoothie for the both of us.

Flash forward a week and I lost 10 pounds from my juice fast and was working out one morning at my gym. I go to Curves because I have Scoliosis and the workouts are low impact on my back. So during the circut, someone asked me how I was doing with Culinary and with my weight loss. they know me a the Pastry Chef Instructor, even though I was so much more than that. (I find it funny that they know me as the Sweets Chef in a gym!) I told her my pounds lost and told her about the Juice Fast. Another lady joined in and told us that her son's ex girlfriend had done a cleanse that was prescribed to her doctor. (This was NOT a juice cleanse! Again, I'm not naming the cleanse out of respect) This girl would mix this powdered drink every day for every meal for a period of time and she lost a ton of weight! In addition to her thyroid and gallbladder and another organ I can't remember. I was shocked! How can a doctor prescribe something like that and still have her on it when she lost the first organ?! Her doctor told her that she needed to lose a little more and her boyfriend at the time replied: From what organ this time?

I posted that story because I want people to realize that a Doctor is studied and trained in medicine and not always nutrition. A Nutritionist is specifically trained and studies in the health and wellness of people through micro-nutrients, macro-nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Please ,PLEASE be careful on what your doctor says and what nutritionists say. The doctors doesn't have much training on nutrition and the nutritionist doesn't have much training on medicine. Make sure that you contact your doctor about the side effects from your pills that you may or may not have by changing your eating habits. At the same, time, you may be safe. I did have a doctor tell me that he didn't think anybody should do any sort of cleanse. That told me that he didn't know what I was talking about.

Chef Marie CM

Fake Foods... They're Everywhere!!

The movies I listed in my previous posts are a must see, but here are few of the Fake foods I have discovered and have completely cut out of my daily diet.

NOTE: When I say "Diet" I don't mean being on a diet or starving myself. I mean the foods I eat everyday that are good for me! :)

What is a "Fake Food?"
Anything that is processed, prepackaged, flash frozen, contains high fructose corn syrup, contains sucrolose, contains "flavor enhancers", contains the really bad dyes, anything deep fried, and definitely anything non-organic. That doesn't mean that all Organic foods are good for you. All it means is that the ingredients are organic, but it may contain high levels of sugar.

My list of Fake Foods:
-Top Ramen and other non organic and whole grain Pasta
-Canned Soups
-Boxed, Bagged, or Frozen Macaroni and Cheese
-Oreos and other like Cookies and sweets
-Candy Bars and most Protein Bars
-ALL soda and most Juices and Protein Shakes and sugary milks
-Dressings and other Sauces
-Instant Oatmeal
-Protein Powder that contains Sucaralose or other artificial sweeteners
-Artificial Sweeteners
-Chips and Crackers that aren't whole grain and organic
-Nasty Spreads like Nutella and Skippy Peanut Butter
-Pizza and Burgers and Pasta dishes that aren't Organic and whole grain
-Creamers, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and other Drive Throughs
-Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt
-Bacon, Chicken Strips, and other bad Meats
-Butter and Canola Oil and MSG

You might be asking yourself: "My gosh! There's nothing left to eat! This is too much, too hard, and too ridiculous!"

But is it really? All of those foods have little to no nutritional value and you want to feed your body something it cannot use and stores?

That list doesn't mean that I will never eat those things again, but it does mean is that I don't eat them on a regular or weekly and sometimes monthly basis. Try not eating a hamburger for a month; cut fast food from your diet for a month, and replace those meals with good wholesome foods and see how much better you feel.

And there is something to eat: Veggies! Fruits! Water! Whole Grain, low sugar Breads and Grains! Lentils and Beans! Eggs! Tea! Organic Milk/ Unsweetened Almond Milk/Unsweetened Soy Milk! Coconut Oil! Cocoa Nibs! Water! Raw Evolution Protein Bars! Home made Protein Shakes, Smoothies, Coffee, and Juice! And more Water!

When you begin to explore the world of whole foods and Organic foods, you will start to not only see the world in a new light, but feel better about your body, and reach fulfillment by being healthy! Throw in some good excersize and you're all set! ^_^

Best of Luck and if there are any questions, tips, or further advice, comment!

Happy and Healthy Eating!

--Chef Marie CM

Creating a Healthy Kitchen

Part two of my juicing and whole food advice and tips!

Moat refrigerators in America look like this:

Overly STUFFED with sugary, high sodium, and prepackaged foods from the store that promise you nutrition.

I have news for you, most of the foods in this refrigerator are not good for you to consume. I would rather make a trip to my local supermarket and pick up a few apples than eat something from this fridge.

What I see is food that is packaged, bagged, and frozen, raw and cooked and ready to eat foods all touching each other spreading pathogens, a lack of the color green, a lot of creams and sauces and dressings that are packed with sugar , carbs, and bad fats, and lastly FAKE food that has no nutritional value to them.

What do you see? Your favorite food? When was the last time you looked at every label that you're putting into your basket when you go shopping?

Your refrigerator should look like this:

TOP SHELF: Organic Milk or Organic Unsweetened Almond Milk or Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk, Cottage Cheese, Unsweetened Greek Yogurt, smaller fruits such as Berries and Lemons and Limes, Organic Cheeses, and Bottled Juices or Chia drinks or Non Bottled Water and Iced Tea.

SECOND SHELF: Organic Eggs, Freshly made Hummus, Fruits and Veggies that are easily bruised such as Spinach, Romaine, Bananas, etc. and freshly made lunches for the kids or yourself for work.

THIRD SHELF or DRAWERS: Fruits and Veggies that are round and loose like Apples,

Oranges, Avocados, Tomatoes Etc...

BOTTOM SHELF or DRAWERS: Your USDA Organic Meats

FREEZER: Ice, USDA Organic Meats that are portioned for meals, freshly made whole grain, organic dough that is portioned as well for future meals, and more ICE.

NEVER waste your money on frozen fruits and veggies! The Ice crystals that form from the produce's water tears up the structure of the fruit or veggie and when it is cooked, the liquid takes all of the nutrients with it, into the water or pan, and down the drain or evaporated.

All of your fruits and veggies should be prepped the day you purchase them to expand shelf life, avoid contamination from the fridge, avoid the combining of flavors (You don't want a tomato tasting like an orange!) and to keep them clean!

You're gonna want to invest in some good plastic containers or freezer bags that you can reuse over and over.

When you go shopping, go to produce LAST, the shorter the amount of time the produce is exposed to warm air, the less chance it has to pick up pathogens.  They should also be the very first thing you put away and portion out. As for Meats, they should never touch your produce! If you want, bring a reusable bag to place your produce in after you picked up your meat.

Rinse your sink with soap (not cleaners) and warm water. Fill up your sink with cold water and ice (it should be really, really cold!) and lay down towels all over your counters. On one side of the sink, place your fruits and veggies. Starting with the leafy greens first, separate out the leaves from the heart (unless its like cabbage or artichoke, and you want it served whole),  with a soft brush dedicated only to the produce, lightly rinse and scrub your Celery, Romaine, Kale, Collards beets or any thing that has a strong stalk. Then put it into the cold water (one veggie at a time) to quickly chill it but not freeze it. Then lay the veggie spread out on the towels. Gently pat dry and store them in a bag or container with a paper towel or light weight towel to capture and other moisture. Do this for all of your produce and if your ice water starts to look brown or green or has little specks floating int it, change it and rinse your sink.

Next, portion out your meat. Meat servings shouldn't be any larger than the palm of your hand for each meal. Try to avoid freezing the meat as well due to the same rule of thumb with the produce. However the effect the ice has on veggies is much more severe than meats. Store them properly and sealed tight in plastic, not foil.

Plate A

Now every time you open your fridge, you are compelled to grab something good for you, because you have no other choice! You're plates should look less like Plate A and more like Plate B. If there isn't color on your plate, don't eat it.

Plate B

 

One last tip, really pay attention to what you are purchasing and cut back on those boxed, bagged, and prepackaged foods. Don't just look at the calories and carbs, but the ingredients listed below the Facts chart. If there are ingredients you don't know or can't pronounce or the list is so long, it's best you don't buy it. It's better to take two trips weekly, than have a bunch of preserved foods that poison your body.

Happy Eating!

-Chef Marie CM

Juicing

Hello!

I was recently invited to a dear friend's house to watch a movie called "Hungry For Change." This movie impacted me in more ways than one and has jump-started my road to weight loss.

Other movies I have seen that are similar to this movie are: "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" and "Food Inc." and "Food Matters."

If you have time to relax from your day, you have time to watch these. I have found that the movies are on Netflix right now and "Hungry For Change" is available on DVD, http://www.hungryforchange.tv/

I want to get straight to the point and start out with a little education on juicing...

Juice fasting is similar to water fasting, a form of fasting used for a number of reasons. However, rather than only ingesting water for a number of days, juice is used to provide a micro nutrients that aids the body during a cleanse and promotes an easier means for the body to detoxify.

Remember, juicing is a fantastic way of getting a wide assortment of micro nutrients.  So, try to maximize the impact of your juice by keeping the pesticides out of your juice and better yet, out of your body.

The following are articles about organic foods, how to juice fast, and information you may need to know about juicing. Each of those links are wonderful reads and are very inspiring.

 

http://www.howtofast.net/juice-fasting.html 

http://www.doctoryourself.com/juicefast.html 

http://dralex.hubpages.com/hub/Juice-Fasting-Diets-The-Master-Cleanse 

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/detoxcleansing/a/BreakingFast.html

The next thing I want to touch on is incorporating whole foods and organic produce into you diet and how it won't hurt your pocket book like you may think.

The usual mentality today is that Organic foods are too expensive, but has anyone asked why?

The term “organic” refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Specific requirements must be met and maintained in order for products to be labeled as "organic".

Organic crops must be grown in safe soil, have no modifications and must remain separate from conventional products. Farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bio-engineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers and sewage sludge-based fertilizers

Organic farming refers to the agricultural production systems that are used to produce food and fiber. Organic farmers don’t use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Instead, they rely on biological diversity in the field to naturally reduce habitat for pest organisms. Organic farmers also purposefully maintain and replenish the fertility of the soil. All kinds of agricultural products are produced organically, including produce, grains, meat, dairy, eggs, fibers such as cotton, flowers, and processed food products. Washing and cooking will NOT kill these pesticides, germs, or pathogens.

Organic food is more labor intensive since the farmers do not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers or drugs. Organic certification and maintaining this status is expensive. Organic feed for animals can cost twice as much. Organic farms tend to be smaller than conventional farms, which means fixed costs and overhead must be distributed across smaller produce volumes. Most organic farms are too small to receive government subsidies.

So how do we change our ways and purchase organics within our budget? Simple! Buy more produce and less boxed, canned, or bagged items. No one has said that you HAVE to buy those things only false promises of nutrition and health benefits.

But that's not all! I would advise not to purchase things at the high end stores as often as possible if you are on a tight budget. Go to your Farmer's Market, grow your own, join a Food Co-Op, or take a trip with some families to a local farm!

Start with this, and come back for more posts!

-Chef Marie CM.

A Few Tips....

Happy Tuesday!

I have been thinking about this post for awhile and I am finally posting it!
I wanted to leave a few Healthy tips that have helped me lose weight, get me into shape, and have had other fabulous results.

The First is juicing.
I have lost so much weight, cleared up my skin, reset my metabolism, immune system, cleansed my colon and kidneys, recharged my energy, and best of all, feel good in my own skin!
The powers of juicing is indescribable and unmatched by any other power drink or diet drink out there!
I Will be posting about my experience in Juicing very shortly.

The Second is Ingredients Speaking for themselves.
I cannot stress this enough: Over seasoning, over salting, and over sweetening food is not only unhealthy, but can cause plenty harm to your body!
Too much salt has many health problems and it dulls the taste buds from knowing what the food truly tastes like.

Too much seasoning can cause bitter tastes and make food overly too rich, which gives you that "I ate too much" feeling."
Over sweetening is a topic in itself! Sugar is BAD for your body. Now I'm talking about white sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, brown sugar, etc... Even too much sugary fruits is going to cause problems. Here's the problem with sugar... it spikes your glycerin levels which holds onto fats, the sugars, and carbs, and turns them into body fat. It causes your body to slow down on burning the calories as well and as fast as it could and that's the LAST thing you want.
There will be more information on Sugar shortly.

The Third is exercise.
I know it's been over talked, over produced, and always in your face.
Every where you look there is some poster or sign or commercial telling you how the next best thing will help you lose weight and look like the photo-shoppped and polished up models.
News flash: Those girls and guys have personal trainers, have probably had some sort of enhancing surgery, and are on very strict diets that aren't healthy for them.
The bottom line: Those people are skinny, not healthy. They are thin, not fit.
Strive to be fit and healthy. What does that mean? It means a lot of things!
More info shortly on this as well!

I wanted to post this little preview before I posted the BIG posts because I want to make sure I craft each post right and leave plenty of links for you to read, educate, and motivate.

Stay tuned!

-Chef Marie CM