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Rebecca's Story
A Transformation through raw foods
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| Before raw foods |
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This picture was taken months before I decided I had "had enough".
My work as a massage therapist requires strength and stamina. At this point in my life I was feeling run down and old. I was seriously considering whether or not to give up my work as a massage therapist because of my lack of energy.
There were times when walking up a small flight of stairs felt like too much for my body to handle.
When I turned 30, I felt like I imagined an 80-year-old might feel. I was told by a doctor that I visited that I was in fact getting older and should accept the fact that my body was changing. Yet, I knew that I had seen 80 year olds that looked more vibrant and alive than I did. How was this possible? What was it that they were doing and what did I need to do to get similar results? These are the questions I set out to answer.
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| Me holding avocados after 1 year of raw foods |
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I scheduled a much needed vacation on May 24th 2001. I was planning to leave town but at the last minute my plans changed. I decided since I had time off work, I would take a "Home Vacation".
I decided to transform my home into a spa.
I scheduled a few different massage therapists to come and give me massages in the comfort of my home, gave myself a pedicure, had daily herbal baths and decided to eat gourmet raw food for the entire week. As I relaxed at home, I spent time reading book after book on anti-cancer diets and the healthful properties of uncooked fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. I was so inspired and impressed by what I read and so ready for a change in my life, I decided to eat a diet of primarily uncooked fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts for as long as I could.
The food was tasty and I experimented a lot and I grew to love this way of eating more and more. I have not turned back since.
I have made a promise to myself to treat my body with respect and never return to my previous level of neglect. It feels better than I ever thought possible!
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I knew that if I didn't enjoy my food, I wouldn't change my eating habits permanently. I set out to relearn how to prepare meals. I read recipe book after recipe book and my kitchen became a health laboratory. I made some dishes that were disastrous and some that were so good I impressed myself.
Over time I saw that there were a variety of wonderful foods that are superior in taste to the cooked foods I had previously craved.
There were times when I would go back and eat junk foods but I made the decision to look at my progress and never to beat myself up for being less than perfect.
Gradually my cravings grew weaker and weaker and my desire for fresh foods grew stronger. I made it a goal to listen to what my body wanted and to keep reading and learning how to truly nourish myself.
It has been a journey and I have received rewards many times over for any small sacrifice I have made. I used to have strong cravings for pizza and chili fries. When I would call the pizza delivery and give them my phone number, they knew exactly what I wanted on my pizza. I can honestly say giving up chili fries and pizza is a small price to pay for the feeling of energy I have regained. I wish you the best in your journey to health.
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Rebecca has received certificates from the Ekaya Institute of Living Food Education as a raw foods chef, raw nutrition specialist, raw lifestyle coach and raw personal trainer.
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| The preparation of raw foods is a great creative outlet. |
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