Dumping Diabetes Deliciously

In July 2012, I was told by the doctor that my blood sugar was unacceptably high with an HbA1c ( 3 month average blood sugar reading) of 10.  Not quite high enough to go on insulin, but heading in that direction.  I was told I that, since several of my siblings were diabetic, and diabetes seemed to be genetic, the only way to change this was to go on medications.  I nodded yes, but my heart said no.  I told the doctor that I would give myself 3 months to find an alternative to meds to bring down my blood sugar.  If I didn't find an alternative, then I would take the meds.   

In early August, I consulted with Anita Capizzi - a holistic nutritionist at National Integrated Health Associates in Washington DC (NIHA-DC).  She said that a tried and true natural way to lower blood sugar and blood pressure, was to cut out dairy and gluten, eat mostly raw food, with lots of greens, low glycemic fruits, nuts and seeds. Primate food!!!  Oh yeah....and also, drink lots of water (about 8 - 10 cups) and get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. 

I had 6 sessions with Anita, during which she gave me valuable information about each of the food groups including greens which she felt should be considered a food group in its own right.  She gave me recipes, books to read, videos to watch and helped me to take the plunge into this new way of life.  

Within 4 days my Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)came down over 100 points.  Encouraging!  Within 1 month, it had come down to almost normal.  I was no longer diabetic!!  I had dumped diabetes in 1 month!!!  

When I got back to Nairobi the beginning of October, I started an organic garden.  I now get all my greens from my backyard, picking them right before I eat them.  Bliss!!!

By January 2013, when I had a check-up, my numbers had come down significantly.  HbA1c was 6.5!!!!, and I was 15 pounds (almost 7 kilos) lighter than I was when I started.  I felt great!!!

In addition to eating mostly live foods, I have also been continuing to use the Holistic Self-Care tools including Trapped Emotional Energy Release (TEER) and Self-Reprogramming (SRP) on a regular basis.  This, I am quite sure, had a great deal to do with the significant changes I had experienced, and helped me to stick with the program.

I am having a ball creating new recipes and discovering an exciting  world of raw food online.  I plan to offer a series of Living Food Workshops soon, and will write a Living Food blog to support that.  Stay tuned.  
   
Until then, here are some basic recipes that I used (based on Anita's recommendations) to help me dump diabetes:

BREAKFAST

GREEN SMOOTHIE

(1 person)

2 handfuls greens*

2 cups fruit (fresh or frozen berries and/or non-sweet fruits like green apples, cucumber, zucchini, Peppers: Red /yellow / orange)

2 tablespoons Chia Seeds (soaked overnight in a cup of water.)

2 tablespoons Hemp Protein powder

5-10 drops liquid Stevia

1 – 1 ½ cups water

Put all ingredients in a high speed blender or smoothie maker and process until smooth.   

LUNCH

RAINBOW SALAD

( 1 person)

6 cups of greens (That’s not a typo!!!  See note below on greens)

Dice 1 tomato,  ½ cucumber and/or zucchini, 1 Red /yellow/orange Bell pepper

1 handful nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, Pecans )

1 handful seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, hemp)

2 handfuls sprouts (alfalfa, lentil, fenugreek, broccoli) (optional)

2 handfuls  fresh berries or dried fruit  (optional)

½ - 1 Avocado cubed

Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Fresh Herbs: Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Coriander Leaves (Dhania)  chopped

1 Tablespoon Olive oil

1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar and/or Balsamic Vinegar and /or Lemon

Toss ingredients lightly together and enjoy.

DINNER

QUICK STIR FRIED VEGETABLES

(2 persons)

1 Tablespoon Pure Virgin Coconut Oil

1 teaspoon Sesame Oil

1 Tablespoon Garlic chopped fine

1 Tablespoon Ginger grated or chopped fine

1 large Onion cut in 1” pieces

1 Carrot Julienned (cut into very thin strips like matchsticks)

1 cup Broccoli or Cauliflower florets

1 Red Pepper cut into 1 inch pieces

1 Yellow or Orange Pepper cut into 1inch pieces

1 large Zucchini cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 cups Dark Greens  (Sukuma or Swiss Chard work well)

1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce (or to taste)

TOPPING:

1 small bunch Green Onions cut into 1” pieces

½ cup Raw Cashews or Raw Almonds

½ cup Pumpkin seeds

½ cup Sunflower seeds

A few shakes Crushed Red Chilli Pieces to taste (optional )

Heat the coconut oil and Sesame oil in a wok.

Stir fry Garlic and Ginger until it starts turning light brown

Add each ingredient to the wok in the order it is listed and stir fry for about 30 seconds before adding the next ingredient.  Add the greens and toss only until it turns bright green and slightly wilted.  Add Soy Sauce.  Sprinkle nuts, seeds and Chilli Pieces on top of the dish after finishing stir frying.  

VARIATION :  Soak a small package of Kelp  Noodles overnight in water  or rinse a small packet of Shirataki Noodles in warm water and add to stir fried veggies.

DESSERT

GUILTLESS BERRY OR FRUIT SORBET

Wash and freeze 2 cups of your favorite berries and /or fruit, cubed.

Place ½ cup water or pure, unsweetened organic fruit juice and frozen berries /fruit in the blender.

Add Stevia powder / liquid to taste. (If you don’t have a blood sugar issue, you may use Raw Honey.)

Choose the Ice Crusher setting on the blender.

Blend until smooth and creamy.
Variation: Substitute  1/2 cup Coconut Milk instead of water for a creamier treat.

* GREENS:  Choose from Collard Greens (Sukoma), Spinach / Swiss Chard, Italian spinach, Arugala /Rucola, watercress, lettuce, Parsley, Celery  – any edible greens.   Be sure to rotate and mix greens so you don’t eat the same greens every day.  Greens contain a range of nutrients, so by rotating them, you can make sure you are getting the whole range of nutrients each week.  Wash with regular water until water is clear, then soak in 1 part water to 3 parts White Vinegar for 5 – 10 minutes, and rinse in clean potable water.  I strongly suggest growing your own organic greens and veggies, or buying organic produce whenever possible.  Better for you.  Better for our planet.

A FEW MORE HEALTHY TIPS

Salad Dressings – Store bought salad dressings contain loads of partially hydrogenated oils and trans fats.  Leave them alone.  Instead, make your own with equal parts of extra virgin olive oil, lemon, apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar.  Add sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. 

SUGAR SUBSTITUTES:  All sugar substitutes are harmful to the body - except for Stevia (made from a sweet leaf) and Xylitol (made from wood, looks like sugar and can be used for baking) Both Stevia and Xylitol are available from local health food stores.

EATING ORGANIC:  Organic produce is grown on healthy soil, is naturally fertilized, comes from seeds that have not been genetically modified and without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides and herbicides.  If consumers demand organic food, more farmers would grow it.  To have organic produce delivered to your door directly from organic farms in the Karen area, e-mail organic@kalimoni-greens.com or call 0721-868-303.  For a fee, they will also help you create your own organic garden.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER:  Drink at least 6 -8 cups of water each day. 

OILS:  Use Expeller pressed virgin Coconut Oil to cook.  Use Virgin Olive Oil in salads.  Use butter or ghee instead of Margarine.  Use Sesame Oil and Grape Seed Oil sparingly.  Despite what the ads say, completely avoid Corn Oil and Hydrogenated Vegetable oils. Your body cannot process them, and they just sit in your body creating problems and contributing to obesity. 

ALKALYZING FOODS:  Acidity weakens the immune system and creates inflammation in the body.  Inflammation creates a disease friendly environment.  An alkaline body (pH balanced) prevents disease, and strengthen the immune system.  Google Alkaline foods and you will find loads of info on this subject.

FURTHER READING

Victoria Boutenko, Greens for Life

Gabriel Cousens,There is a Cure For Diabetes: The Tree of Life 21-day+ Program

Gabriel Cousens, Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine.

Gabriel Cousens, Conscious Eating

All above are available from Amazon, and can be downloaded onto your Kindle or iPad or other mobile / digital reading devices. 

http://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/pyramid/press-foodpyramid.html