R.I.P. Wormwood

We laid our precious baby kitty to rest today. It was a total blind-side. I took him to his vet to have him neutered and he died coming out of the anesthesia. He was only 6 months old. He had two cardiac arrests. They brought him back once. They said in 15 years it has only happened 3 times. They said he most likely had an undetected heart condition.

He was growing into an amazing cat - he gave kisses - sometimes without being asked; he played hard and loved sweetly. He would cuddle for hours, and then become an unstoppable ball of energy.

Everything feels upside-down. I keep looking for him in all of his favorite places and then I realize I'll never see him in the flesh again. My hubster and I are big sob buckets right now. Precious Wormwood - you are dearly missed and forever remembered.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

My colleague Susan Schenck is offering a great package with the purchase of her award-winning book. This encyclopedic book of 660 pages is the most comprehensive guide to the raw food and Natural Hygiene movements.

It includes 10 reasons to stop cooking, inspirational testimonials, over 60 scientific studies that prove the superiority of a raw diet, the history of the raw food diet, a chapter on fasting, a chapter on getting kids to eat raw, how to transition, and 120 recipes. It warns you against potential pitfalls on your journey toward super health, and discusses frequently asked questions.

The first edition of The Live Food Factor, The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet won the IPPY Award of “Most Progressive Health Book of the Year” (2007) and the newly released second edition, with Victoria BidWell, won a Reader Views Award (2009).

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“The best book on alternative health!” ---Dr. Vivian Vetrano, DC, hMD, PhD, DSci

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The Live Food Factor

When I wrote FRUGAL RAW!, I did so for people who have already done their homework and not only know the benefits of going raw, but also have made their decision and want or need to do so economically. I have read a number of books and ebooks on how and why to go raw, and I have my favorites.

Now I have an affiliation with a fellow author - Susan Schenk! She purchased my book a couple of months ago, and loved it, btw! She is the author of "The Live Food Factor" - The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet. This 660-page book is split into four sections: one is an overview of going raw’s benefits; two showcases the scientific reasons for going raw; three highlights the raw movement’s history and its leadership; and four is a complete how-to manual. The book was awarded “Most Progressive Health Book of the Year” from the 2006 Independent Publisher Book Awards Outstanding Books of the Year.

Who is Susan Schenk?

Susan Schenck is a Licenced Acupuncturist, with a masters in traditional Oriental medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She also has a master’s degree in applied linguistics and bachelor’s in education from Indiana University. Susan has taught all levels of education, from preschool to university.
Her world travels inspired Susan to find the ideal diet that could feed the planet. Having tried dozens of diets of herself, and always in search of peak health, her search was over when she discovered the simple secret of not cooking. Author of The Live Food Factor, Susan currently promotes the raw food diet through lectures, workshops and coaching.

In conjuction with the purchase of Susans's book, there is a special offer in the works that will be sent out later this month for those who purchase her book through the link I have listed above...over 60 free bonus gifts!!

Check out the reviews by our peers!

REVIEWS:

The Live Food Factor is the very best book on alternative health care ever done. It contains more research on the benefits of raw foods as well as the dangers of cooked foods ever amassed in one place. Dr. Vivian V. Vetrano, DC, hMD, PhD, DSci --Foreword, The Live Food Factor

The Live Food Factor is destined to become a classic. This book represents the most comprehensive study of the raw food diet and the raw food movement ever put on paper. When I received the manuscript, I simply couldn't put it down and read the book in two days. In my classes, people have asked me over the years, "Where is the scientific research backing up the raw food diet?" I'm thrilled that now we have The Live Food Factor, which contains data that is thoroughly backed up with a list of over 60 scientific studies. I am a raw food teacher, writer, and researcher myself. I have taught hundreds of workshops about this subject for many years, and I have learned a great deal from Susan Schenck's book. I highly recommend this book to all readers interested in improving their health. --Victoria Boutenko, raw food author and educator

"The Live Food Factor is the most comprehensive book ever written
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—Paul Nison, author, The Raw Life and Raw Knowledge; also a raw food chef (www.paulnison.com, www.rawlife.com)

“…The most impressive and convincing book on the subject I’ve ever seen….It will be the new classic of the raw food movement.”
—Joe Alexander, author, Blatant Raw Food Propaganda

“This book is impeccably researched. Susan's fact finding is uncompromising and nothing short of encyclopedic. Her book is a primer for raw food neophytes. While everyone is talking about preparing for retirement, she hones in what really matters: ‘The best retirement plan is to be so healthy that you never need to retire.’ ” —Tonya Zavasta, author of Your Right to Be Beautiful, Beautiful On Raw and Quantum Eating

“Susan's book is one of the most thoroughly researched books on nutrition. This book is easy to read, very informative, and will surely get you thinking about the warped societal norms with our food industry and so-called "healthcare" industry today.”
— Dr. Jeannette Vos, co-author of The Learning Revolution 2.0

“It is so intelligent, well organized and comprehensive…It is the best compendium we’ve seen on alive food.”
—Jesse Schwartz, president of Living Tree Community

“This is the most extensive, inspiring and useful resource on the raw food diet you will ever read. It is loaded with tips, tools, tricks and advice that will change your thinking and your health forever.”
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“Schenck is an advocate, but her points are clear and convincing.”
—Kirkus Discovery Review

"The Live Food Factor by Susan Schenck is by far the most complete raw food book available on the market today. Susan has compiled a multitude of vital information from 50 scientific studies which clearly show the advantages of a raw food diet vs. the typical, hazardous cooked food diet. She also includes a “how to” section that has various strategies for transitioning to the raw food diet, valuable information on detoxification, how to travel and socialize on raw and living foods and much more!"
—Alex Malinsky of rawguru.com and rawfoodchat.com

Kickin' It Up...to have a baby:)

My husband and I have wanted to have children together since we got together in 2001. Sadly, we have not been successful in this endeavor and it's tearing us both up. He's as of recently declined into a depression and I am fighting to stay afloat. We had my tubal reversal done in 2003, from which we have had one miscarriage in July 2004. It's now 2009 - almost 5 years since then and nothing. One big part of the problem is that we were told that my tubes are pretty much shot. I'll be 43 in April, and I've been doing some internet research tonight to see how we can still hold onto any hope...and once again, my Guides have shown me a chance and a silver lining.

I keep having little clues that New Jersey is somehow in my future. I learned tonight that while at my age with my own eggs, we only have about a 6% chance of a viable pregnancy and a live birth - with donor eggs, we have the same chance as the age of the donor! The in vitro process would involve a petrie-dish fertilization between Jaysen's sperm and the donor eggs - but the child(ren) would grow in me - and we'd share and love in that pregnancy together. Where does New Jersey come into all of this? One of the most successful fertility/donor clinics is there. Another thing I learned is that New Jersey is a fertility insurance mandated state - for a max of 4 tries, and then there are payment plans.

What does all of this mean in the grand scheme? It means I'm going from transitioning back to high raw to 100% raw and getting myself back in shape and staying there. I've put back on a few pounds this past year and eaten many things I shouldn;t and would not normally have due to high stress and no time - but those tables have all turned for the better for me. I can't wait for him to come home tonight so I can tell him what I've learned and what I have planned.

Now, admittedly, I am still not ruling out a natural pregnancy once I have my weight down to the ideal for a while - but my goal is to make that journey to New Jersey before I turn 45 if we still have not given birth. Last year when I was doing my cleanse, scar tissue was healing. It may well be that between dropping the pounds and healing tissues, we may well finally have that success we have been so aching for.

Ultimately, we may have to relo to make this all happen, and if that turns out to be the case, so be it. I love my farm house, but I'd live in a cardboard shack if it meant finally making this dream come true. Jaysen may have to take a job elsewhere in the meantime, and we may have to have some commuting time - but I finally really feel that we're going to make it!

Send all thinks positive Rawbies - this means more to us than anything!

Meet Wormwood!

Sunday's visit from my friend included a trip to the local animal shelter, and this little guy clawed his way into both of our heart strings! He couldn't decide who he wanted to have cuddle him more and continually passed himself back and forth between us, as if he wanted to have two mommies. I didn't bring him home that night - decisions as big as adding a new family member to the house, Jaysen and I include each other in. I thought about the little guy from 5 o'clock until around 9 pm, and by the time he got home from work I was ready to beg for him.

Jaysen gave in to me very quickly, and we raced to the shelter for their noon opening time on Monday. There he was - just waking up from a nap and waiting for us to bring him home! Jaysen had the same reaction Opal and I did to him - complete meltiness leading to utter must-have-the-kitty abandon. Wormwood is an adorable little terror, and was almost dubbed "Ivan the Terrible" for his wiley ways!

We took him to PetsMart to pick out some toys and new collar. He chose 3 frugally priced catnip mice. I also found a hooded catbed for him that was on sale. Jaysen was still bouncing name ideas around in his head at this point. We came very close to going with Absynthe and bought him a neon chartreuse green and silver collar with a bell. We decided tho that Wormwood fit him better than Absynthe - a name for a more laid back, sophist - not a young upstart like Wormwood! Then it was off to Walmart - where Jaysen found even more things for his new little man...a green food dish, kitten chow, treats, and a small nylon corner tower for him to play in.

How are the others taking to him? Well, Blitzer is enthralled - he can't get enough of playfully exchanging chases. Margarita is blissed out to have a new baby in the house - she LOVES playing with cats, and this one being only 4 months old, she has someone she is bigger than to bunny pounce after in high chihuahua fashion. She was smiling ear to ear in-between pants all afternoon yesterday. Ripshin is JEALOUS. I am trying to reassure him that HE is MY kitty-boy, and that Wormwood is for Papa, but he is still quite jealous and I've had to call him down a few times already. Nothing serious - just head locks mainly. Not being a cat person I don't know if the little guy is in any danger or if this is like the pecking order of wolves which I understand all too well.

We're really proud of Wormwood - he doesn't appear to be afraid of anything! He climbs like crazy - has no trouble getting to the food bowls or the litter box - all of which we have to keep on a counter in the utility room because of the dogs. We have some table manners to work though - he thinks whenever someone is eating something he needs to be up in the plate finding out what it is all about and seeing if it's something he wants to eat or something he wants to play with. His curiosity quotient is incredible!

Wormwood seems to like the men in the household - he loves Jaysen and was quite into Bryan last night. I think it's the first time that's happened with a cat for him. He prefers cats to dogs, but previously has only been around aloof cats. Ripshin is very picky about who he socializes with, and prefers me to anyone else in the house. He had a traumatizing beginning and I think it stunted him socially. Wormwood has no such issues - he's the most outgoing cat I've ever met!

Adopting him has opened a door for us I've been looking for since Ripshin was only 6 months old. I'm taking Wormwood to the vet he saw while at the shelter - they already have a file for him, and in speaking with them on the phone they are quite nice folks. He is too young yet to be neutered, so that has to wait until late April. Ripshin, however, has yet to be fixed and will be 2 years old in May. I asked Wormwood's vet what they charge and the usual $100 plus shots was the quote. BUT - they referred me to a low-cost clinic up an hour away that will do the surgery plus the rabies shot for only $43! I am THRILLED! I'm waiting now to hear what the schedule is looking like for April and May - I'd like to have them both done at about the same time to keep the unwanted pouncing at a minimum.

I got very little done yesterday other than refereeing the animals to make sure everyone was getting along okay. Jaysen and I slept in the livingroom so we could keep an ear our for any kitty brawls. Thankfully none occurred.

I have lots to catch up from, so I am off to do it!

Ahhhhhhhhh:)

I can't believe it's been five days since I had any coffee! The really amazing thing about that, is that I don't want it. I'm sitting here sipping a beautiful, clean, refreshing glass of water, and I am at peace!

It's raining out today, and I'm looking forward to a day of focusing on my art. My friend Opal is coming over for a play day. She wants to learn how to use our dremel so she can make runes. When she gets here, I'll make up a tall blender of smoothies - orange, banana, and blueberry. I may also introduce her to raw ice cream later in the day...need to freeze some bananas.

Off to Artland I go! I have lots to do to be ready for the festival on the 14th!!

Ahhhhhhhh...

I'm feeling much better this afternoon than when I "woke up" this morning. Truth is, I didn't sleep much at all because I did a very stupid thing. I drank w-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-y too much coffee yesterday and into the night. I don't know what I was thinking - if anything!

I'd gotten into a very bad habit of drinking about a pot a day due to the nightmare job. I'd already come to the realization that I wanted to cut it way back if not completely out. I'd been using it to maintain my focus in a very chaotic environment.

So last night, I went out with a friend and after having already had about a pot in the morning, I proceeded to have 2 urns full in the space of only 2 hours.

I've heard you can die of caffiene overload. Now I believe it. My heart was racing all night - or what was left of it, and as I said earlier, I got very little sleep. When I gave up and got up, I felt polluted and something akin to being hung over.

I tried to drink water - small sips were all I could tolerate, but I knew I needed it. I finally felt up to a simple fruit smoothie of oranges and a banana late this afternoon, and added blueberries to the mix this evening. I'm still working on it - what a way to throw yourself into a juice feast...

I was also reminded by Aleesha that I should do some self-healing with my reiki energy. duh! Why is it I seem to forget I have that attunement when it comes to my own personal needs?

Needless to say, I am feeling much better this evening. I'm still sipping my fruit smoothie, but I have also been cleaning our kitchen like a bean si! I live with 3 omnis in the house currently, and they don't seem to understand my need for counterspace or being able to get to my appliances. I get very discouraged having to dig out my vitamix or my food processor from a heaping pile of crap they've left behind. I also get vexed over not having any space on the counter or the table to even place my cutting board, let alone a plate!

I decided to go back to what brought me to the raw lifestyle in the first place...Storm and Jinjee's site, The Garden Diet. I always feel so at peace when I slow down and focus on that. I have a lot of crap to get straightened up after this past year's trials, but I am ready. I am ready to reclaim my home. I am ready to reclaim my serenity.

I long to do simple things - like go for a walk. Unfortunately, the damage to my hip hasn't completely healed, and everytime I think about doing any kind of exercize, it reminds me that it is there. Hopefully soon...