Raw Fu Challenge Day 61- We Have SPROUTS!

Today there are new Raw Fu tee shirts up, in all shapes and sizes, so go order your tee shirt today. http://www.bunnyberry.etsy.com

Also, got to tell you about the Rawkathon that's happening starting on October 19th. Go register for that FREE ONLINE EVENT here: http://tinyurl.com/3oenur

And oh! The baby sprouts! They have turned into little plantlings! This could lead to something really big. Like, homegrown FOOD.

Lessen Your Charge Around Food

Today, Kevin Gianni from the Renegade Health Show is our celebrity raw food guest, and brings amazing insight about how to lessen your charge around the food you're eating.

THANK YOU, Kevin! This is wonderful.

Photos and stats are starting to surface as challengers start to really see what changing their diet for 2 months can do to help reshape their bodies and their lives. Check out Raw Fu Member Billie's Pants Photo: http://raw100.ning.com/photo/photo/show?id=2170300%3APhoto%3A114155

And Raw Fu Member Raw Bella is down 43 pounds, and has lost 11 inches from her waist! Congratulations, Raw Bella! You are such a fun and inspiring person in our lives. So proud of you, honey: http://raw100.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2170300%3ABlogPost%3A112960

C'mon, let's get FIRED UP! And make the next 40 days cleaner, leaner, and meaner than the first 60.

HOW IS YOUR DAY 60 GOING?

Raw Fu Challenge Day 58- Know You PLU #s

Do you know what those little numbers stand for on the stickers of your fruits and vegetables? They actually are doing more than just telling the cashier how much to charge you for the food. They're giving you important clues about where the food came from, and more importantly whether it's organic, conventional, or has been genetically modified!

Know your PLU # facts so that you can be a conscious consumer. Knowledge is power!

North America
General designation is as follows:

Organic produce has a five-digit number beginning with a 9. Organic bananas, for example, would be given the designation of 94011.

Conventional produce has a four-digit number beginning with a 3 or 4. Therefore, the number on conventionally grown bananas would be 4011. These products may have been sprayed with insecticides, herbicides, pesticides.

Genetically engineered produce also has a five-digit number on the label and begins with an 8. Again, the number on genetically altered bananas would be 84011.

Wired Magazine Article: Cracking the Frankenfood Code

Wikipedia: PLU#


HOW IS YOUR DAY 58 GOING?

Raw Fu Challenge Day 57- Bunny is Preachin' It

Today I have been moved by Spirit to preach a little bit to y'all. This community is in need of a revival. And I'm here to tell you that you can do it. It's as simple as making 1 choice. Can I hear an amen?

Watching Food Matters

Watching Food Matters tonight while I do some design work at my paying gig. rubyvroom recommended it to me today. Have you seen it? Give your reviews here, and...

HOW IS YOUR DAY 56 GOING?

Raw Fu Master Gardener in Training

Today I show you the beginnings of my Square Foot Garden! I actually planted seeds in a little seed tray, and they're starting to germinate. Seriously, I'm well on my way to Raw Fu Master Gardener.

P.S. The thumbnail for this Video on YouTube looks like I'm holding part of the contents of my recent colonic. Don't worry. It's a sprout pod!

HOW IS YOUR DAY 55 GOING?

Raw Fu Challenge Day 54- Bunny Gets a Colonic

Today I went for my first colon hydrotherapy session, and I have to tell you, there is nothing to be afraid of, girlfriend! If you're thinking about having a colonic, watch some stuff on YouTube, Google it, and then give it a try, if you like.

It's not scary. Or weird. Or gross. Who knew?!

What The Doctor Said

I am back from my General Practice M.D. He poked and prodded around in my abdomen, and made funny faces when I would say "Ouch" in certain places. He said, "They tell you in medical school that the abdomen speaks Chinese. It's hard to tell what it's saying without a translator." So, I am having an ultrasound and Upper GI X-Ray on Friday morning.

He's also doing bloodwork, and actually suggested that I might have a FOOD ALLERGY! He was very supportive of the raw food diet, and told me to keep it up. My blood pressure was 118 over 70. My pulse was 95. My oxygen count was 99%. And I've lost 30 pounds since I started raw foods in April. So, by all practical purposes, I'm healthier than I have been in years!

I'm happy to be having some imaging done. The more I know about what's going on inside, the better equipped I am to heal. The area where the gallbladder is was very ouchy to touch. The doctor suggested that the running to the John was either gallbladder attack related or just a run of the mill stomach bug. I have had a gallbladder attack in the past, with very different symptoms, but I definitely wouldn't rule it out as a possibility. The tightness between my shoulder blades was identical, and that feeling of not being able to get comfortable all weekend was definitely there.

So, imaging and bloodwork coming up.

I also got an e-mail from Matt Monarch, suggesting that I keep that colonic appointment tomorrow. He said that when you're feeling bad is the most beneficial time to go. I put a call back into the hydrotherapist, and am waiting for her to confirm that the appointment time is still open.

Away we go...

The Biblical Colonic

I'm leaving for the doctor soon. The mini biological terrorists have won.
While I'm gone, you guys check out The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D.




HOW IS YOUR DAY 53 GOING?

No Wonder People Are On Auto-Pilot

I've been replaced in the family photo today by a pumpkin dressed up like a pirate. I have been on the couch since 8 o'clock this morning, sick as a dog. Nausea, pain in my upper left abdomen, and let's just say I've read around 75 pages of The China Study (thank you, Angela!) in short 2 minute bursts from the toilet. No pun intended.

For the past few days I've been getting chills. And that spot in my upper left abdomen that always hurts when I eat something naughty has been aching, along with all of my joints. Today, the bathroom trips arrived. I'm going to go to the doctor in the morning to let him poke and prod my abdomen. When I root around in my fat-rolls, I swear I feel a bump about the size of my pinkie finger a few inches below my ribs on the left side.

Being completely clueless about human anatomy, I had to look up a diagram to see what was even ON the left side of my abdomen. Google Image Search University brought back this very informative illustration for ages 3+. Finally, a medical illustration I can understand!

I can't believe how much I know about website layers, widgets, and the anatomy of CSS, but how little I know about my own body. No wonder people are on auto-pilot concerning their health. I feel incredibly lucky to have stumbled into the world of raw food, and to be actively pursuing my body, nutrition, and wellness. If I'm not careful, I might actually learn something.

What is the most significant thing your raw food journey has taught you about your body? AND HOW IS YOUR DAY 52 GOING?No

Raw Fu Day 52- They're All Pretty Good Days, Aren't They?

For those of you who follow me on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/darnlucky), you know that I had kind of a rough day today. The batteries on the dog's collars were obviously dead, and they both left for a little adventure. Beckett and I circled the neighborhood, and finally found them across the railroad tracks on a dead end road, lying in the middle of the street sunning themselves.

Meanwhile, my crack addicted brother stole a gun, traded it for drugs, then broke his leg and wound up in my backyard looking for a place to squat for the night. He's in my camper out back. I didn't have the chutzpah to argue with him, or deal with his addiction today. I'll have to kick his baby bird ass out of the nest in the morning.

I was sitting on the couch feeling sorry for myself, and an image of this mother that I saw earlier this year on Dr. Phil popped into my head. What the hell am I complaining about?

I've got raw chocolate cookies in the dehydrator, and had a lovely salad for lunch. Some days are better than others. But they're all pretty good days, aren't they?


HOW IS YOUR DAY 51 GOING?

Raw Fu Challenge Day 50! Congratulations, T!

Today I announce the winner of the Raw Fu Day 50 raw food delivery. Congratulations, T. T has also been transcribing all of the Raw Fu videos for our hearing impaired guests. So, I not only want to give her this Day 50 gift, but I also want to take donations to get T a blender!

Give it up for the wonderful T!

Beckett & His Apples

Beckett & His Apples, originally uploaded by darnlucky.

Beckett picked a bucket of apples from the tree in our backyard and asked me to make applesauce. When the applesauce turned out green (Um. The apples are green!), he turned up his nose and wouldn't eat it.

So, I am sneaking them into cookies. Everybody loves cookies.

Note: Robot is irradiating apples with his organic laser gun.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 49- What is YOUR Passion?

During Raw Spirit Festival, Rawbin volunteered in the kitchen, and I just loved seeing her so excited and in her element. She has been so inspiring to me. Her passion just bubbles out of her.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 48 - Self Mutilation

Today I talk about self talk mutilation, and try to encourage you to see yourself as other people see you...beautiful!

Raw Fu Challenge Day 47- Life Changing Experience

Today I talk about the shift in my thinking and how I decided to become an educated farmer!

Raw Fu Challenge Day 40

Today I talk about how around day 40 in my last raw food challenge was the day that I became a willing raw foodist.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 39- Fill Your Heart With Love

Today I share a few photos from the Raw Fu community. My heart almost exploded while I was putting this together.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 38- Brush Your Teeth

Today's video is a reminder of why it is important to brush your teeth.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 37

I love how my raw food lifestyle has launched me into trying all sorts of new food preparation. Today I am experimenting with different pickling flavors and combinations, using up some of the banana peppers from our small garden. Our garden this summer is basically only herbs and these peppers. But I'm already starting to plan for fall planting. I'm having so much fun. Becoming more healthy never tasted so good.

The jar I'm holding are marinating in cider vinegar, garlic, sea salt, dill, thyme, and parsley. The ones in the background are a sweet recipe that RSAgirl dug up for me, and is listed below.

Here's a recipe for Raw Pickled Peppers:

4 red, yellow or green sweet bell peppers
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 cup shoyu
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
4-6 cloves garlic

Remove stems & seeds from the peppers and cuts them into strips or chunks. Place the vinegar, honey, shoyu, cumin, thyme, onion powder, cayenne and garlic in a quart jar or a similar glass container with a tight fitting lid and shake until the honey dissolves. Add the pepper strips to the jar. Close the lid securely and refrigerate. Flavors will develop in about 4 hours, but the pickled peppers can be kept up to several weeks in the refrigerator.

HOW IS YOUR DAY 37 GOING? Let's see some pictures of your garden bounty!

Raw Fu Challenge Day 36

I'm obviously just not ready to change from a standard raw food diet to a low fat version. I know the first few days are supposed to be tough. But I find myself sliding down the rabbit hole, obsessing over food. Last night I got up in the middle of the night and binged on Frosted Flakes, potato chips, and Fig Newtons. When I got into an argument with Basil later in the day, I got in the car and was on my way to get a waffle cone of turtle ice cream from Bruester's. On the way to the ice cream shop, I broke down and cried. Hard, long sobbing full of shame and self loathing. This week has been a bitch.

I'm naturally a very reclusive person. I can stay in my own little office bubble for weeks on end, and not notice the seasons change or that I haven't spoken to anyone using my voice besides the dogs and my little family to the point that my throat gets dry and my voice cracks. Branching out in person has never been one of my strong points. Being around people I haven't known for years makes me feel vulnerable and shy. And it takes a lot out of me because I'm terribly out of practice.

Last weekend in Atlanta was wonderful! I met amazing Raw Fu Challengers, and actually hosted a slumber party. And I loved every minute of it, but it was emotionally hard for me. I couldn't fall back on my normal reclusive tendencies. I was being stretched out of my comfort zone. And Raw Spirit Festival is going to be the same way for me. Full of, you know, actual PEOPLE, who are living and breathing and laughing and smiling. The bandwidth gets a lot bigger when you're face to face.

My emotions have been topsy turvy, and all of my food related issues have been raging. I'm just not ready to go here with my diet. Right now, if I stay on 80-10-10, I'm going to fail. And it's not the protocol's fault. It's just that I'm not ready. I've got some baggage to deal with on the cellular emotional level, and I need to be able to put my raw diet on auto-pilot while I'm wading through the mess.

It's not you, Dr. Graham, it's me.

HOW IS YOUR DAY 36 GOING?

Raw Fu Challenge Day 35- White Knuckle 811

Today I am white knuckling my way through 80-10-10, but still smiling.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 34- This is What Beautiful Looks Like

Today I announce the winners of the This is What Beautiful Looks Like contest on Raw Fu.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 33- All Raw Directory

Today I tell you all about the ALL RAW DIRECTORY by the wonderful Wendi Dee.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 30- Angela Stokes

Angela Stokes of RawReform shares her wonderful insight for our 30 Day Challenge Mark.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 29- Heading to the ATL

Today I am heading to Atlanta for Raw Fu Around the World, and will be ATTEMPTING to broadcast LIVE from tomorrow night's meetup. So, tune in on Raw Fu.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 28- Finished Reading 80-10-10

Today, I finished reading Doug Graham's 80-10-10 diet book, and am embarking on a 21 day 811 journey with other Raw Fu members.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 27- Tired and Rambling

Okay, sorry, this video is total rambling. But maybe you'd like to look at my puppets.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 26- Your Health is Yours

Today I am a little upset because Basil won't go to the doctor. But all I can do is live by example, and show the people around me what it is like to take a proactive role in your health.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 25- The Natural Face Lift

Today I want you to stop what you're doing, and tell the people around you how much you love and appreciate them!
Plus, I'm experiencing a raw natural face lift.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 23- Raw Coconut Dumplings Continued

Today I finish the coconut sesame dumpling demo that I started yesterday. Man, they were so delicious!

Raw Fu Challenge Day 22- Play in the Kitchen

Today I encourage you to just go into the kitchen this weekend and play! Have fun! I'm making the coconut sesame dumplings from Everyday Raw. They'll either be great, or a disaster. Tune in tomorrow to find out.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 22- Play in the Kitchen

Today I encourage you to just go into the kitchen this weekend and play! Have fun! I'm making the coconut sesame dumplings from Everyday Raw. They'll either be great, or a disaster. Tune in tomorrow to find out.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 21- Young Coconut Ideas

Today I'm asking for ideas of what do to with my 4 young coconuts in the fridge!

Raw Fu Challenge Day 20 with Matt Monarch

Today Matt Monarch gives his insight into why the raw food diet works, and of course talks to us about the benefits of colon hydrotherapy. ;)

Raw Fu Challenge Day 19- Reunited

Today I am going to spend the day with my boys, and Beckett has discovered the joy of the spiral slicer.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 18- Flax Crackers!

Today I discuss how you needn't spend time doing a Master Cleanse. Just make some flax crackers, and eat an entire tray over a weekend. You'll move, baby! You'll move!

Raw Fu Challenge Day 13- Rash Update

Today I give you an update on my rash, and hope you'll hang in there with raw foods!

Raw Fu Challenge Day 12- The Whine Line

Today I discuss The Whine Line, and how to quiet your negative internal dialogue.

Raw Fu Challenge Day 11- Sweet Potato Hashbrowns

Today I take you into the kitchen to make sweet potato hashbrowns with some of my new toys!

Raw Fu Challenge- Day 10- And the Winner Is...

Today we have not one, not two, but THREE raw food celebrity guests giving great advice, and announcing the winners of the Green Smoothie Mustache contest!

Raw Fu Challenge- Day 9- Ugh. Insomnia

Today I am pretty much a zombie. I suffer from a history of insomnia, and last night I didn't get any sleep. Plus, this painting project is a little more than I bargained for!

Raw Fu Challenge- Day 7- Sunflower Seed Cheese

Today I make a simple sunflower seed cheese for you to munch on. Nom nom nom. I like to use sunflower seeds because they are much less expensive than other nuts, and don't make me retain water.