Red Devil

It's what oncology nurses & patients call Adriamycin (or Doxorubicin), a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer.  The name comes from its color: bright red - that and the fact that it's so toxic it burns skin on contact.  Nurses wear gloves when they administer it in case they get any on their hands.  It's injected into the patient's vein...very...very...slowly to decrease the internal damage it causes.  Little wonder that after four rounds of it, my veins felt like they would rip apart when I stretched my arm.  What else did it do inside my body?  It did kill cancer cells, but like a bull in a china closet, it and the other drugs also left much destruction in their wake.

Why am I talking about this today?  Beet juice.

Nutrition is medicine - juice is a concentrated shot of medicine.  After I started drinking beet juice this morning (with the greens), I realized something: this is my new Red Devil.  I have to tell you, I hate beets.  They taste like dirt.  I do find it strange that I don't like them, because I am a real "graola-ey" type of girl (thanks, Heather, for the great word!).  I love earthy flavors, and I really don't mind eating a bit of dirt with my veggies (and if it's 'clean' dirt I believe it's actually beneficial).  I think they are the only veggie I can't stand...there's just something about the taste that repulses me.  Like the other Red Devil, they are powerful medicine.  But they don't burn your skin and they don't burn your veins.  They don't destroy your immune system - in fact, the complete opposite is true - they boost your immune system.  They also build and cleanse the blood, cleanse the bladder and kidneys, reduce inflammation, alkalize the body, detoxify the liver, normalize blood pressure, increase arterial elasticity and inhibit the formation of cancer-causing compounds (yeah!).  The only side effect I can think of is the face I make when I take the first sip of beet juice.  Funny, though...today beet juice didn't taste so bad.  I think I might just learn to love this Red Devil.

New adventure

For those of you who know me...yeah, you know I'm a health nut.  I love to talk about all things health - especially food.  I always jump at the chance to talk your ear off when I'm asked about health-related topics...ok, sometimes I do it even when I'm not asked - but I'm getting better about that!

So...I've decided to start this blog to share some of the health & nutrition-related information that constantly swirls around in my head with my family, friends & clients.  Speaking of clients, as most of you know, last year I embarked on a new venture: I enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in New York City to study health coaching.  What does that mean?  Also called holistic health counseling, nutrition coaching or wellness coaching, it basically means I help people like you (who don't eat & breathe health information like me) learn ways to integrate healthy food & habits into your lifestyle to lose weight (or gain it if you need to), prevent disease, have more energy or simply look & feel better.  Visit my website for more information!

This past year, in addition to school, I've started to work with a few clients, teach seminars on nutrition & wellness, teach "Raw Food 101" classes and develop my new business.  I'm so excited that I'll now be teaching the "Raw Food 101" classes at Whole Foods beginning on February 25!  I would love for you to come visit my class - they're fun & there's always yummy samples (you'll be amazed at how delicious raw vegan food is)!  I will always include times & dates for those classes (along with other upcoming events) on my website & in the sidebar on the right side of the page under "Upcoming Events."

I'm also excited to announce a workshop my friend Lois & I have decided to host in my home next Friday, January 28 called, "Revive 2011: Mind/Body/Spirit."   If your resolution is to lose weight, eat healthier or to have (or be more consistent in having) a daily quiet time, this is for you!  Details for this are also on my website & in the sidebar.

Recently I was invited by some "Raw Food 101" students & friends to prepare a raw, vegan 4-course dinner for them in their home.  It was so much fun!  The menu was:
     - Butternut Squash Bisque
     - Mache salad with Gala apples & spiced pecans
     - Portabello steaks with cauliflower 'mashed potatoes' & mushroom gravy
     - Cheezecake with raspberry sauce
I'll come fix dinner in your home too - just ask! :-)

I want this space to be helpful for you - please post comments & let me know what you'd like me to talk about.  Thanks for your support - I love you all!