Day 24

THOUGHTS-

I have started trying to include more raw foods in my diet so I heard about making sunflower milk and decided that I would give it a go. It can't be that hard can it? It wasn't. Sunflower kernels and water in a blender and ta da. So I did a bit of a search on the benefits of sunflower kernels.

According to research completed in March 2001 by Dr. K. Phillips of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the sunflower kernel is rich in a number of nutrients that have been shown to protect against cardiovascular and other diseases and to act as antioxidants and anti-carcinogens. When considered in aggregate, this amazing kernel packs a powerful nutritional punch.
Sunflower kernels contain high levels of vitamin E, betaine, phenolic acids, and choline. In addition, the kernel is a good source of arginine and lignans. Each of these compounds, while perhaps unfamiliar to the layperson, has been studied by the scientific community and shown to offer a variety of health benefits.
Vitamin E (Tocopherols): May protect against cardiovascular disease.
Betaine: May protect against cardiovascular disease.
Phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid): Antioxidant and anti-carcinogen.
Choline: Plays a role in memory and cognitive function.
Arginine: Potential heart benefits.
Lignans: May protect against heart disease and some cancers; lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides

For more information check out http://happynutritionist.com/sunflower.html

I also read that it's good to give your body a break from solid foods as it takes alot of energy for it to break it down and somtimes the nutrients that you need aren't as easily absorbed so for the first half of today I had juices and smoothies. I'll try and do a whole day after next shopping day and see how it goes. So next fortnight there will be one raw day and one liquid day.

I'm also going to stop being so lazy and start making more of my own things. I got a tofu making kit from work yesterday and I'm going to start using the soy milk maker that we have atwork to make the soy milk. The boss at the newsagent said I'm becoming very domesticated. It's pretty fun finding out all the new things that I can do with food.

CHALLENGES- Getting all my food for the next two days ready as I am housesitting.

TRIUMPHS- Getting all my food ready in time.

WHAT I ATE-

BREAKFAST- Beetroot, carrot, celery, lettuce, parsley and ginger juice.

Strawberry and raspberry soy smoothie with flaxseed meal.

SNACK- Raw sunflower smoothie with organic sunflower seeds, raspberries and water.

Put all ingredients in blender and blend til smooth.

LUNCH- 2 Slices essene sprouted bread. Raw cashew cheese. Lettuce, cucumber, onion and avocado.

SNACK- Homemade hommus, celery, cucumber, carrot, capsicum sticks and cherry tomatoes and snow peas.

Edamame and goji mix

DINNER- Adzuki chilli on brown rice.

INGREDIENTS

Onion

Garlic

Capsicum

Asparagus

Celery

Shallot

Chilli Powder

Vege Stock

Adzuki beans

METHOD

1. Soak adzuki beans over night then cook for 40 mins

2. Dice all vegetables.

3. Heat oil in pan.

4. Brown onion, garlic and capsicum.

5. Add other vegetables and stock and chilli powder.

6. Bring to boil and allow to simmer until stock evaporates.

7. Add adzuki beans.

8. Serve on a bed of brown rice.

VEGE STOCK

In a big pot bring to boil any excess veg that are getting to the end of their life or any off cuts such as ends of celery and shallots. Allow water to reduce then starin and keep water. It should now be a yellow green colour and full of nutrients.

This time I used Celery, capsicum,. corn, onion, peppercorns, parsley, basil, tomoatoes, shallot, sweet potatoes, carrot, cucumber.

Left over millet mix recipe day 23.

SNACK- 2 raw sunflower toasties with raw cashew cheese

Fresh apple and pomegranate juice

1 peice if Loving Earth Raw chocolate

EXCERCISE- Jillian Michaels biggest winner workout DVD- Shape Up Front.