Day 8: Your Weekly Challenge
Written by Tera on February 24, 2009 – -
Oh my goodness. I kept trying soooo hard to get this little post done for my Day 8, and my eyelids wouldn’t cooperate. Clearly, I am underslept.
Which brings me to an important thing I wanted to say. In my cozy coaching group this week, we decided to try something new. We’re all committing to a challenge for the week–something we’re going to hold ourselves and each other accountable for. We declare it to each other on Sunday evening and then the next meeting we have, we follow up and say how it went.
I thought I’d incorporate that into these daily emails as well.
How about at the beginning of the week (on Monday) we state an objective–a challenge we’d like to give ourselves for the week. As I said in my message yesterday, it’s important to respect a healthy gradient. Take things at your pace. This week I’m trying to transition toward my last meal around 4:00. I’ve been doing better, and will get there. I’ve been spending time with other people at my meals, and it really does make a big difference when you’re trying to consider the schedules and needs/desires of the people around you.
Stating your intentions, your challenge, whatever it is you’re planning to implement for yourself in the comment section below, then following up the next week will be a powerful thing. First of all, simply by stating our objectives, we strengthen our resolve to do something.
This week, don’t laugh!, my commitment was to go to bed every night. I know, I know. I’m a bit ashamed to admit it, but sometimes I just work so much and am so busy that I just pass out on the couch. I don’t take the time to put on pjs or even get under the covers on my bed. I just CONK OUT then wake up and get started all over again.
I’m working hard during this detox to bring balance to my life. To NOT obsess about food, but observe my patters around food and improve them.
So, there are 2 things I need from you, Love.
1. Post your challenge below in the comment section. Just do it for yourself. State it to the universe and all these other amazing detox participants.
2. Send me your story. How did you get here and what changes have you made in your life already because of “Raw Food” or better nutrition. Success stories are inspirational and while I certainly can go and dig up any of the thousands of testimonials that I have collected over time, I would prefer we get the stories of participants on this program. YOURS, in fact.
So if you could just send me a little email at tera@therawdivas.com with YOUR email, Id really appreciate it. Also, just to be sure we both understand, it’s a story I’d like to be able to post on these daily messages.
It’s 2 minutes to midnight! I DID IT! I kept my commitment and managed to get this little love note out to you. I’m sorry I didn’t get it sooner, but I’ll do better tomorrow.
Love and hugs, dear detoxer.
I think you’re courageous for being here and can’t wait to connect again tomorrow.
Love and hugs,
Tera
Today’s Good News:
OKAY GIRLS!! This is it, the absolutely right time to finally write and thank you all, for your consistent support and inspiration over the past few months. There have been times when I have felt so alone, and not just in eating mostly raw, that your uplifting messages have brought me back to where I am supposed to be…which is right here and now and vibrant! I am starting to become more and nore sensitive and accordingly more and more conscious of who I am and what I am putting into my body. Nine colonics and a liver cleanse and a ton of raw food later….here at last is my MASSIVE THANKYOU. And remember, for every person that takes the time to write in and thank you all, there are hundreds or even thousands out there thinking the same thing, G-d bless you all for the work that you do and the people who you reach out to whose lives are right now being changed,
LOVE and Smoothies
PETAMA
Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments »
By Veronica B on Feb 24, 2009
I’ve already achieved one major goal: going to bed before midnight! It’s just after 10pm here Down Under and I’m actually tired! :-O My sleep patterns were so out of kilter that I wasn’t getting to sleep before around 2am, and was then sleeping for 10-12hrs (usually 12). Instead of waking up around 1 or 2pm, I’ve been waking up earlier, and this morning I woke up at 10am: WITHOUT my alarm waking me!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!! Can you tell how happy I am?
My next goal is to stop eating by 6pm. I’ve made some slow changes already, although didn’t finish eating until 7.30pm tonight. But that’s ok, because tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life.
Sweet dreams, Tera and all my Raw Diva sisters.
Blessings,
Gypsy Queen
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By Fran on Feb 24, 2009
Hi, did I misunderstand something – I signed up for the free version and received a confirmation. Is the information your daily entrances into your blog or should I receive some additional mails, which I have not sofar. So I have been dottering along, not really sure what I should be doing.
Thanks for some Feedback.
Fran
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By Judy on Feb 24, 2009
My goal this week is to exercise four times. It will probably be three times on the treadmill and once at the pool. As much as I dislike the chlorine, the benefits of how I feel afterwards win out. I love how toned, sleek and flexible my body feels. WOW! Have a great day everyone!
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By Doll on Feb 24, 2009
My objective this week is to get to bed at 10 pm. I’ve managed 11:30 so far. Definitely better than 1 or 2 right? Actually feeling better already since I’m getting more sleep. Getting to bed a bit early means I’m waking earlier..bonus eh?
Thanks for sharing this challenge Tera! Looking forward to ready what everyone is working on this week!
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By Nicole Lafleche on Feb 24, 2009
For this week I will eat during daylight hours only. I’m in a workshop all weekend which starts early and ends late so my last meal of the day may be lunch which in this very moment is ok with me. Good luck everyone!
Love, Light & Peace
Nicole
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By Angela on Feb 24, 2009
For this week, my goal? Stop cheating! I had company in town over the weekend and places to go….too much eating out and making compromises at restaurants that really had nothing acceptable to eat!! So I am paying for it in a BIG way with a big flareup of my RA. So my goal is to totally get back on track with my eating- stick to dairy & gluten free ONLY; and trying to keep to a minimum of 80% raw…..
Angela
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By Lisa on Feb 24, 2009
Would someone with more experience than myself list the grains that are gluten free. I did’nt realize until now how dependent I have been on grains.
Thanks!
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By Linda on Feb 24, 2009
For the “REST” of this week my pledge is to stay away from cheese (the only dairy I eat). This is a tough one but one day at a time.
Linda
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By Pam on Feb 24, 2009
My goal this week is to not eat after supper and to eat that at a relatively early hour. Also to be in bed between 11 & 12. I had been in the habit of eating a meal late in the evening and staying up until 1 or 2 a.m. I was very motivated by hearing Paul talk about the Daylight Diet – it makes so much sense. So, I’m moving towards that – getting up with the sun and going to bed between 10 & 11 is my ultimate goal.
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By Rachael on Feb 24, 2009
Ok, this is my first day. My goal is to check this blog daily and stick to the no dairy, no gluten thing, but I have a question… how do I know if something has gluten in it? I’m guessing it has a bunch of aliases so they can slip it past us… is there a list somewhere of what ingredients = gluten? I’ve been about 90% vegan for years now, but I keep cheating w/the dairy and I really want to go all raw so I’ll have more energy. Two toddlers and a full-time job… ‘nuf said.
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By Kari on Feb 24, 2009
My goal is to get up each morning and walk! Which dovetails into another goal, and that’s to get to bed by 11 p.m. I know from experience that any later than 11 and I’ll be waiting until the last minute to drag myself out of bed, with time enough to get dressed and clamber into work five minutes late.
Ideally, I’d like to walk twice a day. Maybe my goal for next week?
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By celissa on Feb 24, 2009
Hello ladies…wow it has been a bizzeee week for me…but I am making good choices…no gluten and no dairy…so since this is my challenge for the rest of the 30 days….I am just going to stay focused on that. Let me be thinking about a challenge that I will add to it next week…like not eating after 5:00 or something similar….but I do want to say this…Tera what a great idea…first 30 days…just stay focused on dairy & gluten free…..instead of setting ourselves for failure by thinking we have to eat 100% raw…I mean I want to be there…but I am not….so this is working for me…my love & light is shining bright….namaste’, celissa
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By Yadira on Feb 24, 2009
Hi, Rachael! I think it’s funny you ended up being #10…you can’t escape it! Haha. Rachael is my friend, gals. She’s the one that put me up to this 90 day challenge and this is my first day – HOWEVER, it’s my 2nd day of the 7-day raw detox. So my goal for this week is to finish out the 7-day raw detox, which I am really loving
Yadi
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By jo on Feb 24, 2009
Hi all, I just popped in today, and its a delight to be with you all!
I am quite excited by what i see here.
Just to get my little declaration out to the world, besides the obvious nixing of dairy and gluten (ok with the dairy but I do suspect the wheat monster might scream a bit) my personal goal for this week is to stop picking and EAT properly.
For me that means NO nibbling in the kitchen while I prep, while I drive, while I sit my arse in front of the puter.
My “meal” whether it is solid food, juice or a smoothie, must be on my butt, at the table. I’m to SLOW DOWN…. chew, chew, chew… breathe, breathe, breathe, just like Dr Jensen says, till totally liquefied.
This means putting the fork, or glass down in between bites if necessary.
No more inhaling my meals. Just sitting quietly, thankfully with peace.
(just the thought is getting me all stressed out)
Besides that, I really need to hit that rebounder everyday… 10 quick minutes will do…
T~girl, I’m working on that second part of your request; the all about me-thing asap… where do I send it when I’m done babbling?
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By Veronica B on Feb 24, 2009
Buckwheat is not a grain, but can be used as a grain. (If that makes sense!) Rice doesn’t contain gluten, but even rye has small amounts of gluten, and oats also have gluten.
I found that eating rice cakes and corn thins (like rice cakes, but corn) really helped me to get past the wanting bread time.
It’s interesting how many of us need to go to bed earlier!!! lol
Blessings,
Gypsy Queen
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By Caressa on Feb 25, 2009
Good thread! Starting RIGHT NOW, I commit to getting to bed by 10 pm! I have a horrible habit of staying up till 2 am or so, then have to drag myself out of bed at 7:30 am to take my daughter to school and take care of my other 2 kiddos.
Another thing is I will only eat during daylight hours as well. These 2 new commitments should seriously put my detox into high gear
Love y’all!
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By erin on Feb 25, 2009
I am going to spend @ least 20 minutes a day on my rebounder.Im not obsessing w/I slip off the detox but my goal also is to be raw ,dairy and gluten free.
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By Tami on Feb 25, 2009
Here is a good listing of grains with notes on what is gluten free and what is not: http://www.csaceliacs.org/gluten_grains.php
If you are eating all raw (or mostly) it is pretty easy to be gluten free because you just aren’t going to eat sprouted wheat, rye, barley or (most) oats (pure oats are technically gluten free but are almost always contaminated and many people are also sensitive to the protein in oats).
The only grains I really use at all currently in my diet are a bit of rice, quinoa, millet,amaranth, and buckwheat (technically not a grain as others have said). But as you’ll see with the link I gave there are many other options as well, especially if you’re baking. Bean flours are often used as well tapioca and potato starch. Because of the prevalence of Celiac and gluten sensitivity you will find LOTS of info on eating gluten free–from books to blogs.
Corn can also be another substitute for gluten and you can make or purchase corn tortillas, including the “live” ones (not to be confused w/ raw). However, some people are sensitive to corn as well so don’t go overboard … in fact it’s best to rotate your grains, especially if you eat grains daily, because so many people become sensitive to them (this would be true of other possible allergens too such as nuts).
The CSAceliacs site I linked to above also has information on reading labels for gluten products. If you are going to be going gluten free without eating mostly raw there are also books you can buy each year that say what products are gluten free in the everyday products (like what kind of ketchup!)and we have these books for our household because my daughter (celiac) unfortunately is not raw and loves her ketchup, LOL.
Another thing I should mention is that if you take supplements, you should check them for gluten and dairy as many contain one or the other (same is true of prescription meds — google “gluten free” and name of the medicine or other product).
Here are a few names often found in processed foods that most likely = gluten:
# Monosodium Glutamate
# Acacia
# Gum Acacia
# Ceresin
# Natural Flavors
# Malt Vinegar
# Alcohol or Malt Beer (any beverage made from grain)
# Carmel Coloring
# Annatto Coloring
# Hydrolyzed Protein unless specified soy, corn, etc.
# Maltodextrin unless it is from corn (Most companies will list wheat, oats, gluten if the food contains it-if it is corn they do not list it)
# Modified food starch unless specified
New labeling laws help here in the United States, but those laws do NOT cover meat and dairy items so if you are eating those you will find it in most processed meats as well.
I know it seems overwhelming but after awhile it becomes second nature to be able to avoid gluten. And let me tell you, eating raw makes it that much easier! Of course all fruits and veggies are gluten free (unless they have been cross contaminated somehow — that is an entire post/comment on its own). In all the Raw recipes I’ve seen the ONLY ingredients I have to avoid and find substitutes for are sprouted wheat, rye, barely or oats. Buckwheat is my first choice for those substitutions.
OK, I’m exhausted … guess my goal for the week won’t be going to bed early!
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By Tami on Feb 25, 2009
OK, my goal THIS week is to still get 3 days of running in (Monday-Friday … so two more times!) even though this is a crazy busy week.
And I’m NOT eating after dark for the duration!
And to put it out there for NEXT week — I’m totally going to bed early — in bed by 10:15 and lights out by 10:30. The early to bed thing is something I’ve been wanting to work on for awhile.
I’m planning to do a water fast tomorrow … send me positive energy … it will be my first that I don’t drink at least herbal tea!
Hugs to all the detoxers!!!
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By CyberMum on Feb 26, 2009
Tami – thanks so much for the comprehensive information on gluten free. I have been having lots of green smoothies over the past few weeks, and have virtually eliminated dairy from my diet although the odd bit of cheese sneaks in now and then. This is all very new to me and I realised I needed to add more things to my diet but was getting a bit stumped. Your references and info will be great to help me get on track.
Thanks also to Tera and all the Divas for this wonderful resource and all the motivation. You all sound like a wonderful bunch of ladies and it would be great to meet you – however I live in sunny Australia so it probably won’t be any time soon:-)
Keep on doing what you’re doing – it’s great!!!!
Lots of hugs
Cherryl
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By Tami on Feb 27, 2009
Oh, I would love to meet all of you too … even if I had to go to sunny Australia, lol … could certainly use some sun today (snow storm)
And you’re welcome for the info … I love being able to help others. There is so much info out there, but it can be overwhelming at times — so ask away and I/we’ll do our best to find answers.
And a quick update — I did my water fast!!! 24 hours — and it was just so inspirational in a way because I felt so good in spite of being up way too late … I think I may do it each Wednesday through Lent.
I’ve also been successful w/ my not eating at night but that is seriously harder sometimes than my water fast was on Wednesday … I even had a great run that day!!!
xoxo
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