Got the RAW feeling back!

You know, sometimes those who have the gift of easy adaptation are very susceptible of losing the drive for even things we love. More easily said... I am back in my healthy groove hehe

First Mobile Post!

Decided to take my blog with me!

Sorrow and Life

Today someone that has run through my life as one of those side persons, Mr. Bush, always pleasant and smiling always good things to say, is laying to rest his son. There has been no reason given nor does there have to be only that it is a grievous loss and my heart goes out to him and his good wife.

Life continues and we that are here must endure and take stock in our lives and how we live them.
I bought juicing stuff today and my mind is focusing on movement . I need to get back to the pool and move my body. I am so lucky that my health has been so good and I need to look to the future of gaining and maintaining my health.

Time to Begin again

One of the joys of being alive is the chance to decide that you can change. Today is a brand new day and open to all possibilities. I get bogged down with my dark inner voice and I lock myself in a room of bad thinking. I know that I have the power and choice to fix and change what I don't like about my life. SOO having said that and feeling rather profound this New Years Day, I am starting over with a view to my health and well being. 
My laptop is my window to all things healthy and good. There are limitless sites to gift me with ideas and inspiration. I spent this morning putting the things that I most want hovering in my mind at the touch of a button. The file on my desktop that holds gems of wisdom, ideas for eating and wonderful pictures to nurture in inspire me.


I have always appreciated having a blog and a place to go and speak my mind and thought. I will use it and pour out my ideas and in turn that will keep me centered in a place that helps me to grow and maintain what is important to me!

Things I want:

To be grateful
To gather love to myself and give it out
To find my health and keep it at a high level of importance
To keep learning and growing

Ok onward with the plan!

Wow 2012!

So! Here is sit :)Facing a new year with promise and hope of a better year than last. I am hold hard in my heart many things. First I DON'T want to give in to being a defaulter! No I hate that just letting my life roll by and waiting for stuff to happen. I know what it is like to move forward and do things that I want to do but I want more of it. In order to accomplish momentum I must MOVE! Went out last night and looked at the stars.. I should do that often! Gives a beauty and perspective of simplicity that I want. I want to shine steady and be all that I can be. I have made a determination that I must do things for myself and that, although I love doing things for others, my goals for myself will only get done if I organize my time and do things that best suit me.  


So I am going to make every day count and set myself in motion and put all effort into living my life the way I want to.


1. Eating Raw
2. Exercising 
3. Learning


Sounds simple right? It is!!!


Diana, Stay focused and don't let the dreaded nothingness take you away if it sneaks up on you or attacks? GO OUT AND WALK! No more excuses!
 I promise!

Been a few!

Mmmm Ok been a few days but still working the juice!! Stress has been fairly constant but keeping the nutrition coming in is VASTLY important. I have been feeling strong urges to exercise again and that is a good thing. My feet will be ready soon. I also need to make water a very inportant part of what Im doing. I'm tired tonight and I will not try to solve tomorrows troubles with today's energy!

Stress and Juice

So how does one do the best they can to come through very stressful situations and have the least amount of damage to the body and soul?  One way is Juicing! Had and having a really hard week and lost nearly an entire nights sleep. I would not have been able to make it through it without the support of my good eating.

Working it!

Everyday is a step toward a goal of health and energy. I am struck by how much I want my friends to be healthy and walk this path with me and I need to be diligent for myself and my friends too!

Another effort to change the body and the mind.

So is there really a law against trying something again and again once you have failed? WAIT WAIT!! I looked it up and guess what? there is NOTHING ANYWHERE that says I cant keep trying to get things right with my life with Raw Eating. If I fall down and have the inclination to try again, then I can, I will and I do!


It is fascinating to me that some people do it on the first time. I mean whoa.. Others it takes a few times, and the rest still strive and fight the good fight. Where do I want to be? Well, I have already passed the first effort so, I accept that I am not in that first group. OK I can handle not being perfect! Really! It's impossible to think you are in the last group because time lies before us so that is not really an option or it requires a permanent decision to stop and fail and even that is an unknown...
I guess then that where I am is in the middle with most people making the best choices we can, fighting our demons and striving to once again to gain balance and succeed at what we feel is best for us. OK I accept that too. So now what?


When I found Raw, it was a real journey of gathering knowledge. It was fun and every day was filled with new people and recipes and Ideas. I had to glean off what I thought was the best path to me.. Mix and Match with others philosophies of what Raw Eating meant to them and what they were successful with. I found that I was rather toward the beginning of this wave of the raw trend and that in itself bares reflecting on in future posts.


Sooooo.... Where does all that leave me at this moment?  Starting again naturally!  
Well, then off I go! This time around though, I have someone to share my raw journey with! It makes a huge difference even just mentally to have a comrade in arms to understand the joys and not least to forget MAKE THE JUICE! 


So Amy? here we go girl! let's head on down the highway and strive for the best we can do! 

Well Well Here I am :)

A slow gloomy Saturday....

SO why on a day like today would I feel so compelled to finally go back to my Raw ways? Well... I sat down for a few minutes and really asked myself how I feel. I Really did a mental check on where I am and where I want to be.

I think back to the 90 days of high raw I was on. 

Amazing changes... Yes I want to be there again. 

Lane has been my inspiration and my Dad an unwavering encouragement and support. I Imagine Lane stepping away from the life he had to eating what makes him healthy and strong.. Wait I taught him that!!! I look at my Dad at 86 Still learning and drawing knowledge to him.  What's my excuse????

No more excuses... none! I have no reason for not living my convictions.

So today... this minute... this gloomy Saturday.. I begin again. Never too late to begin again.

I will use what I know and continue to learn and use the support of those who love me and have the vision for a different and better way to live.

Yes I begin.....

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.

Swimming a Mile

OH OH OH! What an amazing thing. I have been loving my daily swim. I have been very surprised at the changing my body has been doing. I have never been a great one for exercise but now I'm hooked, addicted! All last week my daily progression of adding laps surprised me. By Thursday, I could have done the 36 laps (72 lengths) to finish the mile but I ran out of time. So Friday I got up and determined that I would swim faster and start a little earlier. I didn't even do any warm up laps I went straight to it. SO! One hour and 1 minute later, I had done what I never thought I could do. I felt utterly fantastic. I smiled and shed a few tears in my goggles. The best part? getting out of the pool not even winded or breathing hard.. Never thought I could do it and yet lap by lap they ticked off and I did my last lap at full bore.
This could have only been possible with eating the way I do. I had been consuming almost only green smoothies that week so the energy levels were up there and fueled my swim.
I can't wait to get back in the pool tomorrow and try again. This weekend has been kind of rough with detox but not unexpected. I have upped my water intake and rested and taken herbs to assist in cleansing. I have the cold symptoms for a while then bang feel great then back again to the chills and such. I embrace them all because I know why it is happening and that I will be better for it.
I see better things ahead for me with exercise. I see longer swims and picture myself hiking to places I would not have gone before.
LOVE the body changes too..

OH week 3 in the water!

All I can say is WOW. I can't get over the difference in my life with getting up and getting in the water at 5 am! I never thought that I would crave exercise EVER! Now in the afternoon, even when I have been up since 4 swimming for an hour, I could go back and swim another hour! All I can say is that it's the Raw food. Yup! It gives me the energy and clear headed desire to move my body. Raw eating feeds my mind as well as my body and I have never had such a clear vision of my health before. I am looking forward to joining the 50 mile club and I hope to finish it much sooner than the year they give you. It is 36 laps per mile x 50 so... you do the math how many laps that is hehe. pssst that is 1800 *faints* hehe Ah I know I can do it, I did 15 Laps on one day I should be able to do 20 by the end of this week and I swim 5 days a week :) So easy right? That's only 18 weeks!

A Week of Swimming

Oh What a fabulous week! I started getting up at the crack of early each day (4:30am) to get myself to my local YMCA and put in an hour of swimming before work. I made it Monday-Friday and I am feeling amazingly good! I have kickin energy my whole day and I have been sleeping better and earlier haha. I stretch well when I get in and I was quite amazed at how good I did for spending my winter basically doing nothing. I am already ready to add some heavier cardio so I decided to swim M-Wed-Fr and Tu-Thur on the treadmill. On week 3 I think I will ad some light lifting on the circuit trainers. I am really amazed at how the Raw eating has flowed into the exercise so easily this time. Next week I will be adding more Green Smoothies to the equation as well and work at keeping the hydration and cleansing a high priority. The drive is about 20 minutes and that is a perfect time to focus and visualize what I am doing and it really puts me in a zone for accomplishing what I want to do each day.
I am also getting ready to list what raw food I eat during the day and it is mostly for myself so that I can see what I am eating and how it effects me.
Serenity and Bliss