Apricot Belly

An Unexpected Honour!

2009-02-16T19:45:00.005-05:00

Wow, so I was nominated for this award by someone I really admire, and it's an exciting moment!
The rules of this game are that I must now answer the question: "What are 7 things you love?"
Well...

1. Life, in me, in all things... existence! All of it.

2. Dancing and singing with joyful abandon

3. The circle of good folks who brighten my days:)

4. Laughing for real.

5. All the wise teachers, all who share their learning so generously, the being curious enough to discover them

6. Ripe, juicy mangoes.... figs, blackberries, peaches, cherries....

7. Finding the exactly right word or phrase for what I want to say

Now I must nominate 7 others for this award... It seems redundant now to nominate blogs that have already received it, and I don't think I actually follow enough to avoid doing that, so I'm going to nominate less than seven. They are good though!

Liz at Elizabeth Vs. the Universe
The Vegan Vagabond
Wilde Family at The Wilde Ones Blog
Via811

Day 40

2009-02-15T19:52:00.002-05:00

Yay! 30 days and going strong... this blog has been an incredible help so far, even when I don't write very much. I think I will keep going, though perhaps not every day for the next while.
I'm planning some big life changes this year, so there may be times again when I need the extra encouragement.. I would say though, that even the minor challenges I've been dealing with these past weeks have seemed easier to handle than ever before. If I had to guess what makes the difference, the new diet would be high on the list, along with a daily meditation practice. Although my lifestyle seems more "extreme" than ever (to a typical person looking in I'm imagining), I feel the most relaxed and easy about it now. This really does feel normal, like something I always have known, but forgot about for a while.
I think my singing voice has improved too! Just as a side bonus, because it's not my career or even a major focus of my life, but I do enjoy singing around the house, and lately I've noticed the higher notes are much easier to reach. :)

Day 39

2009-02-14T22:51:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's day! I had a pink smoothie for dinner and watched Monsoon Wedding. There were a few scenes showing fruit stalls in the markets of Delhi, which I noticed longingly... The tropical rains and warm sunshine too. Ooh, it all looked so nice!
I'm hoping to do some gentle stretching tommorrow, to make up for all the erratic running around at work. I'm looking very forward to a rest day...

Day 38

2009-02-13T22:38:00.002-05:00

Tonight I went to a Kirtan, which is a devotional singing gathering. Most of the songs were from an eastern tradition, and so much fun to sing! I loved just losing myself in a sea of voices...

Work has been so busy, and by the end of the day I'm feeling pretty tired :) Tommorrow is Valentine's day, so the busiest day at the chocolate shop. I hope I'm up to it...
Mostly what I do for food when I'm working is take a smoothie or orange juice in a large mason jar and just sip at it when I have the time. Today I had a mango-banana in one jar, and a pineapple-blueberry-blackberry in another. So beautiful, and so good!

35, 36, 37

2009-02-12T22:46:00.002-05:00

I have not kept up with my blogging too well these days! It's been kind of a whirlwind at work, and with some other exciting things happening in life. I hope to keep writing more as I settle into the new swing of things, but probably not so much today...
I had a great salad though that is worthy of mention, with spinach, lemon, avocado and orange. I reeally liked the taste of the lemon and spinach together, wow. I must have needed something in that combination of foods...

Day 34

2009-02-09T23:41:00.002-05:00

Today's post will be short again because I'm sooo sleepy... I worked about 9 hours on my feet, then a friend gave me the most amazing backrub afterwards... it felt so good!

I went for quite a few hours without eating at work this afternoon, being busy and distracted by other things, and noticed that I started to feel anxious and my thoughts became more negative. So the lesson... don't push the body too far beyond it's capacity in one afternoon! As soon as I bit into an apple though, the relief was immediate. I love that gentle lift to the spirit that eating fruit brings.

Day 33

2009-02-08T19:30:00.002-05:00

I had some avocado today for the first time in ages... it wasn't completely ripe, but that didn't stop me from gobbling up 1/2 of one with dinner anyway!

It felt like spring outside this morning, and I didn't even have to wear a toque (Canadian for wooly hat) when I went to work. Hooray! The temperature is supposed to keep rising until it reaches 10 degrees later this week... Ohhhh, I'm so excited for warm weather :)

Day 32

2009-02-06T16:31:00.002-05:00

Last night I was very excited to try out Sarah's "Mangolicious Spinach Salad." I bought cherry tomatoes for the occasion... I had eaten one at a reception after a concert last week, but I think that was the first since summer ended (months and months ago...) so I was looking forward to a yummy salad dressing full of that tangy salty flavour. I'd never tried to mix tomato and mango before, but going by what people have said, it sounded like an excellent combination.
For some reason, my body did not like this salad! I was so disappointed... and perhaps there was something wrong with the ingredients I bought, because the tomatoes didn't taste good to me, and I just couldn't get past a few bites without feeling sick. Then I realised that my body is now so sensitive that I can't get away with eating what I shouldn't, and was grateful for that!

I did my first day of work at "Truffle Treasures" today, and I think it's going to work out well. The staff and owner are very friendly, and although the whole shop smelled delicious, I was not tempted even once! I had my large mouth mason jar full of banana smoothie, and that did me well through the shift. I didn't bring up my diet and it didn't come up ,except to tell the girls I was working with that I don't consume caffeine. It just didn't seem that important to discuss.

Day 31

2009-02-06T16:08:00.003-05:00

A dear friend just sent me this great quote:

"The will of God never takes you where the Grace of God cannot sustain you."

I think another way to say it would be "Life will never present you with anything you aren't actually ready for." Sometimes we don't feel ready to handle what life throws at us, but I'm learning from my own experience that taking a leap of faith to do something Inspired means we will find ourselves supported in miraculous ways.

The author of that quote is unknown, but I just did a quick search and found that it's part of a larger poem. (I won't post the whole thing, but if anyone is interested, do a search for that first line.)

I'll be starting a new job tommorrow, at a chocolate shop of all places! I just found out this afternoon that I got it. Though I have some mixed feelings about serving people sugary candy, I think this place looks like it's got a great atmosphere, and it's a small local business with handmade products so I'm happy to support that. I doubt I'll be tempted to eat any... I'm so happy with my diet right now, and was never that much of a chocolate lover anyway. (Plus - "the Will of God never takes you..." :) Wish me luck!

Day 30

2009-02-05T22:31:00.002-05:00

I said at the beginning of this adventure that I intended to follow 811 and blog about it for thirty days. Well! Although this does feel like a milestone, I believe I've only actually done what I intended since day 11, so I'm going to keep it up until day forty, then possibly beyond... I've found this blog to be such a helpful tool, as well as a pleasurable creative outlet for musings and feelings that come up.

Tonight I ate a pretty decent mango.. and was so hungry when I bit into it that it would have been ambrosia regardless, I imagine! I came home from meditation class after ten, and had eaten a bag of spinach and one apple for dinner prior (due to being away from home all day and neglecting to pack sufficient food), but I'd say the hunger definitely increased my enjoyment of eating :) The meditation class was great too - about stretching our comfort zones and trying things we would normally dismiss as too hard, and about being kind with ourselves and others in the process. The teacher is terrific, and for whatever reason I felt like I had an extra level of listening going on tonight. He spoke of a helpful way to approach life as being curious about everything, and I think I'm starting to taste that on the tip of my tongue... as in beginning to sense the delightfully real possibility of actually living in that way. Mmmm!

Days 28 & 29

2009-02-04T22:34:00.002-05:00

Over the past two days I've been talking with friends members of my family about different aspects of my diet. Both my sister and my father expressed interest, as well as a friend I hadn't seen in a while, and I may have talked their ears off a little bit, I was so excited to explain: how this is our biological diet, where my protein comes from, and that I actually do feel full and satisfied after meals! It was fun, and they seemed very open to hearing it, though not quite ready to jump on the bandwagon... I can understand that for sure. I thought this 'fruit and veggies only' diet sounded extreme and depriving when I first caught wind of it, but clearly something about it was too intriguing to ignore. I went back and researched it for myself, and it didn't take long for me to be totally sold on the idea. The putting it into practise took a while longer... and though I feel like I have some momentum now, I am definitely still learning on that account.

My dad commented today on the fact that I'd lost the "puffiness" in my face and arms, which I thought had happened, but it was nice to hear it from someone else. I have been losing weight, and it's happening so quickly that I'm wondering if I actually am getting enough calories in. The past few nights I have had trouble getting to sleep while my belly feels like it has nervous butterflies, then waking up very early in the morning feeling restless. I haven't been tracking my food intake at all since the beginning of this blog, so maybe it's a good idea to start again... I want to stick to this, and it seems from others' accounts that eating enough is really essential to succeeding on 811. (Isn't it great? I might have to eat more...!)

Day 27

2009-02-02T19:40:00.002-05:00

This was definitely a rest day! I am still in my pyjamas...

For breakfast I made a smoothie that would have been amazing if everything in it had been fresh and ripe... still pretty good though! It was mango, blueberry and banana, with frozen banana and blueberry, and ripe but fairly tasteless mango.
I was given the link to a friends blog today, it chronicles her family's adventures through New Zealand. Apparently they stayed in Fiji for a while at the beginning of the trip and (among other amazing things) ate ripe mangoes straight off the tree! Yum... If I could have one magic wish to make any tropical fruit viable in Canada... mangoes would be that fruit.

Day 26

2009-02-01T22:12:00.002-05:00

So much fruit.. and so little of it is actually ripe!
I know this is a common lament of 811ers, and now I truly understand. Thank goodness for dates and oranges (though not combined!) I might pick up some more apples tomorrow as well.

Not much else to report today... only I may have pushed myself a bit too far skating today, so we'll see how that translates into sore muscles tomorrow. I perhaps should have rested a bit more today since I was still feeling pretty groggy and tired in the morning (which seemed like it might be inner cleansing stuff), but the ice and the sunshine were calling me... and I succumbed to them.

Day 25

2009-01-31T22:56:00.004-05:00

I just came home from a fundraising concert at the local Unitarian church. They were raising money to help a man from Nepal who has taken refuge there, and is planning to leave and then re-enter Canada with his family from who he's been separated for 12 years. Wow!

I've been singing a lot lately at home, and interested in exploring some kind of musical expression. It was a lot of fun tonight to hear all the acts that performed, and sing along to a few of them. I've thought of myself as not being a "city person" for the past few years, but I can see how they are great for cultural events like this.

I ate (scarfed!) a lot of pineapple today, and my gums are feeling a little raw now.. but I think it was worth it. A pineapple-berry smoothie was one of today's meals, and oh-so-pink it was! Just like candy for a fairy princess... and delicious to boot.

Day 24

2009-01-30T21:41:00.002-05:00

Oohh.. I feel a little fuzzy in the head today, tired, and agitated. I'm not sure why, but just going with it for now. I think I am a little hungry actually, running out of ripe fruit at home and not willing to eat anything else might be the issue! I am definitely still perfecting the art of keeping a consistent supply of food around, but I think it's ok for the time being. I think my body is still doing "housecleaning" from a lot of junk I've eaten over the years, and it's actually nice to be frugal with my eating and drink plenty of water for a bit. One day I would like to do a proper fast - supervised if it's longer than 2 days - to see how it feels. I imagine one would feel so clean and clear afterwards.

One interesting thing that I've noticed since starting this whole adventure is that the inside of my mouth tastes salty, even when I'm drinking plain water (is that an overshare?.. Sorry if this info is weird or gross!). It's just a bit mystifying, and I wonder if anyone else has had this experience, and/or if it's a temporary thing as the body gets rid of excess salt.
On a positive note, I'm not craving salty foods as much as I was three weeks ago, except for things like spinach. This feels like a victory! At least for the time being:)

Day 23

2009-01-29T22:54:00.003-05:00

This is a photo taken on my street in Ottawa last December. It looks similar now, except the piles of snow are higher!
Tonight I walked to meet a friend as snowflakes fell gently from the sky.. it was so pretty. I think I might be making friends with winter, crazy as that sounds. I think my perceptions of the natural world are more sensitive lately, and I feel like appreciation for the beauty around me is becoming more of a natural state.
Sarah (livingfruity.blogspot.com) wrote a post today and mentioned depression as a symptom of toxins in the body, and I believe from my own experience that this is possible and likely. No matter how many spiritual books and meditation practises, and even excersise routines I incorporated into my life, something has always felt "off" to me before (although these things do offer their own wonderful benefits). I struggled with an eating disorder for years, and depression, anxiety and fatigue for years after that. Now it all makes sense:) And I really don't mind anymore, I give thanks that I have a sensitive system that wouldn't let me rest until I discovered what really works with my body.
Also, I'm blessed with family and close friends who are wonderfully supportive of my food choices, and let me get on with it. They have all contributed to making this transition both easy and fun, and make all the extra energy and well-being truly worth something. Here's to all the folks who support us as we follow our hearts!

Day 22

2009-01-28T18:59:00.003-05:00

Last night on the news there was a story about a leak from a laboratory in Chalk River that produces radioactive isotopes (just upstream from Ottawa). Today I did a little bit of online investigating, and found two conflicting viewpoints on the issue - it seems that one report made the situation out to be quite alarming, and another said that the whole story has been blown out of proportion for it's shock value. The facts state that some slightly radioactive substance was poured into the river that is allegedly safe for people and the environment. Since I am drinking filtered tap water, and care about my health and that of my family, I find the possibility of radioactive substances in the water supply a bit worrisome! And I don't really know enough about the situation to say for sure whether or not there is a risk.

The radioactive isotopes produced at this plant are used all around the world in cancer treatments. Sometimes I just shake my head at the things that are done in this world... Then I wonder if it's arrogant to wish that most people knew what I know? That fasting and rest, good diet, excersise, prayer and other alternative treatments are available (and effective) without being potentially damaging to the earth and ourselves. I think it probably is! I sure don't know everything.. though I will gladly share what knowledge I do possess. I would love to see an end to the suffering we inflict upon ourselves through ignorance. I hope that throughout my life I am always open to learning something new.

Day 21

2009-01-27T21:42:00.000-05:00

I've started washing my hair with baking soda and water only, and find that it leaves my hair feeling really soft and lovely. I recommend this method to everyone, it's so easy and cheap: 1 spoonful of baking soda in about a cup of water, massaged into the scalp and rinsed out after a minute or two. I haven't tried adding anything like essential oils for fragrance, but I'll bet that is possible for those who desire it. I'm hoping that after a while, my scalp will balance out it's oil production, and I can go on to simply using water to clean my hair. People do this successfully! I believe the name of this movement is "no-poo", and it can be researched on the internet for anyone interested.

Day 20

2009-01-26T11:41:00.008-05:00

Out of curiosity I searched Douglas Graham on Youtube this morning, and discovered this amazing interview series:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8B99B682A2EB8DF5

Dr. Graham talks about the work he does, various aspects of optimum health, and how we as people are designed to thrive. There are some scientific facts, stories from his experience, observations made, questions answered... I found the whole thing exceptionally informative and entertaining at the same time. Highly highly recommended from over here.

As I listened to this talk, I started stretching gently, which led to hopping and skipping around, followed by more stretching, because it feels so good to just move! No routine required:) I think at various times I have avoided excersise on account of not having a structured thing to do, or the fact that it's -25 degrees outside, and not conducive to long walks, or because I was too tired in general. Ha ha! I'm so amazed and appreciative of how good I feel right now.. what a difference.

Photo: Marc Hauser

Days 17, 18, 19

2009-01-25T14:12:00.003-05:00

Three days in one, oh dear!

One exciting food-related thing that happened yesterday was a trip to Costco, and a great stocking up on large bags of spinach, lettuce, celery, berries, oranges and mangoes. I have been craving greens with great intensity, and last night made a salad with spinach, lettuce and oranges, drowned in a berry-orange dressing. It so hit the spot!
Although it continues to be very cold outside, I find I am minding the temperature less now. I bundle up well to go out, and have heaps more energy to dance around and warm up when I'm at home. I'd say that now I'm feeling no colder in general than when I was eating cooked foods, and I think my circulation is actually better. Yippee!

Day 16

2009-01-22T22:36:00.002-05:00

I got to spend the whole day with a two-week old baby! We napped together, walked, bounced, changed diapers, and I passed him on to mom when he got hungry. Eating (for me!) was somewhat a secondary focus, I was so intent on little Aidan, and helping my sister with things all day long that I didn't feel very hungry.
I must say, it feels so good to not be so driven by the demands of my belly. Since I can remember I've been suffering from various digestive/emotional distresses of my middle region, and they seem to be loosing their hold of the past week or so. It's exciting! And really peaceful and organic-feeling at the same time too, like remembering a natural state that's no big deal now that I do remember.

Well, I'm off to bed again.. and mmmm! I just noticed how much like baby I still smell... wonderful:)

Day 15

2009-01-21T19:43:00.003-05:00

Yaawn!

These definitely feel like the bear days of winter... time for hibernation. I'm craving rest now, which is interesting because I think that I used to mistake this sensation for food cravings. It's a distinction I'm still learning to make, to tell the truth! However, it's conscious now, and I feel better able to just relax in the past few days than I have in a long time, so easier to turn to rest instead of a temporary escape like overeating.

On that note, I'm off to bed. Goodnight!

Days 13 & 14

2009-01-20T21:42:00.002-05:00

I skipped a day again! Last night my internet conked out, and today I was out and about all day..

My sister has a new baby boy (2 weeks old), and I got to visit this afternoon and hold the little guy as he fell asleep. It felt like there was so much love flowing through me, all focussed on this perfect tiny person, and my body just knew how to hold him all by itself. Sweetness...

I'm at a point now (at least for the past couple of days!) where all I really want to eat is fruit and greens, and they really do satisfy. I am feeling the effects this dietary choice has on my energy levels and mental clarity, and it's good! I feel kinder and more loving towards those in my life, and even strangers on the street.. I'm sleeping better, handling situations that would have caused me stress previously... People have said before, that it doesn't take long to feel a positive difference on 811, and I can confirm that myself now! Everything seems lighter.

I've also been really into the spiritual books lately, the most recent being a re-read of Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now." I do believe there's a link between physical and the spiritual health, and that one compliments and supports the other. We as people are whole systems, and attending to one aspect will inevitably affect all the others... I feel so lucky to have discovered these nutrition and lifestyle practices in my lifetime, and the joy of (even beginning to!) live closer to nature's laws.

I am really liking the orange/grapefruit combination of juices these days. Liquid sunshine!

Have a sweet day wherever you are..

K

Day 12

2009-01-18T19:11:00.002-05:00

Another very fruity day...

I went out skating with my sister and my mother today on the Rideau canal (the largest skating rink in the world!) Afterwards we all went out to the Bridghead coffeeshop in that neighborhood to warm up. They sell cups of freshly squeezed orange juice, I was delighted to find! Delicious..

The chill crept in a bit though, from skating into the wind, and by the time I got home, was craving warmth. I drank some warm water and wrapped up in a blanket - excellent tips from Sarah at www.livingfruity.blogspot.com. I found the smells of my mother's dinner cooking triggered some tummy-growling and pangs, that melted away as I sat and listened to good music and read a great online interview of Eckhart Tolle. Changing focus really works!

Food-wise, a combination I've discovered that I'm liking now is banana and baby arugula smoothies. Sweet and tangy and spicy all at once... very very good.

Day 11

2009-01-18T11:14:00.002-05:00

So on track today!

I think I actually consumed enough food to feel satisfied all through the day, and into the evening. I have discovered the joys of homemade citrus juices... and the fact that I can make them with a food processer and a sieve. It probably takes a little longer than a conventional juicer, but so definitely worth the effort, and then some. I think also, unexpectedly, that these tart juices make me feel warmer than a sweet meal (bananas, etc), and that is very welcome right now!
There were some very good deals to be had at the grocery store, on the "overripe" produce sale rack. Just goes to show the truth of the saying, one girl's trash is another's meals for the week...
Now there are baskets full of colourful fruit all around the house, and it makes me smile =)

Days 9 and 10

2009-01-16T20:07:00.003-05:00

Well, these past few days I have stuck to fruit until the evening, and today actually truly enjoyed myself. I have been reading (re-reading in fact) The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, staying cozy and warm and present. This evening I had some tofu and broccoli after eating fresh fruit all day, and really, it was fine. It's been good today to really focus on the spiritual aspect of change and addiction, and observe how it's intertwined with the physical.
Life is good! Yum...

Days 7 and 8

2009-01-14T18:14:00.002-05:00

This will be 2 posts in 1, because I have skipped a day somewhere, and also there is not too much to tell, fruit wise.

*sigh*

I will be getting a bunch more bananas today, and that feels like a hopeful thing. I guess I feel pretty hopeful overall, that I can pick myself up and keep going with this. I have been meditating daily for a few weeks now, and I really believe it's been a helpful tool for staying relatively lighthearted and relaxed through all the changes that are happening lately (there have been some pretty big family changes happening in my life as well).

I wanted to share this quote because I just found it, and it quite touched me. It's a good reminder that a healthy fulfiling life includes more than just diet. That I want to be healthy so I can better be of service in the world...

"Be kind to all peoples and nations,have love for all of them,exert yourselves to purify the hearts as much as you can,........and bestow abundant effort in rejoicing the souls.
Be ye a sprinkling of rain to every meadow.......and a water of life to every tree.
Be ye as fragrant musk to every nostril and a soul-refreshing breeze to every invalid.
Be ye salutary water to every thirsty one,a wise guide to every one led astray,an affectionate father or mother to every orphan,.........and, in the utmost joy and fragrance,..............a son or daughter to every one bent with age. "

-‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Day 5

2009-01-13T13:45:00.002-05:00

I have neglected my posting... because I slipped up.
I was feeling very cold, and experiencing pangs of "hunger" in my belly (they may have been real hunger, but I suspect also some kind of withrawal/cleansing/emotional unpheaval happening), and in the evening I turned to cooked food to quiet them.
I have some theories about what happened, and what could be done better in the future.
One, and the biggest one probably is to have LOTS of ripe fruit around. My fresh bananas were still green, and I was trying to fill up on some frozen ones I had, as well as dried dates and some apples, none of which I find entirely satisfying foods.
Drinking more water may have been helpful too, though I wonder if the tap water I've been consuming so far is aggravating my system. I know it used to, when I made a point of drinking only spring water for a while a few years back.
I'm feeling uncertain about whether I can keep up 811 in the next couple of days. I will keep posting though, and hopefully back on track soon!

Day 4

2009-01-11T23:29:00.002-05:00

It's so cold in Ottawa right now! Half past eleven and I'm just squeaking today's post in..

I kept up today with 811, and I think that's about all there is to tell.

Goodnight!

Day 3

2009-01-10T18:42:00.002-05:00

I felt so sleepy today! I'm definitely going through something as my body adjusts.
Right now I'm experiencing some cravings for salty food, and feeling very chilled although the house I'm in is pretty warm.
I've been reading a book by Wayne Dyer called Real Magic, about the ways in which we (people) create our own reality, and the power of thinking positively. It's been very interesting so far, and something that just came to mind was his suggestion to say "next!" each time a negative thought enters our minds. I'm going to try it as I attempt to stay focussed on my 30 day goal. Just remembering that I can shift my thoughts to something more positive is helpful.

Craving?... "Next!"

I like it.

Breakfast - 3 apples blended with 2 dates

Lunch - 5 banana smoothie, handful of spinach

Dinner - lots of dates and celery

Day 2

2009-01-09T18:23:00.002-05:00

Today I felt so creative! I pulled out piles of old magazines and spent several hours flipping and cutting, as I sipped a banana smoothie. This is the first time in a while I've been so happily focussed on something for an extended time, without wanting to give up in frustration. I think eating right really enhances my ability to express myself, and enjoy the moment.
When I felt hungry at various times, it was easy to reach for fruit, and I felt really satisfied afterwards. I don't know if it will always be this easy... but it's great right now!

Breakfast - applesauce (2 1/2 apples blended with 2 dates)

Lunch - 5 banana smoothie, handful of spinach

Snack - 4-5 dates, lettuce

Dinner - 1 pomegranate, several oranges, and maybe some more lettuce (I'm about to eat dinner now)

Day 1

2009-01-08T17:34:00.000-05:00

I found it relatively easy to transition right into this new diet today. I began a new part time job assisting a woman who has recently broken her arm with tasks like typing and filing. In the excitement of a new experience, and combined with a slightly upset stomach, I found that simple fruits were mostly what I wanted anyway.
I did go with some dried and frozen things today, which is less than optimal, and it was mainly because I need to stock up on fresh produce! I'm happy knowing that I listened to my body and did the best I could with what was available.

Breakfast - 1 large navel orange

Lunch - 2 apples, 5 figs (dried), then a little later 5 clementines and another navel orange

Snack - 9 dates, 6 leaves of lettuce

Dinner - 4-5 creamy frozen blended bananas

New and Green

2009-01-07T12:39:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

I have been nursing aspirations for over a year to adopt a low-fat raw vegan way of eating (and with it a healthier lifestyle all-round), reading all I can from the experts in the field, and lurking around a handful of the inspirational blogs of individuals who have made the transition successfully.
I've noticed that at the beginning these courageous folks seem to find it helpful to be held accountable to their committment through a published journal of their progress.
There seems to be such a great support network of 811ers online, and I would love to hear feedback from other who are on this journey (at any stage), as well as those who are simply curious or interested in this way of living. The best way I think I can explain is to refer those who don't yet know much about 80/10/10 and the work of Dr. Douglas Graham to his website: www.foodnsport.com, and the forum that he hosts at http://www.vegsource.com/talk/raw/index.html. Enjoy!

I have made a few false starts with this already, and each one I feel has been preparing me to take the real plunge and do this 100%. I'm finding now that cooked food tastes less and less satisfying, and I have an increased motivation to move through that potentially uncomfortable transition phase, where the addiction to certain foods (grains and salt mainly) is overcome. I know I've made several good inroads, and the main challenge after the cravings seems to be rising above my fears of what people will think. Each attempt has taught me something, and funnily enough, given me a bit more confidence that I can truly do this.

Day one will begin tommorrow, and I make a committment right now to stay 100% 80/10/10 and to blog about the experience for 30 days. I'm so happy to set this intention and begin! I feel it will be a great adventure.