Of course you can! BUT prepare your body…

Here are some of the most important things to remember if you’re planning on going raw and working out. Tips below are from Rita G., researcher for books such as The China Study, and soon-to-be author.

Get Complex Carbohydrates Before The Workout

The first thing that you must make sure you do is get enough complex carbohydrates in your diet before you head out to do your workout. These complex carbohydrates are what will provide the fuel your body needs to get through those gruelling workout sessions, so without them, you’re going to sputter out quickly. One of the simplest complex carbohydrates to have before a workout is raw unprocessed oats. Mix these with a small amount of died fruit and some honey for added sweetness. Then form into tiny balls that can easily be consumed before you head off to the gym.

Finish The Workout With Fast-Acting Carbohydrates

Second, you also must make sure you get a head start on proper recovery by including a fast acting carbohydrate source immediately following your workout. This is when the muscles are most likely to suck this glucose up instantly, helping to regenerate the muscle glycogen that powers you through your exercise session.

Sugars will be broken down faster in the body than a grain source which requires more reactions to take place.

Fresh fruit or dried fruit works great in this case as the sugars will be broken down faster in the body than a grain source which requires more reactions to take place. Juice also works well so if you’re not in the mood to consume solid foods after a hard workout, that’s a good option to turn to.

Do Not Neglect Protein

Turn to hemp seeds, nuts, (greens) as well as beans to get as much dietary protein in as possible. Beans, also mentioned as a good pre-workout carb, are really ideal for before your workout as long as you don’t find them so heavy that you cannot workout.

You may risk losing muscle mass while exercising.

Just be sure you don’t go below half a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight or you may risk losing muscle mass while exercising. Being sure to get in enough carbohydrates will also help to eliminate the risk of this occurring as well since that will help prevent incoming protein being utilized as a primary fuel source.

Take In Enough Calories Total

Finally, the last thing that you must be sure to be on the lookout for is total calorie intake. If you’re meal plan on your raw food diet contains mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, your calorie intake is going to end up being very low and this can make it incredibly hard to get enough energy in to get you through your activities. Active individuals who exercise three to five times a week should aim to eat at fourteen calories per pound of body weight, so do a quick calculation for yourself.

If you’re aiming to lose weight you will want to eat slightly less than this but do remember that there is definitely a limit as to how low you can take your calories.

If you bring them too low you risk your metabolism slowing down, preventing further fat loss from taking place.

So be sure you keep these tips in mind if you’re starting up on a raw food diet and are an active individual. You want to be extra sure you’re getting the right foods at the right times of the day because this is what will help you see optimal results from your workout plan.

(All info from http://therawchef.com/therawchefblog/can-you-really-eat-raw-work-out)

Here are two images from our event in Cannes on Thursday. Been a little nuts, so sorry for the few posts this week. xx

Landed in Cannes today, did a walk-thru for tomorrow’s event, then headed out to euphoria Calvin Klein’s yacht for a glass of champagne. Sipped a little, not a big drinker.

Recently started drinking hot water with fresh squeezed organic lemon juice every morning, before my breakfast. Why? Here are a few REALLY good reasons – besides the fact that it’s a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin B, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins, etc.

TEN REASONS FROM MOJOLIFE.COM:

1. Good for stomach: Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.
2. Excellent for Skin Care: Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.
3. Aids in Dental Care: Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.
4. Cures Throat Infections: Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.
5. Good for Weight Loss: One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.
6. Controls High Blood Pressure: Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.
7. Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders: Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.
8. Good for treating Rheumatism: Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.
9. Reduces Fever: Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.
10. Acts as a blood purifier: The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

Fall in love with your body! It’s so unique, so beautiful, so miraculous. Think about it, the way it functions is incredible. Hug yourself today. Tell yourself how gorgeous YOU are. Embrace your body. Give your body compliments.

If this is too difficult for you, think about why? Start facing any untrue negative inner voices in your head that go against you. We all have them, it’s just a matter of if we listen to their nonsense or not. Ugh shut them out!! Turn them off!! And if they keep coming back, don’t fight them, just let them pass. Focus on something positive instead.

Love your body.

Pic is from last summer in Stockholm when I visited a close friend of mine, beautiful Anna Sjödin.

The best way to stay on track – the healthy track – is to plan and prepare. Stopped by Whole Foods today to pick up a few things for Monday and Tuesday since I’ll be in Cannes the rest of the week. Yeah!

Bought some bee pollen (great to throw in smoothies) and it’s actually one of the most complete foods in nature, providing a wide variety of essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, protein and amino acids.

Yesterday I attended REVEAL, a conference focused on The Next Generation of Feminine Spiritualy held in Urban Zen, Donna Karen’s husband’s old studio in West Village. It was such a magnificent space, full of beautiful red flowers, glimmering candles, and projections on huge walls of nature, Indian culture, mankind, etc. Over 200 young woman from all over the country, maybe even the world, gathered in this room to discuss spirituality and how we can benefit from letting our Spirit, Inner Guide, God, Feminine Divine – whatever you want to call it – guide us in life. We need to all let go of negative thoughts that clutter our lives and listen within. Everything you need to know is within. You cannot rely on material things such as a nice car/house, diamond ring, or all the “bling bling” in the world to make you happy. Although, please don’t misunderstand, money can be beneficial in allowing you to pursue your real true meaning, since the financial aspect would not be a burden hanging over you. But again, JUST focusing on material matters as your only way to happiness will not work.

Take some time to reflect. Write down what it is you want in life and start living it NOW. Not 10 years down the line. WHAT is it you want at this very moment? Your Spirit is waiting to give it to you. Trust me on this one. I’ve seen it happen.

I learned an incredible amount of knowledge yesterday and am so thankful for this. In upcoming posts I will share ways to connect with your Spirit. Let it come forth and you will see miracles start happening all around you. We are meant to have miracles in our life on a daily basis. Life is meant to be filled with happiness and ease. But you can’t wait for happiness, you need to start telling yourself you have it now (even if it feels like you don’t).

In the images above are a few of some of the beautiful women that spoke yesterday. I will also share information about each one in posts to come.

Love to all. Have a happy day!

…makes the meal so much better! So put some love & time into it – and you’ll get ever more pleasure out of eating. Don’t just throw a few pieces of lettuce on a plate and call it a day…hmmm boring.

Who knew violet fruits could prevent multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s? Makes you want to eat one huh?

When it comes to exercise and training, I love setting goals. My next goal is a 1/2 marathon – got inspired by my boyfriend Stefan, his sister Marie, and Fredrik in picture above this weekend. They ran a great time in Long Island on Sunday, under 2 hours. Congrats guys!

Do you have a goal?