Sunday, January 31, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 10 valencia oranges
12:00 . . 4 oranges + some medjool dates (5 or 6?)
2:00 . . . 1 lb. of cherry tomatoes
4:00 . . . 1 cantaloupe + some dates
6:00 . . . 8 oranges + cherry tomatoes + a few dates
7:00 . . . snacking on more cherry tomatoes + dates

Play: stretching, dance

We are happily snowed in. And I feel well stocked, as you can see, with over 120 valencia oranges and some melons, some bananas, tomatoes, and a pineapple. I also have 5 pounds of juicy medjool dates. We are not planning on trying to get out for several days, so I feel content to know I have plenty of food. I wish I had thought to get more pineapple. . . that one is perfuming the entire kitchen with its' sweet smell. No wonder pineapples are the symbol of a welcoming home.

People wonder if I don't crave warm cooked comfort foods in winter. At this point, I can honestly say that I do not! I do have memories of it, but I also now have even more wonderful memories of gratefully eating lots of oranges through the winter. To me, oranges are a somewhat warming fruit, with their spicy syrup and looking like the sun. Yes, they have lots of sun energy which is needed if one lives in a place that has winter. And dates are warming, as well, if you can get your paws on some good juicy ones.

Actually, I have memories of eating hot food and burning my hands while cooking and my lips and tongue while eating. And hot foods actually cause your body to have to work on cooling itself. And your poor mouth and organs have to deal with this burning substance. Ugh. And the salt. Double ugh. Salt HURTS.

I think that humans have adapted as best they can to the harsh environments they were born into and they use cooked and processed food to make it more enjoyable and "fun." But let me remind myself and you that it is a LIE. It is NOT fun to feel sick, tired, and crazy from eating poisonous junk. It is NOT fun to feel dense and heavy and greasy and dehydrated. It is NOT fun to feel and look old and ugly and be in pain. It is NOT fun to receive a cancer diagnosis or suffer some of the horrible consequences of diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimers, depression, and all the rest. Don't be fooled.

On the other hand, it IS fun to eat delicious fruit and feel healthy and giddy and light and even euphoric from your food. It IS fun to feel young and beautiful and free, like a child. There are no downsides to eating fruit. None.

I love to look at my beautiful fruit sitting out in the open (no hiding it in a cabinet!) and I love it that I do not need to use a refrigerator. At all. I intend to someday have a "kitchen" that has no refrigerator, no stove, no oven, no microwave. . . no appliances! How beautiful and simple and quiet will that be?! ♥

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 8 valencia oranges
12:00 . . 2 cantaloupes
4:00 . . . 4 valencia oranges + 8 dates
8:00 . . . juice of 10 oranges + 1 lb. cherry tomatoes

Play: yoga

They are predicting a major snowstorm for this weekend, so I will need to stock up. I imagine I will just pick up LOTS of oranges, bananas, dates, cantaloupes, tomatoes, pineapples and anything else that looks promising.

I am really into the oranges now and thankfully they are excellent. So are the cantaloupes. All have been quite syrupy lately, and I find myself thinking orange. The other day in the store I saw a bottle of Orange Crush, something that was a special treat from my childhood. After that, I just wanted to get home to my own orange syrup. It also reminds me of another childhood favorite: Nikl Nips, little wax bottles filled with fake fruity syrup. Have you ever noticed how children LOVE fruit-flavored candy and drinks? Man, I sure did. Children KNOW.

Yes, lately I have orange syrup on the brain. ♥

Monday, January 25, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 6 organic valencia oranges
11:00 . . juice of 8 organic valencia oranges
1:00 . . . juice of 6 organic valencia oranges
3:00 . . . 1 lb. cherry tomatoes
4:00 . . . 2 cantaloupes
6:00 . . . more cherry tomatoes + 8 medjool dates

Play: walking/running ~ 5 miles, acrobatics, stretching

These cantaloupes were out of this world good! Very sweet and syrupy, as the picture shows. Wow. What a delicious day of eating. The tomatoes were also excellent. I would have eaten more if I had more. I had to share with my husband and there weren't many left for him. Oops. Must buy more. What is in there that is so crazy good?! I was immensely grateful all day for everything. ♥

Yesterday I was watching a documentary clip about the extraordinary LINES Ballet (look on youtube if you are interested) and the artistic director, Alonzo King, said a beautiful thing:

"Environment is HUGE. It is stronger than will power."

Yes!!! He was talking about the importance of dancers surrounding themselves with other talented creative dancers in order to thrive and be inspired to their highest potential. This is true for all of us, whoever we are and whatever we are doing.

Who and what you are around are SO IMPORTANT to your development and well-being. So choose carefully what you allow into your consciousness. It is having an effect on you, all of it.

Love. ♥

Friday, January 22, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . 5 large valencia oranges
1:00 . . . handful of fresh medjool dates
4:00 . . . few more dates
5:00 . . . juice of 8 organic valencias
7:00 . . . juice of 8 organic valencias + a few fat cherry tomatoes

Play: ballet and stretching

Oops! I did not mean to be gone for so long, fruity peeps! I was just away from home and away from computers for most of the week. It felt good to live more in the real world and away from the screen for a bit. Although I do love and appreciate the fruity community on the 'net.

But my friend here, Mr. Orange (use a French accent), is expressing my delight at finding some super good organic valencias. (I took a picture of a postcard someone gave me.) It looks like I'm going to be heavy on the oranges now as they just get better and better. Sweeter and riper and richer. Thank you, orange growers!

And speaking of oranges, you will really enjoy reading the blog of my friend, Anne Osborne, who is writing about her experiences daily on her most recent orange juice diet. She has already gone over 50 days on just oranges! This is fantastic, as Anne is dispelling many myths about food, eating, and nutrition: http://www.orangejuicegirl.blogspot.com/.

Enjoy! ♥

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 10 valencia oranges
1:00 . . . handful of medjool dates
3:00 . . . juice of 12 valencia oranges
4:00 . . . 4 bananas + 8 medjool dates
6:00 . . . a few pickling cukes + 1 lb. grape tomatoes + 10 medjool dates
7:00 . . . still snacking on dates, tomatoes, cukes

Play: ballet and stretching

My friend Yogaranka pointed out to me that she found out that some places might be soaking their dates in sugar water to keep them moist and sweet. So when I went back to this particular middle eastern bakery/restaurant to get some more medjools, I asked and they assured me that their dates are pure and not treated with sugar or anything else, which I already thought was the case. But I guess it doesn't hurt to ask if you are unsure.

Not that it would kill you to eat a few dates laced with sugar. But OK, processed sugar IS a poison.

But I have to say that these dates are OUTSTANDING! When I have bananas and dates together they taste like a moist vanilla cake with caramel frosting. I wish everyone could know how wonderful this way of eating and life is. It is so delicious, so simple, and wonderful on every level of your being. And you get to eat dessert all day long! That's lots of love. ♥

Friday, January 15, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 11 valencia oranges
2:00 . . . 1/2 a pineapple
3:00 . . . 1/2 lb. of organic grape tomatoes + a few dates
4:00 . . . 8 oranges + a few grape tomatoes
6:00 . . . some pickling cukes + 1 lb. grape tomatoes + 12 medjool dates

Play: ballet and yoga

You can see here my food on the counter. This is probably enough for 1 day or so. I am replenishing it all the time. This is such an easy and simple lifestyle. No prep time to speak of, and hardly any clean-up. All I have to do is rinse a plate with water. And I don't even need a refrigerator, oven, stove, or microwave. I don't need any electrical appliances at all!

This food is beautiful. I am proud to show people what I am buying and eating. This was not always the case in my life. I used to feel secretive and ashamed of some of the junk I was buying, and rightfully so! I would even hide it in my own home. From who? Myself??? Ha!

Thank goodness those days are over. The dark days are gone, and the light days are here!!!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 8 valencia oranges
10:00 . . juice of 4 valencia oranges
2:00 . . . few fresh medjool dates (intensely good!)
4:00 . . 1 lb. grape tomatoes + 2 dates
8:00 . . . 9 valencia oranges + 3 dates

Play: ballet, yoga, stretching

The oranges are tasting better and better to me. And now my husband is getting into them as well. He is eating several at night. He finds he can't stop eating them and it is wonderful to see.

A friend gave me a tip about a middle eastern bakery/restaurant having some good dates. I happened to be going by it yesterday, so I stopped in to see, and WOW, was my friend right! They are super juicy, caramelly, and SWEET. I really believe they are the best dates I've ever had. I was not expecting that. Glad I bought two pounds. Now I feel rich! And very happy. They are so sweet that I can't eat more than 2 or 3 at a time.

Must take a pic of them before I eat them all.

I'm so grateful for another local source of delicious fruit. Thank you, Universe. ♥

Monday, January 11, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . juice of 8 valencia oranges
11:00 . juice of 8 valencia oranges
2:00 . . 1 honeydew melon (really like honey! ♥)
4:00 . . 1 honeydew melon
5:00 . . 1 lb. of grape tomatoes
6:00 . . 8 oranges + handful of medjool dates

Play: dancing, stretching, acrobatics

I know that some fruity people buy their produce in huge amounts, for a week or more at a time. I've tried that, but it just doesn't work well for me. I lose the desire for what I bought days ago, or the fruit goes bad before I get to it, or I come across something I'd rather have instead.

I prefer to do "urban foraging" where I only have what I need for a day or two at a time. That way I am always alert to what is available and what my own personal desires are.

And btw, the pic is of my honeydew melon after I was done eating it. It was REALLY sweet, dripping with sugar. Wish I could have shared. ♥

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 6 oranges
12:00 . . juice of 6 oranges
2:00 . . . 2 oranges + handful of grape tomatoes
5:00 . . . grape tomatoes + pickling cukes + dates + bit of banana pepper
7:00 . . . more of the same (delicious)

Play: dancing, stretching, acrobatics

I came across a quote yesteday that I'll share:

"You don't become sick from smoking one cigarette, and you won't become healthy by eating one apple. Health is cumulative, and so is disease." Dr. Doug Graham

That's a great one! And to that I will add:

REAL healing takes time.

But what more wonderful and delicious (!) way to heal than by eating sweet juicy fruit, getting lots of rest and sleep, and doing some kind of body movement that you LOVE to do!?

In this crazy world, we are healing all the time, working on ourselves all the time. The fun never ends! If you are eating enough sweet fruit for fuel, you WILL think it is fun! ♥

Friday, January 8, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 6 oranges
10:00 . . juice of 4 oranges
2:00 . . . 1 lb. red grapes
4:00 . . . 1 lb. kiwi
5:00 . . . 6 oranges + .5 lbs. organic grape tomatoes
6:00 . . . 1 lb. grape tomatoes + 8 pickling cukes + a few dates
7:00 . . . few more grape tomatoes + dates

Play: ballet, yoga

I am more busy than usual because I'm a yoga teacher and the beginning of the year is just like in the gym biz: everyone wants to start fresh! So I have some new eager clients. It's all good.

I am so aware of how people have so many problems: physical problems, mental problems, emotional problems. They don't see it and don't even want to believe it, but most of it is tied to what they are eating/drinking. I have compassion for everyone and their troubles, but it sure is frustrating to feel like I have the answer for them, but they are not ready for the answer. People would rather suffer terribly than give up their addictions and little "comforts." I do understand as I was there myself for many years. MANY years. That is why I have the patience for other people. . . I had to be patient with my own self.

Still, I have to balance the negative energies of other people with my own needs. I know you can all relate! Maybe it is time to write again the story of Stay Away From Humans. Ha, ha. ♥

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 6 valencia oranges
12:00 . . juice of 6 valencia oranges
4:00 . . . 1/2 lb. of grape tomatoes
5:00 . . . 6 oranges + 1 lb. grape tomatoes
6:00 . . . 4 oranges + 1.5 lbs. grape tomatoes
7:00 . . . a few grape tomatoes + a few medjool dates

Play: secret obsessions, gymnastics, stretching

There is just a simple thought on my mind today:

NOTHING tastes better than fresh, ripe, sweet, juicy fruit. NOTHING!

And if you are entertaining thoughts that something else would taste better, would be more "fun", would make you feel better, your thoughts are nothing but the hypnotic programming we have all received from the moment we were born. This programming comes through our families, schools, friends, and media but it all starts with the very misaligned "food" manufacturers who only want your money and do not care about your health and well-being. They will sell you most vile poisonous harmful sickening junk on the planet after hypnotizing you into thinking it's a good thing, a desired thing. It's CRAZY.

So please, dear peeps, DON'T BE FOOLED! People are starting to wake up now, and you can be one of the first on your block to wake up to the whole food conspiracy. You are too intelligent to fall for that stuff. Don't believe them.

NOTHING tastes better than fresh, ripe, sweet juicy fruit. NOTHING. ♥

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

8:00 . . . juice of 6 valencia oranges
9:00 . . . juice of 4 valencia oranges
2:00 . . . 6 valencia oranges
3:00 . . . 1 lb. of organic grape tomatoes
4:00 . . . 6 valencia oranges
8:00 . . . 6 valencia oranges + 1 lb. organic grape tomatoes
9:00 . . . another handful of grape tomatoes

Play: dancing, yoga

OK, I don't know what is in these grape tomatoes but it must be some kind of crack! I can't stop eating them! They taste SO delicious with the oranges, too. A little sweet, a little salty. No pizza could taste better than these tomatoes. I'm serious. Simple pleasures are the best.

And the oranges are starting to be good, and prolific.

I woke up this morning thinking about how I get to spend this day eating oranges and tomatoes again. I have nothing else on my mind, foodwise. So I'll be stopping in to stock up on my two new faves. ♥

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Daily Fruit + Play

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 8 tangelos
11:00 . . juice of 6 tangelos
1:00 . . . juice of 8 tangelos
4:00 . . .3 bananas + 3 medjool dates
6:00 . . 1 lb. cherry tomatoes + 6 pickling cukes + 6 dates
7:00 . . 1 lb. cherry tomatoes + a few dates
9:00 . . bit of tangelo juice

Play: Running/dancing outdoors (cold!), stretching, acrobatics

Bright sunshine on a bowl of tangelos. . . it's a beautiful sight. These tangelos are good, but not as good as the valencias will be when they come in, which should be any day now.

When I eat, I feel like a baby. I just eat as much as I want with no worries. To me, it feels like I am eating all day long with no restrictions. I LOVE this way of life. I prefer grazing all day long to eating 2 or 3 large meals. Maybe this will change for me in the future, but I doubt it. Ha!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year, Fruity Peeps!

Yesterday I ate:

9:00 . . . juice of 10 tangelos
11:00 . . .juice of 8 tangelos
12:00 . . .juice of 6 tangelos
3:00 . . . 1 pineapple + a few medjool dates
5:00 . . . 1 large cantaloupe
6:00 . . . 2 lbs. cherry tomatoes + 4 pickling cukes + few dates + tiny bit of banana pepper
10:00 . . some pineapple

Play: walking/running, secret obsession, dancing, stretching

I am on "vacation" this week so my blogging has been a bit sparse. But I am still here and I am still fruity!

My husband gave me this pineapple for Xmas, along with some grapes and bananas. Ha, ha. Really! And it was a REALLY good one. But the best pinepple I've ever had was in Costa Rica. The fruit there is redonkulous!

I've been spending time outdoors, even though it is cold. And I can feel that I need more sugar to stay warm. It is so wonderful to be able to feel what my body needs, clearly. All those years of treating my body like a rental car or a trash receptacle. Yowsers! I am still apologizing to my body for all that. Now I feel so kindly and appreciative toward my body, and we talk back and forth to each other all the time, in love.

I am outwardly sweet, but inwardly fierce, about taking care of myself. I find it difficult to do something that I know will be harmful to me, even if it is subtle. It is incredible to discover how often other people want me to harm myself. Once you are aware of this, you will notice that it is happening all the time. To really get away from this, one would have to live apart from our modern society. Believe me, I am dreaming of it. ♥