Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. What should I eat?

If you haven't rented/streamed the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead take 90 minutes to watch this film.  It made an impact on my diet.  Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead chronicles the journey of an obese man, Joe Cross, on a 60 day vegetable and fruit juice detox.

I am in no way, shape or form suggesting anyone embark on a 60 day juice detox.  For the majority of us such a lifestyle choice would prove to be dangerously unhealthy and an ineffective long term means of fat loss.  I chose to briefly write about Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead to highlight the importance of vegetables.  One message from the film resounds with me... if conventional health methods are failing you, take a more holistic approach.  Your body has a remarkable ability to heal itself when given the proper tools.  Joe's health _drastically_ improves by changing his diet.

Prescribing to one dietary philosophy proves to be far too difficult for me.  I'm always questioning theories, rationales and evidence.  But one principle holds true throughout each belief.... EAT MORE VEGETABLES... and specifically to eat more raw vegetables.  No wonder I'm fascinated by the raw and vegan movements and incorporate many raw and vegan recipes into my diet.  I post paleo, vegetarian, vegan, and raw recipes/ideas/tips on my Facebook page Cave Princess daily!

EASY STEPS to incorporate more raw vegetables (and fruit) into your diet:

• Eat a BIG OLE salad _before_ your dinner.  Minus the heavy dressing of course.
• Eat cut up veggies _before_ your lunch or as your lunch.  I make tuna salads (with mustard), chicken salads, Sunbutter dips, etc. and use various veggies as my utensils.
• Eat a small portion of fruit in the morning or after a workout.
• Lettuce wrap your sandwiches and burgers (whether they be beef, turkey or veggie).  Do you really need all that bread?
• Make "green smoothies"!  Drink them _before_ your breakfast or lunch or as your breakfast or lunch (depending on your appetite and activity level that day).

What is a "Green Smoothie"?  It is essentially a lettuce based drink.  Sounds horrible.  Right?  Actually, they can be quite refreshing!  I'm totally addicted to them and drink "green smoothies" daily.   

EASY STEPS to making a "green smoothie":

• Purchase a juicer or high speed blender.  If you "juice" (this is what Joe Cross favored in the documentary) you will remove much of the fiber found in the vegetables and fruits.  It is believed the body can absorb the other nutrients more efficiently in this pure juice form.  Personally, I use a Vitamix blender (they are expensive, but I use it literally everyday).  I prefer the fiber and enjoy a thicker drink.  Your blender has to be of good quality.  The lettuce has to be pulverized in order to achieve a good texture.
• Stock your fridge with spinach, romaine, green leaf, kale etc.
• Stock your fruit bowl.
• Experiment with various recipes. There are so many variations on the "green smoothie".   (Be warned, I tried mustard greens one time,,, not wise and not recommended). 

Below is just ONE example of how you can combine the seemingly infinite vegetable/fruit concoctions. This recipe is two servings for me.  I store the half I don't consume covered in the refrigerator.

Not Scary...

Basic Green Smoothie:

1 1/2 cups filtered water
1 head romaine lettuce
1/2 head spinach
1/2- 1 cup pineapple
1/2 -1 cup peach or apple or pear
1 banana
squeeze of citrus fruit (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit juice)
1 T chia seeds (optional- they will gel and make your drink much thicker)

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