Following is an article on the roots of binge eating by my good friend, Denise Seyler. Denise has offered me so many amazing thoughts and brilliant guidance that I would never have been exposed to had I never met her, and I am truly grateful to be exposed to her knowledge.
I hope that what she has written here resonates with you. My opinion is that what is behind binge eating, restrictive eating, and pretty much all modern habits, norms and standards of eating run very deep. This can be a dark and difficult road to navigate…we do need to start somewhere in order to gain a sense of what exactly is going on in our minds and in our hearts when we engage in self-destructive eating patterns, and all other forms of self-destructive patterns.
Denise gets to the heart of it here, I think. Read, enjoy, and let me know what you think! - Marlena
I think the most important thing to remember when it comes to binge eating is that we have to be compassionate with ourselves. Most people do suffer from some kind of disordered eating due to the way we’ve been trained to view food, our environment and the way we’ve been taught to systematically numb our emotions through the use of food, alcohol, drugs, and constant stimulation. We weren’t taught to listen to our bodies and to question authority figures. We were taught how to best serve an oppressive system, where becoming the norm is your job, your duty, your function and productivity is the number one goal. It’s no wonder that as a society we engage in such self-sabotaging behaviors since, in the short term, they feel like an escape, entertainment, a way to let loose and have fun. All addictive and harmful behavior that we partake in is, in my opinion, connected to a desire to destroy – to destroy the ugliness (the oppression) that we experience. What I believe happens along the way is that we start to feel an uneasiness, we start to feel anger, and we start to realize that something is not quite right. Something inside of us starts screaming and demanding for the truth because at some level we know that what we are being told about life just can’t be so. I think we start to get to a point where we recognize that we are compromising…compromising our vitality, our relationships, our whole existence. We know that something needs to change, we need to change, transform, create and feel life, become life. This is an extremely painful experience to go through.
What I have discovered with my own binge eating (which I do fall prey to from time to time) is that it provides me with a false sense of control because it is a behavior that I can always change, modify and turn into whatever I want. Although I may feel out of control while bingeing, another part of me feels satisfied because I am not feeling exposed, raw, or on the verge of breaking down. At the very least, it keeps me from dealing with the bigger societal issues that affect all of us such as racism, sexism, classism and all the other isims. Although I am continually trying to discover what feels right for me, to face the darkness and come out even stronger than before, sometimes it just feels too overwhelming and this is definitely a trigger for me. I am learning to recognize it for what it is.
I think what is most important is for us to realize that we are not the problem, we are not inadequate or inferior. Yes, we are responsible for our actions and fully capable of changing our reality, but we need to be patient with ourselves because we have suffered years of abuse from living in an oppressive system. We need to love ourselves and know that we are powerful beyond our dreams – that we can go within, face our fears, our pain, our utter desperation and fight – fight for ourselves and all of humanity.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Exercising Independently
If I’ve learned one thing, it is that not thinking for ourselves is the perfect way to imprison our minds and spirits. It recently dawned on me that if I cannot even rely on my own mind to decide how I should move my body, then I must be pretty dumb.
The truth is, I’m not dumb, but I am kind of programmed to think that others know what is best for me. Especially in my younger years, I was the kind of person who would ask everybody their opinion about something before I would make my decision (always hesitantly). Still, I usually play around with other people’s ideas to see how they work for me. The difference between then and now is that eventually I always go back to what I know is actually in my best interest and feels best to me.
Growing up I always thought that workouts need to be unpleasant in order to be effective. The truth is, I never saw much change in my body from my workouts, no matter how easy or tough they were. For me, my food choices have always been the only thing that would bring me change in weight: not working out and focus on the burn.
With that being said, from what I’ve learned and studied (and just based on personal experience) I know that exercise (for me, daily exercise) is not optional. This doesn’t mean that I work out in a structured manner every day. I’m human. I get busy, and very often my workouts get pushed aside in lieu of making sure I have my green juice, my gorgeous, organic green salads, and a healthy meal for my husband (and pets) as well. Some days things get so hectic with work and managing my other priorities that I don’t manage to work out, but that does not happen often.
The reason why is simple. Working out for me is BLISSFUL.
I used to run for catharsis. Feeling my feet pound on the pavement and running uphill were great forms of release for me. Now when I run, it is never on the pavement (always on Mother Earth, she loves my bones, joints, and organs far more than pavement I am convinced!), and I usually experience moments of pure euphoria during my jogs.
My jogs of yester-year and my jogs of now are two completely different experiences (and yes, euphoria is different than a “runner‘s high“…I experience a lightness and a joy that I never felt in my previous years of jogging). Another huge difference is that when I break to walk, I don’t beat myself up about it. I walk when it feels right, and I jog when it feels right. More often than not, walk/jogs, as opposed to just walking, or just jogging, feel really perfect to me.
I haven’t entered a gym in years. I would sooner eat a cookie than enter a gym, that’s how acidic I consider them. No offense to those of you who love gyms, (as this post is all about figuring out what works best for each of us individually) it is just that there is nothing about them that resonates with me anymore.
A few years ago, however, I could be found on the elliptical and in the tanning beds…so trust me, there is no judgment here! I am just reflecting on how my approach to exercise has changed.
The only indoor exercise I currently do is rebounding in my home during the winter (when it’s warm enough out I roll her out onto my deck so I can breath in the fresh air during my jumps), and yoga at my local vinyasa studio, Evolution Power Yoga (I love this place!).
I acknowledge that fresh air is an imperative piece of my personal workout puzzle. Yes, I do feel it if my main form of exercise that week has been indoor yoga rather than rebounding on my deck, walk/jogging, or alternatively, doing yoga on my deck under my beloved backyard tree (LOVE LOVE LOVE that tree !). The benefit of fresh air in these lungs is never underestimated!
Heated yoga implies recycled air which is not ideal. However, I really love the energy of Evolution Power Yoga, I learn a great deal from and am very inspired by the amazing teachers and the students who attend. I feel such a great energy every time I step into the studio, even if I‘m just delivering juices to them, (rather than attending class)! So, I go to Evolution two or three times a week for a vinyasa class, and I love every single second of it.
I also love every single second of my personal workout schedule. Whether it is yoga at Evolution or on my deck, rebounding, pilates (I also do this without a dvd, but I used videos/dvds for years), walking, jogging, or playing tennis (I enjoy hitting tennis balls against the wall at MU’s tennis court occasionally), I am enjoying how I move my body, and I am empowered by making my own choices regarding how I move my body.
I’m not suggesting that you cannot follow other people’s suggestions…I’m just saying, take it for what it is…a SUGGESTION. There is no rule that says to be buff we need to have a gym membership, or if we want to be a good raw foodist we need to do yoga and rebound every day. I move my body because without movement, I don’t feel as good, and when I’m really tuned into what my body needs, exercise turns into a completely mood altering and life enhancing practice that is no less sacred to me than my green juice.
Being in a place where I can write this post makes me very happy. I remember a time, early in my days with raw foods and juicing, that I didn’t work out at all. I felt so much better just from eating cleaner, but now, my body needs movement like it needs her greens. Years before that, I worked out because I was scared of becoming fat and didn't really enjoy the process. I kept myself pent up in gyms, but now would never do this to my body because it makes me so unhappy.
I think this is all wonderful.
So what are your thoughts about exercise? Do you have any personal stories or questions about exercise? So many people take a self-punishing approach to it, and this approach is often taken unconciously. I don’t think that exercise as catharsis is a bad thing, just something we could be conscious of. When I was working out for these reasons, it would have served me better to analyze what all of that pent up negative energy was about. Then I could have found a way to change things so that my exercise could have been more about building up great energy and supplying a great flow of life force, as opposed to pummeling out negativity by punishing my body.
My workouts from last week: (In case anyone cares! This is all by memory...completely related to how I felt that day)
Monday- Rebounding (for those who do not know what “rebounding“ is, it is jumping on a mini trampoline), 30 - ish minutes (I time this by the songs I listen to on my ipod)
Tuesday - Rebounding, 20ish minutes and some yoga at home (sun salutations and other favorite poses which include, crow into headstand…which I’m getting really good at, and half pigeon)
Wednesday - Cleaned my house like a banshee (is that a word?)….but didn’t get into any “official” exercise
Thursday - Yoga at my office for about 20ish minutes…mostly sun salutations and headstands
Friday - 2 yoga classes! It was great, the 60 minute 7 am class really was harder than the more vigorous 90 minute 9:15 class because it had been a week since I’d been to class. Love Love Love.
Saturday- 30 minutes on the rebounder while listening/watching to Lady Gaga on Youtube and wondering if anyone else is thinking “Is she purposefully trying to look/dress/dance so much like Madonna?" Alejandro is catchy though, not gonna lie!
On another note, if you have read my blog more than once, chances are you’ve heard of a beautiful thing called NuNaturals Stevia! If you are like me, you stock up on this stuff and make sure you never run out. I honestly feel nothing but love and gratitude for this amazing stuff every day because it makes my life that much more sweet and delicious (sigh).
The truth is, I’m not dumb, but I am kind of programmed to think that others know what is best for me. Especially in my younger years, I was the kind of person who would ask everybody their opinion about something before I would make my decision (always hesitantly). Still, I usually play around with other people’s ideas to see how they work for me. The difference between then and now is that eventually I always go back to what I know is actually in my best interest and feels best to me.
Growing up I always thought that workouts need to be unpleasant in order to be effective. The truth is, I never saw much change in my body from my workouts, no matter how easy or tough they were. For me, my food choices have always been the only thing that would bring me change in weight: not working out and focus on the burn.
With that being said, from what I’ve learned and studied (and just based on personal experience) I know that exercise (for me, daily exercise) is not optional. This doesn’t mean that I work out in a structured manner every day. I’m human. I get busy, and very often my workouts get pushed aside in lieu of making sure I have my green juice, my gorgeous, organic green salads, and a healthy meal for my husband (and pets) as well. Some days things get so hectic with work and managing my other priorities that I don’t manage to work out, but that does not happen often.
The reason why is simple. Working out for me is BLISSFUL.
I used to run for catharsis. Feeling my feet pound on the pavement and running uphill were great forms of release for me. Now when I run, it is never on the pavement (always on Mother Earth, she loves my bones, joints, and organs far more than pavement I am convinced!), and I usually experience moments of pure euphoria during my jogs.
My jogs of yester-year and my jogs of now are two completely different experiences (and yes, euphoria is different than a “runner‘s high“…I experience a lightness and a joy that I never felt in my previous years of jogging). Another huge difference is that when I break to walk, I don’t beat myself up about it. I walk when it feels right, and I jog when it feels right. More often than not, walk/jogs, as opposed to just walking, or just jogging, feel really perfect to me.
I haven’t entered a gym in years. I would sooner eat a cookie than enter a gym, that’s how acidic I consider them. No offense to those of you who love gyms, (as this post is all about figuring out what works best for each of us individually) it is just that there is nothing about them that resonates with me anymore.
A few years ago, however, I could be found on the elliptical and in the tanning beds…so trust me, there is no judgment here! I am just reflecting on how my approach to exercise has changed.
The only indoor exercise I currently do is rebounding in my home during the winter (when it’s warm enough out I roll her out onto my deck so I can breath in the fresh air during my jumps), and yoga at my local vinyasa studio, Evolution Power Yoga (I love this place!).
I acknowledge that fresh air is an imperative piece of my personal workout puzzle. Yes, I do feel it if my main form of exercise that week has been indoor yoga rather than rebounding on my deck, walk/jogging, or alternatively, doing yoga on my deck under my beloved backyard tree (LOVE LOVE LOVE that tree !). The benefit of fresh air in these lungs is never underestimated!
Heated yoga implies recycled air which is not ideal. However, I really love the energy of Evolution Power Yoga, I learn a great deal from and am very inspired by the amazing teachers and the students who attend. I feel such a great energy every time I step into the studio, even if I‘m just delivering juices to them, (rather than attending class)! So, I go to Evolution two or three times a week for a vinyasa class, and I love every single second of it.
I also love every single second of my personal workout schedule. Whether it is yoga at Evolution or on my deck, rebounding, pilates (I also do this without a dvd, but I used videos/dvds for years), walking, jogging, or playing tennis (I enjoy hitting tennis balls against the wall at MU’s tennis court occasionally), I am enjoying how I move my body, and I am empowered by making my own choices regarding how I move my body.
I’m not suggesting that you cannot follow other people’s suggestions…I’m just saying, take it for what it is…a SUGGESTION. There is no rule that says to be buff we need to have a gym membership, or if we want to be a good raw foodist we need to do yoga and rebound every day. I move my body because without movement, I don’t feel as good, and when I’m really tuned into what my body needs, exercise turns into a completely mood altering and life enhancing practice that is no less sacred to me than my green juice.
Being in a place where I can write this post makes me very happy. I remember a time, early in my days with raw foods and juicing, that I didn’t work out at all. I felt so much better just from eating cleaner, but now, my body needs movement like it needs her greens. Years before that, I worked out because I was scared of becoming fat and didn't really enjoy the process. I kept myself pent up in gyms, but now would never do this to my body because it makes me so unhappy.
I think this is all wonderful.
So what are your thoughts about exercise? Do you have any personal stories or questions about exercise? So many people take a self-punishing approach to it, and this approach is often taken unconciously. I don’t think that exercise as catharsis is a bad thing, just something we could be conscious of. When I was working out for these reasons, it would have served me better to analyze what all of that pent up negative energy was about. Then I could have found a way to change things so that my exercise could have been more about building up great energy and supplying a great flow of life force, as opposed to pummeling out negativity by punishing my body.
My workouts from last week: (In case anyone cares! This is all by memory...completely related to how I felt that day)
Monday- Rebounding (for those who do not know what “rebounding“ is, it is jumping on a mini trampoline), 30 - ish minutes (I time this by the songs I listen to on my ipod)
Tuesday - Rebounding, 20ish minutes and some yoga at home (sun salutations and other favorite poses which include, crow into headstand…which I’m getting really good at, and half pigeon)
Wednesday - Cleaned my house like a banshee (is that a word?)….but didn’t get into any “official” exercise
Thursday - Yoga at my office for about 20ish minutes…mostly sun salutations and headstands
Friday - 2 yoga classes! It was great, the 60 minute 7 am class really was harder than the more vigorous 90 minute 9:15 class because it had been a week since I’d been to class. Love Love Love.
Saturday- 30 minutes on the rebounder while listening/watching to Lady Gaga on Youtube and wondering if anyone else is thinking “Is she purposefully trying to look/dress/dance so much like Madonna?" Alejandro is catchy though, not gonna lie!
On another note, if you have read my blog more than once, chances are you’ve heard of a beautiful thing called NuNaturals Stevia! If you are like me, you stock up on this stuff and make sure you never run out. I honestly feel nothing but love and gratitude for this amazing stuff every day because it makes my life that much more sweet and delicious (sigh).
Some of my favorite stevia - sweetened desserts!
I mention this because my friend Lauren is doing a NuNaturals Stevia giveaway! You must enter this! FREE STEVIA! Who doesn’t want extra sweetness in their life?
You’ll also want to check out Lauren's blog, Diary of a Nutritionist for her awesome recipes and extremely well written and researched articles!
Happy Wednesday Sunshine Friends... and Happy 24th Birthday to my brother!
Marlena
Saturday, July 31, 2010
All About My New Ebook
Hey friends! I hope that some of you have plans on trying cauliflower mashed "potatoes" this weekend.
So now, all about my first ebook:
This is a great ebook with awesome workouts from Bex that will benefit everyone. However, it is important for me to note that this diet is not a low sugar/yeast starving diet! I want to mention this because I know that many women who read my blog are dealing with specific health issues in which there is a yeast overgrowth in the system that needs to be eradicated.
This doesn't mean that the ebook will not serve you, I would simply omit most fruits in the meal plan and replace it with extra green juice sweetened with stevia (check out my facebook page update from Wednesday to see my current favorite stevia-sweetened greens with lemon and ginger juice), and after dinner have some other sugar free or low sugar dessert such as dark chocolate.
On the other hand, Casey Thomas and I are working on a two week cleanse ebook that is specific for weight loss issues that are related to yeast. This is a really great cleanse and approach, but not too extreme. We provide tons of sugar free and low sugar meal ideas and desserts, and think you'll find it a great addition to your standard repertiore, whatever that may be.
Only through the end of today, my 7-Day Jumpstart Ebook will be available for only $7.99. Trust me, this is a steal for the content offered! The ebook includes 7 days of EXCLUSIVE workouts by Bex and 7 days of planned out meals (and plenty of new recipes along with some old favorites) by me.
You can purchase the ebook through this blog (see "Ebooks" tab or the Paypal icon to the right), and The Sunshine Center website.
After today the ebook will be available for regular price, which is $9.99.
I hope you give our 7 Day Jumpstart a try. I think you'll be happy with what we put together for you!
Happy Weekend!
Marlena
So now, all about my first ebook:
This is a great ebook with awesome workouts from Bex that will benefit everyone. However, it is important for me to note that this diet is not a low sugar/yeast starving diet! I want to mention this because I know that many women who read my blog are dealing with specific health issues in which there is a yeast overgrowth in the system that needs to be eradicated.
This doesn't mean that the ebook will not serve you, I would simply omit most fruits in the meal plan and replace it with extra green juice sweetened with stevia (check out my facebook page update from Wednesday to see my current favorite stevia-sweetened greens with lemon and ginger juice), and after dinner have some other sugar free or low sugar dessert such as dark chocolate.
On the other hand, Casey Thomas and I are working on a two week cleanse ebook that is specific for weight loss issues that are related to yeast. This is a really great cleanse and approach, but not too extreme. We provide tons of sugar free and low sugar meal ideas and desserts, and think you'll find it a great addition to your standard repertiore, whatever that may be.
Only through the end of today, my 7-Day Jumpstart Ebook will be available for only $7.99. Trust me, this is a steal for the content offered! The ebook includes 7 days of EXCLUSIVE workouts by Bex and 7 days of planned out meals (and plenty of new recipes along with some old favorites) by me.
You can purchase the ebook through this blog (see "Ebooks" tab or the Paypal icon to the right), and The Sunshine Center website.
After today the ebook will be available for regular price, which is $9.99.
I hope you give our 7 Day Jumpstart a try. I think you'll be happy with what we put together for you!
Happy Weekend!
Marlena
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Spotlight on Discover Detox and Cheesy Mashed “Potatoes”
Hey lovelies! So sorry for the blog hiatus! I hope you are all having an enjoyable July. It’s been a sizzling hot one in Lancaster.
I have a double whammy planned for you today since it has been nearly two weeks since my last post. Today I’m going to write a bit about the program Discover Detox that Casey Thomas and I developed together, and after that, I’m going to share with my favorite new steamed vegetable recipe.
I really wanted to take the time to write about Discover Detox because this is truly a unique and special program in many ways.
Casey and I have both spent a lot of time throughout our lives dieting and learning the hard (and lonely) way how to eat well and feel good in our own skin. Through Discover Detox, we basically are providing allotted time throughout the year for a group of individuals who are sincerely interested in transitioning to a diet that works WITH their body, not against it. Here is what makes Discover Detox so unique:
Discover Detox tailors to individual needs - This is not a quick-fix program and there is no gimmicks or extremes involved promising dramatic results. This is not a raw food, vegan, or vegetarian regime. We provide two separate levels so that your general needs and guidelines are established and are available for support throughout the program so that you are getting exactly what you need to progress. We even have an option available for those of you who would like a private counseling session with either Casey or I during the three week program. Your success is of the highest importance to us.
Discover Detox provides personal contact (daily) - Through daily emails we provide personal contact with all Discover Detox members to ensure that everyone is supported, encouraged, and motivated to take the next step towards a better life experience. We realize that so much of eating better is simply changing ones attitude and approach to food. Having support and guidance every day from two ladies who have been there has proven to be incredibly helpful for those who have participated in this program in the past.
Discover Detox provides plenty of living foods and enzymes while also providing extensive information regarding the necessity of cooked vegetables and cleansing modalities to ensure a true cleanse (not a potential cleanse, which is entirely different) - Unlike many raw and vegan/vegetarian plans and diets, we do not adhere to a set of rules or dogmatic principles to achieve success. There are many people who simply will not respond well to a vegan diet…their bodies will swell and have a difficult time releasing weight. We take this into account with our plans. The path to health is clean cells and this path is never the same for everyone. So we provide the best guidance we can through the incorporation of Nature’s highest form of absorbable nutrition and plenty of leafy green salads and raw vegetables, along with cooked vegetables and plenty of education regarding cleansing and detoxification so that the process is approached and implemented intelligently.
When cleansing is approached this way, it is a truly life-changing experience!
Discover Detox addresses the emotional and psychological aspects of cleansing -
Again, since we’ve been there, we know what it feels like to go to a party and be the only person who won’t be drinking margaritas and eating hamburgers, ice cream, and pizza. We realize that as we remove stimulating foods from the diet, we may begin to feel more vulnerable or stressed out in social situations. While we make every attempt to avoid these situations through approaching cleansing intelligently on the physiological plane, we realize that emotional and psychological issues still may arise during the three week period. We utilize our avenues of communication through buddy systems and contact with both Casey and myself along with journaling and self reflection in order to make sure this is tended to.
Discover Detox acknowledges the importance of transition and maintenance for long-term success- We include plenty of detoxification education and lots of recipes that you can carry with you throughout your long-term journey for long term success. We do this because we acknowledge that without a plan that is sustainable past three weeks, lasting change is slim to none.
These five reasons that make our worldwide program so unique is why this program is ideal for literally everyone from the die-hard cell cleanser, to someone who is eating burgers and cookies for lunch. Due to the non-dogmatic and intelligently implemented cleansing principles, we can make sure that anyone who participates will experience pleasurable changes that they would feel no reason or desire to abandon after the cleanse is over.
We also have recently implemented an annual membership for this program. This means that you pay one fee of $209 US dollars or $246 Australian dollars in order to participate in all four live groups throughout the year. This is such a great deal for those of you who truly desire lasting change and freedom within your body. It is possible and it IS within reach! It just takes incentive and the acknowledgement that your health is worth setting aside this time once every three months in order to check in with yourself and make sure that you are making yourself a priority.
Remember that our bodies are our temples. If we do not watch over what we consume and are exposed to, it will break down rather rapidly. When using Discover Detox to set aside time to honor your body, we promise that you will be far better off for it.
If you have any questions about Discover Detox, please contact me by email (marlena.torres@gmail.com) or phone (60-634-3768), whichever is more convenient for you.
On the other hand, here is a creamy dreamy Discover Detox-worthy recipe that I am dying to share with you!
Cheesy Mashed “Potatoes”
Half of a head of cauliflower
1/3 cup grated raw goat cheese (I really like Shiloh Farm's Sharp Cheddar style with this particular recipe)
1tsp Italian herbamare
Place cauliflower in boiling water and cook until it can be pierced with a fork. Remove the cauliflower from the pot with a slotted spoon and place in the food processor. Sprinkle the cheese and herbamare on top of the cauliflower, and process until smooth like mashed potatoes.
I placed mine on top of some roasted peppers one night, and steamed spinach another night (some grated beets from my salad got mixed in, turning them pink!). Each night I enjoyed it alongside a raw goat’s cheese and greens salad with my favorite summer veggies: lemon cucumber, heirloom tomato, fresh garlic, and grated beet.
I REALLY hope that you try the cheesy mashed “potatoes”. I made some for my parents the other night and even my Dad was sold on them!
I am just loving all kinds of new steamed vegetable variations these days. What are your favorite ways to enjoy steamed veggies? Let me know so I can get cookin'!
Have a great weekend everyone.
Love and steamed veg,
Marlena :)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Vegetable - Based Dressings to Share
I hope everyone's weekend is off to a good start!
My day started off with some conov with a fantastic client of mine, and some yoga afterwards. Then I went to Central Market, and got some local organic heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, bi-color corn, golden beets, jalapenos, and salad greens. Needless, to say, I cannot wait for dinner today! I love making special things on the weekends. I'll probably make a hot sauce with the jalapenos and truly decadent salads for Enrrico and I. I also have half of a GORGEOUS heirloom zucchini in the fridge that I will probably steam with some garlic, organic butter, and sea salt for dinner.
Enough about my day...on to the recipes! One of my promises to clients and friends is that I will be delivering more vegetable-based dressings on this blog. So here is my start.
The first dressing came as a result of my desiring cheese and avocado in one dinner (a food combining no-no). I RARELY use nutritional yeast (it never quells a true hankering for cheese for me), but in this case I figured I'd put some of it to use.
Cheesy Zucchini Dressing
2 cups zucchini, cubed (you can peel it if you'd like, but I liked the light green color the peel provided the dressing
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tsp Italian Herbamare
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Blend!
Here it is on top of my avocado and tomato salad. It was delicious!
This next dressing is quite unseasonal. I've been yearning for fall, I cannot lie. As much as I love embracing each season and what it offers us, these past few weeks (and by weeks, I guess I mean MONTH) have been so oppressively hot that I find myself day dreaming of fall. So I picked up a butternut squash at the health food store. I thought I would end up baking it, but the idea of baked anything (with the exception of my macaroons!) is totally unappealing in this heat. So raw butternut squash dressing was born.
Raw Butternut Squash Dressing
2 cups cubed butternut squash (I peel my butternut squash with a vegetable peeler, I think it is easier than using a knife)
1 garlic clove
1/2 lemon, juiced
2/3 cup water
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
stevia to taste (optional)
Blend all ingredients together. The truth is, if you want this dressing to be super creamy, try steaming or baking the squash. I really loved it as is, but cooking the squash is an option of course. Cooking the squash would actually be ideal if you do not have a Blend-Tec or Vitamix blender.
I used this dressing to top a salad of greens, avocado, tomato, and butternut squash pasta. Simple and YUM!
The seasonings in both of these dressings can be adjusted to suit your taste. These dressings are mild, meant to accent really decadent, meal-worthy salads, but who's to say that they cannot be spicier or cheesier, if that is your desire?
Any other recipe requests? I'm happy to appease your palettes! Let me know what you want to see on here, Sunshine friends!!!
XO,
Marlena
Friday, July 16, 2010
Some Updates and Recipes Coming Soon!
Hey Everyone!
Wow, it has been way too long since I've blogged. Its not that I don't care about you all, I've just been a bit overwhelmed lately. But now I have a few updates I'd like to share!
First off, I want to remind you all of the FREE Telelass that Casey and I are hosting this coming Thursday the 22nd. If you cannot listen in on the call live, you can still listen to a recording. Please email me with the word "Teleclass" in the subject heading if you are interesting in tuning in or being sent the link to listen to the recorded call at a later time.
Our next installment of Discover Detox starts on August 5th! I'm incredibly excited for this group. If you have ANY questions, do not hesitate to email or call me. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. If you are interested in this program, I encourage you to listen in to the free teleclass so you can learn more about our approach to cleansing.
We are also now offering an annual membership for the Discover Detox program, just like we are with The Juicy Life program. This is a WONDERFUL opportunity for those of you who really desire a healthy, high-raw, whole foods diet, but feel as though you need support throughout the year to keep you on track. Casey and I are always adding new things and naturally our perspective and understanding of the cleansing process changes as we go along on our own personal paths, so each and every installment of this program changes and becomes more special each time. Again, please contact me if you are interested in this but have questions!
My ebook with Rebekah of Bexlife.com will be available for purchase on my website and this blog on June 21st for only $9.99! This is quite a steal for what we are offering. With this ebook you will have 7 days of meal plans and recipes by me and workout videos by Bex.
If you are in Lancaster, you can now buy fresh pressed enzyme and nutrient rich vegetable juices at my most favorite yoga studio in the world, Evolution Power Yoga! Enrrico and I are absolutely THRILLED to be offering our juices at this studio that is so near and dear to my heart. The juices offered at Evolution are 8 ounces, and are being sold for $5. As of now we are offering two blends:
The Sunshine Elixir- Carrot, Romaine, Spinach, Kale, and Parsley
Sunshine Lemonade - Cucumber, Celery, Romaine, Spinach, Kale, Parsley, Apple, and Lemon
Today I handed out samples of the Elixir after Kim's 9:15 class and everyone loved it! We sold out of our first batch of juices already, so Enrrico and I are going to be up bright and early tomorrow making our second batch of juices. Tomorrow, if you are in Lancaster, I hope to see you at the 9:15 class. I will be speaking briefly about the juices prior to class and then handing out samples of Sunshine Lemonade afterwards!
I cannot imagine a greater start to your weekend than a sweaty vinyasa followed by fresh, organic living juice! This is my favorite way to start EVERY day, so we are so excited to be able to offer these juices to you so you can replenish (especially in this heat) after a challenging yoga class.
The Sunshine Center will also be sending out a monthly newsletter. Please email me if you'd like to be added to our contact list if you are not already a client, or simply type in your email in the box on the right of this blog.
If you haven't "liked" The Sunshine Center on facebook, please click here to do so! I will be posting about an organic gardening seminar that will be held on August 14, and a Digestive Health Seminar that will also be held in August that I will be co-hosting with my intelligent and compassionate friend, colon hydrotherapist and detox specialist in training, Jamie Leedom.
On top of all of this, my dear, dear friend Casey and I have LOTS of projects that we are working on that we cannot wait to unveil to all of you. Stay tuned friends!!!
Oh...and I have two delicious and so simple to throw together vegetable based dressing recipes that I'll be sharing with you tomorrow, so stay tuned for that, too!
Have a gorgeous weekend, and come to Evolution tomorrow morning!!!
Love and Sunshine Juice,
Marlena
Wow, it has been way too long since I've blogged. Its not that I don't care about you all, I've just been a bit overwhelmed lately. But now I have a few updates I'd like to share!
First off, I want to remind you all of the FREE Telelass that Casey and I are hosting this coming Thursday the 22nd. If you cannot listen in on the call live, you can still listen to a recording. Please email me with the word "Teleclass" in the subject heading if you are interesting in tuning in or being sent the link to listen to the recorded call at a later time.
We are also now offering an annual membership for the Discover Detox program, just like we are with The Juicy Life program. This is a WONDERFUL opportunity for those of you who really desire a healthy, high-raw, whole foods diet, but feel as though you need support throughout the year to keep you on track. Casey and I are always adding new things and naturally our perspective and understanding of the cleansing process changes as we go along on our own personal paths, so each and every installment of this program changes and becomes more special each time. Again, please contact me if you are interested in this but have questions!
My ebook with Rebekah of Bexlife.com will be available for purchase on my website and this blog on June 21st for only $9.99! This is quite a steal for what we are offering. With this ebook you will have 7 days of meal plans and recipes by me and workout videos by Bex.
If you are in Lancaster, you can now buy fresh pressed enzyme and nutrient rich vegetable juices at my most favorite yoga studio in the world, Evolution Power Yoga! Enrrico and I are absolutely THRILLED to be offering our juices at this studio that is so near and dear to my heart. The juices offered at Evolution are 8 ounces, and are being sold for $5. As of now we are offering two blends:
The Sunshine Elixir- Carrot, Romaine, Spinach, Kale, and Parsley
Sunshine Lemonade - Cucumber, Celery, Romaine, Spinach, Kale, Parsley, Apple, and Lemon
Today I handed out samples of the Elixir after Kim's 9:15 class and everyone loved it! We sold out of our first batch of juices already, so Enrrico and I are going to be up bright and early tomorrow making our second batch of juices. Tomorrow, if you are in Lancaster, I hope to see you at the 9:15 class. I will be speaking briefly about the juices prior to class and then handing out samples of Sunshine Lemonade afterwards!
I cannot imagine a greater start to your weekend than a sweaty vinyasa followed by fresh, organic living juice! This is my favorite way to start EVERY day, so we are so excited to be able to offer these juices to you so you can replenish (especially in this heat) after a challenging yoga class.
The Sunshine Center will also be sending out a monthly newsletter. Please email me if you'd like to be added to our contact list if you are not already a client, or simply type in your email in the box on the right of this blog.
If you haven't "liked" The Sunshine Center on facebook, please click here to do so! I will be posting about an organic gardening seminar that will be held on August 14, and a Digestive Health Seminar that will also be held in August that I will be co-hosting with my intelligent and compassionate friend, colon hydrotherapist and detox specialist in training, Jamie Leedom.
On top of all of this, my dear, dear friend Casey and I have LOTS of projects that we are working on that we cannot wait to unveil to all of you. Stay tuned friends!!!
Oh...and I have two delicious and so simple to throw together vegetable based dressing recipes that I'll be sharing with you tomorrow, so stay tuned for that, too!
Have a gorgeous weekend, and come to Evolution tomorrow morning!!!
Love and Sunshine Juice,
Marlena
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Discover Detox in 5 Steps - Please Join Casey and I for a FREE Teleclass!
Happy Thursday evening!
Today I want to let you know about a teleclass that Casey and I are doing together on July 22nd titled "Discover Detox in 5 Steps". You can check it out on Facebook and RSVP here.
We have had such great groups and wonderful feedback regarding our programs Discover Detox, and The Juicy Life, that we wanted to offer this free call to all of you so you can hear all about the most simplified ways to cleanse the body and experience relief from symptoms at no charge!!!
As you all know from reading our blogs (and as you especially know if you are one of the many who have participated in our programs!), Casey and I are incredibly passionate about this lifestyle and the amazing rewards it offers. Most people think that in order to maintain a level of superior health, socializing, dining out, and enjoying delicious flavors that you've enjoyed throughout your life need to be forgotten. This simply isn't so! If it was, it is doubtful I would be able to maintain this way of living.
If you are keen to learn more about these 5 steps, and hear our personal stories of how they have worked for us and transformed our lives, then you can sign up for the free teleclass by emailing me (marlena.torres@gmail.com). Please put "Teleclass Signup" in the Subject heading of your email.
The details of the teleclass are:
Today I want to let you know about a teleclass that Casey and I are doing together on July 22nd titled "Discover Detox in 5 Steps". You can check it out on Facebook and RSVP here.
We have had such great groups and wonderful feedback regarding our programs Discover Detox, and The Juicy Life, that we wanted to offer this free call to all of you so you can hear all about the most simplified ways to cleanse the body and experience relief from symptoms at no charge!!!
As you all know from reading our blogs (and as you especially know if you are one of the many who have participated in our programs!), Casey and I are incredibly passionate about this lifestyle and the amazing rewards it offers. Most people think that in order to maintain a level of superior health, socializing, dining out, and enjoying delicious flavors that you've enjoyed throughout your life need to be forgotten. This simply isn't so! If it was, it is doubtful I would be able to maintain this way of living.
If you are keen to learn more about these 5 steps, and hear our personal stories of how they have worked for us and transformed our lives, then you can sign up for the free teleclass by emailing me (marlena.torres@gmail.com). Please put "Teleclass Signup" in the Subject heading of your email.
The details of the teleclass are:
Date: Thursday July 22, 2010
Time: 7am US EST, 7pm AWST, 9pm AEST, 12 noon GBT
Duration: 60-90 minutes
Dial in details: The teleclass will require you to dial a US based number. If you are outside of the US or if you do not have a free US Nationwide calling plan, we recommend you purchase a phone card to ensure the call cost is very low.
Please note that the teleclass will be recorded so if you can not make the call at the scheduled time, you can still sign up to listen to the recording in your own time.
To sign up, please email me with "Telclass Signup" in the subject heading of your email.
You will be contacted by email with the teleclass dial in number and passcode closer to the time.
We look forward to sharing our 5 steps with you so that you experience even greater health and vitality!
Have a great end to your week and a relaxing weekend!
XO,
Marlena
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