Plant Based Proteins--Sprouted Breads

Many people are hesitant to remove meat from their diets, because they think they will not get enough protein.  However, you can get protein from sprouted grains and other plants, nuts, seeds and beans.  Alvarado Street and Food for Life make great sprouted breads, such as tortillas (more like wraps), bagels and sandwich breads.  You can find them at many high end grocery stores and health food stores.  I buy mine at Whole Foods.  They will be in the frozen food section.

These breads average about 10g protein per serving and are high in fiber.  You won't find that in Wonder Bread.  These breads do not have preservatives, so you need to keep them refrigerated or frozen, until you are ready to eat them. 

These products taste great.  You won't compromise taste for nutrition.  You don't even have to toast them.  I put hummus, bean spread, or Dijon mustard on them and load them with veggies, avocado and sunflower seeds.  Then, I sprinkle a little home made dressing on for a little kick.

Check it out

Detox Your Body and Relieve Muscle Soreness With An Epsom Salt Soak

Epsom Salt is a great way to relieve muscle soreness and flush toxins.  You can buy a box in a pharmacy or grocery store for about $3.00. 

Epsom Salt flushes toxins and heavy metals out of your body, by relieving inflamation.  Epsom salt baths are also a natural diuretic. If you are a little backed up (you know what I mean), take a hot soak and you will be relieved in an hour or so.


Pour about 1/2 cup into a hot bath.  You can also add some essential oil, like lavender or eucalyptus, for aromatherapy.  (You can buy essential oils at Whole Foods.)  While in the bath, stretch with some seated forward bends (hamstrings); cross your ankle over your knee and bend (stretching your hip); twist your spine to one side and the other; etc.

If you are taking an epsom salt bath due to soreness, you will feel some relief within a few hours.  If you take the bath in the evening, you will feel some relief by morning.

Check it out,

Crazy Sexy Diet

Does this look like the face of cancer?  An incurable kind?  The picture is of Kris Carr.  I saw her documentary on Discovery Health a few years ago.  It was called Crazy Sexy Cancer.  The short story is a 31 year old single woman is diagnosed with an incurable form a cancer (tumors on liver and lungs) on Valentine's Day.  Chemo and radiation don't work on this kind of cancer, so the consensus is don't put yourself through it.  Doctor says to just watch and wait.  What do you do?  You have incurable cancer and you DO NOTHING?  Kris became a treatment junkie, exploring all sorts of "treatments" to improve her health.  The documentary captured her search for a healthier life. 

At the time I saw Kris' story, I was in my early 30's and single.  I could see pieces of myself in her.  What struck me about Kris is that she looked (and still does look) vibrant.  People with cancer are supposed to look pale and ashen, too skinny, etc.  How could some one covered in tumors look so good?  Kris changed the face of cancer for me.

Also, at the time, I had been searching for a lost college friend of mine (pre-Facebook) that had survived breast cancer.  My boss' mother was also battling breast cancer, for almost 10 years.

I was searching for the answer to the question, "Why them? Couldn't it be me?"  At this time I was living in Washington, DC.  I learned that Kris was coming to town to promote her book Crazy Sexy Cancer, a book about how to navigate a cancer diagnosis.  I went to the book signing. 

At the book signing there were people young and old, survivors, those in treatment and then a few like me.  Some one asked what the Number 1 thing some one can do to improve his/her health.  The unanimous answer was DIET!

That was all I needed to hear. I contacted Melissa Klein, a holistic counselor and nutritionist.  Her company is called Sun Compass.  I cleaned up my diet!!!  I wanted to rid my diet of processed foods.  I worked really hard and loved it.  I felt great!  I kept it up for a long time, but when I moved back to Texas, I fell back on old habits....eating meat, dairy and processed foods.

Kris has a new book, Crazy Sexy Diet.  I bought it and am doing the 21 day cleanse.  You can also join the cleanse and find resources on the website Crazy Sexy Life.  The book is a lot more than the cleanse.  Check it out.

Cutting processed foods (and maybe meat and dairy) out of your diet is very challenging.  However, it can be done.  There are great resources available these days--online, groups, books, counselors, etc.  It takes a village, folks.  Ask for help!  People are willing to guide you.

Over the next few weeks, I will share some of the tips and tricks I have learned in my journey for a more healthy diet.  In the meantime, check out the book.  You will be inspired.