In addition to my half-marathon June 26th, I am now scheduled for a sprint triathalon in September.
I rode my bike for the first time yesterday and had a friend teach me a few things (like how gears work, ha!) - it was really great. I am pleased to see that biking is a wonderful compliment workout to running. Uses different muscles, gives the knees a break, and mentally it's an entirely different thing. With running you kind of go on autopilot and you can zone out - precisely why I enjoy it. But biking you are using machinery in the midst of traffic and must be very alert. I do like biking still, but for different reasons. Going fast, the coasting breaks when you are still moving but not exercising, etc. For that reason, biking doesn't feel the same as running when it comes to judging the degree of your workout; I wasn't breathing hard at all (at the end) but my thighs became very stiff and sore. It was challenging but very fun. I am eager to work biking into my regular schedule.
So for now I will be still focusing on my running, but work in biking and swimming when I can. The swimming is less convenient so I will only do it twice a month for now. Here's a rough plan for my work-outs, with daily stretching.
Mon-run intervals & upper body workout
Tues- walk/yoga
Wed-5K race (increase distance next month)
& upper body workout
Thurs-bike 1 hour
Fri- walking/light yoga
Sat-long run or swim (alternating weeks)
Sun-rest
Friday, April 30, 2010
Cravings Figured Out
I figured out cravings! This is the greatest discovery I think I've made... why doesn't Dr. Graham teach this?
I noticed I get cravings on days I am tired. Well that makes perfect sense! I haven't had enough sleep, my body is low on energy, and is looking for a stimulant.
Now think about it. What do you crave? What does craving mean? It's the body looking for "something" to excite it. We may desire certain fruits but that is different from a craving. A craving is like "gotta have it," it's a carnal desire for a substance. Usually we crave salty, oily, or sugary foods, most often times processed foods - foods with MSG, dyes, and other additives.
If you are tired and you eat something, then feel perky - what happened? Why aren't you tired anymore? You did not sleep, so you didn't gain any nerve energy. You still need sleep. But if you don't feel tired anymore, it's probably because of the stimulant you just consumed.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sun-dried Tomato Sunflower Burgers
I made awesome veggie burger patties today. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture. I made up the recipe, trying to see if I could concoct something 80/10/10-worthy. In the past I've made excellent nutburgers the Boutenko way...
(a.k.a. full of stimulants--no, really. Their recipe says put something salty, something sour, something spicy, etc. and lots of oil, which is apparently how you make sure anything will taste gourmet. Dr. Graham will tell you exactly why your tastebuds get so excited with this type of recipe!)
...but I wanted to see if it was possible to make a good tasting burger without those things.
My recipe:
40% soaked sunflower seeds
10% soaked sun-dried tomatoes
50% carrots (also try celery, zucchini)
fresh basil and parsley
and/or dried italian seasoning mix
Dehydrate 6-8 hours (optional). Serve over a bed of lettuce and top generously with tomato slices.
It turned out great!! ...Or maybe my taste buds are just different now :)
I made a different variation for my son, who doesn't like sun-dried tomatoes. In his I left them out, and also added some tahini. I like that kind as well.
If you prefer not to dehydrate, you can still form the wet mixture into a "patty" shape on your plate, top with cut lettuce and tomatoes, and eat it with a fork. Or you can make lettuce wraps with the mixture inside.
(a.k.a. full of stimulants--no, really. Their recipe says put something salty, something sour, something spicy, etc. and lots of oil, which is apparently how you make sure anything will taste gourmet. Dr. Graham will tell you exactly why your tastebuds get so excited with this type of recipe!)
...but I wanted to see if it was possible to make a good tasting burger without those things.
My recipe:
40% soaked sunflower seeds
10% soaked sun-dried tomatoes
50% carrots (also try celery, zucchini)
fresh basil and parsley
and/or dried italian seasoning mix
Dehydrate 6-8 hours (optional). Serve over a bed of lettuce and top generously with tomato slices.
It turned out great!! ...Or maybe my taste buds are just different now :)
I made a different variation for my son, who doesn't like sun-dried tomatoes. In his I left them out, and also added some tahini. I like that kind as well.
If you prefer not to dehydrate, you can still form the wet mixture into a "patty" shape on your plate, top with cut lettuce and tomatoes, and eat it with a fork. Or you can make lettuce wraps with the mixture inside.
The 80/10/10 Diet & Lifestyle
Received the following queston:
So what exactly are the guidelines for an 80/10/10 diet? I know it's 80% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and 10% fat. But that's really all I know. What do I need to know in order to put this kind of diet in place in my life?
The 80/10/10 Diet is a book and concept by Dr. Douglas Graham, although he says it's not his idea; he is merely pulicizing a timeless principle of nature. I agree.
Dr. Graham claims that the nature diet for our species is a fruit-predominant diet. He explains why we are not carnivores, why we are not herbivores, why we are not grain eaters. Fruit is the natural food for man. He recommends we eat a diet of approximately 95% fruit, with moderate amounts of vegetables and minimal amounts of fatty foods. Specifically, the guidelines say about 1 lb. of green leaves daily and no more than 1 oz. of nuts/seeds. Also, the 80/10/10 ratio is actually not the ideal, but the minimum. Many of his followers have found superb health benefits by not eating any fatty foods at all (an exclusively fruit/vegetable diet will provide about 5% of your calories from fat, or 10 grams of fat per 2,000 calories).
Dr. Graham presents his diet plan as a continuum, a journey, a goal. He knows it's not practical for most people to eat 100% raw, low-fat. So he says "Start from where you are now. Increase the fruit and decrease the fats." It's as simpe as that. He gives ample evidence for many health problems arising when the fat ratio in your diet exceeds 10%. One way you can do this is to eat fruit meals for breakfast and lunch, and then a regular cooked dinner but minimize the fat. He does encourage a vegan diet though, since animal foods are always fatty foods, with only a few exceptions.
Other than the 80/10/10 ratio, the diet ideally would not contain any stimulants or refined foods. Salt, garlic, onion, and other spices are all stimulants in our bodies. Oil, agave syrup, hemp protein, etc. are all refined foods. These are not natural foods that we would be consuming in our natural habitat. Salt itself is a refined food because the ocean water has been removed, so you are consuming a "natural" substance in a concentrated form. Dr. Graham's book Nutrition and Athletic Performance explains in detail what a stimulant is and why they are so dangerous.
Here is a video explaining refined foods.
Now, aside from all diet-related principles, The 80/10/10 Lifestyle also encourages physical activity, outdoors, proper sleep, nurturing relationships, and some other key ingredients to a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Graham teaches that "Your health is only as good as your weakest link," meaning you could be eating the ideal food and exercising but if you don't sleep sufficiently, your body is stressed ongoingly and is unable to heal from its daily activities.
I agree that the 80/10/10 diet is the proper way - and the only healthful way - to eat a raw foods diet. The only alternative is a high-fat diet, which cannot supply enough calories, and which is loaded with refined foods and stimulants, not to mention the unnatural supplements that are sold by these "teachers." A high-fat diet means a diet lacking in carbohydrates. High-fat raw diets lead to candida issues, which is why you probably never heard the word until you became a raw foodist! Also, the high amounts of salt and stimulants in the diet keep cooked food cravings active, which is why a true 100% raw fooder is so rare in the mainstream movement. On the other hand, removing stimulants from your diet will remove cravings for cooked food; and consuming sufficient calories from carbohydrate will guarantee your fuel needs are met so that you are not looking for concentrated forms of food (cooked food, or nuts).
I've been eating this diet for more than 2 months and I LOVE it. I have no desire for cooked food. I have the chance to eat it every day, and it never tempts me. A gourmet raw (high-fat) diet used to give me extreme energy shifts, from hyperactive to grouchy and listless. I see now this was from the stimulants; a gourmet raw food diet does not provide high energy as is commonly believed; rather, it's the stimulants giving you inappropriate highs and insomnia (this is my own conclusion, not something I've heard Dr. Graham teach). I also find with the fruit-predominant raw diet, versus the gourmet raw, the foods you eat are more socially acceptable because everybody is familiar with and likes fruit. Flax crackers and sprout salad are a different story, and you're likely to attract unwanted attention in public gatherings.
There are definitely some things to get used to, though; The main adjustment being learning to eat a inordinately huge volume of food each day. In our society we are accustomed to eating concentrated foods, so a satisfying meal can be relatively small serving size. On the other hand, with natural foods like fruit which are water-dense, you need to eat many peices in one meal in order to find satiation and adequate calories. This is natural for all primates, but since civilization is so unnatural, there is some getting used to. This also means your shopping cart will be a bit more conscipcuous as you buy your fruit by the case! Be prepared for questions, but take them as a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and open the minds of those around you.
The lifestyle is a wonderful bridge for personal improvement. It is a means, not the end. For me personally, it is the means of having sufficient energy and balance to get my daily work done. It means the ability to run and recover, and see exciting athletic improvements. It means a better quality of mental health, resulting in more peace of mind and joy in my daily life. And really, what else could you ask for? What is more important than that? No substance I could get a temporary thrill from eating is more important than my well-being and personal growth. This lifestyle is a sacrifice but it's an important journey, and a blessing for all who embark upon it.
For more information:
Dr. Graham's articles
Dr. Graham's lectures on YouTube
So what exactly are the guidelines for an 80/10/10 diet? I know it's 80% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and 10% fat. But that's really all I know. What do I need to know in order to put this kind of diet in place in my life?
The 80/10/10 Diet is a book and concept by Dr. Douglas Graham, although he says it's not his idea; he is merely pulicizing a timeless principle of nature. I agree.
Dr. Graham claims that the nature diet for our species is a fruit-predominant diet. He explains why we are not carnivores, why we are not herbivores, why we are not grain eaters. Fruit is the natural food for man. He recommends we eat a diet of approximately 95% fruit, with moderate amounts of vegetables and minimal amounts of fatty foods. Specifically, the guidelines say about 1 lb. of green leaves daily and no more than 1 oz. of nuts/seeds. Also, the 80/10/10 ratio is actually not the ideal, but the minimum. Many of his followers have found superb health benefits by not eating any fatty foods at all (an exclusively fruit/vegetable diet will provide about 5% of your calories from fat, or 10 grams of fat per 2,000 calories).
Dr. Graham presents his diet plan as a continuum, a journey, a goal. He knows it's not practical for most people to eat 100% raw, low-fat. So he says "Start from where you are now. Increase the fruit and decrease the fats." It's as simpe as that. He gives ample evidence for many health problems arising when the fat ratio in your diet exceeds 10%. One way you can do this is to eat fruit meals for breakfast and lunch, and then a regular cooked dinner but minimize the fat. He does encourage a vegan diet though, since animal foods are always fatty foods, with only a few exceptions.
Other than the 80/10/10 ratio, the diet ideally would not contain any stimulants or refined foods. Salt, garlic, onion, and other spices are all stimulants in our bodies. Oil, agave syrup, hemp protein, etc. are all refined foods. These are not natural foods that we would be consuming in our natural habitat. Salt itself is a refined food because the ocean water has been removed, so you are consuming a "natural" substance in a concentrated form. Dr. Graham's book Nutrition and Athletic Performance explains in detail what a stimulant is and why they are so dangerous.
Here is a video explaining refined foods.
Now, aside from all diet-related principles, The 80/10/10 Lifestyle also encourages physical activity, outdoors, proper sleep, nurturing relationships, and some other key ingredients to a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Graham teaches that "Your health is only as good as your weakest link," meaning you could be eating the ideal food and exercising but if you don't sleep sufficiently, your body is stressed ongoingly and is unable to heal from its daily activities.
I agree that the 80/10/10 diet is the proper way - and the only healthful way - to eat a raw foods diet. The only alternative is a high-fat diet, which cannot supply enough calories, and which is loaded with refined foods and stimulants, not to mention the unnatural supplements that are sold by these "teachers." A high-fat diet means a diet lacking in carbohydrates. High-fat raw diets lead to candida issues, which is why you probably never heard the word until you became a raw foodist! Also, the high amounts of salt and stimulants in the diet keep cooked food cravings active, which is why a true 100% raw fooder is so rare in the mainstream movement. On the other hand, removing stimulants from your diet will remove cravings for cooked food; and consuming sufficient calories from carbohydrate will guarantee your fuel needs are met so that you are not looking for concentrated forms of food (cooked food, or nuts).
I've been eating this diet for more than 2 months and I LOVE it. I have no desire for cooked food. I have the chance to eat it every day, and it never tempts me. A gourmet raw (high-fat) diet used to give me extreme energy shifts, from hyperactive to grouchy and listless. I see now this was from the stimulants; a gourmet raw food diet does not provide high energy as is commonly believed; rather, it's the stimulants giving you inappropriate highs and insomnia (this is my own conclusion, not something I've heard Dr. Graham teach). I also find with the fruit-predominant raw diet, versus the gourmet raw, the foods you eat are more socially acceptable because everybody is familiar with and likes fruit. Flax crackers and sprout salad are a different story, and you're likely to attract unwanted attention in public gatherings.
There are definitely some things to get used to, though; The main adjustment being learning to eat a inordinately huge volume of food each day. In our society we are accustomed to eating concentrated foods, so a satisfying meal can be relatively small serving size. On the other hand, with natural foods like fruit which are water-dense, you need to eat many peices in one meal in order to find satiation and adequate calories. This is natural for all primates, but since civilization is so unnatural, there is some getting used to. This also means your shopping cart will be a bit more conscipcuous as you buy your fruit by the case! Be prepared for questions, but take them as a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and open the minds of those around you.
The lifestyle is a wonderful bridge for personal improvement. It is a means, not the end. For me personally, it is the means of having sufficient energy and balance to get my daily work done. It means the ability to run and recover, and see exciting athletic improvements. It means a better quality of mental health, resulting in more peace of mind and joy in my daily life. And really, what else could you ask for? What is more important than that? No substance I could get a temporary thrill from eating is more important than my well-being and personal growth. This lifestyle is a sacrifice but it's an important journey, and a blessing for all who embark upon it.
For more information:
Dr. Graham's articles
Dr. Graham's lectures on YouTube
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Aspergers memories
I was looking through old videos of my son. This was almost 3 years ago. He was a mere 2-year-old boy with extreme intelligence. At the time I thought he was just a genious and didn't realize until after his third birthday that he has Asperger Syndrome. But now looking back, it's so obvious. Watch this video and tell me this isn't a kid with Aspergers.
Now that he is off his food allergens and eating raw, he has no symptoms other than some funny personality quirks. In fact, and this is 100% honesty: He now CAN NOT do this same puzzle. It is too hard for a preschooler. SO HOW DID A 2-YEAR OLD DO IT?
I was sitting here in awe over this question and a part of me felt sad, wondering if we gave up a gift. What would he be like today if we had not reversed his condition? He would be reading encyclopedias.
...and he would be throwing HUGE tantrums multiple times a day, over meaningless, insignificant, even silly things.
Because that is what Aspergers kids do. That is what he did, until last summer when we took him to the naturopath. Aspergers is a gift of intelligence at the expense of their emotional health and social skills.
So when I struggle with him during homeschooling and wish he could pick up on letter-combination sounds a bit quicker, or wonder why he has trouble memorizing, I can now be grateful that he is not Einstein. I can be grateful that he is a happy, well-adjusted, balanced boy.
But all is not lost. He is a WHIZ on the piano! He is still very smart and learns easily. He memorizes easily when the words are set to music. He has multiple athletic gifts. He really is a whiz kid still, a wonderful, bright, very engaging boy. And yes, those personality quirks! He is an absolute chatterbox, hyperactive, bossy, center-of-attention child who does not understand many social nuances. He loves to copy grown-ups and carry around anything "official" that grown-ups get to possess. He still has some anxiety and is comforted by routine. These are all symptoms of Aspergers, but now they are simply aspects of his unique personality rather than being huge hinderments to his functioning and well-being.
Now that he is off his food allergens and eating raw, he has no symptoms other than some funny personality quirks. In fact, and this is 100% honesty: He now CAN NOT do this same puzzle. It is too hard for a preschooler. SO HOW DID A 2-YEAR OLD DO IT?
I was sitting here in awe over this question and a part of me felt sad, wondering if we gave up a gift. What would he be like today if we had not reversed his condition? He would be reading encyclopedias.
...and he would be throwing HUGE tantrums multiple times a day, over meaningless, insignificant, even silly things.
Because that is what Aspergers kids do. That is what he did, until last summer when we took him to the naturopath. Aspergers is a gift of intelligence at the expense of their emotional health and social skills.
So when I struggle with him during homeschooling and wish he could pick up on letter-combination sounds a bit quicker, or wonder why he has trouble memorizing, I can now be grateful that he is not Einstein. I can be grateful that he is a happy, well-adjusted, balanced boy.
But all is not lost. He is a WHIZ on the piano! He is still very smart and learns easily. He memorizes easily when the words are set to music. He has multiple athletic gifts. He really is a whiz kid still, a wonderful, bright, very engaging boy. And yes, those personality quirks! He is an absolute chatterbox, hyperactive, bossy, center-of-attention child who does not understand many social nuances. He loves to copy grown-ups and carry around anything "official" that grown-ups get to possess. He still has some anxiety and is comforted by routine. These are all symptoms of Aspergers, but now they are simply aspects of his unique personality rather than being huge hinderments to his functioning and well-being.
10K Race
I ran a 10K today (my first race) - it went great! I finished at 1:04 exactly. The course was amazing... in a small town, so there were lots of trails through a "forrest"and a bridge over the BEAUTIFUL Santiam River. It had such a natural, mountain-esque feel to it. I would run this course again in a heartbeat. 
I ran a "practice" 10K last week and finished in 66 minutes. I cried. It was a grueling run and kind of shot my confidence. I struggled the entire way, never finding my groove. I am a new runner, but I have to admit I felt like a double-digit pace (10:40 abouts) was embarassing and unacceptable.
Today went a lot better. I took sufficient rest days to ensure that I'd have energy. I ate a large breakfast a couple hours before the race and then several dates just before it started. I took time to do some yoga and prayer before taking off. I was in the right mindset and felt great physically. So it really worked out for my good. I am so grateful!
Still, I would really feel better about myself if I could get a sub-10 min. pace. So that is my goal for my weekly 5K runs. I will have a satisfactory 5K on May 5th, you'll see!
When I feel down about my pace being slower than I'd like, or my recovery taking longer than I'd like, and I am asking "What about my diet? I thought miracles were supposed to happen!" I remind myself that it is quite miraculous that I ran the race at all. I consider it amazing that I am out there--sticking to an athletic endeavor and being acceptably successful--when just 2 months ago, I had zero energy to work out at all! I have never done a workout longer than 20-30 minutes, I always quit the moment it got hard. I always made excuses. I was always too tired. Even on a higher-fat/stimulant 100% raw diet, I would have times of great energy and then days of depression and fatigue--very dramatic ups and downs. And on a "healthy" whole foods vegan diet, I always got indigestion which would leave my bloated and practically paralyzed, laying on the couch, depressed.
Now my digestion is simple and easy (provided I am active enough). I don't even take my HCl anymore. I eat probably 20 lbs of food every day and I am rarely ever bloated now. I do have to follow food combining rules though.
The complete turn-around in health I have experienced these past 2 months eating 80/10/10 raw vegan is indescribeable. And it is completely making it worth my while!! I love this diet and I have no plans to change it any time soon.
I am a runner!
I had a wonderful race today! Now that I've participated in a real event, I feel like I can call myself a runner. And yes, I am a runner, because I plan on continuing this for many years! I really do enjoy it. I am really looking forward to more events. Right now I am more interested in running another 10K than running a longer distance, just because I am finding it so much fun to run better each time and try to improve my time!
So I am a runner.
I guess I have been "trying it out," more or less, this past month. I registered for this upcoming half-marathon thinking it would be a cool achievement, and not knowing if I'd really get into running or want to continue. But now I know.
I started runnning because I committed myself to the 80/10/10 lifestyle, and in so doing, it was necessary that I engage in an athletic activity in addition to the diet. I chose running because my husband does it, along with all his family, so I saw it as a great opportunity to join them and have a common interest (in a family situation where I'm the odd-ball and we lack common ground). Also because I felt that running on the 811rv diet would give me a chance to "prove" my health to them... (yes, I've got an ego, I admit)
And now it's only been 1 month and I feel I have come so far. It's been a lot of "fun" for me. I have not been following a schedule, and to be honest, I have not been running regularly other than the fact that I do 1 serious run per week. Four weeks ago I ran a 5K in 33 minutes. Last week I ran the 10k distance in 66 minutes, and today I ran it in 64 minutes. Today is the first day I feel like I gave an honest effort and pushed myself. And it feels good! I seriously can't wait to do it again!
So I am a runner.
I guess I have been "trying it out," more or less, this past month. I registered for this upcoming half-marathon thinking it would be a cool achievement, and not knowing if I'd really get into running or want to continue. But now I know.
I started runnning because I committed myself to the 80/10/10 lifestyle, and in so doing, it was necessary that I engage in an athletic activity in addition to the diet. I chose running because my husband does it, along with all his family, so I saw it as a great opportunity to join them and have a common interest (in a family situation where I'm the odd-ball and we lack common ground). Also because I felt that running on the 811rv diet would give me a chance to "prove" my health to them... (yes, I've got an ego, I admit)
And now it's only been 1 month and I feel I have come so far. It's been a lot of "fun" for me. I have not been following a schedule, and to be honest, I have not been running regularly other than the fact that I do 1 serious run per week. Four weeks ago I ran a 5K in 33 minutes. Last week I ran the 10k distance in 66 minutes, and today I ran it in 64 minutes. Today is the first day I feel like I gave an honest effort and pushed myself. And it feels good! I seriously can't wait to do it again!
Congrats Mike!
My 811 Idol, Michael Arnstein achieved a sub-2:30 marathon today at the Boston Marathon. What a wonderful day! This is such an inspiring video.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Raise Motivation
Here's a great video from Dr. Graham (check out this username homepage to find many more lectures) covering a few basic things about his history and Why Raw Foods. One thing I really appreciate him addressing is How to Raise your Motivation....
- learn to love yourself more
- learn more about benefits of raw food
- detriments of cooked
- awareness of your own reasons for wanting to do it
- what are your health needs?
Do a raw experiment for 90 days. You can always go back to cooked food if you're not satisfied with the results.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Diet ideals & Real-life family situations
I applaud my good friend Emily for this very articulate, insightful, wise blog post. After a few different phases in her approach to food, eating, and raising children, she has settled into a very nice place of wisdom. Real Life means balancing different priorities and remember what is Truly important. She knows that seeing her children smile is more important than controlling what goes into their mouth. She knows that supporting her husband and building strong relationships is more important than living a perfect ideal. She has come full-circle in her approach to healthy living and now has found a balance between providing nourishing raw foods to her family and loving them unconditionally, in whatever circumstance.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Cravings
I've noticed after difficult workouts I get cravings. Similar to pregnancy... so I ponder on the meaning of it. Maybe I could handle the detoxifcation of my diet and was feeling stable enough, but adding strenuous exercise on top of that is too much. Not getting enough sleep perhaps, so my body is looking for a stimulant. Cooked food grabs my attention, and even little things not in my diet like salt or garlic. I have "given in" to the garlic cravings.
If this is going to be a regular pattern, I do not want to eat cooked food and I do not want to battle cravings. So that leaves me with the last choice - avoid strenuous workouts. Perhaps it was too soon for 9 miles, and I needed more recovery before today's workout (2 days later). So I'll be more dilligent about that and only do what is good for me. The whole reason I am exercising is my health, so it makes little sense to "push myself" harder than I can handle.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
My dream is coming true!
Check out my "Daily Food & Exercise" on the sidebar. It is a beautiful sight to behold. Not only did I run like an 811 Athlete today, but I ATE like one too!! Wow, I can't believe how hungry I was and how easily it all digested! Exercise and actual need for food makes such a big difference in digestive capacity.
Remember my dream of being an 811 Athlete? How is this for amazing?
-Two weeks ago I struggled through a 5k (3.1 miles)
-One week ago I ran 6 miles
-Today I ran 9.2 miles. I felt better than I did on my 5k.
This is what is possible on the 811rv diet. Speedy recovery, energizer-bunny endurance, and unheard of progress. I am STOKED.
Today I felt absolutely terrific. It actually got easier the longer I went. I felt like I could run all day! No pains or cramps until the 8th mile, when my groin began to feel sore. So although I felt fantastic energy-wise, I don't think I could have gone much further. It's very important to listen to my body so I am not pushing myself at all. I only do what I am comfortable with; I actually only do what I want to do. I never make myself begin a workout or continue a workout when I don't feel up to it. For this reason, I need to stay fairly flexible in my exercise schedule. I pretty much play it by ear.
I am not following a training schedule for my half-marathon. Just doing what I want to do. I am listening to my body. Last week, after running the 6 miles, I needed 3 days off (didn't feel energized enough to fun until the following Wed). Then I ran a short run, and took 2 more days off. I take 2 days off before my long runs to guarantee I'll be ready to go. I think Saturdays I will run as far as I can (unless it's a race day - 10k coming up 2 weeks from now) and then Tuesdays do a light jog, and then Thursdays do what I can. At some point I want to begin hills for strength and speed training--probably the week after my 10k because I shouldn't need as much recovery time following it; I'll be able to afford some grueling hills.
I'm super excited to run from week to week. I am amazed at my body's abilities so far, and excited to see what each long run will bring.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Lentils and veggie cravings
I am such a dork but I have just been craving vegetables lately, and I especially love my sprouted lentils! In a world of soft, juicy fruits, it's nice to have something crunchy you can eat handfuls of while you do something else, reminds me of my days eating crackers and chips :) My taste has definitely become simpler eating 80/10/10. I used to do sprout salads with vingear and/or oil dressing, but now I just appreciate my plain sprouts. They taste delicious to me! According to Nutrition Data website, lentil sprouts are about 20% protein and 4% fat. They are high in iron, copper, manganese, phosporus, and B-vitamins.
It seems I can't get enough vegetables lately. Which is really odd for me... I never felt like that before. Then I read up on Michael Arnstein (my favorite 811 athlete) and found out he has given up all vegetables!?!? He's a complete fruitarian now, eating mostly bananas. That shocked me and I didn't know what to think about it. I can't fathom living without greens right now, since I crave them so much. But today, after another emotional day, I realized that my level of stress raising children puts me in a weakend state, more likely to be acidic pH, where I really need alkaline foods to help me detox. Perhaps after several years of 80/10/10 and once most toxins have been released, if your lifestyle is comfortable and low-key, you could live on high-mineral fruits without the need for leaves. I don't know. But I sure do need them.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Butter Lettuce
I am eating butter lettuce for the first time in my life. Fun stuff! It is packaged with the roots attached, so it is still alive! For this reason, it keeps for a very long time, staying fresh. Anyway, I like it because it has such a mild flavor that its ideal for green smoothies for somebody sensitive to "green" flavor (or if you're not, you can put 2 heads in!). Also, the leaves are so tender and soft (similar to red-leaf lettuce) that it's more of a sweet, luscious experience rather than the usual crunch that presides vegetable eating! Yummy, fun stuff.
Honeymoon euphoria and then sticking to it
I am reading Angela Stokes' book Raw Emotions. On page 43 she talks about the process we go through as raw foodists - we "go raw," and experience this glorious "honeymoon period" of euphoria. We have this amazing "raw high" for a few days. And then, having given up our drugs to suppress our emotions, they come unleashed. Physical toxins are unleashed. The honeymoon is over, and we have a lot of old crap (literally and emotionally) to deal with. A lot of us don't want to deal with it, and we're disappointed that we are eating weird foods and now there's no euphoria to make it worth our while! Not only are we on a difficult road AGAIN, but we are on a difficult, unfamiliar road. So we run back to our familiar foods, seeking comfort.
Yes that is EXACTLY why I "went raw" over and over again in the past 4 years. Because "going raw" is where the fun is at, not exactly in "staying raw." The honeymoon period ends and then I have to deal with my crap. No, it's not fun. And you don't have any toxic food to make it fun. All you have is your REAL self, in full glory for all to see. Time for an HONEST look at yourself.
Lately I have been working out harder, and working out initiates its own detox. There is a lot of physical and emotional crap to deal with. Physical exertion will release toxins and make you feel emotional! Pregnancy does the same thing. All these free-flying emotions, and how do we deal with them? Do we run for cover? Or do we FACE THEM? Do we allow ourselves to FEEL it, cry about it, RELEASE it? That's all it takes! And yet we are so frightened of ourselves.
811 Athlete: Grant Campbell
Here's another wonderful 811 Athlete interview, Grant Campbell, ultra-marathoner.
I'll typically eat juicy fruit like a half or whole watermelon midmorning. Perhaps 20 to 30 bananas and a head of lettuce later in the afternoon. I typically eat twice per day, averaging around 3,500 calories....I now finish ultramarathons feeling fresher and able to run again the following day, where previously on a cooked plant-based diet, it would typically be a week before I could run again. Before eating 811RV I used to get cramps in my calves after running for roughly 3 hours or 35 km. Now I never get cramps. I can now run up to 100 miles through mountains in 30 hours, a feat I previously wasn't capable of.
He has a nice head on his shoulders; I really appreciate some of his insights:
I have a theory that, similarly to how the coping mechanisms of multiple personalities and amnesia are means of dealing with traumatic experiences, people switch off the ability to analyze logic that would highlight a glaring gap in their belief system. For example, considering oneself an animal lover while consuming animals at each meal.
and:
In intrigues me how most of the scientific research specific to raw food doesn't get promoted to the wider vegan community. I am also intrigued by how frequently scientific research is interpreted completely out of context to confuse the public and sell products.
I'll typically eat juicy fruit like a half or whole watermelon midmorning. Perhaps 20 to 30 bananas and a head of lettuce later in the afternoon. I typically eat twice per day, averaging around 3,500 calories....I now finish ultramarathons feeling fresher and able to run again the following day, where previously on a cooked plant-based diet, it would typically be a week before I could run again. Before eating 811RV I used to get cramps in my calves after running for roughly 3 hours or 35 km. Now I never get cramps. I can now run up to 100 miles through mountains in 30 hours, a feat I previously wasn't capable of.
He has a nice head on his shoulders; I really appreciate some of his insights:
I have a theory that, similarly to how the coping mechanisms of multiple personalities and amnesia are means of dealing with traumatic experiences, people switch off the ability to analyze logic that would highlight a glaring gap in their belief system. For example, considering oneself an animal lover while consuming animals at each meal.
and:
In intrigues me how most of the scientific research specific to raw food doesn't get promoted to the wider vegan community. I am also intrigued by how frequently scientific research is interpreted completely out of context to confuse the public and sell products.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Wonderful fitness improvements
My first month on 811rv was difficult, athletically speaking. My body was sort of confused, wanting to rest and adjust to the new diet, and wasn't liking physical exertion much. I was doing 2-3 miles at a time, but really sore, really tired, and needed lots of recovery time. Then everything changed!
Saturday I went running with my mother-in-law. She usually runs 5+ miles at a time, albeit at a slower pace. My sister-in-law, who is also a beginner and training for the Seattle half-marathon, ran 6 miles. So I felt a bit of encouragement to go far. However, I hadn't done more than 3 to that point so I was planning on going no more than 4.5.
My mother-in-law and I took off, at her slower pace (averaged out to be 5.5 mph). I had been doing yoga and various stretching throughout the morning prior, so I was in a nice warmed-up condition. We went up and down several neighborhood hills as we chatted. It felt easy to me, and I was surprised that we were covering a greater distance than I expected to do. When we arrived back at the house, it had been 5.5 miles and I had plenty energy left in me. I hadn't even broken a sweat! I hadn't breathed heavily or gotten my heart rate up too much, the entire time. So I kept on going! I did another half-mile just so I could say I did as much as my sister-in-law had done. I could have gone further, I still had so much energy! I didn't feel that I had exerted myself much at all, but I still wanted to be wise, considering that was twice the distance I had ever gone before. So I took the next day off.
The following day I wasn't sore in the least. My groin, which had always bothered me before, was just fine! I felt very excited that I have finally accomplished a long workout without much difficulty. I attributed this to a few things, besides the general 80/10/10 Lifestyle. First, I got 10 hours of sleep the night before. Second, I did not eat any overt fats that day before, but instead consumed as much fruit (carbohydrates) as I could. After the workout I continued to eat as much fruit as possible, and also focused on organic vegetables that and the next day, for protein and minerals.
I am excited to run even further next Saturday! (During the week I am going to work on muscle building) Hooray for 80/10/10!
Papaya, Spinach, Asparagus
I have really been loving papaya. I found a place to buy them unit priced, so they are $2.50 regardless of size. Usually a large papaya will cost $5 (and hence, I rarely buy one) so this is a fantastic bargain! I just looked up the nutrition facts, and it turns out 1 large papaya (5 lbs) contains 1,000 calories! So that $2.50 goes pretty far, I figure.
This past week I walked into my store, on the day I knew they would be stocking papayas (so I could have first pick of the largest ones). I approached the produce stand right as the employee was wheeling out the produce cart, right past me. There sat a box full of large papayas! I told him "This is what I am here for. Is it OK if I take this?" and I simply picked up the whole box and proceeded to the check-out line! 7 large papayas for $17.50. That was six days ago, and I still have 4 left.
I also found a new store that sells wholesale groceries. 40 lb. boxes of bananas for $16 each, 2 lbs. of organic spinach for $6. Beat those prices!! Large pineapples for $2 each. I am so excited.
Spinach is my other special food lately. I have been seen hanging around the house with a 1-lb. carton of organic spinach, just munching away like popcorn! It's fun to have a snack that takes a while to eat, that I can munch on while I do other things.
Yesterday I was watching something on TV while munching away at raw asparagus, no dip or anything. Incredibly delicious! I didn't think I liked asparagus, but a friend snapped some out of her garden last week and gave me a taste. It was so awesome, I was hooked! So when I saw a bag of asparagus at Costco, it was my impulse buy of the day :)
This past week I walked into my store, on the day I knew they would be stocking papayas (so I could have first pick of the largest ones). I approached the produce stand right as the employee was wheeling out the produce cart, right past me. There sat a box full of large papayas! I told him "This is what I am here for. Is it OK if I take this?" and I simply picked up the whole box and proceeded to the check-out line! 7 large papayas for $17.50. That was six days ago, and I still have 4 left.
I also found a new store that sells wholesale groceries. 40 lb. boxes of bananas for $16 each, 2 lbs. of organic spinach for $6. Beat those prices!! Large pineapples for $2 each. I am so excited.
Spinach is my other special food lately. I have been seen hanging around the house with a 1-lb. carton of organic spinach, just munching away like popcorn! It's fun to have a snack that takes a while to eat, that I can munch on while I do other things.
Yesterday I was watching something on TV while munching away at raw asparagus, no dip or anything. Incredibly delicious! I didn't think I liked asparagus, but a friend snapped some out of her garden last week and gave me a taste. It was so awesome, I was hooked! So when I saw a bag of asparagus at Costco, it was my impulse buy of the day :)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Elisabeth the gymnast
My daughter is a total monkey. This girl is fearless. She also does forward rolls and imitates several yoga poses. She is destined to be a gymnast!
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