My life (or at least since age 17) has been a series of "Coming Out's."
First, I became Vegetarian in high school, then Vegan in college, + then in my early 20's, "Raw."
I have dated all kinds of different people.
I think the craziest/ hardest one for me was graduating Brandeis University magna cum laude, + then announcing that I would be living on a commune. ;)
You'd think that after all these years, my work would be done, but it's not.
I find myself continually having (or shall we say, getting!) to come out over + over again, for different things, as I am ever-evolving + changing.
I am a Free Spirit currently embracing Conscious Capitalism + learning to give my gifts within the "system."
I am a Jewish woman who stands for Peace.
I am also, gasp, not 100% Vegan or 100% Raw.
And I haven't been, for the past 8 years.
People at events like Ecstatic Dance LA, where I have a pop-up Raw Food Cafe, might assume that as a Raw Chef, I am 100% Raw or 100% Vegan.
But, though I am passionate about Raw + Vegan food, this isn't so. + Doesn't have to be, for anyone who is "into" or "drawn to" Raw or Vegan foods. It's all about adding more of the good stuff, + also listening to our bodies + intuition.
Some people do amazing on 100% Raw for a long time, + others for just a spell.
Raw Food can be amazingly cleansing + healing, + if we are drawn to it, it is important to listen! ;)
I was 100% Vegan for about 6 years, + 100% Raw for only 2 years. I ate mostly Raw for 10 years, + now I've stopped counting percentages.
I currently eat mostly Vegan + do my daily Green Smoothie, but I don't have a moral problem with eating organic eggs from a local farm, or raw local cheese. I am listening to my body. And I will probably continue to grow + change. And this is okay.
Most people can highly benefit from incorporating more Raw + Vegan foods into their diets. I definitely do!
I love promoting these foods for the joy/ spirituality/ health/ + healing that they bring.
But after years of being uber-strict, my spirit + intuition was calling for a shift. It took me a while to finally break out of my labels + listen....
After attending one of the best nutrition schools ever (Institute for Integrative Nutrition), I am finally done obsessing over what I eat + more obsessed with Living My LIFE! (This is just my journey; everyone's is different! ;))
Integrative Nutrition is such a gift. Whether you want to be a Health Coach, or just be intuitive about your eating, + have the tools to heal yourself naturally for the rest of your life, I cannot recommend IIN highly enough. Incredible, incredible, incredible....
And Raw Food is definitely on their menu! Click here to get Integrative Nutrition's FREE Raw Food Guide!
I also work with people one-on-one to heal + find your perfect balance with food. Contact me to schedule an Intro Session, in person or over the phone.
... Why am I sharing all this?
Partially to continue my own process of "Coming Out."
And partially to support You if you are one of those people who may be ready to break from the status quo, whatever that is/ or has become for you.
I currently call myself a "Debratarian." If you've been on my list for awhile, or coached with me, you may have heard me explain this.
Basically it's about being your own Food Guru. And your own Guru in general (Take it from the Jewish girl who sings in a Gospel Choir ;) ;)).
Denouncing "Labels" + just being YOU!
The World Needs YOU to be YOU.
I believe, THIS is our key to Harmony + Healing on this Planet.
With Love + Beauty + Divine Honoring of You,
x
Debra.
P.S. Part Two of the Aloe Smoothie Video is *up* on Youtube. If you'd like to watch me making a Green Smoothie in the Vitamix with fresh Aloe + Wild Foraged Greens/ Foods from my Garden... Check it out here!
(Part One is here if you missed it. ;))
* One more thing! Award-Winning Hot Love Chocolate Truffles are available for purchase! If you're in the area, I keep a steady supply of chocolate around, so email/ call me if you would like to place an order! No order too big or small. ;)