Fully Raw - My 7 days of going fully raw or semi 80/20

Here's a quick snap shot of my week, it's been tough but I am slowly learning how to fuel my body with plant based foods.

Day 1 My first day ever to eat purely 100% plant based foods! Had a huge bowl of apples (6 in fact) sprinkled cinnamon for breakfast and funny enough, felt very satisfied. I need to ensure I eat a least 2,000 calories today so breaky was 400!

Fully raw apple cereal with cinnamon

Day 2 Making heaps of green juices and even the kids are loving all the cleaning and preparation of fresh foods. The only drama is, sometimes this process is taking up too much of my time as typically I'd only have to clean a handful of veggies and then throw some meat in the mix.
Starting to feel hungry, tired and light headed. No caffeine will do this to you too!

Baby green smoothies

Day 3 Loving our Peachs fruit and vegetable boxes. It makes me realise how much we need to incorporate more raw food in our lifestyle. Mind you there are those vegetables we don't eat raw, so I make those for the rest of the family eg: baked potatoes 
Still feeling a little up and then down today as I had a really late night. Many catch ups over the school holidays, so kids are keeping me very busy. I need to drink MORE water to flush out whatever is going on here!

Peachs Fruit and Vegetable fruit boxes. ORDER YOURS NOW!!! 

Day 4 Loads and loads of fruit today, also handful of walnuts. Then a plate full of these gorgeous veggies. Slowly getting into the swing of things but still so very hungry, so I am working out how much my body needs to feel full. Kids are also topping up their meals with crackers and dips, meats, yogurt so they are filling a lot more full.

Fully raw salad

Day 5 Starting to feel less fatigued and starting to incorporate more animal products. A little bit of yogurt, quinoa and meats. Majority of my food is plant based and I am simply loving the colours of some of these juices. Here is our watermelon, apple and pear juice! Simply divine! Kids loved the fact the bee was in this picture.

Watermelon, apple and pear juice

Day 6 Starting to feel a bit better not 100% but I also know this is due to lack of sleep. I also don't drink coffee every day so I am kinda sabotaging myself with getting slight headaches due to the caffeine withdrawal. I need to cut it 100% to make this work. Starting to add seafood in my diet along with other meats.

Prawn salad

Day 7 Oscar has been regular since we started our 80/20 lifestyle. No longer taking Osmolax which was a daily dosage to soften his stool. If we missed a day or 2 he would be bound for 2-3 days. So he's been one very happy camper this week!

Fully raw kids breakfast fruit platter

Here's what our kids have found challenging, eating raw over the past 7 days

Noah 7 years old "it is hard to just eat the one fruit each meal time, every day"
Oscar 5 years old "I still like eating my fruits and vegetables but sometimes it doesn't fill me up. I just want to eat something more that's good for you. Like chicken and avocado sandwiches."
Mietta 3 years old "I love strawberries but not canteloupe"
Zali 1 year old no comment


180 Nutrition

Thank goodness my all natural protein powder provides additional calories in my day. I simply place a scoop in my smoothies and bump up it at least 200-300 calories. They also have a VEGAN range using pea protein isolate. Once again it's all 100% natural with no hidden surprises. I blend mine as a smoothie as one daily serve of 180 provides;

• a healthy meal replacement
• provide increased energy levels
• assist lean muscle growth
• help regulate your body weight
• improve digestion (gluten free)

Make sure you use my 10% PROMO CODE 264464 at check out if you want to purchase some. I swear by it!

Fitness

This week I did squats up against a wall with my fitness ball as I am experiencing a little lower back pain. I'm not getting enough sleep which I notice impacts on me.

So with my Fit Yummy Mummy routine, I incorporated my squat interval training. Here is a picture of my modified squats for those that also may experience low back pain but are still safe to exercise.

How was your first week of being fully raw? Did you buckle like me and shift to the 80/20? I hope most of you are at least trying to eat one fully raw meal per day. 

Peachs fruit and vegetables on Eastwood St

Please extend this invitation to whoever you know that lives in the Ballarat area. Mention my blog to receive a 10% discount off fruit & vegetable purchases at Peachs on Eastwood St, Ballarat. 

What's your favourite raw dish?

♥ Dani 

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Fresh fruit and vegetable exclusive 10% offer at Peach's Fruit Market

I have some fabulous news for my local readers here in Ballarat.


Mention Fitness Food And Style for your exclusive 10% discount off all your produce next time you go and shop at Peach's on Eastwood St! I am so overwhelmed and so thrilled that owner Vicki wanted to collaborate with me for this months STAND UP AND BE RAWESOME challenge.

Why is this so important to me? 

It will be so nice to know that Ballarat families have specifically gone to Peachs on Eastwood St, and are putting fresh fruit and vegetables on their dinner table!! It's all about encouraging their kids to eat more produce too!!!

My aim is to improve families awareness of healthy eating and help children feel confident about preparing vegetables and fruit. Our kids love prepping food, seeing it in the juicer or blender and then drinking it. Nothing is more powerful than watching your kids eat those vegetables that so many parents struggle to get their kids to eat. That is why I want to help in some way! 

It also helps when your kids can help you peel, grate and cut the vegetables rather than going through a drive through or relying on convenience foods. There are hardly ever any vegetables when you get take away foods and that is why I ran last months challenge, PUSH UP YOUR GREENS and followed this month on by eating fruit and vegetables RAW for our STAND UP AND BE RAWESOME challenge.

So please share the love and come "LIKE" their Facebook page;

www.facebook.com/pages/Peaches-Fruit-and-Veg-Eastwood 
(drop them a message saying you have come from Fitness Food And Style) 

You can also visit them online (which is currently being refurbished) SO WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

www.peachs.com.au

Juicing with kids is so much fun

Above is our weekly supply of fruit and vegetables which our kids washed, peeled (where necessary) and chopped to make their designer juices!! As you can see by the jar, they left me some to try! Gee thanks guys...

It was a bit tough today, Day 2 of our fully raw challenge which by the way, I am so grateful our kids are participating also (2nd level not fully raw). I just didn't realise how much food we all needed as we were pretty hungry after each meal which I didn't calculate properly, per person. That is why I got my hands on The Raw Food Diet Plan which saved me soooo much time. It is jam packed with a starter kit, meal planner, shopping list, recipes and much MUCH more! For $29 (that's only $1 per day over our 30 day challenge) it will be such a terrific resource for me now and any future raw challenges/detox's we want to do.

I will be posting weekly recipes courtesy of Peach's and sharing it on their Facebook page as well, so please make sure you come and "LIKE" their page and posts.

If you live in Ballarat (or know anyone that does) would you take up this offer and share it with your family and friends?

Xx Dani

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April Challenge STAND UP AND BE RAWESOME

Here we go again. Another month, another brand new challenge. What are your thoughts on this one??? 

STAND UP AND BE RAWESOME

Fitness

It's all about legs this month as we tone them with various lunge, step ups, side lunges, DB split squat etc....for those that go to the gym you can use the gym equipment there and challenge your routine this month. Try to base it like our push ups routine and allow a day of rest every second day.

For everyone else, here are some other ideas;

Skinny Ms killer leg workout 

Rear lunges with or without dumb bells

Dumb bell home leg exercises 

Bulgarian split squat

For my male readers wanting more challenges give these workouts a go!

Muscular and Strength 3 week cycle workout

I'll be focusing on cycling over the next few months so I will be incorporating some bike interval training.

NB: all these hyperlinks have their own workout regime so simply choose which one suits you. 

As some of you are aware, I follow the Fit Yummy Mummy fat loss system. I will be incorporating my leg workout as part of my interval training. I only workout 15 minutes per day and find it's the best workout for me, especially being able to workout in the comfort of my own home.

For those interested in following me, you have an exclusive 50% discount offer via my blog link here. You get an ebook that is jam packed with various exercises, meal planning ideas and much! much! more! What's even better, it is only $19. It also includes a free 30 day trial at Clubfym as you get ongoing support there for a monthly membership fee. 
I have been following this program for the past 6 years and can't recommend it highly enough. Please let me know how you go.  

Combine this FYM workout plan with Sarah Wilson's I QUIT SUGAR cookbook and you are set to go! Superb recipes to keep you on track and curb those old sugary habits. (especially after the Easter Bunny made a special appearance this weekend) It has changed my life and that is why I would like to share what has worked for me.

Fit Yummy Mummy Dani Stevens Mother of 4

Food

You may recall my interview a few weeks ago with Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram co founder of Fully Raw and found it so intriguing that someone could just eat plant based foods, raw! No meat, no eggs, no milk. So while we have been doing our #pushupsgreens challenge this month and increasing our greens, it just made sense to continue this next challenge journey and try it myself and GO RAW FOR 30 DAYS!!!

You in? 

1st-30th April 2013

I just grabbed myself a copy of The Raw Food Diet Plan from the lovely Laura Jane from The Rawtarian so go check that out as it is jam packed with a starter kit, shopping list, meal planner, recipes and MUCH MUCH MORE!!!! Preparation is the key and this girl has it nailed everywhere!

There are a couple of reasons why I want to do this. Firstly, Oscar my second (5yo) son is dependant on OsmoLax which assists in the treatment of constipation. Kristina has been able to coach people through migraines, cardiovascular disease, obesity, constipation, diabetes, arthritis, depression and cancer. The list goes on. So really there are three reasons why I want to do this. 

Secondly, my mother suffers from chronic arthritis and travels to Serbia every European summer to get some heat into her bones. 

Then of course there is the dreaded C word!!! I have had many family members die from cancer, my father thankfully survived prostate but my poor Grandfather endured the most painful death in Serbia and died at home as his prostate cancer spread to his bones and lungs. 

I am encouraging my mother to do this with me and continue to do so when she goes to Serbia for 6 months this year. My mother is constantly living under the fear of cancer as she has ongoing tumours that need to be tested frequently. The burden of this worry is overwhelming and I truly hope we can make a difference with the food we eat. We can only try?


But it's Autumn? I don't want to eat cold food

I know, I know, some of you are based in the autumn month and it's going to get cold for us. Who wants to eat cold food, right? I was initially going to run this challenge in our summer around Oct/Nov but then that wouldn't be fair to my other readers? So for those of you enjoying the sunny Spring season, you have no excuse but to do this with me! Right? Regardless, I didn't want to make it easy for me (as I always like to take the short cuts) I just decided I wanted to do this now, regardless if it's going to be in the colder months. 

So I am going to do this. 

WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS! 

Am I fully raw prepared? No. Do I think I can do it. Yes. Maybe I'll fail but I hope to be at least 80% raw. All I know is that I will try my hardest. I am constantly researching and will share all the things I come across. Likewise those of you that are already on this raw journey, please assist us as we embark on this new lifestyle. Everyone is different, some of you will be hardcore like me, others want to try it as much as they can and for everyone else...I just really want you to at least try one dish that is raw daily.

30 days fully raw challenge

Level 1 100% we go exclusively raw 

Level 2 If you can't live without certain foods example: yogurt, eggs, fish etc...you can allow this and ensure the rest of your food is fully raw

Level 3 Have at least 1 serve of raw food daily eg: apple, raw almonds, salad 


Kristina is a fabulous resource and has everything covered at her Fully Raw website and will be our support coach over the next 30 days.

She believes to be FullyRaw is to live a lifestyle that includes eating a diet composed of 100% organic fruits & vegetables, nuts, and seeds in their natural and uncooked states.

To feel Raw is to feel 100% confident, happy, and pure in your skin. Many who are trying to live healthfully on a raw foods diet often struggle because they have no guidance, knowledge, or support. Many fall off the wagon of health and wonder why they cannot stabilize their eating habits or find balance in food choices. Everyone comes from a different place in his or her life, and we all need hand holding and personalized attention to bring us to our next elevation.

To live as FullyRaw is to be dedicated to respecting and honoring your body as a temple where only 100% of the purest food enters within it.


Imagine the day where you find complete confidence in your body, your choices, and in your life. Envision health, clarity, health, freedom, and self-love. When we are invigorated and inspired, we are living Rawfully happy. When we are FullyRaw, we change the world.

If you have any questions check them HERE first. I know this will be a new way of living for most of us. I too will be learning each day and will rely on others to help me answer your questions, if I haven't already researched it. 


What does it mean to be fully raw?

Here are some sensational FAQ's on Fully Raw and our 80/10/10;

80% comes from Carbohydrates = FRUIT

10% comes from fat = NUTS AND SEEDS

10% comes from protein = GREENS AND VEGGIES AND FRUIT

2 lbs of leafy greens has more protein than steak!

Steak = 25 g of protein, 40% is absorbed b/c it's animal based

2 lbs of leafy greens, 60-70g of protein!!!! 99.9% absorbed into your bloodsteam = plant based!

2000 calorie diet, 80/10/10 = 1600 calories from fruit, 200 calories from fat, 200 calories from protein (greens)

16 bananas (100 calories per banana), 2 heads of greens, very small handful of nuts or seeds

So what can we expect to eat in a day?

Kristina says the number #1 reason people fail eating raw long term = THEY DO NOT CONSUME ENOUGH CALORIES. Check out what she eats in one day below....

Another great resource for us will be www.cronometer.com so go there and register for free and get some menu ideas and your daily calorie intake per fitness level etc..... I will also post what I am eating over the next 30 days.

Make sure you subscribe to Kristina's YouTube channel as she has some amazing dishes, so we won't miss our "once upon a time" non raw foods. Here's her Alfredo cauliflower cheese pasta! 

Facebook

I was hoping to set up a group under Fitness Food And Style Challenges so we can help one another over there as well. What suits you best? Having discussions on my blog, Facebook or both? 

This HUROM juicer baby will be my best friend over the next 30 days. If you need a new juicer or one like mine, you can go shopping and check some out HERE

Hurom juicer

So who's with me? Let's make this a RAWESOME month!!!

XxDani

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Fully Raw. Could you do it? Interview with Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram

How are you? We are doing all great thank you and loving life to the fullest. We have a jam packed week and this summer weather has just been sensational. We have been out beside the pool deck often and even when I need to write to you, I take you with me wherever I go.....

Let's talk about raw foodism

What is it exactly?

Raw foodism (or rawism) is a diet consisting of uncooked, unprocessed, and often organic foods or wild foods.

Depending on the type of lifestyle and results desired, raw food diets may include a selection of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds (including sprouted whole grains such as gaba rice), eggs, fish (such as sashimi), meat (such as carpaccio), and non-pasteurized/non-homogenized dairy products (such as raw milk, raw milk cheese, and raw milk yogurt).^[1]

Many raw foodist are also vegan or vegetarian and are sometimes called "raw vegans" or "raw vegetarians"


Could you go completely raw for health reasons and just for your general well being? This does look pretty amazing huh? Check out Kristina's Youtube V8 juice with no added preservatives, salt or fillers. Just complete natural goodness. These simple ingredients make an amazing juice, bouncing with all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need.

Simply juice;

Tomatoes (this should be your main ingredient)
Spinach
Beetroot
Carrots
Celery
Parsley

Fully raw V8 juice

I am super intrigued, so much so that I am willing to go raw for one of our challenges this year, do you think you could do it with me as well? There is just something about it that draws me to trying to eat just fruit and vegetables including fish (I love sushi) along with nuts etc.... as I love them so much AND you know how much I love to experiment with food and recipes. I also know I would find it extremely fun trying all these superb new recipes. Having said that I primarily use raw or blanched style vegetable with our mains so I really don't see it being a big deal for me. Or am I kidding myself?


Here is the person that has me intrigued. Her name is Kristina Carrilo-Bucaram from #fullyraw, she is a young, beautiful and sun shining 26 year old from Texas, USA with a Equador and Lebanese background. I think what grabbed me was her zest for life, her genuine kindness and love of raw food. Not to mention how beautiful she is and simply bounces off my screen every time I YouTube her channel!!!

Kristina ~ Founder of the largest raw, organic produce co-operative in the U.S

I had heard about raw people before when I started my healthy journey a few years ago but didn't think much of it as there is NO WAY I could give up my palacinke AKA Serbian Croatian crepes/pancakes or all the dairy, variety of cooked seafood, meats and poultry we typically have in our diet. But as I stated above, there is something that has got me intrigued. I would like to try it! I want to see the health benefits Kristina so passionately professes.

Why Kristina went raw is outlined in her video as she suffered from Hyperglycemia all her 18 years and constantly felt drained, nauseous, had shocking migraines and very underweight for her height. Until 8 years ago........one day a man crossed her path in a whole foods store and asked her while she was going through the packs of granola whether she was a raw girl? This took her by surprise as she had no clue as to what he was referring to? Anyways for more on Kristina's amazing story please view her video here.

I on the other hand have had the wonderful opportunity to do a personal interview with my raw goddess sister herself and here are some questions I asked her;

1). When you discovered you were hyperglycemic and you went down the raw food path. Did your body have any symptoms with the fruits eg: peaches you were just eating for the first week and then the vegetable and leafy produce thereafter??? 

When I first started eating raw, I literally ate nothing but peaches for two weeks straight. This is called mono-mealing. This is very cleansing and healing for the body for three reasons: 1) Eating one thing at a time is much easier for our bodies to digest. 2) Increases elimination because the body only has only one thing to process and eliminate. Things are easily "brushed through." 3) It is more natural to eat a smaller selection of fruits because that is how they are found in nature. It is rare that we find a grocery store selection in nature. When we find one fruit tree with ripe fruit, we LOVE to eat as much ripe fruit that we have off that tree until we are full, then move on to the next tree. Because I was very sick before I went raw, my body had a very positive reaction to eating more fruits. These simple sugars gave me energy, the fibers cleansed my body, and the vitamins fueled me! I was excited to cleanse and detox. For the first time in my life, my body felt ALIVE. 

2). I know you suffered from severe migraines as a cause of your illness, do you know of any other fully raw people that suffered from migraines and no longer do due to this lifestyle change?

Absolutely! I have personally coached people through migraines, cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, depression, etc. The list goes ON. I truly believe that any sickness can be reversed through a pure, FullyRaw lifestyle.   

3). Are you okay with other people eating whole foods and meat? 

It is the choice of a person whether or not to eat a vegan diet. There are always more ways to incorporate more FullyRaw fruits and veggies in the diet without going totally raw. If someone follows the principles of proper food combining, they can also get great results regardless. This depends on the person and their beliefs about food. I went raw vegan initially for health reasons, but that has evolved over time.

4). How would you help people convert to just raw foods. Is there a step by step plan or just bite the bullet and eat fruit & vegetables. 

There are many ways to convert to eating FullyRaw. I know people who have jumped in over-night and I know people who have taken 7 years to finally commit. There is no wrong way to transition. You must feel comfortable, you must feel safe, and you must feel inspired. You want to feel confident in your journey so that you will succeed! I converted over-night, and for me this was easier because I made the commitment, and I found that I wasn't as easily tempted by other foods or confused about "acceptable" choices. However, this is rare. What I recommend to individuals who want to transition is to first start off with a juice or smoothie in the morning (32 oz.). After this step is complete, step two is to always have a humongous plate of fruit for lunch (about 1000 calories worth.) Once this is complete, step three is to always have fruit with a large rainbow salad. Then, if you want to have other things like meat or grains, to eat them after/with your dinner. Start in the beginning to reduce or eliminate dairy and meat products. This will create an enormous change in your health. Fruits and vegetables are high vibrational foods that will keep you properly fuelled, naturally thin, and internally clean.  

5). Do you ever slip up and have a piece of cake or ever crave the "other" non raw foods?

I have not eaten cooked foods in almost 8 years. I completely reversed my hyperglycemia (onset of type 2 diabetes) by eating raw. I LOVE every bit of my life SO much now that I have never had the desire to go back!  

6). What is the difference between a vegetarian, vegan and raw food person?

Vegetarians do not consume meats or fish. 

Vegans do not consume any animal products or animal by-products. This includes things like meat and dairy.

Raw vegans eat food only nature's foods, uncooked, unprocessed, in their natural state. This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, typically fresh, ripe, and whole/organic. By not heating the foods, you eat them when they have all of their life-force and maintain their enzymes. 

A bit of fun stuff about Kristina

7). What are some fun things you like doing on your own? With friends and family?

I am ALWAYS active! Eating healthy gives me the energy to do everything I want to do! I LOVE to run, salsa/ belly dance dance, practice acro-yoga, sing (jazz and blues), sculpt ceramics, lay in the sun, hug trees, hug everyone, read, connect with friends via social media, have juice parties, invite friends over for dinner, spend time with my ridiculously large family, co-operate at Rawfully Organic, meditate, and eat! Is there anything that I don't like to do!? ;) 

8). What are some exercises/sports you normally do?

I am an avid runner! When I was sick before, I never had energy to run, so it has become a privilege for me that I will never take for granted!  I also love to practice acro-yoga or couples yoga with my "other half," swim, salsa dance, belly dance, rock climb, and lift produce boxes. Carrying 40 pound banana boxes is a great workout! ;)  

9). What's your favourite perfume? 

I use only pure grade essential oils like Young Living and DoTerra. I love anything with patchouli, citrus, lavender, sandalwood, peppermint, or fresh spices.   

a. What's your favourite gem stone and why?

 How did you know?! :) Those who see me will always ask me about my bracelet collection! I literally have an entire ceramic bowl filled with original pieces/healing stones from friends that I have collected or personally crafted. My favorite is aquamarine because it is my birthstone. 

10). Link your favourite green juice, breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner meal  

My favorite foods change as the seasons change, as I love to appeciate what nature gives me at every given moment. At the moment,  my favorite juice is my SoulShine juice! It makes my skin glow, my energy high, and my belly flat! That juice is usually my breakfast! My lunch lately has been a HUGE bowl of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and bananas! For dinner, I am famous for eating citrus with ridiculously large rainbow salads! I make my own salad dressings, typically oil free and very savory using fresh herbs. 


There you have it!!! I hope this gives you a bit of an insight on raw foodism especially from the guru herself! Kristina is amazing and I found it unreal that people have completed healed themselves from various illnesses and disease by going on a fully raw diet/lifestyle. I need to get my Mum onto this as some of you may know she suffers from severe rheumatoid and osteo arthritis. 

Until we meet again, love and friendship

♥ Dani 

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