Watermelon is wonderful!

Watermelon. This time of year it is so abundant, so juicy, so sweet, that I have adopted a new ritual. Watermelon fast about once a week. Today has been the second time in two weeks, and it feels good. It feels right.

Yes, by the end of the day, when finishing the last of the huge watermelon I bought a little more than 24 hours ago, my enthusiasm for the taste, the look, even the smell is less than it was at the beginning of the day. But, I know I will sleep well, wake up feeling great and looking forward to enjoying my idealistic food choices. It seems to reset my appetite thermostat just a bit, for which I am grateful. I have also heard that watermelon meat makes a great digestive cleanser.

Today I was up with the sun, operating at high peak all day, and now settling in for the evening, just as the sun is moving behind the mountains. Could be..... because I have spent the last week (on "vacation") locating my new home, getting rid of stuff (6 garbage bags), giving away stuff ( 4 boxes, 3 garbage bags) and have posted the last of my furniture on Craig's list. I'm on a mission.

It is amazing how similar this "material purging, prior to moving", is to the last one which pulled me out of Phoenix and landed me in Prescott about 2 years ago. All I can say, is something huge must be coming, because I have sure cleared out lot of stuff; physical, spiritual and emotional. It is an exercise in self reflection, life review and manipulation of vibrational energy. It seems to be going much easier this go around, as...well as, dare I say...almost fun!

Toiletry Update;
I wash my hair with baking soda instead of shampoo. Absolutely love how it makes my hair look and feel.
I use hemp oil as a weekly facial moisturizer, sometimes coconut. So far, I like the responsiveness of my skin.
I use rock salt for deodorant, have been about 2 years now, after changing my idea of how a deodorant is suppose to work, it does well for me.
I use Vitamin E drops for eye area after ever face cleaning.

Let it go Baybeeeee!

I can see the advantages as I am searching for new housing, eager to further streamline my life, while enjoying a raw lifestyle. I now don't need a stove/oven, just some counter space, and ideally, but not necessary, a little refrigerator.

Currently I am living in 600 sq ft. Yesterday I was considering a 10x12 bedroom/living space plus bathroom. Though it was bit uncomfortable at first to consider, the paring down of more, getting rid of the last of my favorite furniture, and finding new loving human experiences for my cats, it is the kind of discomfort that actually feels good, like exercising a forgotten muscle.

As I was going though my storage shed, I noticed I have 2 big Tupperware tubs filled with writings since grade school days, and now at the age of 50, I am sure it is time to release the past, without hesitation. Freedom comes in many different packages, eliminating more stuff seems to be the package I am unwrapping these days. Giving away my furniture instead of selling seems to support my new belief system that money is old energy, reducing my attachment and need for it.

What does this have to do with the Raw Lifestyle? Clarity in purpose and direction. I remember going through similar events shortly after my husband died, living in a 2400 sq ft house, filled with stuff. It was by Diving force and coercion that I made the decision to reduce material belongings, to leave my family business, to move, to be open to new and very different changes.

This time it's different, it is of no prompting except that gentle voice inside that says it time. I have come to honor that voice, rely on the voice, and tap into the wisdom behind it. As a Tibetan friend once reminded me, "If you own a yak, you have problems as big as a yak"

I do believe that taking care of your body, what ever that means for each of us, is primary in raising vibrational energy. For me, this means eating LIVE foods. I think of my history; vegetarian to vegan to raw. Joining the YMCA, of hiking more, connecting with nature more, yes this means hugging trees, and paying attention to the Divinity within. I am now bringing in new people and experiences that support this direction I have taken.

Today I am exploring another housing possibility: "How do you feel about your shower located outside" A laugh, and smile reported; "I am definitely open to new experiences"

Many Days Gone By

Hello!

Sitting on a vortex in Sedona, feeling the energy of the sunrise, the rocks, the plants, the breeze, lost in the beauty that surrounds me...I can feel the releasing that is happening now, shedding, like coming out of a cocoon....maybe waking up.
I am.
I am alive.
I am.....days and days behind in my posting, and for this I apologize. : }

The topics on my ever growing list, in light of this 90 raw food experience, is unmanageable, and it is with this single post, I seek redemption.

Big item; Emotional Eating.

Old story: complex carbohydrates, refined sugar and wine and/or beer. Physical recovery-24 hours. Emotional recovery-48 hours, sometimes more with the slippery slope to satiate my emotions once again with the same. Tough stuff.

New story; raw falafel and raw hummus with greens, raw cacao pie for dessert and a bottle of sparkling water. Physical recovery-after my morning elimination. Emotional recovery...there is no misalignment to recover from.

Half way there, 6 weeks in and 6 more weeks to go. Some reflections...

• I don't miss coffee, and understand clearly the addictive cycle it has with me
  
• My counter spice tray now consists of cold pressed olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, cayenne, curry and turmeric. I love the cleansing qualities of turmeric. I use fresh herbs generously, instead of dried herbs lightly. I am experimenting with ginger more.
  
• Eating fruit alone (or with a handful of raw nuts), on an empty stomach works really well for me. No more "chootling". As a matter of fact, very little now, a lot less than when I was a non raw vegan.
• On the advice of a Nutritionist friend, I am taking B12 and L-cysteine. It will be interesting to see the results of a hair analysis in August. Wish I had thought to do one before.
  
• I have shifted and/or released some weight. I have never embraced the "scale", because it only supports a limited point of view I have on what I should weigh, but I have dropped a dress size, I see new definitions in my body, friends have noticed.
• I am more aware of my energy levels, and how foods/meals affect me. This allows me to make minor changes to keep consistently centered.
• I am more sensitive to the energies of those around me and observant to the ways I react to them. Again, this allows me to make minor changes to keep consistently centered.
• During this "peri-menopausal and menopause" time of life for me, my periods wanned to every 4-6 months. Now, almost every other month. This is good. The longer I can keep the estrogen flowing naturally, the better for me.
• With this food life style change, regular yoga, weight bearing exercises (2-3x a week) 30-60 minute hikes (3-4x a week), life experiences, their lessons & guidance, I am probably in the best overall condition than I have ever been, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
  
• Could be because of the increase daylight of summer, but I have noticed that it is not unusual from me to stay up past 10pm, and still get up at my regular time (without an alarm) at about 5am.

I think that is all for now. I appreciate your patience, and am looking forward to being more consistent with my entries.