Each new day comes with small joys just waiting to be noticed.

We are taking dad to his appointment with Dr. Rhee today to renew his prescriptions for his back.  Funny thing is, he has been worried about taking too many pain pills, which has been about only one a day, and now sometimes less, and he can't understand why he is having so much more pain.  lol  haha I give up.  Getting old sucks.  You can't think straight.  But, he really is trying.  I'm hoping that today we can get him all of the "NON-generic medications" for him.  The generics just are not working for him.  I'm sure if he could get a good nights sleep again, he would feel so much better.  Me too.  None of his pills work for me at all.  I do Terrible on pills.  I will certainly get the side-effects, but never the benefits.  I think everything is going to be better when he gets his new pills.   Yeaaaaaaa!

Great doctor visit.  Appointment 12:40pm  Arrived 12:10pm  Finished 12:29pm  hehe  Prescribed ALL Brand Name Prescriptions.  Yeaaaaaaa  Later we had a bit to eat at Jack-in-the-Box and took Luigi across the street to the park.  Nice day.  Picked up cable ties and hope to put together my new wire cubes late tonight.

Tonight listened to Grant Campbell, Natural Hygiene Barefoot Ultra Marathoner from Australia.  Website:  www.rawreference.com and www.rawnaturalhygiene.ning.com and www.facebook.com/rawhealthretreats and www.facebook.com/rawaussieathlete .  He had good information, but he was a little bit dry to listen to.  Every night, people call in with the same question/problem I have - when we go and buy the fruits and vegetables - they taste like cardboard.  I keep hearing "Go to Thailand".  Their fruit is amazing.  Very cute - but not the most practical answer.  No one really has a great answer.  Just to search and do your best.  Frustrating.  This is the same problem that continually stops me.  I have been interested in this diet for more than forty years, but we do not have access to the best-tasting fruits and vegetables.  I waste so much money buying it - and take one bite and throwing it out.  You pretty much need to grow your own so that you can eat it fresh.

Put together some of my cubes tonight using the cable ties.  Pretty fun.  I might not need the second package.  Going to take a bunch of stuff that has been tucked in the closet, not being used, to Salvation Army tomorrow.  Might as well let someone else enjoy it since I'm not using any of it right now.  I never have enough space in this bedroom.  Very curious what will happen when I start living in a Class B Van.  lol  Every time I throw something out, it immediately gets replaced with more.  It's fun, but chaotic.  I want to live in a fraction of the space, but have five times more space.  hmmmm  Oh well, everything is perfect for today.  Smile!

Your smile works magic.

Picked up my new wire cubes from Walmart this morning.  Watched a video online and have decided to buy some cable ties to connect the wire cubes.   Dad and I had lunch with Uncle Joe and Auntie Isabel at The Pickle's Sandwich Shop in Pleasanton this afternoon.  Then we went shopping at Safeway in Castro Valley.  This was the very first time dad had ever been in that store.  Luckily, he loved it so much, that he wants to shop here again.  Yea.  Then we took Luigi across the street to play for about an hour.  Also, working on "heel" with him.  Better late than never!  Tonight's Raw Food Interview was with Kristina Carillo-Bucaram.  Her websites are www.FullyRaw.com and www.RawfullyOrganic.com  Her YouTube Channel is Fully Raw Kristina.  Somewhere she has a video:  How To Eat Fully Raw - that I would like to find. Here's the link.  It's on  YouTube.    www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2QNcP1URF4  She starts her day with 64 oz juice, possibly 20 peaches, later 15 bananas with dates smoothie; dinner includes 2 to 3 heads leafy greens.  She does not use colonics, eat chia seeds, cacao or goji's.  She likes to keep it VERY SIMPLE.  Fresh Raw Fruits and Vegetables.  She also has a Recipe Archive Membership.  I really enjoyed her.  She is 25 and has been fully raw for 7 years after having debilitating health issues.  On one of her YouTube videos she recommends www.surlatable.com for Raw Food Kitchen Supplies such as wooden bowls, chef knives, etc.  I notice locations of "Sur La Table" listed in Los Gatos and Berkeley.  I'm very interested in checking this out.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

This morning dad and I are going to the movies and see "The Watch".  It's a comedy with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill.  Poor dad.  I do feel bad.  I am way too short tempered with him.  I get frustrated, and angry and wanting to get on with moving on with my life, and he gets the brunt of my frustrations.  I really do try so hard to appreciate these times.  Life will never be as simple and carefree as they are right now.  I am protected, but I am not free.  When I am free, I will not be protected.  Protected is probably better, but it is still so frustrating.  I want to be liberated.  Just feeling restless I guess.  So, today I went online and ordered a "whiffer".  It is like a wooden pendant on a cord string that hangs around your neck.  It opens up and has a wick that you put essential oil on.  I know.  Kinda kooky.  But kinda fun.  You get extra wicks and change the essential oil to fit your mood.  The first oil I have ordered is Rose Oil.    The pendant that I got from Amazon.com is:  AromaPendants - Essential Oil Aromatherapy Diffuser Pendants - Whiffer  -  The description is pretty cool: 

Important Information

Directions
To open the pendant, unscrew the top, remove the wick and add a few drops of your desired essential oil or blend. Replace the wick in the vial and screw the top clock-wise onto the pendant to close. The aroma from this diffuser will last several days. Refresh the oil as needed. To clean the inside, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol cleaner. You can save slightly-used sticks with its own particular oil scent on it in its own plastic baggie for in-between use of other oils.

---

Product Description

Color: Tulipwood Whiffer

Tulipwood (dalbergia frutescens) is part of the rosewood family. This Brazilian heartwood is a beautiful wood grain of pink-yellow with a pronounced striped figure in varying shades of Salmon pink and rose red. The grain is straight but more often irregular, with a fine texture. It carries with it many of the traits of other rosewoods, with a few unique traits as well. A very powerful feminine energy radiates from this wood. Tulipwood carries a creative energy, very strong to attract affluence and wealth. Resonates with creativity, intuition and beauty. It would be extraordinary if used in moon magic, and anything having to do with creativity, intuitions, and beauty, and natural cycles. This would be an excellent wood for divination. The primary element of this wood is water. Water usually brings with it a calm and peaceful effect. However, the energy of this wood contains the full spectrum of water energy, both peaceful and destructive. It is as though the very energy of the Goddess rests within the wood; beautiful and serene, yet powerful and proud. One of the most powerful woods we have ever encountered, with a very diverse and potent energy. Use for anything having to do with creativity, intuition, beauty, natural cycles, positive energy attracting affluence and wealth. Each Whiffer pendant comes ready to go with an absorbent cotton stick inside, ready for 3 or 4 drops of your favorite essential oil for the day! (essential oil not included with pendant). You can then save a slightly-used stick with its own particular oil scent on it in its own plastic baggie in between uses! Wood Source: Brazil

VLADA DIVINE ON RAW FRUIT/FOOD DIET

Have really been enjoying Audry Wild's Brilliant Body Health Summit online.  She is interviewing 27 Raw Fruit and Veggies speakers this month. 

So far we have enjoyed listening to seven of the speakers: 

Dr. Douglas N. Graham, Author of the 80/10/10 Diet - he seems to be the Guru that everyone has been referring to so far.  Website www.FoodnSport.com.  

Dr. Ruth Heidrich, 77 year old breast cancer survivor and Ironlady Triathlete thriving on a diet of raw fruits and veggies!  Her books "Senior Fitness", "CHEF - a Cook/Rawbook" and "A Race for Life".  I love this gal.  Her website is www.RuthHeidrich.com.   

Also, Chris Randall, has lost 150 pounds of excess fat on a low-fat vegan/raw vegan diet in addition to reversing his depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), asthma, high blood pressure, acne, and severe sinus congestion.  Website www.RealRawResults.com . 

Alison Andrews wrote "From FAT to Fabulous:  The Smart Girl's Guide to Raw Food Diet Weight Loss! 

Freelee Frugivore, whose website is www.30BananasADay.com and currently has the Banana Girl Challenge on Facebook right now. 

Mike Vlasaty is a powerlifter who has been eating a Raw Fruit and Veggie Diet for 4 1/2 years.  He is one of the strongest long-term raw foodists per pound in the world today, and is currently training for a powerlifting competition this year. 

Victoria Arnstein is an ultramarathon runner, mother of 3, co-creator of the Woodstock Fruit Festival.  Her website is www.OneFruitAtATime.com . 

Jeff Sekerak is a SUPER FIT VEGAN!  He provides exact fool-proof steps to guarantee your success with fitness and a diet of raw fruits and veggies! 

Victoria Everett aka The Crazy Banana Lady has lost over 100 pounds and healed herself of schizophrenia as well as a myriad of other health problems with a diet of raw fruits and veggies!

Tonight was Vlada Divine.  Her website is www.DivineOnRaw.com . 

Most are giving pretty much the same information and I would like to include my notes  here to remember it. 

For enough calories include dates with your banana smoothie
Transition with potato with salsa if necessary
Add greens for minerals to keep cravings away.  Greens are ESSENTIAL!


Book "Green for Life" by Victoria Boutenko
Key Element of Success are Blended Salads/Smoothies/Raw Soups
May be tomato and cucumber based with bell pepper, zucchini, romaine, spinach, arrugula.  Lemon or lime juice.  Hot pepper, jalapeno
Greens are Essential for Minerals and to have NO CRAVINGS especially at night.
To keep warm in cold weather eat food raw or blended at room temperature.  Drink warm water.  EAT MORE CALORIES TO STAY WARM.

Cauliflower Hummus Recipe
10 ounce bag Frozen Organic Cauliflower thawed
Vitamix juice of 1 small lemon, a little water, 2 to 3 Tbls Raw Tahini, garlic optional.
Serve with sliced cucumbers or lettuce leaves.

BODY WEIGHT EXERCISES
Pushups, Squats
Running

Deep Tissue Cleanse is Detox - just keep working through it - even if after a few years.  It ALWAYS gets better.

Today, dad, Luigi and I went out to lunch to Jack-in-the-box.  Then, first we went to the dog park at 7th and Mission in Hayward.  Then, over to the new dog park on Sleepy Hollow.  Both parks were exceptionally fun today.  Lots of nice people and fun dogs.  Really great day.

You have every reason to feel confident. You're amazing!

Fun day.  Started out with a whole, raw, red bell pepper for lunch.  Lots of running around.  Got to thinking about all the little projects I wanted to work on today, and somehow, during all my running around, figured out how NOT to spend all the little extra monies I had planned on.  Lots of creative ideas.  Pretty satisified with myself.  Good Job Linda!

UNCLE JOE'S TATTOO!

Uncle Joe turns 90 this October 6th.  He has had this tattoo on his upper left arm since he was 12-years-old!  Yes!  He hid it from his mother and father!  She is even more adorable in person.

Today dad and I had lunch with Uncle Joe and Auntie Isabel here in Hayward at Denny's Restaurant.  Lots of fun.  Beautiful summer day.

Fresh starts and new beginnings.

Very positive day.  Installed new water filter in kitchen.  The water tastes delicious.  Had a Starbucks carmel frappacino and after 2:00pm for $2 tried the Very Berry Hibiscus iced drink.  Loved it.  Went to Garin Park and washed and waxed my entire car.  Beautiful.  Watched the DVD from the Library "Paul" with dad this afternoon.  Quirky.  Funny.  Last night went online and ordered wire cubes for my closet to ripen fruit.  That should be pretty fun.  Received my bar of MSM soap.  Can't wait to try it.  It's supposed to really help my complexion and make my skin feel soft.  Cuddling with Luigi.  Now I'm going to go listen to tonights audio on the computer about eating raw fruits.  There will be a total of 27 speakers throughout this month.  So far, I have loved every interview.  Also, have been enjoying YouTube videos by lots of people about eating raw fruits.  I have three ripened bananas ready for me to eat now.  But, I am sure I will eat that buttered popcorn across the room from me.  lol