But the question is, do you really need to be eating it?

Look, I am in no way against superfoods – quite the opposite. I absolutely love the never-ending health benefits they have to offer. With plenty of nutrients, superfoods can fight all kinds of illnesses and issues including digestive unease, fatigue, poor organ function, weak immune system, increase libido, leaky gut syndrome, poor memory, reverse infertility, even reverse grey hair back to its natural color! (Forget all those chemical-based hair coloring products!)

Plus, superfoods are absolutely delicious and can be used in so many different ways in snacks and meals. I love the the taste of goji berries, for example. They are mildly sweet with a hint of a zing, sometimes leaving a minutely bitter aftertaste that is, somehow, very refreshing and unattainable in any other berry I’ve ever tasted. (Check out my recipe for Raw Vegan Superfood Cacao Balls).

William Ismael via Compfight

A picture of spirulina in it’s whole, natural form.

Examples of superfoods (very short list):

• Chia seeds
• Hemp seeds
• Goji berries
• Shilajit
• Ashwaghanda
• Kappikachu
• Neem
• Alam
• Chlorella
• Spirulina
• Camu camu
• Lucuma
• Maca
• Mesquite
• Bee pollen (not vegan)
• Manuka honey (not vegan)
• Cacao (marketed as such, but I disagree…it’s better than the processed kind, but still contains neurotoxins)

But, again, do you really need to consume all of these superfoods?

You may have noticed that I didn’t include any fruits or veggies in my list. That’s because ALL produce have incredibly healing powers within the body, and they are foods you should be eating in copious, MASSIVE amounts every day. Here, I’m talking about all the products that are marketed as “true” superfoods – those which are available in package form, not in the produce aisles at the grocery store. (Seriously, when was the last time you saw chia seeds being sold beside leafy greens?)

In the video below, I explain two major reasons why you don’t always need superfoods. You will understand the difference between being a FAN of superfoods (like me) and a FANATIC (which could be you, or your next door neighbour). I’m ready for some controversy, but if you break it down and think about this logically, I’m sure you’ll understand my reasons – and you will be so relieved that you watched it!

Question of the day:  Are you a FAN or a FANATIC of superfoods, and why? Post below and share away!

If you learned something and enjoyed this blog and video, please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Also, show me your love and “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

(Yes, I said “Y’all” – there’s nothing anyone can do to take the Southern heart of mine away from me).

I’m generally very upfront and honest about things. I don’t mind saying it like it is. I don’t mind snapping people back into reality when it’s necessary. In this week’s blog and video, expect nothing less.

In previous blogs and videos, I’ve had no problem making it clear that there’s no room for making excuses when it comes to improving your health – especially when you say you want to get healthy, but do everything possible to act against options that have been proven to work (with people who have recovered as primary examples).

Many people have been approaching me for assistance, whether it’s to help them get onto a steady raw food diet and lifestyle, or simple assistance to resolve some health issues that can easily be changed using the diet and various lifestyle changes.

Mind Blowing Paradise Pudding, recipe available here. Many varieties of pudding can be eaten, depending on what condition you want to work through.

But, people don’t want to pay for my services. “What’s up with that?,” I’ve asked myself a few times. I did some research on those who wanted assistance, on those who would get upset that I charged for coaching, and so forth. Needless to say, I’ve come to a few conclusions that are important for everyone to hear about – whether they’ve requested coaching from me, or not.

Warning: This is NOT for people who are easily offended and can’t handle the truth. If this is you, please refrain from watching the video – I suspect you will want to leave hate messages, and I do not encourage such behavior in this community. We don’t need drama when we can RAWk our way to optimal health instead.

In this week’s Vlog, you’ll learn:

• Why I charge for my coaching services
• Why the prices are low
• Why it’s clear many people are making excuses
• Why many people use the “it’s expensive” card without thinking about what they are paying for (*ahem* their own health, longevity and well-being)
• Easy tips to adjust your budget to afford my services for everyone

Click on the video below to get all the details!

Question of the day: What health condition are you, or would you, like towards fixing using raw foods and natural health? Post below and share away!

If you enjoyed this blog and video, please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Also, show me your love and “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on – and DON’T make any more excuses!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

Gourmet dishes, in my opinion, are usually known to be a combination of the following:

• Presented very nicely on a plate/dish
• Use expensive ingredients
• Taste a certain way (taste-bud blowing!)
• From or made by a particular elite brand

As a raw vegan, it’s nice to have gourmet meals once in awhile at home. I tend to eat in a simple way – juices, smoothies, salads, but it’s fun to make things extra fun, perky and feastful, if you know what I mean.

My herbal decaf mocha latte with pink foam as a special treat on Valentine’s day weekend – a total of 5 minutes in prep time.

Sometimes, it can take hours to make gourmet dishes (according to the traditional meaning described above), but when I make them, it only takes a few minutes. Why? Because raw vegan gourmet food can be presented very nicely in many easy ways, you don’t necessarily need expensive ingredients, spend a lot of time preparing it, and it can easily have an incredible taste.

I like to spend as little time as possible preparing my meals – this way, I have time to enjoy my life and get on with my wonderful day! It’s especially useful on busy days – so why compromise on taste, texture and presentation when you don’t have to? It’s important to feed the eyes just as much as it is to feed not only your tastes buds, but your body and mind with the proper nutrition it needs.

Below is a picture I took of a gourmet dish I made in the span of two minutes. It consists of organic daikon (which was really inexpensive), store-bought sauerkraut (it’s pricey, but I didn’t have any homemade prepared like I usually do), topped with black fungus (which you soak in cold water for 20 – 30 minutes before serving). I ended up filling the center with a bright, colorful salad made of shredded kale, carrots, cilantro and lime juice, along with some alfalfa sprouts (which I had prepared in bulk and was already sitting in the fridge – but you can skip the salad and still have a gourmet dish). I could have sprinkled on some sesame seeds too for extra calcium and color!

My gourmet daikon discs

Before I move on to explaining how to make smoothies gourmet, I want you to know just how nutritious these daikon discs are. Daikon is a crunchy, slightly spicy root vegetable (like the carrot or beet), and sauerkraut is full of probiotics, which can help digestive issues and support healthy gut flora.

On another note, I won’t deny it – black fungus sounds really disgusting! It may be the biggest turn-off name for food in history! However, it’s unbelievably nutritious, boasting not only it’s long list of medicinal properties, but vitamins and minerals as well. It purifies the lungs, intestines, enriches the blood, and has super high iron content (known as the “meat of vegetables,” according to www.ChineseFoodHealth.com). The biggest kicker? It can neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. I recommend eating this incredible dried fungus at least three times a week – just a little will do! I know I will with these great health benefits!

That being said, there’s no reason why you can’t follow a raw vegan diet in terms of the nutritional aspect (let’s leave the psychological element out of this here – that’s a whole other topic that I can help you work through with personal coaching). Other than vitamin B12, which you CAN get elsewhere and in other ways (again, we can work on this via coaching), pretty much everything your mind and body need to thrive come from fruits and veggies. If you choose to included meat, gluten, etc. in your diet, that is certainly your choice, but for optimal health purposes, is often unnecessary. Don’t forget, your ethnic background also plays a role in this – some cultures and tribes thrive on fats and meats, for example. Keep an open mind to natural and holistic health, it’s not a dogma, it’s about what works for you.

Now, what about making smoothies gourmet? Yes, it IS possible. In fact, it’s even easier than the example I gave earlier about making dishes at home gourmet. If you want to know how to make your smoothies gourmet AND learn a super simple, zesty and delicious recipe (hello Mango Mint Lime!!), then click on the video below.

Question of the day: What is your favorite smoothie to make when the weather starts getting nicer after Winter? Post below and share away!

For more fast and easy smoothie recipes, plus juice recipes, a grocery list for each section and the first ever blueprint to making perfect tasting green smoothies, check this out.

If you enjoyed this blog and video, please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Also, show me your love and “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

I was planning on writing about the video below and explaining it’s content with my abundant quantity of humor (and wrath) regarding a health problem I’ve been facing for over three months. I was also going to provide a painfully honest stab at Quebec’s mainstream medical professionals and health care system. Yet, I find myself refraining from doing so. Why?

Because there is so much important information in this video – and so much that will go misunderstood or will be unclear without hearing my tone of voice and story.

Yup. It’s that good (err…bad?)

In this video, I talk about:

• My GP’s take on natural medicine and his attitude
• How doctors outside mainstream medicine have helped me over the years
• Stress relief techniques strong enough to eliminate illness (Ooooooooommmm)
• The problems with the Quebec health care system
• Why the Quebec health care system isn’t REALLY free
• Emergency room issues
• Lack of professionalism (at least in my experiences) from ‘qualified’ doctors in mainstream medicine
• Why you need to know your mind and body very well and learn to treat yourself
• Why I’ve never been dogmatic about raw foods or veganism and support the way anyone eats, as long as it is truly allowing them to be in their own best health
• And oh so much more!

If at least one thing in this list has sparked your curiosity – and I already know it has – then click on the video below. Of all this videos I’ve ever posted, this is one you DON’T want to miss. I can promise you this.

Question of the day: Have you gone through any really bad, or really good, experiences? Please post them below, I really want to hear about them!

Please feel free to share this via social media (click on the right hand side for all the options) because it’s important, regardless of where you live.

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

Most of all, I love good company.

I work a lot. In fact, I work too much. I love everything that I’m doing with my life so much that often, it doesn’t feel like work, but it doesn’t change the fact that it IS work. Whether it’s raw vegan coaching, ‘cooking’ snacks for local health centers, giving workshops, songwriting and co-writing, producing music, organizing events – if you name anything I do, chances are, I love it and do it a lot.

March 17, 2011: Purna Bhattacharya with Ildiko Brunner at the launch event for RAWk’n'Heels and e-book, “Raw, Vegan & in Transition: Desserts” at Crudessence Loft, Montreal, Canada

As a Raw Vegan and Wellness Coach, people often think that I have my entire life put together. People in the public eye are put on an imaginary pedestal – it’s just an illusion that is created within your imagination, and this is because society and culture have developed a ‘celebrity culture’ vision/status, even for ordinary people. Anyone who has a career in the public’s eye or is in videos, television, etc. is suddenly a celebrity to a certain degree – and if not, at least many who know of him/her perceive the public persona that way.

Well, let me tell you – I may be in the public eye, and my careers (two of three) may be under the watchful eyes of YouTubers and web surfers, but at the end of the day, I’m just like you. I’m human. I’m not perfect. I have things in my life I can improve on.

All of this is just a way for me to make you understand that I need to sharpen certain things in my lifestyle and yes, even my diet. Sure, some changes I want to make in my diet may not seem like a big deal to someone who isn’t a raw vegan (ex: adding both chlorella and wheatgrass to an already green smoothie may seem redundant, whereas to me, someone who’s been raw vegan for years, it’s really important).

In regards to my lifestyle, I need to slow down! It’s no secret we live in a society that is constantly on the go. But, ask yourself this: How often do you take time off for yourself? Not with family, a partner or friends, but you ALONE? It’s crucial to get time on your own – to reflect, ponder, even meditate to let go of stress and tension. Of course, it’s also important to get a sufficient amount of time with friends, family and loved ones in general.

Jeremy Price via Compfight

“So what?,” you must be thinking, “this isn’t anything you haven’t told me before!”

Very true. I also haven’t told you how insanely hard I’ve been working to continue pursuing all my endeavors.  Over the past year, I’ve been working like there’s no tomorrow – very often, seven days a week. While I love what I do, a voice in my head would sometimes creep in saying, “You need to go dancing tonight!” Bewildered, I forced myself to stay focused on the tasks at hand. Ten minutes later, I’d be on the phone with a friend to take a break during my 14-hour day, almost feeling guilty at the idea of even mentioning taking the night off to go out with my girlfriends.

The next day, the same voice would creep back into my head and encourage me to do other things with friends and family. I tried to push it away. This kept going for awhile, with the occasional times that I gave in to it (meaning, maybe once a month).

Long weekends? What the heck are those?! I don’t even know what two-day weekends are like!

The stress soon ensued, and before I knew it, random health problems started surfacing and I was canceling several meetings and even dates because I was either feeling too tired, sick or overwhelmed with work.

Juan Felipe Rubio via Compfight

So, two days ago, I decided to take my weekends off ENTIRELY – at the exception of a Saturday afternoon mentorship I am following until the end of the month. Plus, I take Friday nights off, meaning it’s like a full two days. Yes, that’s right, I am actually taking two WHOLE days off, EVERY week from now on! (A good friend of mine made me laugh when she said she had been WAITING to hear me say this – but it was so sweet of her to think of my health).

Sure, it’ll take me more time to get work completed. Sure, I might stress out a bit. Sure, I’ll have to manage my time better and devote each day to a different career I’m pursuing. But guess what? I’ll also have time for myself, whether it’s going to yoga classes, reading, or journaling, and I’ll be making it a point to spend time with people who mean the world to me.

A life isn’t a life without love.

This love comes in all shapes and forms, and they need to be experienced on a regular basis to feel happy, satisfied, supported and nourished. A day without love is like a day without drinking clean water. A human being cannot live very long without water – and the same goes for a lack of love.

“Big deal,” you must be saying, “you are taking some days off. Why should I care?”

Fabiana Zonca via Compfight

I’ll tell you why: because you should reassess your own life.

I’m not saying you NEED to make changes. What I AM saying is that we all need to backtrack and take a look at how we are living every now and then. Analyze your habits – are you doing what you want to be doing? Do you feel more than satisfied at the end of each day with whatever it is that keeps you busy? Do you feel like you have a good work-life balance, or do you have to be up really late just to fit both into your day?

I reassess my lifestyle once every season or two. When my best friend passed away a few months ago, it hit me hard. It really made me realize that I was NOT practicing what I was preaching in regards to having a work-life balance. If I could go back in time, I would have worked less and spent more time with him, and others as well.

Of course, the whole “Back to the Future” concept isn’t possible, which is fine, because I otherwise wouldn’t have learned all the things that I have learned since that time. But, I did find myself falling back into my old habit of working myself to the bone over the past month or two.

So, here I am. Back to taking time off. This time, instead of one day off, I’m taking two – because my mind, body and spirit not only deserve it, but NEED it.

With all this being said, my first weekend completely free of work responsibilities has been wonderful. On Saturday, I went to the mentorship (just two or three hours) and saw a friend who returned to the city after a huge whirlwind of travel experiences. On Sunday (today), I ‘cooked’ up a small storm in the morning (which I love to do – really helps me relax and recharge my batteries), plus I had the pleasure of sharing the fun, raw vegan brunch for my friends (friend’s parents, but it’s the same thing!)  Now, I’m writing up this blog (still work, but hey, I really want to share this with you and I promise I won’t do it again on a weekend in the future. I PROMISE!)

Raw Vegan Banana Protein Pancakes topped with a sweet berry mixture

Thankfully, they’re both really open-minded and also ‘raw curious’ – so they loved everything. While only my friend/friend’s mom could make it, my afternoon was definitely spent in great company. (Plus, she mentioned she has been checking out my website regularly to learn more about raw foods and that I’ve somehow sparked her interest in it. I’m SO flattered!) A great Sunday afternoon, indeed!

Tonight? Either yoga, or a nap and some time on the couch – I have some sleep to catch up on, but also need to de-stress further. I’ll see how I feel and do whatever I want – because it’s MY time off for myself. (Feel so good to say that!!)

See how easy it is to make raw vegan gourmet and simple dishes – just watch the short video below!

Question of the day: What did you eat today that was raw vegan, fun and delicious? Post your comment below, I want to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this blog and video, please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Also, show me your love and “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

Don’t get me wrong, doing a detox every once in awhile is fantastic! I’m actually doing a cleanse for a few days every month to rid myself of ailments that have returned. After just one month, it has already done wonders for me!

However, I’ve been a raw vegan for quite a few years. I can handle living off the basics (ie: liquids) for quite some time. For anyone who isn’t a raw foodist, vegan or even familiar with natural health and follows the standard American diet, this program that I’m offering is designed for you.

In fact, this program is designed for anyone who wants to make changes in their health and lifestyle, regardless of what they are (dietary, sleep, exercise, etc.) and if they ARE dietary, they can be really small and simple. There’s no need to rush things or jump the gun – easy does it.

For more information about the program, you can tune in to the LIVE online webinar where I will explain the details about this program (and throwing in a freebie). Plus, you can ask me questions at the end to make sure you are clear about how the program works and anything else you may want to know about it.

The live webinar will take place on on Sunday, April 14th, 2013 at 4pm EST.

In order to sign up for this, you need to make sure you are signed up to my monthly newsletter. You can do this on the right hand side of this page, and make sure you check off both boxes. It is via my newsletter list that I will be sending you all the information about the live webinar and program.

The deadline to sign up for the newsletter specifically for the webinar is Thursday, April 11th and 8pm EST.

Watch the video for the details as well!

If you are loving the idea of the program, please share this blog and video with your friends, and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Don’t forget to “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health – with me, on this 30-day health challenge – , and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

When you have a long day away from home, it’s important to remember to bring foods that are very rich in water content – think juicy fruits like melons, grapes, nectarines and pineapples. Foods like these will fill you up quickly, give you good carbohydrates and keep your battery charged until the next meal. What’s even better is that while it’s filling, it won’t drain you of your energy. Since it’s easy to digest, your body will be more efficient at giving you energy instead of zapping it from you while focusing in digesting anything high in fats.

D. Sharon Pruitt via Compfight

Now, there are two things about the above I need to mention. First of all, if you are a fan of the 80/10/10 diet, knock your socks off eating fruit, but I personally don’t encourage for several reasons. Excess sugar, even in the form of fruit, can lead to diabetes, dental issues, reduce muscle and strength, and more.  If this is a dietary choice you’ve made, please make sure you have done all the research first. It may not be the case for everyone, so please, just be careful.

Second, some fats can be good for you on long days. Things like chia seeds, hemp seeds and flaxseeds are great for giving you energy, as well as providing you with essential Omega fatty acids that your body needs to function well, including maintaining strong joints.

Marco Bernardini via Compfight

Other water-rich foods are vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes and so on. Of course, it is absolutely crucial to get plenty of leafy greens as well.

That being said, make sure you make a lot of juices and smoothies – they’re even even easier to digest! Juices already have all the fiber removed, so your body doesn’t need to digest much. It literally reaps the nutritional benefits of the juice within 15 minutes (tons of energy too) – instead of a few hours, which would be the case if you consumed the fiber.

Miriam via Compfight

Smoothies do include fiber, which is still really important since it’s filling and will keep you satiated. It’s better to blend your food instead of eating it as a big salad, for example, because your digestive enzymes have to work harder in order to reduce and digest the fiber while chewing. Since smoothies are in liquid form and blended up, you’ve already saved your digest system from needing to work as hard as usual.

Find out why I had two ridiculously long (but very fun and exciting) days and see for yourself what I brought with me. Just watch the video below!

Question of the day: Have you ever tried modelling? If not, do you feel sexier eating a high raw diet? Post below, I’d love to hear more about your personal sexiness and confidence!

If you learned something in this blog and video, please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Don’t forget to “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

Even with the huge amount of information out there, many people are concerned about ‘getting fat’ on a raw vegan diet. Of course, this CAN happen if someone isn’t eating the right foods in the proper quantities.

Francois Meehan via Compfight

Let’s say you are coming off the Standard American Diet – you know, pizzas, fries, pastas, tons of processed, sugar and oil-filled foods. When you start eating primarily fruits and vegetables, your body will BEG you for something heavier – the heaviness that it’s accustomed to feeling from all the junk food. That’s where healthy fats come in.

Note, I said HEALTHY fats, meaning nuts, seeds, avocados, and some cold-pressed oils such as olive and flaxseed oil. Of course, it’s best not to eat too much of these foods, but at first, you will feel inclined to eat them quite a bit to adjust to the new diet. Don’t worry, this is completely acceptable if you’re new to raw foods!

M.G. Kafkas via Compfight

However, with time, you will learn how to understand the signals that your body sends you. You will finally understand what it means to get in touch with your body and to “listen” to what it tells you. In other words, after you’ve lost weight (which you definitely will even if you’re eating a lot of healthy fats at first), your body will reach a point where it has adjusted to tons of fruits and vegetables in its system, to the detox-like effect you’ve been giving it. One day, it will be ready to reduce those fats drastically and you’ll find yourself being drawn towards more water-rich foods (fruits and vegetables) than fatty foods. This is when your body will REALLY go into detox mode, especially if you’re excluding cacao and all things caffeinated (which you should on a raw diet).

A note about raw cacao before I continue. Yes, it’s been marketed as a superfood. Yes, it is far more nutritious than the processed kind you find at regular grocery stores (did somebody say 360 times the amount of magnesium?!) Yes, it does have some health benefits – but, you can get these benefits and the nutrition it offers from other foods. Don’t be fooled – cacao DOES contain neurotoxins.

Everjean via Compfight

That being said, when you’re following a highly raw diet that is very clean (mostly juices, smoothies and salads), you won’t miss cacao and will happily replace it with carob. I believe in flexibility, however, and for most people (depending on if you have a health condition and what it is), it’s perfectly acceptable to have a little every now and then.

Test your body and find out how infrequently it feels the need for it. Often, it is simply a lack of magnesium in the diet, which can be obtained from many other plant sources. Plus, a lack of magnesium can be one of the several causes of menstrual cramps amongst women – but caffeine can also be the cause of pain because it can cause inflammation in the body . If you’re having trouble getting off cacao, chocolate or coffee, or suffer from severe menstrual cramps, please contact me for coaching – I’ve “been there and done that” in the past, so I know how tough it can be to quit or even just reduce caffeine from your diet – not to mention deal with terrible cramping pain. You can check out the coaching details here.

Linh Nguyen via Compfight

As for raw vegan desserts, the same concept applies. Sure you can replace a real cheesecake with the raw vegan kind! Yes, it’s far more nutritious, even if the traditional raw recipes are filled with cashews and coconut oil – but at least they’re healthier than overheated and even fried cheesecakes (I’ve seen them in case you don’t believe me!) But, again, with time, your body will say, “You know what? I’ve had enough. I need something lighter to feel good and have more energy. This makes me feel drained of energy after I eat it.” And so, you will look for alternatives for lighter, equally delicious, low-fat raw vegan desserts. (If you’re interested in that, check out my e-book, “Raw, Vegan & In Transition: Desserts.” All the details are there, but feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions).

My Low-Fat, Raw Vegan RAW-O-Politan Ice Cream (available in the desserts e-book)

Conversely, if you are on a high raw and pure diet (juices, smoothies, puddings and some salads with limited or almost no fats and no caffeine) and you suddenly decide to eat some fats and salt, you will put on weight. It goes both ways, so please be aware of that!

So here’s the deal:

• If you eat pretty clean, but love desserts, replace them with low-fat raw vegan desserts (like this Chocolate and Lemon Meringue Banana Parfait or this No Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookie)
• If you rush in the morning and skip breakfast or don’t know what to make, learn how to make perfect-tasting green smoothies within five minutes (there’s a REALLY easy way to do this, I promise – and they can be extra fun, like this Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie or this Chocolate-Free But Chocolate Tasting Berry Superfood Smoothie)
• If your weakness is pasta, meat and potatoes, try gourmet raw vegan dishes like this super simple Low Fat Raw Vegan Pizza and Dough or this Kelp Noodle and Tomato Sauce dish to help thyroid function).

Helga Weber via Compfight

At the end of the day, going raw can be confusing. There’s so much information out there and achieving your health goals can be difficult when everyone is saying different things about the same topics and questions. Whether you want to lose weight, put on some muscle, learn how to make green smoothies properly, or get your kids into raw foods, or help heal a health condition, I invite you to take a look at my coaching page and sign up for assistance. I’m sure I can help you move forward and reach your goals.

I love being a Raw Vegan & Wellness Coach because it means I get to witness the transformation of your entire LIFE – not just diet – right in front of my eyes. I know exactly which foods have what kinds of reactions in the body and have used my own body as an experiment to recover, heal and eliminate countless health problems. I want to pass that knowledge on to you!

Watch the video below to understand how raw vegans can avoid putting on weight, and how they CAN if they’re not careful.

Question of the day: Have you been concerned with, or experienced, putting on weight on a raw vegan diet? Post below – I really want to hear from you about this one! Let’s share with the RAWk’n'Heels community!

If you learned something here, please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Don’t forget to “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

Sometimes, the truth hurts – but truth must be spoken loud and clear.

When someone who is ill goes on and on about how their illness is preventing them from pursuing things in life that they truly want to do, it’s understandable. Many of us (myself included) have suffered from debilitating illnesses that can truly turn our lives upside down. I’m sure you’ve had a cold or a flu before – even less serious illnesses such as these can make or break your week. A long-term illness can be 100x worse in regards to how to manage it, cope with life and eliminate it.

Mitchell Joyce via Compfight

When that point comes, the point of truly wanting to eliminate an illness or disease, whatever it may be, you will do absolutely anything in your power to heal, recover and live a long, disease-free life. The finish line will be so close to your sight that you will run the opposite direction to save your health, and in some cases, your life. (How close are you to the finish line? You may not even know that you’re walking on thin ice right now because symptoms often appear in many illnesses very late in the game).

When the point of truly wanting to save your health comes, you will WANT to feel the cells in your body rejuvenate, feel the side effects of a detox, improve your sleep habits and time management, work on getting the appropriate amount of exercise and yes, even change your diet.

However, this is all wishful thinking if you explain to everyone how sick you are, but choose not to do anything to change it – drastic, or otherwise. If your disease is preventing you from doing what you want in life, achieving goals you dream of everyday, then you need to make changes in life and accept the input from health professionals (both natural and mainstream medicine, depending on your condition of course).

NVinacco via Compfight

The true desire to make these changes will be evident when you act on it – when you search for and accept the help from others who have a great deal of knowledge and experience in regards to your condition. It will be equally evident that you don’t care about improving your health and living disease-free when you don’t do these things – and worst of all, when you lie to yourself.

“But Purna,” you say, “how can I possibly lie to myself if I know I’m sick?”

It’s a question most who are ill don’t think about when they are in the wishful thinking and ignorant phase. No offense, many people do go through this phase, but what’s scary is that far too many either stay there, or only realize they’re at this stage when it’s too late.

Please, don’t be one of those people. Take your health in your hands and give it a 180 degree turn. Stop it dead in its tracks – because you can. Anyone who tells you that you’ll never walk, talk or move your arm again could very well be wrong. Equally, anyone who has the nerve to tell you how long you have left to live doesn’t have my respect. Why? Because we’re all human beings – not Gods.

All this to say, there IS hope. Whether or not you choose to act on the possibilities that could save or lengthen your life, or simply cure a common virus, is up to you.

So, again, don’t lie to yourself.

Watch the video below to find out:

• What I mean by “lying to yourself”
• How doing this impacts your attitudes and behaviors
• More about being serious and dedicated vs. wishful and ignorant towards your health
• How raw foods can be used to cure or at least reduce your illness

Question of the day: Do you know someone in your life who is ill and refuses to take steps to get healthy? Please post below – I know you do, everyone does!

Please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Don’t forget to “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna

What does this mean? It means 80% of people go to work when they’re sick and contagious, which is 20% higher than last year (according to Huffington Post).

Chapendra via Compfight

I would really like to defend this high rate by blaming the economy and the fact a very high rate of individuals live from paycheck to paycheck. Back in 2010, 60% of Canadians were in this position, while over 66% of US citizens were in the same position in 2012.

But I won’t be doing that.

I could defend this high rate by saying employers are demanding, but that would simply be inappropriate and I won’t dare make this claim.

I could also defend this high rate by saying people just love their jobs so incredibly much that they can’t stand to be away from their roles at work for more than a day. To a certain extent, it’s true – some people really DO love their jobs that much.

However, I’m going to burst your loud, RAWk’n bubble (sorry!) by confidently saying many people don’t like their jobs at all and would rather have a completely different position, or work at a very different company – or simply a better environment.

So what it is? What is it that compels people to go to work when they’re sick? Miserable? Ready to spread their colds, flus, gastro, and other unpleasant and very unwanted illnesses? Is it really the fact that their groceries may be dependent on that week’s paychque? That they’ll have to feel the wrath of their supervisors? That they just can’t steer clear from what (some) love?

I don’t have an answer to that.

Adam Kuban via Compfight

What I do have an answer to, though, is how to avoid spreading illness.
Don’t go to work!

I can also explain how you can recover more quickly.                                                            Don’t go to work, stay home and rest up!

Lastly, I can easily explain to you why it often takes a week or more to recover.
You go to work anyway, AND you need to follow a high raw diet.

In the video below, I address the issue of having not only respect for others, but respect for yourself. You are responsible for your heath. You walk, breathe, sleep and eat your health. So you must equally OWN your health.

Krista Kennedy via Compfight

Oh, and there’s a green smoothie recipe included at the end. It’ll help you get your health back – although you need to work your way to having optimal health by going on a detox or sticking primarily smoothies and juices for a few days. (I also recommend making this natural tea the moment you have any signs of illness – it’ll do wonders for colds, flus and sinus issues).

Question of the day: When was the last time you went to work/school and regretted it? Post below, I want to hear from you!

Please share this and add me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Don’t forget to “Like” below!

Keep RAWk’n your way to optimal health, and ladies, remember to get your heels on and RAWk on!

Living Young, Happy & Hot,

Purna