Back to being sugar free. No processed sugar. Eating only raw. Fell off the wagon…again…at the start of March.
I really had to realize that a lot of my life choices have been very juvenile. Like my inner child was running me. So…I’ve put it in time out. Health is something that you should take very seriously in your adult life. I don’t want to wait till 50 or 60 to try to catch up in terms of my health. I’m making decisions now to keep cancer, diabetes, ect at bay.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsTPxnuLc5E]
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“The Remedy” is Supa Nova’s prescription for health and wellness and includes interviews with some of entertainments most prominent personalities. In this celebrity driven culture, young people need to know the importance of good health practices. In his book, “The Remedy,” Nova gives his prescription and a look into the health regiment of some of today’s influential entertainers.
º Erykah Badu º Hype Williams
º Tyson Beckford º Chuck D
º Meylissa Ford º Jim Jones
º Rodney Jerkins
and many more…
I hope this article from Pear Magazine inspires you too, especially if you’re an African American (like me :).
“Black Raw Food History”
by Julie Pitcher
2/2/07 – Pear Magazine Online
The History Makers who started it all…..
Dick Gregory
“I am willing to go to jail for you”
Interview/Article: http://www.satyamag.com/apr96/gregory.html
Dick Gregory’s Home Page: http://www.DickGregory.com
One of the founders of the raw vegan movement Gregory achieved fame with his popular Bahamian Diet in the 1960’s. Also a comedian, political activist, and marathon runner!
Aris Latham
http://www.sunfiredfood.com/Bio.htm
The 2004 Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America acclaims: ‘…the raw food movement owes much to Aris LaTham, a native of Panama, he is considered to be the father of gourmet ethical vegetarian raw foods cuisine in America. He debut his raw food creations in 1979, when he started Sunfired Foods, a live-foods company in New York City. In the years since he has trained thousands of raw food chefs and added innumerable recipes to his repertoire…’ Dr. Aris LaTham has a Master’s degree in Linguistics and a Ph.D. in Food Science. He has been featured on major television stations in the United States (ABC & NBC), and major publications (Essence magazine, Time magazine, Vegetarian Times). He has done seminars for the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and has done consultations for Strawberry Hill, Swept Away and the Golden Door, a spa in the United States and Mexico. Dr. LaTham currently lives and works in St. Mary and teaches food preparation courses, has chef/cook training, offers assistance in detoxifying the individual and kitchen (ridding the kitchen of toxic substances and restocking it with healthful food), and runs a spa.
Karyn Calabrese
http://www.karynraw.com/
A featured guest on Oprah’s Age Defying Women, Chicago raw restauranteur Karyn Calabrese was recently also showcased in Fearless Women over 50, an inspiring coffee table book with stories and wonderful photography.
Storm Talifero
http://www.TheGardenDiet
The muscular and forever young raw vegan, author of several eBooks on Raw Food, producer of the documentary “Breakthrough” about his raw vegan family, and developer of The Circular Workout for muscle-toning without stress for long-term fitness.
Annette Larkins
http://www.annettelarkins.com/
The Black Grandma who hands out her free raw food booklet to everyone who asks her why she looks so young, pretty much everywhere she goes!
And The New Breed…
Lillian Butler
Raw Soul Catering, Restaurant and Classes: http://www.rawsoul.com
Before and Afters and Story: http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/pictures/befafter_lillianbutler.html
Lillian Butler is the Raw Soul of NYC! After experiencing tremendous health and transformation on raw foods Lillian has planted and grown several raw food businesses to help bring this lifestyle to others!
Zakhah
http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/catalog/books_thejoyoflivinglive.html
Zakhah is the young author of The Joy of Living Live, A Raw Food Journey – a wonderful uncook book which also features a comprehensive photographic listing of Black raw foodists around the world.
Khepere Anu
http://www.supernaturallife.com/bios.html
Part of the wonderful crew at Veg Soul, a raw food retreat center in Jamaica! He is also a mathematician and professional investor who has devoted his life to following a path of greater enlightenment, prosperity, and expansion of consciousness. This path includes the practice of an exclusive live foods diet, daily yoga and meditation, and Capoeira Angola. Khepere is committed to sharing the live food lifestyle and a prosperous mentality in his quest to continue to heal and nourish himself and others.
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Penny Powell
http://www.PearMagazine.com
The Editor in Chief of Pear Magazine, the Online Magazine of Fresh Organic Lifestyles covering Living Cuisine and Beyond. With her warm writing, communication, networking and leadership talents, Penny is a strong new voice in the raw food movement.
Yesterday I had a package of fresh raspberries for dinner. Wasn’t that hungry. I was on the phone all night talking to my best friend about a situation with some other of our friends that pissed me off. There was a birthday party and some how we weren’t invited. So high school, right. I know. So, I bitched about it and I’m over it. However, I was proud that I didn’t run out for any nasty goodies out of frustration and hurt. Very proud of myself. Talking it out works much better than eating the pain away. Who knew?
Weight: 184
What I’ve eaten so far:
Green Smoothie: Spinach, frozen mango, 1 banana, frozen blueberries
1/2 cup of walnuts
Large salad with sunflower seeds, olives, mushrooms, carrots and olive oil
I had some stronger hunger pains today right before lunch. They were strongest so far and not terrible, but strong. I’ve noticed my skin is clearing up and looks more healthy. I have an insulin imbalance that causes a dark coating on certian areas of my skin like my neck. That is looking better today as well, although as I was cleansing and decreasing my sugar intake during the month of September, that had been getting lighter and lighter. I feel good. OH and…2 movements of the bowels so far today (I know…TMI…but it’s part of the cleansing process).
Not thinking about and worrying about what I’m going to eat or not eat makes me feel so FREE. That is one of the best things about this life change. I suggest that you not tell an whole lot of people about going raw when you start, because if people were asking and questioning me right now…it would make me think about food and what I was “missing”. I’m sure as my body changes I will get plenty of extra attention directed at how I’m transforming and looking so beautiful. LOL Right now I’m focused and happy.
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“Being a vegan for over 25 years and a proponent of Living Foods, I’ve learned that good nutrition is good eating, good digesting, and absorbing the nutrients your body needs. However, most people eat food that has been cooked and then warmed up. This process depletes the enzyme activity in food and prevents the optimum digestion and absorption of nutrients.I’ve often said, I could have never eaten this way for so many years just eating steamed rice, boiled vegetables, plain lettuce, and tomatoes. I need flavors, textures, and color which all aid in digestion of food. What I hope to bring you is my love of the exotic blend of fruits, grains, vegetables, and sprouts that our natural world has to offer. Remember that the most magnificent gift of any of us will ever be given is our own body.” – From karynraw.com
Karyn Calabrese, one of the most popular and innovative leaders in the holistic health industry, Karyn’s Center provides a sacred space for the balancing of the body, mind and spirit. Serving people of all backgrounds, the center aims at assisting people in their healing process. The Center is designed to address all aspects of well-being, focusing on maintaining health while encouraging disease prevention.
Also an acclaimed chef, Karyn Calabrese has a gift for creating uniquely flavorful raw vegan dishes, making her restaurant, Karyn’s, the longest standing raw-food restaurant in the Midwest. Chicago Tribune’s William Rice calls Karyn, “the high priestess of raw food” and after stepping foot in her signature restaurant, you’ll know why. Raw food dining is taken to new heights as Karyn’s offers carefully prepared all-organic gourmet dishes influenced by her many years of innovative food preparation.
I celebrate Karyn!!!! I’m so glad to see African Americans who have embraced raw food!
]]>- Bananas
- Carrot Sticks
- Apples
- Green Smoothie
I’ll admit I wasn’t all that hungry. After work yesterday I noticed that unlike most of the time, I wasn’t hungry for junk and I felt the same way today. I’m glad that I haven’t had any intense craving yet, but I’m sure that battle will come and go. LOL I’m in it for the long haul though. I went to a friend’s house for a lil get together last night. It was my first social gathering since deciding to go Raw again. There were offers of pork chops, jambalaya and alcohol. Even though the host is a hell of a good bartender…I said not to all of the offers of food and “liquid courage”. 
I was very very proud of myself.
I also got the DVD and CD I ordered from Dr. Llaila O. Afrika about Weight Loss and Obesity that I ordered. I love his Afrikan Holistic Health book. I’m looking forward to hearing his advice on health and wellness through eating. He has a very, very radically Afrocentric message. I’ll let you know what I think.
]]>Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food.
I truly believe this and that is why I’m going raw…again. The last time I went raw was for 2 months in 2006. I have to say that in the last 10 years that was the best I’ve felt and the best I’ve looked. I lost weight, felt great, my skin cleared, and aches and pains went away. I want that again. So, this month, April 2008, I’ve decided to go raw again (4/2/08 to be exact.
I’ve been doing pretty good. I’ve been raw all day at work since Wed, only eating cooked food in the evening. Today will be the first day I attempt to do NO cooked food all day. Some people need more of a transition…I’m a cold turkey kinda chick. I just know what about myself.
Today I’ve had…2 bananas and a fruit shake with raw honey, strawberries and mango (frozen). I’m equipted with my bag of goodies (an apple and a huge bag of baby carrots). Thank God there is a huge salad bar with lots of raw goodies just down the street from my job. I can be hard being raw in the city. I live in DC and I don’t drive, so this blog will also discuss how you can live in the city, carless and still go raw. Where there is a will, there’s a way.
I will post my before and after pics for the month on 4/30. This will help me be accountable to the process. Nothing like posting your “fat” pics online for the world to see. LOL! In the end, I want to be able to see my progress visually. It’s more motivating.
Goals:
Weight Loss – not having to struggle and think about what I eat all the time
Wellness
Loving Myself through Treating ME better
Clarity of Mind
Clear skin (excuma)
Take the journey with me.
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