Day 11/ Am I Nuts???

I'm not much of a nut person, but on a raw vegan diet it is best for one to consume nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables (along with fruits) to get all the protein your body requires. Or at least that is my level of knowledge at this point. I'm not eating any dairy, beans (because they require cooking), or meat, so I have to get my protein from somewhere, right? Of course, nuts must be consumed in moderation.

Besides, soaked raw nuts like cashews and almonds can be used to make all kinds of substitutes for dairy products. Everything from cream cheese, to sour cream to whipped topping, to milk. So it's actually kind of cool watching the nuts and seeds transform.

So far I have only made the Sunflower Cheese, but I want to try a recipe for Vanilla Creme Sauce from Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People. She uses it in recipes for Banana Pudding and also layered with another recipe for Chocolate Mousse....I can't wait to try them.

One reason that I am so motivated to do this cleanse (Join The Lifeit Detox 28 Days Raw Food Cleanse) is because I actually have a few additional health issues that I haven't mentioned in this blog yet. I don't want to share them until I see that they are totally gone, but I will say that I am seeing noticeable improvement with one issue in particular.

I'm basically using food as medicine, kind of like a prescription for my body...allowing my body all the tools that it needs to help it to heal itself. Being that I am already seeing some improvements, it appears that this method is working...and I'm motivated to continue to eat a raw vegan diet until my body is 100% healed.

Fasting is also a wonderful healing mechanism, and many people have seen great health benefits through fasting. But fasting works best when you can "take it easy" and rest your body...my schedule is so intense right now that I need to be 100% present. I will be taking a break in about three weeks, and at that time I should be able to fast for a few days.

Today's diet was typical...I had my usual smoothie, and throughout the day I drank tea and managed to abstain from my beloved coffee.

Over the last few days, I have had teeccino (www.teeccino.com) presented to me under three different circumstances, so I am taking that as a sign that I need to try it. It seems to be a really good way to help me to kick the coffee habit.

For dinner I had more Zucchini Hummus except instead of a sandwich, I made a salad with it on top of red leaf lettuce, red peppers, sweet onions, and black olives. Wow was it ever wonderful....I also snacked on more Medjool dates...they are quite tasty!

Everything just seems to be so delicious...which reminds me...earlier today I stopped off at QuikTrip to get gas, and since it was pretty warm outside, I wanted a slurpie.

Well, the one I tried (the orange one) was so sweet and sour and concentrated, that I puckered my lips through the first half and threw out the rest. I don't know if my taste buds have become more sensitive because of the cleanse, or if that slurpie was just nasty, but wow, I realized I should have just bought a bottled water. All of that sugar was way too much.