Day 63

It's a week for all things new at raw food central! We decided to begin running 5km every morning at 5:30am at local spots including the Park2Park circuit (beginning at Limestone Park) or other routes. The rain did not perturb us today, we just headed to the gym instead. I shaved another ten seconds off last time to make 24:49 which I was pleased with. If I can keep shaving ten seconds off my time, I will reach my goal of 20mins in about six weeks! I've also been getting the impression that I have been consuming too much sugar of late, probably in the form of fruits. In the mornings I'm not feeling hungry so so I am going to tinker with the balance a little this week. After running I drank lots of water and had some tea (green and dandelion) and  waited until I felt hungry to have my smoothie which was around 10am. I added an additional handful of baby spinach but left out the frozen fruit (raspberries and bananas). The smoothie is naturally thick due to the chia seeds and flaxseed meal (fantastic protein source also) and I added some ice which made it nice and cold. It was delicious with warm undertones from the ginger in the base juice. I have also been increasing the cucumber in my diet and immediately see the benefits in my skin tone, I would have to say that cucumber is one of natures beauty foods and there are so many ways to have it - smoothies, juices, soups and salads or with dips - so versatile! I was working from home today and felt hungry again around 2pm so I made up a big salad followed later by an apple, three dried figs and some walnuts. We had yoga this evening, we are both loving this class and it's a nice way to have some couple time whilst getting a great workout and stretch. You generally don't want to eat two hours prior to a class so on Monday's we have a very light meal around 9pm.  Whilst in trikanasana I'd had a flash of inspiration to try raw cauliflower cheez so dinner was a handful of green beans and my new attempt. I chopped up cauliflower into a cereal like consistency then topped it with a raw cashew and sunflower seed cheez I had in the fridge (yes I made it), himalayan crystal salt, freshly cracked black pepper and some organic herbamare seasoning - it was good! My cheese loving man had a taste but he preferred his homemade pumpkin soup with greek yoghurt. I've never been a big cheese eater so I'm not looking for the same taste. I think of when I was a child, I didn't like pumpkin or pawpaw - now I love both! A key to raw food is an open mind, experimentation and allowing yourself time to develop a love of a whole new world of tastes and textures.