It's Time Fooooorrr...The N-O GMO Challenge!

You're Going Down Suckazzzzz...

Operation: Open Your Eyes! Close Your Mouth!

I am always down for a great personal health challenge, and I think you're gonna love this one! It will be tough, but you got this in the bag, sonnnn! I have created the NO GMO Challenge in order to open our eyes to the foods we are being served, the restaurants and grocery purchases that are harming us, and to better our overall health.

If you haven't had a chance to read it, check out my most recent blog, GMOs...It's What's For Dinner. Get up to speed really quick by learning what GMOs are, and how they are harmful to humans, animals, and our environment. This is how I will get you to take my challenge...sneaky, I know! 

Your Mission if You Choose to Accept...

Begins: Monday, May 13^th

Ends: Monday, May 27th

You will pledge to consume only natural/organic, Non-GMO contaminated foods for Two Weeks...not a single bite, nibble, so much as an extended-glance at a food made with GMOs or a blend of their products. 

Sooo...uhhh, what does this mean I have to avoid??

The Meat Rules

Don't get scared, you can still chow down on your favorite meats. Just pay the price for good farming practices...you don't need 6 steaks/week, have some self-control!! Find restaurants, farmer's markets, and grocery stores (The Healthy Home Market, Earth Fare, Whole Foods Market, The Baby Grocery Store, or The Fresh Market) that use these practices and offer these food options.

Any Restaurant, Sandwich Shop, Pizza Place, Fast Food Joint, Bar, Burger Joint, Steak House, Sushi Place, Mexican Restaurant, etc. will serve meats that have been fed GMOs. You must search for places that do not have these or get in zee kitchen, lazzzy!!

It's possible and a great idea to find these places in your communities!! So, you can support places that feed you good things. You owe it to yourself to consume foods that are fresh and real.

Examples of Things to Avoid:

Meats that do not state organic Grain-fed or Grass-fed are not allowed. Cattle, Chickens, Pigs, Turkeys, Dogs, Monkeys, and Farm Seafood are ALL fed GMOs unless stated otherwise.

• Deli Meats-Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef, Pepperoni, etc.
• Steak, Ground Beef, Hamburger, etc.
• Sausage, Pulled Pork, Bacon, etc.
• Chicken Breast/Wings, Roasted Chicken, and Eggs.
• Farm Fish and Seafood.
• Canned Meats, Beef Jerky, Sushi, Meat-Topping Pizza, Frozen Dinners.

The Fruit and Veggie Rules

Lucky Numba 9

The fresher, the better! Purchasing organic fruits and veggies from your local farmer's market, food-exchanges, and grocery stores will ensure quality, farm fresh produce without the junk. Stay away from the crazy hybrid alien Melon-Apple, Melapple creation awaiting the next sucker at your local Wal-mart, and stuff your face with this stuff!! It's good for you!

Examples of Things to Avoid:

Safe vs Harmful Produce...Papayas?!

• Canned or frozen corn
• GM fruits and vegetables (GMO Papayas have been approved in the US, not Europe).
• soy and soy-based products
• Fruits preserved in corn-syrup
  
  

The Grain Rules

Avoid GMOs! >_<

Allergy and health problems are on the rise due to the horrible ways we have split, genetically modified, and destroyed the precious nutritious grains that not only show up in the majority of our animal feed, but all of our cereals, pastas, cookies/crackers, packaged/frozen dinners, breads, bakery items, and the list goes on.

Examples of Things to Avoid:

Any foods that do not state organic...yup, a GMO product, ugghh!! Oh and, natural does NOT mean organic...those sneaky GMOs.

• Cereal, Cereal Bars, Grits, and Cream of Wheat.
• Crackers, Cookies, and Bakery Items.
• Bread, Pizza Dough, (HT Subs, Panera Bread, Jersey Mikes).
• Pasta, Dumplings, Rice, and Tortilla Chips & Shells.

Places Like Nova's Bakery, Papi Queso Truck, Zada Jane's, and Jason's Deli serve great brunchh and lunch options sans GMO-slop!

The Sugar Rules

Didn't think about the GM Sugarbeets and GM corn used in high fructose corn syrup found in everything these days?! Well, you should! You can find GM corn syrup in all artificially colored candy, chocolate, drinks/juices, sodas, breads, cereals, malt beverages, cookies and crackers, yogurt, ice-cream, frozen meals, baked goods, canned fruit, and to be honest, it'd probably be easier to list what it's not in....

Purchase products that use natural-sweeteners like honey, agave-syrup, molasses, and organic sugar-varieties that will not contain GMOs.

The Dairy Rules

Just like meat, only choose organic dairy and soy products or substitutes. Don't be scared, they taste great...EWW not tofu though-ha! I drink the unsweetened coconut and almond milk. I prefer coconut milk in my coffee, smoothies, soups, and as a milk/cream substitute. Coconut milk does not taste like coconut and is very light and refreshing. When mixed into dishes like mashed potatoes, cream-based soups, and smoothies, you will not taste a coconut-flavor. Need an alternative cheese option?? Go Veggie has great options, I love their Rice Milk Cheese, and it melts great!!

Examples of things to Avoid:

Any dairy products that do not state organic, are GMO-based products. Natural does NOT mean organic and will still contain GMOs.

• Butter, Yogurt, Chocolate, and Ice-cream (Ben and Jerry's is now GMO-free).
• Cheese, Cream Cheese, and Sour Cream.
• Milk, Cream, Coffee Creamer, and Soy Milk.

The "Other Rules"

• Boxed Dinners, Processed Foods, and Frozen Dinners- Lean Cuisine EW!
• Chips, Crackers, Snack Foods not stating GMO-free, Fruit Snacks, Candy, inexpensive Chocolate, Pretzels, Popcorn, Bakery Items, Soups, Lunchables, Kraft Dinners, etc. are ALL GMOs!!

Places and Brands to Avoid

• Restaurants

If they don't stay organic ingredients, bet your bottom dollar, they only use GMOs...I have written many places and will continue to add to my naughty or nice list.

• All Fast Food Restaurants
• Local Cafes and Sandwich Shops that aren't health conscious: Any companies that use Boar's Head Meats or Cheeses
• Mexican, Italian, Greek, Asian Restaurants
• The Majority of Corporate and Chain Restaurants

Places that use GMO Ingredients:

• Panera Bread: (GMO Food and Animal Feed)
• The Melting Pot
• Mortimers: (GMO Food and Animal Feed)
• Ducksworth's Grill & Taphouse (No organics)
• Dean and Deluca (stated, they could not list whether or not there were GMOs)
• The Cheesecake Factory: (GMO Food and Animal Feed)
• Chipotle (uses GMO Food and Animal Feed)
• Jersey Mikes, Subway, HT Subs (Boar's Head): (GMO Food and Animal Feed)
• Boar's Head Meats and Cheeses (GMO Feed)
• Maggiano's (GMO Food and Animal Feed)
• Amelie's Bakery

Check out these Places and Brands that you can actually eat!! 
This List will provide all of the companies that do and do not use GMOs.

• Rice, Pasta, Bread- Nova's Bakery
• Eggs, Dairy and Meat Products, 
• The Healthy Home Market, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods Market, The Baby Grocery Store, or The Farmer's Market
• Smoothie King (Only Fruits are Non-GMO)
• Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream is now GMO-free
• Upstream: Uses grass-fed cattle and some non-GMO dishes, ask upon ordering.
• Zada Jane's Corner Cafe- Use organic produce and feed! Breakfast All Day!
• Pure Pizza- 100% organic
• Jason's Deli (not all, but a lot of options)
• Papi Queso Food Truck- Yummy!
• Luna's Living Kitchen: Juice and Smoothie Bar
• The Fern
• The Bean
• Veggie Stix

So many countries have banned the use of GMOs, and I think you owe it to yourself to know why. If other countries won't feed their people this garbage...why will America? If our government and nation leaders will not look out for us, we are responsible. As consumers, it is our duty to demand and only purchase fresh ingredients while supporting quality practices that will help our communities and our own personal health and well being.

Support Quality. Support Health. Support Truth.

TAKE MY CHALLENGE!

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - Confucius

Operation: Eat With Your Straw...Say Whatttt?!

A Feast on Fasting...

I'm Hungry! Kendie Want NOM! NOM! NOM!

The Diva Half-Marathon is this upcoming weekend! YAYYY!! And I thought, perfect time to bust out my new seasonal tradition, the ol' Juice Fast! Taaa Daaaa!! Juice fasting cleanses, heals, and repairs our body. It leaves behind a surplus of energy that'll have you kicking your next workout in the face...Go Team!

It's important to give your body a seasonal reboot in order to rid toxins, rejuvenate, and heal any impurities or problematic areas.When we juice, a megadose of micronutrients enter our bloodstream quickly due to the lack of digestion needed. Our body becomes saturated with trace minerals and vitamins...and basically, you turn into The Incredible Hulk! By maintaining healthy micronutrient levels, you will keep your body strong, control blood sugar levels, fight aging (yes!), and become less prone to illness and disease. Check out the Facts!

Now what am I supposed to do??

Haven't tried juicing or juice fasting before?! Spring is a perfect time to begin your fast as it symbolizes rebirth and renewal. On another note, the large amount of fruits and veggies required to fast are readily available and a whole lot cheaper. NO excuses! I am still pretty new to the whole juicing concept and fasting, but I love it! I tend to fast anywhere from 2-6 days depending on the amount of willpower, time, and need. For instance, I suggest 2-3 days when you're in need of a quick body reboot, energy-level increase, or upcoming fitness event. I recommend 3-7 days for a massive body cleanse. 

Juice Fasting produced a surprising amount of energy. I run without any problems and feel great! Keep in mind, your body is working at maximum efficiency, because the breakdown and storage of food is not stealing your energy. By consuming only fruits and vegetable juices, with no solid foods, our body is able to focus its energy solely on cleansing and healing. The energy usually required for our digestive system to breakdown food, process, store nutrients, and produce waste is no longer needed. Our body's natural defense system uses the surplus of energy and powerful micronutrients to free our body of toxins and impurities that weigh us down, allowing us to maintain health and restore our health.

Just in Case...

If your body is storing a lot of toxins, you may experience headaches or waves of nausea which will pass as the toxins leave your body. If you are taking any medication, you may need to contact a Holistic Doctor or take your medications with a solid fruit or vegetable. I suggest eating bananas to maintain sugar levels during intense workouts and long fasts. And remember, you MUST drink a lot of distilled water during your fast to aid in flushing out toxins. Listen to your body! You know yourself better than anybody else. If you feel very ill, eat and try again...don't give up, there's always next time!

The Spring Fast...

My brand new roomie decided to join me, this being her very first fast. It's nice to have a buddy to keep your head on straight and motivate. We decided on a quick 2 day fast, and I gotta' say, it went really well for us both! This time, I didn't have any headaches or sickness which was awesome. I felt great, energized, and ran both days. My roomie did a great job and absolutely loved it, having just a little bit of a nausea but nothing too bad. Newbies can do this too, mind over matter! Our fast was a success, giving us a nice body reboot and courage to kick-off bathing suit season! It's comin' ladies and gents, whether we like it or not!

Gimme Yo Recipes...

During the fast, you will consume a massive amount of organic fruits and veggies. I have provided some recipes to help gain an idea of how much juice I drink. For breakfast, I consume a full small Mason jar of juice. For lunch and dinner, I consume 2 small Mason jars or one large jar of juice. I will have a small Mason jar of juice for a snack.

This is an example of a lunch or dinner portion. If you look closely, you can see that I have divided the fruits and veggies. I made 2 separate small Mason jars of juice from the photo below. So, half of the produce would be enough for one breakfast jar.

A Lunch or Dinner Recipe #1
Cut in half for a Breakfast or Snack Portion

• 2 Lemons
• 1/2-3/4 Bundle of Kale
• 3/4 Container of Strawberries with tops
• 2 Apples- Red or Green
• 1 Cucumber or 2 Baby Cucumbers
• One Bundle of Carrots or Rainbow Carrots with the greens
• 3 Radishes

And Voila...

Tip: To avoid breaking down the micronutrients, eliminate oxygen exposure by filling your juice to the brim of your Mason Jar. If you do not have enough juice, fill up your jar to the top with distilled water to avoid exposure.

A Lunch or Dinner Recipe #2
Cut in half for a Breakfast or Snack Portion

• 2 Green Apples
• One Bundle of Kale
• One Bunch of Carrots or Rainbow Carrots with greens
• 3/4-1 Container of Strawberries
• 3 Oranges
• One Cucumber or 2 Baby Cucumbers
• One Lemon
• 3 Radishes

And Voila...

A Lunch or Dinner Recipe #3
Super Tasty, love this one!

• 2 Large Cucumbers or 4 Baby Cucumbers
• 1 Bundle of Carrots or Rainbow Carrots with greens
• 2 Green Apples
• 3/4 Container of Strawberries with tops
• 1/4 Bundle of Kale

Breakfast and Snack Recipe #1

• Half of a Bundle of Carrots or Rainbow Carrots
• One Cucumber or 2 Baby Cucumbers
• One Container of Blueberries or Strawberries
• Half of a Bundle of Kale 
• One Apple

Breakfast and Snack Recipe #2

• Half of a Bundle of Kale
• 1 Apple
• 1 Kiwi
• One Cucumber

Breakfast and Snack Recipe #3

• Half of a Cantaloupe 
• Half of a container of Berries
• Half of a bundle of Carrots 
• One Cucumber

That should do the trick, Ladies and Gentlemen! 

Happy Juicing!

Missed my first Juice Blog?? Don't ever do that again! 

A Market for Hipsters...Ain't Stoppin' Me!

Where Hipster Meets Local Gal!

I'll take a Beer with My Skinny Jeans!

The Common Market

I don't care what people say, the Hipster Kids got it goin' on!! I know they cry often, dress funky, and love a miserable time...but for once, they got it right with, The Common Market, located right in the heart of South End Charlotte. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!

The Common Market is stocked with a great Wine & Beer selection, super yummy food (breakfast, soup, salads, sandwiches, wraps, sides) all made with quality ingredients...a lot of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options as well. They have a bunch of really unique snacks, chocolate bars, cupcakes, side salads, and drinks...like trendy and cool?? It hit the nail on the head. Like Live Music?? Pop your bottle right at the counter and step outside for a patio filled with eclectic tables, chairs and people...if you time it right, a great DJ or Musician will serenade you while you get your buzz on!

The Common Market Twitter

I love the Tree Hugger Wrap, Handsome Henry's Grilled Cheese, and don't forget to wash it all down with a Hoptimus Prime!! Finnniiisssshhhhh HEEEERRRRRRR!!!

A little bit of market, goes a long way! Enjoy!!

Another Day, Another Ermm...Hobby!

Welcome to My Brand New Blog

I promise you will not be disappointed...as it is not in my blood to disappoint!

See that picture up there?? That's me, Kendal, pleasure to Meetcha! 

I have created this Blog today to take on another hopefully exciting Hobby...

I love exploring life and encourage you to follow my journey!! I am open to blog suggestions and plan to provide a lot of different experiences, trendy products, witty sarcasm, and more...

I encourage comments, recommendations, and discussions...Stay-tuned for awesomeness!!