Focusing on My Lymphatic System

For the next 3 days - minimum - I will be doing a detox of sorts - while focusing on my Lymphatic System.  

There are a few things that I want to heal with my body and I feel the Lymphatic System is the perfect place to start.  I have 2 confessions to make up front.  ONE - I've never done this before so it's a learning process - so it's rather fitting that I am posting it here on my blog - My Blissful Journey.  And TWO - as much as I try and do things to improve my life and situation - it doesn't mean I don't have bad habits.  To get a little personal here - the older I get the less comfortable I feel about going undergarment-free (if you know what I mean) and I know that is BAD...I really have to change that.  It's suggested that women go at least 12 hours every day without that kind of support.  Because I have felt physically uncomfortable doing so I haven't for quite some time...so one of the things I will be forcing myself to do during this time is wear a camisole when I get home at the end of the day.  This might sound like a 'small thing' but it's going to be a challenge for me.  

Having said that...some of the other things I will be focusing on over the next 3 days (which will probably turn into all of this week) will be hot and cold compresses on problem areas, hot and cold showers, deep breathing, yoga, walking, and natural deodorants.  Some of these things I do on a daily basis such as wear a natural (non-aluminum) deodorant.  I rarely (close to if ever) wear make-up and I don't even use lotion, etc.  If need be I will be using Grapeseed Oil and/or Coconut Oil.  Another thing I will be doing more of this week is Oil Pulling and I tend to do that with Coconut Oil.

Now...on to what I HOPE to consume...of course this is all based on whether or not I can find these items in my area which has been a complete challenge as of late.

Plantains - altho - not RAW - I do have some in my freezer that I intend to bake.

Leafy Greens - you will see me doing a LOT of salads this week - so that means - I will most likely be posting those with my home-made dressings!

Cranberries - I really doubt I can find fresh ones right now but I do have a stash of dried that I have from my shipments from The Raw Food World.

Raw/Soaked Nuts & Seeds

Coconut, Avocado - Again, our fresh coconut situation here is grim so I'm unsure how this will come into play but I have been rather Avocado-Happy, lately!

Echinacea - as well as other herbal tonics and tisanes

Garlic/Ginger/Turmeric - I eat these in some form almost every day but during this time I hope to incorporate them into other ways, too!

Seaweeds, Spirulina, Chorella

Citrus - whole, juice, in dressings - you name it!

Consume more fruit on empty stomach - such as more fruit based mono meals

Cantaloupe - if possible I would like to make some Cantaloupe Juice and/or Milk

Apple Cider Vinegar (mixed with water and possibly garlic, Agave)

LOTS of Water and Water with Lemon!

I will probably be doing some juicing and smoothies this week, too!  At least that is my goal.  One I would like to try was from an old Dan McDonald Video - 2 Apples, handful of Grapes, 1 Lemon, and a chunk of Ginger.

These are just some of this things I would like to work toward this week.  I'm challenging myself with many of them to try and stay consistent but also try and do some healing.  Please drop by with encouragement this week!  I would appreciate it!

Sprouts & Rice With Spice, Progress In Google Docs, Pig Tails

Sprouts & Rice with Spice!  

YUP!  

That's what I am naming this dish!  I made a LARGE batch last night and will eat it for a few days in some way, shape, or form.  What I had for dinner last night turned out super tasty!  This is a dish I would do again and again!  

And that may just be the case since our Containers are sprouting with Brussel Sprouts - oh my goodness!

Here's what's in this dish in case you were curious or wanted to try!

2 C Rice

2 T Coconut Oil

1/4 C Pine Nuts

1 Pound of Brussel Sprouts

1 T Bragg's Liquid Aminos

1/2 T Agave Nectar

1 tea EACH of Parsley, Basil, Oregano, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder

1/2 tea EACH of Lemon Juice, Red Pepper Flakes

Sriracha to taste - added at the end - like a garnish

Here's a Google Doc of our progress on the Contain Garden/Rooftop Garden.  Sam - a co-worker of mine - is pretty much taking care of the updates on this file.  I believe you can click on it and enlarge the photo to see a bit more of what's going on.  I'm also trying to post some updates on Folia - which you will find on my sidebar.  We will be thinning and transplanting the Rosalita and Grand Rapids soon.  We are also hoping to start our 2nd flight of a few 'from seed' attempts.

A few weeks ago Opal posted on of Dan McDonald's Archived Videos on Facebook and tagged me in comments.  We got to talking about the female guest he had in that video.  She was a 'peppy little thing' - a blonde - with pigtails.  Come to find out she was in her mid 50s at the time of the video but with her lifestyle, outlook on life, and pigtails she appeared MUCH younger...I'd say maybe late 20's or so.  I used to wear pigtails every once and a while...when I was younger...and even when I was in college.  It's been a while.  Last night I was feeling a little crazy and thought I would try them.  yes!  I'm goofy!  But at least I'm having FUN again!  It's so nice when you surround yourself with more carefree people and everyone gets along, ya know!?

Participating:
What I Ate Wednesday

Soaking & Sprouting Nuts & Seeds - More Specifically (This Time Around) Broccoli Sprouts & Shoots

Last night I was catching up on some of Dan McDonald's Videos and came across this one on how to soak nuts and seeds.  I have been doing this for a while but I still consider myself a novice at it.  I don't get overly involved with fancy equipment and I think that is completely fine.  I really appreciated the variety of the nuts and seeds he highlighted in this video.

This video is a great watch.  I will give you a heads-up that it is about 20 minutes long.  But it's totally worth it.  LOTS of great info, here!

My co-workers and I started soaking some Sunflower Seeds today and will try and start sprouting them tomorrow in hopes of Sunflower Shoots - also known as - Sunflower Micro Greens!  I will keep you posted on that project for sure!  At home...I started soaking Broccoli this morning.  I'm not sure if I am going to try for Broccoli Sprouts or Broccoli Shoots yet but they come from the same seed.  Above is a photo of the sprouts!  And below a photo of the Shoots.

There have been MANY studies on the benefits of Broccoli Sprouts including cancer fighting properties as well as changes in those with high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, Macular Degeneration, COPD, Diabetes, etc.

Ukelele Journey, Blissful Furkids, Boku Bar, & Dan McDonald's Blending Mastery

A while back I blogged about FINALLY getting a Ukelele.  I want to learn just enough to play along with some songs - just for fun.  I've been a little addicted to this guy!  His name is Aldrine and he's amazing!  I love that he always has a smile on his face.  I LOVE their YouTube Videos and Website!  Thru him and his "Play Along" videos on YouTube I have been able to play along with: "What I Got" by Sublime, "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Let It Be" By the Beatles all pretty well.  Thru another source I started playing "I'm Your's" by Jason Mraz.  I hope to learn a few more songs from their Song Library in the next few weeks.  I'm VERY grateful for this resource they provide!  I recently printed out a PDF of Ukelele Chords, too, from The Uke Lady.

Last night after I did a few things around the house I was playing with the new Instagram features and started to nod off.  It's been a long week.  The "kids" were pretty much in the same 'mode' which was nice.  One time when I 'came to' a little bit I opened my eyes to this.  I just HAD to take a photo!  Paco and Suzie were 'Just Chillin'.  They couldn't have been cuter!  When I took the photo I think they panned over to Riley who was sitting on Dale's Recliner.

It's been a while since I had this Chocolate Fudge Brownie Boku Bar but I took some notes a while back to share it with you at some point.  That point - is today!

Boku Superfood is a neat company!  I've tried a few of their powders and I have really liked them.  I will be blogging more about those down the road, too!  Their bars, are darned-tasty!  This specific Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor surely lives up to it's name!  It's VERY MUCH Brownie-esque!  It was sweet, chewy, nutty, chocolatey, and slightly fruity tasting.  I really liked that I could "see" many of the ingredients in this product while I was gnawing on it!  This was a VERY impressive bar!  It was tasty, filling, and jam-packed with nutrition!

Guess what came in the mail today!?  YUP!  My new DVDs from Dan McDonald, that's what!  I took a photo of the front so you can see!  I can't wait to jump right in to them!  There are 3 DVDs in this set!  Blending Mastery!  Wooot!  Can't wait!  Speaking of some Blending Mastery - Christine over at The Raw Project - rocks the high speed blenders pretty hardcore and has inspired me to try some of her recipes and I will be posting them later today!
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It's a beautiful day outside today!  I think I might take some time to walk around downtown and take some photos and report back with my findings.

I'm also on the lookout for some easy widgets for my sidebars that would get more interaction going with people who visit my site!  I want to know what you are interested in seeing here, so let me know and be on the look out for some new features!

Fiesta Quinoa, Fiesta Stuffed Peppers, Raw Happenings, A Little Cuteness!

(Click Photo to Enlarge)
Last night I wanted to make something stuffed and decided to do these stuffed peppers.  I have also declared it QUINOA WEEK as my own personal goal.  Try and do as much with Quinoa as possible, I guess.  On the left you can see the "stuffing" and it made a BUNCH so I used the left overs for my lunch and then on the right is the actual Stuffed Peppers.  Here's (roughly) what I used in this for the stuffing:

1 Small Sweet Onion
2 Cloves Garlic

3 tea Wildtree's Fajita Seasoning

1 Can of Black Beans

2 C Cooked Quinoa

1 Can of Diced Tomatoes

***I stuffed this into Mini Yellow Sweet Peppers - I cut them in half and scooped the mix into each one and baked it for about 25 minutes***

Raw Happenings

Yesterday I watched one of Matt Monarch's videos on YouTube and he's back in California for a while and while he's here is popping in to his business The Raw Food World.  It was neat to see a tour of their facilities.  I also like to watch the videos of the Raw Foodists and their visits to the Farmers Markets.  Especially the ones in California.  I have to live vicariously thru them, I guess.  I was so happy to see Matt purchasing some wild fruits!   Another Raw Food Happening for me this week - and I'm really excited about it - is I finally took that step and ordered one of Dan McDonald's DVDs.  I have been a follower of his on YouTube for a few years as well as part of his INSIDERS Club.  No...I didn't buy this DVD shown, here, but I haven't seen a graphic for his newest DVD that just came out today which is called "Blending Mastery".  It has over 40 recipes all done in a high speed blender and all done raw vegan style.  He said that with all the suggested variations it was more like over 400 recipes!  Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!  

After a full day of work yesterday hubby and I went to our county fair and worked on a new seating chart for the concerts.  He's a board member of our county fair.  When we got home I had a HUGE salad and ran out of a really awesome Lemon Garlic dressing/marinade so I'm eager to see what kinds of raw vegan blender recipes Dan's DVDs suggest.  After he went to sleep I was working around the house and sat down for a while and this is what Riley was doing.  I'm not sure why he was looking at the back wall like that or why he looks so pathetically sad.  I think he does that to get my attention sometimes.  Speaking of attention-getters...Paco was lazing out again last night.  While I was running back and forth from room to room I noticed he was under various blankets in the Living Room.  Last night was more muggy than it has been but he didn't seem to care.  Suzie seemed to keep to herself a bit last night.  All-in-all I feel pretty good about the last few days...with work at actual work, with home, with community events, and planning for events in the future!  What do you have on tap!?

Raw Food & Mono Meals

 I took a few days off but I'm back and have LOTS to post about!!!  This is one of them!  Fresh Produce!  Raw Food!  Mono Meals!  Clean & Healthy eating and Snacking!  I also posted these on Instagram.  I'm working on adding additional tabs to my site, here, and will try and connect other places you can find me.  I've made some new friends on Instagram and have really enjoyed their posts.  I've also found out a lot of them have blogs so I will be linking up to them soon!  Let me know if you are on Instagram and I will FOLLOW you on there, as well.  As you can see I have Apples I bought this past weekend!  They are Organic Gala Apples.  My area is a little short on Organic foods so when I find them at a good price I try and buy them!  I found these at Aldi.  This post is also a little earlier for my Midweek Munchies Post but I really stocked up so I will have more to post on Wednesday - stay tuned for that too!

 I also found Avocados!  They tend to be expensive here so when I saw them for 68 cents at Aldi's I couldn't resist.  I just found out they will be even cheap on Wednesday so I hope to go back!  They should be 48 cents then!  Woot!  I bought two this past weekend and ate one already.  I usually try and buy at least half of them ripe and the other half not ripe so I have time on them.

 I also got some Blackberries!  Another thing I usually don't buy because of the price...but these were only 99 cents!  YAY!  I brought them with me today and might have them for my lunch today or breakfast tomorrow!  I'm thinking about using them in with Grapenuts & Coconut Milk!

 Mangoes!  LOVE Mangoes!  Another fruit that is pricey here but they had these crates of 6 at Sam's Club for about $6...I HAD to get them!  As you can see I already ate half of them.  I'm getting my husband into them, too!  But they have to be almost over-ripe for him to eat them!  We had 1 each and split the 3rd for a snack yesterday!  It was AWESOME!

And I got these little cuties at Aldi's too!  Mini Sweet Red Peppers!  I haven't eaten any of them yet but might try and do something with at least half of them tonight.  I am thinking at least half of them I might slice up and dip in hummus and/or Guacamole.

Now that we are Sam's Club members I hope to get more bulk fruits and veggies but the closest one is a good 40 minute drive from our house so it won't be consistent...but when we do I hope our trip is meaningful.  I'm also sprouting again which I will do another post about in the next few days!  Right now I am sprouting lentils!  So far - So Good - on the attempt!

Since it's just ME that eats this way in my house...it's EASY for me to do Mono Meals.  Much of what I have learned about Mono Meals came from Dan McDonald (AKA The Life Regenerator) and Dara Dubinet!  Both of which are on YouTube as well as many other Social Media Outlets.  I have Dara on Facebook and I'm super excited because Dan recently LIKED one of my photos on Instagram!  It was of my Lentil Sprouts!  Woot!

Participating In:
Marvelous Monday
Monday Mellow Yellows