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The Shazzie interview by Jinjee November 2001 Here it is: the long awaited, much anticipated, exclusive Shazzie interview! I hope you will enjoy it and find it as inspiring as I have! Jinjee: I've been dying to find out a lot of things about you since finding your site http://www.shazzie.com on rawfoods.com list of links. Like, how many people come to your site? Shazzie: About 3,500 unique visitors a week. I was shocked when I found out! By far the most popular sections are the Raw Journal, the Photos and the Art Gallery. You know, people just like to read about positive stuff -- and the media certainly doesn't provide that! Jinjee: It seems like you are a bit of a raw celebrity -- how do you enjoy that? Shazzie: Argh!! I think that's because there are many people desperately trying to improve their lives. When they see a normal girl from the North of England struggle against the odds to turn her life around, they champion her. And it has been much more by women than men. I think men are a bit confused by me, whereas women just think "Go for it"! It feels quite strange, but it's not major. As an example, I was in a bar in Marbella the other night alongside much of the Newcastle United football team. I watched everyone's reactions to them. Groups of people moved closer to them, even if they didn't speak to them. Oh, and girls were buying flowers for some of them! So compared to that, I'm certainly not a celebrity. So far, no strange girls have bought me flowers, though there's always a first for everything! Oh, at the National Vegan Festival (UK) this year, loads of people came up to me saying "Are you Shazzie?" which kind of made me giggle inside and feel a bit strange. And I get the sweetest mails from people. It just makes me smile, you know, to know that there are so many people on the edge of this thing, this big thing that's going to change people, animals and the world for ever. Jinjee: Do you have a lot of people email you every day with questions? Shazzie: I do get a lot, yes. I put up a FAQ page on my web site (www.shazzie.com/about/faq.shml), so the most common ones go on there. I've recently started writing a column for Stretch Magazine (www.stretchmagazine.com) and so am going to start channelling the questions into that column. It will then benefit more people. Jinjee: Do you still keep a journal of your raw journey and do you plan to share that too? Shazzie: Ha ha! I don't keep anything as detailed regarding food as I did in the first year, as I don't have the inclination to obsess about food now. However, I do plan to put some version of a 2001 diary up on the site. I've got the information, I just need to spend time editing it. I wish there was more time in my days or more days or something! Jinjee: Do you know of any other raw journals online? Shazzie: I knew of one, Ryan at www.supervegans.com, but he's gone back to cooked now. Initially it was for financial reasons, but... Anyway, he's a smashing guy, very real. I know he'll go raw again at some point. He'll miss the high! Oh, there is another raw journal, but the author eats raw meat and butter by the plateload. I'm not even going to give you his URL, it's gross! One day he wrote that he'd had this big plate of raw meat, a smoothie with raw eggs and butter and then a salad. He got tummy ache and said that it must have been the salad! Yeah, right. Jinjee: You have been a raw foodist since the beginning of 2000. Can you give us a one-day journal update on how you are doing now, what you eat, what you weigh, how you feel physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Shazzie: Ooooh! November has been so weird as I've been bombarded with visitors, so nothing's been typical, well nothing ever is typical for me. The other day I was in Gibraltar with my parents, so I stayed in their hotel room overnight as the bus was leaving early. I got about 4 hours sleep, waking up at 5am. This isn't normal for me, I usually sleep for ever in the mornings these days, but the energy was different in that room. I read for a few hours, then at about 7am I ate 4 bananas. That was all my parents had in the way of ripe fruit, and I'd forgotten to bring supplies. So that's another thing I don't normally do. I usually eat at about midday or 1pm at the earliest, but one or two days a week, I seem to eat early in the morning. This was obviously one of them! We got to Gibraltar at 10.00am, and found a cafe for a drink. I had 2 orange juices. Usually in the South of Spain you can get fresh orange juice all over. They're just coming into season now, and I love them! I'm very careful with citrus, if it touches my teeth, I brush them. I usually use a straw when drinking it. We then went shopping, I got my hair cut and ate a cherimoya. They're going out of season now so aren'' so great -- I spat most of it out. You just can't eat sub-standard food when you'e been eating raw for a while, your body doesn't want it. Later, we went to Pizza Hut for a snack, I had a salad from the bar -- normally they're not that great, but this one was lovely. Red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, red cabbage, onions, chilli pepper sprinkles, loads of celery... it was fab. On the bus on the way back, everyone was arguing that other people were sat in the seats that they were in on the way there. I couldn't see the problem. I sat opposite my parents and some people tried to eject me. I asked them why they were obsessing like that, but they just didn't shut up wittering so I eventually asked them if they'd peed on their seats to mark their territory! People are so odd sometimes, but I can't help commenting on it as it amuses me so much! I got home at about 8.30pm, and had a banana. I ate dinner with my man, Fernando, later: celery, lettuce, an avocado. I didn't have much, as I wasn't very hungry. I snuggled up for a few hours with Fernando, and then went to bed at midnight. So that's an untypical day for you. Honestly, every day is so different from the last -- I have absolutely no routine, I just do what I want, when I want. I couldn't cope with it any other way. I don't know how much I weigh at the moment, I couldn't guess. I have put on weight because my muscles are bigger, but my "thin" clothes still fit me! Note, that my thin clothes are the next size up from my "detox" clothes. Detox clothes are what I wore last June-October -- they definitely don't fit me any more. How do I feel? So much more balanced than ever before. I feel like my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies have all caught up with each other, and are no longer fighting. I feel real, if that makes sense. No floatiness, no depression, no flapping. I can achieve so much more now. Spiritually, I went through the ringer last year and then earlier on this year I got massive Kundalini experiences. It's given me a connectedness -- a very hard thing to describe! I have a massive respect for everything and everyone. I've lost any piousness I might have once had. Physically, I've never been in better shape. I can climb stairs without getting out of breath, and practicing Astanga Yoga has given me lovely strong muscles. I hold my posture properly now. Emotionally, I'm so much happier. I haven't felt depressed in a long while. I do still get some set-backs, but that's only when I put myself under major stress, such as moving countries! And mentally, things are much clearer now. I used to get so muddled! I know I'll be fully "cured" when I can do maths correctly -- that's the hardest thing for me! But I now have a sense of direction (what a thrill!), I can remember people's names, and I don't struggle for things to say. Mental clarity is something I never thought I could achieve, so I'm very chuffed with that. Jinjee: Do you ever eat anything that isn't raw anymore? Shazzie: No, I think I'd be ill. If I have a sip of wine I get big red blotches on my face! If I eat some raw food that's not optimal, my body just doesn't want to know it. If I eat heavily mixed or spiced foods, I suffer the next day. I just can't abuse my body like that. Well, not just my body -- I can't see why I'd want to go back to feeling depressed, confused and angry. There are several substances which raw people eat, such as Bragg's amino acid, nama shoyu, miso, vinegar, maple syrup etc, but these products aren't raw. They need to be gently removed out of the raw diet, as well as out of raw recipe books! Jinjee: What do you think is the ideal raw diet for you? Shazzie: Wild tropical fruit, with many types of green leaves, including "herbs" and the sunshine! She is my energy source. I don't digest nuts or seeds very well, and they make my bones ache, so I only eat them rarely -- usually because of guests or something. Jinjee: Do you think that this is the ideal diet for everyone or only for certain types of people? Shazzie: I think it's the ideal diet for anyone who wants optimal health. It's also the best diet environmentally, if you eat local food. But there's more to health than diet, and people must realise that to be optimal, all things in life need to be good -- not just the food. But people are so far removed from their natural lives and habitats, that ideals are sometimes not workable. Diet is a very personal thing -- people just need to slowly feel their way and re-educate themselves. As long as they realise this isn't a competition, they'll find a comfortable level and then get on with their lives. Jinjee: Who has been the single most inspiring raw person for you? Shazzie: Oh! Don't ask me that! If I say one person, others will think "But what about me?". What can I say? I've been so privileged to mix with many raw folks and they've all given so unconditionally to me along my path. Jinjee: How do you plan to stay raw during the holiday season? Shazzie: Last year was my first raw Christmas, and I spent it with Karen. We had durians for dinner and a green salad at night. Then our friend Joe came over on Boxing Day with a box of young coconuts. So we had more durians and coconuts. I was nowhere near cooked food. Even if I was, it wouldn't have been the type of cooked food I'd have eaten in my many years as a cooked vegan, so I doubt I'd have been tempted. This year will be different. I'll be in Spain, with Fernando's family. They'll be eating that weird meat stuff which apparently comes from our friends, the pigs, turkeys and cows. I'll take myself off to sit amongst the trees and eat my tropical fruit package which I'll order from Orkos (the European fruit distributors). I'll have a quiet time that day, around many parties over the festive season. You know, I can sit at a table with all sorts of "food" on it, and I'm not in the slightest bit tempted or repulsed any more. Even chips (what do you call them -- fries?) don't give me a craving or reaction. I just don't recognise it as food. It's something "the others" do. Jinjee: How many hours of sleep do you need now? Shazzie: I go through stages, I prefer to have about 8 hours, but sometimes I have less, sometimes more. Before I moved into this Spanish house, I was on about 4-6 hours. Before I was raw I was on about 10, but they were very restless hours. Maybe I'm sleeping a bit more now because it's turned winter, because I'm more relaxed or maybe because I'm going through more changes -- they never stop you know! Jinjee: How do you channel all the extra energy you get from being raw? Shazzie: Through my finger tips! I'm writing stacks of stuff. I also do Astanga Yoga and other physical stuff, but I've never been a really physical person. I'm still very happy to lie on a bed for hours and do nothing. I feel like I'm in a permanent meditative state! This year has been quite mad, with moving 4 times, creating the little book, working, playing, etc -- I just couldn't have done that if I'd have been cooked. It's not really a case of channelling the energy now, it's a case of having enough time to do the things I'm finally able to do! I'm just glad I started living, before it was too late. Jinjee: What is your favorite raw food? Shazzie: The one I'm eating at the time! How can I answer that, as it really depends on what my body's asking for. Living in Spain is interesting as my body wants what's in season. I just went through cases of cherimoyas, and now it's avocado season, so my body's craving them. Of course I love durian, and will make it to the East to sit and eat it all day, with just coconut water for company. Very soon! Jinjee: How long do you think you will live? Shazzie: As long as I need to for my work here to be done. I don't know, I had my cards read and the bloke said I'll be an old lady with loads of books and I'll regale stories to all around me. That sounds like me -- the storyteller. I'm not interested in longevity, I'm interested in quality of life. If I get to live for ages as a result of improving my quality of life, that's an added bonus, but it's not what I'm looking for at all. Jinjee: What do you plan to do with your life? Shazzie: Enjoy every bit of experience that comes my way, and help people as much as possible. If you do that, the lot of world and all its creatures automatically improve. Also, I'm getting on a bit now and I want babies before I'm 40. I was going to start at 35 but that's not too far away so I think I'll put it off! I'm not scared of the pain, honest! Although I'm the sort of person who searches the corners of the world for the truth, I'm very much a home-bird -- I like to feather my nest and sit in it. So I'm quite happy doing what I do for now. Then when I have babies, I'll devote all my time to them as they need it. Me and Fernando are going to get a farm here, so we can have enough fruit trees for me to be self-sufficient. We want to build a wooden house and have a big artist's studio as we're both painters. I've found a beautiful part of the world here, and really do think of it as home now. I will always produce stuff as I'm so creative and prolific. My paintings, writing, web sites, designs, etc will always be with me. I'd like to have some rescued pigs and dogs on my farm, too. I love being with animals, they have the best vibe. Jinjee: How do you plan to help spread the raw gospel? Shazzie: By stealth! People are scared stiff of labels. They'll eat a lasagne verde, but not a vegetarian lasagne. I've always wondered where the "carnivore lasagne" got to on the menu! Shazzie's detox delights doesn't mention raw or vegan or anything else scary on the cover, and it's selling so well because people are buying it as presents. I'm actually quite overwhelmed. I set myself a sales target for the end of the year and have already beaten it. I'll do more stuff with stealth information in it, I like it! But also, you know, just by being. People are affected on many levels. I don't need to say anything necessarily, for someone to understand what I'm about. People aren't dumb, they're just dumbed down -- the best way into to them is by being an example of the best person you can be. No-one can argue with that. Jinjee: Do you ever get tired of talking about raw food? Yes, and I don't talk about it much these days. Raw food isn't an issue for me anymore, It's just absorbed into being part of me and my life. Having said that, I do understand why people want to talk about it, because it can cause so much change. Jinjee: Do you ever get any negative email from people who are opposed to the raw food diet? Shazzie: Surprisingly, never. I've had one email from a breatharian, who wrote "Raw food is bad for you" in the subject header, but this was obviously said in jest, because of the context. Most emails I get are from people with food addiction problems or illnesses, genuinely wanting help. Also, when I posted my "Why I went raw" article (http://www.shazzie.com/raw/articles/why_raw.shtml) I received so many emails (all from women) who said "I could have written that, it's exactly the same as I felt" -- you know, like I said a the beginning, most people are looking for a way out or a way forward. So I think if someone read my site and thought I was bonkers, they've not told me! Most people who know me say "I admire what you do, but I couldn't do it" -- Oh, that's such a statement, isn't it? I say "You could do it, you just haven't tried." Jinjee: Have you ever thought about publishing your raw journal as a book? ("Confessions of a raw foodist" might be nice title). Shazzie: I've done more than thought about it. And then I've thought "No" a million times, back and forth. For some reason, I can't quite decide. And I'm not usually indecisive. I really don't know! Jinjee: Do you plan to attend any raw events in the US such as the raw festival in Oregon? Shazzie: I'd love to go! Obviously time and money is an issue. I'm in discussions with a stall-holder at the moment, and it might happen for next year, 2002 in Portland. I hope so, I've heard it's got a fab vibe! Jinjee: What made you move back from Spain? Back from Spain or back to Spain? I went from Spain in the summer as I had to sort out lots of things to do with my house, and it was the end of the year for my company so I had boring-accountant type things to do. Then I came back in September. I was always planning to come back, but I thought I'd rent a house again. I didn't think I'd end up living with Fernando, but I did tell the Universe I was fed up all that house responsibility, so I got what I wanted, as ever! Jinjee: Thanks Shazzie!!! About Jinjee Jinjee is the co-author of The Garden Diet, runs raw food retreats and is currently running the Take a fruit break campaign.

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