Lenten Time

Yesterday marked the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday. Seeing as I am half Catholic half Jew, I loosely observe this Lenten period. In the past I would have dismissed this time, as it did not pertain to me. However, since I have been home, I have chosen to expand my spiritual horizon, which has brought forth a new curiosity for both my parents’ religious practices. So when my father walked in the door with an ash cross on his forehead, I had to know more…

After talking to my dad, I learned the Church has adjusted previous rules for observing Lent. These rules have transformed more so into loose guidelines; this appealed to me.

Instead of focusing on what you are giving up, the Church is asking you to focus on your own personal Lenten journey. In the little black book for Lent, it states:

“We can look upon Lent as a journey…Journeys have their ups and downs. We don’t really expect them to go smoothly. If we are going to drive across the country, we expect a few car problems, some bad weather, some detours, some missed connections and so forth. We prepare for those things and we deal with them as they come up…deal with the journey of Lent the way we deal with every other long and sometimes difficult journey.”

I have decided that this perspective complements my modern lifestyle. Lent is a perfect challenge in my personal journey for enlightenment and could not have come at a better time.

I wouldn’t say I have completely fallen back into my mindless eating routines of the past year, but since my month long cleanse ended February 2^nd I haven’t been as conscious about what I am feeding myself. If I have learned anything from cleansing, it is that everyone deserves to indulge every now and then. However, my love for dark chocolate and lack of self-control negates “every now and then.”

SO, for the next 40 days I have decided to let go of refined sugars (once again). It is something I love dearly, but definitely could use less of. And with MY loose guidelines this will still allow me an evening cocktail if I desire…I mean, hey, we are young!!!

 ...so long for now...

Brain Boosting Breaky

Meg's and Peg’s Omega 3 Brain Booster Breakfast

Serves 1

2Tbl Chia seeds whole

1/2 C hot water

         OR

1 Tbl freshly ground Chia seeds

1 Tbl freshly ground flax seeds

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cardamom

1/4 C fresh roasted coconut flakes

2 Tbl. Hemp seeds or other seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower

1/2 C washed organic blueberries or other berries

1/2 C washed organic strawberries and or other seasonal fruit combinations (banana’s persimmons, kiwi, dried figs, raisins, ect.)

Directions

•  In a bowl pour hot water over chia seeds, cinnamon and cardamom Let rest to firm up.

      OR

•  Freshly grind flax and Chia seeds together. Pour flour into bowl with cinnamon and cardamom, and mix together.

•  Wash fruit and slice strawberries set aside.

•  In a preheated oven or broiler, roast the coconut flakes, but watch closely let cool

•  In bowl with thickened chia seeds, takes about 5 minutes, top with remaining ingredients, stir and enjoy! 

      OR

•  In bowl with Chia and flax flour, top with remaining ingredients, stir and enjoy!

Megs & Pegs Cleansing Lifestyle

This past month Pegs and I have had a lot of people ask us how to do our new years cleanse. This cleanse can be done by whoever, whenever! We have created a cheat-proof regime that promises success.

Our modified version of the Master Cleanse can be done for 3 or 4 days. This is a great time frame for someone looking for a quick and healthy body-flush.

ELIXER:

·      Easiest: purchase the detox elixir at farmers market from Raw Cane SuperJuices & dilute with water

·      Easier: purchase a small sugar cane juice from Raw Cane Super Juices at the farmers market to substitute for Maple Syrup in Master Cleanse:

o   2 TBSP sugar cane juice OR maple syrup

o   2 TBSP lemon juice

o   1 large pinch Cheyenne pepper

o   10 ounces of water

·      Easy: use Grade B Organic Maple Syrup with the ingredients listed above to make your own detox elixir :)

**TIP: double or triple measurements if you want to sip on the drink all the day**

1) You spend the first two or three days fasting, drinking only the elixir, depending on how long you want to cleanse.

If cleansing without food feels too harsh or scary, try eating some steamed or lightly sautéed greens in a vegetable broth to help ease you through your first ever cleanse; or you can eat dark leafy greens if completely eliminating foods is too difficult for you. It is better to eat during the day to keep you going, so you are not as hungry toward nighttime; otherwise, greens for dinner work just as well. Dark leafy greens are very cleansing for your body on their own. They help pull unwanted toxins out of your body as well as give you important nutrients while cleansing.

2) On the third or fourth day you add dark vegetables (like spinach, kale, chard, and collards) with the elixir. Pegs and I concluded how great we were feeling after the fourth day, that we encouraged each other to stick with our cleanse a little longer.

What began as a few days quickly turned into a week cleanse. Pegs and I further decided to keep up this no-alcohol, no-sugar, no-dairy, no-processed foods "diet." Our bodies felt so good we didn't want to stop! To stay true to this lifestyle, we first added whole grains then protein back into our diet as we continued to reap the enefits from all the vegetables we were eating.

FYI: this is where the cleanse becomes more of a shift in your lifestyle

3) After a week of just dark leafy greens, we began to eat quiona, millet, and brown rice.

4)Two days later, we then reintroduced small portions of lean protein like salmon, sole, or chicken to our diets.

What began as simple New Years body cleanse, turned into a New Years lifestyle! Pegs decided she would cleanse for 21 days, and I decided to stick with the cleanse for 30 days. I am not going to lie, there were times when I craved sweets. After 21 days, in order to stay off away from alcohol and processed foods I created what I called the natural “Payday” candy:

I would take a ¼ cup of coconut and 2 TBLS of crushed pecans (or walnuts) and toast them in the oven until golden brown. I would then mix them with a pinch of cinnamon and a TBLS of organic raw honey. My mom liked to add cocoa chips to hers too.

This “payday” is what allowed me to stay true to this diet for so long (and promptly became my go to sweet-fix since)!

I fully encourage anyone who is looking for appositive shift in their life to try cleansing, even if it is just for a few days! You never know what it might lead to!!