Thank You!
On Monday, I started our 11 weeks of gift-giving. Wanting to find a way to celebrate fall, and the count down to the holidays, I thought having a “contest” every week would be a really fun way to go. I wanted to give to you, but what ended up happening was, you gave me an amazing gift.
You see, when you write a blog, like Rawmazing, you really are in a bubble. Posts are thought up, researched, developed, created, written, photographed and then, after hours of work, you hit a button and the post goes off into the blogosphere. There is little human interaction. You hope for some comments, so you know if people liked what you are doing and then you start planning the next post.
To be honest, I love comments. They let me know that you are out there, actually reading the blog. I can look at the analytics, and see that literally thousands of you are visiting the blog, but numbers are just numbers. They are not interaction. They are not real people.
Monday, when I started the contest, comments immediately started coming in. We had almost 400 people enter. It was so exciting for me. But what was even more exciting was what was in the comments. They were amazing. A simple question, “Why are you interested in raw food” brought out such feeling and emotion.
There were a lot of quotes that made me smile. Just made me happy that so many people are starting to, or really understand what raw food can do for you:
From Tiffany: “I am transitioning to a RAW lifestyle because I want to be around for a long long long time to watch my children grow, and have the energy to keep up with them.”
From Chris: “To save my life!”
From Regina: “To correct what is really wrong with our ‘health-care system.’ And give hope to the many that are already suffering from eating too much processed foods.”
Rena: The energy I get from eating raw is outrageous and addictive! I don’t know why anyone would not want to incorporate raw into their diets – it is of course the way Mother Nature intended.
The wonderful age old quote from Stella Lee: “I used to be a very sick kid and as I got older I was tired of always being ill so I’m going to use a quote that helped me realize how important it is to eat right for my health: “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” -Hippocrates
And then there were the quotes that really moved me. That made me sit a second and pause. People who are fighting illness and having success with raw food. One of the main reasons I am here.
From Jennifer: “I was diagnosed with Alopecia Universalis a year and a half ago, and by removing gluten, dairy and animal products from my diet and focusing on raw foods, my hair has slowly began to grow back!”
From Lois: “My intention is to reduce or eliminate insulin in my life through raw foods…it’s working!”
From Cat: “By eating raw for the past 8 weeks I’ve lowered my thyroid medication by half.”
From Tressey: “My health was failing fast. I had run out of options. Raw food gave my body the rest and nutrients it needed to pull itself up and into the land of the vibrant living.”
From Abakash: “Raw food got me off Insulin, and I lost 30 lbs. Raw food makes me happy.”
And this from my dear friend Polly: “I’m interested in Raw Food because of a breast cancer diagnosis 18 months ago. Since it was a reoccurance and several places eating raw was my only real option. As you know Susan it has caused shrinkage and even made some of the sites of cancer disappear. I had a few months this year where i backslid but a few weeks ago i slid back into eating predominately raw ( with the exception of a couple slips this weekend). You’ve been sooo helpful to me in this change. Thank you sooo much:-)”
If you want to be inspired…go back and read through all those comments. You have all inspired me and I thank you deeply.
Karen - Tennessee wrote on October 12, 2010
You are so right Jessica about people that give up the strenght to fight. There is so much life out there. Katelyn said it Life= Imagination and Emotions. With your cup half full all the time, it is endless what one can do. I wish for the same thing everyone else wishes for that the people around them engage in letting the food fill them with happiness and health. After 30 years of marriage my husband is still looking for his health and happiness. Back in February he had a Thryoidectomy, I wish I knew then what I know now about processed foods and toxins, I may have prevented it. Anyway he says my thoughts on food are crazy (cooking raw and not eating processed foods) we’re not living together anymore but I still wish him happiness and health.
Jessica wrote on October 12, 2010
I wish for my mom to get her “essence” back, the life that used to flow out of her and touch everyone. Since she became ill she slowly allowed it to overcome her, rather then get up and fight she has become depressed. I wish for her the strength to pull herself back together and stand up to whatever life throws her way. I wish for her to enjoy life and be a part of her children and grandchildren’s lives. We all love you mom, and we are cheering you on. You have so much life to live yet!
Sashka wrote on October 12, 2010
I am aware of health style of life for a long time but never was of raw food.Now I thank GOD I can feel “light” and I want my son who suffer from astma to join me in this
Lisa Brown wrote on October 11, 2010
I wish to be able to help my 2 best friends with health issues by showing them there is more out there then what the doctor says.
Anna Preston wrote on October 11, 2010
I wish that for today i can open my heart even wider to hold more love for all those that i come in contact with today. I wish for health for everyone. Health is a blessing. Anna
vickie woodman wrote on October 11, 2010
All the recipes look so good. Every one that I have tried has not let me down. Now if I can get my family to follow suit.
Susan C. wrote on October 11, 2010
I would like to thank you and anyone that works with you on this wbbsite !! I am new to eating raw. I am wishing that this diet helps me to get healthier for myself and my family because I take many different meds, and I was eating unhealthy. I am diabetic and I know this way of eating will help me. I have learned so much on your site and there are very useful items here. Your recipes look delicious can”t wait to try some because I needed new ideas instead of just eating a boring salad. Be Blessed because your site has been a blessing to me!!! 🙂 Thanks again. Susan C.
Linda wrote on October 11, 2010
My wish for today is to have more of my immediate family onboard with healthy eating!
Chilij Joe wrote on October 11, 2010
I came apon your site while searching for an old Chco\Date\nut candy I used for Xmas cookie recipe and was thrilled w/all the great recipes and comments from your clan. I used an item for
our, local Farmer’s Market (I sell, cookies breads and preserves) and got positive feedback keep
informing us about the health of incorporating raw food in our diets.