A good lesson why not to take drugs!

Oprah recently interviewed a star athlete turned heroin addict. This video is scary and shocking, but a great wake up call for everyone on why not to take drugs. Like she says in the interview, once she put the needle in her arm there was no turning back. She said she felt so unfulfilled with material possessions that she went to drugs for relief and pleasure. The thing is we can NEVER get pleasure from these types of drugs, or from junk food for that matter. It is a vicious cycle of unsatifcation. How can we create satisfaction in our life? Well that can be tricky. If we assume responsibility for our own life then we must allow ourselves to be satisfied and at peace.

I love this buddha story:

A man asked Lord Buddha "I want happiness." 
Lord Buddha said first remove "I" that's ego. 
Then remove "want" that's desire. 
See now you are only left with happiness. 

Here is the link to video: http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahprime/From-Star-Athlete-to-Heroin-Addict-Video

A lot of us may have done damage to our bodies with drugs and junk food. It can be hard to face the truth at first, and then we must make a plan to take action steps to get healthy and create a new life.

Let food be your drug! Here is a great smoothie that is super high in antioxidants. This one gets me excited in the morning. It increases our energy and gives us buzz!

Recipe: Protein Berry Chocolate Smoothie

This smoothie may not look like chocolate, as the berries overpower the color, but there is a hint of chocolate at each sip. The cacao mixed with the berries in this smoothie makes it extremely high in antioxidants, more than green tea and red wine. The almond butter makes it high in protein. A great after workout recovery drink, and this can also be replaced as a meal. 

Total time: 10 minutes

Makes: 1-2

Ingredients:
2 cups berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries)
1 cup water (or almond milk for more protein)
3 tablespoons almond butter
1 tablespoon cacao powder (add more if you like)
1 tablespoon raw honey (or maple syrup or dates - or none if you think it is sweet enough!)

Action:
1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender like the VITAMIX and mix until smooth! Drink!

Benefits:
+ Plant based
+ High in protein
+ Refined sugar free
+ Gluten free
+ Dairy free
+ Increases energy 
+ High in Anti-oxidants 
+ Can aid weight loss
+ High in magnesium 
+ Good brain and workout food

Nutritional info (whole drink)
Calories: 223 | Total Fat: 1g Carbohydrate: 53g | Dietary Fiber: 9g Protein: 16g

* Every single recipe on this website uses nature’s ingredients, only. Always choose organic, local and seasonal whenever possible.

This recipe was created by Liana Werner-Gray. Photo take on Instagram - Liana's iPhone in California December 2013. 

This recipe is part of © 2013 The Earth Diet ™  All Rights Reserved

Love Liana
214 days to book launch!

Whole30 Recipe // Roasted Broccoli with Bacon and Pine Nuts

Today is so crazy! I just threw some stuff together to roast! 

Toss broccoli, mixed garlic, pine nuts, and a little crumbled bacon with avocado oil, bake at 375° for 30 min. The flavor combo is fantastical! 

If you're gaining weight rapidly....

It might be the sugar! Im talking about processed refined sugar in junk foods! Many health advocates believe it is impossible to gain weight from just eating fruits alone! When we look at people who live a natural life compared with people who consume chemicals and processed food that is high in refined sugar, it is clear the difference in appearance and energy. 

Refined sugar can cause instant weight gain. 

It is very hard for the body to digest high amounts of refined sugar. Natural sugars from fruits and plants are ok, as long as that is your only sugar source! When you eat any refined sugar, along with fruits it's too much sugar. The goal is to cut out processed refined sugar altogether. This can be a difficult task, I know I've been there! But can be done! There is no nutrition in refined processed white sugar for example, or aspartame, it just causes acidity and inflammation immediately in the body. 

It's about implementing steps in your life to reduce the refined sugar and replace it with real sugar!!! 

I was absolutely addicted to sugar from Lollies like Gummi bears, processed chocolate and ice cream. So I replaced it with healthier versions of those!!! Now I buy fruit roll ups instead of Gummi bears! Or I make my own fruit roll ups even better! I eat raw chocolate and cashew ice cream. I am fulfilled. So all of the excess weight I had from junk foods left me since I was no longer feeding the habit! 

Being healthy should always be our goal! It doesn't matter what we look like as long as we are healthy! Because then we will always look healthy! 

If your just giving up on processed sugar now, In the beginning you may need to replace them with a lot of healthy desserts and sweets to fulfill the cravings! But that will be a giant upgrade!!! It is worth investing in the health of yourself and your family!!! 

Let me know if I can help you find recipes! I like to make cookies, cakes, ice cream, smoothies and chocolate and cheesecake!!!! Go to my website and type what dessert you are looking for in the search bar and a recipe will come up! Print and download for free! 

Remember my new book is coming out in 215 days!!!! this October just in time for the Holidays and is filled with dessert recipes!!! 

There is a solution for you, just a matter of finding which one works!!! :) 

The body will work with you, Given it is being nourished and not deprived!!! 

Let me know how you go becoming refined sugar free! I know it sucks to be addicted to junk food sugar because it provides us with no nutrition, just emptiness and guilt! So there is no need for it anymore! 

You can now be proud of the sugars you do put into your body! 

Love Liana 

Whole30 Recipe // Roasted Butternut Squash with Pine Nuts and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash & pine nuts with bacon and spinach.

Chunk your squash, or buy the precut if you prefer. Coat in avocado oil toss with bacon and pine nuts, roast on 375° for 35 minutes or so (until squash is your desired softness). Add fresh spinach, enjoy!

Chromium to curb sugar cravings?

Do I believe chromium can help curb cravings? Yes! 

Chromium is a natural occurring mineral found in foods we eat including broccoli (highest amount to lowest amount), barley, oats, green beans, tomatoes, lettuce and black pepper. 

Chromium has one major role in the human body. Chromium helps balance blood sugar. It does this by strengthening the signal that insulin sends, helping to drive blood sugar, helping to drive blood sugar into cells more quickly after a meal. 

So when a craving hits you for something sweet, go for the broccoli or tomatoes! 

Here are some recipes I recommend: 

1. Simply steamed broccoli 

http://www.theearthdiet.org/11/post/2013/03/simple-steamedbroccoli.html

2. Oats 

http://www.theearthdiet.org/19/post/2013/08/oats.html

3. Cookie Dough Balls

http://www.theearthdiet.org/2/post/2012/11/raw-cookie-dough-balls.html

4. Vegetable Juice 

http://www.theearthdiet.org/11/post/2013/03/vegetable-juice.html

5. Green Salad 

http://www.theearthdiet.org/5/post/2012/11/green-salad.html

Vitamin C enhances the absorption of chromium. So drinking plenty of Orange Juice and lemon water, and eating oranges will help absorb chromium into your cells! 

There are also hundreds of other options available to you to curb sugar cravings. For one I wasn't sure if I was able to get off sugar! But it is totally possible! I think the key is to live a natural lifestyle consistently for a period of time and eventually the body will balance itself out and will not crave junk foods. I do not crave junk foods anymore. I do crave natural sweets like fruits and raw desserts which I allow myself to have. The thing is we want what we want! And if you want a chocolate cake you want a chocolate cake! So I say eat it, but with one rule, use as natural ingredients as possible! Make sure it gives you nutrition too! Then you feel fulfilled and your craving for junk goes! 

I designed an e-Program specifically for this reason! It is the 7 or 21 day weight loss program! Everyone who has tried it and stuck to it has been successful in losing weight and curving cravings! You can just download it and print it then do it to break the cycle of craving sweets! ! If you really want to hold yourself accountable and get control of your cravings here is more info ob the weight loss program... http://www.theearthdiet.org/weight-loss-program.html

P.s if you pre-order the new book you get this free as a gift! 

I think everyone that craves sugar and eats it is ready to kick the habit to the curb! Because I think eating processed refined sugar comes with guilt and weight gain and that doesn't feel good at all. 

Lastly, three more tips for suppressing cravings is to drink ginger tea and green tea and chew on ginger! 

This blog was inspired by Tammy C! Thank you Tammy for asking about chromium. 

Love Liana!

216 days to book launch! 

References for this study include: WHFoods.org and Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. 

Whole30 Tip // Fresh and Ready to Go!

Whole30 at the park! Picture explains it all. A little pre prepping for the week, and you've got things ready to go whenever you are!

Whole30 Recipe // Lemon Garlic Roasted Artichoke

Lemon garlic roasted artichokes ready to be cooked!

Cut the top of the artichoke and the stem off, open the leaves and spread some minced garlic in the center, drizzle fresh lemon juice and avocado oil into the leaves, season with sea salt on top , wrap tin foil around entire artichoke and bake at 425° for 1 hour 20 min. Delicious!

My weekly schedule template

At the end of each week I always reflect back on my previous week. I look at what I did, and what I didn't do, and what I want to do more of for the following week.

I created a "Program Template" that I use week to week. It is more like a roadmap, that points out what I want to do and where I want to go with my health this week. Many people have gotten success from using this program template too! It is fun, and you get to write down what you want to achieve for the week, and then tick the boxes as you go each day.

So looking back at this past week, 

- I had a lot of smoothies and fresh juices which is great, I would like to do the same next week 

- I did exercise on some days, I would like to exercise more next week and at least do on hour of body maintenance (which is what it sounds like, I just get dressed in comfortable clothing and then feel what body parts need stretching or massaging or working out!) 

- I got plenty of sleep and relaxation and I want to be this relaxed next week also! But I do want to increase my productivity just a little bit and achieve more with my work next week. 

- I are gluten twice this week, I made pizza and cupcakes! Yum! So next week I would like to be Gluten free. 

- I did get a massage from a hot tub a few times, and also did sauna a few times! So that helps with pampering and also letting out toxins! (I recommend everyone get a massage at least once per month!)

What I want for this week:

- I want to drink bentonite clay this week, to get the minerals and also to absorb toxins in my body, so every other day. 

- would also like to do one face mask this week! 

- a juice and or smoothie once per day 

- I would like to pay attention to the healing and health of my digestive system this week! So I will eat digestive health foods and also do visualization on a healthy digestive system. This is a great way to maintain health! 

- incorporate more whole and raw foods than last week. More salads. Less heavy foods and less sugary foods this week! 

- I want to make a facial scrub with salt and clay and do that twice this week.

- I want to wash my face with baking soda once this week. 

- there are a few new recipes I want to make this week.

- 1 hour of body maintenance everyday. And then 3 times in the week a hardcore workout sweating and cardio for 25 mins each. 

- I would like to increase my productivity this week and achieve some work goals. I write my work works on a separate template to my health goals! 

- I would like to do more meditation this week, more visualization and less social media. So more unplugged time. Which will be easier since the weather is getting warmer YES sooo excited that I will get to spend so many days outside! 

- I would like to write down more things I am grateful for this week! 

So now that's what I want and I will fill them in on my template so to put them in action next week! Doing these things will have me achieve more health, balance, peace, love for myself and productivity. I make life work for me. Honestly I like to put myself on a program each week because life is easier for me this way and I have more focus. I have something to hold me accountable which I like and I love looking back at the end of the week to what I ticked off! 

You can find the program template in the 365 recipe e-Book! Details here. Make it work for you and never give up, I know how difficult life can be at times, really excruciating, but nourishing our bodies with good stuff is essential and gets us through those difficult times. 

218 days to book launch! 

Love Liana