Clear Skin

Bravery at its best! Me, right out of the shower :)!

I have learned a lot about skin care over the years. When I was a young teen, about thirteen, I began to suffer from mild acne. Thus began my escapade with every acne medication known to man :). I can see in hind sight that all the medications only complicated my situation. My acne went from mild to moderate, and I began to get cystic acne on my chin. Two rounds of Accutane could only keep my spots at bay for a short time, so my love/hate affair with topical medication continued into my early twenties. To read more about my history with acne you can read my first blog post.

I remember having the most neurotic thoughts about my skin, like when the bird flu craze was all over the media I thought to myself, "If I can't leave my home, I won't be able to get my prescription acne medications." What in the world was I thinking?!?!..... What about food? Who was I worried was going to see me with some pimples in the middle of this supposed crisis, and why did I think they would care about my skin?! I was a crazy woman about my skin.

I can honestly say some of that anxious emotion was tied to certain foods I was eating at the time, but some of it was also me feeling out of control in my life. I wanted so badly to feel in control with my skin and my body. I was confused, slightly depressed and lost. Focusing on my appearance allowed me to not focus on the real problem. The real problem was I didn't truly know myself and I wasn't on path, meaning I wasn't fulfilling my souls deepest yearnings. I was trying to do what I thought I was "supposed to do", what society and often family and friends expect us to accomplish, but it wasn't feeding my soul so I lacked enthusiasm and drive. I fixated on other things to avoid the uncomfortable nagging of my soul.

It wasn't until I began to change my diet that I began to get very clear mentally. I began to tune into my true self (or some might call this my "higher self") and it was then that every aspect of my life began to rapidly change, including my skin. In the past, I had always been afraid to go off my acne medications. Now that I had a new awareness, I decided I didn't care any more what the consequences were for my skin. My decision was about my health, not vanity. I knew for the health of my entire being it was the best choice to stop putting toxic chemicals onto my skin and in my body.

I remember that week so clearly. I stopped all my medications at once. I was using two topical medications, one in the morning and one at night. I was also taking birth control pills which I was convinced was also keeping my skin clear. I stopped those too. I decided I was done with all over the counter medications also. I swapped Tylenol and Claritin for homeopathic herbs from my acupuncturist. I kept waiting for the horrific acne to present, but it really wasn't that bad. I wondered if the medications were unnecessary the whole time, but then I would slip and eat some pizza and wow! Sore pimples and greasy skin.

I have been on this raw food journey long enough now that I have a very consistent diet and I can't remember the last time I had pizza :). I have learned what works best for my body and I no longer have crazy cravings unless I haven't gotten in enough greens :). I have experimented enough though to share that for me, dairy and refined sugar are sure enough to bring on breakouts. Grains tend to make me very puffy, like I can't recognize myself in the morning. Cooked oils make me oily :), and on a different note make my throat really sore. Too much salt, raw or processed, causes me to break out. Salt is my Achilles heel, but I get better with that vice every day and my body seems to be guiding me in the right direction.

With skin, less is always more. This goes for your diet, what you do to take care of your skin, as well as what you put on it. These days I try to keep everything as simple as possible. I'm not perfect, and I still get small breakouts from time to time, but practice, attention to my diet, listening to my body and continuing to work on self growth has proved to be a great formula for healthy skin. Oh and how could I forget love :). Loving others and loving yourself. Practice emanating love as much as possible and not only will you feel more beautiful, but you may find little things that used to bother you about your appearance slowly fade from your thoughts and are replaced with thoughts of gratitude.

I keep it really simple and don't put products on my skin I would be afraid to eat. I wash my face with a mild soap (like Dr. Bronners or Terressentials) only if I am wearing makeup. Otherwise, water or a flower water toner do the trick. I do exfoliate by dry brushing my skin and sometimes use a gentle, natural scrub. That's about it! Occasionally I'll do a clay mask, but it's not a consistent part of my skin care routine. I rarely need moisturizer. But sometimes I will spritz with some essential oils because it smells really nice :). If I am in a super dry climate or it's a really dry winter, a tiny amount of shea butter does the job.

Diet has made the largest impact on my skin. I can't stress enough that the health of our skin starts from within. Not only will a raw foods diet with lots of greens improve acne, but you will see health in the sparkle of your eyes, the color in your cheeks and the rosy tint of your lips. I used to hate how pale my lips were without lip gloss. I really don't need it now unless it's for fun. My lips take on a healthy pink color because I flood my body with oxygen.

For more details on skin care and my beauty musings you can check out my interview with Laura Bruno about natural beauty here.

Pet Holistic Health Update

In my second blog post I wrote about our pets raw diet and some information about their holistic lifestyle. The little gremlins seem to be a favorite by everyone who views their pictures or reads about them so I plan on keeping everyone posted as to how they are doing as well as discuss successes and any stumbling blocks with their lifestyle. We recently have made some changes to their diet so I wanted to update everyone :).

Our three pets, Malachi, Maikoda and Milo are still doing very well :). They are all three still raw and love their Primal pet food. Despite their love for their food, Malachi, the black and white male, developed an inflamed annal gland....ewwww, I know gross. In light of helping others to navigate a healthy, raw or holistic diet for their pets, I felt I should share what we learned, despite the unappealing symptom :). An inflamed anal glad often develops with dogs when they are not getting enough fiber. You know that commercial with the dog dragging its bottom across the carpet!? That's often what dogs do that have this symptom. Luckily Malichi never did the butt drag... Phew!  

My husband and I take our pets to holistic vet, Jim Coddigton of The Country Vet in Navato. Dr. Coddington is very kind and knowledgeable. I love that he has alternatives to pharmaceutical medications, such as herbs and acupuncture. He lets us know when there is an herbal option and when he feels a medication may be necessary. Dr. Coddigton talked to my husband about our dogs diets and what they are eating. He told my husband that unfortunately the raw foods for dogs that are out on the market are not a perfect food and often lack enough fiber. Of course this depends on the particular dog and their individual needs. I was a little surprised at first because we often give our dogs fresh roughage mixed in with their food, but around the time this problem developed, we had been slacking with mixing in their fresh roughage. We were very busy because we had just moved and I figured they were getting a complete and balanced meal, and that what we added was just extra good stuff :). Silly me, as of course just like humans, dogs benefit from variety. Our vet suggested a dehydrated brand that he feeds his dogs. 

I took this information to heart and researched the brand he suggested. The ingredients actually ended up being nearly identical to the raw food with the exception of potato. This particular brand was also not organic and, if possible, I like to keep my pets on organic food, as commercial animal products (especially pet grade) often contain hormones, antibiotics and many toxins. Our pets also LOVE their food, so my husband and I decided to first try to add more fiber to their current food and see if they did well. Our vet also suggested this option, but in the form of psyllium husk. 

We have been slicing up sweet potato or squash on our mandolin and storing that for a couple days at a time in the fridge. The thinly sliced/chopped pieces enables the sweet potato to be easily digested. Dogs in the wild eat roots and tubers as a part of their natural diet. This gets mixed into their food along with any other roughage we have been eating, such as carrots, zucchini, greens and celery. I also have been saving the pulp from juicing (when it is safe for the dogs) and rotating that into their food as well. They still have been loving their meals and Malachi's situation has resolved. Yay! 

Ironically, this little incident shows that dogs are omnivores and need more vegetation that many realize. I stated in my past post that there are many dogs that actually thrive on vegan diets, if done carefully and with supplements. Our cat didn't need any changes to his diet. Cats are carnivores and do much better with a higher percentage of flesh. 

I would also like to add that we rotate the different types of Primal meat so our pets get a viriety of nutrients. For a couple weeks they will eat chicken, then they may eat duck and the next salmon. All our pets do not do well with the larger animals meats so we do not feed them bovine or sheep meat. It is important to observe your pet carefully for any sign of allergy or intolerance to particular foods. I have heard of many dogs and cats being sensitive or allergic to bovine, so this is something to monitor when feeding your pet. Signs of sensitivity include loss of hair, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, runny nose and watery, runny eyes. Also, trust your pets instincts if for some reason they avoid a particular type of food or do not eat very much of it, later becoming sick. Here is a quick list of foods that are not safe for pets: all parts of the avocado, chocolate, apple seeds, grapes and raisins, green tomatoes and tomato leaves and stems, onions, spicy foods, caffeine (not great for humans either) macadamia nuts, persimmons, salt, spinach and milk (most adult cats and dogs do not contain the enzyme to break down the sugar lactose in milk products). There are other possibilities, so it is wise to do your own research and always monitor your pet for their individual needs.

We also began alternating the echinacea supplement to our pets food every other week. Our vet informed us it was best to rotate, as the immune system can build a tolerance when it is constantly being introduced to the system. Our dogs seem to be doing really well with this eating regimen so far, and I will of course update as to any news or changes on this front. We are keeping the dehydrated food as a possible option for traveling, as it is convenient to simply rehydrate in a small bowl of water. Their current pet food is frozen, so it's a bit trickier for traveling. We usually bring a cooler anyway to transport some of our own raw goodies, yet options are always good :).

Lots of love and light from the Margraf clan ~ XOXO

What "Raw" Means To Me

I have come to the impression that many people who are not already immersed in the world of raw foods, think eating raw is about eating apple slices, carrot sticks and bland salads. Some also wonder if I eat raw animal flesh and other raw animal products. I felt it was time to set the record straight on what eating raw is all about for me. There are many variations of the raw food diet, so please keep in mind, this is how I personally eat and my own personal reflections on what this life style choice means to me.

First I would like to say, in my opinion, someone who eats all raw or a large percentage of raw foods, would be someone who follows a raw diet. There are some out there who feel you must eat 100% raw to be able to call yourself a raw foodist, but that mindset doesn't resonate for me, as I am all about inclusiveness and focusing on how we are similar rather than how we are different :). 

The second thing I would like to say is in my world, raw is not law :). There are some who feel if it is raw, it's fair game and healthy. For me, I focus on what makes me feel good, what digests and is eliminated easily, and what doesn't contribute to further burdening my system with toxic waste or residue. There are many raw plants that don't fit into my diet and it is well known that there are many plants that are poisonous to humans...so one wouldn't go about eating these just because they are raw, now would they ;)? We must use our own logic and intuition when choosing to make lifestyle changes. For example, although I have healed many food sensitivities, I am still sensitive to the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers) and so of course, I don't include them at this time.

Thirdly, raw is really a lifestyle rather than a diet. A diet implies it is short term to gain a desired result, whereas lifestyle is about integrating deeper meaning into your choice. It is about incorporating beliefs and having your lifestyle choice run parallel to all facets of your life.

So, what raw foods are included in my diet? I eat a variety of raw foods from the following list:

Fruits, Vegetables and their juices

Smoothies, especially green smoothies

Leafy Greens

Wild Greens

Large Salads

Sprouts

Sprouted buckwheat

Nuts, Seeds and their mylks and butters

Sea vegetables

Algeas

Herbs

Superfoods (I am not a huge consumer of commercial superfoods, but I do enjoy small amounts of maca and dried wheatgrass powder. I like the Greener Grasses brand. I also like chia, mesquite and beepollen)

Raw oils and vinegar (These are great additions when I'm in the mood for something more savory)

Beepollen and honey

I also eat some cooked, whole, vegan foods from time to time, as I mentioned in the previous blog post.

My lifestyle does not include meat and dairy. This is a personal choice and there are some people who eat raw that include raw flesh and dairy. 

There are so many possibilities of creation with the above list that it is far from redundant or boring! Variety is key. It never fails to amaze me the miraculous creations some come up with in the raw food community. You don't ever have to feel deprivation and can satisfy just about any flavor fix you are in the mood for. I have never been one that wants to spend lots of time in the kitchen and I enjoy a simpler raw diet. Even in my cooked days I was all about quick and easy :). Easy and simplicity are key for me and it's important to find your comfort level as well. I notice my vitality, energy and glow are optimal when I eat simply and focus on greens, green juice, fruit and vegetables. On rare occasion I make some complex stuff in the kitchen, and when I do, I will be sure to blog about it, but those meals served more of a transitory purpose in my diet. When my husband has time, he is very creative in the kitchen and with our dehydrator. I'm lucky to get his yummy treats from time to time :).

We all come with our own individual experiences and circumstances that we must take into consideration when approaching a new way of eating. I don't do well with gluten, so this is not a part of my diet. For me, my lifestyle is best approached from an angle of abundance, rather than deprivation. Some like to look at raw as an elimination method of getting rid of as many unfit substances as possible. When I think in this mind set it creates a lot of resistance and I start to feel deprived and get hang-ups about food. It has really helped me to move into a space of abundance, looking at all the great, beautiful options I have and feeling excited to try new things I would have never been exposed to before this lifestyle. I can truly attest that I LOVE these foods, the way I eat, and the way my my mind and body feel. Do what feels best to you, and use your intuition. It is also helpful to read or get coaching from someone who resonates with you and seems to be at a place mentally, emotionally and physically you would like to be at.

I would also like to add that eating raw is so much more to me than making food choices. It has transformed my entire life and has radically effected the way I integrate all aspects of my being. Not only do I eat this way for health, but I do it for its sustainability, the empowerment of being able to grow my own food and to know exactly what I am putting into my precious body. I do it because it is kind to all life and mother earth. I do it because it tastes amazing, fills me with light, love and energy, and has allowed me to get out of a rigid box when it comes to preconceptions about what food is. I also eat this way because it connects me to the planet, to my true self and to spirit.

In love and light~

Cassie

Just Paying it Forward

Mmmmmm, life is good people! I have been completely absent for some time now (I told you all I wasn't sure if this blogging thing is for me)! Life has been busy and transformative :), but what's new? That's how the last couple years have flowed for me. Last Sunday I was certified as a Reiki Master. It was such a beautiful experience and everything I hoped it would be. Getting my Reiki Master certification allows me to teach Reiki to others. I definitely plan on teaching, but probably not for a bit, as I have some spiritual and personal work do before I feel ready to take on the teaching.

I have had some time to really reflect on my goals and what I want to focus on for the upcoming months. One priority is to start blogging more! I have so much information to share with all you lovelies out there. I feel like I just may burst!! :) It's my intention to light up at least a few lives, spread joy, health, and abundance. After all, I have so much to be grateful for it's time to pay it forward, know what I mean? Some things I want to focus on with this blog are raw foods (of course :), whole foods, spirituality, beauty, green living, holisitic living, and downright spreading love and joy! I'll probably update as well about what's going on in my life, on the physical level and beyond ;).

I have been enjoying food soooo much lately. Often I hear comments from people that they couldn't eat the way I do or eat a high or completely raw diet because they love food too much. Well let me tell you! I love food just as much as the next person!  I looooove to eat. For a while, it was my favorite thing to do! ;)

As I have moved along on this path, it has gotten easier and more joyous as I have found other passions in my life. Things that really fill me up with light, love and happiness, much in the same way great food always has. When you are being filled from other areas of your life, it is easier to approach food in a balanced manner. So what are some things that fill me up with joy besides what I eat? Meditation, spending time out in nature with my dogs and hubby, yoga (a new found joy in my life!), dancing, practicing spiritual pursuits ;), reading, writing poetry, photography, laughing till my insides hurt, stargazing, learning about ancient civilizations and connecting with other like minded souls. My list could go on and on, but what I am trying to point out is, it is easier to start making modifications to your diet when you are being filled up by other aspects of your life. 

If you feel that you are at a place where you can not possibly make changes to your diet, that's OK. Maybe focus first on balancing other aspects of your life, and when you feel ready, start out with baby steps, perhaps tackling one food habit you would like to nix. Maybe you want to give up soda, or coffee. Maybe you want to become a vegetarian or vegan. Perhaps you want to start to become educated about what actually goes into mainstream food and to start eating a more whole foods diet. Whatever your goal, you can do it at your own pace and in your own time. Eating raw, or any healthy lifestyle for that matter, is not a race. It's about self growth, conscious expansion and self responsibility. Awakening to truths and taking back our personal power.

So many people in the health movement, including the raw food movement, are focused on right and wrong, black and white, good and bad, when it comes to food choices. We, as a planet and collective consciousness, are moving out of that paradigm of polarity and into one of inclusiveness. It is not difficult to get caught up in the ego, trying to rationalize our opinions, observations and personal experience. When we do this, we are forgetting the most important detail. We have the power of god within us and we are within god, we are pure love and light, and all possibilities and realms are available to us. We have the power to choose and manifest whatever reality we want. When we choose from a space of love we are guided to an outcome that is beautiful for ourselves and the highest good of all life. Let us not separate, and judge each other. Let us not latch on to dogma and beliefs. Let us rejoice that there are so many ways to eat and nourish our bodies and let's celebrate each others freedom of choice. When we stop trying to figure it out with our heads, and choose with our hearts, we can't go wrong. Does the way you eat make you feel beautiful, happy, healthy and alive? Does the way you eat give you energy, peace and connection? If so, you are doing something right :). If not, perhaps it would be a good idea to look within and see where you are meeting some resistance. 

So what have I been eating lately? Really yummy food! :) I love the way I eat, and I wouldn't do it anymore if I didn't. When I first got on the raw path it was strictly about health, or more specifically, getting rid of some symptoms that were not fun and dangerous. I'm finally at a point where it's not about restriction any more, rather abundance! Do I eat 100% raw? No, I don't. I do eat a very high raw diet, some days eating only raw foods, but 100% raw is not my goal. 100% health and happiness is. I may become 100% raw at some point, but for right now eating a high raw diet is wonderful for me. Here are a couple pictures of foods I have made in the last couple weeks.

OK, I didn't make these, but I have been looooving cherries!

Yummy green salad with avocado, sprouts, olives and raisins

Carob Nut Shake

Marinated Veggies

Romaine Boats with cucumber, nut cheese and Lydia's Raw Crackers

Staples in my diet include green juice, green smoothies (lots of leafy greens), fruits, vegetables, nuts (often as nut mylks), seeds, avocados (a fruit :), and big salads. I also sometimes eat steamed veggies, legumes, and grains like quinoa or bhutanese rice. For those who are into percentages, I probably eat roughly 90%-100% raw depending on various factors, like the time of year, traveling, or what my body is asking of me. The percentage is so hard for me to estimate, as one week I may eat 100% raw and the next have steamed veggies for dinner 3 different nights..... I'm really not into percentages as it can give a false impression. I was going to write 75% - 100% then my hubby told me I eat "way more raw than that!" So it just goes to show you, percentage is a matter of opinion. What are we basing those percents on anyways? Try not to get hung up on it. I encourage everyone to find out what works for them and not blindly follow anyones individual truth, including my own :).

Love, light and happiness to everyone!

XO ~ Cassie

Cleansing and Greening Our New Home

Wow, where does the time go??  Steven and I moved this past Saturday and the last couple weeks feel like a blur :).  We are finally in our new home and loving it!  Lots to do though.... our home is older and in need of a bit of TLC.  Some may find this daunting, but for me, at this time in my life, it's fun and a great outlet to let my creativity flow :).

Before we moved into our lovely abode :), I decided to smudge the space with sage.  Sage is an herb that was considered one of the most important medicinal herbs of Medeival Europe.  It has a broad range of properties including being antiseptic and anti-inflamatory.  Due to its various uses, it was not common to find a garden in this time period without this lovely herb.  Sage and smudging has also long been an important part of spirituality to many Native American tribes.  In magick, sage has many properties and is often used to cleanse and purify.  Some other uses are protection, prosperity, fertility, and healing.  I love the smell of this herb and use it on occasion to cleanse crystals, although I prefer moonlight, sunlight and using my own energy flow for this task.  Just be sure to unplug your smoke detectors before smudging!! ;) 

One major obstacle to feeling settled was the project of painting our bedroom.  At our last home, things never felt right to me and I delayed making it feel like "us" because I didn't really want to stay there.  Well, we really wanted to make this place feel like home, so we decided to paint the master bedroom, which was a dark yellow that resembled... well lets just say a type of stain ;).  So what does an earth loving, raw food eating goddess do when it comes to paint??  Go greeeeeen of course!  I researched all the eco paints out there and decided on clay based paint from Green Planet Paints.  The paint is fantastic!  I feel my hubby is safe painting away and not breathing in potent and harmful chemicals.  No typical paint odor as well.  The only complaint my husband had was that his hands got really dried out from the clay.  Yea, he did all the painting :).... What a great guy, huh?  I LOVE the color...... but since we opted for a much lighter one than the original it took several coats.  Then my hubby decided he wanted to paint the trim and ceiling as well.  There is charming trim around many windows and closets in our room so it became quite the project and needed to be finished after we moved.  Needless to say, things are just now starting to come together.  It's all worth it to have a room that feels soooo good though!

As for the rest of our little eco paradise :), we purchased a hemp shower curtain and bath mat from Rawganique.  The curtain has been working wonderfully!  Hemp is perfect for this use because it is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial.  Did you know PVC (plastic) shower curtains out gas 108 different chemicals within the first 28 days of use?!  They continue to outgas for a very long time.  Check out more info. at rawganique.com.   We also have two air filters, which I believe are essential to a healthy home.  Lots of plants are amazing as well at keeping the air in your home clean and free of toxins.... well as much as possible in our world.  We brought along our little green friends and when things get more situated I am going to get some philodendrons and chrysanthemums, which are known for their air filtering abilities.  Spider plants are also great for this purpose.  We have our amazing crystal energies in the new home as well, and you can feel the healing and loving vibes they emit...... loooove them, such a gift from mama earth :).

The first thing I did with moving in was set up our raw kitchen!  We got a couple more items from Seed to make the transition easy and I made yummy, healthy, and easy foods all week to keep me going.  Here's what I ate today ~

12 oz of fresh squeezed orange juice... ahhhh liquid sunshine

Some raspberries

Geeeeeen Smoothie - collard, banana, raspberry, mango, maca, MSM, and Greener Grasses powder

Romaine Boats of yumminess ;)... filled with avocado, lambs quarter, raw olives, sweet onion, hemp seeds and sprouts.

Coconut water and tahini shake - with raw vanilla powder, carob and one banana

Things are definitely moving along and I am so excited for the changes and shifts taking place in my life.  I wish you all many blessings as your own journeys unfold.  Here's to the magic and renewal that spring brings forth!  Cheers :).

In Love and Light ~

Cassie