Surrender 98: World Health Day

I love it when events connect without me arranging them. I ate the last prepped meal for lunch today, signaling the need for another afternoon session of meal planning, grocery shopping and preparing food. 

Today happens to be World Health Day, with a theme of Beat Diabetes. What a great opportunity, as I spent time preparing healthy meals for Week Three, to learn more about how what I am doing to increase my level of health combats diseases such as diabetes. 

  
The World Health Organization launched World Health Day in 1950, choosing April 7 as the yearly date to bring awareness to a subject of major health importance. Events are held around the globe. 

Preventing and beating diabetes is this year’s focus. This disease, which is preventable and treatable, is on the rise. Simple lifestyle shifts are effective in preventing diabetes. These include maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. 

  
I’m delighted that the shifts I’ve made not only contribute to my overall well being but help to prevent diseases such as diabetes. The past two weeks I’ve followed a daily routine that includes hot lemon water followed by celery juice in the mornings, then a healthy already prepped lunch. I finish up the day with a dinner that was prepped before hand and focuses on whole foods. 

This week’s prepped dinners include:

 
White Chicken Chili, bagged and chilling, is in the freezer. I can pop it into the slow cooker and add chicken broth for a simple delicious meal. 

  
Also prepped and in the freezer is Honey Garlic Chicken, the most frequently pinned recipe on Pinterest. When it’s time to complete this meal, it will go into the slow cooker with fresh carrots, organic green beans and tiny red potatoes, which I have on hand. 

 

Western Beef Casserole was prepared first today and simmered in the slow cooker while I completed the assembly of the rest of this week’s meals. It’s a hearty combination of lean beef, onions, kidney beans and corn. 
 

Lunches this week will consist of Chicken Walnut Salad or Chopped Egg Salad, on beds of Romaine Lettuce. I have tuna in the cupboard should I need it. 
I’m encouraged by the results I’m experiencing from the changes I’ve made. I feel better than I have felt in quite some time. The celery juice, supported by a no sugar, no gluten, limited dairy diet, has eliminated aches and pains, including the sciatica I’ve been experiencing. People are commenting on the absence of a cane and lack of a limp as I walk. 

  
My hair and skin look healthy, my digestive system is no longer sluggish and my body feels balanced and lighter. I have high energy during the day and sleep deeply at night. And I love how prepping a week’s worth of meals is saving me time, money and energy. 

World Health Day…preventing and beating diabetes…caring for myself by preparing and eating wholesome nutritious foods. I’ve got this! 

  

Surrender 77: The Drinking of the Green…Celery Juice

I was intrigued when I came across an article by Anthony William, the Medical Medium, about the health benefits of drinking celery juice. I normally add celery to my green drink, however, I’ve never used celery only to create the juice. With today being St. Patrick’s Day, I decided to try the celery juice this morning.

According to Anthony, drinking 16 ounces of celery juice every morning, on an empty stomach, can powerfully transform digestion and health in as little as a week.

Anthony goes on to share the following info:

“Celery juice has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it extremely beneficial for people suffering from autoimmune conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Migraines, Vertigo, IBS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne, Lupus, Guillain-Barre, Sarcoidosis, Raynaud’s, Meniere’s, GERD, Bursitis, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Gout.

This green juice is also very alkaline and helps to prevent and counteract acid reflux, acidosis, high blood pressure, joint pain, ringing in ears, tingling and numbness, hot flashes, blurry eyes, headaches, heart palpitations, edema, heartburn, fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, sleep issues, constipation, and bloating. It also helps to purify the bloodstream, aid in digestion, relax the nerves, reduce blood pressure, and clear up skin problems. Celery contains compounds called coumarins which are known to enhance the activity of certain white blood cells and support the vascular system.

Celery juice is rich in organic sodium content and has the ability to dislodge calcium deposits from the joints and hold them in solution until they can be eliminated safely from the kidneys. It is also an effective natural diuretic and has ample ability to flush toxins out of the body which makes it excellent to use on any weight loss program.”

That’s a lot of health benefits from this one green vegetable! I used almost one bunch of celery, processing it through my juicer, to obtain 16 ounces of juice. The bright green juice was refreshing and light. What did it taste like? It tasted like celery…without cheese or peanut butter!

If the taste is too strong, cucumber or apple can be added. However, Anthony says those additions dilute the juice and lessen its effectiveness somewhat. I didn’t mind the taste at all. And I often crave alkaline foods, which is my body’s way of taking care of itself.

My intention is to drink celery juice every morning, after my warm lemon water, for a week. I’ll share later any changes or improvements that I note. It was a great St. Patrick’s Day kick off today. Cheers!