Finding Your Limit

“Instead of living in servitude to our cravings, we can nourish our bodies and spirits by limiting our choices and making purposeful decisions about food.  In this way, food can help us find the internal balance and harmony we all strive for.  So you see, there’s a choice.  We can exist in a large field but be tethered all the time, or in a smaller meadow where we are free to roam.”

In our country, you can pretty much give yourself whatever you want at any given time—especially when it comes to food.  Our monkey minds are incessantly telling us “I need this. I want that.” But to feed ourselves in a way that offers balance for both the body and (monkey) mind, we have to set some limits.  Creating limits however, does not mean that we try every crash diet out there or deny ourselves of pleasure in the name of health.  This will only lead to an unhealthy dynamic in the way we relate to our food. 

As well intentioned and sensible as some food programs are, most of them tend to keep us trapped in the physical body, completely ignoring the whole person.  And unless we are inspired to nourish ourselves as a whole, consistent disciplined food choices will continue to escape us.  The willingness to engage in this discipline does not mean that a lifetime of habits will change over night.  And that’s more than okay, normal in fact.  The most important thing is that you be compassionate with yourself no matter where you are right now in relationship to nourishing yourself. 

This week as we begin to incorporate grains, seeds and nuts into our cleanse, practice feeding yourself with a calm mind and grateful heart, accepting wherever you are on your journey to finding your limit.

Week 3 Details: Grains, Seeds and Nuts

            Grains combined with any vegetables (except avocado)

            Seeds or nuts combined with any vegetables (except avocado)

            Grains, seeds and nuts should be eaten separately

During this next phase, you can add one or two grain meals per day to your vegetable and fruit dishes, depending on your specific needs.  This portion of the cleanse tends to be highly individual, as for some of us grains are a great source of energy; but for others, even whole grains can keep them trapped in their carb addiction.  How do you know where you belong on this whole grain scale? This week as you prepare a grain dish, pay careful attention to how you feel one to three hours after consuming the meal.  Do you crave more carbs or sugar?  Do you feel a decrease in energy, or do you feel keyed up for hours?  If you discover that it does fuel you, continue on with this stage of the cleanse.  If however, you find grains cause you to have low energy or have an instant hunger for more carbohydrates, modify your grain consumption by eating only a small portion each day; eating grain every other day; or skipping this portion altogether and continue eating under the principles of Week 2.

We also include seeds and nuts at this time, with an emphasis on sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, almonds and walnuts.  We are still supporting simple digestion during this week, so seeds and nuts should not be eaten at the same time as grains, because the protein and carbohydrate combination complicates digestion.  Instead consider eating seeds and nuts as a snack or part of your vegetable meal.  Since these foods are small and easy to grab, be careful about how many you eat.  At most have only two to three tablespoons of seeds, or approximately 15-20 almonds per day as they will cause some congestion with the digestive tract.

No matter what, practice bringing awareness and gratitude to each meal, transforming your experience of eating into the experience of being fed.

Grocery List for Week 3:

Grains

Basmati rice                         Brown rice

Buckwheat                           Jasmine rice

Millet                                    Quinoa

Sushi rice                             Optional: rice cakes

Seeds—raw or dry roasted

Pumpkin

Sesame

Sunflower

Nuts—raw or dry roasted

Almonds

Walnuts

Recipe to Try:

Sweet Brown Rice with Mushrooms

Serves 4 people

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked short grain sweet brown rice

2 cups water

1 tablesppon extra-virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

½-1 tablespoon minced ginger

1 cup assorted mushroom caps (shiitake, cremini, porcini, etc.), thinly sliced

2-3 tablespoons mirin

¼ cup minced scallions

½ cup frozen sweet green peas

1-2 tablespoons tamari or Bragg

¼ cup vegetable stocks

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

To cook the rice, place 1 cup uncooked rice in a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.  Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before using.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Saute the garlic, ginger, and mushrooms for 2 minutes.  Reduce the heat to medium and add the mirin.  Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.  Add the scallions and cook, covered for an additional 2 minutes.

Sitr in the rice and peas and cook, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes.  Add the tamari, vegetable stock, and pepper.  Cook, stirring, until the liquid is almost all absorbed.