December 16, 2009

No More Cheese?? Say Wha?!





What can I say…I love cheese! Or at least I used to. I think back to before my Raw foodie came alive and I used to consume two to three string cheese’s every day. I ordered a small Ledo’s pizza at least once a week and if I could put cheese on it I would and I always had bags and blocks of cheese in my fridge. I'd take it any way...mac 'n cheese, grilled cheese, cheese pizza, cheese sauce for broccoli or potatoes, fondue, nachos, if it had cheese on it and minimal meat I'd eat eat! lol


Even when I first transitioned to this point, I spent at least $25-$30 at Wholefoods on raw goat cheese and I made sure I took some with me every day to work and ate some in the evenings too. Last week I finally threw out three blocks of molded cheddar, mozzarella and swiss. The only regret I had was the money I put in the trash can.


I've only been transitioning to Raw for about two months now and I've never felt better! It's amazing to see how cravings and addictions can go away so quickly. My sister actually turned me onto Raw. She lives in LA, works for Bikram Choudhury and every time she comes home to the east coast to visit, she always has some new kind of green food/mix/elixir with her. Her influence on me was incredible; I saw her go from the "fat sister" to being the smallest one out of all four of us! (yes…four girls!). But more important than her weight loss is her health. She began to suffer from severe Colitis in 1998 and was in the hospital a few times because it was so extreme. Around that time as well she broke out with severe acne. I can honestly tell you that she no longer suffers from either and is looking so healthy and glowing.


It was enough for me. Just going to the gym and working out, even doing Bikram, wasn't going to change the INSIDE of my body that I was poisoning. I ALWAYS had a bottle of Vodka in my freezer and would pour a glass everyday when I got home. I was a heavy drinker in social settings as well. And I thought I was the healthiest one of my group because I didn't eat meat or pork!! lol I was/am a smoker as well and had cheese one everything I ate. It took me two years to gain 30lbs...the majority probably all in early 2008. I was out way too much, eating bar food, drinking cider beer (with a whopping 200 calories a bottle!!! so times that by 6 and do the math!). I was so frustrated with myself and was always coming up with some new idea to get in shape and lose my fat stuck to my belly that my family is cursed with.


My highest point was 175lbs (even in September 09) and to be honest I wasn't even that high when I was pregnant with any of my kids! My sister has been forwarding me information since Labor Day weekend, when she was last home, and her friend Nwenna Kai is one of the blogs I began reading and following. I finally sat down and evaluated everything (for about 5 minutes because it didn't take very long) and I made the investment I needed.


It wasn't weights or a new yoga cd, but a juicer, books, and fresh organic produce that I had to commit to buying on a weekly basis. I feel alive! I feel happy. I am obsessed with Green Lemonade in the morning and must drink at least 32 oz of it before anything else goes in my tummy. Well...scratch that because I am also obsessed with bee pollen and take a tbsp of that in the morning while I'm juicing. Juicing is almost orgasmic to me and I appreciate the benefits especially since I don't like smoothies in the least. Never have. In fact, I still have a HUGE tub (vat even) of protein powder under my kitchen sink that I thought would help me drop pounds and feel energized. I made MAYBE one.


What's been important for me so far is my love of "cooking" I've never minded being in the kitchen and I love making food every day. I enjoy cutting and chopping everything I'm taking in to work with me the next day. My coworkers may look at me funny, or friends may (they have and do) tell me that it's not healthy to lose so much weight so quickly and every time I try to explain WEIGHT=WASTE they just look at me like I'm an Alien.


I've currently lost 15lbs since I began and I am only moving forward from here. I'm not 100% yet. With my addiction to cheese I'm weaning off with Raw goat cheese but I love it too so we'll how I do. Other than that I'm sticking to mostly Alkalizing foods and I'm good :) I hardly want a Camel Light these days and when I do give in it's so gross I don't finish it...I haven't bought a bottle of Vodka in over two weeks and I went to the Farmer's Market yesterday and my favorite item for lunch was still there and I swear it made my nose turn up! I know I just wrote a book but fingers weren't listening to my head!


Thank you to Bunny, my sister Colleen, Nwenna, and everyone on RawFu for the support, advice, recipes, photos, etc. I don't think I would have lasted this long without you all.

November 5, 2009

Time Changes Everything


This pic is my first Raw dinner and it was as delicious as it looks! I have to admit though that I am eating Raw Goat Cheese but I do know that I've done enough research and it is an Alkalizing food so I'm not too worried...

I'm slowly changing; actually not "slowly" at all. It's been incredible...one week 9if even) and I feel better, look healthy and the list just keeps going! I joined a Juicing group on RawFu and had planned to juice for at least 21 days...I haven't stuck to juicing all day though. I'm taking in about 2-3 quarts of juice a day and am eating for dinner but I've already lost about 8lbs (8lbs!!! In less than a week!)so I can't complain!!

Every day I'm feeling renewed energy. I want to step it up more as each day passes so maybe I will get to the point where I'm strictly juicing but for now I'm happy and I feel great! I've been having crazy dreams btw...not sure if that's a common thing when juicing or going Raw.

I'm heading to LA next week to visit my sisters and obviously won't be able to pack my juicer with me but Collin is semi-Vegan and super supportive and I have a plethora of shops/restaurants and cafe's written down so I should be ok. I'm only a little stressed and that's because I've gotten used to getting my juice first thing in the morning when I'm ready for it. We'll see how it goes; I'm afraid to see what five days away will bring.

I had a very big test last night too; I went out for my Collett's birthday at Grace's and I made very smart decisions so I'm proud of myself...especially since it's one of my favorite restaurants to eat at. Nothing's going to make me go back now...I feel way too good! I haven't wanted to smoke or drink and that's remarkable too since both were a daily habit.

I'm at work right now but I'm off to the Farmer's Market around the corner from me at lunch to stock up for the weekend! It's crazy that I'm excited to go get greens and kale and romaine lettuce, etc...lol. I need to make a stop through Wholefoods too; hopefully today. I'll have to make time. Yet another reason to have one in the county I live in but that's a whole other story!

Until next time...

Light and Love! ♥ Kat

October 26, 2009

It's all Happening


Next time you make a wish Catrell, wish for what is, because really and truly, things don't get much better than this.

There is a purpose, a plan, and a reason for all things. What doesn't make sense will make sense. You are exactly where you should be, your challenges are what they should be, your rewards are what they should be and the best is yet to come. Time has served you well. Love is in the air. And you're looking mighty good in the light that now surrounds you.

A toast to life, to you, to us,
The Universe!

_________________________________________________

I'm just happy today. I know I talked a lot last week about things to come and the want to not share them at the current moments for certain reasons. I've let out a little here and a little there however and I really do see things coming full circle.

This week is focus week:

I received a very very important piece of my "finish school" to-do and things are in full swing. If only I could finish my essay!! i find it very difficult, for some reason, to put down in words why I chose the major I've chosen and what events led me to it! How do I explain that I feel it was a gift from God and the Universe that led me to this. That it's never faulted...that I've know what I wanted to become since I was seven years old. It sound simple (at least it did to me) but somehow I find it very hard at the moment. I'm wondering if I'm not focused because I've got other things I'm working on too....that are just as important as well. I have a few "rough" drafts but am not happy with the direction of any of them. I'll get it done though. I have to...and I know I work GREAT under pressure. I have until Monday basically...notta prob!

On another note...My Juicer will be here Friday! Perfect timing if you ask me because I can started Sunday or Monday after the weekend and Halloween are over and done with. And no matter what event, there's no faltering. I'm going strong with this thing. I have such great support through RawFu (if you're interested in going Raw or Vegan I suggest you check them out and join!), it's such a wonderful community. I've only been a member for five days or so and I already have friends and have received feedback and kindness and love. I needed this to be able to commit. It's inspiring to see where people came from (SAD) to now (Raw or 80/90). The possibilities are endless. I can't wait to feel ALIVE! To feel free and not drugged down. I had dinner at my parents house last night and my sisters stomach was so bloated...and she didn't even eat that much but it was out so far! I think we've all had those occasions and my insides are crying out to me. My yogi is ready to be free!

Also this week is....drumroll...Halloween! It's on a Saturday this year and I'm making my costume once again. This year however is a bit different because I am not just buying pieces, I'm actually sewing! I have two out of three pieces in...just waiting on my feathers! I'm getting my makeup done too. It should all be very exciting. At the same time I'm hoping this is the last year for a while where I don't have the kids. This is my third year in a row when it's fallen on a weekend of day that they are with their dads and I'm missing out on the Trick-or-Treating phase...and I know they won't be in it for much longer. So next year it's me and the three amigos!

So I guess that sums it all up for now. Oh yeah. I have to start/finish reading my book for book club. We are reading The Year of Fog and I "hear" it's all very good. I just haven't sat down to even open it up yet. Here's to hoping I can get through 397 pages by next Monday. It's doable...I'm not going to say anything more than that. Let's keep it positive! I'm also waiting on my Raw books to get here. They were shipped last week so lets say they'll be here by Friday too! I've got a lot of reading to do! (Add to that the fact that I ordered four other books that are not related to either Raw or my Book Club to the list!).

I reorganized my kitchen this weekend too btw. Microwave broke, (it was mom and pops' from the 90's..big, black and bulky). I decided to move it off of the huge amount of counter space it was taking over these last three years and put it in the graveyard (aka the garage) until I can dispose of it properly. In the meantime, I have incredible space now, and I even rearranged dishes in different cabinets so my open wall of cabinets look beautifully organized. Straight out of Pottery Barn if you ask me!

Alright..let me go. I have work work to do, and, seeing that it's only 12:55pm I should put a dent in something. If only I could blog, surf the net, go to Bikram and cook everyday. That would be the life. Someday though right! Soon and very soon.

Until tomorrow...or later if I have some important thoughts!

Peace and Love
Trell

October 23, 2009

Major Ramblings...



It's got nothing to do with being a perfect, goody-goody, selfless, sacrificing, spiritual saint, Catrell. Blah! That whole characterization was meant for a different audience at a different time, and they really had issues.

It's got everything to do with being yourself, trusting the magic, following your heart, dreaming big, and having fun.

Hosanna in the highest,
The Universe

_________________________________________

Today has been very rushed and hectic and it's only 12:48pm! Doesn't help that I'm at work as well and I can "see" the sun shining from my window, (which isn't even technically my window but my coworkers...but if I tilt my head back and slightly to the right I have a beautiful view of fall foliage!). Come on 4:30!

I have the kids this weekend and I'm thinking about making it a Grace's Fortune/Blockbuster night...at least that was the plan earlier. Now that I've checked my bank account (and don't get paid until Thursday) we'll see how that goes. I feel like I should at least eat Grace's though one last time before my life transformation begins next week. Perfect timing too...I get paid so I will have wonderful funds to spend at Wholefoods, my juicer will arrive as well as my books and I'll be ready to start after Halloween weekend! :)

So...back to today. I'm at work and had a hectic morning because I was working on a project that I thought was due at noon today...well it's not. It's due Wednesday! lol...at least I was early for once. And I'm very very proud of it too. It's a going away card for a coworker of mine, (the lucky bastard is taking a year off and going backpacking around Europe and down to Australia!) so I created a 20x25 card with pop out detail...it looks just like an old travel suitcase with stickers all over it! (picture to come soon).

Its one of those rare things I get to make here at work, totally unrelated to what I really do here, where I'm allowed to make something and be creative and use my brain the way it was meant to be used. I can't tell you how tired I am of government brochures on policy and zoning (snore.) If only one of the thousands of jobs I've been applying for in the city would come through! There! I'm throwing THAT out into the Universe too.

Well...I've rambled enough for now. I'm off to find some food, (chicken from the farmer's market sounds good...the last of that too I guess), and to do some more RAW research online because I can't seem to get enough of it all! It's amazing how polluted our bodies are. I cannot wait to flush it all out and start repairing my heart, mind, body and soul. And I can't wait to share all of this with Collin too! I'm so excited...she's the one who pointed me in this direction and now that I'VE BOOKED MY FLIGHT TO LA!!! (whoohoo) I can talk to her in person, go check out some cool spots to eat at and breathe in some Pacific Ocean breezes ♥

Until tomorrow...hopefully I can keep up with this over the weekend. Oh, and wish me luck with the kids, on a budget, this weekend too.

Peace, Love and Infinite Possibilities as always!
Trell

October 22, 2009

Tone for the Day!


I do believe, Catrell, that if people would just start by saying "it's fun," when it seems hard; "I'm happy," when they seem sad; and "I know," when it seems as if they don't, they'd finally discover that it really is, they really are, and they always have.

Works for me,
The Universe
________________

Good morning. I woke up feeling blessed, even as I was rushing, this morning. The rushing part is honestly not my fault today...I've noticed this week that my phone isn't ringing which also means that my alarm is not going off. Now, I just revamped my bedroom and decided it was time for my trusty alarm clock, circa 1994, to be put away. I guess I'm gonna have to break it back out. I guess it wasn't ready for its early retirement.

Anyhoo...today is Essay Day! I am promising myself and my life that I will finish writing the last portion of my application so I can send everything off On Time! Trouble is I've tried writing it and I can't get it out in words..."What led me to my interest in this major?" That should be simple right?? It's harder than it seems. Writing this and contacting SOMEONE at my old school are the last two things to check off!

On another note...I'm terribly excited, ecstatic, elated, to begin this new chapter in my life! I've found myself doing as much research as I possibly can on eating Raw and have even joined a few groups online for support and help, etc. I'm not telling too many people because that's the old me. Having plans, being excited, telling everyone what I'm going to do and then no follow-through. Not this time. I just priced a juicer last night (Thank you Mr. LaLanne) and have ordered books, set aside dinero for my first Raw trip to Wholefoods and I'm SO ready. No matter whose birthday party, going away party, dinner party it is, I'm not swaying on this one. Not one bit. The first step to a meaningful, healthy, insightful, purpose-driven life (for me at least) is cleaning out my body and mind of all of its build up! It's time for clarity and energy and strength! :)

I need to go do some work. I'll probably get back on and write some more because I have so much in my head right now. Until then, I'm leaving my Goals list on here:

Life: The Best!
Health: Raw. Yoga. Spirituality. Purpose!
School: Parsons!
Work: New Job. Finish Book. Art (Shoot and Shows and Line with Isra)!

Nothing's Impossible. All of this is 15 years in the making...I've got a lot more to do but...It's a Start!

October 21, 2009

My Daily Note from the Universe!

When it comes to setting aside a little time each day to visualize, Catrell, look at it like this:

No matter how distracted you become or how confused you are about the process, the simple fact that you gave your dream this time and attention means you did it correctly, you did it long enough, and that by the time you open your eyes, already in the unseen, huge wheels have begun turning.

HUGE.

You think I'd make it hard?
Your humble servant,
The Universe

Catrell, always, you are so much more prone to success, fulfillment, and happiness, than to anything you might be afraid of.
__________________________________________________

So it may be an odd way to start out but I truly do enjoy getting my little notes from the Universe everyday. I don't often share them with people but this one was very inspiring (they usually are though).

I'm on a mission to clean out my body, get rid of all its toxins and begin a new, vibrant, healthy, clear-minded, soul stirring life for my family and I. There are some very exciting new paths developing in my life right now, soon to come and be told and heard but, for now, I'm keeping them tucked away in my pocket because I'm not a fan of talking about things that have not been solidified yet.

All I will say is this—as happy—truly—as I am right now, there's a balance that is off and I need to have it in order to gain focus and insight into my future. My future for my children, career change, life-change.

There is a yogi deep down inside of me and I'm going to let her out! That balanced, in tune, flax cracker eating chickie that's been screaming beneath all the layers of stomach fat, an alcohol absorbed liver, tired, allergy-filled body I have abused. I'm tired of it. My little yogi is tired of it and she's dying to finally come out!

Peace, Love and Infinite Possibilities!