Pushing the Envelope on Health: Announcing A Raw Vegan Challenge

It’s not what you give up; it’s what you gain that counts!

Just for good measure, I will say it again: It is not about what you give up. It is all about what you gain.

That is how I have been able to take some of the bravest and greatest steps in my life without an ounce of regret anywhere. I am also willing to bet that when you have given things up in your life to take a step toward personal growth and self-evolution, you have been too busy focusing on what you gained to make time missing what you gave up. And today I am experimenting with that all over again with my raw vegan challenge and exploration of raw foods at the exclusion of all else.

Going vegan was not easy for me. The mere thought of giving up plain yogurt – a staple in Iranian culture – was dizzying. The idea of not having sushi while traveling as a bonding experience with my better half was aching. Naturally, my first attempt, which was an experiment, lasted one month and quickly followed with a return to normal, albeit healthy eating. But as in all things in life, I believe everything (and everyone) deserves a second chance. So second attempt, I am happy to report, has lasted 7 months and counting. I have been vegan since January 1st of 2011. Still alive. Still well. Just with more energy and vitality and motivation than ever before.

I must say that I really do not see an immediate return to my old eating patterns. I am happy with raw way (affiliate) of eating even though it takes a great deal of effort to eat a healthy vegan diet as opposed to just a vegan diet. It means a bit of exclusion on some social events. It requires patience explaining it to loved ones – or not explaining, depending on my mood. It takes forethought to fill your body with fresh natural foods and home-cooked meals and it takes creativity making smart choices when dining out.

For months now, I have been dying of curiosity to take things to the next level. Winter is long since over. Spring is behind us. The summer nights – at least here in the Northern Hemisphere – are long, hot and humid and so I tell myself that it would be easier to give up hot foods now. They are not the shelter and refuge that I consider them to be in the dead of dreaded winter months. What am I talking about?

Going on a Raw Vegan Challenge on July 11th for 30 days.

My friend, Marla, inspired me to give this a go when we met at World Domination Summit in Portland. She has already written a Going Raw series to kick things off. We are starting a raw vegan challenge tomorrow – July 11th, Monday. I imagine this will seriously kick into gear a full return to yummy green juicing too.

Care to follow along or just watch us go through the ordeal?

That’s my big announcement for this week. I will be documenting the whole “ordeal” and bringing it to you soon. Love to have you join us but if not, whatever you do, treat that body as the temple that it is and as the greatest treasure you shall ever own.

Love to know your thoughts on Raw Foods in general so any tips, advice, experience, and recommendations are most welcome.