Snack time!

Personally, I've always been a fan of carrots and peanut butter - though most people find that gross. After I cut peanut butter out of my diet (peanuts can often be contaminated with a very dangerous carcinogen called aflatoxin), I turned to all other nut butters. My two favorites are almond and cashew.

In the picture shown is my on-the-go bowl of apple and carrots, plus a side container of cashew butter to dip them in. I eat some variation of this almost everyday. It fills me up and is the perfect snack.

This snack is ideal for people who have a hard time eating fruits and veggies on their own. Dips (unless homemade and sugar-free) are essentially chemical waste (that may be a tad dramatic).

I dare you to try this! It's so good if I didn't get full I could eat the whole bag of carrots!

Health 101: Lemon and Chia Seeds

I've been slacking with this new blog. I've gotta make this a new habit among a million other things as I try to revamp my entire life.

Here are some easy, important things to keep you healthy!:

1. Drink as much water as you can! I try to do this everyday but realize it can be hard when working/on the go. I invested in an (very) expensive glass water bottle, but i absolutely love it! I take water bottles with me everywhere so that I always have water. Drink at least a full glass right when you wake up, your body has just gone (hopefully) 8 hours without water and needs it. Start the day off right!

2. Add lemon to your water. Lemon helps detoxify the body and is actually alkalizing, though considered by most an acidic food. Western diets are filled with acidic foods like grains, meats, and dairy. It's important to eat alkalizing foods to balance out our bodies pH levels.


3. Eat superfoods! My current go to is Chia seeds, though I've been eating them for awhile I wanted to increase my intake. I've started making Chia "pudding". I pour unsweetened almond milk in a jar and then stir in Chia seeds (as many as you want!) cover, and let sit in the fridge over night. In the morning the chia seeds have absorbed some of the milk and now have a gel around them, creating a pudding like texture to the almond milk. I top this with frozen fruit and have it for breakfast (I'll take a picture next time I have it). Chia seeds are full of omega-3s, protein, and antioxidants! Since they absorb liquid they also make you feel fuller.

Current Status

Currently I'm still quite unhealthy, though I've got all the knowledge needed to change that. I've been reading a lot and watched a few documentaries. The book that really pushed me to start the process of change was "Clean" by Dr. Alejandro Junger. I recommended it to say the least.

So here's where I'm at right now: I still eat way too much sugar, and grains. I'm a vegetarian and have been fully dedicated to that lifestyle for two years. I'm a vegetarian for a whole array of reasons, but mostly ecological ones. I'm concerned about the impact our current method of raising/slaughtering animals is doing to our environment (as well as the people working in those industries and of course, the animals themselves). I also have zero desire to eat a slab of meat filled with hormones and antibiotics. Though I realize there are other options out there.

As I make drastic changes to my diet and monitor how I'm feeling my vegetarian status may change. If I decide to go totally grain-free I plan on re-introducing (wild caught) fish into my diet.

I try to eat raw vegetables, and organic as much as possible. I've purged fast-foods and pasta as of recently and plan to stick to not eating either of those ever again. I no longer drink milk or juice, rarely consume alcohol and can say no to juice any day (except fresh ones I make myself).

I know that giving up cheese, sugar, and grains is going to be my greatest challenge, as goes for most people.

The Beginning

Hi! My names Rachel, or as I usually go by on the internet "raedoll". I've just started this so I feel a bit like I'm talking to no one but i'll go with it.

WateringWellness is my online journal of my quest to change my lifestyle, habits, behaviours, and feelings (physical, psychological). I recently became interested in food and nutrition and through self-education have become determined to change my life. I want to live a healthy, natural, and positive life. In the Western world most of us are living quite the opposite. I believe our happiness and healthiness are closely intertwined and greatly impacted by our internal and external environments.

I've started up this blog for a few different reasons. First, in the hopes that this blog will keep me motivated and accountable for my journey to a healthy, happy life. Second, because I've experienced how helpful and educational the internet, and personal blogs can be. Lastly, because it's in my nature to want to help people and if someone stumbles across this blog and finds any of it remotely useful,  educational, or inspiring, I'll be happy.