We Like It Raw - Raw Food Goodness

Shelley Abegg's Cancer Testimonial

More about Shelley Abegg

In 2001 Shelley Abegg was diagnosed with advanced stage of  breast cancer. As a single mother with a precious son she desired more than anything to live and be healthy. Shelley did some real searching for an answer. She decided to avoid chemo therapy and radiation in favor of raw food healing. Her story is inspiring and powerful."When I first went down this road, ninety-nine percent of the people in my world were devastated that I would make such a radical and unwise decision. Leaving the medical world for the raw food healing made most people very uncomfortable. I had people reflecting anger, tears of sadness and even threats. To others the ‘medical model’ seemed to be the only way to heal and they were extremely fearful that I would not survive if I choose a ‘natural model.’ I finally had to tell people that if they could not support me, then please stay away from me. With my own fears creeping up, I could not sustain fear and negative energy from others.

Keep reading at rawfoodart.com

Fasting testimonial from Tanglewood

Deb from Tanglewood Wellness Center, located in Panama (headquarters in Maryland), recently sent out this testimonial of her experiences participating in a supervised fast. We think many WLIR readers will find some value in Deb's experiences.

Two weeks ago I finished a 21 day water fast and 1 week refeeding retreat at Tanglewood Wellness Center, a fasting center and raw food community.  At 5'5" and 116 pounds, I didn't think I had a lot of "reserves" to give up.  I thought it would actually be more difficult for me than it was.  I really wasn't "hungry".  Yes, I could feel the "emptiness" of my stomach, but as Rumi has written, "There's hidden sweetness in the stomach's emptiness."  It was not uncomfortable, just an awareness.  And yes, there was a sweetness there for me, an absolute awareness that I had not known before now.  Another very profound part of my experience was when I started refeeding.  The simplicity and beauty of eating, not for hunger, but for the sensation of taste alone, was absolutely breathtaking for me. It brought tears to my eyes on my way back to my room.

Tanglewood Wellness Center is located in the beautiful, tropical mountains of Panama , 30 minutes from the closest beach.  Since we are located up on the mountainside (approx. 1800 foot altitude), the climate is much cooler than at sea level.  You can comfortably wear shorts and flip flops every day and sleep comfortably every night without air conditioning.  The air is pure and the breath of tropical plants at the center is aromatic for the sensitivity usually gained after fasting.  You can actually see the Pacific Ocean from the property.  I am from Colorado where the climate is very dry.  I've also lived on the East Coast with very high humidity levels.  I was surprised that where Tanglewood is located is not as humid as the East Coast.  I find it pleasantly between Colorado and Connecticut humidity levels.

Vinit's Raw Food Round II Testimonial

Some of the greatest raw food testimonials I have are from people who rediscovered raw food for the second time, in a way that worked finally clicked for them. Add this testimonial from Vinit to the list!

From: Vinit T., To: Dhru P. (rawfood@gmail.com)
Thu, May-18-2006 10:24 PM

DUDE I am seriously in shock right now.

(By the way I am writing to you while I drink a delicious banana/strawberry smoothie I just made)

I just got back from running 7 miles (outside, up and down hills), stopping at the gym for the SECOND time today, working out abs and biceps HARDCORE, and I just got home and I DONT FEEL A BIT TIRED. Yeah I feel my leg muscles a bit tight, but my body feels FULL OF ENERGY.

Because I like to work out and want to have a HOT body, I was previously concerned that a raw food diet would make me thin and weak. Well and behold I actually went UP in my weight in EVERY EXERCISE this week, did not feel sore at all, and am feeling more energized than ever!

I not only feel stronger, but I feel powerful. I feel connected. I feel present. And best thing about this all, is that its ONLY BEEN ONE WEEK!!!!!!

WOW.

With LOTS of Raw Purpose,

Vinit

p.s. Want to get in touch with Vinit? Email him at vinitt at aol.com (replace the at with @)

Raw For 30: A Powerful Documentary

Raw For 30 is a powerful documentary, in the works, about a group of average Americans who healed their diabetes naturally, (thnx Chris Whitcoe for the link). Produced by Patagonia Films, a Gabriel Cousins inspired venture, this flick has the potential of being being as big, or bigger, than Supersize Me.

One thing is for sure, this film is going to totally shake up this house. Can you imagine? Billions of dollars spent on diabetes research and then comes a long a no-name film maker and a tiny healing center that stands up and says, "Not only do we have a cure, but all y'all pharmaceutical companies out there just got punked!"

Is it me, or is this whole raw food movement starting to get really exciting?! Mad props to Michael, Dr. Gabriel Cousens, David Wolfe and the entire Raw For 30 film team.

How I got into the "Raw Food" Thing

In a recent newsletter that I received from naturaw.com, I noticed this very interesting article by Japanese raw food author Mihoko Sekido on how she got started with eating raw, (she also maintains a raw blog, but it is all in Japanese).

I would say that Mihoko's story represents the stories of the majority of individuals currently eating raw - individuals who started eating this way because of some alignment or dis-ease. But just like all great teachers Mihoko is here to tell the world that they don't have to go through what she did in order to embrace health.

Hi everyone! This is Mihoko Sekido. I am an author of a Japanese raw food book called "Hajimete-miyo Raw Food Seikatsu" (Let's start a raw food life style) published in Japan in late June 2005. The whole RAW FOOD thing is still pretty new over there, and perhaps the easiest way to imagine this is think about the raw food movement in the US in the early 90's. Right now, when I say "raw foods" people in Japan think of raw fish and meat! And yes, being a Japanese person, I have eaten my share of Sushi before my transformation.

Jason Cooked, Jason Raw

This post has been removed. Sorry.

David & Regina Cooked, David & Regina Raw

This beautiful before and after story comes straight from Downunder. Special thanks to Ricardo of rawfood.com.au for the link.

David's Story
At the age of nineteen, I was diagnosed with stage two cancer.  Throughout my whole ordeal, I treated my illness as though I had a minor cold. I had no doubt that I would survive the cancer and live a normal and healthy life; it was just a matter of getting through the barrage of chemotherapy sessions and the drugs that were highly toxic to my system. More.

Regina's Story
Looking back, a raw food lifestyle presented itself numerous times before I decided to jump in with both feet. My first introduction to raw food came after following up a personal ad in Kyoto, Japan. During the first encounter with my mystery date, he told me about how he just ate raw food and the amount of energy and vitality that he felt due to this lifestyle choice. I had to admit, the man looked vibrant with health, but I thought to myself, “What a weirdo! How could he just eat raw food?” More.

A day in the life of a woman who likes it raw

Not sure how this missed our radar, however iVillage.com has a great little featured on "A day in the life of a woman who likes it raw."

The interview features Danielle Reda, an equities trader from NYC.

"For the last year, Danielle's been following a diet that includes eating primarily raw foods, called the Natalia Rose Program. Here, she lets iVillage readers in on what eating raw foods is really like."

Read: A day in the life of a woman who likes it raw.

Our favorite interview questions/responses?

• What can't you eat? Do you ever feel deprived?
• What's your advice to women thinking of trying a raw foods diet?
• Has anyone criticized your diet?

Health Care & Sick Care

Most "Health Care" in the United States is actually "Sick Care". That's why most of the nearly 2 trillion dollars spent on "Health Care" every year is spent in the last 60 days of an individuals life. Of the remaining money, very little of that is spent on preventive measures.

If you've been diagnosed with a terminal disease and you want fear, lack of hope, and mis-education - stick with the status quote. Continue reading US News to find the best hospitals in your area, continue learning about the latest and greatest medical procedures from your Nightly News, and continue making bankruptcy plans.

If you are looking for options though, options of hope, abundance, health, understanding & true wellness, think outside the system.

For some individuals that includes self healing, for others, it may require further support. If you are looking for deeper and complete support there are true Health Care centers that can accomidate. One of the highest recomended centers is the Sonaviv Medical Institute (intro video).