Eating Disorders, Perfection & Raw Vegan Diet

I often get emails from readers asking me about my diet, raw food, design, vitamixes, juicers, dehydrators and sometimes I get fairly personal and serious stories, as I've shared with you all in the past. 

I found this particular email a great one for me {after getting permission, of course} to share because as much as we'd like to pretend it isn't, eating disorders are very common among girls {and guys} of all ages. 

But eating disorders or not, I wrote this with all women in mind. It's a great reminder for anybody following a diet, a routine, or obsessive about anything {fashion, fitness, etc.}! 

Dear Anonymous,

First of all, THANK YOU for the lovely email. 

I'm so happy you find my blog helpful. 

OK, so, people coping with eating disorders are often drawn to the raw vegan diet for many reasons. It can be low calorie, diet type of food, but also healty and nutrient dense, etc. 

Raw Vegan diets can often be extremely helpful because each bite/snack/meal is nutrient DENSE. So, if you aren't eating a lot, at least you're getting some vital nutrients.

It's common for those battling anorexia or bulemia to fear every bite of food that goes into their mouths. In fact, it's also very common for those suffering to eat bread or low fat, fake sugar laden foods as well. 

Eating just bread all day, as you can imagine, can be depriving your body of the nutrients it needs to thrive. On the flip, if you aren't eating a lot but it's raw vegan food, you at least are getting some CRUCIAL vitamins, minerals and enzymes. 

The downside for people coping with eating disorders and following a raw vegan lifestyle is that they are often type A, guilt prone perfectionists. The raw vegan community can often be very very critical and make such a person VERY bad for not strictly following the diet. This can result in yet another unnecessary "guilt" and JUDGEMENT -- the exact things you're already trying to heal from and avoid. 

I often find myself, who is well aware of this, getting caught up in veganism, raw foodism, etc. and have to catch myself before it turns very obsessive.

It can also cause further isoation by damaging to your social life an extreme level. This can be hard for those battling an already alienating disease. {people with eating disorders because they already have trouble in social situations that involve food}! 

That being said, some people eat MORE than normal on a raw food diet. Which for somebody like me, who is not good at making herself eat every meal, is a GREAT thing. This can be a great thing for you as well, for this same reason; to gain wait in a very healthy way.

I encourage you to be sure that each calorie you are taking in is HIGH nutrient dense because you probably aren't getting many calories as you rebuild your life and your habits. 

As far as the fat goes, FAT is a beauty food. It's necessary for everything in your body - including neurological function {very important for you or those with depression}, supple soft skin, and fat doesn't make you fat. Fat is higher in calories than carbohydrates but carbs are actually what help you gain weight. 

Coming from experience, I'd like to say this: our self image is highly distorted. I wrote a post about laughter recently and how we need to laugh at ourselves and not be so critical. Vanity and self-absorption can take away from your ability to life life to the fullest.

Focus on yourself, being less obsessive and not fearing judgement. Focus less on not what others are doing or thinking. Let this journey be your own. 

Self-image is a very important subject to me. I have two boys but if I had girls I would probably be more into this movement. But since I'm on the OPPOSITE side of the issue, I care alot about teaching young boys about girls feelings and the media. ;) It's very important to share these types of stories, so, Thank YOU!

Thanks and best of luck to you! 

{I high recommend that anybody that might think they have an eating disorder seek professional help, like a therapist and a/or naturpath.}

Matthew Kenney's & Meredith Baird :: RAW Chocolate

Remember all the oohing and awing I did awhile back over Matthew Kenney's new book? Well, he's at it again!

And all I can say is that this is some serious "eye" candy. Not only are the recipes creative, sweet and gourmet but the pictures are out of this world. 

And not to mention the obvious, but Meredith and Matthew both, are just as pleasing to look at! These two extremely cool people have put togther one gorgeous book and it is coming to stores very soon. 

For now, I'm excited to share with you this sneak peek: two of their brilliant recipes and photos {all taken by the lovely Adrian Mueller}

If you LOVE what you see. You really should pre-order the book, Raw Chocolate, from Amazon. Launch date is sometime in February. To sign up, click here!

Chai Tea On Cold Days

It's been pretty cold in Southern California. At least for Southern California standards. And I wake up craving something hot. 

So, I made fresh spicy, flavorful, sweet homemade chai tea. It was a perfect way to start my early, cold morning. 

An afternoon in a La Costa Resort {we became members back in December - thank you WES!} hot tub is also a great way to beat the chill. 

Happy Monday!

CHAI TEA RECIPE

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp cloves {about 4 or 5}

1/4 tsp ground cardamom {or 4-5 whole}

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

2 bags or black tea or 1 Tbls loose leaf

Using a mortar pestal, grind all spices together. Pour enough hot water over tea bags or loose leaf tea to fill a standard mug. Let steep. Remove tea and add the ground spices. You can add as much of it as you'd like. About 1-2 teaspoons. Add cream {creamer} of choice and some raw honey. PERFECTION!!

2012 Kitchen Must-Haves {recipe books & more}

Between, etsy, pinterest, blogs and facebook, it's hard not to find amazing stuff you'd never have found before. Anyways, with Valentine's Day coming up and everybody's get-healthy resolutions, what better time to share some fun healthy kitchen must-haves!

etsy tea towel :: wooden spoons :: porcelain measuring cups :: veggie-wedgie cookbook :: blissful chef cookbook :: glass measuring cups :: rosemary :: bread is the devil {look for kookie karma mentions in there} :: judita's going raw :: mrs. lilien's super fresh cocktail book :: a refreshing highball recipe  

Drink Up {pregnant ladies and little munchkins, too}

Literally, just throw it in your blender. Hurry. And you'll be so glad you did!

To all my pregnant friends, or those TRYING to get pregnant, throw this in a blender. 

Nutrition is key to great pregnancy, birth and healthy baby! 

Also, believe it or not, your children might drink it too. If your kids can get this once a day, you don't have to stress or worry about a so-called balanced diet. Give it whirl. You'll be happy you did. 

Check out this video...it's worth watching. 

Green Kids from Ziggy Meilus on Vimeo.

Kookie Karma :: Product Shots

I had the priviledge of working with and making friends with Chris Nelson. She has known my Wes for like 8 years or so. 

She offered to take a few products shots of my Kookie Karma snacks with her new lense. I was in awe after seeing the final products. Please enjoy Chris Nelson's beautiful photos. They will be posted on our web site when we redesign it very soon. But you saw them here first! ;)

Thank you again Chris, you're amazing!