My food adventure

The fourth of July challenge :)

2011-07-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

so i went to a 4th of july party yesterday. i talked to myself on my way there: "don't go crazy, woman. count your calories!" i'm proud to say i succeeded! even with cheetos included i didn't exceed 1800 calories for the day, a good "maintenance calorie count" for me. i must confess though that as i was eating the cheetos, i though i would not stop until the bag was empty....what stopped me was looking at the calories and saying: "is this worth not fitting in my jeans?" the answer was "yes". do you want to go shop for new jeans?" "NO" so i'd say look at the calories and think about shopping for bigger clothes. that will help you stop from emptying a bag of cheetos.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS (foodconsultannt@yahoo.com)

Nutrition FYI

For Type AB blood, foods that encourage weight loss are seafood, green vegetables, kelp, pineapple and dairy.

“Our spirit is perfect.”

Dr. Ted Morter

HEALTHY RECIPES

Breakfast Boost:

1/2 cup tahini

1/2 cup plain goat yogurt

1/2 cup rolled oats

2 TBSP honey

4 small ice cubes

Papaya Pomegranate Salad

1 cup peeled and shredded carrots

1 papaya, peeled and sliced

3/4 c pomegranate seeds

1/2 c bean sprouts

3/4 c seasoned rice vinegar

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp seasame oil

1/4 c macadamia nuts

Toss dressing with dry ingredients. Top with nuts.

The Glamour Of Doing Stand-Up Comedy In Shady Bars

2011-06-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

The Glamour Of Doing Stand-Up Comedy In Shady Bars

Invincible or Invisible: Dating A Famous Character Actor

2011-06-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Invincible or Invisible: Dating A Famous Character Actor

Releasing the obsession.

2011-06-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

weight loss/gain and obsession are twin sisters. when i gain lbs, i'm obsessed with taking them off. when i lose lbs i'm obsessed with adding them on. when will i stop torturing myself? i hope soon because it's not helping me enjoy eating a nice meal at a restaurant. don't get me wrong, i'm all for making great choices but where do i draw the line? i wanna live in a good food place and not be paranoid with the scale and the measuring tape! so my goal today is to stop the insanity and start the fun of enjoying life with its weight ups and downs.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Nutrition FYI

For Type Bs, avoid corn, buckwheat, lentils, peanuts and sesame seeds to avoid weight gain.

“See that person or situation as a gift of opportunity for growth.”

Kute Blackson

HEALTHY FOOD RECIPES

Sweet Yams

3 steamed yams

2 steamed potatoes

½ tsp nutmeg

½ TBSP coconut oil or coconut butter

dash sea salt

Mashed yams and potatoes, mix in spices and oil and enjoy!

Cereal:

Fiber

Liquid

Stabilizer

½- 1 ⅔cup:

TT:

Optional:

365 High Fiber Organic Cereal

and/or

Eziekel Original Cereal

(sprinkle with cinnamon)

Nutmylk… . or

Coconut water …. or

water (sweeten with stevia or crystals)

Top with small handful of nuts for a quick breakfast meal

From the mountains to the desert....

2011-05-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

after my trip to gorgeous, fresh air carmel, i flew to vegas. from the mountains to the desert. that's how i feel my food adventure has been since i started. in the beginning, it was like climbing mount everest with jenny craig leading the way. and then, i decided to go on my own....that's when the desert began! i'm on my own in the middle of the desert with no leader looking for an oasis that i may never find: CAKE. i miss cake, real cake with icing, really sugary icing...AAAHHH!!! every time i got the craving to be bad in vegas, i thought about how LONG it took me to lose 17 pounds. if i craved cake, i would eat the lil' cute sugar free cakes, mousses, lemon pies at the buffet and just take one bite. and thank God it worked cause i actually lost weight. i had free time and energy to work out like in the good old pro athlete days.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Nutrition FYI:

Type A blood people flourish on vegetarian diets.

Thought of the day:

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”

- Kenneth Blanchard

Embracing Fresh, Organic, wholefoods…..

Make ¾ of your plate vegetables, whether they’re raw, steamed, roasted, grilled, sautéed, shredded, fermented, marinated, etc. Use as many or as little variety of veggies, but keep adding them to meals to help you fill up with fiber. You eat with your eyes first, so when you see a plate with an over abundance of volume (from vegetables), your already see you’re not being deprived of food.
Focus on quality of the food. Does it have white flour, preservatives, artificial colors, margarine, corn syrup, white sugar, pesticides? It is heavily processed by machinery? Would you find that food product in nature? If you’re eating a quality meal, take your time to chew and indulge in the complex flavors. Eat until you’re full. There’s no reason to feel guilty if you’re eating lots of organic vegetables! The more you fill your body with nutrient-dense foods, the more stable you’ll feel. And the less snacking you’ll need.
Fill up with healthy, unprocessed fats. Fats have the highest satiety rate, which means it will help stabilize your blood sugar levels and hunger. At meals and/or snacks, use fats to complement your meals. Use avocados, extra virgin olive oil (unfiltered), coconut butter, coconut oil, olives, raw pecans, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, almonds, and pumpkin seeds.

· Have a good stock in the refrigerator and pantry. Have a variety of vegetables in the refrigerator. You may want them prepared, washed or chopped so they’re easier to prepare if you want. If you have a favorite vegetable, buy more of it. You know you like it, so you’re going to finish it anyway. Make an extra day or two worth of rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, salad, chicken, beans, lentils, boiled eggs, so you don’t have to grab a sweet. (If you do have a sweet tooth, try a peeled raw yam with coconut butter. Yum!)

· Bring your snacks and meals when on the go. If you know you’re going to leave early the next morning, the night before you should prepare your lunch and snacks. Then in the morning you place a bag or cooler. Surround yourself with foods you want to eat. The main way is to bring your own food. And purified water! Take 3-4 bottles for the day.

· Don’t buy food you’ll feel guilty of bringing home. You have the control of what you can bring in your house. Once you’re at home you have no choice, but to eat the good stuff J You may feel less guilty of buying a high priced ready-prepared salad, than a less expensive dessert, because you know you are doing your body good!

· Location, location, location. When traveling ask and look for vegetarian restaurants, Trader Joes, farmer’s markets, and Whole Foods Markets. In the beginning, it’s important to surround yourself with the foods you want to eat. On the road, buy food at the supermarkets. Nowadays, many contain an organic produce section. Buy avocados, sprouts, raw nuts, organic salad mixes, olive oil, organic dried fruit, coconut water, etc.

HEALTHY SNACK:

Homemade Coconut/Almonds Balls:

Mix into Balls….

Stabilizer/binder	Binder/Flavor	Flavor/stabilizer	Sweetener
3 TBSP:	1 TBSP:	TT:	1 tsp:
Almond butter	+ Coconut butter	+ Cinnamon	+ Coconut Crystals

Fiber

Shredded Coconut

And roll in......Refrigerate for 1 hr J

Out of town and out of trouble!

2011-05-23T10:18:00.001-07:00

i spent the weekend in carmel at a gorgeous place in hidden valley. managing my food was challenging because i had to eat at restaurants. also, exercising was not easy since there was no gym in sight or on campus. so this is how i managed this trip: i took some little tuna salad with cracker kits for lunch, 90 calorie snacks (quaker, i highly recommend them, they're good!) and some fullbars. these are bars that have only 60 calories and when you eat them and drink 1 glass of water, they make you feel full. the only meal i had to worry about was dinner. my trick at the restaurant was to stay away from the bread and butter unless i needed a serving of starch (1 slice of bread) and butter (1 teaspoon). another good choice was not ordering wine or dessert. so i maintained my weight this weekend and that makes me feel like i can be in control of what i eat!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

FOOD AND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

Nutrition FYI

People of Type O blood do better limiting wheat gluten, which may interfere with insulin efficiency and may slow metabolic rate.

“Giving recognition and genuine praise to others benefits you in magical ways.”

-unknown

Curry Coconut Rice Soup

1 ½ Jasmine White Rice, cooked

1 Thai coconut meat

3 Kale leaves

¼ Onion, finely diced

2 med. Carrots, chopped

2 TSBP chopped cilantro

1 tsp Curry

2-3 tsp Soy sauce

While warming up rice and veggies in pot, blend coconut meat until creamy. Once soup is warm, mix into soup the blended coconut meat, curry, soy sauce and cilantro.

On my own and torturing myself! :O

2011-05-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

i'm on my own, no jenny craig for a while. no telling me what crappy overpriced frozen meals to eat. no support from my consultant (they only do consultations if you buy their food, how lovely is that!?). nothing. just me and my munchies. so far, i've been following the plan, counting calories and exercising. it took me 6 moths to lose 17 pounds and i don't want them to creep up on me just because i succumb to a little temptation here, a little temptation there. i still make good choices. like when i think i'm eating too much peanut butter, i plan to cut the portions in half the next day. so far, so good. keeping it real, keeping the lbs off!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Nutrition FYI

Top anti-radiaiton foods: Raw goat cheddar cheese, green string beans, snow peas, raw cauliflower and raw asparagus
“Friends divide your sorrows and multiply your happiness."
Blaine Athorn

HEALTHY DESSERTS:

Vanilla Coconut Pudding

4 Thai coconut meat

2-3 TBSP coconut crystals

1 TBSP coconut oil

2 tsp cinnamon

vanilla powder TT

dash sea salt

Blend and enjoy with cereal or granola.

SNACK IDEAS:

Sandwiches:

Holder	Stabilizer	Flavor	Fillers
1-2:	1-3 TBSP:	TT:	LOTS:
Sprouted bread	+Coconut oil	+Curry powder	+Romaine Lettuce
Sprouted tortilla	+Coconut butter	+Nama Shoyu	+Spinach/Arugula
Lavash	+Olive oil	+Kelp flakes	+Cabbage/Purslane
Leaf’s onion bread	+Avocado	+Lemon Juice	+Zucchini/Chard
Leaf’s mango bread	+Almond butter	+Cinnamon, Nutmeg	+Kale/sprouts
	+Leaf’s cream cheese	+Allspice	+Bok Choy/Fresh Mint

Off Jenny Craig and on my own :P

2011-04-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

i'm off jenny craig cause it's getting to be too expensive. so i'm on my own, planning my menu everyday. i was scared at first but after a few days, i realized i can do this! i haven't lost or gained which is a good thing. i have been challenged with temptations, like going to a jazz gig at the hollywood bar & grill. i had a long day with tutoring and auditions and i was starved! i thought about cheating for a minute and a half but the little angel on my right shoulder defeated the big devil on my left one. i chose an ahi tuna steak salad with the dressing on the side. i only put like 2 teaspoons of dressing and i dipped my fork in it a few times. that's one great way that a bodybuilder lady taught me: instead of puring the dressing on your salad, dip your fork before you grab some greens. guess what? it works and you can taste the dressing really well. that way you save yourself about 200 calories!!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Horseradish: “Dissolves mucus. Helpful for colds, sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis and asthma. Stimulates appetite and the flow of bile.”

Source: Sandra Cabot M

“You are not your feelings.”

-Ron Ball

DELICIOUS HEALTHY SPREADS

Easy Ideas!!

Use these as spreads to make. . . .

tacos,

burritos,

wraps,

sandwiches,

and sushi. . . . . With sprouted tortilla, whole wheat tortillas, lavash, sprouted bread, collard greens, chard leaves, romaine leaves, kale leaves, nori sheets.

Use these as dips for vegetable

snacking

Or to complement your meal. . . . Some veggies to have for dipping can range from steamed green beans, broccoli, carrots, celery, sugar snap peas, red bell peppers, raw turnips, jicama, radishes and thin zucchini slices.

Basil Spread:

1 1/2 cups fresh basil

½ cup zucchini

1 cup raw walnuts or almonds

3 cloves garlic

3/4 teaspoon salt

TT black pepper………… blend!

Sticking to it on the set!

2011-04-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

i had 3 tapings this week, with catered GOOD, FATTY food....tough 3 shoots! my plan this week is to stick to my jenny craig program to the T, no matter what the temptations may be! (i rhymed it by accident...)

i'm on the first morning shoot, @ the catering table in front of one of my fave food group: bagel with cream cheese. i'm asking myself the oldest question in the world: is it worth getting thicker thighs for? you know the answer is "hell yes!". that's what the lil she devil on my left side yelled. the lil angel on my right was quick to rebuff her: "do you remember 15 pounds ago when you didn't fit in your fat pants?" the pictures of me struggling to zip up my fat pants stops me dead on my tracks. i see some big, red strawberries next to the bagel....what to do?....strawberries are so good....but the bagel, yum, with cream cheese!...fat pants-skinny pants.....my right hand makes a move...towards the strawberries! TA DA! the lil angel on the right won this battle. now off to the next set.....where the battle starts again. thank God the lil angel won one more time. the battle of the food angels continues...stay tuned for more challenges!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

#6: Honeydew melon: “Excellent diuretic properties. Useful for kidney and bladder problems. Reduces rheumatic and skin conditions.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Replacement. Memorize quotes that thrill your soul and lift your heart."

Ron Ball

TIPS ON EMBRACING WHOLE FOODS:

1. -Bring your snacks and meals when on the go. If you know you’re going to leave early the next morning, the night before you should prepare your lunch and snacks. Then in the morning you place a bag or cooler. Surround yourself with foods you want to eat. The main way is to bring your own food. And purified water! Take 3-4 bottles for the day.

2. -Don’t buy food you’ll feel guilty of bringing home. You have the control of what you can bring in your house. Once you’re at home you have no choice, but to eat the good stuff J You may feel less guilty of buying a high priced ready-prepared salad, than a less expensive dessert, because you know you are doing your body good!

3. -Location, location, location. When traveling ask and look for vegetarian restaurants, Trader Joes, farmer’s markets, and Whole Foods Markets. In the beginning, it’s important to surround yourself with the foods you want to eat. On the road, buy food at the supermarkets. Nowadays, many contain an organic produce section. Buy avocados, sprouts, raw nuts, organic salad mixes, olive oil, organic dried fruit, coconut water, etc.

Cheating will catch up with you!

2011-04-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

ok, i cheated twice in 2 weeks. innocent flirting with steak dinners and chicken salads. and what's the result? i gained 2 freaking pounds! it's hard not to be mad at myself! it's not fair! even though i made "healthy choices", my body decided to grab unto that food and store it for later. why? because i've been feeding it 1200 calories a day for the last few months and it needs sooo much more than that. unfortunately, to lose weight we have to eat much less than we need to. being hypoglycemic doesn't help my hunger. i have to eat every 2 hours or else my blood sugar starts dropping and i get mild, moderate and sometimes severe attacks. it's hard to balance a diet with both diabetes and hypoglycemic. the weight loss is slower for us folks with sugar issues. i hate to say it but if you wanna feel healthy and lose weight: no pain, no gain. ain't that a bitch? that's my book title right there.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

#5: Guava: “Helpful for digestive problems and diarrhea. Improves circulation and reduces catarrh and asthma.”Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Read about individuals who inspire you to overcome fear and reach for your goals."
Ron Ball

MORE FOOD RECIPES!

Carrot-Lime Soup

2 med. Carrots

1 Celery stalk

½ TBSP Soy sauce

2 TBSP Lime juice, fresh

1 tsp grated ginger

1 TBSP Olive oil, extra virgin

Garnish with cilantro

Blend (without olive oil), lightly mix olive oil and top with herbs.

Steak dinner and Hank!

2011-04-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

so my man took me out to a steak dinner date @ lawry's. i ate a 10 oz steak, 2 slices of bread with butter and yorkshire pie. i managed to somehow maintain my weight this week in spite of my overeating (and loving every minute of it!). i'm still 15 pounds lighter than i was in november 2010. after 5 months of jenny craig, i wanted to pig out and taste non jc food. the reason for my successful weight maintenance? i worked out 3 times that week (aerobic exercise) and skipped dinner on sunday, just ate veggies and fruits. i also didn't have wine or dessert on my dinner date and i think that made a huge difference. so every once in a while treat yourself, make sure that week you increase exercise and maybe eat less calories the day after you "sinned".

FOOD & THOUGHT OF THE DAY BY FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Grapefruit: “Helpful in catarrh, gallstones, obesity, slugglish liver function, digestive problems and respiratory and skin problems.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Association. Only associate with people who help you to be a hero.

Ron Ball

SNACK IDEAS

Homemade Trail Mix: done

In a plastic Ziploc bag MIX:

Complex Carbs

Stabilizer

Sweetener

½ -1 cup:

7-10:

Few:

365 High Fiber Organic Cereal

and/or

Eziekel Original Cereal…. sprinkle w/ cinnamon J

Any mixture of:

RAW almonds, walnuts, cashews or pecans

Any mixture of:

Goji berries, Inca berries, dried cranberries

Focusing on the past and the future!

2011-03-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

let me explain....i'm focusing on the "past" so i can to enjoy the 15 pounds i lost since i started in november. i know, it's not as fast as i'd want it either but instead of thinking that way, i have to focus on how much i lost. i'm 15 pounds lighter and i feel sooo much better! so i have 15 to go...that's the other focus, the "future", the goal. focus on the prize: in a few months i'll be 30 pounds lighter.

there's lots of temptations along the way. like yesterday, i succumbed to cheese and frozen yogurt. why? cause it was there. i was at a storysalon event reading my pieces and they had wine and cheese...i mean, good cheese. then hank went next door and bought a huge cup of frozen yogurt @ froyolife...and i had no choice but to steal some...ok, a lot. so today, i'll work out a little harder and hope those extra calories get burned instead of settling on my thighs, like they usually do.

live and learn, right?. my relationship with food will always be dysfunctional, all i can do is forgive myself, move on and focus on my good choices.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS...(foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Grapes: “Provides a quick boost of energy. Helps in anemia and blood disorders. Improves the complexion.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Resistance. Don’t surrender to your fears. Be a fighter."

Ron Ball

HEALTHY RECIPES

Olive Tapenade

½ cup black olives

½ cup green olives

1 clove garlic

1 tsp lemon juice

2 TBSP olive oil

Blackpepper TT

Put in blender and chop into small chucks.

Chocolate Dream

1 whole Coconut Water

1 whole coconut meat

½ TBSP Raw cacao powder

handful of romaine lettuce/spinach

cinnamon TT

dash sea salt

Blend and enjoy!

Can you live on 1200 calories a day??!!

2011-02-23T18:20:00.000-08:00

no, you can't! i've been cheating so much last week, i should be arrested. i'm lusting after brownies, pasta and cheesecake. i feel like i'm losing my willpower! i think it's been 3 1/2 months and only 14 lbs, so i'm feeling like i'm losing too slowly. i wanna throw it all away and eat the way i WANT to. but then i think of the consequences and it's not worth it. people think i eat a lot but i raised my calories to 1500 last week and i gained .7lbs. that's so unfair!! i have to come to terms that that's my reality and i have to work WITH it not against it.

“Acceptance. Don’t waste your life trying to change the impossible.”

-Ron Ball

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Ginger Root: “Reduces congestion and mucus production. Inhibits the formation of blood clots and lowers LDL cholesterol.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

HEALTHY RECIPE OF THE DAY:

Wheat-free Noodles

Mung Bean Noodles

Broccoli, steamed

Red Bell Pepper, finely diced

Carrots, grated

1 TBSP Nama Shoyu, soy sauce

1/2 TBSP Olive oil

Optional: Top with cilantro, ginger, cabbage.

Mix and enjoy!

I succumbed to temptation. So sue me.

2011-02-03T23:38:00.000-08:00

ok, i committed jenny craig crime! i succumbed to temptation....in other words: i cheated!! you know what? it happens for the same reasons people cheat in a committed relationship. i got tired of eating the same foods week after week, same taste, same routine....*yawn*. the moral of this unfortunate event is: boredom can lead to cheating. so when it comes to food, this is what we all need to do: start having more fun with what we can eat to avoid eating what we shouldn't eat. this also applies to relationships: spice it up and keep it fun.

who knew food and sex were so connected?

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodcoonsultant@yahoo.com)

#1: Garlic Cloves: “Fights infections and reduces LDL cholesterol. Is a good liver and bile cleanser.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Your feelings are not a reflection of your reality."

Ron Ball

MORE FOOD RECIPES:

Raw Corn Chowder Soup:

2 ½ cups coconut water

2 cups sweet raw corn (from cob)

1 small carrot

1 celery stalk

1 clove garlic

1/3 yellow onion

2 tsp thyme

½ TBSP olive oil

Sea Salt TT

Blend veggies, then spices and enjoy!

The infamous PLATEAU...get me outta here!!!!

2011-01-31T15:06:00.000-08:00

ok, so i reached that stupid PLATEAU....it's your body's way of saying "wait, i've been losing lots of lbs, let me recover!" in the midst of my plateau, i had an accident (i'm ok, no worries). the whiplash got me resting and not working out...so my plateau lingered for a MONTH!!! but i'm proud to say i broke the darn thing by exercising ie increasing aerobic exercise by hiking and doing interval training on the eliptical. the moral of this blog is....

when you reach a plateau,

don't despair,

you'll get our of there

with exercise and small portions.

Don't pig out and be cautious,

keep in mind your goal.

You'll soon be on a roll

and start losing some more!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Figs: Beneficial in gout and rheumatism. Helpful for constipation and inability to gain weight. Helpful for cases of low blood pressure. Highest sugar content of common fruits, and so may be best avoided by those with blood sugar problems.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Continually support yourself with the right language. Reinforce you dreams with positive words. Don’t say ‘try.’

-Ron Ball

MORE FOOD RECIPES:

Walnut Paté

3 cups soaked walnuts

¼ cup Nama Shoyu Soy Sauce

2 celery salks

2 carrots

2 scallons

Cilantro, handful

Cumin TT

Blend and enjoy with anything!

Live in the moment & enjoy every bite!

2011-01-24T21:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, the title says it! i'm a planner and a worrier so i often forget to live in the moment. this also applies to my relationship with food! i think about what i ate, what i'll eat and about all the bad, yummy things i'd love to eat...instead of enjoying what's in front of me, right NOW. you're wondering how the heck i learned this lesson, right? well, jenny craig made me! her meals sound amazing: cajun chicken with rice, lentils with beef, tortellini.....the catch is...portions are tiny. even a mouse would be bitching about eating jc portions. but instead of wasting my time bitching about what i DON'T have in front of me (ie a huge portion), i decided that my only option to stick to this plan was to ENJOY what i DO have in front of me. who would have thought that my eating habits would teach me about my life habits??....i know, i'm a smart girl. ;)

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Fennel: Calming effect on digestion stimulates gastric secretions and reduces intestinal cramps. Reduces intestinal gas, flatulence and bloating.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Settle and know your work/business/idea is a good thing worth building. Don’t be stubborn. Win your emotional battle.”

-Ron Ball

RECIPE OF THE DAY:

Warm Smoothie:

1 cup pure water

½ cup almonds, soaked

Bunch of greens

1 ripe banana

TT Nutmeg

TT Allspice………. blend!

SNACK IDEAS:

Dips:

Stabilizer

Crunchy Fiber

Sprouted Grains

Crackers

½ cup:

Lots:

1 or 2:

10-12:

Almond butter

+ Celery/Apple/Jicama

or

+ Sprouted bread/tortilla

or

+ Organic rice crackers

Guacamole

+ Lettuce/Collards/Radishes

or

+ Sprouted tortilla

or

+ Leaf’s Corn Chips

Hummus

+ Celery/Zucchini

or

+ Sprouted tortilla

or

+ Mary’s Gone Crackers

Leaf’s Cashew Kreme Cheese

+ carrots/yams

or

+ Sprouted bread/ tortilla

or

+ Leaf’s Kale Chips

Forgive yourself and move on!

2011-01-23T09:44:00.001-08:00

alright! i'm still losing on jenny craig. i feel so much better and more energetic! it takes a lot of willpower to stick to it and not stray....i went to a very lavish bar mitzvah and kind of strayed....but was it worth it though? yes and no. yes, it was fun to eat different food. no, it wasn't fun to see the scale go up an lb the next day. the good news is i didn't get discouraged when i saw the scale go up an lb. next day, i went back on jc and never looked back.

if you stray from your weight loss program, forgive yourself and move forward! that's the lesson of the week for me. :)

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS: (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

Dates: Valuable in cases of low blood pressure, nervous states and anemia. Excellent for nursing mothers.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Make a chart. Or a plan. Keep track. Have a success chart. Know and visualize that you’re going to succeed on purpose.”

-Ron Ball

EMBRACING WHOLE FOODS:

Cereal:

Fiber

Liquid

Stabilizer

½- 1 ⅔cup:

TT:

Optional:

365 High Fiber Organic Cereal

and/or

Eziekel Original Cereal

(sprinkle with cinnamon)

Nutmylk… . or

Coconut water …. or

water (sweeten with stevia or crystals)

Top with small handful of nuts for a quick breakfast meal

You gotta be choosy!

2011-01-04T17:46:00.001-08:00

i had some digestive issues the last couples of days so i was off jenny craig. i was afraid i'd start picking foods that would make me gain weight and find "medical excuses" for my culinary sins! i wanted to have frozen yogurt soooo bad...after all it coats the stomach and helps you with heartburn, right. i'm proud to say, i resisted the temptation. then it dawned on me that i FINALLY understood that it's not about "dieting", it's about smart food choices. so let's be choosy on the way to a healthy lifestyle!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

FOOD OF THE DAY:

Dates: Valuable in cases of low blood pressure, nervous states and anemia. Excellent for nursing mothers.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Make a chart. Or a plan. Keep track. Have a success chart. Know and visualize that you’re going to succeed on purpose.”

-Ron Ball

MORE SALADS....

Large salad: Chop lettuce, Thinly slice fennel and radishes. Grate beets, turnips, zucchini and ginger. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and dandelion or chicory or sorrel. Miz 1/2 TBSP olive oil and 1 TBSP Nama Shoyu (Soy sauce)

Work it in 2011!

2011-01-02T09:49:00.001-08:00

it's been a whole month, bloggy blog! i've been doing jenny craig, lost 10 pounds so far. well, it wasn't just jc, i changed my workout. having been a pro athlete, i know all the tricks to getting slim fast. here are some tips:

1- do interval training ie 2 minutes fast, 1 minute slow. this way you burn more calories in half the time of a long, steady paced workout.

2- stretch before and after your workout.

3- stay hydrated

4- go hiking with a friend once a week, it makes your workout more fun (and you can catch up with your friends!)

5-do a fun class once a week like hip hop, belly dancing. if you suck at it, laugh at yourself. (laughing burns even more calories)

as far as my eating habits, i'm re-learning to eat smaller portions by eating slower and enjoying the tiny jc portions.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS:

FOOD OF THE DAY: Dandelion: Cleanses the liver and biliary system. Stimulates the flow of bile and is useful in all liver complaints. Is also a blood builder. Helpful in eczema and constipation.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: “Be in partnership with reality. Don’t resist. Ask what will it take? and be willing to do it with an embracing attitude!”

-Ron Ball

EMBRACING WHOLE FOODS!

1. Have a good stock in the refrigerator and pantry. Have a variety of vegetables in the refrigerator. You may want them prepared, washed or chopped so they’re easier to prepare if you want. If you have a favorite vegetable, buy more of it. You know you like it, so you’re going to finish it anyway. Make an extra day or two worth of rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, salad, chicken, beans, lentils, boiled eggs, so you don’t have to grab a sweet. (If you do have a sweet tooth, try a peeled raw yam with coconut butter. Yum!)

Losing it! :)

2010-12-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

so i'm on jenny craig to lose weight. and i did, so far 6 lbs in 2 1/2 weeks. yippee! eating every 2 hours has kept my sugar levels stable. i'm also increasing aerobic activity with eliptical interval training ie 1 minute fast, 1 minute slower for 20-30 minutes @ least. that way i raise my heart beat to 85% and burn more calories. i learned this when i was a competitive swimmer (and i was strong and way thinner than now). i need to lose all the weight i gained since i moved to LA 6 1/2 years ago. stress will do this to you. and having been on the road as a stand-up for the first 5 years of my LA experience didn't help. when you're on the road you eat what's available which is mostly crappy foods. there's no "whole foods" in winnemucca, nv! last time i was there, there wasn't even a starbucks! anyway, if you're trying to lose weight, i recommend eat small portions 6-8 times a day and do lots of cardio with interval training.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS (foodconsultant@yahoo.com)

FOOD OF the DAY:

Cucumber: Excellent diuretic properties to reduce fluid retention. Anti-inflammatory effect on the urinary tract, gums and skin. Rich content of silica is beneficial for the hair, nails and skin. Reduces hair loss and kidney stones.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

THOUGHT OF the DAY:

“Have an indestructible personality. Refuse to give up. You will not be crushed. Let rejection roll off of you!”

-Ron Ball

EMBRACING FRESH, ORGANIC WHOLE FOODS

Fill up with healthy, unprocessed fats. Fats have the highest satiety rate, which means it will help stabilize your blood sugar levels and hunger. At meals and/or snacks, use fats to complement your meals. Use avocados, extra virgin olive oil (unfiltered), coconut butter, coconut oil, olives, raw pecans, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, almonds, and pumpkin seeds.

Back to JC...not Jesus....Jenny Craig!

2010-11-15T17:14:00.000-08:00

ok, so i counted calories and apparently my math is not as good as it used to be cause i gained 1 pound in a week. so today i made a decision, i'm gonna do jenny craig so i can lose 10 lbs before my shoot on december 11th. so i'll be blogging about my progress and of course always giving you guys recipes.

i'm also going to see my doctor tomorrow see if my hypoglycemia is the cause of my difficulty to lose weight. i know, excuses, excuses, excuses. shut your pie mouth, grace and you'll lose weight! that's what you're thinking , right? i understand. however, in my defense, i don't eat much and i'm forced to eat a lil bit every 2 hours so i can maintain my blood sugars in line.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO (food.consultant@yahoo.com) SAYS:

Focus on quality of the food. Does it have white flour, preservatives, artificial colors, margarine, corn syrup, white sugar, pesticides? It is heavily processed by machinery? Would you find that food product in nature? If you’re eating a quality meal, take your time to chew and indulge in the complex flavors. Eat until you’re full. There’s no reason to feel guilty if you’re eating lots of organic vegetables! The more you fill your body with nutrient-dense foods, the more stable you’ll feel. And the less snacking you’ll need.

FOOD AND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

Cranberry: Has antiseptic properties and contains benzoic and quinic acids, which reduce urinary tract infections. Excellent cleanser and skin tonic.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

“Everyone has the same challenges in life, so your problem isn’t a big deal.”

SMOOTHIE OF THE DAY:

Veggie/fruit Smoothie

1 pear

1 apple

Handful of romaine lettuce

Handful of spinach

1 celery stalk

½ tsp vanilla powder

1 TBSP hemp seeds

1 TBSP honey (optional)

Blend and enjoy!

I can count on counting...calories, that is!

2010-11-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

i've been counting calories....i have to lose weight! portion control is key, which is tough to manage with hypoglycemia! i have to eat every 2 hours so i have to make sure that the portions are small. i have always struggled with gaining weight quickly and i know i'm not alone on that quest. having been a competitive swimmer for 15 years has screwed up my eating and metabolism. our swim coach used to tell us we were gonna gain weight after we quit swimming competitively. i wish i had the time to train like an athlete again but i'm too old and tired to do that. :P so all i have left is control, control, control the portions. i'll be blogging the weight loss (hopefully) today i only ate 1400 calories. i hope i can keep it up this week.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO SAYS:

Food of the day:

Cilantro: Relieves gas, and reduces stomach and intestinal cramps. Used successfully for appetite loss and indigestion. Excellent for salads and juices.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the day:

“Whenever you believe a negative thought, you are lying to yourself.”

HEALTHY RECIPE OF THE DAY

Warm Smoothie:

1 cup pure water

½ cup almonds, soaked

Bunch of greens

1 ripe banana

TT Nutmeg

TT Allspice………. blend!

I'm ba-ack!

2010-10-31T12:08:00.001-07:00

it's been a long 2 weeks with lots of changes and drama. but that's material for "my hollywood life" blog. so i have made a decision about losing weight. i'm gonna try weight watchers! my doctor told me that's the only program you lose the weight and keep it off. so i'm going to a meeting on tuesday. i'm gonna still be eating healthy of course and blogging more recipes. i'm also gonna blog about the weight watchers program and how well it works (or not).

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA AREVALO (foodconsultant@yahoo.com) SAYS:

Food of the Day- Coconut: “Coconut milk helps to relieve sore throats and peptic ulcers. The flesh can be used by the body to manufacture hormones and cell membranes. Excellent base for non-dairy smoothies.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “Any ideas, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.”

-Napoleon Hill

SALAD OF THE DAY:

Green string bean/yam salad:

1 cup finely sliced green beans

1 med grated beet

1 med grated yam

4-5 grated radishes

1-2 TBSP parsley

TT nama soyu

tt eden brown rice vinegar

1 TBSP olive oil

optional: top with raw nuts

Homemade Nori Rolls:

Holder

Stabilizer

Flavor

Fillers

1 or 2:

TT:

LOTS:

Nori Sheet

1 Avocado…. or

½ cup Hummus…. or

½ cup Guacamole

Nama Shoyu + Ginger

Sprouts, lettuce, carrots, yams, beets, turnips, (finely diced) cauliflower, radishes….

Nutty snack:

· 1 (or 2 if really hungry) handful of almonds, walnuts, cashews or pecans

Let go...and the weight will come off!

2010-10-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

i realized lately that after 3 car accidents in 3 years and several bouts of bronchitis due to tutoring kids (big time germ pools), i have gained weight. my doctor says my body doesn't wanna let go of the weight in case i get in another accident or develop more bronchitis. so i realized hat not only i have to let go of my fear of needing extra pounds for survival but also that i need to let go of my fears in general. lose the extra baggage...in more ways than one.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Citrus fruits: “Soothes inflamed mucus membranes. Powerful antioxidant with anti-aging properties. Improves collagen formation and skin tone.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “Happiness is found in doing; not merely possessing.”

-Napoleon Hill

Embracing Fresh, Organic, wholefoods…..

Make ¾ of your plate vegetables, whether they’re raw, steamed, roasted, grilled, sautéed, shredded, fermented, marinated, etc. Use as many or as little variety of veggies, but keep adding them to meals to help you fill up with fiber. You eat with your eyes first, so when you see a plate with an over abundance of volume (from vegetables), your already see you’re not being deprived of food.

The good carbs :)

2010-10-08T19:19:00.001-07:00

ok, so i had bad carbs today. i was hungry and i wanted to be bad. i had a cheese pastry....yum! except for today, i have been eating way less carbs and no refined sugar. it makes a huge difference in my weight management and my energy level. the only carbs i allow myself to have are: brown rice, wheat cereal and maybe a slice of wheat bread. i have lots of protein, veggies and fruits. and it's working! :)

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Cherries: “Good blood cleanser. Valuable for anemia, rheumatism, asthma, high blood pressure, constipation and cramps.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “Edison failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.”

SNACKS:

Juice it up!

2010-10-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

i made an amazing discovery. it's called JUICING. i did an infomercial with jack lalanne 6 years ago. that's when i was introduced to it. camera was rolling and i pick up a glass of juice. i'm into colors so i picked up the deep red one. as i start tasting it, i have to say "it's yummy!". well, it wasn't. my face gave it away so i hear "cut!". so that left a bad taste in my mouth. until i met hank. he introduced me to yummy juicing. what a healthy snack! i don't know about you but right before i go to bed, i'm hungry. so hank patiently makes me a magic juice brew: carrots, celery and apple. delish! i feel satisfied and my blood sugars are perfect!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Celery: “Reduces acidity, which is beneficial in cases of arthritis, gout and toxicity. Excellent in cases of stomach acidity and reflux. Calms the nervous system. Lessens a ‘sweet-tooth.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea.”

-Napoleon Hill

SNACK IDEAS!

JUICE JUICE JUICE!

And.....

CRACKERS

Organic rice crackers
Leaf's corn chips www.leaforganics.com
Leaf's kale chips www.leaforganics.com
Mary's Gone crackers

I eat my frustrations, do you?

2010-09-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

so most of us eat our frustrations. other people starve their frustrations. living in hollywood is a whole different world. and that world is full of frustrations. the one that's been eating me away...that i've been eating away is the consequences of dating a celebrity. while most non hollywood people would treat my bf and moi the same, in hollywood there's a cast system that gives people permission to behave like rude, inconsiderate a-holes. let me expand: they introduce my bf and leave me behind like i'm not even there. and these are the people that know ME ie my friends or my acquaintances. or they start talking to him and completely ignore me like i'm a piece of furniture. now the same people that do this, then ask ME for favors. "would you pitch my show?", "can you book me on your show?", you get the picture. to those who have made this a habit, let me tell you something: i go home with this man and tell him how i feel when people do that. so if this people were a tad smart, they would learn to treat me like a human being. LA takes your humanity away, i swear! i thank God for having the gift of teaching lil ones cause they're the only ones in my life that keep it real.

so now that i vented...i feel better...i'm gonna celebrate! with cake...vegan cake....;)

next time, instead of eating my frustrations away, i'm gonna write about them. so be nice to me or you might end up on my blog. and you're so blinded by your bullshit that you won't even recognize yourself.

ttfn!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Cauliflower: “Excellent blood purifier and liver tonic. Useful for kidney/bladder disorders and constipation.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge.”

-Napoleon Hill

GREAT SNACKS:

Homemade Trail Mix:

In a plastic Ziploc bag MIX:

Complex Carbs

Stabilizer

Sweetener

½ -1 cup:

7-10:

Few:

365 High Fiber Organic Cereal

and/or

Eziekel Original Cereal…. sprinkle w/ cinnamon J

Any mixture of:

RAW almonds, walnuts, cashews or pecans

Any mixture of:

Goji berries, Inca berries, dried cranberries

No time to exercise!

2010-09-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

i've been sooo busy lately! producing 2 sizzle reels, working on my solo show, auditioning, doing acting gigs, doing stand up & improv shows and tutoring to supplement my income. CRAZY! but loving it! (hank doesn't love it so much..) anywho, my biggest problem is no time or energy to exercise. like today, i just want to vegetate at home doing nothing or doing fun things like blogging.

so since i can't exercise like i used to, i find that my incorporating vegan is helping me to NOT gain weight. i eat very lil carbs and focus on protein (meat 3 times a week) and lots of veggies. not just lettuce and tomato, i'm talking awesome salads that have all the vitamins and nutrition that you need. add grated beets, grated yams, celery, corn and beans to your salad. it's filling, nutritious and low cal.

so i'm including a few fun salads for you to incorporate in your diet.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Carrot: “Excellent for skin problems. Reduces inflammation of the mucus membranes in the intestines and respiratory tract. Is a liver cleanser and tonic. Healing effect in ulcerous and inflamed conditions of the stomach and intestines.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: "A person is a product of his own thoughts. Believe BIG."

-David J. Schwartz

A lil Something about Nadia:

Hi Everyone,

Here’s a bit about me J I have been studying nutrition for almost 10 years as the inspiration of my elderly father, teachers and my personal health has taught me to discover how food is closely related to mood, energy, mental clarity, aging, and disease prevention. I received my Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Sciences and a Certificate in Alternative Nutrition from California State University of Los Angeles as well as a Certificate in Beginning Culinary Arts.

My years of gained knowledge through education, research, doctors, travel, seminars and receiving mentoring from masters of different dietary disciplines has endowed me with a wealth of expertise I enjoy sharing with my clients and friends alike. Toxins and chemicals are so embedded in our daily consumption that, in many cases, making just a few changes increases the vibration of your life. I invite you to take the first step in revealing the best you can be. Feel free to contact me through e-mail.

~Nadia Arévalo

Wellness Food Consultant

food.consultant@yahoo.com

SALADS GALORE!
Celery, turnip & beet salad:
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup of grated turnips
1/2 cup of grated beets
1/2 tbsp brown rice vinegar
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
3/4 tbsp nama shoyu (basically soy sauce)
1 tbsp olive oil
dandelion TT

Zucchini salad:
1 cup grated zucchini
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 whole large smashed avocado
1/2 tbsp nama shoyu
1/2 tbsp grated ginger
1 1/2 tbsp sesame/olive oil
turmeric TT
dill or basil TT

Snack away!

2010-09-21T23:38:00.000-07:00

after a hard core vegan regime, i was able to accept and LOVE veggies and fruits. so now i'm eating meat twice a week and eating way more greens! and LIKING them! i'm also repelled to sugary foods which i used to be addicted to. i eat every 2 hours to keep my sugar levels in good shape and eating more veggies & fruits helps me do this and NOT gain weight! if you're hypoglycemic, this is what my research and experimentation says: eat every 2 hours. eat foods like string cheese, wheat crackers, apples (they're the best fruit for this condition), grapes, bananas and raw almonds. these are also easy snacks to carry in your purse. that way you know you don't spend a fortune buying crap from starbux that is loaded with calories and costs a fortune. i included some snack ideas!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day-
Carob: “Carob powder can be used as a chocolate substitute. Contains no oxalic acid or caffeine like chocolate. Good source of protein and carbohydrate and has excellent general health benefits.” Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “Fears are nothing more than a state of mind.”- Napoleon Hill

SNACKS

Dips:

Stabilizer

Crunchy Fiber

½ cup:

Lots:

Almond butter

+ Celery/

Apple/Jicama

Guacamole

+ Lettuce/

Collards/Radishes

Hummus

+ Celery/Zucchini

Leaf’s Cashew Kreme Cheese

+ carrots/yams

HERE'S SOME 411 on Nadia:
Hi Everyone,

Here’s a bit about me J I have been studying nutrition for almost 10 years as the inspiration of my elderly father, teachers and my personal health has taught me to discover how food is closely related to mood, energy, mental clarity, aging, and disease prevention. I received my Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Sciences and a Certificate in Alternative Nutrition from California State University of Los Angeles as well as a Certificate in Beginning Culinary Arts.

My years of gained knowledge through education, research, doctors, travel, seminars and receiving mentoring from masters of different dietary disciplines has endowed me with a wealth of expertise I enjoy sharing with my clients and friends alike. Toxins and chemicals are so embedded in our daily consumption that, in many cases, making just a few changes increases the vibration of your life. I invite you to take the first step in revealing the best you can be. Feel free to contact me through e-mail.

~Nadia Arévalo

Wellness Food Consultant

food.consultant@yahoo.com

Can I lose, please?!

2010-09-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

so....so far with my new "incorporated vegan" food regime, i haven't lost a pound. after analyzing what was preventing me from losing lbs. , i came to the conclusion that the vegan desserts were to blame (see top pic and you'll see why). so i broke up with the desserts (temporarily) and focused more on fruits, veggies and nuts. and guess what? in 2 days, i lost 3.5 lbs. yippee!!the coolest thing about all this, is that i now love eating more vegan stuff! i'm not ordering food from leaf for a while just to see if i can make myself vegan food.... on my own. and i'm proud to say that i do! :)

when you get hungry and feel like eating cake, here's a list of snacks that will "curb your desire":

SNACK IDEAS

Drinks:

· Juices, veggie
· Smoothies
· Coconut Water, canned or fresh
· Coconut Kefir
· Kombucha
· Druid’s Detox

SMOOTHIE OF THE DAY:

1 Mango
lots Spinach
1 Tsp Coconut butter
2 Tbsp chia seeds
R.O. Water

SALAD OF THE DAY:

GARBANZO BEAN SALAD:
2 cups of chopped lettuce
1 cup Eden organic garbanzo beans
1/2 cup thinly sliced chard
1/4 cup yellow or orange bell peppers
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
chevril TT

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Cantaloupe: “Useful in feverish states, high blood pressure, constipation, arthritis, intestinal gas/bloating, and kidney/bladder problems.” Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: "Belief in success is the one basic, absolutely essential ingredient in successful people." -David J. Schwartz

I can't eat crappy foods anymore....

2010-09-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

ok, this is what happens when your palate and your body get used to eating organic food ie the way God intended. you become more sensitive to the chemicals that are used to enhance flavor in processed foods.

today i had a looooong working day. 9am-9pm....i had 2 auditions, and 5 spanish classes to teach (good $$$) i have to work a lil harder to afford "good" organic food. crazy! apparently, it's cheaper to poison than to nourish yourself. but we already know we're living in a screwed up world. you don't need lil me to tell you that. ok, this is what happens when your palate and your body get used to eating organic food ie the way God intended. you become more sensitive to the chemicals that are used to enhance flavor in processed foods.

anywho, back to my long day. what happens on busy, long days is....you run the risk of eating...CRAP! being hypoglycemic, i have to eat every 2 hours or else i feel really tired. so at night, hank ordered some "vegetarian" restaurant food. he ordered soy chicken....i always steal food from his plate. i ate some of the soy chicken which tasted very salty. the apparently put a lot of crap to enhance the flavor of this soy chicken. i not only could TASTE the salt and for the first time ion my life, didn't like it...but i could also feel that my stomach did not like this food....i felt nauseated! conclusion: once you go vegan, your body won't love crap anymore. amen!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:
Food of the Day- Cabbage: “Excellent for many digestive and intestinal problems, such as bowel infections, parasites, bowel ulceration, and colitis. Reduces gallstones and disorders of the bile ducts. Good skin cleanser in cases of acne and skin infections.
Source: Sandra Cabot MD
Thought of the Day: "Strong belief, triggers the mind to figuring ways and means and how-to."
David J. Schwartz

SMOOTHIE OF THE DAY

Almond milk

½ cup Bok Choy

1 cup lettuce

3 Tbsp chia seeds

pinch stevia

SALAD OF THE DAY
Garbanzo Bean Salad
2 cups of chopped lettuce
1 cup den organic Garbanzo beans
1/2 cup thinly sliced chard
1/4 cup yellow or orange bell peppers
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
chevril

What have I become? A vegan carnivore?

2010-09-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

so now i've incorporated vegan into my life. the consequences of that are: i eat more veggies, organic of course, nuts and fruits. BV (before vegan) i ate more meats, starchs and sweets. now, i grew up in argentina, land of the steak....so my evil plan is to incorporate some meats into my diet and keeping the vegan thang going.

one thing that really bothered me is that i was unable to lose weight with vegan....i think i know why....i have a sweet tooth so i ate one vegan dessert a day...yes, they're good for you but guess what? they have beaucoup calories! so i go cool it with the desserts. bummer! ;(

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Brussels Sprouts: “Reduce insulin problems, which is useful in those with Syndrome X. Good general tonic and helpful for constipation, liver problems and obesity.

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “If you want things in your life to change, you’re going to have to make changes in your life.”

-Kevin Trudeau

SMOOTHIE OF THE DAY

Almond milk

2 cups Lettuce

¼ cup cabbage

1 Tbsp Coconut oil

1 Tbsp chia seeds

pinch stevia

SALAD OF THE DAY

1 cup small diced Persian cucumbers

3/4 thinly sliced celery

1 tbsp olive oil

lemon juice

sea salt

mint

Want bad skin? eat crap!

2010-09-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

ok, i just came back from miami. had lots of fun, rest and i tanned like a shrimp. you know....pink-white-pink-white. i am the whitest latina in america. and it burns!

so...i ate non organic, non vegan food. guess what? i have a pimple the size of florida! so yes, vegan makes your skin look better and younger.

i'm back on my vegan regime and ready to rock this week.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day- Broccoli: “Excellent for weight loss. Helpful for high blood pressure, liver problems and constipation.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day: “Take possession of your mind and direct it to whatever ends YOU desire.”

-Andrew Carnegie

SMOOTHIE OF THE DAY

Coconut water

½ cup finely chopped celery

lots mint

½ banana

1 Tbsp Coconut oil

1 Tbsp chia seeds

SALAD OF THE DAY

green bean salad

2 cups of roughly chopped green beans

1/2 cup of chopped tomatoes

3-5 grated radishes

few thinly sliced purple onions

1/2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tsp grated ginger

1 tbsp sesame/olive oil

turmeric TT

sorrel TT

Want good skin?...go vegan!

2010-08-27T23:15:00.001-07:00

natasha @ ole henricksen has been doing my facials for over a year now. today, she looked at my face and said: "your skin looks alive...what are you doing different?" "alive"? duh! i'm eating raw vegan food, the closest thing to nature....and guess what? nature is alive!

do you know how much money in facials this raw vegan thing will save me? :)

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day

Berries: “Excellent general tonic and skin cleanser. Mild laxative and diuretic. Improves kidney function.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day:

“The ladder of success is never crowded at the top.”
- Napoleon Hill

SMOOTHIE OF THE DAY:
1 cup diced Pineapple
whole coconut meat
water
lots of Spinach

SALAD OF THE DAY:

CABBAGE SALAD:

1 cup shredded green cabbage

1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp olive oil

3/4 tbsp soy sauce

cayenne pepper

chives

Is coffee an addiction?

2010-08-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

ok, here i am doing my vegan thang and eating meat maybe once a week. my blood sugars are doing great, i'm feeling good. however i had a hypoglycemic attack last nite while i was teaching a class. why? because i drank coffee. a full, rich, yummy cup of espresso that gets your blood sugars all messed up. i've never done drugs but i have a feeling i have a better understanding of why people take drugs in spite of them knowing it will mess them up in the long run. i know coffee is poison for me yet i choose to drink it and have a hypoglycemic attack. i've committed yet another "vegan sin".

so now, let's get to the good part. i'm incorporating more veggies into my diet so i have a bunch of fun salads that i wanna share with you. mamma over here loves corn. so here's a great corn salad:

SALAD OF THE DAY

2 fresh cut corns on the cob

1/4 cup diced tomato

1/2 red pepper, diced

1 medium avocado

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1/2 tbsp soy sauce

turmeric and cayenne pepper

arugula

And here's yet another healthy, yummy smoooooothie:

SMOOTHIE OF THE DAY
Coconut water
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1-2 Tbsp chia seeds
finely chopped celery
clover or alfalfa sprouts

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

FOOD OF THE DAY:

Beets: “Good cleanser for the liver and gallbladder. Beneficial in cases of iron deficiency anemia. Improves energy and vitality. Reduces hardening of the arteries.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"Think doubt and fail, think victory and succeed."
-David J. Schwartz

Salads, salads, salads....easy and good!

2010-08-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

so today is my birthday. i had about 400 happy birthday wishes on facebook! that made my day. and my hank giving me a laptop and taking me out to a wonderful dinner...that involved meat. forgive me, vegan gods, for i have sinned...again. however, the good news is that i found out that sugary desserts don't do it for me anymore! why? because after having rod's rich, creamy, HEALTHY desserts every day, i feel like i don't need the sugary, high calorie ones. it's like when you are in love with someone, you don't even look at other people. so thank you rod!

anyway, tomorrow i'm back on track with my vegan regime. this week it's all about delish salads. i'm gonna give you some recipes that are good for you, easy to make and inexpensive. now remember to buy organics veggies if possible. i know they cost a bit more but if you eat lots of veggies, you'll be surprised how much money you save by not buying expensive meats and processed foods.

salad of the day:

celery/carrot salad

2 cups thinly sliced celery,

1 cup thinly sliced carrots,

1/2 tbsp nama shoyu (soy sauce),

thinly sliced fennel,

2 tsp lemon juice,

1 1/2 tbsp sesame/olive oil.

smoothie of the day:
½ banana,
lots of kale,
1 Tbsp chia seeds.
water,
a pinch of stevia.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day-
String Beans:
“Excellent food for diabetics because of their slow release of their glucose content. They help to keep blood sugar levels stable. Excellent source of fiber and protein.”
Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day:
“What your mind feeds upon, your mind ATTRACTS to you.”
Napoleon Hill

You can't lose with vegan....weight, that is.

2010-08-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

i'm weighing myself this morning and i'm like...i've been eating veggies, fruits and nuts for almost 2 weeks yet i haven't lost an ounce. whattup with that?! i can't blame it on the desserts cause i only eat one a day. so what is it? is it the nuts? or is it that losing weight is more about portion control? the good thing about vegan is that it has leveled my blood sugar and i'm eating healthier than i used to. i encourage people to incorporate vegan to your diet, not for weight loss (don't hold your breath, hold your gut instead) but for sheer health.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day-:

Bean Sprouts: “High amounts of easily digested protein. The Chinese use sprouts to cleanse and detoxify the body.” (such as mung beans, alfalfa, lentils, chickpeas)
Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the Day:

“NO ONE can make you feel inferior without your permission.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

One word....MOOOOO!!!....oops!

2010-08-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

i haven't had any meat in the last 2 weeks. we went to see a musician friend play and we were hungry after the show. there's something about rock 'n roll that makes you feel like a rebel. so i rebelled against the vegan gods: i decided to eat meat.

on this journey, i'm trying to find out what works for ME. there's a lot of colors in the food spectrum. most of us are in the grey area. we want to eat healthy, yet there are some things we will never give up. for me, meat is one of them.

so this whole food adventure is for me to learn to incorporate healthier meals into my diet. it's not about being 100% vegan. last nite was a perfect example of you can have your cake and eat it too! i found out that once a week, i'm gonna eat meat.

like my friend rod rotondi says:

love your food,

love your planet,
love your Selves.

amen!

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day:

Avocado: “Excellent nutritional food containing plentiful amounts of beneficial oil, vitamins and minerals. Helpful for peptic ulcers and inflammation of digestive system.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the day: “No one is ready for a thing until he BELIEVES he can acquire it.”

- Napoleon Hill

She said: Replace the desserts with the soups...I said: No comprendo ingles.

2010-08-14T00:30:00.001-07:00

"My favorite liquid diet now is mashed potatoes and gravy in a blender, maple syrup and a 40 oz Bud light".

this is part of my comedy act. so you can imagine how hard it is to give up the bad stuff and embark in a vegan adventure. i get an email from nadia today, she tells me i should start replacing one of my daily desserts for a soup. i'm like "i don't think i can transition from dessert to soup at this time."...ok, it was more like "hell no!!" what is a girl with a sweet tooth to do when she hears this? she does the right thing: she goes to the pantry and grabs some corn chips.

so i've been craving red meat. eventually i will incorporate some organic meats to my diet but right now i just wanna get my health on track by shocking my body with a lot of good stuff.

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

Food of the Day-:

Asparagus: “Asparagus juice helps to break up oxalic acid crystals in the kidneys and muscular system, thus good for the pain of rheumatism and arthritis. Reduces kidney stones.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the day:

“Your only limitations are those you set up in your mind or permit others to set up for you.”

-Napoleon Hill

Smooooooothie!

2010-08-12T22:14:00.000-07:00

i wanna report that thanks to introducing vegan into my life, my blood sugar has been stable! wow, who knew??? all those years of eating desserts with refined sugar were a waste of time. they made my blood sugar soar only to bring it down again to the point where i'd have a hypoglycemic attack! and made me gain weight! now, with vegan desserts, my sugars STAY level and i satisfy my sweet tooth!!! what a great deal! also, i notice that since my blood sugar is leveled, i can focus better and i have more energy. oh! i asked leaf organic's rod rotondi if i could post some of his recipes...and he said yes!! so stay tuned for recipes like vanilla and raspberry chocolate cheezecake.

but before i do that...here's another easy yummy smoothie. i find them to be great mid morning snacks! enjoy!

½ banana
lots kale
3 Tbsp chia seeds
R.O. (reverse osmosis) or filtered water
pinch stevia or agave

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS

Food of the Day:
Apricots: “Excellent for skin problems. Acts as a blood tonic and helps to reduce anemia. Helpful for chronic cough and asthma.”
Source: Sandra Cabot MD

Thought of the day:
“All success begins with a definiteness of purpose, with a clear picture in your mind of precisely what you want from life.”
Napoleon Hill

if you have any food questions, email Nadia @ food.consultant@yahoo.com

It's working....no sugar drop today!

2010-08-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

i think this vegan thing works. i haven't had a sugar drop today. i ate all vegan all day and i feel good! call me crazy, but i can hear my body thanking me. :) this is how tough it is to be vegan: i had a guac wrap, an indian wrap, sinless cinnamon rolls, vanilla cheezecake (no misspelling, i swear that's how the vegan spelling goes!) and a very berry smoothie. this is easier than i thought. :) check out rod rotondi's place, that's where i order my food from. best, most delish vegan food in town:

LEAF ORGANICS

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

FOOD OF THE DAY:

Apples: “High in soluble fiber pectin, which soothes the intestines and reduces constipation. Increases the elimination of toxins via the intestine. Massages the gums and lowers cholesterol.”

Source: Sandra Cabot MD

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Take possession of your mind and direct it towards YOUR desire or idea of success.”

- Napoleon Hill

I never thought it'd come to this...goodbye coffee :(

2010-08-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

i've been told many times that coffee will give me a high and then make my blood sugar drop. i got final and clear confirmation today. i ate great food all day, things like:

the raw vegan version of a sloppy joe , sloppy jose,

the raw vegan version of an oreo cookie dessert, the orweo,

vegan raw oatmeal and a deep green smoothie from leaf called lean green scene: it has kale, mango. banana, OJ & cinnamon. you should make this one at home! delish and nutrish (that's my new word)

BUT....i had coffee in the afternoon. 2 hours later....i felt a hypoglycemic attack popping its ugly head. so i had to take 2 glucose pills. so if you suffer from hypoglycemia, please stay away from coffee. i'm a serious coffee addict and today i've finally decided to give it up. watch me blog complains of headaches and sleepiness. i used to drink a whole 12 cup carafe by myself before noon. to me coffee is liquid crack. so, bye bye luvah....im gonna miss u!

by the way, i find smoothies to be a great snack! here's one of nadia's easy smoothie recipes:

2-4 apricots or peaches
Coconut milk ( coconut water + meat)
lots Lettuce
1 Tbsp chia seeds

FOOD CONSULTANT NADIA SAYS:

FOOD OF THE DAY:
Almond milk: "supports the nervous system. Beneficial for muscle tone and body building. Excellent source of calcium for the teeth and bones."

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." - Napoleon Hill

For the first time in my life, I rejected candy!

2010-08-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

yes, it's a historical date in my life: i have never ever rejected candy! but i did today! whahhh???? that's right, you heard it here first. grace refused awful, refined, yummy sugar. you might be asking yourself, "why??" because....because....i didn't want it.

ok, this is how it went down: before i was offered the candy, i had just eaten rod's chocolate raspberry cheesecake. this did 2 things: my body was happy with the natural sugars AND my sweet tooth was appeased. i had healthy snacks all thru the day and i felt great. to the point where my blood sugar never dropped! so no glucose pills for me today. this is so cool, i think this vegan thing works.....

food consultant, nadia says....

food of the day: alfalfa sprouts-

'an excellent source of chlorophyll. assists with weight loss and supports liver function. useful for menopausal symptoms, as it contains large amounts of phytoestrogens."

source: sandra cabot MD

thought of the day: "it is always your next move." - napolean hill

My first all vegan day!

2010-08-07T00:48:00.001-07:00

you're wondering, how is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? well, with rod's desserts, it's possible! i had sinless cinnamon rolls for breakfast. what a great way to start the day! lunch consisted of a delish kale salad (also by rod) which included spirulina and kream cheeze. no, not a typo. that's how vegans name their foods, the same way we carnivores do, except they misspell it so you know you ain't getting the real thing! however, to my surprise it tasted like real cream cheese. and it's really good for you! I'm really liking this! for dessert i had chocolate mousse (real chocolate, people) and orweo dessert(vegan oreo) that made my day even sweeter. for dinner, raw corn chips with guacamole dip.

so my first day report is...who thought organic and raw could taste soooo good???

my recommendation: go to leaf organics and try some raw vegan desserts. you get all the taste without the sugar! it's a different and new kind of "high"...and i like it!

Picking up the yum yum!

2010-08-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

i just picked up all my vegan dinners, breakfasts, desserts and drinks from leaf organics. i'm ready to start tomorrow! today i had to take 3 glucose pills cause i felt the onset of a hypoglycemia episode....this diet should eventually balance my blood sugars so they don't drop often. i'll be recording that fer sheer!

last nite i had a pre-emmy's party and i ate lots of indian foods and drank red wine. that was my farewell to meats and sugar. countdown to incorporating vegan into my life starts in.....12 hours with my breakfast tomorrow.

also, check out nadia's comments, she knows what she's talking about! :)

Incorporating easy, healthy recipes

2010-08-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

i got a call from my doctor telling me that my sugar was quite low on my last blood test. this only fueled the fire to start incorporating more vegan into my life. so today, hank cooked some awesome, vegan, healthy meals for me. they're simple and delish! he made a kale salad and brown rice mix that were out of this world. here are the recipes:

1- kale salad:

ingredients: kale, avocado, chopped red onion, finely chopped beet leaves, juice of one lemon,1/2 tsp seasalt, dash of cayenne.

remove the kale leaves from the stem, tearing the kale into bite size pieces. put it in a large bowl, ad one avocado (in pieces), red onion, beet leaves, juice of one lemon, the salt and cayenne. mix it all together with your hands to break up the avocado. now you're ready to eat an amazing salad! told you it was easy!

2- brown rice:

ingredients: 1 cup of long grain brown rice, 1 stock of finely chopped celery, 2 cups of water, 1 tsp of coconut oil, 1/2 tsp of soy sauce, dash of garlic powder.

bring to a rolling boil, cover and lower heat. let it simmer for approximately 45 minutes. when the rice is done, remove cover, add finely chopped celery, coconut oil, soy sauce and garlic powder. mix it and enjoy!

Shopping vegan...

2010-08-01T21:16:00.000-07:00

i met with nadia, the nutritionist at whole foods today. we bought mostly veggies. i was shocked to see how much cheaper it is to buy veggies than carnivorous foodies! even at whole foods, whole paycheck store. wow! i learned that the leaves from the beets can be chopped raw and add it to brown rice with some red onion and celery. hank made it for us today and it was yummy! we bought lentils which nadia said you can mix with any salad or brown rice and add some points to the "nutrition scale". we also bought some raw snack bars (10 for $10 on sale) for those long days when i get hungry and stop at the 7/11 and end up buying donuts. another tip is bring water with you always so you stay hydrated. 2 years ago i was in the hospital being treated for dehydration so i know to carry water with me all the time. plastic bottles have bleach that leak into the water so carry a glass bottle with you that you can refill with filtered water. cheaper and healthier!

Carnivore or grass eater?

2010-07-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

i have received great, supportive emails from the people who received my august newsletter! first of all, i wanna let you know that the reason i'm doing this "vegan experiment" is not only for myself but to help and inspire others to improve their health by choosing better foods. second, i'm not planning to go 100% vegan. i'm from argentina, a red meat country. i grew up eating steak every day! so what i want to do and inspire others to do, is to start incorporating more raw vegan & vegan dishes into their diet. to help you do this, i'll be blogging easy, yummy recipes. i will also pick a food of the day" and let you know how it helps your health if you eat it raw. that way you can try them out and start incorporating a healthier diet step by step...

oh! the reason i'm going 100% vegan for a period of time is cause i'm a nut!

i'm picking up my food on wednesday......my farewell to meats consists of ...eating a lot of it! :)

happy eating!

Food choice ratings :)

2010-07-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

today, i met with the nutritionist again. she gave me a great list with 3 choices of food: my choice, better choice and best choice. for example: on my choice of beef/chicken/turkey, the better choice is organic tempeh, organic sprouted tofu and freshly cooked lentils/beans. the best choice is in crease amount of vegetables (she put a smiley face here cause mamma ain't too fond of the greens...) like grilled/ steamed zucchini. she also gave me some recipes that i will start posting as soon as i try them! hank is in on this so i got his back. and his cooking....keeper! :)

check out rod rotondi's restaurant. he's providing the food for this experiment! i'm a huge fan of his cuisine and he truly believes in improving people's lives thru food. check him out! LEAF ORGANICS

his book is incredible if you want great raw vegan recipes. delish!!

Meeting with the nutritionist

2010-07-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

i met with the nutritionist today....(pic above) she gave me lots of pointers. what stood out for me was the fact that raw vegan food is good for you because your body recognizes the food that comes from nature. the body doesn't recognize processed food with chemicals and toxins so it doesn't know how to use them. so what does the body do? it stores them! yikes! we're like a junkyard!

she's gonna design a plan for me and give me some easy, healthy recipes. i'm gonna post them as soon as i get them. :)

here's the nutritionist info! she's very knowledgeable and caring -

nadia arevalo food.consultant@yahoo.com

Getting Closer :)

2010-07-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

hank (my man) and i stopped at LEAF to drop off the questionnaire for the nutritionist. now rod rotondi, leaf's owner and most amazing chef i ever met, makes the most AMAZING vegan desserts you'll ever eat. just look at the picture on top of my page....hank and i were getting attention cause we were having a food porn moment. tomorrow, i'm meeting with the nutritionist so we can design the food program.....stay tuned!

Filling out the Forms!

2010-07-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

so i just got an email from rod rotondi, the owner of leaf organics in culver city, CA, asking me to fill out the forms for his nutritionist so she can design a meal plan that will help me level my blood sugar.....she's asking me a lot of personal questions! we're getting started next wednesday. woohoo! the countdown begins! will eating only veggies, fruits and nuts turn me into a tree? stay tuned!!

The plan

2010-07-21T19:10:00.001-07:00

well, today i had a very successful business meeting at my friend rod rotondi's vegan restaurant "leaf". he just re decorated and it looks amazing! rod and moi are going on a food adventure. he's the provider and i'm the consumer. see, i have hypoglycemia which means my sugar level drops dramatically after a sugar high (that damn ice cream!) or strenuous exercise. rod's nutritionist will design a vegan meal plan to improve my sugar levels. and rod will cook the meals.

now, i'm a burger, chili fries, cheesecake kinda girl so....this not only will be a challenge to my blood sugar but also to my palate. i will blog my progress as far as sugar levels and weight (hopefully LOSS!) and the challenges i face being on the road as a comedian and actress. will i stick to it or cheat...a lot?

Stabilizer	Crunchy Fiber	Sprouted Grains			Crackers
½ cup:	Lots:	1 or 2:			10-12:
Almond butter	+ Celery/Apple/Jicama	or	+ Sprouted bread/tortilla	or		+ Organic rice crackers
Guacamole	+ Lettuce/Collards/Radishes	or	+ Sprouted tortilla	or		+ Leaf’s Corn Chips
Hummus	+ Celery/Zucchini	or	+ Sprouted tortilla	or		+ Mary’s Gone Crackers
Leaf’s Cashew Kreme Cheese	+ carrots/yams	or	+ Sprouted bread/ tortilla	or		+ Leaf’s Kale Chips