RAW VEGAN THERAPIST: The Journey to Self-Actualization

Mind over Body

2008-09-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share something really quick. Just remember that the mind has control over the body. Ever wondered why someone who eats an unhealthy diet, smokes and drinks but has a great social life, can live a long and happy life? And why someone who has been eating healthy all their life might develop a cancer? Well, what goes on in your mind is of utmost importance. If you are leading a healthy lifestyle and obsessing about what you eat, but are unhappy with your existence and yourself and have no social support, then, you might rethink this strategy and put more emphasis on simply enjoying life and not being too tough on yourself! Of course, this doesn't mean go a take drugs, get totally wasted and only eat fast food...just don't beat up yourself when you go off the raw diet or have a glass of wine or a huge chocolate cake!!! It's ok, as long as you enjoy it.

I guess the lesson is: enjoy life, live your dreams and be happy and grateful!

Shari

2008-06-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

I just received the phone call and knew. Shari left his body during the night. He did not suffer and died in my parent's arms. He is now in peace. What happens now? Is his spirit still at home and for how long? When we die, we leave our bodies but are still here for a while. How does it all work? Last night, before going to bed, I sent him Reiki...but with the time difference, he was already gone. This morning, I decided to send him energy to help him on his outer body journey, but it didn't work. He does not need the energy anymore. I wish I could know the stages...

Many years ago, I had a dream where the whole universe was explained to me. Life, death, what happens before and after...everything was just so clear, so simple. Yet, I woke up remembering I had this amazing dream, but forgot all the teachings!

I am surprised I am writing right now and not collapsing the way I did when my first dog died. Maybe I have grown, maybe I have gained in understanding...What worries me most right now, is my father. I don't think he has ever experienced any one's death. He wasn't there when our first dog died. He didn't witness what happens...My mother told me she had to take him to the doctor (my father) because he started bleeding from his nose. Unfortunately, he does not believe in a mind/body connection. For him, the body is like a mechanical machine. Strangely enough, after our first dog's death, he developed arrhythmia. Three weeks before retiring, the same day his colleagues gave him gifts and said good bye, he almost went into cardiac arrest. So, what now?

I cannot stop and cry for ever, and the only thing I can do is send reiki to my father. The energy will only go to him if he accepts it, otherwise, it will go to the earth, where it is needed. Even though my father doesn't believe in that stuff, his inner wisdom might still accept the energy...who knows?

I don't think I am realizing...maybe I'm still in denial. It will hit me when I go home in 2 months...thank God, I have my dog and my cat here with me. Actually, I got Bindu, my dog, 4 years ago, to prepare myself for Today. I am not alone, Bindu and Tinka, my cat, are still here.

Ok, now I need to cancel my next exam...there is no way I can focus on preparing for an exam on Saturday. And, by the way, I have the worst exam on Tuesday...How do I keep it together? Because of that program I wasn't able to go home to say goodbye to Shari!!! (anger: second stage of Kubler-Ross!)

Letting go

2008-06-16T14:50:00.001-07:00

As the Buddha said: "Life is suffering". One must learn to let go and surrender to a greater power. I have come to realize that all my life, I had been resisting change. As if I were driving with the breaks on! Life is change, life is impermanence. Everything dies...nothing remains. Holding on to impermanent things causes suffering.

As we are taught during Vipassana meditations, we must observe without resisting or grasping. While meditating, we experience physical pain and must learn to observe without judging and note the impermanence of the sensations. As we just observe without resisting, the painful sensations eventually disappear...and we realize that sensations, just like emotions, are impermanent. There is no need to grasp, no need to resist. Everything is in a continuous flow. Also, when we experience a good sensation during meditation, just like the one I have experienced...a feeling of bliss, of pure energy; we must not hold on to it either, because it is impermanent! As soon as I became aware of this pleasant sensation, it vanished and I was brought back to my senses!

The same goes with raw food. We must not become attached to it. We must let it unfold in a natural way. As our body detoxes, we become naturally attracted to those foods, activities, and people that are healthy for us. It is not a struggle anymore, just a way of life. But what happens when we are offered a cooked, so called unhealthy food? Should we remain attached to our habit or just accept it with appreciation? How do we deal with being a raw vegan and making exceptions?

When I was in the monastery, the food we were served was wholesome and strictly vegetarian. But, as we signed up for the retreat, we were asked about our eating habits. At that time I wasn't raw yet. During the course of the retreat, as we were being taught not to attach to impermanent objects, thoughts, sensations, or habits, we were also taught not to be attached to our eating habits. One day, instead of the usual succulent vegetarian meal with fruits, we were only served white bread as a meal. This was to teach us to let go. Although unhealthy, exceptionally eating white bread was not going to kill us. So, even wanting to be healthy is a form of attachment. It should not be the focus of our lives. In the Buddhist tradition; liberation from our worldly attachment is the goal. Freedom from suffering is only attained once we let go and remove the veil of ignorance.

As for eating animals, this is another question. The main reason I am not eating animals is an ethical and spiritual one. "Thou shall not kill" is certainly the most important commandment in all religions and it is one I choose to respect in its entirety.

The China Study

2008-06-08T07:39:00.001-07:00

I am listening to the audio book "The China Study" and it is fascinating. This study is based on years of scientific research conducted by some of the most prominent researchers in the field of bio-chemistry and nutrition. Basically, the main point I am getting is that animal protein = cancer. They conducted studies with rats and fed them either 5% animal protein or 20% animal protein. Both groups were injected with a cancer provoking agent. Results demonstrated that the group consuming only 5% protein did not develop cancerous tumours, whereas the group consuming the 20% protein had full blown tumors. Furthermore, the study also demonstrated that the tumor growth could be "switched on or off" by alternating the diet.

Now, how do I apply this knowledge to my dog who is currently dying of cancer? I am pushing for my mother, to feed him only raw foods. I have now told her to refrain from feeding him any animal protein or fats. Also, referring to the previous study, it seems that casein is one of the most prominent carcinogens. Casein is found in dairy products.

I am afraid that in the case of my dog, it might be too late...too many years of poor nutrition! I have been raw for 9 months now and have explained the main concepts and advantages to my parents...but, they have resisted almost all recommendations I have given them.

So, do I believe that we create our own illnesses: yes, definitely! What about our pets? Do they create their own illnesses? No, we do that for them!!!! Now, how do I deal with the fact that I do blame my mother for doing things her way and not wanting to learn about health? Did she do the best she could with her limited knowledge? Or didn't she? She has resisted the idea of eating organic, not wanting to spend the extra money...and I don't even mention my father. He basically disagrees with whatever I have to say!

I am aware that being resentful is only going to hurt me and that blaming my parents is not going to help them deal with their imminent loss. I need to find it within me and forgive them for their errors.

I guess we all learn in time. Some take much longer to learn their lessons. I know of people who have lost family members to cancer and have had other family members suffering strokes. Even though they have witnessed the incompetence of the medical establishment in the area of cancer, they still hold on to their blind faith and their old unhealthy habits. It is sad that, for some people, in order to learn, they need to be literally "hit in the face". Things could go more smoothly if we just followed our own inner wisdom and did not live out of fear.

I have heard some of the raw foodists talking about lifting a veil, the veil of ignorance. That, by purifying our bodies, we begin to see things more clearly and to become aware of the illusory nature of things. I think they are right...I feel my understanding is becoming clearer and I witness the ignorance that plagues a majority of the population. Ok, that sounds elitist. How can I explain this without sounding pedantic? Sometimes, I feel that I am light years away from others. That I see the connection between our acts and the consequences...that everything is just as it should be and that nothing happens by coincidence. We create our own reality by the words we speak, the actions we perform, and the thoughts we have. I just wish I knew more people who feel the same way!

Death does not exist. There is no death!

2008-06-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

My emotions are like on a roller coaster...trying to deal with my dog's illness is a challenge. There is also this belief that I have that my father will not be able to live without his dog. He calls him doctor. The dog is his only true friend, his only companion. My father is a very lonely man who does not realize the connection between mind and body. After our first dog died, my father developped arithmia. A few years ago, his heart almost stopped and he had to have a pacemaker implanted. So, yes, that worries me!

On the other hand, I am physically feeling incredibly good. I feel light and energetic. Lately, I have been having green smoothies regularly, been eating mainly sprouts and germinated legumes and have added superfoods. I feel so energized that it is almost a contradiction to feel sad.

So, to deal with the current situation, I am repeating myself that death does not exist. The body dies, but the "me" the "essence" is immortal and remains. Even though I have experienced this a few years ago in a meditative state, I tend to forget. During this wonderful experience, my body dissolved, I was pure energy moving up and down. It was blissful and lasted just long enough for me to become aware of it. As soon as I realized what was happening and thought I had reached nirvana (haha) I brutally came back to my senses...As I had been taught; do not resist bad sensations and do not try to hold on to agreable sensations either!! Everything is impermanent! Life is change and nothing remains. All is energy.

When do you give up hope and prepare for the inevitable?

2008-06-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

Today is going to be a long, therapeutic post. I am trying to process a bad news! I have been spending the last years learning about natural cures for cancer and how to prevent it. Actually, it has almost been an obsession...I questioned myself as to why I had such an interest. Was is because of my best friend's death, was it because of all the people I saw dying while working at a hospital when I was 19, or was it meeting people in the last stages while volunteering at the hospice, maybe it was my 12-year-old cousin diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor? What was it that sparked that passion for health, that interest in natural medicines. Was it that my first dog died of cancer? Well, in the last days, more than usual, I have been collecting info and videos on the raw foods diet and the Hippocrates diet, posting links on facebook and sending tons of info to my friend, whose mother has just been diagnosed. With all the knowledge I have accumulated over the last years, I do feel that I have found the answers to my questions and that I do know how to prevent such illnesses. Of course, as a therapist, I must acknowledge that not only the food we eat, but the repressed emotions and anger also affect our immune system. Being healthy is a 4-level process. 1.We need to consider what we put in our bodies, be it food, water and all other substances we apply to our skin. We are what we eat! 2.We also need to take into consideration our environment, not only check for toxicity, but also be aware of our connection to nature. To be healthy, we must be connected to nature. There is a whole field about this theory called ecopsychology. 3. We need to look at our emotions and release repressed anger, resentment, sadness, and stresses. This is certainly the hardest part of all because it is not tangible. But, as we detox by eating a living diet, we also release emotions and evolve on a spiritual level. 4. Spirituality: while I worked with dying people, I noticed that the ones dying in peace were those with faith. Having faith and knowing that we are not alone is very important. Realizing that we are all connected is crucial. So, to come back to my title, when do we have to give up hope and accept death? I guess for humans, as long as there is a will to live, we should keep hope. As Brian Clement, director of the Hippocrates Institute, said in one of his lectures; "those who make it are not those who say I hope I will get better, but those who say I will get better". What about animals? Actually, I was going to begin my post with this. Writing is a therapeutic tool and I am taking full advantage of it right now, in order to keep my sanity. I would be so happy to hear from others :) This morning, my mother told me that my dog has been diagnosed with cancer and has only little time left to live. My parents live in Switzerland, and because my dog is 14, I decided one month ago to buy a plane ticket, in order to see him one last time. But, it seems I will not be given that chance, since I have to wait until mid-August before I can go. I don't think I will be able to say goodbye. It feels I have all the answers, but in this case, I feel totally powerless. There is nothing I can do from so far away but rely on my parents to do their best. For a few weeks I have been encouraging my mother to juice wheatgrass and give some to our dog. Lately, he has been having trouble walking. I also told her to feed him live organic foods. But, what to do when my own parents don't follow my beliefs and don't really understand the benefits of organic, let alone raw foods. My mother did try it and still makes an effort, but, is she willing to go out of her way to find a wheatgrass juicer in Switzerland? Or even buy the supplements and superfoods? I think my parents already gave up hope!

Live the life you dream, love the life you live!

2008-05-26T09:39:00.001-07:00

I would like to share the trailer of a video I believe is truly inspiring. Kris Carr's "Crazy Sexy Cancer" documentary is a testimony to life, to health, healing, and hope.

Ok, I don't know why, but I cannot upload the video. So, here is the website: www.crazysexycancer.com

Raw support

2008-05-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Oooh, I just realized I still hadn't written about my mom's visit. I was so worried about the fact that she wasn't into raw foods and that I might be tempted to eat cooked meals...

Well, I had the best time ever with her. I introduced her to raw foods, showed her all my dvds on the subject, and prepared a few raw meals for her. She loved it and decided to give it a try! So, for the entire duration of her stay, we only ate raw foods. In fact, we spent a lot of time creating new recipes, inviting friends to taste our new creations, and playing cards!

Yes, we played cards!! I made a special effort there...and it was fun! Because I got rid of my TV many months ago, we had a lot more time to chat, prepare raw foods and play.

My mother had such a great time that she did not want to go back to Switzerland...and, she ordered a book on raw foods to take home. Once she made it home, she told her friends about raw foods, bought a blender and kept preparing raw breakfast for herself.

Unfortunately, my father was of no support. He actually told her he was disgusted by her raw foods and never even tried any of her dishes...eventually, she went back to cooked foods.

Social support is so important when trying to eat raw. I am alone, so, basically, I eat what I want. But, none of my friends share my eating habits...although some of them enjoyed my raw dishes and are trying to include more raw foods into their diets. I guess, it is important to create a raw comunity, even if it is an online one. It is always nice to know that we are not alone and that we are not crazy because we are not following the rest of society.

Not just a diet but a JOURNEY

2008-05-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

I was reading one of my last posts about my experience at the dentist. Well, I guess that's where it all starts. A short time after that, I began dating a dentist. He explained to me that it is not possible to be allergic to epinephrine, since this is a natural substance produced in our bodies. So, what might have happened is that the dentist injected it directly into my bloodstream and it went straight to my heart. Hence, the feeling of fainting. After this incident, my new "boyfriend" became my new appointed dentist. When he decided to re-do my filling (bad idea!), he injected me with the minimum amount of anaesthesia. But, because of my clean diet and my detoxified body, the dose which was supposed to act for 30 min had an effect for at least two hours!

As I was saying, I began dating the dentist...what to do when you are a raw vegan who believes in compassion for all sentient beings and non-violence and your boyfriend is a carnivore who believes animals were put on this earth for us to eat? Well, at first, I tried explaining the reasons for not eating meat...the fact that meat production is one of the leading causes of global warming, that meat consumption is detrimental to our health, that by adopting a vegan diet we could feed the whole planet...I even provided him with some of the research. Actually, he was the one questioning me over my eating habits and challenging my opinions. As far as I was concerned, I decided to respect his choices and do my own thing. Well, it seems people tend to become quite emotional when their belief systems are shaken. Especially when it comes to meat eating, many people tend to react quite aggressively and attack vegan ideals. This is exactly what happened. He told me I would hate his friends if I ever met them because they would provoke me by eating raw meat in front of me. Personally, I think this is very childish and immature and not really my problem if they do decide to eat raw meat. But, eventually, the dentist decided I was too extreme and narrow minded and that it would never work between us. I totally agreed (not the extreme and narrow minded part though :)).

As a consequence, I questioned myself, wondering if indeed I was too extreme with my raw diet. In the meantime, I was introduced to a meditation technique and fully initiated. While I went for my initiation, I decided to eat whatever food was there and prove to myself I was not too extreme. The food was all vegan but cooked. Most of it was Vietnamese food and it tasted wonderful. What I noticed is that I could not stop eating, as if I could not get my needs satisfied. When you only eat raw, your body receives all the nutrients it needs and therefore, you feel satiated quite easily. But, on cooked foods, your body cannot access the essential nutrients as easily and therefore needs bigger portions. The whole initiation experience was wonderful and unforgettable. So, I did not feel bad about breaking my 100% raw diet.

Following this experience, I began making more and more exceptions to my raw diet...and feeling not so happy about myself. But, I guess it is part of the learning process and finding balance takes time. We need to follow the middle way...Now, I am still making a few exceptions for vegan cookies, but I have introduced many more green leafy vegetables and drink my green smoothies daily. Furthermore, I have finally decided to grow my own wheat grass and juice it every morning. Talking about wheat grass, I just read a wonderful free e-book written by Ann Wigmore, the founder of the Hippocrates health institute: Why Suffer?
This book was a true inspiration and helped me to go back to almost 100% raw!

This raw food diet is not just a diet, it is a journey: a physical, emotional, and spiritual journey! I can feel the changes on all levels. I have always felt deep compassion for all the animals, but what is more now, is a deep sadness and realization of what is happening to our earth. It is as if I have become more sensitive to the suffering of our planet and its inhabitants...

At a spiritual level, I now realize that every single action will have a consequence. I really believe that at this time in history, we need to act immediately and do what is right. There is no more time to loose...we need to wake up to the reality of the critical situation. As some have named it: the Terminal Triangle: global warming, peak oil, and economic collapse, is happening before our eyes. There is no need to blame our governments and politicians, or nations about the current state of affairs. It is too late for this and it is urgent we take personal responsibility. As Ghandi said "be the change you want to see in the world". We need to change our behaviors first and foremost. The rest will follow. We need to look into the mirror before pointing the finger at others. We are all in this together.

Once you remove the veil of ignorance and realize what is currently happening to our planet and its inhabitants, you might go through the stages of grief delineated by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. I would say that a majority of the people today are still in a state of denial. The reality is too overwhelming to be accepted. Once you move into the anger stage, you might begin arguing with others and accusing them of causing too much pollution by their meat eating habits and their waste of energy. Well, the more you accuse and blame someone, the more they will remain entrenched in their destructive behavior. This is where it takes enormous amounts of patience and compassion. The best way to help someone change is by being compassionate. We all have been ignorant at one time or another in our lives. It takes time to grow and not everyone evolves at the same rate. There is a reason for everything. We are all students put on this earth to learn. Some are about to graduate and leave the "school", some are repeating classes, some are just beginning, and some are almost there. Those who are almost there only need a little push. The rest need more time and there is not much we can do about it.

So, what stage are you in?

I'm back!!!

2008-05-25T18:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, I realize it has been such a long time since my last post...I couldn't even figure out how to log in to my own account!!! Well, here I am, still raw and happy!

Before I go into all the events of the past few months, I would like to share a recipe I just invented. I love it so much that I am eating it over and over again. What usually happens it such cases is that I get sick and tired of eating the same thing after a certain time, never prepare it again, and totally forget how I made it in the first place! So, just in case this happens, here is the recipe for my raw veggie coconut curry: preparation time: 5 min!

Place in a bowl:

1. dried raisins
2. cashew nuts
3. sliced tomatoes
4. sliced carrots
5. sugar snap peas
6. bean sprouts
7. sliced mushrooms
8. broccoli
9. last but not least; dill

Be creative and add other veggies of your choice :)

Coconut curry sauce:

1. coconut milk
2. curry powder
3. garlic powder
4. garam masala
5. Himalayan salt
6. cayenne pepper

Pour the sauce over the veggies and voila!

And for dessert:

Use the rest of the coconut milk and add raw agave nectar and some strawberries. Refrigerate for 15 min and enjoy :)

The Dentist:

2007-12-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

Today, I went to the dentist to replace an old filling. After receiving the shot for local anesthesia, I began feeling really bad. My heart was racing and I worried I might faint. The dentist told me it was the epinephrine...in 3 months, I haven't taken any medication or cooked foods, so this was the first toxic substance entering my body. It's the first time I have such a reaction. I think that the cleaner our bodies become, the more they will tend to react to foreign substances!

In two days, my mother will be visiting from Switzerland and staying with me for almost 1 month. This will be my first real challenge as she is not into raw foods...not even organic foods for that matter. Many times, I have tried to explain to her the advantages of eating organic...but it does not seem to register. So, until now, I haven't had any temptations...but it will become difficult if she begins to push me or tell me that I am too skinny...None of my friends are raw, so there goes the support! Hopefully, she will notice some positive changes in me and give raw foods a try :)

Major Changes

2007-11-30T08:32:00.000-08:00

Well, apart from losing weight very easily by eating as much as I want, one of the major changes is in my skin. First of all, the orange peel type of skin has become totally smooth, no more cellulite. The skin on my face is much healthier...it almost seems as if the wrinkles are diminishing!

But, the biggest change of all, the one I was not really expecting and that has taken me by surprise, is the mental clarity and effectiveness. I noticed that it took me very little time to put together some presentations and papers for classes. Usually, I stress about those things and take ages to write papers. But this time was different, I just had it all figured out and was able to write it with great ease. For those wondering...I did really good on the paper and my presentation really touched many people who came to me to congratulate me!

It has only been 3 months now...so, there will still be a lot to write about. And yes, I have experienced symptoms of detox...I read that those symptoms can last to about 4 months. Nothing major going on right now, but after the first month, I had a few extreme days. I was not sure whether it was food poisoning or detox. But, since I had not eaten anything that could trigger such a reaction, I figured it was detox. I lost 2 pounds in 2 days...I've also had 1 migraine in the first weeks. But, that's a usual thing for me since I have been suffering from headaches and migraines since childhood! But, the good news is that I haven't taken ANY pain medication in more than 3 months!!!! So, when those headaches occurred, I used homeopathic medicines and self hypnosis. It worked!!!! I guess homeopathy really begins to work once you rid yourself of all the toxic junk and medications from your body :)

2007-11-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

The Ritual: To begin, let me start by introducing myself and tell you about my name. A few months ago, my friend and I decided to create a "ritual" to celebrate life and give thanks to Mother Earth. Since this was our first ritual, we chose to celebrate it on the day of the Summer Solstice. Having no clue on how to exactly perform such a celebration, we agreed to follow our intuition and include a few natural elements. Thus, we gathered our favorite crystals, two wooden bowls filled with water, and some incense. After performing a guided relaxation, we took turns and placed one crystal at a time in the wooden bowls, invoquing a new quality. Once both bowls were filled with the crystals, we placed them aside for a few hours in order to let the water impregnate itself with the vibrations of the crystals. In the meantime, we both chose a new name. The purpose of choosing a new name was for it to represent the new person we were about to become. I chose "Leelah" which for me symbolizes dancing with life. Hence, the purpose of this exercise was for me to embrace life more fully, enjoy each second and learn to let go. Finally, to close the ritual, we each drank the crystal water. The reason I decided to share this ritual with you is because I believe that on that special day, a profound change began. There are no coincidences...something did happen and my wishes are slowly being exhausted.

Dancing with Life: What does "dancing with life" mean to me? Well, I think it means becoming one with nature, letting go of the sense of separateness and feeling once again the joy and energy of childhood. Not being so serious anymore and just enjoying the journey. As a doctoral student in clinical psychology, I tend to experience a constant stress due to the pressure of exams and a need for perfection. Up until recently, all I could think of was getting to the end of this loooong program...but, on the way, I have learnt that it is not the destination that matters but the journey (Peaceful Warrior). So, I now try to enjoy the ride...and take time with my dog at the park on the water, listening to the waves on the shore and the wind in the palm trees. Yes, I live in the tropics :) Well, two and a half months ago, a friend of mine gave me a flyer he had "found" in the natural foods store. This flyer was from a Raw Chef Caterer who offered to deliver prepared raw vegan meals.

The Seed Had Been Planted: Years ago, I had read a book on raw foods and was very excited about it. I discussed it with my best friend, trying to convince her to adopt healthier eating habits...but, she gently laughed, responding that she was fine. Maybe a year after our conversation and just before her 30th birthday, her father suddenly passed away. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she responded: "I don't want to loose anybody anymore. Once I'm gone, then I won't care anymore". Shortly after that, she began complaining of back pains. After several tests and wrong diagnoses, the doctors finally concluded that she had cancer. Within two and a half months, she passed away in August 2001.

Asia: The death of my best friend was a great lesson. From then on, I decided to take my health into my own hands and educate myself. Years before that, I used to regularly consult naturopaths and rely on them to fix me. Well, in 1998, I traveled for 13 months throughout Asia and while I was there, I did get sick quite a few times. No one to run to anymore...until I learnt a good lesson. Someone I met in Dharamsala (India) gave me Reiki. It really helped get my energy back and made me feel much better. So, I asked for more. Well, he said no and that it was time for me to learn to heal myself. At first, I was not very motivated and had never before felt the need to learn healing techniques. But, because of this person's insistence, I signed up for my first Reiki course. It was amazing and transformed me! After that, I went for a few more courses and practiced a lot on fellow travelers. This was my first step into a bright new direction. The direction of self discovery and empowerment! The beginning of my journey to health.

Moving to the US: When my best friend passed away, I wasn't eating raw but had been a vegetarian since my teenage years. Shortly after her death, I moved to the States and ended up going back to school. I was a bit upset by the fact that no one seemed to follow my dietary recommendations and did not take nutrition or health seriously. Once I settled into my new home, I discovered health food shops bigger than I had ever seen before. This was almost paradise!!! All this healthy, organic food :) Slowly, I switched to a purely vegetarian and organic diet and cut down on dairy. From then on, I stopped getting colds...but the energy was still not great. My weight was stable, but I was stuffing myself with "gluten free" chips and cookies, organic chocolate and pizza...not even aware I was on a purely processed "organic" diet!!!

The beginning of my new journey: On the day my friend handed me that flyer, I contacted the Raw Vegan Chef and ordered my first meals. This time, I had no more excuses: raw vegan food at my doorstep! The reason I had not done it earlier was that after a few days of eating salads, I just got bored. I had no idea of all the Yummy raw foods and recipes available out there. This was on September 03 2007.

My experience with raw food and detox: I am happy to report that I have been 100% raw for 2.5 months!!! I have sooo much to share about this experience...