Last week I posted Part I of an interview with Lennie Mowris here, and I thought she shared some very wise words with all of us.
One thing I particularly liked was how Lennie explained that even though she's a famous and fabulous un-cook and has spent so many years educating people about health, the 80/10/10 diet/food in general is NOT a passion in life for her.
Instead, she sees her diet and healthy lifestyle to be merely a means to pursue her real passions in life - music, art and being outdoors.
Her words really struck me, as I have noticed my focus turning increasingly away from food. Recently I have rediscovered some old things and found some new things that I'm very interested to pursue.
They are things that I didn't have enough physical energy and/or emotional resources to actively be involved with before I changed my diet.
I feel that the enormous changes my body and mind has gone through in the last year and a half from being on a fruitarian diet has freed me from bondage I didn't even know I was in.
New doors and new opportunities are opening to me now that I would simply have said no to before, and I find myself happily and busily engaging myself, being as curious and eager as a child again, to explore the world and my capabilities within it.
Photo Credit - Ilovebutter1. Music
I've been a music person all my life, but as I grew older and more busy with my young family, I neglected this side of me a lot, which was bad bad bad.
Recently I find myself dreaming of and setting new goals with my piano playing. I've been eager to see if my sharper mind/memory and more agile joints on the fruitarian diet is giving me a technical edge when playing pieces I had difficulty with when I was younger. So far, it is looking promising!
2. Writing
I have always been a writer at heart, even from early childhood. But I was very undisciplined with it because I feared and struggled mightily with writer's block. I tried working on some projects in the last few years and never completed any of them because of this.
Recently I feel like my mind is so free and full, that if I don't let it all out it's gonna burst and splatter everywhere in multicolor. I just can't shut up. The flow of words have come in such abundance lately that I'm sure some of you heartily wish that my writer's block would come back to
Here are a couple of new interests I've been eagerly pursuing of late.
1. Being more athletic
Prior to this year I did not have ANY interest whatsoever in being active. I figured I was more of the creative/artistic kind and to just excel in my own thing and let the
Lately, I just have a desire to dabble my toes in everything athletic. I'm determined to run a marathon at least once in my life. I made myself learn to swim at the age of 31, which, if you understood how serious my deep water phobia was, you'd award me a gold bravery medal.
I'm hoping to get a really good bike in the next year so I can find out if I can still ride a bike after briefly learning at 15 and then not touching a bike in years. And then, in 5 years when I'm a capable swimmer and biker, I may even attempt training for a triathlon, you never know.
I'm also taking self defense classes soon (stalkers, take note).
I'm getting stronger doing bodyweight exercises, and after hearing a cool fruity friend say something about her training with a gymnastics coach, I now have a dream to some day find a coach in my area to work with me (whenever my husband gets rich enough.) :-)
Two years ago if I could read this blog post about my desire to be athletic, I would have fallen over with some big hearty guffaws and declared it to be some kind of joke.
2. Making friends.
I have always had a rather introverted personality. I was friendly, sure, but I was satisfied with my small group of close friends and did not really desire to expand that. It just took too much work to get to know new people and build deep relationships with them.
This has slowly changed a lot over the last year. Lately I find myself interested to make new connections everywhere I go and finding the energy within to do so. I have developed a curiosity to learn about people (not just raw foodies) and I love to hear about your lives and your stories. Your emails and behind-the-scenes conversations, by the way, mean a lot to me!
I think that being on this diet has helped me face and shed some fears that were holding me back from being more of a people person before. Because lets be real here - when you eat only fruit and greens in today's world, you have to figure out pretty fast if you're willing to let go of your social insecurities.
When you decide to be yourself and be happy and proud of who you are, then to heck with what anyone else thinks of you and your weird eating habits! And if you don't care what people think of your eating habits, then there's very little else for you to be nervous about, right?
Photo Credit - Bill GraceyToday I'd love to hear your stories - has a healthy diet and lifestyle freed you to pursue your true passions in life? Please share them with us! I know there are some very talented athletes, musicians and gardeners (yes I consider gardening a talent - a huge one, one that I wish I had!) who read my blog occasionally, among others!
If you still feel like diet is too much of a focus for you at present - share with us how you think you can turn it around and start thinking of using your dietary goals simply as a tool to get to the life you desire!
16 rotten tomatoes:
Your life sounds very full. I am happy for you. I agree that a healthy lifestyle frees you to focus MORE on other things. You feel better about yourself, you have more energy - it improves your life in general.
Wow, Sarah! This is a great post! I am so happy for you!! So much of what you wrote applies to me, too. I am still focusing a bit more than I'd like on food, but I feel energy opening up as never before. Getting into athletic pursuits, people, and hopefully, soon, back into music. (And I eat mostly greens and fruit, though some cooked stuff at times.) Get that bike. Just got my first one in 25 years. You will LOVE it!! And I wanna know if you do a tri!!
great post!
At this point, I feel going RAW has motivated me to be more active (i am a rock climber, but i never did anything else, and now that I do, it has helped my climbing a LOT)
and another thing being raw has taught me to do is simply being OUTSIDE --- being in the sun, getting the nutrients from that big hot ball out there. =)
I love the blog. Added it to my favourites. You are absolutely right. Since I've been transitioning to a 811rv diet, I'm not so hung up on food. I do have slip-ups from time to time (when I eat nuts) and start obsessing over my diet. I've returned to my piano playing and composing. I teach piano on the side. I truly find it more exhilarating than ever before. I have a track/field coach who has been helping me recovering from my post-pregnancy injury (my pelvic bone was over-extended thanks to my beautiful 9lb baby. hahaha)and I am beginning to enjoy athletics again. I like being outdoors more. I want to try trampolining!! I also find that I'm expelling a lot of junk. I accumulate way too many things I want to be clutter-free. Where you seem to be more introverted and want to make more friends, I find I'm tapping into my introvertedness (is that a word?). I spend more time appreciating what's already around me and with me. I'm learning to be more calm.
All the best. You're very inspiring.
Hi Sarah,
First of all congratulations! It sounds like you are enjoying life now more than ever.
I'm curious about how you learned to swim. I've tried soooooooo many times only to repeatedly fail. I'd sure love to learn, but it's tough when all the swimming lessons are taught by 16 year olds who do not have any idea of the phobias a middle aged woman can harbor!
I'm going to Maui in September and my dh thinks he can teach me in salt water. I have my doubts but we'll see.
Sarah, for what it's worth, I think it's wonderful that you "just can't shut up", and I for one appreciate your "big mouth". God forbid that your writer's block should ever come back and sprout a large, ungainly, sprawling plant over your fruity lips. Please, let the words continue to burst forth from your fertile mind so that we can all see them splatter all over in technicolor. It gives me such a rush to feel your insouciance expressed in the flow of your words when I read them, and I've loved reading, too, how 811rv has transformed you! By all means, be *passionate* about food and 811rv!! It's a great tool to enrich your life, yes, but more than that, it's clearly an *essential* part of living a *great* life, and so, can easily be viewed within the context of what you're doing with the rest of your life (like blazing a trail as a killer triathlete or earning your badge of honor as a "don't mess with me" stalker-buster) With a diversity of interests afforded by a great diet, along with the flexibility to move easily between these interests, passion need not be obsession! ;)
As for me, well, eating healthy ahd whole, ripe and raw, gives me the energy I need to absorb huge amounts of knowledge, wisdom, and information on a daily basis, so that I might continue to influence the influencers in the many ways I like to do :)
Interesting! I feel similarly in that food in and of itself is only a tool. NEWSFLASH! It's just a tool to augment every other aspect of your life! Give you more time here so to speak and make that time quality and full of abundance in thought, heart and action.
For me it's just opened up some doors I had closed myself I suppose.
Take care,
~Sam
Hi Sarah (with an "h")
I agree with your reasoning. If I don't eat right or skip meals, I find I'm more tired. That lack of energy keeps me away from doing all I love.
Some live to eat, and some eat to live. I think the latter is the key.
I think it's awesome that you are opening yourself up to new interests, especially making new friends! I love getting to know you better and I look forward to one day meeting you in person, Sarah!
I'm still super impressed that you faced your fear and learned to swim! That was such a huge thing to do!!
For me, I think eating healthier allows our bodies to vibrate at a more natural level, which allows us to become more in-tune with our true selves. I think that's why a lot of people on the raw food path end up changing their lives and following their bliss. Before raw, it was too difficult to even recognize such things for many, I'm thinking.
I'm thankful for all that you share, Sarah. You are a wonderful person!
Lots and lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
No to writer's block. No, NO, NO! We love your abundant flow of words.
If you'd like to try something different than bicycling, you might want to try the "Trikke". See http://www.trikke.com/ It's a challenge, uses more muscles than riding a bike (giving a better workout), & it's fun. My brother uses his often & goes for miles. He's 57 & has been using one a few years. I tried it, but since I have arthritis in my hands & wrists, it didn't pan out for me. Maybe in the future, if 811 helps my joints. My brother really enjoys his Trikke.
I like the idea that this diet helps you live life more fully in many aspects.
All the best to you,
Oasis
Ohhh, I would never wish writer's block on you! I already had to wait FOUR days for a new post! :)
I'm getting to be more focused & gaining in vitality more & more fore sure. Ever since I learned of the raw diet 10 years ago, I always thought it would be a great tool for moving all kinds of things in my life forward. Mostly having to do with sewing & art.
I do love that it has made me crave activity. I mean I always did, & was very active anyway as a lifestyle, but now I crave to do more as a really necessary uplifting thing. I never thought I'd get into fitness, although I always kinda had a bit of a tiny inkling of a desire to do so.
What's this about stalkers Girl!? Please tell me that was a joke!
These are some of the things that led me to this lifestyle. I found raw when I was trying the master cleanse. I wanted to find a way to eat that made my mind and spirit feel light in the same way. I think I knew that I was somehow unburdening myself and finding the "real" me sort of buried by all stuff we take in. I'm still focusing on staying raw everyday but I feel so good when I do. In fact I'm back at the master cleanse this week. I know that I will more truly be myself when fully raw.
So glad you love to write!
Melanie
Awesome! What a great read - all the changes you've made. I can relate to a lot of this myself, however, unlike you I had never viewed myself as a writer before but now that I have a blog it's helped me redefine myself; express myself in ways I didn't think was necessary or possible. And believe it or not, I'm more of an introvert too. It always depends on the situation or who I'm with I guess. But like you, I love making friends even if it's online. I feel a bit more bold and energized both in person and online and enjoy being a part of people's lives. I appreciate that very much about you. You're sincere and involved. I'm not at a point in my life where I view food as fuel only, maybe I'll get there but to be honest, I don't have that desire at this point in my life. I do enjoy making things and feel a sense of accomplishment and pride when I make something yummy that's GOOD FOR ME. :) Anyway, the path I'm on has definitely opened things up for me. It's kinda like being a kid again where everything is new and exciting. :D Sorry, I think I was all over the place with this comment! I'm the one who can't shut up! ha ha!
Sarah you could totally do a tri. My SIL does them all of the time. She's super athletic but she also does really light ones just for fun so that her less extreme friends can join her. She think they are easier than marathons. I'd bet there are some in your area that are fun ones for beginners. : )
Vered, thanks! I love having more energy with this lifestyle, that's for sure.
Kellie, I'm so going to get a bike! I just have to wait a little while because of $$. I'm so impatient, I can't wait.
Badash, good to know it's helped your climbing. And I, too, have spent SO much time outdoors in the sun! It's great!
Rawcaribena, how cool is it to have a coach helping you through this! I find myself more motivated when I have someone kicking my butt. :)
Jennifer C, I really thought I was a lost cause with the swimming. But this teacher was really good and I trusted her. I recommend an immersion class (crash course over several days) rather than a once a week type deal. You get over the fears quicker. :-) My hubby tried to teach me and failed, btw. He's a fish! Feel free to email me if you want a bunch more details! It was a BIG deal in my life and I'd love to share.
PLJB, thanks for sharing what a healthier lifestyle has meant to you. And if you see technicolor on my blog anytime soon, you'll know it's your fault! :-)
Sam, thanks for sharing! It's like that for me too - many doors have opened and continue opening.
Barbara, you know - I look forward to every meal and I love my food. But I do feel a shift, I no longer am addicted to any of it. It is a nice feeling!
Wendi, I think you hit the nail on your head. You can't help but be more aware on this kind of diet. And then things start to happen! I can't wait to meet you some day too!
Oasis, the trikke is WAY cool. I'm a little intimidated by it, but it does look like a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing.
Autumn, stalkers was TOTALLY a joke. Plus, I'm really not afraid of stalkers, I have a big bad hubby and we have protection. ;)
Cali Girl, it sounds like you're on the path to discovering more of you! Good luck and I look forward to following your journey. :)
Heidi, I really think we'd get along in person. Have I ever said that? You crack me up sooo much. I'm glad you're discovering yourself more through your blog, I have certainly enjoyed reading it!
Tiff, I DEF wanna do a tri some day, but first I have to remember how to ride a bike AND practice swimming, A LOT. :-)
Oh, Sarah, yes, I would so love for a tutti-fruity, joyous, joyful technicolor splatterfest on your blog to be my fault! ;)
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