becoming a SUPERHERO!

So, one of my New Years Resolutions is to become a Superhero for 1 month; that means eating Superhero style all the time, except for either 1 day a week (regular vegan) or 3 meals a week (vegan).

What is Superhero, you ask?

In Alicia Silverstone's book The Kind Diet, she talks about Flirts, Vegans, and Superheros.

Flirts don't really dedicate to being a vegan, but rather just try out some vegan dishes here and there or have vegan aspects to their life.

Vegans, of course, are dedicated to eating animal-product free and try to eliminate animal products from all their daily living: clothes, shoes, etc.

Superheros are more of an extreme form of vegan; they avoid white sugar, white flour, chemical laden garbage, processed foods, and soy milk, while relying on rice syrup and barley malt as their primary sweeteners. They eat lots of whole grains, beans, and veggies, and also eat a lot of soups, pickles, and sea vegetables. They also minimize eating "nightshade vegetables;" eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. This is because they are high in alkaloids which cause inflammation in the joints. They eat no more than about a cup of nuts/nut butters a week because nuts are high in fat. Herbs and spices are used in moderation because Superheros should enjoy the natural taste of foods, and the use of salt is also minimized.

Sounds like a LOT, right? It is. But I've been wanting to try doing this for a LONG time. I think it's going to be really difficult, only because I like to eat a lot of sugar laden foods like chocolate and vegan ice cream. Sigh. But I'm going to try starting this tomorrow!

For more information on the Superhero diet or just for a great blog to follow, check out Alicia's website at www.thekindlife.com.

Weight-Loss Tea (Carrot-Daikon Drink)

Today is the first day that I am trying Alicia Silverstone's "Weight Loss Tea" aka "Carrot-Daikon Drink." You are supposed to drink this for 10 days on an empty stomach. However, its not really tea-like... it looks more like a soup, very thick with lots of pulpy carrots and daikon radish. It's not bad when you eat it like soup with the pulp, but I think I would prefer to strain it and just drink the broth. I'm not exactly sure which you are supposed to do - strain it or eat the pulp - but I've heard this recipe is similar to one from the macrobiotic diet and that you should eat and chew the pulp.

I can't say I'm that big of a fan of the pulp... it's a strange texture and just tastes like eating ground carrots.

Today I did not use the nori and I added a lot more shoyu than it says to. The broth is great, but.... I don't think I'll be keeping up with this for 10 days.

What do you think?

Alicia Silverstone's Weight-Loss Tea (Carrot-Daikon Drink)
1/2 c. grated (into a pulp) carrot
1/2 c. grated (into a pulp) daikon
1/4 umeboshi plum
1-2 drops shoyu
1/4 sheet nori, broken into small pieces (optional)

In a saucepot, combine carrot, daikon, umeboshi and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Add shoyu, then simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Add nori, if using, last. Drink hot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Welcome to 2011!!! :)
What are everyone's resolutions for the upcoming year? Here are mine!

1. Try the Superhero Diet for 1 month (from Alicia Silverstone's Kind Diet)

2. Eliminate white and refined sugars from my diet 

3. Adopt a World Vision/Compassion child

4. Get my belly button pierced

5. Get to 125 lbs

6. Adopt a turkey

7. Read Bible daily

8. subscribe to women’s health

9. subscribe to vegnews

10. save $50 of each pay check each week