Juice Cleanse: Watermelon Juice

Aynaria 6 Comments

This watermelon came from our garden, it wasn’t overly sweet like some watermelons are, it had a touch of sweetness but the juice was great

Watermelon_1

Last week, I made this delicious juice. It stood out from the majority of the juices I made from dark leafy greens. I filled up my Green Feet canteen, and off to work I went. I still had enough left over to drink a few glasses when I returned home.

Watermelon Juice_1

Watermelon is a natural diuretic (removes excess water.) Don’t be surprised if you have to urinate a lot when drinking this juice.

When you’ve got that glow…

Aynaria 2 Comments

Not too long ago, I ran into an acquaintance when I was at the gym exercising. It had been a few years since I’d seen him, so we chatted for a little while. I must say, it was nice to catch up with him. What was interesting was, that he kept complimenting me on my skin. He said it glowed.

 

He asked me what I was doing, I told him I kicked my chronic constipation to the curb. No, I didn’t gross him out, that’s one thing he always liked about me, I’ve always been direct when it comes to health. Also, I told him I was on a juice cleanse, and was flooding my body with juice derived from mainly dark leafy greens. If that wasn’t enough, I told him I stepped up my skin care routine. Which made perfect sense, since since my digestive system was finally a thing of the past.

You know… I thought I’d seen changes to my skin, but thought it might have just been me. My daughter commented that she saw changes too, but it was nice to get feedback from someone I don’t see too often. While there aren’t major problems with my skin, I do miss the glow that I was associated with my skin before I had digestive issues. Interestingly enough, throughout my constipation issues my skin stayed extremely soft. That’s a compliment that I never stopped receiving. I know a few people were surprised that it would be so soft, since I’m muscular and in very good shape. Perhaps genetics play a role (my mom has super soft skin too) but additionally I’ve always kept my skin well nourished, hydrated and moisturized.

The thing is… you don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve amazing results in fact all of my skin care products are created by myself. I sell them and use them on myself and my daughter. Some of the items, like my homemade vitamin C serum are great at tightening pores, eliminating fine lines and a whole host of other benefits.  I also use other things like avocado, bananas, mangoes, etc., and use them on my skin too.

 

Anyway, the acquaintance constant compliments of my “glow” made me think of the above song, The Glow. I heard it first from the movie, The Last Dragon. I loved that movie!

Fruit Pudding: Apple and Mango

Aynaria 4 Comments

For breakfast, this morning, I pureed my daughter apple and mango. Simple meal, but my goodness is it delicious. Those two fruits work so well together.

She’s been calling pureed fruit, fruit pudding since she was a toddler. It does have the consistency of pudding and since it’s pureed from fresh fruit it’s a much healthier option.

I’m currently sipping on one of my dark veggie juices. No, it’s not sweet… most of my juices are savory or even bitter. I didn’t like the bitter drinks when I started juicing many years ago, but over time I grew to like them a lot and now they are some of my favorites and I must say the results are very impressive.

This weekend, I’ll be starting another juice cleanse. I’m making sure I drink plenty of juices since I’m not trying to lose weight, additionally I’m waiting on a few items to arrive, via mail, so I can incorporate those into my juice cleanse this time around. I’m sure I’ll post about that sometime during the cleanse.

Fruit pudding Apple & Mango
Apple & Mango fruit pudding

It’s only two ingredients but apple and mango taste so good together! Try it!

Apple & Mango Fruit pudding

  • 1 medium sized apple
  • 1/2 cup mango
  • Add all ingredients to food processor
  • Blend and enjoy

Buju Banton & Wayne Wonder: Bonafide Love

Aynaria 3 Comments

In the early 1990’s a Triniadian/Haitian man I was dating turned me on to Buju, the first video below was definitely my favorite from the CD. I loved the beat so I snapped up the CD that was available at the time. It was a wonderful surprise to learn that there were many other songs I enjoyed on the CD, great purchase!

 

I loved his voice and well… he has dreadlocks just like me. My dreadlocks are halfway down my back now. Last I heard Buju was in jail on drug and gun charges. If I remember correctly, it was a 10 year sentence. He claims he’s innocent.

I listed my two favorite songs by him below…

Buju Banton & Wayne Wonder: Bonafide Love

Intro: (Buju Banton): You don’t have to be rich cause money is no objective But from it’s good lovin we have it in stock hear wah happen… (oh yes)

Wayne Wonder: You may not be a movie star you may not drive a big fast car But I love you in everyway I love you in every way (Buju Banton: Every way I can tink off) I don’t know why (I will tell you) oh why I don’t know why oh why… ( Oh oh yes)

Buju Banton: Woman yuh may not be wealthy nah drive a fast car But mi nah go leff yuh out cau we a come from far Yuh memba when mi only have one arrow shirt Now yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt As long as mi deh pon massa God earth Mi nah fi get where mi a come from mi nah go dish yuh dirt

Wayne Wonder: I’ll keep on loving you (Buju Banton: Always)

Wayne Wonder: I don’t know why oh why I don’t know why oh why

Buju Banton: Here why! Cause I am hooked on yuh lovin like a big snapper fish Di way yuh look di way yuh dressed a dat mi caan resist Yuh personality there’s no odda like it Buju Banton tellin di world woman yuh criss

Wayne Wonder: But I love you in every way I love you in every way

Wayne Wonder: I don’t know why oh why I don’t know why oh why

Buju Banton: Here why! Why is a lookin letter cut it off fi get a fee Woman I’m tellin you I love you endlessly Mi nah go pay dem nuh mind mi nah go hear weh dem a seh Donkey ears now sense a mi and yuh deh

Wayne Wonder: But I don’t care I rather have you I’ll keep on lovin you

Wayne Wonder, (Buju Banton): I don’t know why (I’ll tell you why) oh why I don’t know why (Hear why!) oh why I don’t know why oh why I don’t know why oh why… (Oh oh yes)

Buju Banton: Woman I seh yuh may not be wealthy nah drive a fast car But mi nah go leff yuh out cau we a come from far Yuh memba when mi only have mi one arrow shirt And yuh a mogle wid mi inna yuh tight up skirt As long as mi DJ a deh pon di earth Mi nah go leff yuh out yuh know mi nah go dish yuh dirt

Wayne Wonder: I Love you in every way

Wayne Wonder: I don’t know why oh why I don’t know why oh why…(I will tell you why…Hear why)

Buju Banton: Cause I am hooked on your love like a big snapper fish Di way yuh look di way yuh dressed mek yuh haffi resist Yuh personality there’s no other like it Buju Banton tellin di world seh yuh criss A woman like you is one in a million Waan yuh inna mi arms twenty four seven I would a get jeolous if mi see a next man Nah trespass pon mi plantation Cau mi alone fi have yuh and no other one Yuh a di greatest woman inna di island Greater than ruby greater than pearl Prettiest woman to mi inna di world Big up yuh chest yuh hear mi a girl Yuh may not be wealthy or drive a fast car But mi nah leff yuh we a come from far….

Buju Banton: Untold Stories

While I’m Living
Thanks I’ll Be Giving
To the Most High You know,

[Chorus:]
I am living while I am living to the father I will pray
Only him knows how we get through everyday
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

[Verse 1:]
All I see people a rip and a rob and a rival
Tief never love fe see tief wid long bag
No love for the people who a sufferin bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul
What is to stop the youths from get out of control
Full up of education yet no on no payroll
The clothes on my back have countless eyehole.
I could go on and on the fool has never been thrown.

[Chorus]

[Verse 2:]
Who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can’t… they will have to stay
Opportunity a scarce, scarce commodity
In these times I say… When mama spend her last and send you go class
Never you ever play
It’s a competitive world for low budget people,
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards to who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on the full has never been told

[Chorus]

[Verse 3:]
All I see people a rip and a rob and a rival
Tief never love fe see tief wid long bag
No love for the people who a sufferin bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul
What is to stop the youths from get out of control
Full up of education yet no on no payroll
The clothes on my back have countless eyehole
Could go on and on and the fool has never been thrown.
(On and On)
Though this life keep getting me down
Don’t give up now
Got to survive somehow
Could go on and on and the full has never been told

[Chorus]

[Verse 4:]
Who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can’t… they will have to stay
Opportunity a scarce, scarce commodity
In these times I say… When mama spend her last and send you go class
Never you ever play
It’s a competitive world for low budget people,
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards to who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on the full has never been told
I could go on and on…
The full has never…

Been…
Toooooold.

Juice Cleanse: Twelve Days of juicing

Aynaria 1 Comment

This morning, I ate some solid foods. Well I should say it was pureed and I drank it as a smoothie. It tasted good. I could have gone much longer than twelve days, but I decided to break from the cleanse to see what type of reaction I’d have consuming something differently. When breaking a fast most cleansing/fasting experts recommend that you transition back into solid foods slowly by consuming whole unprocessed foods (preferably uncooked fruits and vegetables.)

I will be going back on my juice cleanse tomorrow. This morning, my daughter and I headed to the local farm where I stocked up on fresh dark leafy greens (collards, kale, mustard and spinach.) I’m actually thinking about doing longer than 12 days on a juice cleanse this time around, but we’ll see. I do know mentally and physically I’m more than prepared. I did see a cleansing reaction after about the fifth day (via my bowel movements) from drinking mainly dark leafy greens for every single meal and I thought that was amazing, more on that in another post.

I still have a lot of photos to upload of the different juices I drank, including watermelon juice, also I have to upload a few of the meals I prepared for my daughter, such as the creamy crab chowder I prepared for her yesterday. Since my mother was working, I made enough to share with my father. While he is a man of few words, when it comes to complimenting the food that is prepared for him he did make a point to tell me the creamy crab chowder was really good. I eat vegetarian/vegan meals, but I still receive compliments on the “regular meals” I prepare too. Just like my veggie meals, I make sure they are nutritious and delicious.

Over the past few years, juice cleanses/fasts have become increasingly popular the main draw seems to be weight loss. I didn’t need to lose weight, juice cleanses & water fasts have always been part of my routine. I simply like taking a break from eating solid foods. As I mentioned repeatedly while doing this cleanse, since I’m drinking food in a very concentrated form, I’m added benefits while on the cleanses that I do. There is no way I could consume that amount of food within a day.
I will say the way I eat, definitely has a lot to do with my overall health. I realize food is only part of the equation. Staying healthy mentally and  spiritually are equally important too.

Early into this fast, I stumbled upon this womans YouTube channel. I really enjoyed listening to her positive take on her juice cleanse, so I thought I’d share it here. Enjoy!

Chronic constipation… gone

Aynaria 4 Comments

constipationI’m thrilled to say that thus far my digestive issues are a thing of the past. Currently, I’m on “phase III” of the plan I’ve designed for myself.

Yes… I now have natural bowel movements first thing in the morning and sometime mid-evening. Depending on what I consume, I see remnants of it the very next day within my stool. That’s fairly impressive for someone like myself who had chronic constipation.

This might not mean anything  for someone who hasn’t had digestive issues, but for someone like myself this was a major change.  I could go weeks and on occasion months without having a bowel movement. Occasionally, Id be awakened by intense cramping in my abdomen.  I knew something was wrong, but how could I fix that?

I must say, it was really frustrating, I eat correctly, I mainly eat whole foods. I drank at least eight glasses of water daily! I remember thinking… this should not be happening to me! My daily diet is filled with and abundance of fresh vegetables & fruit, I don’t eat fast foods, fake vegetarian foods or the processed foods… but I still was constipated. It wasn’t until earlier this year that I discovered the reason I was having these issues was because I had candida.

Candida was the most important factor that prevented me from having healthy elimination. But the annoying side effects of candida has diminished. Enemas, especially garlic enemas, were a huge part of reigning in those side effects.

I will say getting to this point wasn’t easy, it took perseverance and completely believing in the power that my body could heal through natural means.

I don’t mind opening up about things that some people might think is “unsavory” because it might help someone else, just like the blog/forum posts helped me.

Also, when I started writing about topics like this it was one more way I could hold myself accountable.  Even things we keep hidden often times has a way of being brought to light and affecting those around us because of the poor choices we have made.

Juice Cleanse: Day 11 – Juicing dark leafy greens

Aynaria 3 Comments

This marks day 11 of my juice cleanse and I’m still feeling great!

Last evening I got a jump start on today and prepared my juice early. Isn’t it a pretty green color!
Juicing-Dark Leafy greens_1
This made more than enough to take a thermos to work today. It holds 2 liters/78 ounces.  I still have about four cups left over.

Juicing-Dark Leafy greens_2

I will say this is not a sweet juice, I think at times, that people juice too many fruit juices and ignore the awesome benefits of vegetable juices.

Years ago (when I first started juicing) I did the same thing. I liked vegetables, but tried to sweeten the non-sweet veggies by adding sweet vegetables or fruit to my juice blends. After a while I realized that I really shouldn’t do that, and started slowly increasing the non sweet juices to my juice blends. In time, my taste buds changed. Now, non-sweet vegetable juices are my go to juiced drink.