Day No. 2

Today is the second day of being almost 100% raw. Breakfast I had a nice juicy peach and later a plum. For lunch I had a wonderful leafy green salad. Tonight I made a nice green juice.

After looking a pictures of myself from the raw vegan hike, I realize I need to do something about my shape. .....round is a shape, isn't it? Well, I'd like to go back on the hike next year and be a before and after! Can I do it? I'll certainly try!

Tomorrow I'll start a new batch of wheatgrass! Maybe sprouts too! Maybe I'll try to make raw ice cream again..... This time I'll remember to put the bowl in the freezer!!!!

I joined some local meetups for hiking today. I'm excited about it. One group does a lot of day hikes on Eastern Long Island. Sounds like a great start for me! There's one this weekend that I'm thinking about doing..........

If I don't go on the hike Saturday, I think I'll get up early and check out the farmer's market in Islip. I've been told to get there early. The raw organic produce sells out fast!

Weekend at the Beach

Well, spent the weekend on the boat at the beach. I tried hard to stay with the raw foods. I had lots of friuts. My husband was waiting to see if I would breakdown and eat meat. The only time I would eat a lot of meat was at the beach BBQing. Well, I got myself veggie burgers!!!! So, I wasn't totally raw, but I had fresh, not frozen, veggie burgers. I also had fruits that I've been dehydrating.

The next time we camp out on the boat, I'll plan better for myself!

Raw Vegan Hike

It's been a while since I posted. I must confess that I did fall off the raw cart for a while, but now I'm back and newly inspired. I came back a week ago from a raw vegan hike - pictures to follow. I backpacked in Oregon for four days with other raw vegans. It was very physically challenging for me. We hiked 30 miles and 3,000 ft vertical. The weather was perfect. Warm during the day and chilly at night. We swam in pristine mountain lakes from by the melting snow! Yes, there was still snow in August! If you want to check out the hike, see www.harmonyhikes.com. Sergei is an awesome young man! His sister, Valya, also went on the hike. I also had the privilege to meet his mother, Victoria. They are wonderful, vibrant people.

I learned new raw recipes from Sergei. I met wonderful people too. My fellow hikers were awesome. Ashland, OR is a cool little town. I got to meet serious hikers doing the Pacific Crest Trail at the hostel I stayed at before and after the hike. I never heard of the PCT before. It is a hike from Mexico to Canada. It can take 5 to 6 months to complete. These hikers have trail names. Three that are memorable are Laces, Good Times and Brit. I enjoyed chatting with them. I know they are still on the trail and wish them much success.

Watch for pictures!

Trusting God

Seems like my family is going thru a lot of trials lately. It can be very discouraging at times, but I have to remember that God has it all under control. At the end of this week, the 30-day notice is up for the guys in my FIL's house. Next we get a court date if they are not out. I know the lesson I've had to learn in this situation is to love my enemies and control my temper. I hear myself saying quite often ".....yeah, but, you don't mess with family!!!!" That's my justification for my temper. I need to sit back and be quiet and think to myself, "....yeah, but, you don't mess with God!!!!" Showing mercy to those that hurt us is hard, but it is not me they ulitmately have to answer to. God has shown me a lot of mercy. Now I need to practice it. Not that I'm to be a door mat, but these two guys living in my FIL's house are just lost souls with drug and alcohol issues. They think they are getting one over on us. I feel sorry for them. They are too young to be throwing their lives away like this.

Next is my financial situation. It's ugly and that's all I'm going to say about that. I know that God is my supplier.

And on a lighter note.......I'm down 32 lbs. I've been a bit naughty. Darn those chocolate cadbury mini eggs! Today I'm back on track. Three more pounds and I'll be at my halfway mark. Pretty amazing!

Where is the Weight Going?

I weighed myself again today. I'm down 26 lbs! I am NOT hungry. I don't binge and I don't have cravings. It is truly amazing. I have never been able to lose weight on my own. I did Jenny Craig over the years twice with great success, but I would slowly put the weight back on.

This morning I was really stressing about the dead beats in my FIL's house. I've calmed down - thanks to Sally aka Justme! Words of wisdom from the Word of God. There is power in the Word! I would have not made it this far in life without knowing Jesus! I have peace.

Know what a diamond is? A lump of coal that has done good under pressure! I want to be a diamond!

Just another day in the life....

Well, the lawyer sent out the 30 day notice letter to the dead beats living in my father-in-law's house. I've been stressing ab out this mess. All the neighbors around the house are watching it and will report anything unusual. I'd really like to hear that a they saw the dead beats moving out! The neighbors really love my FIL and gladly look out for us.

I worry a lot about my husband and hope this doesn't put him over the edge. He has a lot of stress on his job. He is project managing the electric on a very big house out east. A very famous person too! Can't mention names.

Well, I'm down 23 lbs since the beginning of the year. This raw diet really agrees with me! I haven't gotten bored with what I'm eating. In fact, I'm enjoying raw foods and the different flavors! It is very satisfying! Next week I'm having dinner at Pure! Can't wait! I'm going to a real raw restaurant and meeting real raw people!

Friends and others.....

I've exchanged emails with a new cyberfriend who has a lot in common with me, CLLer, raw, young child! It's nice to find someone to share with and at the same time sad to find someone else facing the same circumstances of the disease. She encouranged me to read CrazySexyCancer. I've known of the blog, but have been afraid to read for fear of facing my own mortality. Denial. Something we all face with an incurable disease. But each day we have is a day to live to the fullest.

Now for "others"....... currently we have two dead beats living in my father-in-law's house. Two young men who were down and out. We let them stay at the house with the understanding that it was TEMPORARY. They were to pay a low rent so they could get on their feet. They have not paid us and are refusing to leave. In fact, they threatened us. We had to file a police report. Of course, there is nothing the police will do. I see a lawyer today to start the eviction process.....

Yesterday I got a few deliveries of raw foods I ordered. I ordered organic friuts - the bananas were a bit squished and bruised and one mango was not in perfect condition. The other fruits were pretty good. Not sure I'll order again, but it was an interesting experience. I got a wonderful order of dried fruits from another site - medjool dates - my favorite - like eating candy! I received mulberries from another site! I think I like them! Next I got very special raw chocolate bars! They are not the type that you sit down and eat all at once. Too rich, they are something to be savored. They are a very nice treat! I have one more order due today! Nori sheets! LOVE SEAWEED! Contact me if you are interested in the sites I order from. Eventually, I will post the links.

In the beginning.........

Wow, my first blog. Wonder if anyone will read it. Michelle, you out there?

Well, here goes. I was diagnosed with CLL - chronic lymphocytic leukemia two years ago at the age of 43. Two years of searching and trying to find the best way to stay healthy - I've discovered the raw diet. I've decided to transition to raw on 1/1/08. It's a little tough because I live with a family of carnivores. If I don't cook, they don't eat. I've been juicing. It's been a fun experiment. I've learned to make nut milks. I can make spaghetti out of zucchini and a pretty nice raw sause too!