Life's Ups and Downs...

It's amazing how bumpy at times the road through life can be, and yet how smooth it really all is. The past year and a half have been quite bumpy, and even though it seems many a time that I feel like I'm stuck or going backwards - I'm really not. I have actually been moving forward but a slow pace. I take with me new challenges, desires, and a whole wealth of good and valuable life information.

Over a year ago I wrote out my "goal card" and have read it religiously every day, and carried it close to me every day as well. The time came on September 17th for me to review the card so that I could evaluate the accomplishments to back-up that goal, and determine where the realignment needs to come. In looking back over the year I have definitely grown, but still dealing with emotional, and habitual behavior that needs to be healed so I can truly get past it and achieve my dreams. At least this time around I have a better grip on it, and know what I need to do for myself. I just have to break the obsessive compulsive need to let go of the behavior and emotions so I can feel confident in the change and embrace the benefits of the new path.

Sorry to sound so mysterious, but some things I must keep to myself to protect those I love. I can still share the feelings I have and the lessons I'm learning, without getting into dramatic detail. Needless to say, because of this bumpy road over the past year and a half, my health has somewhat regressed. Not that I don't eat healthy still - because I do! I still am a passionate advocate of eating a diet high in raw and living foods. I truly believe people need to eliminate all the processed foods from their diet as much as possible, in every way possible. When I have had my diet "cheats" they have not been too bad. However, I would prefer I didn't do them as much. I find myself eating these cheats when my energy is low, or my emotions are low -- that's not good! The one health area where I have been suffering the most, has not been so much from my diet, but from my lack of REST, EXERCISE, and MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RELAXATION. You can't be healthy on food alone!

The exercise fell out of my schedule back in December of 2009, and just went to "0" from there. My yoga teacher, for economic reasons, could no longer teach at the rec center I went to. Although there were other classes I could have taken, I preferred her style, and her schedule for my needs. So, I didn't take time to find another class, and basically stopped altogether. I stopped exercising at home, due to lack of interest or being mentally wiped from work and life's challenges. Work has been stressful due to economics, and the seriousness of the financial hardship from the economic climate has taken a big toll on me personally and my family as well. Yet, through all of this, it has actually brought me closer to my family, and to my desires. So even though I've gained back practically all the weight I lost, and even though we are struggling financially to stay afloat - I have so much to be grateful for, and I am!

I still have very good health. Because I do eat a diet high in raw and living food, I have managed to protect myself from a lot of the ailments I suffered from before - I could definitely do better with exercise and rest! Because I do have a job, I'm able to keep our family going, even if it's not as stable as we'd like. Because of my faith in God, and my passion to protect and grow with my family, I am learning ways to better deal with our struggles, and to help bring us all closer to feeling at peace. I'm not saying the challenge is over, or that we are miraculously going to be saved. We still have a lot of work cut out for us, and it's a slow process, that we must be very patient and persistent with. I just know that someday this too shall pass, and we can look back on it and truly appreciate what we have gained from this experience, and what we are benefiting from it now. So, that's why I'm writing about this.

I want you all to know, and I want myself to know, that just because the outside of me looks like I'm down and out, scared and insecure - I'm really not. I'm just going through life's ups and downs, and realigning myself for better things. It can be a slow process. The most important thing is not to force it, or try to control the outcome. Just follow the path before you, always working towards that ultimate goal, that genuine passion, that divine path that makes you stronger, happier, and at peace. I'm on my way. Believe me.

Have a wonderful and grateful life, filled with peace, love and happiness.

Peace! =)
- Debbie

Enjoying the holidays with my family!

This holiday season has been a joy! I have truly been in a state of bliss with my family during this time. I haven't done a lot of food prep. However, I did manage to take time out during Thanksgiving and fix up several raw food dishes. Then for our Christmas I made up a batch of holiday Christmas cookies. Christmas day was wonderful!

We spent time with my husband's side of the family the evening of Christmas Eve, and my son played his saxophone for the kids. He played fun Christmas songs, as well as a few jazz numbers too.

My son really touched me this year. He presented me with two wonderful, unexpected, and wanted gifts. I received a 10-cup food processor which I needed very badly, since mine broker earlier this summer. I've been using my chopper that came with my blender. The other gift was a yoga mat, which I've wanted for quite sometime now. I usually borrow the one at the rec center where I take my classes - so it's nice to finally have my own. I absolutely love my gifts, but what touched me the most was how proud and happy my son was that he gave me gifts that brought me such joy and surprise. It made me cry. I truly felt that he got the importance of giving from the heart. He seemed to be happier about what he gave me and the joy it brought, then all the wonderful gifts he received for himself. Plus he gave me this absolutely fabulous card. It really made my day! I'm so proud of him! =)

I'm just about done with my second raw recipe book. I've completed all the content, and all the recipes, which are currently being reviewed by my dear friends, John and Janet Evers of Sonoran Botanicals. This book will have over 230 recipes to help anyone who's interested in transitioning to a raw food diet, or is looking for new ideas to inspire them in the "raw food" kitchen. I'll keep you posted on the release date!

Well the year is quickly coming to a close, and it's time to start thinking about new goals for the new year. I know one thing I plan to do is to go on a short detox program to get me back on track with my raw food diet goals. Don't get me wrong, I've been eating a high raw food diet, and my cheats are minimal - not even worth talking about. But I do need to get on track with my overall health. I need to make bigger efforts to get more sleep, more exercise, and cut back on the raw food sweets! Raw food sweets are definitely a lot healthier than any processed sweets you could ever eat. However, too much of a good thing can still take it's toll. So, I'd like to get back on track with my food choices, amount of food I'm consuming, and how late I eat. You see, part of not getting rest or sleep is because I'm up late working. Then my body gasps for energy, so I end up snacking late at night on raw food goodies, which ends up taking it's toll on me digestion wise and weight wise, so it's important to be in balance, regardless of how healthy you eat!

Another goal I have is to start "cleaning house". I don't mean clean, as in scrubbing, sweeping, etc. I mean start removing things in my house and in my life that are taking up space, and creating unnecessary burdens. I want to make room for things I want and need, and focus on minimizing my stress, and stayed focus on my true goals for peace, health, wealth, prosperity, and happiness. Some of the things I will be removing will be personal belongings that have no use to me and haven't for a long time, such as old clothes I will never where. Books I will never read, broken stuff that has been in a pile for repair for 10 years - and other stuff like that. Next, I will remove unnecessary financial obligations, and only continue with those things that help reach my goal and truly make me happy. The rest will only weigh me down. Then I will begin to remove those individuals in my life that bring negative vibrations - at least distance myself so that my essence isn't sucked out of me. By doing all these things I will be able to focus on more positive, healthier, and more prosperous things that will help me to reach my goals, live happier, and share this happiness with others in my life.

What's your new year's resolution?

Well, that's it for today's post. I'll write more soon!
Peace! =)
Debbie

My "thankful" Thanksgiving day!

This year my Thanksgiving Day had to be one of the best Thanksgiving Day's I have had in a very long time. It was a super nice day, spent with family and friends. Although the traditional roasted turkey, bread stuffing, and mashed potatoes, with "processed" pies were served, I took the time to make several raw food dishes to bring and share.

I prepared the following dishes, which were all a great hit! In fact, most of the dinner guests did not even realize they were eating "raw food" until after they were half way done and asked. There were no leftovers - unbelievable! It was super exciting. Although I took pictures, they didn't come out that great. I'm in dire need of a new camera, amongst other things...who knows, maybe Santa will surprise me this year with some new goodies!

Anyway, this is what I served:

• Corn, Heirloom Tomatoes, and Basil Salad
• Arugula, Crimini Mushrooms, Pine Nuts, and Cranberries Salad
• Pecan and Cranberry "Raw" Stuffing
• Mock Turkey (Nut Pate)
• Raw Cranberry relish with Orange Juice
• Green Bean Casserole - all raw (raw cream of mushroom soup, raw onion rings, raw beans with raw shitake mushrooms, grated pine nuts)
• Raw Sweet Potatoes with Agave, Vanilla, and Pecans
• Raw Pumpking Chocolate Swirl Pie
• Raw Chocolate-Vanilla Swirl Ice Cream, with Raw Cacao Sauce
• Cashew Cream Topping
  
• Raw Eggnog

Yes, I made all this stuff for the dinner. I was up till 3am in the morning the night before getting things ready, and then finishing up on Thanksgiving day before we went over to my mother-in-laws to celebrate. It was a lot of work for one person (me), but well worth it! Everyone enjoyed it, including me!!! =)

A few days before I made raw sweet rolls with cinnamon date pudding, and my own version of manna bread - nanamana bread. I also made some delicious and simple banana pancakes with cinnamon and blueberries, and a drizzle of organic maple syrup Grade B on top. Yummo!

I feel like I've pack on the pounds in just a few days from eating all this glorious raw food! Lol! =)

You can get some of the recipes from my holiday cooking at my raw food recipe blog, www.RawRifficFood.WordPress.com.


Well, thank you for letting me share my fun and raw food with you. Till next time, I bid you peace and happiness, and good health! =)

- Debbie


Here are a few "yukky" pics from this past holiday season. Again, sorry for the poor quality. It will have to do for now!