Go Raw While Breastfeeding – Chlorella

I watched a video on YouTube earlier about whether or not it was safe to go raw while breastfeeding.  Like many people, my main concern is that the toxins my body gets rid of will be released into my breast milk, which obviously could be harmful to my son. 

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Most people I’ve talked to advise to wait until you have stopped breastfeeding before going 100% raw.  The guy on the video earlier, however, seemed to have a different perspective.

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I’m not sure if he was specifically referring to going raw, but he did bring some good information to the table.  He talked about a few different studies that basically prove that changing to a cleaner diet doesn’t significantly elevate the toxicity levels in breast milk.  What’s more interesting is that Chlorella supposedly aids in leaching the toxins from the body.  (In other words, supplementing with chlorella while going raw may help get rid of all the junk in your system.) 

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I realize that going raw isn’t the same as just “improving” one’s diet.  It is a much more serious process.  I’ve experienced severe detox symptoms first hand, and it’s not fun.  It’s just common sense that if I try to go raw while breastfeeding, some toxins will be passed along to Axel.  The question I have is whether or not it would be worth it anyway.
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I don’t want to go raw permanently, but it would be nice to do it for a couple of days.  I’d love to give my body a break by only drinking green smoothies and juice for a few days.  (I’d probably incorporate some sprouts, as well.)  I probably won’t be able to go completely raw until I’m done breastfeeding anyway, simply because we aren’t in a stable enough position financially to do so.

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What do you all think?  Have any of you successfully gone raw while breastfeeding?  Have you heard of anyone attempting to do it, only to find that it just wasn’t possible?  I could really use some help.  I don’t want Axel to suffer through detox, obviously, but at the same time, isn’t he suffering right now by not having optimum nutrition?  This really is a controversial issue, especially among raw food circles.  It’s hard to make an educated decision when there is so little information out there on the subject.

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So, if you or someone you know has gone raw while breastfeeding, please, PLEASE share your experience.  It would be so helpful to me, and I would be forever grateful.  I just don’t feel “well” right now, and I really think a couple days off of cooked food would benefit me immensely.  Thank you all.

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February 27, 2010 | Tags: , , | 11 Comments »

How To Make Green Smoothies

Ahh, the love flame that once burned bright between green smoothies and I has been rekindled.  Patrick has also joined the delicious love triangle (well, I guess it only became a love triangle after he joined… ?).  I have already noticed a huge difference in the way I feel.  Green smoothies are amazing.

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I drank my first (in a long time, at least) about a week ago.  I made it simple by using only romaine lettuce, bananas, and water.  It tasted pretty good, but I think that was mainly because I hadn’t had a green smoothie in so long.  The best part was that it gave me a ridiculous energy boost within about an hour of drinking it.  I seriously started having flash backs of when I was raw a few years back.  Those were the days…

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A few days after drinking my first “so-so” green smoothie, I decided to make one again.  I actually made two, because Patrick wanted to drink some as well.  I used romaine lettuce, chilled bananas, kiwis, and fresh grapefruit juice.  It tasted superb.  The more I drink, the more I crave becoming a 100% raw vegan.  It gives me hope that one day, we will obtain our goal.

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So, what are the benefits of drinking green smoothies?  Well, if you aren’t a salad eating type of person, they are a great way to get greens into your body.  Just blend up some romaine, spinach, or even kale, add your favorite fruits, and presto, you have a delicious, nutrient dense green smoothie.  Surprisingly, the fruit really does cover up the green taste.  (This, of course, depends on how much of each ingredient you use.) 

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Some of you are probably thinking, “ew, that’s disgusting!”  Let me tell you, it’s NOT!  And, even if you are particularly fond of the first green smoothie you make, you can always change up your recipe the next time.  The possibilities are endless.  Plus, I can almost guarantee that if you drink a smoothie daily for a week, you will be hooked.  Your body will be begging for more.  Mine sure is.

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How about a recipe?  I’ll add more later, but here’s the one I came up with the other day.  I strongly encourage you to try this.  You won’t be sorry.  Green Smoothies are like coffee on steroids.

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Green Smoothie #1

  • 2 heads romaine lettuce
  • 2 chilled bananas (peel and break into pieces, then place in freezer for 1 hour prior to use)
  • 2 kiwis
  • 2 grapefruit (you can chill these before hand as well, then squeeze juice into smoothie mix)

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Mix the fruit together first, then add the lettuce a few leaves at a time.  Pour into two large glasses for you and a friend. 

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Enjoy!

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February 25, 2010 | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments »