How many of you have said, “I want to start juicing, but I don’t know where to begin?” Yeah, I know you have thought that, because I have thought those same thoughts myself.

I am not a regular juicer, not because I don’t have a juicer. I actually own an amazing juicer, a Green Star Juicer. My inconsistency when it comes to juicing is my fault and, well lets face, I like things fast and easy. I will make a smoothie before making a juice.

Farnoosh Brock, of Prolific Living, contacted me and asked me to review her Green Juicing Guide. I am excited to honor her request because, I do own a few juicing books and being that I want to get back to juicing regularly, I thought this guide would get me back on the path of being a regular juicer.

Farnoosh’s green juicing guide is very good. I’ve read many books on juicing, but this guide breaks the in’s and out’s of green juicing down. After reading the green juicing guide, I will dust off my juicer and put it to use. I know the benefits of juicing, so I am willing to add juicing back to my healthy living routine.

What’s in the Comprehensive Green Juicing Guide?

The green juicing guide is a guide to how you start green juicing. Farnoosh has been juicing for four (4) years and has much to share about her experience with green juicing.

Learn why it is important to drink green juices and how beneficial they are for you. Discover why Farnoosh does not recommend blenders or food processors for juicing. She recommends that you invest in a juicer.

You will also learn that green juices may not taste that good to your taste buds, so you will have to adjust your recipes to satisfy your taste buds. You will notice in this guide that the author does not stress that you have to juice all organic fruits and vegetables.

You will learn about cleansing, storing and preparing your produce in advance. This is good to do, because when it is time to juice, all you have to do is take out what you need and start juicing.

There are ten (10) green juicing recipes in this guide and much more. So don’t worry about coming up with your own juices, especially if you are a green juicing beginner

Why You Should Read this Comprehensive Green Juicing Guide?

I have never seen a green juicing guide. This green juicing guide is comprehensive, yet very easy to read and understand. Farnoosh tells you what you need to know in a very personable way.

Reading about her experience with green juicing, encourages you to go ahead and start juicing. You’ll be saying to yourself, “If she can do green juicing for four (4) years, surely I can start juicing today.”

Farnoosh inspires and encourages you to give green juicing a try all while presenting the information in a way that makes you want to run out and buy a juicer or use the juicer you have. Not only that, you will want to go as soon as you can to the market to buy your produce for juicing.

If you are thinking about juicing, but don’t know where to start, I recommend that you get your hands on Your Comprehensive Green Juicing Guide by Farnoosh Brock.

Related posts:

1. The Power of Green Juices
2. Boost Your Health by Juicing Nature’s Bounty
3. How To Make A Basic Green Smoothie (Video)

My advice to anyone, is that if you believe you will fail in making healthy lifestyle changes, then you’ll fail. This not only relates to healthy lifestyle changes, but anything you want to accomplish in life.

The odds were against me when I attended graduate school. Why is this? Well, for one, there was only one professor who wanted to take a chance and bring me in under his tutelage. I know this because the major professor that accepted me, told me this.

Failure was expected of me, but I made a believer out of many professors that crossed my path. I am no quitter, as a result, they saw my determination.

I told you the graduate school story, because if I had thought I would fail, then I would have failed. Instead of failure, I worked hard and stayed with the program.

One day I found myself defending my thesis and graduating. If I had given up on day one, I would have never received a Master of Science degree.

You must believe in yourself, if you expect to reach any of your healthy lifestyle goals.

Factors of Success

Believe

You must first believe that whatever healthy lifestyle changes you want, that you will reach your goals. You cannot have any doubt. Any traces of doubt, will hinder your progress. Sometimes resulting in your giving up. Others might believe that you can do it, but you must believe in yourself.

Be Fearless

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” If you are fearful that you will fail, then that fear will grab hold of you, so much so, that you will not move from point A to point B. Fear can stop you in your tracks causing you not to move. Have no fear, you have nothing to lose.

Be a Go Getter

When you want something bad enough you have to go get it, right? That goes for any healthy lifestyle change you’ve ever thought about making. No one will thrust change upon you, you have to see it for yourself and go get it. Others will see you moving toward your goal and move aside so that you can go where you want to go.

Strong Determination

It is hard making healthy lifestyle changes, especially when you don’t have much support around you. Sometimes you have to encourage yourself. If you want it bad enough, you must have strong determination. Some say they are determined, but when the hard times come, they fold. You cannot let anything break your determination.

Be Consistent

Whatever healthy lifestyle changes you have set for yourself, you can do it. The only way you will reach your goals is by being consistent. Reaching your goals will not be easy, but you must keep on pushing. Failure is not an option. If you find yourself slacking, stop re-evaluate the situation and get back on track. Whatever you do, do not quit and never give up. Consistency is key to arriving at your destination

Discussion: What healthily lifestyle changes have you made and how did you reach those goals?

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Related posts:

1. How To Start Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes
2. 8 Steps To Your Healthy Lifestyle Change
3. Healthy Lifestyle Changes Begin With You

I started out sharing my raw vegan journey and had no idea where blogging would take me. The longer I blogged, I discovered that I enjoyed sharing information, especially in written form.

It is now 2012, and I have blogged at this spot for almost 2 years. It has not been easy, but I continue writing, because I enjoy it. When you are passionate about what you do, then that passion keeps you going, even when you feel like giving up.

We were all new bloggers at some time and probably had a lot of information at our fingertips on how to become a successful blogger. But at the end of the day, you have to do what works for you and what makes you feel good.

Achieving success in blogging comes in different forms for everyone. If you love what you do, then others will feel it in what you write and don’t you forget that. Here is a list of tips for you, the new blogger:

1. Focus on writing.
2. Don’t focus so much on making money, the money and opportunities will come.
3. Connect with other bloggers in your niche, as well as outside your niche.
4. Follow those bloggers in your niche on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
5. Guest post on other blogs.
6. Share the content and promote of other fellow bloggers, don’t be self-centered.
7. Join forums and groups.
8. Comment on other blogs in your niche, and on some outside your niche.
9. Create a Facebook Page
10. If you are courageous, open a You Tube channel related to your blog.
11. Create informational products for your blog
12. Keep writing

There are so many things that you can do to make sure you succeed as a blogger. The main thing you should do is write articles that are beneficial and helpful to others. Don’t be afraid to spice up things and share a little about yourself too.

Discussion: How long have you blogged? Please share any advice you have for the new blogger.

Image: sixninepixels / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Related posts:

1. 5 Ways to Avoid Blogger Burnout
2. Being Unique in a Vegetarian/Vegan Blogging Niche
3. Got Writer’s Block? 31 Topic Ideas

Health Reasons

When I began my journey to eating a vegan diet / plant-based diet, it was mostly for health reasons. Over time, I have experienced a renewing of my health. I don’t feel like I am a 40-year-old. Then again, how does a 40-year-old feel? I hope not bad, but I do know some who have challenges.

All I can say is that I feel lighter (mentally, physically, and spiritually), have great regularity, my skin looks the best it has looked in a long time, I look feel and look younger than I really am, and I am not overweight. I don’t see myself returning to an animal-based diet any time soon.

Ethical Reasons

I never started eating vegan for ethical reasons, but the longer I stay on this path, the more compassionate I am toward animals. I know as a vegan, I am not supposed to wear anything that comes from an animal, or even use products that have animal ingredients.

I am moving toward this way of life. I don’t intentionally go out and buy clothing that comes from an animal. I still have some personal care products that do have animal ingredients in them. But I make sure I buy products that specifically say on the label, “no animal cruelty.”

I never thought I would get to this point in my journey, but I feel good about the growth and change.

Final Thoughts

Whatever your reasons are for choosing a vegan diet, do know that you will evolve, just like I have. Evolution is quick for some and gradual for others.

The longer you stick with eating a vegan diet, you will find it creeping into every aspect of your life. Soon it will be a way of life for you. It happened for me and I continue growing.

Discussion: Why did you decide to eat a vegan diet and how has things changed since starting the vegan diet?

Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Related posts:

1. 16 Reasons Why You Should Eat A Plant-Based Diet
2. Share the Good News about Eating a Plant-Based Diet
3. Chow Down: Reversing Heart Disease and Diabetes on a Plant-Based Diet

I don’t mean for this post to take a morbid tone, but sometimes, to get others take notice of things, we have to tell it like it is.

My father passed away from cancer.  The family was devastated when we received then news, because he was in the last stages of the disease. No surgery or treatment could help him.  My father lived three months after receiving the cancer diagnosis.

My father is not the only family member who has passed away from cancer and I know he is not the  last. I know I don’t have a positive outlook, but this is real talk.

I never knew how important it was for us to take care of the bodies/temples, until I looked in the eyes of cancer. That wake up call was the loudest I had ever heard in my life.

Young Does Not Equal Invincible

When I was a teenager and even during my college years, I didn’t think much about health. I ate what I wanted and was hardly ever sick. You couldn’t tell me anything, because I knew I had it going on in every way. Well, not exactly, but you get my point.

As I got older, I understood that I was not invincible and that young people get sick too, some even die.

Caring for our bodies/temples/health is something we learn from our families. Some of us are fortunate to have health conscious families, while others are not so fortunate.

As we grow older we continue doing what we learned from our families. Habits and routines are not changed until we educate ourselves. Once we educate ourselves, then we can break old habits and routines;  passing along what we learn to others.

Don’t Take Your Health For Granted

There is no reason you should let your good health slip away. Always remember, you’re the only person responsible for your health and well-being.

Here are five reasons why you should not take your health for granted:

1. You don’t need sickness/Illness. If you take care of your health, your health takes care of you. Be careful how you treat your body/temple. How you treat your body/temple shows up as you get older. Give your body the good stuff and it will be good to you.

2. You don’t need excessive weight. Not everyone who neglects health gains weight. But then there are some who do gain weight and can’t seem to drop the pounds. Excessive pounds on the body, takes a toll on the body. In this case, take a good look at your nutrition, activity and well-being. They all play a role in maintaining a healthy body weight.

3. You don’t need the medical bills. Health care is very expensive, and even more expensive when you have an illness. Some people can’t get the care they need for illnesses, because they either don’t have health insurance or they just can’t pay for the medications or treatments needed. Invest in your health now, so you don’t pay later.

4. Your family and loved ones need you. Being sick and having an illness, takes its toll of families and loved ones. The things you use to do with your family and friends get limited. This limitation can affect your relationships, more than you will ever know. Good health is like having money in the bank and I mean lots of it. When your health is good, you have it all. But when your health is failing and is bad, you have nothing.

5. You need you. Only you can keep you in good health. If you neglect your health, who can you depend on to get your health back. You can look to doctors for cures, but the reality is that they can only do so much for you. It’s up to you to do the rest.

Final Thoughts

Don’t wait until an illness creeps up on you, before you start thinking about your health.  Start today, by taking charge of your health.  If you don’t take charge of your health, who will?

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Related posts:

1. 10 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight
2. 4 Reasons Why You Should Eat Kale
3. 5 Reasons Why I Hate Fitness Infomercials

11 Random Things About Me

1. I cannot miss an episode of Spartacus.
2. I so love watching Chopped and Iron Chef America on the Food Network.  Sometimes, I imagine myself competing in Chopped, winning the big 10 grand (yeah right).
3. I love creating new veg dishes.
4. I enjoy uploading videos to You Tube, even though I’m now missing in action.  Hey, everyone needs a break.
5. I like walking outside and breathing the fresh country air.
6. I pop my knuckles, been doing it since I was a youngster.  Since I’ve grown up, I don’t do the knuckle popping that much.
7. I pick my lips, even when there’s nothing to pick, when I’m under pressure.  I know horrible isn’t it?
8. My dosha is pitta.  I’m a very warm person, inside as well as outside.
9. I cannot stick to a fitness plan to save my life.  It’s come down to the hubby writing an exercise plan for me.  I tend to stick to plans when I have the plan written down on paper.
10. I don’t wear much make-up.  I only wear eyeliner and lip stuff.  When I want my eyes to pop, I wear a little eyeshadow and mascara.
11. I enjoy gardening and can’t wait to get things going for 2012.

My Answers to the 11 Questions, asked by Kymberly:

1. Favorite blog post you have written?  Title and link please .  Don’t Worry Be Happy (when a friend stops talking to you)
2. Why is it your favorite?.  It’s my favorite because everyone can relate.  Plus I had this happen to me and I was very disappointed, but I learned a valuable lesson.
3. On a 1-10 scale, 1 = totally a couch potato who never moves; 10 = ready for the Olympics, where do you rate your current fitness level? 5 – Yeah, I know that’s bad, but I’m a work in progress.  I start and then I stop.  This is the year for consistency.  I want a nice toned body and I see it, so guess what, I’m doing it.
4. What annoys you most: bad grammar, bad punctuation, bad photos/images?  Bad grammar.  I’m no expert, but bad grammar irks me.
5. What is the wackiest or lamest excuse you have ever used to get out of a workout? I’ll do it tomorrow and tomorrow never comes.
6. What is the lamest or most outlandish excuse you have ever used to get out of a social event? I don’t think I have ever used an excuse.  If I don’t want to attend the event, I just don’t, no excuses here.
7. What is your preferred workout place – home, club, outdoors, in your dreams? Other? Home, but I also like being outside.
8. Favorite book that was turned into a movie? I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
9. Favorite (or handiest) motivational quote?  Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.  My thoughts:  Roll with it and make the most out of what you get.
10. What do you think “qi” means? I have no idea.  I so want to google it, but I won’t.
11. What question do you wish I had asked? What’s your favorite fruit or vegetable?

Questions for Those I Tag

1. What is your favorite fruit?
2. What is your favorite vegetable?
3. What is one thing you like about blogging?
4. What is your favorite social networking site (Twitter or Facebook)?
5. Why is that social networking site your favorite?
6. How often do your exercise?
7. What’s your favorite TV show?
8. What book have your read, that left a lasting impression on you?
9. What is your all time favorite song?
10. Which animals do you prefer the most (cats or dogs)?
11. What’s your favorite exercise?

1. Tatianna at LovingFit.com
2. Monique at Brown Vegan
3. JL at JL Goes Vegan
4. Pam at Raw Crave
5. Johnny at Abs Right Now
6. Preeti at Happy Heart and Mind
7. Bryan at Elevation Life
8. Michelle at Radiant Brown Beauty
9. Kathy at Are You Hungry?
10. Jennifer at FruitfulVine
11. Reut at Green Parenthood

Let’s have some fun!  Answer one of the questions and put your reply in the comment section below.

Related posts:

1. 31 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Evelyn…
2. A Few Things I Notice (when I take a break from blogging)
3. 10 Things that Make me Happy

Raw Stuffed Tomatoes (Photo credit: Evelyn Parham)

I have some family gatherings coming up this year and I know there will be nothing on the menu that I will eat.  Well, except for lettuce, tomatoes, onions and probably pickles.  A girl has to have more than that.

I don’t know what’s on the menu, but I do know that I am probably the only one who does not eat animal-based foods. A part of me doesn’t want to attend, but another part of me can hardly wait to see my relatives.

I don’t think I will let a little menu keep me from seeing my relatives. What do I do?

No matter the situation, I must be prepared. Here it is early in the year and I am thinking about surviving family gatherings that are months away.

I’ll keep this short and sweet, because I’m not going. Just kidding about that.

Make the Best of Situation

The best thing to do, especially if you are coming in from out-of-town is find a vegan restaurant in that city. Order take out and bring that meal to the family gathering.

There is no reason for you to sit and watch others eat, when you can have your own food, just the way you like it. Take this matter in your hands, because if you don’t, no one else will.

Contact the person in charge of the menu and tell them your situation. Most people are willing to accommodate you, but don’t expect too much.

You can always prepare your food in advance and bring it with you. Make sure you store the meals in a cooler so they don’t spoil, especially if you are travelling a few hours away from home.

Don’t get upset when you see there is nothing on the menu that would consider eating. Most people think that everyone eats the same foods, but that’s not always the case.

Make the best of the situation even when you know there is nothing on the menu that you that you will eat.

Be prepared so that you don’t feel like you are at the family function by yourself. Food brings people together, but sometimes it drives people apart.

Don’t let that happen. Bring your own food and enjoy your family.

Attend the Gathering

It is easy to say, “I’m not attending the family gathering.” But if you really want to attend, then don’t let food stand in your way.

It will be a challenge, but that’s when good planning and preparing comes into play.

Always have a plan of action and you will be fine.

Discussion: What would you do in this situation?

Related posts:

1. Tips for Introducing a Vegan Diet to the Whole Family
2. Vegan Food Selections When Dining Out
3. Eating Food that Resonates with You (Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian)

At any given time, something can rock your world so hard, that compromises your mental and emotional health. If you ever have a bout with depression, or anything where your mental and emotional health needs is compromised, please seek help.

What is Depression?

Depression is when one feels sad, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. If you are a live you will experience depression at some point in your life. The problem arises when you find yourself stuck in a depressive state long periods of time.

Clinical Depression is a mood disorder, in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration with every day life for weeks or longer.

Please seek the help of a health professional if depression is getting the best of you.

Inspirational Quotes for Depression

• “In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
• “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
• “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.” – Dale Carnegie
• “In the moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to. Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind-in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved. No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles. When they are lighted, darkness goes away-and a touch of wonder remains.” – “These Small Candles”….tombstone inscription in Britain
• “Take the first steps, no more, no less, and the next will be revealed.” – Ken Roberts
• “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” – Mark Twain

Here are a few scriptures that have carried me through the dark times in my life:

• “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
• “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
• “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” – Psalms 1:3

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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2. 5 Motivational Quotes to Start Your Day
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There was a time when I just couldn’t stay off the internet. I especially liked watching You Tube videos, but now I limit my time on certain sites.  After the time is up, I turn off the computer and do other things that I enjoy doing that are not internet related.

Many people get on the internet and have online acquaintances, because it relieves stress and helps you forget your problem. I say online acquaintances, because it is easy to call everyone your friend online, when that might not be the case.

When you spend more time on the internet than you do in the real world, then you probably addicted to the internet. Granted, some people make a living online, but even those people know when to turn off the computer and walk away.

Are You Addicted to the Internet?

You’re probably wondering if there is a such thing as internet addiction. No need to wonder about this any longer, here are some ways to know if you are addicted to the internet:

1. You check your email a zillion times a day.
2. The first thing you do upon waking from a good night’s rest, is turn on the computer and get on the internet
3. You constantly check social networking sites to see what others are saying. You don’t want to miss anything.
4. You spend more time talking to online acquaintances or friends than you do your own family and friends (offline).
5. You spend hours online without taking any breaks in between.
6. Whenever you get stressed, you log on the internet to get your mind off the problem.
7.  You constantly check your email, Facebook and other social networking sites from your cell phone.

I listed a few ways off the top of my head, but I am sure there is more.

Kicking the Internet Addiction

What to do, what to do? Well, the first thing you must do is admit that an addiction exists. Once you admit that you have a problem, then start doing something about it.

Excessive amounts of time spent on the internet cannot be healthy. Think about it, if you’re spending excessive amounts of time on the internet, when do you have time to sit back and enjoy a meal, exercise, or even quiet your mind? You never do! The mind is always on go.

Here are some things you can do to end your internet addiction:

1.  Admit you have an internet addiction.
2. Set aside a certain time that you will be on the internet and stick with that time. No cheating!
3. Don’t eat while on the internet. Enjoy your meal and savor every bite, without reading the latest tweet from those your follow.
4. Don’t get too personal with people online. It is easy to do, but I’ve learned, everybody doesn’t need to know everything about you.
5. Take a digital sabbatical. Don’t turn on your computer, stay away from it. Try this on the weekends.
6. Go for a walk and breath in the fresh air. Enjoy nature.
7. Spend time with your family and friends. Make this something that you always do.
8. Watch your favorite TV shows.
9. Exercise helps you feel better, not to mention it helps with stress.
10. Read those books you’ve put off reading for a while.
11. Dust off your hobbies and interests. Pick them up and run with them. You never know where those hobbies and interests can take you.

Conclusion

Internet addiction is real and it is not healthy at all. Some people lose themselves in the internet. Never lose who you are no matter if it is on the internet or off the internet. Too much of anything can never be a good thing.

It is up to you to recognize the signs and do what you must do to correct the problem.

Healthy living is where it’s at. If you are spending more time on the internet, then how can you be living a healthy lifestyle?

Healthy living is more than just what you eat.  If any part of you is out of balance holistically, then other things will be out of balance too.

Know when to take a break from the internet. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you.

Image: imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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3. Be Your Authentic Self (be real)

If you are considering a vegan / strict vegetarian diet, but you fear that you won’t get the calcium you need, have no fear. There are plant foods that are high in calcium, so there is no need to worry about calcium.

Did you know that there are foods that are high in calcium and they are not from the animal kingdom? Yes, the powers that be, would have you believe that you have to drink milk and eat other dairy foods to get your calcium, but you don’t.

Foods and Calcium Amount

Calcium in 100 Calories of:

• bok choy – 1,055
• turnip greens – 921
• collard greens – 559
• kale – 455
• romaine lettuce – 257
• tofu – 236
• milk – 194
• broccoli – 182
• sesame seeds – 170
• soybeans – 134
• cucumber – 108
• cauliflower – 88
• carrots – 63
• fish – 38
• eggs – 32
• T-bone steak – 5
• pork chop – 2

( Source)

As you can see, plant foods are high in calcium. You can easily get the amount of calcium you need without drinking or eating dairy foods.

I am not a registered dietician. I am only sharing information that I have read. If you have further questions about this, please consult a professional.

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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1. Are you Getting Enough Calcium on the Raw Vegan Diet?
2. Plant Foods High in Calcium
3. When Eating a Vegetariain Diet Is Not Enough, Go Beyond Broccoli