The Ecstasy of Feeling Well: A Healing Diet to Bring You Back from the Edge!

Over the years I’m managed to ease myself into an eating strategy that gives a huge boost to my immune system, provides me with enormous reserves of energy, and a foolproof way to keep my body in an ideal alkaline state.  Do I go off the path?  Absolutely!  I’m a fan of breaking the rules, and break them I do… but I suffer for it in the end!  But knowing I have my healing diet to bring me back from the edge, to balance out the seduction and satisfaction of my cravings, to calm the beast inside. This basic formula is a way to get my system back on track before the next onset of hedonistic bliss!  I must say, however, that this approach to eating has become much more of a constant than anything else, as there is no greater ecstasy than feeling well and up for everything because body, soul, and mind are aligned and in top form. 

This being said, here is an example of what I have in my cupboards at all times:

·      Goji berries (extremely high anti-oxidant fruit)

·      Flax seeds (balances all internal systems, roughage, anti-cancer, and more)

·      Bee pollen (complete vitamin content, especially B complex)

·      Organic coconut flakes or powder (fortifying system)

·      Organic chocolate nibs (high in magnesium, no sugar, energy booster)

·      Maca root (root from the Amazon for hormonal function)

·      Organic stevia (natural alkaline sweetener)

·      Raisons (iron)

·      Cinnamon powder (lowers cholesterol, regulates blood sugar, memory)

·      Oatmeal (fiber, reduces toxicity, lowers cholesterol)

·      Brown rice -preferably short grain “yamani” rice (vitamins, minerals)

·      Millet (gluten-free, vitamins, minerals, alkaline)

·      Amaranth (super grain: protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals)

·      Quinoa (gluten-free, super grain: protein, amino acids, antioxidant)

·      Wholegrain bread

·      Apple butter

·      Assorted vegetables: green leafy, root, cruciferous

·      Sea weed: nori, haziki, wakame, etc

·      Garlic

·      Fresh ginger root

·      Organic first pressed virgin olive oil

·      Organic apple cider vinegar (highly alkaline)

·      Coconut oil
    

Alkaline fruits:

·      Lemons

·      Green apples

·      Apricots

·      Peaches

·      Grapes

·      Cantaloupe

·      Watermelon

·      Almonds (E, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, niacin)

·      Cashews (copper, magnesium, tryptophan, phosphorus)

·      Sesame seeds (manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, fiber, protein)

·      Sunflower seeds (E, thiamine, manganese, magnesium, copper, selenium)

·      Chia seeds (weight loss, blood sugar balance, Omega 3, anti-oxidant)

Essential spices: turmeric, cayenne pepper, sea salt, black pepper, cumin, a good curry powder (preferably homemade)

Loose Teas:

·      Horsetail (lots of silica for skin and hair)

·      Ginko Biloba (brain stimulant)

·      Milk Thistle (liver cleanser, diuretic)

·      Organic green

·      Organic red

·       

Make a mixture of these teas and drink throughout the day.

SOLE

Sole is an amazing drink made from Himalayan salt and pure water, with Fiji water being recommended.  Put several large chunks of the salt in a jar and cover with water by about two inches above the chunks.  When the salt can no longer dissolve, you have SOLE.  SOLE helps to remove parasites, is anti-aging, smoothes the skin, and much more.  Everyday before breakfast, on an empty stomach, take a tbs of SOLE in a glass of fresh water.  Wait a half hour and then have breakfast.  You will see what wonders it will bring!

RECIPES

Breakfast

Cook oatmeal with raisons, a pinch of stevia, a tbs of coconut flakes or powder, cinnamon

Add to cooked oatmeal: bunch of goji berries, tsp bee pollen, tsp maca, pinch of chocolate nibs, flax seeds (you have to grind them just before you eat them to get the most out of them.. or buy cold pressed flax oil and put this on your salads)

Optional: Add rice milk and half a banana

Lunch and dinner

Recipe 1:

Brown rice/millet/quinoa (add amaranth to all for extra protein)

Assorted steamed veggies

Recipes can be made as follows:

Grains with steamed veggies topped with flaked nori, olive oil, sea salt, cayenne pepper

Place coconut oil or other oil appropriate for heat in wok or pan.  Add turmeric, cayenne, cumin, curry, salt and heat for a moment to open up the spices.  Add onions, garlic, and grated ginger root and sauté.

Add leafy veggies and cook for only moments, not letting them lose their bright green color.

Or

Add cooked grains to the sautéed mixture and then place sautéed veggies on top along with cooked seaweed or dried nori flakes.

Recipe 2.

Fresh green salads with as many bitter leaves as possible: dandelion, arugula, etc. Fresh fennel is great.  Top with avocado, tomato, and cucumbers along with a handful of shopped cashew nuts.

Dress with olive oil and either apple cider vinegar or half a lemon. Salt and pepper to taste.

Snacking

Whole grain bread with apple butter is a great snack, as are alkaline fruits.

Almonds , sunflower seeds, raisons, goji berries and chocolate nibs make a great snack mix for maintaining energy throughout the day.  Fresh fruits are always good.  Blender drinks made with fruits or vegetables or a combination of the two are great ways to alleviate hunger between meals.  One of my favorites is:

·      A handful of spinach or parsley

·      A whole Bartlett pear

·      A slice of ginger

·      Half a lemon squeezed

·      A quarter cup of purified water

Blend it up at high speed and you have a vitamin/mineral packed pick-me-up that is absolutely delicious.

SUGGESTIONS

Any other recipes based on these simple themes are great.  The idea is to make your diet, especially for the first week or so, as high in alkaline content as possible.  Once your body has less acid and more alkaline, it will not crave sweets and will begin to re-align towards health.  This means you will:

·      Become less anxious

·      Your figure will become more streamline

·      You will not have cravings

·      You will be able to have a more acid meal upon occasion without suffering, as long as you return to the alkaline way.

Bicarbonate of Soda

If you  eat an especially high acidic meal, take one tbs of bicarbonate of soda with half a lemon in a glass of water afterwards. This will immediately alkalize your system.  It is especially good if you have been drinking alcohol.

I will be writing more in detail about the benefits of many of the foods mentioned here in future articles.  Stay tuned!