Guess it's time

A year has passed - almost too much to imagine. So much has happened Mostly good some awesome but some that I couldn't imagine I would have to face. I saw this picture and it made me think of New, Fresh, Clean and what better way to feel about yourself? Raw? Wow it's been far and away in my practice but near and dear in my heart. It's a strange thing about doing anything that is good for yourself, you have to ask yourself WHY is it such a struggle sometimes? hehe I mean I a good person, I do good for others :) WHY NOT ME? so I am working my way back... Blogging for myself, Raw, Swimming.. Learning and growing... Yeah .. It's time

The Passing of Days + The Eating of Raw

Each day holds within it, if we choose, a chance to live a lifetime of memories. The memories that we choose to draw into our mind are selected sometimes by our desire to try and change the present, to make it easier by reassuring ourselves that what we did or chose was the right thing or maybe even to punish ourselves for past mistakes. Memories are our anchor to the past. Sometimes they can give us comfort in who we are and how we got here and other times they can lock us to self destructive thinking and shackle us to a place of misery. Many times our memories aren't even accurate!
All too often, I drag into my thinking the thoughts and feelings of the past and I allow them to wash over me and drag me under. When I choose to eat Raw, it is like a battle front for me. It keeps my mind clear and focused. It helps me to reach out and allow my mind and heart to accept new and positive thinking. Some days I have to go farther and lean on the guidance and friendship of others to help me threw some low spots because nothing can replace the support of a caring person.
Eating raw, Cleansing, exercise all help me to battle against bad thinking and everyday is a new chance to make things just a bit better.

Reaching Out

I came home from my fabulous swim this morning and I sat down in front of my computer. I opened my E-mail and looked at my favorite sites you know, the one's that make you smile and feel comfortable, make you laugh, or give you the information you seek. I wrote at a couple of blogs before starting on my own and as I was writing at the Renegade Health Show, I was brought to a place of searching out within me, what I am grateful for (Thanks Kevin). I went in search of a picture to speak of my feelings and as I was looking at pictures of people hugging each other, I found the Hugs Free Site. I have seen the guy before but never gave it much more than a passing amusement as most do I am sure. However, I challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone and watch the video and I am so glad I did. At first as I watched, I felt uncomfortable for him standing there holding a sign and everyone passing him by, I thought how sad that everyone thought he was just being weird, then it clicked... no.. not sad for him... I put the shoe on the other foot and I instantly felt the freedom of what he was doing. He was offering a free gift with no strings. The people to feel sad for were the ones that passed him by and gave up the chance for that fleeting moment of comfort from a caring person in this troubled world. Every day we have a choice to reach out or stay closed off and I want to be the kind of person who would walk right up and take the hug and turn around and give one away.
So to all who read here, friends, family and strangers a Big Hug to you all!
Gracie

Raw Focus

I woke today feeling amazing and totally grateful for the knowledge of Raw food and what it has done in my life. Not so very long ago when my eyes opened in the morning, I was fearful of moving too quickly because of the pain my body would generate. Today, I sat up and stood up in one swift motion without even thinking. No pain, no stiffness, just up and going. There isn't a day that goes by now that I am not completely focused on what I can do and learn about my chosen way of living. I feel totally empowered and there is so much information to find and share with others.
I have been motivated and impressed by so many people but there are some that have touched my life that have a special place for. Angela Stokes is one of those people. Her dedication to those who face and battle obesity is so empowering. One of the things that she does is to write down daily what she intakes and that has inspired me to do try and do the same for my own benefit so I will start today :)

I am going to make Onion Bread. I made some last week and I took it to work where everyone wanted to try it and they ate it all! haha That's O.K. sharing Raw Living Food is a pleasure.

AM -
12 Raw Almonds
2 VERY LARGE Strawberries

Snack - Green smoothie - Made enough for the whole day
bananas
raspberries
strawberries
oranges
baby spinach

Lunch - Nori rolls with Avo,Carrots,Cucumber

Snack - 2 pieces of Raw Nib Chocolate YUM

Dinner - 2 ears Raw white corn, 6 HUGE white mushrooms, 1/2 Avocado, splash of Olive Oil and Pink Salt - This has GOT to be my current fav meal.

O.K. Now THAT was awesome!

Yesterday, when I cleaned out my Bus and ended another years driving, I pondered my goals for my Summer Swimming. As I have posted, my goal was to be able to swim 3 miles in one day before School started up again. I was at the Y by 5 as usual and it felt kind of strange to not have to stop to get to work so, I did my mile as I have been doing and I felt really good so I kept swimming and before I knew it, I had done 52 laps! That is a mile and a half! So.. Yeah 1/2 way to my end goal of the Summer! Well, That made me feel fantastic so I left feeling quite good.. I got home did a few things, read my favorite Raw sites, ate a huge salad and took a nice easy nap. I woke up feeling great and as I was doing a few things and I looked at the clock.. Hmmm yes there is time to get back to swim again.. Something clicked inside and that gave me the needed momentum I needed. I got in the car and went back to the Y, set myself up with all my swimming gear and got a lane right away. I started just planning to do my mile to get as close as I could to the morning. I finished my mile.. looked at the end of the pool and determined to do what I thought I could not do. As I finished the final lap, I was just bursting with joy. I! ME! I swam 3 miles in one day! 108 laps! How did I do that?? And the best part? I did it on my very FIRST day of Summer Break :)
I know from the bottom of my soul that I could not have done that eating a Standard American Diet. When I was heading back for the second round of swimming I ate 3 bananas on the way and when I came out I sat in my car, opened up the 1/4 watermelon that I brought with me and I stuffed my face full of perfect goodness. I ate it like a pig.. yes I did! hahha I pondered how amazing it felt to eat to feed my body all the right things it needs to do and continue to do what matters to me. A true hunger.. Feeling every bite and every drop of liquid giving life to me. Raw is Right.. Oh yes friends! It is right :)

Raw still surprises me

In the last few days my thinking about Raw Eating has made a quantum leap however it snuck up on me very quickly. As you have been reading, I have been swimming and loving it. I have set a goal that by the end of the summer I will be swimming 3 miles per day thats 108 laps or 216 lengths! Well, Yesterday I shaved 2 minutes off the 1 mile time and I know that it is due to my Delicious Raw eating. So, after being quite pleased with showing more hussle and feeling pleased with it, I went on my way to work to drive a field trip of 5th grades to the park (where btw I had to watch them eat hot dogs, chips and cookies provided by school! *faint*) however their day was cut short but a severe thunder and lightning storm and I returned them to school and was left with 2 hours to myself before my next driving run.. What to do??
I drove over and grabbed a fresh juice from my local juice bar and I magically felt myself drawn back to the pool. Could I actually do another mile? I mean just up and do my whole mile again ? DOUBLE what I do everyday? I was daunted for a few minutes. Played the mental battle. Drank my Carrot,orange, banana juice and said ok I am going for it. Even if I do 1/2 I will be thrilled. I showed up and the girl behind the desk there looked at me like "what are you doing back here? She even asked me if I forgot something. hehe I said no.. I'm going to try another mile. She smiled and gave me that kinda "what? are you freaking crazy" looks hehe
I went through my same prep routine, walked out onto the pool deck and took a deep breath. Ahhh 2 Lanes open. I got in and stretched, looked down to the end of the lane, looked back at the clock and started. Did the 1/2 mile felt good, started smiling.. kept going.. looked at the clock.. I was dead on with the morning's run..Yes I can do this! OMG yes I did it!! I swam a second mile. I made my last length at all out speed and felt the flood of energy wash over me.. Oh yeah it was good. The rest of my day I spent walking on air hehe

Gearing up for 3 miles

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined when I started swimming at the end of April, that I would be where I am today doing a bare minimum of one mile every morning. I am startled by the changes in my body. I had forgotten the fact that I used to be strong and athletic as I once again gain muscle and the beginnings of some definition. Swimming has opened the doorway back to where I want to be. So Between eating Raw and my daily trips to the Y, my energy level has soared and I actually see myself reaching my goals and I can hardly wait for the next day.