Before these warm summer days are are just a distant memory, try to take some vacation or at least a "stacation" day at home to relax and recharge.   Getting some much needed R&R is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. For me, I am very happy to say I was able to get away this month for a few days, and it was a blast.

 

Every year my best friends from college pick a place to meet up.  We have very few rules except, no work, no husbands/boyfriends, no kids...(sorry Connor), just us girls.  These are my very best friends in the world and we have been through it all together.  I love them because they accept me as I am, even though they often refer to me as the "Hippy from California".  A few years back when I proudly pronounced "I am going Raw", they hardly a raised eyebrow...Now that's friendship.

 

This year we all met at Sullivan's Island and stayed at my friend "Bubbles" house.  It was fun, relaxing, rejuvenating and not to mention, a lot of laughs, all the things that help to nourish the body, mind and soul. 

 

In addition to all the benefits of this trip, it was also one of the strongest affirmations to being raw I have had in a long time. As a raw food chef and nutritionist, I know the power of these healthy, live foods.  Although I am not 100% raw, I eat this way the majority of the time, typically 80% or more and the other 20% are still heathy, vegetarian, unprocessed options. 

 

So this year, while on vacation, I threw caution to the wind. I ate, drank and was very merry.  By the usual standards, I was still eating healthier than most on the standard American Diet,  but I indulged in breads, veggie pizza, and some general sweets and snacks.  Not just once but something not healthy every day... and guess what??? I felt terrible!  By the time I got home I had a full blown eczema attack on my arm, my belly hurt, I was tired, bloated, I was dehydrated and had a headache. 

 

Wow, if I ever needed a sign to be sure I was on the right path, this was it!!  This was such a sign that even I couldn't miss it. It hit me like a ton of bricks, literally.   When I eat raw, healthy, live food, I feel great,  when I eat poorly, I feel bad. Of course, I knew this to be true, but I have never tested it to this extent since being raw. If I ever had any doubts, I certainly don't any more.

 

Once I got home, I started the detox process right away.  I did a juice fast for the first few days and then slowing incorporating luscious, green salads and bountiful raw foods back into my diet, and what a difference.  The eczema patches are now gone, I am feeling better, I am hydrated and have tons of energy.  Luckily our bodies have the amazing capability to heal themselves,  we just need to give them the proper tools to do so.

 

Instead of denying this ever happened and feeling miserable in my detox, I wanted to share this experience with you all so you can see even a pro like me slips up.  But remember, if you slip up, you don't have to give up. 

 

I am not the perfect raw foodist but I am a real one - Human - just like the rest of you. So if you slip up, it is ok.  Just try to get back on track as soon as you can.  Your body will love you for it.

 

Enjoy these last few summer days and above all, Be Well!

 

Nancy