DIET IS ONLY HALF THE STORY

Or perhaps it's even only a third.  More and more I'm starting to realize that health is less about what we eat, and more about how we live!

Nutrition is a crucial component to healthy living, of course, but it's even more relevant in the context of lifestyle.  It is equality important what we choose to think, how we feel, and who we surround ourselves with. If you’re eating all the right things (which can vary widely depending on who you ask), but you're holding on to negative or resentful emotion, you may not achieve your desired level of health no matter how "perfect" you believe your diet to be.  Stress, lack of physical movement, emotional pain, spiritual disconnection are just a few factors outside of diet that affect the quality of our health and well-being. 

For this reason, I would love to start shifting the conversation away from just raw foods and recipes, to a broader understanding of what healthy living is all about. You might see me talking more and more about things like joy, and creating a fulfilling spiritual practice.  In fact, if you haven’t visited the Raw Radiance website in a while, you may want to take a look (as it won’t be around for much longer).  I am currently in the midst of rebranding with a new direction and focus.  Stay tuned!  

If you have been following my blog, you may have noticed that I've taken some time off in recent months (more like an entire year).  There are several reasons behind my decision to step away.  Everything from feeling uninspired in my own diet and lifestyle, and wanting to be more fully engaged in my personal life.  But mostly, I think I just simply burned out.  

During my time away from blogging/social media, I have tried to regroup and redefine my vision and direction for my life.  I have spent a lot of time exploring so many other interests like interior design and reading up on parenting.  My hunch is that being a mama is the next big chapter in my life ;)

As far as my lifestyle goes, here's where I am today.  My diet is varied and I'm far more flexible with my eating habits.  I don't care to define myself by any particular lifestyle or diet.  And even though my path began with an interest in raw foods, I no longer feel the need to limit the conversation to just diet and nutrition. There's just so much more to health! 

I still prefer a plant-based approach as the core foundation of my diet, with a strong focus on dark leafy greens and algae (spirulina anyone?).  I have kept the basic principles of the raw food diet (green juices, green smoothies, green salads, etc).  In fact, juicing continues to be a daily foundational practice for me, as it always has been.  But I now enjoy animal products on occasion as well. I find that unpasteurized eggs, raw goat/sheep yogurt, wild-caught sardines, and yes, locally-sourced organic meat have beneficial nutrients harder to come by on a strictly plant-based diet.  

On the other hand, I'm also intrigued with the concept behind Dr Fuhrman's nutritarian diet. His focus is on maximizing the micronutrient concentration in foods per calorie count.  You can read more about that on www.drfuhrman.com.  However, I do feel this approach is a bit too strict for this stage in my life.  Restricted dieting is not exactly something I'm interested in.  My goal is primarily balance and flexibility in all areas of my life, especially diet.  

So here I am, on a quest to redefine my definition and approach to health.  My aim is to deepen my understanding of health and well-being from a broader perspective.  And so the journey continues!     

MY WEDDING PHOTOS!

Alexo Photography: www.alexostudio.com 

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/AlexoPhotography

LAUNCHING MY BRAND NEW WEBSITE

I'm back, and ready to launch my new RAW RADIANCE website!  The official release date is coming up in just a couple of days on Nov 22nd, 2011.   

The website has been in the works for some time now, and I'm happy to say it's finally here!  Although ironically, the completion of the site has come at an interesting time in my life.

In case you're wondering what in the world I've been up to over the past few months, I have some exciting news!  I just got married ♥  

Hugh and I were engaged in May and jumped head first into planning our eco-inspired 11.11.11 wedding.  (Details and photos coming soon!)  

So not only have I embraced a new chapter in my life with my new husband, but I've also been contemplating a new direction for Raw Radiance over these past few months.

After much thought and some soul searching, I've decided to shift my focus and broaden my message to encompass the bigger picture of health.  (Of course I'll still share my raw recipes!) 

Moving forward, I'm hoping to put a stronger emphasis on spirituality and lifestyle, because there simply isn't a one-size-fits-all diet, and health is about so much MORE than just what we eat!  It is equally about what we think, how we feel, who we surround ourselves with, and the environment in which we choose to live.

In the upcoming weeks and months I'll be sharing more on my new philosophy for living a healthy and vibrant life.  Until then, please stop by and check out my NEW website on all things raw food, launching Nov 22nd, 2011.

With love and radiance, 

Mila

HOW I GOT HERE

My family emigrated from the former Soviet Union when I was just a young girl.  As my parents struggled to make a living in a new country, my father often brought leftover pizza home from his delivery job.   

On weekends I remember exploring endless varieties of packaged foods at the supermarket.  I was very intrigued, as grocery superstores did not exist in our small Russian town.  Like many, we were drawn in by the convenience of cheap T.V. dinners.  

It wasn’t long before I started to develop addictive tendencies toward processed foods.  And sure enough, by my teens I found myself frequently binge eating and yo yo dieting. 

In my mid-twenties I began transitioning to a vegetarian diet, and even though I knew better, I ended up turning into a junk-food vegetarian.  I justified my eating habits thinking, "surely I'm healthier than the average person if I cut out meat, right?"

But I started gaining weight and eventually found myself in and out of depression.  I was overweight, in a relationship I wasn't happy in, climbing the corporate ladder – I felt trapped.

I had reached a low in my life, where even my closest friends found my negativity draining.  So I continued to mask my pain with the comfort of food, while deeply resenting my destructive eating behavior.

It felt as though food was at the center of everything that was wrong in my life.  If only I could release this addiction, I’d no longer feel tempted and manipulated by food.  I would slim down and feel comfortable in my own skin.  I would have the confidence to pursue the life I had always envisioned.  I blamed my compulsive behavior with food for not having achieved any of these things.

The final straw was when I looked up my Body Mass Index (BMI) and realized that at 5’2” and 170 pound, I was in the first stages of obesity.  I immediately signed up with the L.A. Weight Loss program but I strongly resisted their eating plan, which heavily focused on processed energy bars.  I was faced with the realization that I desperately needed a new start with a focus on health, not just another weight-loss gimmick.  

Food represented something destructive in my life, and I needed to change that relationship.  I had to associate food with something positive and healing.  More importantly, I knew that if I didn’t change the direction of my life, I would end up settling for a life I didn’t want.  I desperately needed to feel purpose and meaning again.

I sat down and reevaluated every aspect of my life.  Who was I living for, anyway?  Was I trying to please my family, live up to the expectations of my peers, or fit some ideal that our culture values?  As far as I could tell, the ideals I was trying to live up to were only suffocating me.  My life was headed down the wrong path fast.   

I had to create my own set of values to live by.  I needed a strong, positive belief system that would carry me through on a path to fulfillment.  So I defined how I wanted my ideal diet and lifestyle to look like, and what real health meant to me.  It was then that I realized I wanted to pursue healthy living.   

I felt liberated knowing I could finally start living my life on my own terms, for my happiness.  As soon as I made that decision, Life immediately embraced me with guidance. 

I was already familiar with raw foods when I attended a lecture that mentioned a book by Victoria Boutenko, author of Green for Life.  I picked up the book as it was being passed around.  To my surprise, I instantly recognized Victoria’s picture on the back cover.  

Victoria Boutenko, who founded the green smoothie revolution, is also a first generation Russian immigrant.  Years ago when Victoria’s family lived in Colorado she was acquainted with my mother.  She gave a lecture on raw foods for a few of my mom’s friends at our home.  I was only in my early teens but I remember her lecture   quite well.  This was long before “raw foods” was a commonly used term.  

What’s interesting is that 14 years later Life would bring me back to Victoria’s message – coincidence?  I think not!  Shortly after reading her book, I found out about the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute specializing in raw vegan cuisine.  By that point, I could no longer ignore the obvious.  I had to follow the guidance. 

So I did the unthinkable – I walked away from my life.  I called off the relationship, quit my 9-year career, cashed out my 401k, packed up everything into storage, and took off to pursue my passion for healthy living. 

I completed the Gourmet Raw Food Chef & Instructor certification at the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute, and since my return from completing the program I have maintained a primarily high-raw diet. 

Eating a clean, natural diet has connected me back to my body.  Food has taken on a whole new meaning for me.  But I recognize that it’s an ongoing journey.  I try to stay flexible as I continue to evolve and fine tune my diet and lifestyle.  I have learned to let go, and not get down at times when I’m not at my best behavior.  I give myself love and understanding every step of the way. 

Issues around eating, whether expressed through binging or starving, are a form of punishment and self-sabotage.  As I continue to love and accept myself, I find I have far less self-destructive tendencies.  Because after all, I have a choice, the choice to live vibrantly healthy!

CLEANSING & COLONIC EUPHORIA

Cleansing seems to be a theme for me this year.  I kicked off 2011 with the SpaFusion Cleanse coupled with a series of colonics.  It was a wonderful experience with a few ups and downs (due to some detox symptoms), but an absolute great way to start off the year!

I was thrilled to try colonics for the very first time.  I signed up for a 6-session series, twice a week, and I've continued with a maintenance session once a month.  I did a fair amount of research on colon hydrotherapy, and I was careful to find a therapist who I resonated with.  I was also very careful to find a practitioner who uses the best quality water.

After calling around town, I found a local colon hydrotherapist who uses the gentle Woods Gravity Method, along with triple filtered UV water.  This method resonates with me because it doesn't use machines, motors, or pumps. Instead, it uses gravity to gently awaken the bowels, promoting release.

I was fortunate to connect with the lovely Karen of GravityBoulder.com, a raw foodie who trained under Natalie Rose, author of The Raw Food Detox Diet. The first colonic was definitely my most memorable!  I was in colonic euphoria that entire next 24 hours, in pure and utter bliss.  My body felt so light and free.  But as my body began to release years of stored waste, a few of the sessions that followed were more challenging. 

The cold weather also made it difficult to maintain the cleanse (I may try it again during the summer months), so I slowly transitioned back. But luckily, I was inspired to pick up a copy of The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates shortly thereafter. 

The Body Ecology Diet is a challenging program (at least it was for me) that takes you completely off of sugar, and all other stimulants for that matter!  And when I say NO sugar, I mean no sweeteners, no fruit, nada, zilch!  The book mentions a handful of symptoms (related to candida) that the raw food diet alone, including a low-glycemic juice fast, has never been able to correct for me.  So here I am cleansing yet again, this time with a stronger focus on probiotics, food combining and less SUGAR! 

I feel like this book came into my life just at the right time and for a reason.  This program feels like a much deeper, and much needed cleanse.  Truth be told, I only lasted 10 days on the initial stage of the program (no grain, no fruit, no alcohol, no starchy veggies, no tomatoes, not even gum or sweetened toothpaste).  Literally, nothing with any trace of sugar or anything that metabolizes as sugar passed my lips.  Hands down one of the more challenging cleanses I've attempted yet.  In those brief 10 days I went through a pretty intense detox and severe withdrawal symptoms.  Nothing like the mild detox from going high-raw almost 4 years ago.  

It just goes to show how many of us (even those of us who are healthy), are completely addicted to sugar.  I was shocked to realize how strongly sugar affects my body.  I'm seriously starting to think that sugar (in ALL forms) is one of the most commonly overlooked toxins in the health movement.

Even though I didn't complete the entire program, I have to say, I will never look at sugar the same way again.  Going forward I hope to play around and find a more balanced approach to creating raw desserts - those that are much lighter, low-glycemic, and definitely far less stimulating!

REVEALING MY PAST

I recently shared my story of how I risked everything to start a new path in an article titled Risking Everything, and video.  I've received several responses asking about the details of how this journey unfolded, as I'm sure on some level it may have come across as though it was such a breeze.  So I thought I'd open up and share the entirety of my past, as a way to release it with love and stay genuine with my readers.

Starting my life over again was one of the most rewarding decisions I've ever made, but it hasn't always felt like a smooth transition.  I've definitely been challenged at times, and by no means am I completely there.  I'm still learning every single day to love myself and to overcome self-doubt. 

When I say I lost everything in order to start over again, I really mean it.  Not only did I quit my 9-year career and cash out my savings, IRA and 401k (to start my new life), but I eventually foreclosed on two properties, and ultimately found myself in the midst of a bankruptcy.  You heard me right – BANKRUPTCY!  Talk about serious life experience for 20's.

I feel comfortable sharing this because I'm not ashamed to speak openly about my past, nor do I have any regrets!  If anything, I'm deeply grateful to have walked away from everything I worked so hard for, and everything I thought I valued, because walking away humbled me on so many levels.  I was given a clean slate, a blank canvas to paint a new life on – what a gift! 

And while I've experienced many synchronicities guiding my path, I've had just as many setbacks, or blessings in disguise as I now refer to them!  I can't begin to express how many times I felt like giving up, struggling to keep my heart open and reaching for the courage to take the next step forward.

So what does it take to continue to follow your heart and dreams regardless of what life throws at you?  (By the way, it may not always appear this way, but life is always guiding us!  Struggle is only an illusion.)
 
I know that many of us are scared to death to pursue our dreams, allowing circumstance and fear to hold us back.  But once we wake up and realize we've settled for a life we do NOT want, it's time to face those fears!  And yes, sometimes there are risks involved, even if we can't foresee how much we are risking.  It's not always an easy path, but one that allows us to step into the integrity and essence of who we really are.

I needed to let go of my past, my unsupportive beliefs and my attachment to a false identity before I could embrace a new life.  The job, the investment properties, the relationship I was in – it all had to go because these things were only an extension of my ego, holding me back.  

And when I finally reached a point, where I was ready to risk everything for the chance at happiness, life tested my commitment and took me on an unexpected journey of self-growth.  Hardly any of it made sense at the time, but that was life teaching me to trust!  Sometimes we just have to surrender and roll with it, knowing everything is in divine order.

I remember I tried so hard to map everything out.  I had a strategic plan all laid out.  I was going to use my 401k to pay for my raw food culinary program, and once I got back I would sell my properties and have enough money to hold me over until I got back on my feet.  Oh how I desperately needed to learn how to let go and follow my heart, not my head.  
 
And although some days felt like an emotional roller-coaster, with a million unanswered questions in my heart, this path has taught me so much about letting go of expectations.  I have learned, and continue to learn, to listen to my intuition, with a lot of flexibility and faith.  

By no means am I suggesting that others take such a drastic turn in their life, but it was something I needed to do.  And was it worth it?  All I can say is that I'm so blessed to have chosen this path.  I found love, I found my dharma, and for the first time in my life I can honestly say that I feel like I'm living a dream.

So I'd like to ask you, what have you risked to embrace your passion and follow your heart?  And if you have yet to take your first step in the direction of your dreams, what's holding you back?  Because as far as I can tell, we get one chance at life – make it worth living!  Life is always here to guide and support us, all we have to do is let go and open our heart to the guidance.   Trust your vision and NEVER look back! ♥

I'M NOT VEGAN... WHAT?

I've noticed in recent months a dialogue has opened up about whether or not a strict 100% raw vegan diet is healthy long-term.  I'm happy to see more people sharing their experience and keeping an honest, open-minded approach to healthy living.  If something isn't working, we have to be willing to let go of any attachment we may hold to a particular philosophy, and focus on what's optimal for our health.

For myself, I never felt a strong desire or calling to jump in 100% into the raw food lifestyle. I suppose I never really felt the need for it (although you may already know this, and know I'm not a vegan from previous posts). But I did go 100% raw for 31 days in January of 2008, right after I completed my certification on raw food nutrition with Drs. Rick and Karin Dina, D.C.  I was so happy to finally immerse myself into a vegan lifestyle, I even bought and read Becoming Vegan to get a better understanding of how to effectively transition.  But I have to say, my experience was somewhat disappointing.

About a week in I started to experience intense cravings for meat, which was completely unusual for having already been vegetarian for over two years with no cravings whatsoever.  And by the end of my 31 days on a strict vegan diet, I intuitively felt my body was lacking something.  But what concerned me the most, was that I started to experience hair-loss (literally clumps of hair falling out in the shower), not to mention my iron and vitamin D levels dropped. Just to be clear, I maintained a clean diet with nothing gourmet or dehydrated.  I focused on alkaline foods including a ton of dark leafy greens.  

Was it just detox?  About six months prior I had experienced symptoms of so-called detox (dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, body aches and cramps, etc).  But hair-loss and a drop in nutrient levels? Clearly there was more going on! The term "detox" is often thrown around loosely without much of an understanding of what that really means. At what point is something no longer just a symptom of detox, but a sign of deficiency? It seems there is no clear definition, so a little common sense goes a long way!

I honestly think that my hair-loss was largely due to a lack of sufficient protein.  Once I incorporated some cooked foods and animal products back into my diet (lentils, quinoa, an occasional soft-boiled egg, raw goat and sheep yogurt, wild-caught salmon), my hair-loss improved and the cravings all but vanished. 

I know we often say that Americans eat way too much protein, and yes we eat way too much of the wrong protein.  But good quality protein (amino acids) are essential.  They are the building blocks of life after all. Getting adequate amounts of high quality protein is something that I feel many raw foodists overlook.  Some of them swear by the all-or-nothing approach, but I often wonder how many routinely check their B-12, iron and vitamin D levels.

To be fair, I do think it is possible to succeed on a 100% raw vegan diet, when following a careful regiment that includes plenty of sprouts, wheatgrass, sea vegetables, algae, dark leafy greens, omega-rich nuts and seeds, a vitamin B-12 supplement, adequate amounts of calories, fats and protein... along with a routine blood test to monitor nutrient levels.  But you can't just wing it!

Of course we should all be incorporating these foods anyway, but it's not to say that we can't achieve optimal health on a high-raw diet with some cooked foods or animal products.  Quality is what's going to make or break it.  Organic, whole natural foods (preferably local) is a must.

As for me, I'm not attached to the label "raw foodist".  These days I'm far more flexible than when I was first introduced to this lifestyle.  I often enjoy cooking in the evenings using lots of fresh veggies from a local, organic farm (CSA).  And I always make sure to include a big RAW green salad with a cooked meal.  If you're curious about what I typical eat during a given week,  you can see My Way!

I am very sincere when I say this – the more we can open up and speak honestly about what's working and what's not, rather than keeping secrets and judging one another, the more we can help each other and help others on this journey of health and well-being ♥

With love, 
Mila

MY WEIGHT LOSS TRANSFORMATION

I just wanted to share my personal journey of weight-loss and transformation.  I always felt inspired watching others transform into beautiful raw butterflies... and then it occurred to me, I'm a butterfly too! ♥

I'M ON RAW FOOD NATION

I am so honored and happy to announce that Raw Food Nation is featuring my story on their site! Check it out...

www.RawFoodNation.org

What is Raw Food Nation?

Raw Food Nation, an extraordinary, get healthy, eat your fruits and veggies movement sweeping across border lines and bodies of water. We hope you'll stay a while and feast on the fun articles and resources we have to offer. Thank you for joining us and sharing in our positive energy and love of all things green.


Raw Food Nation™ intends to be your one stop for the resources you need to change your life for the better. We feature:

• New articles with expert sources
• New recipes for you to try and comment on
• Links to great online networks for newbies and seasoned raw food enthusiasts where you can learn and ask questions
• Delicious and super easy raw recipes you can try
• Rawsome gear to help you spread the word!

Attempting to go raw is not something that happens over night, but with the information we provide, we can make the transition easy and smooth, so that you can reap the benefits of your new, healthy lifestyle choices.

CELEBRATING MY 29TH

My first year of many celebrating 29

Not that there is anything wrong with aging! On the contrary, with so-called age comes experience and wisdom. Believe me, I wouldn't give up the hard lessons of my twenties for anything. 

In fact, it is truly a beautiful thing when we live into the many seasons of our life. And if we hope to age gracefully and live a full life, how we choose to live and experience each of those seasons is key.

I don't know about you, but I plan on living a long and healthy life! We know that biologically we should be living well into our 100's with strong, vibrant health and sharp mental acuity. But why aren't we?

Let's be honest, it's not like most of us don't already know what a healthy lifestyle should look like. (Hint, lots of fresh fruits and veggies, exercise, stress management, etc.) Yet we pretend that healthy living is so complicated. Why? I honesty think it is because we don't honor ourselves enough to do what we know is beneficial for our health.

One of my greatest and dearest lessons thus far has been learning to really love myself. In my journey to overcoming compulsive emotional eating and weight control, I have often asked myself why I sabotage my health even though I know better. For me, it had to do with self-sabotage and self-punishment. But learning to love myself enough to honor my health has been by far my hardest and most rewarding lesson.

Although I really do believe that age is just a number, where you're only as young as you feel... if we're not taking time to honor ourselves and prioritize healthy living, how can we possibly feel young and vibrant?

When we truly honor our health, we lovingly nourish our body with only the purest foods nature has provided us. We take time to care for ourselves with diet, fitness, and time for reflection.

Yes diet and exercise are important, but if we don't start with self love and appreciation we will find it hard to follow through.

So as I live into another year and season of my life, I've decided to renew my commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Not so much because I feel the need to hold on to my youth, but because I want the quality of my life to reflect my truth and values.

MY RAW STORY

I am so grateful to announce that Jim and Wendi Dee of Pure Jeevan are featuring me in their My Raw Story series on PureJeevan.com. It's such a pleasure to share with them my journey of transformation!

Raw living foods have done more for me than just shed a few pounds off my body. Embracing a raw food lifestyle has given me so much clarity, in terms of connecting back to myself and to a natural way of living. It has helped me overcome emotional eating and has brought me closer to a spiritual, more meaningful life.

To read the complete story of my struggle and transformation visit the Pure Jeevan blog at PureJeevan.com

Thanks Jim and Wendi Dee!

www.purejeevan.com

www.purejeevan.com/blog

OVERCOMING EMOTIONAL EATING

My earliest memories of emotional eating go as far back as elementary school. By my teens it had escalated to something that was very difficult for me to control.

Food became the only thing that could calm my emotional anxiety and fill an emotional void. I felt as though food controlled me, it tempted and manipulated me. I literally woke up every single morning panicked with worry, wondering how the day would unfold. Would today be any different? Would I actually start that diet, or would I give into the pain and eat my way back to the comfort of emotional numbness?

I felt that my struggle with emotional eating was at the center of everything that was wrong in my life. If only I could release myself from the grip food had on me... I would no longer feel tormented by food, I would slim down and feel comfortable in my own skin, I would finally attract the man of my dreams and feel more confident to pursue the life I had always envisioned! I blamed my compulsive relationship with food for not having achieved any of these things.

I remember so many days when I just wanted to give in and give up. What if I could just move away where no one knew who I was? I could hide out and eat anything I wanted, whenever I wanted, as much as I wanted. Sure that would mean settling, but I'd be set free from my internal food conflict. Or so I told myself. 

It was only when I started to understand the role my thoughts played in creating my life that it finally dawned on me, my negative associations (in terms of what food meant to me) had to change. Food represented something destructive in my life, and I needed to change that relationship. I had to associate food with something positive and healing. It was for this very reason that I was drawn to the concept behind raw foods. I love knowing that the foods I eat today nourish me and bring nature’s purity and healing to my body.


The one thing that has really helped me on my journey to overcoming emotional eating is to define for myself exactly how I wanted my ideal diet and lifestyle to look like. Drawing from the knowledge of the many health books I’ve read over the years, coupled with my own intuitive knowledge, I created some guidelines for myself that I felt were appropriate and realistic for me.

It feels wonderful having a custom lifestyle plan just for me! In fact, it gives me that much more incentive to stick with the lifestyle, because I know it’s mine and a lot of thought went into it.

I can truly say that by connecting back to a natural way of eating, food has taken on a whole new meaning for me. It is no longer something I desperately need to calm fear and anxiety, but rather something that brings healing and nourishment to my body.

But I also keep in mind that it’s an ongoing journey. I try to stay flexible as I continue to evolve and fine tune my diet and lifestyle. I have learned to let things go and not give myself a hard time when I'm not on my best behavior. I truly give myself love and understanding every step of the way (especially during an emotional relapse).

In overcoming emotional eating, I believe it begins with learning to love ourselves. Issues around eating, whether it's expressed through binging or starving, is a form of self punishment and self sabotage. As I continue to love and accept myself, I find that I have far less self-destructive tendencies. Plus, the cleaner I eat the more clarity I have about the choices I make, and thus it gets easier!

So breathe, and surrender yourself to the truth and wisdom of nature! In admiration of nature's beauty you will find a simple universal truth, that only the perfection and magnificence of nature can bring perfection and magnificence into our lives.

MY NEW BEGINNING!

Journeying into the New Year takes me back a couple of years ago when I was faced with the realization that I desperately needed a new beginning.

I was overweight and in the first stages of obesity. I was in a relationship I wasn't happy in, with a man I had very little in common with. I was in banking, climbing the corporate ladder working on another promotion, but I absolutely despised my job. I was miserable and felt trapped in every aspect of my life.

I knew that if I didn’t drastically change the direction of my life, I would end up settling for a life I did not want. Beyond that, I felt I really needed to do something that had meaning and some importance in the world.

So what do you do when you’re faced with a quarter-life crisis and you desperately need a new beginning? You risk everything for the chance at happiness, for the chance at something real. So I did the unthinkable, I called off the relationship, quit my nine year banking career, cashed out my 401k, packed up everything I owned into storage, and took off to California to pursue my passion for healthy living… not really knowing where I was going to end up when I got back. I just knew I had no choice!

I enrolled into the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute specializing in raw food cuisine, and began my journey to a healthier and happier life. Since my return from completing the program I have lost a little over 35 lbs, and I'm happier than I’ve been in a very long time.

Today I hope to inspire others with the message that there is a better way to live. That you don’t have to settle for poor health, depression, or obesity. Nature is magnificent and when we begin to live in the perfection of nature we unlock the secret to radiant health. After all, we do have a choice… the choice to live vibrantly healthy, enjoying and embracing every moment along the way.

Change is inevitable with new beginnings, where you find yourself giving up so much in exchange for so much more. The comfort of your past and everything you have ever believed in must be let go of, in order to make room for the new.

But I can honestly say that life opens up the most beautiful opportunities when you finally make the decision to open your heart, stay true to yourself, and begin to live with integrity. My decision to embrace a raw food lifestyle has given me a new appreciation for the healing power of nature, while taking my health to a whole new level of radiance.

BEFORE

1oo% CookedFAT & Miserable

AFTER80% RawHappy & healthy!

GREEN JUICE FOR WEIGHT LOSS!

To date I have lost nearly 40 lbs incorporating raw foods into my diet. And aside from the obvious, like exercising and eliminating junk food, the single most important factor that has made all the difference in helping me slim down is JUICING!

I have noticed that a green juice, first thing in the morning, kicks my metabolism into gear and keeps my cravings under control throughout the day. Plus, juicing is very hydrating for the skin which has given me a lovely natural glow!

And because juicing separates the fiber, I like to use fruits/veggies that are low on the glycemic index. This way the juice won’t spike up my blood sugar since it's absorbed directly into the bloodstream. So make sure to drink your green juice on an empty stomach for instant absorption.

By the way, I'm usually not nearly as picky about the ingredients I use when making green smoothies, since blending keeps the fiber intact. Fiber slows the rate of absorption which has a lesser effect on blood sugar levels.

I also enjoy making a green juice right after a workout or yoga. I find that flooding my body with hydrating nutrients helps with recovery between workouts and keeps my body fluid and flexible!

Here's my all time favorite green juice recipe, I call it the Juice of Radiance! All ingredients in this recipe are low on the glycemic index.

Juice of Radiance

2 celery stalks
1 large kale leaf
1 large collard leaf
1 small apple
1/2 cucumber
1/2 carrot
1/2 lemon (pealed)

This juice is absolutely wonderful and refreshing! Not only is it healthy and loaded with nutrients, it's also hydrating, alkalizing, and it's mighty tasty if I do say so myself!


Plus, it’s great for those who are just starting out and still need to get accustomed to the taste of greens. Once you feel comfortable you can always add more greens or cut back on the apple.

MY APPROACH TO RAW FOODS

I frequently get asked the question, "How raw are you?" And I don't blame people for asking because there's so many ways to go about transitioning to a raw diet, not to mention all the conflicting information about which raw foods and superfoods to focus on.

For me, I don’t actually see raw foods as a diet at all, but rather a lifestyle. And although I have personally lost a significant amount of weight incorporation raw foods into my routine (over 35 lbs), there are other aspect of a raw lifestyle that I was drawn to, including the idea of connecting back to nature… to a more natural way of living. In fact, I think that living naturally, organically, sustainably, and raw is by far the most beautiful way to live!

And yes, I do still struggle on occasion especially around the holidays, but I try not to give myself a hard time over it. Instead, I give myself enough love and understanding to know that I'm always doing the best I can… a work in progress.

But ideally, I try to aim for about 80% raw vegan, gluten free. I try to focus on incorporating lots of organic leafy greens. In fact, I prefer greens over many of the “superfood” supplements promoted in the raw community. I feel that eating foods in their natural state is far more superior. But I do have a select few favorite superfoods that I occasionally use in smoothies and/or recipes to make sure all my essential nutrients are covered.


I love making low-glycemic green juices (see my Juice of Radiance recipe), berry-collard smoothies, tomato-herb soups, and hardy salads with avocado-base dressings. But I equally enjoy gluten-free whole grains, cooked. Some of my favorites include quinoa grain and organic brown rice pasta with raw spicy marinara.

Adding in some gluten-free whole grains makes me feel a bit more grounded. And as Rick and Karin Dina, D.C. (the Raw Food Doctors) once explained, nutritionally speaking steamed veggies over brown rice is probably better for you than "raw" cake loaded with fat and sugar, even though the fat and sugar is natural and unprocessed. For this reason I try to keep my diet balanced rather than getting caught up in whether or not something is "raw". My first priority is keeping it high quality and organic.

I also occasionally incorporate wild-caught fish into my diet, both raw and cooked. I find that my body responds well to the protein. And I've been known to eat unpasteurized raw goats cheese. So in that regard I'm definitely not vegan, but I do try to maintain at least 80% raw vegan, which is amazing considering I grew up in Russia eating meat and potatoes practically at every meal.

I am also very drawn to the Hippocrates approach to raw foods rather than the Natural Hygiene 80/10/10 approach. I find that the Hippocrates perspective on nutrition is far more balanced and well-rounded, whereas the 80/10/10 diet focuses on 80% carbs (from fruit), 10% protein, and 10% fat. I find this approach a bit restrictive.

But having said that, I also think that everyone has their own physiology, and therefore one must always tune in and listen to their body. The wisdom inside of us is always more accurate than advice of any expert!