I sit here tonight with a cup of warm raw cacao, in frigid Maine, with a sense of accomplishment looking back at the last 14 days. It’s been a journey with this raw food challenge through mind, body, and soul. I’m sure it will take a couple months to really come to a good conclusion and decide how this will affect my life. I’ve been interested in living a raw food lifestyle for sometime now, but wasn’t sure how or where to begin. I chose this particular challenge for cleansing purposes, as an elimination diet to check for food sensitivities and also for the goal setting desire to accomplish a difficult task. It does feel quite amazing to complete it without caving in or giving up. I’m not a very competitive person with others, but maybe so with my self. The question is what have I learned from this?
Top Ten things I learned from the 14 Day Raw Food Challenge:
1. I now understand what it is like to be on a “diet”.
2. I appreciate that I do not promote diets and instead help my clients work on a gentle approach with long term lifestyle changes to improve their health.
3. I’m connecting more with the emotional and mental attachment to food. This may take some time to really decipher what this means for me. Cleansing with raw foods brings out quite a range of emotions!
4. Going Raw Overnight is NOT for me or my family.
5. I do not like labels when it comes to what foods you eat (vegan, vegetarian, raw!) I believe in intuitive eating and being aware of what your body needs at different times in your life.
6. There are many wonderful benefits to increasing raw foods in your diet. I will continue to add in more raw recipes and smoothies.
7. I am confident in the foods I eat and the health of my body. I need to relax just a little bit, more 90/10! (gulp, that’s hard to admit)
8. Everybody should eat more green smoothies! They are filled with nutrition, super easy to make and make you feel amazing!
9. I have a huge passion for helping people improve their health and want only the best for myself, my loved ones and my clients. I may sometimes come across a little strong when I promote a healthy diet and I’m learning to respect even more that everyone is on their own journey. If you need me I am here.
10. I am SO excited to have some COOKED rolled oats with frozen organic blueberries from my CSA with a drizzle of Maine’s Pure Maple Syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon for breakfast tomorrow.

Thank you for those who’ve supported me through this challenge! Support is key in succeeding life!