Judgement is like an eclipse of the sun…It blocks the light. ~ Marianne Williamson
Have you noticed there seems to be a movement sweeping through the raw community..? Many people are discussing it, many are doing it, and some are advocating it. I’m talking about the idea of widening our conception of what in fact is the healthiest diet. Let me ask you something, do YOU know what the optimal diet is? Most of us here would say a raw diet. Buuuuut, what exactly is a raw diet? How raw are you supposed to be to be considered raw? Is it all or nothing, or how important is the percentages of raw to cooked ratio for health? Does being raw mean being vegan? How healthy is the struggle of striving for a particular ideal, only to fail time and time again? How about when you desire certain goals, but the stress of striving for them outweigh the results? What about if there is judgement from other people or YOURSELF? Are there issues that lie underneath that aren’t being addressed through diet alone? Is focusing solely on diet as the means of obtaining health balanced? Or can it become toxic? What about the kids?? What does all the hyper-focus on the food mean to them? Is being raw a rawligion? What does it really mean to YOU?
There are truly amazing people in the raw movement who seem to be quite adept in their ability to trust their instincts and do due diligence with their research- using both hemispheres of the brain to ascertain what is right for them on their health journey- and we have learned much from them and been so inspired. However, it was always what worked for THEM that they did and eventually espoused. Of course, when anyone has the clarity and passionate beliefs and acts upon them with conviction, the innate strength and rightness of being which one is imbued with naturally shines a light outwards- not only guiding them onwards, but also attracting others.
Many people noticed this light in these particular individuals, and started to investigate this idea of becoming Raw for themselves. And for a decade now, many of us have been raw. The effects of changing our diet, our personal standards about not only food and nutrition, but also the ethos and ethics of our choices, and the consequences socially- for many of us have been profound. Some have found their purpose. Some have regained their health. Some have been released of the burden of excess weight or addictions. Some have reversed disease. The list goes on and on of the benefits of eating a raw diet!
I have always wondered…just because it worked for some, does that mean it will work for you and me? These people found what worked for them. THAT sounds like the real message to me. I don’t think anyone can say for sure what the perfect diet is for everyone, at every stage of their life.
For me, life is a process, and so is my awareness of what makes up real health; and it isn’t all about diet, though diet is a cornerstone. Many of you listened to speakers of the Raw Mom Summit and so you know that there ARE many models of the raw food diet. And every one of them attracts people that claim it is working for them even though it contradicts another version of raw foodism.
We have seen Dr. Graham passionately refute anything other than a 100% high-fruit, low fat diet, with lots of facts and stats to back it up. And we have seen David Wolfe suggest that certain people with particular metabolisms do well on a high fat all-raw diet. Dr. Brian Clement eats 70% raw and cooked grains. Many people say all grains, whether gluten-free or not, cooked or raw, are unhealthy. Victoria Boutenko consumes mostly green smoothies and soups but has recently added some steamed veggies occasionally. Shazzie was concerned about her daughter lacking in certain nutrients so added some eggs. Kate Magic raises her kids on a high superfoods diet. Sally Falon a widely respected author/researcher recommends raw dairy. Dr Weston Price who so many of us health-seekers have studied found that primitive people’s who lived the farthest from modern dentistry but ate a non-processed omnivourous diet (both plant and animal) had perfect jaws and teeth- and how many raw foodists can say that? Daniel Vitalis says raw veganism is a great cleanse, but not sustainable or even healthy for most people long-term. Aujanous Vonderplanitz cured himself from cancer by eating raw meat and now consults with thousands who do the same.
(Btw, I wouldn’t have thought this could possibly be good for anyone to do until I met a girl who was so robust looking, with perfect skin and clear eyes and beautiful teeth- an absolute natural beauty- who was the ‘healthiest’ looking person I have ever met. So I asked her about her diet. She said she ate all raw. My heart leapt for joy! Until she added ‘Meat. Raw meat’. I couldn’t even imagine it. But she vibrated such calm and yet powerful energy- kind of like a wild animal that is focused and peaceful yet totally alert and full of energy. I asked her how she came upon this way of eating and she told me about this man and his book called We Want To Live, and so I read it. Not for me, yet I could never discount it if it helps others.)
That was 8 years ago. The strange thing is that although I didn’t believe anyone could heal from this type of diet, I have to admit I have met very few raw vegans, if any, before or since who radiated the strength and beauty and physical health of this girl. My quest has always been for health, and I would love to look like she did, but being a raw vegan seems infinitely ‘superior’ to any other diet, and so it has been the path that I have chosen. Well, I no longer believe diets are superior or inferior…And neither am I 100% raw or vegan. The judgement that comes with those kind of concepts don’t seem ultimately very health giving, so I just hold that some diets are more nutritious.
Susun Weed who isn’t a raw foodist firmly believes that women and children need nourishment that plants alone cannot give. As a woman in my mid-forties, I want to ensure I do whatever my hormones may need for my later years, and so I hear that. Plus, any dogma which leaves no room for the emotional healing and is so confining is lacking in spiritual sustenance. My children are growing up and I constantly keep alert to ensure they are getting everything they need to meet their rapid growth spurts. I go in and out of being all raw, down to being about 90%, my kids a little less than that. And I used to beat myself up over it, now I just accept it and honour myself and my body and my mothering of theirs. Like I said, it’s a process, for all of us.
I most care about creating a safe haven for mothers on their journey. If I can do anything, it would be to support and encourage, offering some inspiration perhaps. But never to tell anyone what to do. I will always share what I do or what I would do in your situation if you ask me. And I would love to see other raw moms here with a variety of approaches so people can gravitate to what they resonate with. This will become a living community with a diverse and vibrant approach reflecting the evolution of sacred parenting at every stage. I’m not an authority. I’m no guru. Gosh, I’m so bored of gurus, aren’t you? I’m just like you- a mom- who loves my children dearly and wants to give them the best foundation I can in life.
Where are YOU in your raw health journey? Are you vegan, vegetarian, or omnivore?
I’d love to know, and I am sure others would too. We are going to set up a forum that is so user friendly and beautiful that we are all going to love going there to check out everybody’s profile and see what is happening with everyone. In the meantime, remember this, no matter what you eat, or what you don’t, it doesn’t define who you ARE, or the gifts that you came here to bring. Our diet is vitally important to our health, and natural raw foods are wonderful to include in a big way- but it isn’t the only aspect of health. My biggest hope is to get and keep our kids and ourselves off of junk food, to have people eating real nourishment, and even more importantly, is to address the underlying causes there, dietary, and emotionally. May we all be nourished. May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude, and be able to enjoy however we choose to nourish ourselves. And may we find love and support here on the journey.
Even though I have been running rawmom for quite a while behind the scenes already, now that I am officially the owner, it feels like a thrilling but daring adventure, and I feel excited and nervous! I do not consider myself a business woman. I identify with one role, my calling, being a mom. However, I’ve have heard that people born under my sign in both the Western and Chinese horoscopes make good leaders and can lead successful enterprises, and as my children are growing up, it’s the perfect time for me to gradually transition back out into the world…I’d like to believe I can learn what I need to, and attract people to help me. If am to grow to the corners of my potential as a fully realised woman, as well as facilitate my mission to make a difference, I must have courage. I feel alot of changes coming…it started with changing my name from Shannon to Shakaya, and even endowing myself with a second name, one of the elements, Breeze. I didn’t consciously choose these names, they seemed to just find me. 
It’s helpful to dive into the waters of our sub-conscious to see our patterns clearer and examine them so they aren’t controlling us. I think it was Anthony Robbins who said an unexamined life is not worth living and Byron Katie says that to engage in inquiry brings us emotional freedom.
Tomorrow I have the honour of interviewing Marianne Williamson for WISH.This is kind of a miracle to me as through her work she is the one who has mentored me most throughout the years since I lost my mom at 16. Her words of wisdom have always brought meaning and solidness to my life. I’ll leave you now with a few of my favourites, In-Joy! Shakaya
This is a little ceramic (there are plastic ones too for travel) that looks like a little white tea pot without a lid. This a nasal irrigation device based on Auyervedic tradition that helps with sinus problems or allergies. I don’t have either problems- maybe that is because of my healthy diet, or maybe its because I use my neti pot. I only use it once in a while though, unless I’m doing a cleanse, then every other day. It’s super easy to use. You fill it up with warm water and a small amount of ground sea salt and ensure that the salt is dissolved. Then tip the spout into one nostril as you lean over the bathroom sink, and just allow the water to travel along the nasal passage and flow out the other nostril.
Oil pulling is another ancient Auyervedic system that is used to remove toxins from the body by way of the saliva. Swishing about a tablespoon or 2 into your mouth for about 15 minutes first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is all it takes. You do not gargle with the oil, just vigorously swish it around in your mouth while you open the mail or file your nails or whatever multi-tasking you like, and then spit out into the sink and rinse. It is apparently good for just about every condition known. The theory is that it exerts a powerful detoxification effect on the entire body through picking up germs and bacteria in our mouth and even beyond by pulling them through the mucous membranes in the mouth from the body. These toxins enter our saliva through a process of enzymatic action in the bloodstream and are drawn up and eventually out of our body with the oil that captures them. Never swallow the oil as it becomes toxic. And the key with this as with most health practices is consistency. Apparently, it is really effective. I am doing it several times a week and am enjoying it. Use cold pressed organic sesame oil (un-roasted) or Olive or coconut oil. This is an act of self love.
You are already doing this daily I hope. It’s as simple as taking a spoon and scraping your tongue to remove excess film that is loaded with bacteria and plaque building micro-organisms. I use an actual device called a tongue scraper that I got from the Health food store and that and brushing/flossing my teeth first thing in the morning is the KEY to me waking up my body-temple in the morning and feeling ready to face the day. Oral hygiene is so important. I have a heart condition which makes it even more so, but anyone will add years to their life if they take good care here. That is an actual fact. Affirm when you do it ‘I enjoy taking care of my self.’
OOOOoooOOoO I LOVE THIS ONE! Our feet contain many meridians of energy that are stimulated and activated when we walk barefoot which help discharge Electromagnetic Pollution as well as invigorate all the organs which correspond to the reflex points on the soles of the feet. I started doing this several years into my raw life as I noticed I naturally felt so much stronger and heartier especially in the cold weather and even winter snow. I have recently learned that my natural urge to be barefoot is actually a true health practice which people like David Wolfe and Daniel Vitalis have been sharing a lot about recently. This is my 4th year and I have to say its such a pleasure to go barefoot out in Nature. Please do it with extreme mindfulness if you wish to try it. I don’t recommend doing it in urban areas. Learn to step with care and confidence. Love your feet, love your journey.
Wow! The first week in January of 2010. Into the New Year we go! Happy Happy Joy Joy! Holiday time can be very busy and sleep and dietary concerns are not my top priorities between all the raw parties and events, polar bear dips and barefoot hikes in the snow, night skating, tobogganing, visiting old friends and other festivities which included TV appearances, I really let things slip a bit. I am rather strict and disciplined 90% of the time, my diet is 90% raw, and come to think of it, my marks in school were that too… I leave a good 10 % for total spontaneity and adventure. Now it’s time to get back on track! I looooove the fresh start feeling of a clean slate before me to create upon, and I do make resolutions in the form of setting intentions. Speaking of which, I am still loving the Daylight Diet which I started in November that I promised to let everyone know how I am progressing. I have such a long way to go, yet I am encouraged by my progress already. I am making baby-steps and if I didn’t love and honour myself so much, I would think I was pathetic actually because of how slow I am going! Hahaha.
The Daylight Diet explains clearly why anyone who wishes to improve their health would do better to eat the biggest meal earlier in the day and completely cease eating after sundown. So I am getting closer to this goal. I have started the habit of making my green juice or smoothie earlier, around 10am, and although I am not totally consistent with this yet, I am getting there. I am also eating something in the afternoon to get some nourishment in so I won’t be hungry after my next and final meal at dinner. I find eating in the day really different for me being used to not stopping for lunch, and just being very productive. I now realise there is just no point keeping a beautiful home and making healthy meals for my family and working on my rawmom books and projects for my world-family if I am not taking time to properly nourish myself.
It’s a lot of habits I still wish to change… and it isn’t that I didn’t realise this before, its just that I was fooling myself into thinking if I was raw that I could get away with all this late eating and lack of sleep. I feel that as challenging as this is for me to make these changes, that the results will be worth it. I am already noticing that I am waking up more refreshed. And there is a slight euphoria that I cannot totally understand or describe… a physical sense in my body that something HUGE and exciting is happening. I just feeeeeel like my body is happier. And will continue to become happier still as I continue to progress through the stages of the Daylight Diet. Before I can move on to stage one or two or three, I need to really accomplish maintaining my food intake during the day and taper my last meal back from 6 pm to 5 pm before it gets dark.
I am such a huge fan of carob. I’m an even bigger fan of carob now that I am mother. I have lots of fond memories tied up in carob. My mum used to buy the cooked sugar free carob buds from the health food store when I was a kid. I used to think it was such a treat! Then I went to school and discovered junk food and the carob kinda lost its sheen for me. But I always came back to carob, and during my uni days when I was a strict vegan I even found a version made with soy instead of milk powder.
Carob is native to the eastern Mediterranean, probably the Middle East, where it has been in cultivation for at least 4000 years. Carob also thrives in the wild. The plant was well known to the ancient Greeks, who planted seeds of this plant in Greece and Italy. Carob pods are high in calcium and vitamin A. It also contains B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and the trace minerals iron, manganese, chromium, copper, and nickel.
