My diet & detox journal

What I am about to share is my history~
Perhaps it may surprise you, but I believe that we are all wounded healers…

As readers of my blog and friends and family know, for many years (in particular my late teens and early twenties) I was plagued with semi-hypochondria and misunderstanding of the normal functions of my own body. I’m clear that much of this may have been rooted in fear of the unknown, as I was more of a fan of social science, rather than biology and anatomy. It is also likely due to the fact that many of my grandparents suffered from chronic disease and were ill or passed away during those formative years. There was my father’s experience as described below, and add to that my sister’s ulcerative colitis, and my own process of dealing with what was eventually diagnosed as PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome. Putting it all together, you can imagine how difficult it was for me to feel comfortable with general wellness.

I think that the clearest connection I can make to when things started going ’strange’ in my mind was back in 1989, the winter when my father was diagnosed with cancer. He fought it, and won, and over the past 18 years since my father first won his battle with malignant cells in his colon, I’ve spent countless hours counting the blessings of having healthy family members, but fearing my own mortality.

In truth, there is nothing like the reality of life to remind you how precious each day really is. Back in the late 1980s, when I first learned of Dad’s issue, I was unprepared with how to deal with it, or the considerations it would bring up in terms of my own health and wellbeing. Not only did I become significantly obsessed with the prevention of illness, I managed to do the same for every member of my family, at times whether they wished me to do so, or not! However, my father’s subsequent conquering of his colon ills, and his journey to wellness was something that inspired me on my own journey to use natural health care as a means of finding a holistic and healthful way to find peace.

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Yiperoosky! Is that a word? Ha. My sister will understand, the woman who has always encouraged my extemperaneous vocabulary development!

So, more news… In a few short days I leave behind the COLD snowy west, and will be driving back to Florida solo! Can you imagine that we have had 7 snows in 7 weeks here in Boulder, and one more is headed this way next weekend? That is kinda why I have decided to move up my roadtrip so that I will head out on Thursday instead of the weekend that follows…

Is this a beautiful picture, or what? This is a picture of the FlatIrons, but unlike the previous shot I included in my last blog, this is in the snow, and I owe Colorado University credit (thanks) for the shot. I’m not so talented as to capture that kind of image, especially when you consider the closest thing I have to a camera right now is my Razr phone! I will say that I have had a gorgeous view from my condo balcony, though. It faces directly west, and is right up against some unincorporated portions of the county, so there is nothing blocking the view of the mountains. I have spent many a morning looking out at similar vistas as in the picture here. I have made that a priority, actually, to not take the chance for granted. It is truly amazing to see such creation up close.

Snow snow snow snow snow. Its beautiful yes, but how many days of ice can this Florida-Caribbean loving girl handle before her fingers and toes become ice cubes and her lips turn blue? I suppose I will never know, will I?

Anyway, what I am trying to say is Hurrah! I’m headed back east to Florida! It was just decided, last week actually. So, I am returning to FL for a new job title, a new way to collaborate with Renew Life Formulas, and a new way to find my joy in life… Meet the new Marketing Education Manager~ As always, the title is meaningless really, it kinda just means that I will direct report to the Marketing VP, instead of the Education Director, but I will get to work with some really cool new projects, like Webinars, and Online Education modules. Sounds pretty good to me. And I have never been one for titles, anyway, as I think that the more hats we wear, the greater the chance we have to benefit those who we work for. I’ve served as salesperson, sales manager, educator, teacher, curriculum developer, division manager, etc. I do believe that my experience will serve me well in my new position.

The mountains are wise and tall, and have showed me much. I will certainly come back for a visit again one day soon. Especially to get an opportunity to SKI!!!! I have had plans to go skiing mid February, next weekend to be exact, and that was foiled by need for the upcoming roadtrip. Probably for the best, anyway. Knowing my tendency for accidents, I’d probably fall down on the lift, and break an ankle! LOL!

So my latest food fad is frozen pineapple. Can you imagine eating frozen fruit when it is four degrees outside? But for the first time, I have encountered a frozen fruit that doesn’t rip up my belly. I chalk it up to the naturally occuring enzyme in the pineapple which is able to assist my digestion. As we well know, my IBS goes batty when I eat things like frozen berries. But, the pineapple is a party, and my body is loving it. Yum! It is just as good as the fresh stuff actually. And, for some reason, eating it frozen, it doesn’t burn up my lips. Go figure.

So, I best be packin’. This gal has miles to go before she sleeps. (Ok, ok, I know, departure is still three and a half days out, but you know what I mean!)

See ya all on the beaches… Caz

Yes, that’s me, sitting on a rock, high in the Front Range mountains, most specifically by the FlatIrons of Boulder, Colorado. Do I look happy? I warn you, looks can be deceiving, but I am at least healthy in this pic, the weather still being warm and toasty. But that was taken the first week of November, and it is now January, in the 20s, and we’ve had historical snow fall here, and in fact, it has snowed every weekend for the last 5 weeks…More that I bargained for when I agreed to this work transfer back in October!

Once again, long break from blogging…what can I say? I have been busy, lots of changes. An additional promotion at work, (4th in 1.5 years) a relocation to Boulder, Colorado, and as always focusing on my health and wellbeing. At this moment I am having a personal revelation, which involves my choice of work, faith, family, eating habits, exercise, and more. I feel like I am being guided in the right direction, but I think that the outcome may be a shock to some, in particular my employers who are depending on me here in Colorado. But as always, Cassandra knows the future, so long as she listens with a righteous, rather than self-righteous heart.

I am still eating pretty High-Raw, which means fruits & veggies, a large salad of some sort at lunch, but I do tend to add a bit of lean protein at at least one meal, if not a dietary supplement shake, like my rice protein shake from Metagenics or Renew Life’s Whole Food Multi-Nutrient. No wheat, and virtually no cooked grains except for the occasional spelt muffin if I get a craving. I’ve regressed on the caffiene front, chai being an old friend during cold weather, but it doesn’t agree with my belly, so I try to keep it down to a few times a week. Seemingly I am ok, but a recent set of tests has uncovered some things which may explain some of my irregular moods, health swings, etc. My TCM doc has also uncovered a thyroid concern, which may explain why I have felt so cold since moving here to CO. I don’t know if my body can take it here, but I think that my inability to acclimate has other factors, which I won’t go into here in such a public forum…

On the work front, I thought I would mention that the fearless leader of my company had tremendous success with her PBS special last year, and has since filmed a second one, which goes along with her new project, “The Fiber 35 Diet”. She has written a new book, this time extoling the benefits of high fiber in the diet. I can’t say enough about how this book and its message will help people in my industry. It’s information that many of us raw fooders have been saying, experiencing, and teaching for AGES. The book is due out in a few months, and will be sold in mass market, which is also a change for our company. Our supplements will still only be available in Health Food Stores, but the book will be available everywhere. This will be a boon for the consumer, who will be able to learn of the benefits of fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains. Among other things she does address the benefits of RAW FOOD, which is always nice to see in the mass market.

I still pop around and lurk on the leading raw food sites, such as rawfoodtalk, and shazzie. My writing project is still in the works, but has been put on hold since the fall as another side business plan and a major personal growth opportunity has kept me more than busy. Hopefully, 2007 will see Cassy putting herself out there in a greater way for the Natural Products industry!

So, I will end this blog today by including a few pictures of where I am living…Catch ya on the flip side. –Caz

Me and my boss Jill in the office

Me on the walking paths above Boulder

Me in the mountains - Estes Park, Colorado