Taking Personal Responsibility - February 2012

Cleaning out your emotional pantry and your kitchen pantry can clear the path to a healthier you.

By Sandra Butler

Please tell me that I’m not the only one out there who does this: Every January 1st, I set my intention for the  new year – I smugly don’t set “resolutions” because that sounds too negative  but  I set “intentions” instead.  Of course, every year my intentions start with how I’m going to improve my health. Then, about mid-January the intentions begin to fade and I find myself falling back into old patterns.  Does this happen to you or is it just me? 

It is said that when we become conscious of what is going on, when we are aware, change is eminent.  What I suddenly realized this year is that I really don’t set out to fulfill intentions for myself, but behind the intention for better health is the underlying notion  that I can change others and bring them around to my way of thinking.   In the 17th century Samuel Butler (no relation) wrote, “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still”.  Whoa!  No wonder I get so frustrated when my husband and my friends don’t jump at the idea of eating a 100% raw food diet – just because I know that it is the best way to obtain the best nutritive value from what I choose to put in my body. 

No wonder I  get so frustrated when I watch a very popular doctor on a very popular T.V. health program tell the vast audience that you can be healthy if you substitute eating potato chips with microwaved popcorn topped with cooking spray (out of an aerosol can).  No wonder I get so upset when my friends ignore my advice and make fun of the way they think I eat calling me a tofu addict (I seldom, if ever eat tofu) and sending me rude messages over the internet depicting emaciated women who are allegedly on a “raw food path”.   No wonder I feel hurt and angry when my friends invite me over for a meal of primarily red meat and digestion upsetting food combinations and white sugar desserts.

Where is this all leading you may ask?  Well, what I realized is that the intention to live a more healthful life is entirely about me and me only.    When I clean up my “emotional pantry” along with my kitchen pantry; when I forgive my friends, when I forget my frustration over a TV doctor’s advice; when I accept my friends for who they are and not for what they serve at their table, I find a lightness come over me.  Out of this releasing I can create an exceptional livelihood for myself and show off to the world around me.  The passion to be the very best I can be is truly within me – it doesn’t matter what is going on “out there”.  Whew!  What a relief! 

Now, because you are reading this, I’m going to assume that you are on the same page as I am, that you have felt similar frustrations and that you truly want to continue along the field of healthy intention with a mission to nourish your mind and body so you can transcend beyond the cultural trance of misguided and mediocre eating habits that are so prevalent around you.  What I have realized is that when someone is on “my same page” then that person doesn’t feel threatened and I can help because they are willing to receive.

I mentioned earlier that you need to clean out your kitchen pantry as well as your emotional pantry.  Now that you have decided that you wish to be the example and not the exception, let’s begin in your kitchen:

First of all, I would like to recommend that you set aside a day to clean out your fridge, freezer and pantry.   Even if you don’t plan on a 100% raw food diet, the following are a necessity for good health.  Make space for three categories of food on your counter.  The spaces should be labeled like this:

1.         To go - in the trash or compost.
2.         To go - back in the fridge, freezer or pantry (these items can be selected from the list that appears later).
3.         To go - to the food bank or the neighbor (who isn’t interested in being as healthy as you are).

Trash/Compost “To Go” Pile

•         Any outdated products
•         Anything that is growing penicillin
•          Old spices and herbs (that you inherited from your grandmother or that are more than three months old especially if you haven’t been storing them in your fridge).
•         Nuts, seeds and grains that are more than two months old, unless you have been storing them in your fridge or freezer.
•           Any “fresh” fruits and vegetables that are more than a week old or that are not organic. 

Food Bank/Neighbour “To Go” Pile

-          All white death products (these should actually go in the trash if you love your neighbour).  White death products include white sugar, refined white flour, white rice, white bread, and any table salt (except Himalayan Sea Salt).

-          All processed foods –   baked goods, baking powder, bread, pasta, cakes mixes, pie crust mixes, cookies, processed fruits, canned fruits, frozen fruit (with additives), fruit sauces, jellies, jams, pie fillings, fruit juice, fruit drinks, fruit sauces, processed vegetables, canned vegetables, frozen vegetables (with additives), French fries, convenience foods (i.e.: potato chips, cookies), pizza, precooked foods, frozen dinners, breakfast cereal, granola, energy bars, processed meats, canned meats, cured meat, ham, lunch meat, sausage, bacon, gelatins, fresh meat (with additives), processed dairy foods, cheese non-food (i.e.: Cheez Whiz), milk (unless whole, raw, unpasteurized), processed fats and oils, refined oils, cooking spray, margarine, salad dressing (bottled or packaged), BBQ sauce, ketchup, soya sauce, mayonnaise, peanut butter,  soft drinks, instant breakfast drinks, candies and other confections, brown sugar, corn syrup, rice syrup, honey (unless raw and unpasteurized), syrups, dessert mixes, ice cream, frozen desserts, whipped cream, chocolate and cocoa mixes, marshmallows, shredded coconut (unless raw), sugar substitutes, yogurt (containing sugar or sugar substitutes).

Read the labels on some of these products before you say good-bye to them.  No matter what you pick up to view the label, you will find that it contains simple (white) sugar (may be disguised under another name) and/or corn syrup and/or a whole bunch of unpronounceable chemical additives.  All of these items are lethal to your health.  (While you are at it, say goodbye to your microwave – get it out of your kitchen).

Your Updated Pantry should contain the following. 

All items should be stored in airtight containers and/or kept out of the direct sunlight.

•         Dried Fruits – i.e.: apricots, dates, figs, mangoes, pineapple, raisins
•         Grains – i.e.: buckwheat, kamut, oat grouts, quinoa, and wild rice.
•         Legumes – i.e.: black beans, chickpeas, lentils, mung beans, soy beans
•         Dried Seaweeds – i.e.: arame, dulse, kelp, and nori
•         Oils – i.e.: cold-pressed virgin olive oil, coconut oil, cacao butter, flaxseed oil
•         Cacao nibs and cacao powder
•         Agave nectar

Your Updated Fridge should contain the following. 

•         Fresh organic fruits and vegetables
•         Fresh organic herbs and sprouts
•         Fresh, organic dried spices and dried herbs
•         Seasonings such as Nama shoyu, tamari, vanilla bean, raw honey and pepper corns

Your Updated Freezer should contain the following:

•         Raw Nuts – i.e.:  almonds, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, filberts, pine nuts, macadamia nuts and cashew nuts.
•         Raw Seeds – i.e.: flax, pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, chia, sesame seeds.

If meat and eggs are going to remain part of your diet, be sure that they are organic and free of any additives. 

This is where to begin.  Get up, stand up, and put on your radiant wellness.  Others will notice and eventually they will begin to change their mind and start to emulate you because they too want to look younger and be as energetic and vibrant as you.

Rawfully yours, Sandra

Sandra's Bio: Sandra Butler is a certified Raw Food Chef. Sandra’s journey to raw food began when she realized that she was getting older but not healthier. She began seeking new ways to lower her blood pressure, cholesterol and the gradual weight gain that had crept up over the previous 10 years. Respecting her body as the temple of the mind and soul, the gateway to the Spirit self, Sandra sought out and discovered that life with Raw Food satisfied and inspired her to health! A genuine love and passion for nutritional food preparation is Sandra’s creative expression and contribution to others. Preparing and sharing raw, live, healthy food in delightful ways, has enhanced Sandra’s enthusiasm to extend her knowledge and wisdom to others who want to feel healthier and Great! Contact Sandra by phone at 250 862-1158, email or visit her website. - Sandra Butler Website - Email