It's time for a change

Well lots have happened since the 7 day detox that we did together. As I have shared I was considering myself “veganish” because I occasionally had dairy, fish, and shhhh lamb. The crazy thing about the lamb part is when I was a “meat eater” I couldn’t STAND lamb…so strange.

Anyway as much as I love not being so “rigid” (a plant based lifestyle doesn't have to be rigid, I was just like that with myself) I’m noticing I do not feel my best. The full plant based lifestyle REALLY works great for me. I feel my absolute best, I have great energy; I look my best, everything just coincides together perfectly.

So I've been praying about what to do because I have felt like this for a while. Sure I’m happy to allow myself more flexibility but fully knowing that I don’t feel or look my best I know some changes need to be made BUT I want to be realistic with them. I now have a plan that I’m VERY excited about:

•        Starting next week I will be going fully raw- end date Apr 1

o   I felt my ABSOLUTE BEST when I was raw. Now realistically this is not a full time lifestyle- it messed up my teeth (more on that another time but check out http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/ he shares a lot about the raw vegan lifestyle and the effects on the teeth. I didn't believe it but man I learned the hard way when I went to the dentist.

•     After that I plan to lead a majority plant based lifestyle-

o   Meaning if I want sporadically I will have fish etc. BUT eating mostly plants and many raw plants is my plan of action. I want the love for it that I felt before I started allowing myself more freedom so that’s what I plan to be praying about during my raw journey

So stick with me as I update on how things are going. I’m excited and nervous! It’s been kind of fun going to restaurants and not just ordering sides or salads because they are not fully vegan friendly BUT I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Signed,

Excited, Scared, but READY

Why Does Soda have SUCH a bad Reputation?

Everyone loves some nice strong carbonation right? Isn’t that the point of drinking soda? When a soda goes flat, usually it’s going in the trash. So what’s wrong with having a dark or light soda? Why do these soft drinks have such a bad reputation? Let’s look at some facts about sodas.

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•   Soda generally has about 39 grams or more of sugar, sugary substitute, or a combination of both.
•   Soda is linked to obesity, addiction (caffeine), increased risk for strokes, heart attacks, and              diabetes.
•  Studies have shown that diet soda actually increases weight GAIN and not weight loss
•  In studies the caramel artificial coloring in dark sodas have shown to be cancer causing agents.
•  Soda may accelerate the aging process (cause one to look older than they are) because it actually dehydrates the person drinking the soda thus drying out their skin.
• The artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas do not break down in our bodies.
•  Hazardous material signs are required on the trucks that carry the ingredients that are mixed together to make soda.
• Soda can clean corrosion from car battery terminals, can be used to loosen a rusted bolt, and can increase the risk of having kidney stones.

So does it sound like Nakeesha’s Nutrition is an advocate of not drinking soda? ABSOLUTELY but here we also believe in providing solutions or alternatives that still fulfil that carbonation desire. Keep in mind these alternatives are not going to taste exactly like your favorite soda BUT they do provide a much healthier option and still have that great strong bubbly taste.

•       Izze drinks- 100% juice w/ sparkling water
•      100% fruit juice with added sparkling water- may prepare it yourself
•        Reed’s Ginger or other flavored “soda”- drink sparingly they still have sugar but are also sweetened with honey and fruit juice

There are many more but these should help get you started if you are ready to make the “no more soda” commitment. If you’re not, that’s okay too. Just please keep these facts in mind and at least try to cut back as a start and then go from there. Every little step you take towards better health will soon create a huge leap. There are many stories of people who simply eliminate or cut back on sodas drastically and lose weight almost immediately.

Challenge- instead of picking up a soda today drink more water and try one of the above alternatives. YOU can do this!!!

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Continue to Put YOU First and let’s hydrate our bodies with greatness! Remember it’s not a diet….it’s a lifestyle!

Yours in Health,

Nakeesha of Nakeesha’s Nutrition