Day 14

THOUGHTS- I can't because....

Think about something that is really important to you. Something that you really want to acheive. Now think about what you're going to do to acheive it.

Now I'm not a psychic or anything but my bet is that the next thought to cross your mind is "I can't because..."

STOP IT!!! Without a doubt the thing you want to do is being done by someone else. Right? What makes them so much better than you? Determination? Luck? Looks? Nothing is unatainable if you want it badly enough.

I want to act and write. That's what excites me. I've always been told it hard and there is no money in it. There are so many other people trying to do it. You'll never make it. The last few years I just went about my way waiting for things to happen and blaming all sorts of things for why I wasn't making it in either of my passions. But now I'm back into it and making things happen. I wasn't getting roles in any film work so I wrote and produced a short film myself. There are people out there who are more than willing to help you out in your chosen feild all you need to do is find out how to do it.

We all know how to lose weight. Eat less excersise more. So why is there such an obesity epidemic? Because people make excuses. I would but....

Well no more. If you really want to be what you say you want to be then be it.

"Don't dream it, Be it," From the Rocky Horror soundtrack. Just the chorus the repetition of that line reminds me everytime I hear it that I need to be it and that's how dreams are reached.

My good friend Liana has a good motto when she is faced with a challenge she asks herself "What would Richard Branson do?" And clearly the answer is don't give up.

So don't give up. If it's just out of your reach stretch a little further and you will find the rewards are amazing.

CHALLENGES- Today I was out all day and under prepared. I also agreed to go out with some people which normally wouldn't have been a problem but they were new vegan friends and we were going to a vegan/vegetarian restaraunt. So of course they were getting heaps of food so that we could all try it. But unfortunately most of it is fried. :(

TRIUMPHS- Tried a few small peices of the food for work purposes so that I know what to reccomend to my own customers. I was so tempted to eat more but I resisted.

WHAT I ATE-

BREAKFAST- Last little bit of packaged Muesli that was in my cupboard, Rice Milk.

Multivitamins and iron tablet.

SNACKS- Mixed nuts and two buckwheat biscuits see yesterdays blog for recipe.

LUNCH- Salad- Cos lettuse, cucumber, snow peas, red onion, 1 shallot, chickpeas and quinoa.

dressing- Flaxseed oil and fresh squeezed lime juice.

SNACKS- 3 strawberries, 1 banana

DINNER- Tofu salad- block of tofu topped with lettuce and seaweed strips, nuts and onion and a soy and sesame oil dressing.

1 peice of spicy calamari and 2 peices of salt and pepper oyster.

Kuan Yin Tea house. Amazing Vegan Vegetarian restaurant.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/place?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=kuan+yin+tea+house&fb=1&gl=au&hq=kuan+yin+tea+house&hnear=Brisbane+QLD&cid=10866087077276679639

Day 13

THOUGHTS-mmm Popcorn. I thought that there was some process to make popcorn kernels as they are and thus would eliminate them from my diet but upon researching it I have found that it actually grows like that on the cob.
Here is some wiki information on it.
Popcorn or popping corn (Zea mays everta, "corn turned inside out") is a type of corn which explodes from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn popping was originally discovered by Native Americans, but became popular as a snack food during the United States Great Depression, especially in movie theaters.Corn is able to pop because, unlike other grains, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy filling. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive "pop" results. Some strains of corn are now cultivated specifically as popping corns.There are many techniques for popping corn. Commercial large-scale popcorn machines were invented by Charles Cretors in the late 19th Century. Many types of small-scale home methods for popping corn also exist, with the most popular in the USA being prepackaged microwavable popcorn.[1]As a snack food, popcorn has both advocates and detractors. Some consider it to be a health food, while others caution against it for a variety of reasons. Popcorn can also have non-food applications, ranging from holiday decorations to packaging materials.
CHALLENGES-Not being able to melt margarine and cover my popcorn with salt.
TRIUMPHS- Created a spic dressing for my popcorn instead and it tasted good.
WHAT I ATE-
BREAKFAST- 4 small buckwheat, soy milk and cinamon pancakes. Left over batter from last night. Covered in rice malt syrup.
SNACK- Mixed nuts
LUNCH- Salad- Chickpeas, avocado, shallot, lettuce and cucumber.
Dressing- Flaxseed oil, dijon mustard, lemon juice and garlic.
SNACK- Air popped popcorn. Tsp canola oil. Coriander powder, oregano powder, tumeric powder and cumin powder. Mix oil and spices together and pour over popcorn.
DINNER- Left over adzuki pasta bolognaise.
DESSERT- Buckwheat biscuit.
Buckwheat flour, oats, soy milk, dessicated coconut and flaked almonds.
Preheat oven to 220 degrees.
Mix together in a bowl.
Line tray with baking paper.
Using a spoon spoon mixture on to baking paper.
Cook until golden brown.
EXCERSICE- Walking to and from the train station.

Day 12

THOUGHTS-
I have a few thoughts to share today. I have been very set in my ways for a long time and if I find a food I like that's all I'll eat. I don't generally try new things but starting the earth diet means that I need to find new flavours and make myself try things that I never used to like in different ways. So I am starting a "Bean of the Week" theme. Since starting at my new job I have discovered that there are so many varieties of beans that I have never tried before so this week it is the "Adzuki bean."The following is a bit about it's health benefitsAdzuki beans are a good source of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc copper, manganese and B vitamins. As a high-potassium, low-sodium food they can help reduce blood pressure and act as a natural diuretic. When combined with grains, beans supply high quality protein, which provides a healthy alternative to meat or other animal protein. Like most beans, adzuki beans are rich in soluble fibre. This type of fibre provides bulk to the stool and binds to toxins and cholesterol aiding in their elimination from the body. In Japan adzuki beans are known for their healing properties and are used to support kidney and bladder function. Gillian McKeith is a huge fan of the adzuki bean and refers to it as the 'weight loss' bean as it low in calories and fat but high in nutrientshttp://www.knowingfood.com/nutri/adkinfo.htmlMy second thought is that the home grown lettuce and basil I had today were amazing. The lettuce my dad grew but the basil it could have been the worst couple of basil leaves in the world but just knowing that I planted a seed a few weeks ago and now I have this food that I can eat feels great. It's also cutting out the middle men that are part of food production. The farmer, his machines, the transport to the shop and then the transport home. Plus it really does taste good. Better for me and better for the environment. If I wasn't renting I would have the biggest veggie garden.My third thought is in two parts. Today I had pasta and tinned tomatoes. These are not earth diet foods I know. But with pay day a few days away the cupboard was pretty bare. So Firstly pasta-Eating a lot of white pasta will also raise your blood’s levels of the bad LDL cholesterol. This in turn can lead to heart disease, narrowing of, or blockages in the arteries, which can lead to thrombosis (blood clots) and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a known cause of strokes as well as a plethora of other health problems that need a medical encyclopaedia to do justice to!Thrombosis can lead to heart attacks if blood clots are allowed to form in the arteries and veins that subsequently become mobile in the bloodstream and find their way into the heart muscles.As you can see, there are plenty of very good reasons for excluding this type of pasta from your diet, or at least cutting it down to an infrequent treat. But it’s not all bad news, as there are alternatives to this staple foodstuff of many households.http://hubpages.com/hub/why-white-pasta-is-bad-for-youCanned foods- There is not alot of articles that say that canned food is bad for you. Most simply stated that canned veggies are better than candy. But we all know that fresh is best. Plus if you can avoid all the unessesary packaging and labour and machinary that goes into making one tin of food the planet will love you for it.So I am still making the transition and do have a few things left in the cupboard so until I can afford replacements for all of them there may be an item or two not fitting the Earth Diet requirement but by the end of next week it will be all in. :)CHALLENGES- Really hungry in the evening today. Couldn't help eating more than I had planned.TRIUMPHS- Stayed away from the majority of the bad stuff.WHAT I ATE-BREAKFAST- Mae's Medicine- Carrot, celery, beetroot, lettuce, ginger, cucumber.Tropical smoothie- Banana, soy milk, dessicated coconut and flaxseed meal. Place all ingredients in blender.LUNCH- Salad with slightly asian twist- Daddy's home grown lettuce. Cucumber, shallot, onion capsicum, avocado, sesame seeds, adzuki beans.Dressing- Flaxseed oil, garlic, soy sauce.SNACKS- Apple, mixed nuts and fresh watermelon and grape juice.DINNER- Pasta- Adzuki beans, tinned whole tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves, some onion, capsicum, shallot, my home grown basil. Canola oil.3 small buckwheat piklets- buckwheat flour, soy milk, cinnamon, cooked in canola oil. Topped with rice malt syrup.Glass rice milkQuinoa and chickpeas.

Day 11

THOUGHTS- VEGANISM
So far I have just been touching on individual foods that I have been eating and their benefits but now I'd like to say a little something about the foods I have given up.
I am a Vegan. In some peoples eyes this means that I am weird, hippy, backwards and not respecting the food chain. Whatever others think doesn't matter. But the word respect seems to come up in one persons argument a little. That I don't respect the food chain. What is this? The food chain is an idea that some people came up with and put on paper. How about respecting our planet and the animals that share it with us. My original switch to veganism was purely for the rights of the animals. I am an animal lover and it was when I made the connection that the animals I loved were the very same animals I was eating that made me cease the consumption of animal products. But as time goes on and now I work in a Vegan retail shop and spend more time with vegans I learn more and more reasons why being a vegan is a positive thing.
- There is less impact on the environment.
- There are plenty of health benifits
- Vegans are less likely to be obese
- Animal rights
I will touch more on each of these topics in future blogs.
So what is a vegan? You might still be wondering. A vegan is someone who does not consume any animal products. This includes- meat, fish, eggs, dairy products and honey. They also do not wear leather, fur or wool. There are many different levels to veganism. Some will not consume products that may contain traces of these products but that comes down to personal choice. But the basics of Veganism will always be the same.
CHALLENGES- Heading to the end of the week and running low on good foods. And there are tempting non earthy foods in the cupboard screaming out my name.
TRIUMPHS- Resisting the temptation and planning out the next few days worth of meals with what I have left.
WHAT I ATE-
BREAKFAST- Mae's Magic Medicine- Beetroot, celery, lettuce, ginger, cucumber juice.
Veggie Fritter- Red onion, red capsicum, mushroom, shallot, carrot, snow peas, garlic, chickpeas, buckwheat flour, soy milk and olive oil.
Dice all vegetables finely, mash chickpeas mix together add flour and soy milk until all ingredients blended together. Cook in a little bit of olive oil.
LUNCH- Chickpea curry- Chickpeas, capsicum, onion, carrot, pumpkin, minced ginger, garlic clove, corriander powder, cumin powder, cardamon powder, chilli powder, soy milk. Cook together in a frypan.
With Brown rice.
SNACK- Handful pistachios, Handful of grapes, fresh squeezed watermelon and lime juice.
DINNER- Veggie stir fry with Quinoa- Capsicum, Mushroom, shallot, Onion, Garlic, ginger, snowpeas. Tamari, sesame seeds, canola oil.
Chop all veggies into stir fry strips. Brown garlic and ginger with onion and capsicum and a little oil. Then add other veggies and sauce and lightly fry to you liking. Serve on bed of Quinoa.
EXCERCISE- Walking too and from the train station.

Day 10

THOUGHTS- I love mushrooms. I think they're amazing and lately I haven't been having too many I have been getting my protein from processed packaged veggie sausages and schnitzel. I am at the end of what I brought shopping this week and I am sad to see that I am almost out of mushrooms. I love their tatse and texture and there is so much you can do with them. They are great for breakfast, on salads for lunch or in stir fry for dinner. The all day protein and they taste great. In doing some research into them I found the following information.
This research is just the beginning of what is sure to be an exciting journey into a fuller understanding of mushrooms and your health!Minerals in Mushrooms. The focus on the nutritional value of brightly colored fruits and vegetables has unintentionally left mushrooms in the dark. Mushrooms provide a similar number of nutrients as brightly colored fruits and vegetables.Selenium is a mineral that works as an antioxidant to protect body cells from damage that might lead to heart disease, some cancers and other diseases of aging5. It also has been found to be important for the immune system and fertility in men6. Many foods of animal origin and grains are good sources of selenium, but mushrooms are among the richest sources of selenium in the produce aisle and provide 8-22 mcg per serving1. This is good news for vegetarians, whose sources of selenium are limited.Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring antioxidant that also may help protect the body’s cells. Mushrooms provide 2.8-4.9 mg of ergothioneine per serving of white, Portabella or crimini mushrooms7.Copper helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Copper also helps keep bones and nerves healthy1,2,5.Potassium is an important mineral many people do not get enough of. It aids in the maintenance of normal fluid and mineral balance, which helps control blood pressure. It also plays a role in making sure nerves and muscles, including the heart, function properly. Mushrooms have 267- 407 mg of potassium per serving, which is 9 percent of the Daily Value 1,2,5,8.Vitamins in Mushrooms. Mushrooms are one of the few natural sources of vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. One serving of 4-5 mushrooms provides 15 IU of this important nutrient, which many people do not get enough of1,2. Factors affecting your vitamin D intake include your age, skin color, where you live and whether you use sunscreen or not8,9,11. Mushrooms are also a good source of the B vitamins riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and pantothenic acid (B5). These vitamins help break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates so they can be used for energy1,5. Mushrooms can be an important source of B-vitamins for people who don’t eat meat. One serving of crimini mushrooms provides nearly one-quarter of the Daily Value for riboflavin, and mushrooms are one of the best plant-based sources of niacin around1,2.Pantothenic acid helps with the production of hormones and also plays an important role in the nervous system5.Riboflavin helps maintain healthy red blood cells5.Niacin promotes healthy skin and makes sure the digestive and nervous systems function properly5.References1 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2006. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. A Food Labeling Guide. September, 1994 (Editorial revisions, June, 1999) http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flg-toc.html3 Chang R. Functional Properties of Edible Mushrooms. Nutrition Reviews. 1996; 54:91-934 Borchers AT, et al. Mushrooms, Tumors, and Immunity: An Update. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2004:393-406.5 Duyff, R. American Dietetic Association's Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. Third addition. Wiley & Sons. NJ. 2006.6 National Institutes of Health. Medline Plus. www.nlm.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002414.htm7 Dubost, N. J., et al. (2006). Identification and quantification of ergothioneine in cultivated mushrooms by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 8, 215-22.8 U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Chapter 2. http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter2.htm
Full of plenty of nutrients. And with so many different types of mushrooms the flavour will never be boring. Shitake, Oyster, Enoki, Cremini and Portobello. All delicious and all with their own flavours.
CHALLENGES- Getting to the theatre and realising there was no microwave for the corn I had brought along.
TRUIMPHS- Boiling the kettle and pouring it into the container with the corn and cooking it that way.
WHAT I ATE-
BREAKFAST-Mae's Medicine- Beetroot, Carrot, Celery, Ginger, Spinach and cucumber juice.
Tofu, Spinach and Mushroom. Cooked in a non stick pan with sprinkle of olive oil and a small amount of Tamari in the mushrooms.
Fresh Grape and Apple Juice
LUNCH- Salad- Lettuce, cucumber, sprouts, red capsicum, red onion, 1 shallot, 1/4 avocado, tablespoon each of toasted pine nuts and almond slivers
Dressing- olive oil, sesame oil, grushed garlic and soy sauce.
SNACKS- Banana.
Watermelon juice
Organic dairy free dark chocolate with white mint chips
Mixed nuts- Walnuts, cashews, brazil nuts and almonds
1 peice of extra 5 gum
DINNER-(at rehearsal) 1/2 avocado
1/2 corn cob
6 snowpeas
(After rehearsal) Small amount of chickpea curry made up for tomorrows lunch. (Recipe tomorrow)
Glass of Rice Milk
EXCERCISE- Warm ups at rehearsal

Day 9

THOUGHTS- Today I realised things taste different. Things like salad and vegetables that the old me would have turned my nose up at I am finding myself craving and things that I would normally love to eat I am finding difficult to bring myself around to it. It's unual for me to feel like this so early on. Normally I'll do a detox and at least until day 10 I am still craving things like mad. I suppose this time I haven't gone a complete stop on everything. I am weaning off things one at a time insetad of all the nasties at once. I am now 9 days without deep fried food, bread, caffeine and carbonated drinks. I'm 3 days without alcohol. My body is responding so much better to this diet than I ever would have thought. I kept putting it off because I didn't think I could do it. So many other things that I have been putting off as well I have started doing. I am writing a novel. Yes that's right. Me Carolyn Wagner am writing a novel. I have been working on this one for 8 years now and this year it is going to be complete. I never have the time. That's been my excuse for God knows how long now. But yet I was able to master Farmville and yoVille and Vampire Wars and any other facebook application I could find to fill the time. I wasted hours on these. Last night I had my final realisation of one of my biggest time wasters. TRAFFIC. I spend an hour and a half every morning and and hour and a half every evening in traffic to and from work. It stresses me out. Wastes my time and is sure not good for the environment. So today I caught the train. I have only done this once since I have had a car. I had to drive 15 minutes to the station but once I was on the train I pulled out my laptop and added 1497 words to my novel in the hour long train trip. Then I walked 15 minutes to work. I spent the same amount of time. Saved 0.013 tonnes of carbon emissions. And the cost was about the same. The boss noticed the difference when I got to work. She had given me Monday off because I was looking run down. She comments on my lunch every day and sayd how healty and yummy it looks and she is an acredited dietitian. She also agreed that catching the train has lowered my amount of stress and she's right. In just the one day not having to sit through all the garbage on the roads on the way to and from work I was so much more relaxed. I also now have found that time to spend on something that I enjoy doing. Even if you can't catch the train everywhere you should catch it when you can. It's definately making me happier and I know mother earth is feeling better about it as well.
Had some aloe vera juice today and here are some of the benefits-
The health benefits of aloe vera taken internally include: improved circulation, regulation of blood pressure, promotes healing of bones and joints, strengthens the immune system, defends the body against bacteria, heals internal tissue damage, heals ulcers, improves and even eliminates constipation, blood sugar regulation, and reduces itchiness in psoriasis helping it to heal.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/29154
Check out the entire article if you would like to read more.
CHALLENGES- Eating chocolate. I tried to eat some chocolate today and couldn't do it. It tasted so bad. Also not going home for dinner and eating out not having anything prepared.
TRIUMPHS- Ordering as healthy as I could from my favourite restaurant when all I wanted to do was eat all the tasty things.
WHAT I ATE-
BREAKFAST- Amaranth, sliced banana and Rice Milk. Water with lemon juice and multivitamins and iron. Mae's Magic medicine- Beetroot, carrot, ginger, celery, spinach.
SNACK- Mixed raw nuts
LUNCH- Salad- Chickpeas, sprouts, 1/4 Avocado, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, red onion, red capsicum, shallot.
Dressing- flaxseed oil, garlic, dijon mustard and lemon juice.
1 peice of choc. YUK.
Couple of grapes to take away the chocolate taste.
DINNER- At Loving Hut- Vegetable rice paper rolls with soy saucea and an aloe vera juice.
http://mtgravatt.lovinghut.com.au/ My favourite restaurant check it out. Everything is totally vegan. But even if you're not vegan the food is amazing. My ex used to like it and he is not even vegetarian.
EXCERCISE- Walking 30 mins to and from the train station. (15 each way) Plus yoga stretches at work

Day 8

THOUGHTS- HANGOVERS. Last night I took a step away from the Earth Diet and consumed way too much alcohol for my body to control. And this morning I have the mother of all hangovers. I was shaking, pale, my head was pounding and I lost count of how many times I threw up. I was throwing up bile. Which is never a good thing. It's yellow and foamy and smells bad. And the more it comes up everytime I smelt it I threw up again. What a vicious cycle.Bile is produced by the Liver to help break down the fats in foods and to be throwing it up as soon as I woke up meant that I had been throwing up through the night to an extent that my stomach was empty. I had been given a long weekend by work to rest up and I lost an entire day. I was unable to get up off my friends couch until 3pm that afternoon. What did I gain? Nothing really. I had a fun night.... I think. So I was told anyway. Why do we drink? Here's why we shouldn't drink.HEALTH STATUSDrinking heavily over a long period of time can cause harm to a person's brain and liver functioning and contribute to depression, relationship difficulties and hence quality of life. It can also increase the risk of developing cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, cognitive problems, dementia and alcohol dependence (NHMRC 2001).High risk consumption of alcohol is strongly associated with oral, throat and oesophageal cancer (AIHW 2005a).Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer among females (Ridolfo and Stevenson, 1998).In 2004-05, 16% of males with risky/high risk levels of alcohol consumption reported having hypertension, compared with 13% males with low alcohol consumption levels (after adjusting for age differences).Of those who drank at risky/high risk levels, more people reported high/very high psychological distress compared with those who drank at low risk levels. Those most affected were in the age group 18-24 years, women more so than men (footnote 6).See- http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4832.0.55.001/for more information.So in my "groups" I am the drinking champion, piss head, chucky. When I arrived last night someone was unable to reckognise me because I wasn't sumbling and slurring. That's not a cool image in the slightest. In a months time I do have a party planned but I am pretty sure until then I won't touch the stuff and perhaps even that night I will have the will to refrain from it. I had a miserable day and would not look forward to repeating it. With all the healthy earthy foods I have been consuming the first two drinks went straight to my head. So now I am on a mission to find alochol free events. I have got a role in a theatre show which I managed to drag myself to rehearsal at 6pm. So that will take up some nights and I'm going to start hanging out with people who don't drink so much. Which isn't too hard in the vegan world as most beers and wines are not vegan. Yes that's correct most of the beer and wine you drink are filtered through fish bladders, egg or dairy products. For more information check out.http://www.vegsoc.org.au/forum_messages.asp?Thread_ID=11105&Topic_ID=1So Carolyn is not drinking tonight or the next night. Nor many more nights to come. Alcohol is a want. We do not need to drink it. But after such a long running relationship We will be taking it step at a time. There is still one bottle of vodka in the house which is still allowed consumption as part of the clean out phase. But do I need it no. I have also heard some wines are earthy. But these should be drunk at a glass a night and not two bottles worth like the old me. Come on this journey with me and learn who you really are without the drink in your hand. You might find people like you better without it. And really only have you around to laugh at when you get too drunk. Plus your body will thank you.CHALLENGES- Everything. Today everything was a challenge and no one to blame but me.TRIUMPHS- When I am usually cured by greasy take away chips I had fruit and oven baked foods.WHAT I ATE-BREAKFAST- A few grapes- Threw them upWater- threw that upsips of apple juice- threw that upLUNCH- A few grapes finally stayed down at 2pm.1 1/2 potatoes oven baked in olive oil cut in chip shapesSNACK- 1/2 avocadoDINNER- Spaghetti with Bar-B-Q sauce.1 house of Biskotta biscuit- Last in the packet. No more packaged bicuits.EXCERCISE- None.

Day 7

THOUGHTS- HANGOVERS. Last night I took a step away from the Earth Diet and consumed way too much alcohol for my body to control. And this morning I have the mother of all hangovers. I was shaking, pale, my head was pounding and I lost count of how many times I threw up. I was throwing up bile. Which is never a good thing. It's yellow and foamy and smells bad. And the more it comes up everytime I smelt it I threw up again. What a vicious cycle.Bile is produced by the Liver to help break down the fats in foods and to be throwing it up as soon as I woke up meant that I had been throwing up through the night to an extent that my stomach was empty. I had been given a long weekend by work to rest up and I lost an entire day. I was unable to get up off my friends couch until 3pm that afternoon. What did I gain? Nothing really. I had a fun night.... I think. So I was told anyway. Why do we drink? Here's why we shouldn't drink.HEALTH STATUSDrinking heavily over a long period of time can cause harm to a person's brain and liver functioning and contribute to depression, relationship difficulties and hence quality of life. It can also increase the risk of developing cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, cognitive problems, dementia and alcohol dependence (NHMRC 2001).High risk consumption of alcohol is strongly associated with oral, throat and oesophageal cancer (AIHW 2005a).Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer among females (Ridolfo and Stevenson, 1998).In 2004-05, 16% of males with risky/high risk levels of alcohol consumption reported having hypertension, compared with 13% males with low alcohol consumption levels (after adjusting for age differences).Of those who drank at risky/high risk levels, more people reported high/very high psychological distress compared with those who drank at low risk levels. Those most affected were in the age group 18-24 years, women more so than men (footnote 6).See- http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4832.0.55.001/for more information.So in my "groups" I am the drinking champion, piss head, chucky. When I arrived last night someone was unable to reckognise me because I wasn't sumbling and slurring. That's not a cool image in the slightest. In a months time I do have a party planned but I am pretty sure until then I won't touch the stuff and perhaps even that night I will have the will to refrain from it. I had a miserable day and would not look forward to repeating it. With all the healthy earthy foods I have been consuming the first two drinks went straight to my head. So now I am on a mission to find alochol free events. I have got a role in a theatre show which I managed to drag myself to rehearsal at 6pm. So that will take up some nights and I'm going to start hanging out with people who don't drink so much. Which isn't too hard in the vegan world as most beers and wines are not vegan. Yes that's correct most of the beer and wine you drink are filtered through fish bladders, egg or dairy products. For more information check out.http://www.vegsoc.org.au/forum_messages.asp?Thread_ID=11105&Topic_ID=1So Carolyn is not drinking tonight or the next night. Nor many more nights to come. Alcohol is a want. We do not need to drink it. But after such a long running relationship We will be taking it step at a time. There is still one bottle of vodka in the house which is still allowed consumption as part of the clean out phase. But do I need it no. I have also heard some wines are earthy. But these should be drunk at a glass a night and not two bottles worth like the old me. Come on this journey with me and learn who you really are without the drink in your hand. You might find people like you better without it. And really only have you around to laugh at when you get too drunk. Plus your body will thank you.CHALLENGES- Everything. Today everything was a challenge and no one to blame but me.TRIUMPHS- When I am usually cured by greasy take away chips I had fruit and oven baked foods.WHAT I ATE-BREAKFAST- A few grapes- Threw them upWater- threw that upsips of apple juice- threw that upLUNCH- A few grapes finally stayed down at 2pm.1 1/2 potatoes oven baked in olive oil cut in chip shapesSNACK- 1/2 avocadoDINNER- Spaghetti with Bar-B-Q sauce.1 house of Biskotta biscuit- Last in the packet. No more packaged bicuits.EXCERCISE- None.

Day 6

THOUGHTS- So working in a health food shop I am discovering new things all the time and today it was time to try amaranth. People have come in asking for it and raving about it. So here's a little information I found on it.
The Nutrition Almanac says: Amaranth is an ancient grain that has a high protein content and contains a variety of components including calcium, magnesium and silicon. It is categorized by botanists as a C4 plant, meaning it is superior in the process of photosynthesis, which makes it a very nutritious food. Amaranth can be cooked as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or popped like pop-corn. The amount of amaranth in packaged products and cereals is not ver significant.
From an article written by Keryn De Maria in the Autumn 2002 New Vegetarian and Natural Health: There are a number of other ancient grains which are gaining renewed popularity, amongst them Kamut (a registered trademark for an ancient wheat relative, with a "sweet" taste and similar advantages to Spelt), Teff (a highly nutritious, miniature grain from Ethiopia) and Amaranth (another pseudo-cereal with benefits similar to quinoa).
And from Colliers Encyclopedia: Amaranth, a coarse annual plant belonging to the genus Amaranthus. There are about 50 species, native to tropical and mild climates in all parts of the world. Some species known as pigweed, are widely distributed as weeds. A few are cultivated in gardens for their bright foliage or flower clusters. The amaranth is an erect or a spreading plant, growing 1 to 10 feet high. It has alternate entire leaves. The foliage is often variegated with bronze, red, yellow, or purple blotches. The small flowers, white, greenish, pink or purple, may be borne in drooping panicles. Popular cultivated species include love-lies-bleeding, (Amaranthus caudatus), and prince′s-feather, (A.hybridus, var. hypochondriacus). A. tricolour, called Joseph′s-coat if its leaves are blotched and coloured, is planted in the United States for ornament, and used in India as a potherb. John C. Wister
Since visiting Mae I have been looking for a way to include protein in my breakfast without having a big fatty cook up every morning. And amaranth appears to be the answer. Another article I found stats that Amaranth, Quinoa and Buckwheat are the three grains that hold a complete protein source. Many other plants contain partial protien sources but the three new grains I have discovered seem to be a god send. And tasty and versatile.
Now I did go to a party after having such a healthy day and drank it all away. But I guess it's pretty much my last night of drinking for a while. Mae wants me to give my liver time to heal because apparantly it's not doing too well. I could never imagine why. I guess all that drinking I've done hasn't helped.
CHALLENGES- Going to a party. Unable to refrain from drinking.
TRIUMPHS- Didn't have any soft drink and didn't pig out when I got drunk.
WHAT I ATE-
BREAKFAST- Water with lemon juice. 2 Vegan Multivitamins, 1 Vegan iron Tablet. Mae's Majic Medicine- Beetroot, Carrot, ginger, celery, spinach and lemon. Through Juicer.
Health start Muesli with Amaranth and organic soy Milk.
LUNCH- Salad- quinoa, chickpeas, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, snowpeas, spinach, basil, trio of sprouts, grated beetroot, spring onion.
Dressing- Flaxseed oil, dijon mustard, garlic and lemon juice.
DINNER- Cous cous, shickpeas, shallot, capsicum, red onion, garlic mixed herbs.
Party stuff- 2 rice crackers with hummus, sun dried tomato. Lost count of cocktails.

Day 5

THOUGHTS- Today I started adding the new things to my diet that Mae had recommended. One of those being Mae's Magic Medicine which is what I shall call it. I already feel better after my visit to Mae two days ago and after actaully being able to shop it was good to create some amazing foods. So I was up early to make a wonderful lunch to take to work and what did I do? Yeah that's right I left it on the bench. So I got to work with the temptation of so many wonderful foods but I managed to make myself something yummy and healthy. I have discovered that I am totally in love with chickpeas which made me decide that's what today's blog shall be about. The chickpea is cheap and versatile and it's nutty buttery flavour makes it great to incorperate into any dish. It is reckoned to be one of the oldest cultivated crops and is grown mainly in India, Pakistan and Turkey plus many other countries. Chickpeas have a low Glycemic index. Which is great for anyone trying to lose weight. Because they keep you fuller longer. Even if you're not trying to lose weight I just think they taste great. One of my favourite recipes is a chickpea salad that I will have to have at a later date so you can see for yourself how delicious it is and make it yourself.
Eaten regularly they can also help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. They also contain fructo-oligosaccharides, a type of prebiotic carbohydrate fibre, which supports healthy gut flora. Maintaining a healthy balance of friendly bacteria in the colon is necessary to optimize digestive function and strengthen immunity.An excellent low-fat source of protein, chickpeas are rich in the essential amino acid lysine (which is vital for many body functions including growth, tissue repair, maintenance of muscle mass and the production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies), but lacking in others such as methionine and tryptophan.
In brief, chickpeas are an excellent low-fat source of protein and complex carbohydrate. 100g provides 115kcal, 7.2g protein, 2.9g fat (0.3g of which are saturates) and 16.1g carbohydrate (0.4g of which are sugars).
Healty and tasty what more could you ask for.
CHALLENGES- Today I leaft my lunch at home that I had already prepared and it was hard not to be tempted by the delicious foods at work.
TRIUMPHS- I made Quinoa and Chickpeas for lunch.
WHAT I ATE TODAY-
BREAKFAST-1 Mushroom, Chunk of tofu and Spinach. Cooked up in olive oil.
Mae's Magic Medicine- 1/2 Beetroot, 1/4 large carrot, 1/4 celery stick, handful of spinach, 1/4 lemon, fresh ginger. All squeezed through juicer.
SNACK- Macadamia nuts
LUNCH- Tinned chickpeas and Quinoa
SNACK- Finish tin of chickpeas
DINNER- Roast Veg. 1/4 Potato, 1/4 beetroot, half carrot, 1 small parsnip, few cubes pumpkin, 1 garlic clove. Cooked in olive oil.


Fresh Pineapple juice
DESSERT- Buckwheat man- Leftover pineapple pulp, Buckwheat flour, Soymilk, rice malt syrup. Mix together till doughy but still a bit runny. Place gingerbread man cutter on flat tray and pour in mix. Oven bake at 240 degrees for 15 mins or until cooked all the way through.

Day 4

THOUGHTS- So I'm on Day four. I haven't completely cut out all the nasties from my diet but the small changes that I have made are already making me feel a hundred times better. Yes I did go out drinking last night but the choice to not have the carbonated soft drink, or the red bulls that I would normally have left me pretty much without a hangover. Usually I would then crave some hot chips and smother them with salt and chase it with a can of coke. This morning I had some fresh fruit and nuts and it helped pick me up staright away. Today I went into the shopping centre and I didn't leave the produce section. I used to live in the chips and soft drink isles. I picked products with the least packaging possible and didn't use any of the store supplied plastic bags. I have decided that the sometimes Earth Diet is having a slightly different spin on Liana's diet. While she will eat foods only from the earth in their purest forms. I am doing my best to do the same but I am also looking into everything that I can do to make not only my diet but my everyday activities better for the earth. While I was watching the TV I saw an ad for a product that is a potato cut into cubes and in plastic bag. The old me would have probably thought "Gee how convenient I love potatoes." The new me simply thought "How hard is it to cut up your own potato?" I had brought some potatoes from the shop and they are in my cupboard which uses no power. This new product would need to go in the frezzer. It's using plastic. It's used a machine to cut it into cubes. It's been trucked from the farm, to the factory, to the packer, to the wholesaler and then finally to the retailer. How high is the carbon footprint on this one product just so people can save a few minutes? Now writing this I am second guessing my choice to get the washed potatoes as there is another unessesary stap the product had to take before I got it home. I have recently started trying to grow my own vegetables to decrease this carbon footprint even more. I have only been successful so far with Cos lettuce and Basil. But not only is it rewarding growing these but they taste better. So fresh. No chemicals no pestisides, no time in trucks and shops stright from garden to plate.
CHALLENGES- Struggling through the same lunch again
TRIUMPHS- Shopping day today. The only thing I got that wasn't in the procduce section was Tp and handtowels. Woo
WHAT I ATE-
BREAKFAST- Grapes. Water with a squeeze of lemon juice and 2 vegan multivitamins. Mixed raw nuts (Almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts and walnuts), with rice malt syrup.
LUNCH- Salad- Soy beans, lettuce, carrot, beetroot, cucumber, snow peas, mungbean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, onion sprouts.
Dressing- Flaxseed oil, lemone juice, organic crushed garlic.
DRINKS- Organic Orange juice, Guava Lava Juice. (Both juices in their purest form but trying to do my best to only have home made juices from now on.)
SNACK- House of Biskota monte cream biscuit. (Not a food of the earth but vegan and so delicious.) 1/4 cup tinned fruit salad with flaxseed oil.
DINNER- Stir fry- Tofu, red onion, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, red capsicum, carrot, mushroom, snow peas with a dash of organic tamari.
Tea- Planet organics Calming tea- Chamomile, lemon balm and spearmint.
EXCERCISE- Little bit of walking.

Day 3

THOUGHTS- Today was just full of thoughts. To start off with I got up and made a buckwheat pancake. I didn't use any sugar and I thought to myself that it was going to taste horrible. But I was surprised when I found it quiet nice. It was a totally different flavour not as sweet as what other pancakes are. This had more substance to it. And I was full after one. I normally make about 3 pancakes. So what is this buckwheat about?
Buckwheat is the hearty, working-man’s crop that thrives in poor soil conditions, freezing temperatures, droughts, and excess rains. Buckwheat is resistant to damage and is therefore relatively inexpensive and easy to grow. Buckwheat is native to Northern Europe and Asia and eventually spread to Europe and Russia in the 14th and 15th centuries, and was introduced to the United States by the Dutch during the 17th century.It may surprise some people to learn that buckwheat is actually a fruit even though it is commonly thought to be a grain. Buckwheat is a fruit seed that is related to rhubarb and sorrel.Whole buckwheat is a very nutritious food. The protein in buckwheat contains the eight essential amino acids and is also high in lysine. Buckwheat is also rich in many B vitamins as well as phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. Buckwheat is also a good oil source of Alpha-Linolenic Acid, which is one of the two essential fatty acids we must have to be healthy.Health Benefits of BuckwheatBuckwheat is high in fiber. 1 cup of cooked buckwheat groats contains over 4 grams of dietary fiber.Buckwheat contains the eight essential amino acids.Buckwheat contains many minerals including: phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese.Buckwheat contains a rich supply of flavonoids, particularly rutin.Buckwheat lowers glucose levels and is beneficial for managing diabetes.Buckwheat has been found to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol.Buckwheat is a fruit seed and is a gluten-free alternative to grains.Dietary Uses of BuckwheatBuckwheat flour has a strong, distinctive flavor and is often mixed with other flours to lend its distinctive taste to many baked goods. Buckwheat comes in a few different forms for dietary consumption:Buckwheat groats are the hulled grains of buckwheat; they are three-sided in shape andresemble grains of wheat, oats, or rye. Kasha is a traditional porridge made from buckwheat groats. Buckwheat groats are used whole in hot cereals and soups. The triangular seeds from buckwheat can be used to make flour after being removed from the husk.Buckwheat Flour is commonly used to make buckwheat pancakes, hot cereals, and soups. Buckwheat flour is mixed with whole wheat flour to make breads, muffins and biscuits.
Also today I made meals for the next two days to stop me from just grabbing something that was too unhealthy while I was out.
And my last thoughts today was.... Well it's time to get rid of all the crap in my life. Literally. So my good friend Liana reccomended that I go and see the wonderful Mae. So I did. Mae is amazing if you have any problems go see her. So Mae looked into my eyes and she told me all the things I already knew about myself and a whole bunch of things that I had no idea about. From my eyes she could tell that I have had a flu lately and it's still lingering. My lungs, liver and kidneys are not functioning well. And i had blockages in my intestine. I was by this point still a little skeptical. But I think that's human nature when there is something new. She told me where my blockages were and when she poked them it hurt. She she took me for a colon hydrotherapy. Pipe up my bum. Water up there. Crap comes out. Fun. Okay so it wasn't really fun but afterwards she told me all the things lacking in my diet and everything that i needed to do and gave me some recipes of stuff that I need to make. And I felt better. I felt so much lighter and emptier. I had been bloated for some time and now I just feel releived.
CHALLENGES- Doing something new even though I was skeptical about it.
TRIUMPHS- Doing something new even though I was skeptical about it.
WHAT I ATE-
BREAKFAST- Organic buckwheat, organic soy milk and cinnamon. Made into a pancake cooked in organic olive oil and topped with rice malt syrup.
SNACK- Half avocado
LUNCH- Soy bean salad- Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, carrot, beetroot, trio sprouts and soy beans.
Dressing- organic olive oil, lemon juice, organic crushed garlic.
DINNER- Tofu crumbed with powdered veggie stock and cooked in organic olive oil. Quinoa.
AFTER DINNER- A bottle of wine, 1 vodka orange and four vodka and pineapple.
Packet of smiths plain chips.
I know that I shouldn't be drinking on a health kick but I was feeling up for a big night. And I only had still drinks instead of any bubbles which cause bloating. I'll talk about soft drinks in another blog.

Day 2

THOUGHTS- Today I decided to try and eat as much raw food as I could. As uncooked food holds the nutrients better than any cooked food does. I will go into more detail about the benifits of a raw diet when I take on the challenge to go raw for a few weeks but today I would like to talk about Quinoa (Pronounced Keen-wah).
QuinoaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the town with a similar name, see Quinua, Peru. Quinoa is also a title of a 1992 music album by Tangerine Dream.Quinoa (pronounced /ˈkiːnoʊ.ə/ or /kwɨˈnoʊ.ə/, Spanish quinua, from Quechua kinwa), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a grass. As a chenopod, quinoa is closely related to species such as beets, spinach, and tumbleweeds. Its leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable, much like amaranth, but the commercial availability of quinoa greens is currently limited.
Nutritional value
Quinoa was of great nutritional importance in pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, being secondary only to the potato, and was followed in importance by maize. In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%), making it a healthy choice for vegetarians and vegans. Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source.[4] It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.[4]
Good old wiki always has the answers. Quinoa has been a recent discoveryof mine since I started working in a Vegan shop and I love it. It is a great alternative for rice and cous cous and because of the high protein in it. I am left feeling fuller longer. There are a number of different things you can make with quinoa and there are even packet ready pasta, noodles and even quinoa milk. I am yet to try these other creations but no doubt I will soon.
CHALLENGES- Caffeine headaches. So I am two days in and missing my caffeine like crazy.
TRIUMPHS- I didn't give in to caffeine.
WHAT I ATE TODAY-
BREAKFAST- 1 Banana, 5/2 Juice. (Small bottle of juice with 5 fruits and 2 veggies. Very yummy.)
LUNCH- Salad- Lettuce, Cherry tomatoes, grated carrot, grated beetroot, snow peas, sprouts (mung beans, onion and alfalfa), cucumber.
Dressing- Organic hummus, organic olive oil and water.
SNACK- Grapes
DINNER- Eggplant, quinoa, tomato risotto and mashed pumpkin. Conscious kitchen frozen meals. It is very rare to find a frozen vegan meal and one that is so healthy so I was very excited and it was delicious.
EXCERCISE- None.

Day 1

Thoughts- Today I have started taking steps towards The Earth Diet. http://theearthdiet.blogspot.com/ Created by my friend Liana Werner-Gray. I however will be putting my own spin on it. I will be experimenting with different ways that what I consume can effect the Earth. Everything I consume is always vegan. I am making the change gradually so that I will stick to it. As part of my transition to the Earth Diet I am also taking part in what I call a house diet. So anything I have previously purchased that is sitting in my house is elegiable for consumption. To reduce the wastage that would occur if I threw away all non earth diet products. However thanks to Chrisco I have about 10 tins of peas. I might put them in a homeless shelter collection. Then I'm killing two birds with one stone, no wastage and helping the needy. My first few weeks of blogs will be the transition period and then from that I will Earth Diet for a while, and I will also be experimenting with raw and detox diets. As a finalist for the Miss Earth Australia pageant this year I decided that it was about time I started eating a more eco friendly diet and taking on many other environmental challenges throughout the year. But having read that the food you eat is what affects your carbon footprint more than anything I thought this was the best place to start. The food you eat travels more miles in a gas guzzling truck or aeroplane than you would ever manage to drive or fly in your life. So my Sometimes Earth Diet will hopefully help people become more aware of what they are eating and where their food actually comes from.
Challenges- No caffeine!! No take away!! No deep fried product!! No potato chips!!! How will I ever manage. Got a headache throughout the day and really wanted some panadol.
Triumphs- I just did it. Pure and simple no caffeine, take aways or deep fried products. Slowly will be decreasing my sugar intake but I think my body is in shock from losing all the rest. Drank peppermint tea instead of taking panadol for my headache.
What I ate today-
Breakfast- Glass of water with lemon juice. 2 Vegan multivitamins, 1 cup tinned fruit salad, teaspoon of flaxseed oil, fennel and orange tea with organic soy milk, handful of cashews.
Lunch- Mediteranian cous cous- 1/2 cup cous cous, 1/4 chopped red onion, tblsp olives, tsp capers, 1/2 tsp organic garlic paste, three cherry tomatoes chopped, tsp pinenuts, 2 tblsp lentils, home grown cos lettuce leaf, home grown basil leaves.
Dinner- Lentils and rice- cup rice, 3/4 cup lentils, chopped red onion, cracked pepper, tsp apple cider vinegar, 2 home grown cos lettuce leafs and home grown basil.
Dessert- 1 cup tin fruit salad
Snacks- Peppermint tea with organic soy milk, 1 apple juice popper, dried apricot, tblsp organic sultanas, 50g almonds and macadamia mix, House of Biskota monte cream buscuit (Most amazing vegan biscuits ever), Cashews and Raw Peanuts.
Excersice- 50 star jumps and 10 minutes of yoga stretching.
LIANA'S DAY ONE. (Mine pales in comparison.)
The Earth Diet begins!!!!Tomorrow I will take on the biggest, fattest (or skinniest!), healthiest, most demanding challenge of my life!
Who: Me!!!!(Am I the only nut to take this on? Let me know if anyone else out there wants to give this a go too! We can do it together)
What: I will eat only natural and wholesome foods provided by the earth for 365 days. The Earth Diet challenge! No processed foods, no artifical anythings, no sweetners, no additives, no enhanced flavours and preservatives!
Name: The Earth Diet
Where: Where ever I am in the world, under any circumstance I must say no to any man made food!
When: Starting tomorrow Sunday 25th October 2009 for 365 days until October 25th 2010!Why: To empower myself and others in choosing what we put in our mouths. To create a healthy, balanced eating lifestyle and look and feel totally hottt! I believe that doing this I will achieve weight loss, I will feel great, look hot, feel hot, have peace of mind, tone up, tighten up, be healthier, shiny, clean, gain confidence, have control, love myself again, have courage, self confidence, be free from resentment, guilt and regret on myself and happiness.Biggest Fear: I am afraid of failing. I am afraid of finding out that I do not have control over my food addiction and that I will live with the pain and suffering of the binge eating for the rest of my life.I declare: I declare my binge eating and pain addiction complete as of right now!Inspirations: You. If I have a craving for junk food, or the pain body comes in and wants some binge-action and pain, I will think of you. Whether anyone actually reads this or not, you, someone or just cyber space, it will keep me accountable, I will have to be true to my word, because I will think oh no I’m not eating that because I will check in at my blog tonight and I will not write ‘today I failed’ or ‘I couldn’t do it’. I’m sick of my ‘I can’t do it’ attitude when it comes to food, it’s now time for ‘I CAN’. Control.Rules: To eat foods from the earth; fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, meat, fish. Anything that comes from a tree, a plant, the ground, the ocean I will eat.Not to eat; Foods not from the earth; anything that has been tampered by man, anything with chemicals on the back of the package that I cannot even pronounce, soft drinks, lollies, chocolates, chips, cakes, cookies, processed flours, breads. Anything that comes from a factory I will not eat.If you want to hear my “story” and more “whys” for my Earth Diet challenge then read below. I will check in every night and post a blog about my day doing the Earth Diet!Tomorrow I will take on the biggest, fattest, healthiest, most demanding challenge of my life!And I mean the biggest! To add dramatic effect: I thought these were my ‘big’ challenges I took on in the past (but these aint nothing compared to what I am about to do!): Sky diving, bungy jumping, cooking a rabbit on ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here’, hitting the snow slopes in NZ after a broken butt and one day of lessons, riding a 6 foot wave in California, dressing up as a giant testicle, painting a canvas nude with my boyfriend, finding a tumour in my throat, announcing to my whole grade 3 class that I wanted to own a butcher shop when I grew up, being constipated at 3 years old at Kindergarten and deciding as a 3 year old what to do and how to survive that moment, going to the USA with $200 and ending up working on a film with Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg, ,creating I Love Earth a worldwide organization to reduce carbon emissions from around the world, travelling Europe for 3 months on my own with a camera and documentary in mind and a dream to reduce depression and suicide worldwide, going to a party with Pamela Anderson, creating the possibility of going to the moon (still pending hehe!),giving my entire Disney collection to the Psychiatric Ward (was hard to let that one go!), growing up in Alice Springs, living in a town of 200 people for 4 years, eating cow cellulite and mastering circular breathing for didgeridoo playing ....well my new challenge IS THE BIGGEST, MOST FRIGHTENTING, HEALTHIEST, MOST DEMANDING CHALLENGE I have ever considered taking on! Because I’m afraid of failing.For five years I have battled with finding a ‘balanced’ eating lifestyle. My weight constantly yo-yos, as does my energy, vitality and social activities. Basically my whole life revolves around food. I let it get out of control 5 years ago. I was 17 and modelling, I was energetic, fit and healthy, I didn’t worry about food, focus on it or put attention or energy on what I ate, I basically ate anything and everything but in moderation and balance. Then I’m not sure what ‘happened’ and when the exact point was, but something changed in me and all of a sudden I was eating junk food, and not because I liked it, but because I has this underlying feeling of guilt and thoughts of ‘I’m not good enough’, ‘I can’t do it’ and ‘I’m not in control’. I didn’t even like the junk food I was eating; I would scoff down an ice cream, and not even remember what it tasted like, totally unconscious, then I would feel so guilty that I was ruining my body with toxins, that I would get fat and ugly and it felt like I was punishing myself. This guilt I created inside me would create a resistance in my body and that would make the food hard to digest and excrete. Now I have bowel issues, and if I am stressed, it just doesn’t work at all!For 5 years this has gone on, until tomorrow. Tomorrow I will commit to 365 days of process free food and only eat foods that the earth provides. For 5 years I have struggled with bouncing back and forth from extreme organic healthy person, to a junk food binger. I would hide this from my friends and family. I would only want them to see me as a healthy person, so if I was in binge-mode I was by myself, I would silence any phone calls I received and reject any social offers to go out or meet with anyone! One week I would detox and have a colonic, along with beetroot juices, and all natural foods, and I would feel great, and clean and shiny, and once I got to this feeling I would sabotage it and binge on as much junk food as I could in one day! This became an exhausting vicious circle! I learnt that I had an addiction when it got to the 5 year mark. In the dictionary an addiction is described as “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming” and I felt I had no control over what went in my mouth and that I wasn’t able to go for longer than a week without a binge. I had no power or integrity around it at all, I would have a thought ‘I should eat some chocolate’ and then feel I would have to go and eat it, that I had no choice but to just do it. Once I learnt I had an addiction I realized I was addicted to the pain of this experience. Each week would be different. Each week my moods would change with the foods, the amount of chemicals I would consume. I always seem to be more calm, more relaxed, happy and peaceful when I eat wholesome real foods as opposed to a nervy, yoyo moody stress head when my body is full of toxic foods. The last ‘binge spree’ I had was today, I started the day with white bread with peanut butter and vegemite, a small packet of special k, a piece of chocolate fudge, a ham and egg wrap, a white chocolate and macadamia chunk cookie, a packet of gobstopper candy, 2 scones with butter and vegemite, a picnic bar and a chocolate freddo frog, a kit kat and another freddo frog, French fries and a chicken wrap. Then another chocolate bar ; snickers. I didn’t enjoy any of this, I felt tired, drousy and dizzy.I believe that doing this will empower me – so I will have a deep confidence of knowing that I do have control and I can choose what I eat, instead of feeling like a victim to a food/pain addiction.I also hope this empowers you to want to be healthy and to know that you can choose health.I’ve tried so many things and ways to get rid of this over the past 5 years. I’ve had colonics in the hope that it would wash out my craving cells so I wouldn’t crave sugar – didn’t work, I tried detoxing with beetroot and ginger juice to get it all out of my system, I tried yoga, meditations, I was even hypnotised, I’ve tried ‘starting again’ hundreds of times! I would have a massive binge and say ‘this is definitely the last time, I’ve had enough, tomorrow I will start, tomorrow, tomorrow’, Tomorrow never came.I believe that the earth provides us with all the natural resources we need – including food. The aboriginals lived off the land for hundreds of years. I am hoping as a last resort that by me taking on this Earth Diet challenge, and eating wholesome foods from the earth, my bingeing addiction will totally disappear and I will be able to maintain a happy and healthy balance when it comes to food and health!I’m actually starting to freak out now. I just realized what I have created and that tomorrow I will not be able to eat an ice cream, how will I know how to be? How do I ‘be’ without an addiction? It’s been part of my identity for 5 years. I told my boyfriend about the challenge and after a silent pause he said “That sounds crazy. That sounds full on. Yeah totally crazy. Liana that’s crazy. You know go for it, but it’s going to be expensive.” That’s something I hadn’t taken into consideration. Will it be cheaper eating earth foods or manmade foods? When I told my flatmate about my new Earth Diet challenge he laughed and said “But why?”.....I guess we will see.....