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Amanda's raw transformation story Who knew that Howard Stern (controversial talk-radio show host in the US) would change my life? In 1998 as a college sophomore I heard: "Why are you so happy? Is it all that raw-food?!" on the radio. Howard was interviewing some guy who ate only raw foods -- David Wolfe. At the time it was the strangest thing I had heard of -- but something deep within me said, "That makes total sense!" while my then-current thinking said, "You can't live on raw food. This guy is nuts!" None-the-less I was intrigued and logged onto the site Wolfe was plugging (www.rawfood.com). I had been a vegetarian since 16, and at 18 had just turned vegan. However, I always had this feeling that my diet still was not working. I was overweight, puffy and pale, my emotions were all over the place, and I was often depressed without good reason or explanation. My energy level was low, I exercised and ate "right" but never felt satisfied. Now I was headed down the raw food path... though I didn't know it at the time. I've heard it said that "raw-food" signs will keep presenting themselves in your life. Looking back, I see that this was/is the case for me as well. Initially I contacted many "raw-foodists" (a totally new concept to me) through e-mail and ordered a few books and videos. I wasn't convinced, but still something was drawing me in. David Klein of (http://www.livingnutrition.com) was kind enough to send me a free copy of his magazine, Living Nutrition, and other information. I can't thank him enough. I began reading, researching and eating more and more raw foods. I have seen David Wolfe speak several times, and recently met other prominent raw-foodists like Dr. Doug Graham, Karen Fierro, Annette Larkins, Paul Nison, Roe Gallo, Dr. Robert Sniadach, and Roz Gruben. I can hardly believe it myself. In the beginning it felt like these "raw-foodists" were really just fake people, living in some far away idealistic land, and the chances of meeting them were beyond my means. I will be completely honest -- at first I was kind of angry that it made so much sense to eat raw! To give up cooked food seemed drastic and ridiculous. Now I think that learning about the power of raw-foods is a precious gift-a "hidden" yet so obvious truth. Raw food eating IS the biggest secret. It reminds me of when Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz was told, "You had it all along" -- because it's not really the food that heals us, it is our bodies. Raw food lets us function right -- sometimes for the first time! By my senior year in college, after a few years of playing around with raw foods, I had become a 95-100% raw foodist. Who knew? Me...a raw-foodist? I have had my ups and downs, I have had backslides, and I am not perfect. I am now between 85-100% raw and I realize, as Doug Graham says, "You do not fail until you place a limit on the # of times you will make attempts at succeeding" and "We never 'get' there, we just keep 'going' there." Searching the Internet for raw-food sites will bring up a variety of sites and information. You will probably be amazed by the volume of information available! Don't hessitate to contact others and remember that you are not alone! What are the benefits of raw-food living in my case? Weight loss, clearer skin, stable mood, positive outlook (it may sound odd-but I just like people more, in general, than I used to!), healthy hair, yummy food, a feeling that I am doing something healthy for my body and the planet. You begin to look at life, and your place in it, differently. I feel more in touch with the cycle of life, nature, plants, and the earth. The raw-fooders I have met and e-mailed are among the nicest, most giving people I have ever come across. They are physically beautiful, very friendly and have a certain "spark" that is oh-so appealing. It makes you think: 'I want some of that!' Even though I am not 100%, I know that is where I am headed. I feel like my life just keeps getting better and heading in the right direction -- without too much dreadful effort on my part! Things just fall into place, in a way they never used to. Shazzie's site has been a wonderful inspiration -- and I was hoping that my words may encourage anyone on the raw-path who has had set backs. Try to remember another quote "Do not judge yourself by how many times you fall down. Judge yourself by whether you get up after each fall." I have been a raw-foodist for two years and counting. My diet is mostly fruit, green leafies and nuts. This has become completely normal to me. Despite any setbacks I have had, I will always be moving forward. It excites me to think of what my future might hold. The raw-diet is about so much more than food. It is about reaching your highest potential as a human being. What could be cooler than that? And to think I have Howard Stern to thank... Miss Amanda Jones (Any comments or questions are more than welcome!) Shazzie says... Amanda's light and happy personality always lifts me. She is so young and onto something so big. This world is her oyster, that's for sure. If you want to add your story and before and after pictures to this section, please email them (no bigger than 200k each please) to us with your name, the dates of the photos and your age when the photos were taken. If you would like me to include a URL to your site, or any other information, please let me know. If you want to change your life for the better, buy Shazzie's detox delights -- it contains the recipes I used to transform myself from a struggling caterpillar into a butterfly with magic slippers!

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