In a fit of blatant and unrestrained vanity, I entered the Sexiest Vegetarian 2010 competition!

SOOooo… Do you think raw foods have made me sexy?

Whether you do or don’t, please go here and vote for me: http://SexyVeg.com (It takes just a moment.)

Why should you go vote for me?  Frankly, I can’t think of a compelling reason.  You won’t get anything in return (except maybe a small deposit in your karma account).  But it’d really mean a lot to me if you voted for me anyway.  I think it’d be just fantastic to make it to the first page, even if just for a little while!  Perhaps I’ve given you some good free information in the past that you appreciated.

Anyways, I’m not vain enough to actually believe I have a shot at winning… But hey, I had to try it.

Share your voting love here.

"I'm dead sexy..."

I believe in miracles…
Where’re you from, you sexy thang
(Sexy thang you)
I believe in miracles…
Since you came along, you sexy thing
… … …

P.S. The contest is put on by PETA. Now, I’m not a huge fan of PETA. Their heart’s in the right place, but I’m not into the militant, in-your-face tactics. It seemed like a fun little contest though.

In exchange for her getting to go through the whole program for free, we all benefit from hearing the real scoop about her experience with the program:  Does it really work?  Is it worth it?  Wendy’s going to tell us what it’s really like.

Below are Wendy’s updates as she sends them to me.  I’ll be keeping an ongoing journal right here on this page.  (I won’t send an email for each update, so if you’d like to follow along, be sure to book mark this page and come back every week or so.)

Have a question or some friendly words of encouragement for Wendy?  Leave a comment below!!

Thank you Wendy for sharing with all of us!

January 20, 2010

Hello! I thought I better give you my first update.

1. Not related to the program: I began eating raw about seven days ago – mostly fruits and greens and some shots of wheatgrass. The result: Lost 8.4 pounds. I think most of that weight was water and perhaps SOME toxins leaving my system.

2. Statistics: I weighed 315.4 pounds on Wednesday, January 13. Today, Wednesday, January 20, I weighed 307.

3. What have I been doing?

• Blending fruits and greens and ‘eating’
• Eating mono fruit meals (only a couple – all-I-want of a single type of fruit)
• Listening to and reading hours worth of audio and material from the Paradox Diet
• Spending a great deal of time preparing food, which is therapeutic for me.
• Taking notes about what I will be acting on.

4. What’s next?

Now I start taking action on other equally as important items – For Example:

• Look inward to realize my deepest reasons for doing this
• Begin Journaling / Blogging my experience
• Set my goals
• Do a detox system
• Menu planning
• Keep up with my sprouting etc.

5. Things I can work on (where I am not doing as well as I’d like):

• Still require a cup of coffee every couple of days (have drunk 3+/day since 12)
• Broke down and had rice with vegies and soy sauce (Tamari) when I was running out of my produce
• It’s hard to watch others in the house eat comfort food
• Paying for it now… very upset tummy

So, I have watched enough videos to detour me from eating any time of animal product. My biggest challenge is to get into the rhythm of planning my food menus so I can prepare them days in advance when needed. (i.e., sprouting needs, shopping, soaking, dehydrating)

I am actually going to be acting on some of the action steps in the Program now. I will update you when I have done that.

Thank you again for this wonderful gift.

Wendy

February 1, 2010

Thought I should let you know I have lost another 5 pounds. That’s 13 total, even with a couple of instances of “cheating”.

I learned how to make cheese out of cashews yesterday. But–I had to add a ton of cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic to like it. Then it was good.

I have been taking very few ibuprofen (in comparison to the three to ten a day I was taking daily). I don’t understand why, but I noticed that now, when I do take it, I start itching all over. Interesting. Other than the occasional white rice or the very small amount of pasta I added once to a large bowl of greens–or the coffee with non-dairy creamer and agave…that ibuprofen is pretty much the only poison entering my system.

PS: After eating so healthy, when I ordered a pizza (veggie with extra cheese), I hated it. It tasted terrible. I took two probiotics that night to help digest the pizza because it gave me a horrible tummy ache.

PPS: I noticed my face looks younger. I asked my roommate and my daughter if they saw it or I was just imagining things. They both said it was true.

There was quite a little flurry of activity indeed!  All in all, 8 people responded (you can see them here) — which was more than I was expecting.

To each of you who responded, I want to say thank you for taking a chance and sharing a bit of yourself.  Each of the stories was moving and compelling.  Truly each of you deserves to try it out.  Though I have to choose a single one…  And choose I did, as difficult as it was to select only one from all the fantastic comments.

May I have the envelope, please…

And the winner is…

Wendy Roan!

Here’s Wendy’s story:

I have had Fibromyalgia for about 7 years and have basically shut down and become bed-bound. I have gained 150 to 200 lbs. I have been researching the vegan, live-food, and raw food way of living for about two weeks now (about 12 hours or more a day). My research has been in response to my own body and mind telling me that I cannot go on living like this and I want my life back. It’s not so much for the weight loss as it is to overcome my Fibromyalgia — though the weight loss is an important part of that. The offer to buy someone the chance to try this is very kind of you. I wish they hadn’t named it with the word ‘diet’ though. To me this is a whole new way of healthful healing and getting away from all of the processed foods out there that are damaging me. My daughter and I live on a very limited income of $500 per month. My resources were to be limited to whatever I could find on line that made the most sense to me. You asked that those of us who comment leave you with a promise to check in and let you know how the ‘program’ is going. Yes, I will do that and it’s the least any of us could do for such a generous offer. My name is Wendy. I am 100% committed and my VitaMix is already on it’s way (I found it on QVC for 5 or 6 monthly payments!) – or else I would not be able to have one.

When I lost my job a few years ago, because of the Fibro, I lost my insurance. I have no medical options, whatsoever. That’s why I have gotten myself into this depth of trouble. I didn’t know there were things I could do to change day-to-day living or maybe I wasn’t ready to see it — until now. 150 to 200 lbs overweight probably sounds worse than it is. I am tall. I spend most of my time ‘lounging’ because I have no energy and the pain of my condition (mostly caused by inflamation and digestive issues) makes me not want inflict it upon myself purposefully. I am at a stage now where I can save myself. However, If I keep going like this, there may not be any turning back. I simply cannot accept that. Based on my research, my diet may have a great deal to do with the inflamation and digestive health issues. Eating a healthy diet of ‘raw’ food may very well correct those issues for me. My quality of life can improve greatly if that is true. I am a highly intelligent (ex programmer) individual and I know what makes sense and what doesn’t. I do my research thoroughly. If you choose not to select me for your offer, I understand. I don’t want anyone feeling medically liable for me. I will still persue and implement this treatment via information available on the internet, regardless. I just have this gut feeling, this natural instinct that raw foodists and vegans are on the right track and that I need to get on that track as well.

The primary reason I chose Wendy is because is that, because of the severity of her combined weight and health issues, she appears to have the most to gain from trying the program — and the most to lose by not following through.  I believe she will be very motivated to give it a thorough trial — and share with us what she finds in the process.

Perhaps most important of all, her time for pivotal change and massive action has come — and she can sense it.  She knows deep down that things cannot continue to go on as they have been.  She is ready to receive.

I am still concerned about the extent of her health issues, but she does understand the need to deal with her health carefully and responsibly.

So, let’s all give a warm congratulations to Wendy!  And kudos to everyone who joined in.  (It was actually very exciting and a lot of fun for me posting that offer and waiting to see what would happen!)

OH – For everyone else, those guys are currently giving away a free audio interview with David Wolfe as a way to spread the word about their new program.  I haven’t listened to it yet, but you might be interested in checking it out.  (Hey, it’s hard to beat free stuff!)  You can grab it here.

Wendy, I will be in touch with you soon.  And we will all be anxiously awaiting to hear how it goes…!

Warm wishes,

Chuck

Anyways, their web site begins like this:

If you’ve gained every pound back, here’s the best news of 2010…

“You Don’t Have to Diet Anymore”

Discover How to Lose Stubborn Body Fat At Any Age, Even If You’ve Tried Everything And Nothing Has Ever Worked For You Before.

Stop the guilt, confusion and up and down dieting systems and finally lose the unwanted fat for good.

From The Desks Of Kevin Gianni, Creator of Renegade Health, Author of High Raw and David Wolfe, Renown Nutritionist, Author of Superfoods & Eating for Beauty

If this sounds interesting to you, check out the whole page here.

Now, here’s my idea for how you can get it for free.

You see, before I recommend or endorse a product, I always buy it and try it myself first.

Only, there’s two obstacles preventing me from trying this new program.  First, I just don’t have the time to spend on it right now.  Second, I’m already fairly thin and I can’t really afford to lose any of my weight. 

But, this situation can be YOUR gain!

I’m hoping you or one of my other beloved readers will be interested in trying it out and willing to report back to me in detail your experience and results with the program, so I can share with the rest of my readers.

So to be crystal clear, I have not tried this program so I am NOT endorsing it.  That is why I’m looking for some help evaluating it. 

Here’s exactly how it will work:

1. Read their product page here.  Be sure to read it all the way through so you know what’s involved.
2. Does it sound interesting to you?  If so, continue on to 3.
3. Do you agree to send me regular updates by email (say, weekly) about your experience with the program and the results you get?  Do you also agree that I can share your updates on my blog or in emails to my readers?  If so, continue on to 4.
4. Great!  Leave a comment at the bottom of this post, saying you agree to share your experience and results, and why I should buy it for you.
5. On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 I’ll choose one person from among the commenters.  My selection will be completely subjective, though it’ll be based on enthusiasm as well as other factors.  My choice is final.
6. I will buy the program for the chosen individual.  Any other expenses will be your responsibility.  (In other words, I’m not offering to buy your food as well!)

As you can see by checking the price on the product page, what I’m proposing here is worth $97.

What do you say?

This New York Times article discusses recent research showing that adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet — in addition to the many health benefits already associated with fruits and veggies — can also help prevent osteoporosis.

So, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.  (Gee, where have I heard THAT before?) 

Whether you participate in this holiday or not, it’s a perfect time to deliberately and consciously consider the things you have to be grateful for.

We all have our own troubles, problems, and issues. Nothing is perfect; nor will it ever be. But everyone has things to be grateful for!  So today let’s focus on the positive.

Seriously. Stop and take just 5 minutes right now to think about all of the good things you have in life.

I’ll share with you some of the things I am grateful for. (Maybe it will help inspire you if you’re having difficulty getting started.)

• Good health.
• Having plenty of good, clean food to eat, and never having to know what true hunger is like.
• A home to shelter me from the elements.
• Having a relatively care-free life (compared to many less fortunate people around the earth).
• Two caring parents who looked after me while I was most vulnerable, did their best, and helped shape the person I am today.
• Good, close friends and a loving family.
• All of the opportunities that have been available to me throughout my life, and the inspiring people I have met along the way.
• Being alive! And being witness to all the amazing splendor of the universe.

What are YOU grateful for? Share your thoughts with me by leaving a comment below.

And have a happy Thanksgiving. 

Would you expect a child to ride perfectly the first time she sat on a bicycle?

No, of course not.

Don’t expect yourself to be perfect when you’re starting out with raw foods.

Just like learning to ride a bicycle, it can feel awkward and unfamiliar at first.  But it’s simply a matter of practice and persistence, and soon enough it becomes second nature.

The most important key to long-term success is not how well you ride…  but rather what you do when you fall down.

Will you get frustrated, give up, blame yourself for being weak?

Or will you stand up, brush yourself off, get back on, and keep going?

Today I ran across this passage I wanted to share with you.

The author talks about a time in his life when he was 40 pounds overweight:

My first thought was to lose weight. But there was something about the thought of having a primary goal of losing that did not work for me. I had never wanted to “lose” anything, or “lose” at anything before in my life. … I decided that while the extra weight was going to come off my body, it wasn’t mine to begin with. It was just an extra burden that I was carrying around that it was time to unload. I decided to develop a new relationship with my abdomen and say goodbye to the extra burden while welcoming all the exciting things that I was going to gain … I started saying no to all the foods that tasted good for 30 seconds but were bad for me. I got my “edge” by calling them liars when they would talk to me and tell me to eat them. I started making food and exercise choices that supported my ideal … lifestyle. I started focusing on all the things I was gaining, including more energy, feeling younger, being more active, sleeping better, breathing better, looking younger and healthier, and feeling like a kid again. … If I can do it, you can too.  (Page 53.)

(The bold emphasis at the end is mine.)

I like the way he framed it to himself not as LOSING weight, but in terms of all the things he GAINED.

This is the same thing I’ve been saying about the raw food diet.  It’s not what you can’t have, it’s not giving anything up, it’s not restricting yourself, it’s not confining you to “food prison.”  It’s all about what you’re ADDING to your diet — more fresh, whole fruits and vegetables.

And all of the benefits that come with it.

Happy birthday, RFDN! 

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year already.  So much has transpired…  and so much remains to be done.

Reflecting back on my first post, I feel it was prophetically written for myself.  I have been making small steps every day.  And over the past year, those have really added up.  I will continue to make forward steps every day.

What have I accomplished?  Sharing my message of raw foods with others:  Eat more fresh, whole fruits and vegetables.  Keep it simple.

Having a positive impact on YOUR life…  That’s why I started.

And that’s why I will keep going.  Every day.

Here’s to long, healthy, happy living!

Hello Chuck, Thank you for your e-mails, as I find them so informative. I have quite a few Medical Conditions and I feel like I’m eating myself to death. I know I won’t be able to go RAW 100% to start off with, but I need to lose weight sooner rather than later because my Doctor has told me I could start Diabetes Medication, which means tablets and then maybe Insulin Injections,  and that is not a path I want to follow. I take medication for hypertension, reflux disease, cholesterol and 1/2 aspirin every day. I am not getting enough sleep because of the Sleep Apnoea and my blood pressure is getting higher because of the sleep apnoea. I seem to going round in circles. Will Raw Juicing (vegetables) help with the weight loss. I don’t exercise because I don’t have the energy. Because I have to ease my way into a new way of eating I would like to ask you for your help in working out an Eating Plan for me. I am so desperate for your help Chuck, so could you please contact me ASAP. I look forward to receiving an e-mail from you soon

After reading this troubling note, my heart just ached.  I feel sincerely concerned.  So much so I began to reply right then and there, but then decided to post my reply here in the hopes it could also benefit others:

Dear ___,

I sympathize with your condition.  You’re listing a number of SCARY issues there.  Hypertension is bad enough as it is, and your instinct is right…  you do NOT want to get onto the diabetes track.

I have given your situation a lot of thought.  I will offer what suggestions I can.

But there is only one person who can help you — and that is YOU.

YOU must take charge of your own health and well-being.  No one else will.

Your health issues have gotten serious, and to make a difference you will have to get even more serious.  You will have to want to, be willing to, and be ready to change.  SOMETHING must change, since clearly the status quo is not working.

That you have written shows that you have probably reached that point.  This is your HEALTH and LIFE we’re talking about.  It is now in crisis, and should be your #1 priority.

Let’s begin today.  NOW.

The first thing you MUST do is read this book: The China Study.

(The second thing you should do is read it again!)

By thinking about your diet as part of the equation, you’re on the right track.

Now I am not a doctor, so I am not able to give (and do not give) medical advice.  That’s why it’s important to keep in close communication with your doctor.  At the same time, do your own research and homework, so you can make informed choices.

It is certainly possible the issues you list are caused by a poor diet.  It is my personal feeling that it is not too late for you to make a change, and that over the long term these issues can be managed through diet.

My father-in-law was eventually able to stop high blood pressure medication of 7 years by changing his diet.

Don’t worry about going 100% raw right away.  Just begin by eating more fresh, whole fruits and vegetables…  TODAY.  Start easy with one meal a day.  Every little bit will help.

You MUST start exercising.  I know it’ll be tough, and it’s not always fun.  Just walking will help a lot.  Start with one walk per day around the outside of your house.  After a couple weeks, perhaps extend it to a walk around the neighborhood.  Gradually, over time, increase the length of your walks.

Your conditions have been several years in the making…  So also be patient with yourself.  There will be no quick fix.  But with a little progress each day, you will get there.

The situation is serious.  I wanted to make that clear (I think it is).  But I also hope that my sense of ENCOURAGEMENT and HOPE came across.

You CAN do it.  It won’t always be easy.  But with “baby steps” in the right direction, it will get better.  Keep at it.

Your health is the most valuable asset in your possession.  Invest in it as your top priority.  Because you deserve to enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life.

I hope it was not too strict or harsh sounding.  I am just so deeply concerned.