Raw in Motion

Are You Ready to truly love yourself?

Do you want to love every aspect of yourself, your body and your life?

Are you excited and motivated to learn how you can transform your eating habits, your body, emotions, mind and spirit in a creative, progressive and loving way?

If so, I invite you to share and participate in your very own raw in motion experience... 

Throughout the pages of this blog you will discover a wonderful array of tools and personal challenges to support your progress, together with aspects of my personal journey. By offering personal insights, thoughts, and actions I aim to share and serve you whilst walking my talk. You will have access to ongoing additional information which is designed to support you to love yourself at the deepest level while living your life on purpose! I look forward to hearing about your many successes and receiving your comments and feedback!

Love, light and blessings

Michèlex

Loving myself from the inside...

Today is a fresh start for me having had a number of personal challenges to deal with. In January of this year my partner and I split up after 4 years together. Having moved to live with him only 12 months ago this was more than a surprise. During the past 4 years there have been times when I have struggled to eat in a way that I would choose as my diet was dictated by a lack of finances. There were even times when free tasters were a blessing. I moved to a new home about 8 weeks ago and finally have the space to focus on myself and invest in me in a way that I haven't in a while. 

This blog will be a record of my new investment  - I will eat consciously and will only include fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds whilst also returning to my raw gourmet menu. I intend to keep a video diary which will be uploadd on a weekly basis when I have mastered the art of uploading and editing.I would love to hear your views, your experiences and share this journey with you. X

Discovering a Chink in the Armour

Have you ever created armour in response to a trauma in your life?  In other words been extremely stressed and upset in a way that temporarily overwhelmed you to the extent that you adopted a new way of thinking, feeling or behaving in order to cope?

This coping strategy or armour once established, serves to ‘protect’ you from re-experiencing the pain and fear of the initial incident and thus a subconscious pattern is created.

Although the armour appears to provide multiple benefits, including survival, there comes a time when it is no longer required.  Not always apparent it can become a limitation and barrier to your growth and development. The shield that you subconsciously choose as a defence mechanism can take various forms including fearful thoughts, irrational feelings, destructive behaviours or a combination which are reinforced or triggered during stressful situations.  

My own personal armour manifested physically after a number of trauma’s in succession. Subsequently, I visibly wore my armour for all to see – my size, shape and weight increased beyond recognition.  I then tried to hide myself from the world by wearing an XXL grey fleece which symbolically served as my comfort blanket and hiding place.

Despite eating healthily and exercising in an organised attempt to reduce my weight and body fat, my body held on with stubborn determination.  I am not really surprised as I remember referring to my body weight as my armour; in fact I described it as my ‘michellin suit’ (a suit made out of car tyres from the neck downwards).   I was reinforcing my state with every word, thought and action.

In choosing to grow and develop it is essential to consciously face yourself and your armour, to find the ‘chink’ and move forward.  Once I recognised my armour and its role in my life I created and followed the process below to finally let it go:

1.       Recognise your Armour: Take time to reflect and write down where you are today and what armour influences your daily life.

2.       Establish why you created your Armour: Identify the trauma that triggered your armour.

3.       Identify how your Armour has served you:  Describe how your armour has manifest and how it has supported you until this point.

4.       Release your armour: Identify why you want to release your armour and how your life would be different without it, how you would like to think, feel and behave.  Write a letter to your ‘armoured’ self and give thanks for all that she/he has done for you and explain why you want to move on.  Write a poem, story, draw a picture or create a dance to express the ‘new’ you!  Create a positive affirmation and repeat it for a minimum of 21 days.  If necessary find a coach who can support you through the process.

 

Completion of the four steps above will enable you to re-establish your personal power, support the release of your armour and promote healing from the inside out!  

The Conscious Living Practitioner can support you on this unique journey having experienced it first-hand.  She will work in partnership with you to create a personal plan that inspires you to reach your true potential! The overall outcome will positively impact yourself and your life!

Love, light and blessings

Michèle x

 

Juice Feasting Day 18 - Unconditional Love

Tuesday 31st March 2009 Juice Feasting Day 18

The past week has been quite a challenge on many levels due to personal circumstances which have tested my resolve and commitment to me and my dream in every way! However, I resolutely believe I will open a Conscious Living Centre in the North of England in the UK without any doubt whatsoever. I have been propelled forward in so many ways and numerous things are beginning to take shape in my life. I am meeting the most amazing like-minded and supportive people who have offered positive feedback and support in a way that nourishes me far beyond words.

I have spent a great deal of my life working on my own and depending very much on myself. Suddenly I am on the receiving end of unconditional love in a way that I have not experienced before. I know that my light is shining more clearly as the juice feast continues and this of course attracts more of that beautiful energy towards me, as well as radiating out into the world.

Tomorrow is my 46^th birthday and I feel so grateful for all that my life has enabled me to experience up to this point. As I sit writing my blog I am humbled by the many people who have contributed to my life. It has taken me many years to reach a point where I love myself unconditionally and I believe that other people are now mirroring that self love back to me. I am so excited at this point in my life because I want to support other people to feel unconditional love for themselves and I am now in a position to do just that!

The synchronicities which are unfolding have presented me with the most amazing opportunities and I will observe as they each unfold in the weeks and months ahead. I feel less attached to outcomes and am very much in the flow of life. It is not up to me ‘how’ things unfold, I will leave that to the Universe and I will concentrate on ‘what’ needs to be done to lead me closer towards my dream.

I have a strong ‘knowing’ in my gut which has helped me during the past week when at other times I would have allowed my mind to convince me to move in a different direction. I would have allowed my ego to make my decisions and influence my actions. Instead I am trusting in my intuition, I am listening to myself and I am being guided every step of the way. Tomorrow I will travel to Somerset in the UK to my spiritual college where I will be renewing my teaching certificate in Animal Healing and doing a 3 day refresher in Progressive Counselling. I will meditate with other people from around the UK and potentially the world. I will have time to be in stillness, to rest my mind and commit to my highest wisdom. Wow! What a fantastic gift as I continue on my juice feast...

I wonder if you are feeling self love on your health journey and if you can see synchronicities emerging in your own life. I’d love to hear your stories and welcome your continued support. Thank you for reading my blog...

Love, light and blessings

Juice Feasting Day 13 - The Bigger Picture

Thursday 19^th March 2009 Juice Feasting Day 13

As I continue on this amazing journey I am gaining more and more clarity each day – my intuition has heightened and my energy levels have increased. I am well into the Juice Feast now and feel comforted by the fact that this adventure has a beginning, middle and an end which at this time makes it achievable and easy for me to commit to. Conversely, I believe the real commitment belongs to the period following the 92 days and my choices and behaviour at that time will greatly determine the true benefits of this experience.

 Often when we embark on a new adventure many of us have a vigour and enthusiasm for new encounters, a change of pace and more importantly a change in lifestyle. We step forward with focus, drive and energy, without a great deal of thought for the bigger picture and what it really means. In our immediate desire to cleanse and release trapped emotions, feelings, food and behaviour it is easy to forget the final destination. Many people will mistakenly consider day 92 as their final destination, when in fact that really is the beginning of a new phase, a new lifestyle, a new opportunity. Life is dynamic and always moving and after cleansing it is essential to move further forward to fully integrate and assimilate the healing that has taken place.

Although it is impossible to predict the future it is essential to prepare and plan with consciousness for the next phase of any life journey.  I am already thinking ahead to the completion of my 92 day experience which serves me in two ways – the first reminds my whole being of my intention to complete this voyage and the second ensures that I will not sabotage myself or the deep cleansing and healing that has taken place.

I have marked up my calendar and diary with the 92 days; I have started to consider how I will eat during the first week and subsequent month following my Juice Feast. I am currently pondering what changes if any I will make at the conclusion of the 92 days, how I want my life to look, feel, and taste... What if anything, have you considered doing differently at the end of your juice feasting journey regardless of how long you intend to participate?

Today as well as cleansing internally I will be cleaning my home which compliments my internal experience. I am looking forward to dusting old cobwebs away, sweeping the dirt from under my feet and organising areas of clutter. My desire to purify my external environment reflects the multi-layered impact of cleansing, juice feasting and conscious eating. It is important to both acknowledge and address all aspects of ourselves and our lives when embarking on a journey of great magnitude, such as the 92 day Juice Feast. I believe we need to take Physical, Emotional, Environmental, Spiritual and Social Actions (PEEMSA™) to reap the true benefits of cleansing. Only then will we discover our true potential, our true essence.

For any readers who want to learn more about my philosophy and pioneering PEEMSA™ Model which explores this in greater detail please take the time to visit my website: www.theconsciouslivingpractitioner.com.

I would love to hear your views and any changes you are planning to implement at the end of your Juice Feasting journey. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Love, light & Blessings

Michèle xxxJ

 

Juice Feasting Day 11 - Unconscious Behaviour

Tuesday 17^th March 2009 Juice Feasting Day 11

It’s hard to believe that I have actually only been consuming juices for 11 days as my body has changed shape and lost weight so easily and I  feel on top of the world! That doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about eating! In fact, quite the contrary, I have had moments admiring various foods and imagining what they would taste like or what it might be like just to bite into an apple rather than juicing it! For the most part though, I have felt focused and more than happy to be drinking juices only.

I have quite enjoyed the process of truly listening to my body and recognising the signals it sends me to indicate hunger. I have enjoyed feeling hungry and being able to respond with awareness by drinking the juice of my choice and feeling extremely satiated. I have still been unable to consume the full quota of one gallon of juice a day and feel fine with the amount which has felt right for me at this time. I do believe we are all unique and it is vital to listen to our body’s needs which can change day to day and moment to moment...

I have been observing myself during times when I would habitually eat such as watching a DVD or as a treat at the end of an extremely focused day. I know that I used to eat for comfort, at times when I felt stressed or emotional and especially when I was bored or unfocused. What a relief to be free from that old behaviour. I wonder if any of you can relate to this unconscious behaviour and how it has affected you and your life. Perhaps you are still caught in that trap. Please do feel that you can share your experiences with me if you want to. It is very empowering to recognise just where you are – only then can you take steps in a different direction.

It is so easy to return to old patterning, to unconscious eating behaviour, something I have previously revisited during times of great emotion and stress as I previously indicated. I’m not saying I will never be caught out again – the difference now is that my awareness is heightened and my belief in and love for my-self is now established. I remember wanting to feel differently and wanting to do something about it and yet with the greatest will in the world I just seemed to fail at every turn. I would manage a few days and then somehow allow my mind to convince me that this wasn’t the best time to change my behaviour. The mind really is very powerful and when it is full of processed, denatured foods it is clogged, cloudy and unhelpful.

We are after all creatures of habit, comfort and familiarity which needs to be acknowledged in preparation for introducing something new into our lives or letting go of something old such as an old belief system, an old way eating or an old way of responding. I know the importance of preparing for implementing any change regardless of how small. However, preparation alone is not enough, there are key questions which need to be addressed: why the change is being made, what benefits the change will bring, how the change will be implemented and so on...

So many people (Including myself), can get caught up in an idea and jump straight in to a new behaviour or lifestyle without serious planning and wonder why they give up within a few days or weeks. Prior to this juice feast I had spent the previous month, no year thinking about it, researching, planning, discussing and exploring how, when, why and what participating in this Juice feast meant to me and my life.

I have lost 15lbs to date and that alone is pretty motivational – nevertheless that is only one reason that I have fully embraced this journey. My greatest desire is to release the past, to connect with my deepest wisest self and to reveal my true inner beauty. I want to improve myself on every level, I want to cleanse myself from the inside out and I want to nourish every facet of this wonderful body that I live in. In my role as The Conscious Living practitioner™ I aim to offer my clients the best of me.  I will complete the 92 days and look forward to the remainder of this adventure. I hope you will talk to me along the way....

Love, light & blessings

Michèle x

Juice Feasting Day 7 - Releasing Armour

Friday 13^th March Juice feasting Day 7

I have completed 7 days of my 92 day juice feast and I am feeling fantastic! My energy levels have increased and I have greater clarity than I had prior to starting this amazing journey. I currently don’t have any detox symptoms which feels great and I have started exercising more consistently.

I still have trouble drinking the full quantity of recommended juice and have been drawn to drinking vast quantities of orange, grapefruit and lemon juice. I have increased my intake of green juices and this has immediately minimised any feelings of hunger. My body is beginning to change shape which is great as old barriers melt away and the fit body that I experienced for so many years is beginning to make an appearance. Of course I still have a lot further to go and I welcome this opportunity to nourish myself on every level. It is a real blessing to be participating in this juice feast for numerous reasons – not least of which is the opportunity once again to take control of my health from the inside out, something I promote in all the work I do with my clients. I believe we have the ability to continually improve our health as well as the opportunity to reassess who we really are and what we want from life. The thing is many people don’t stop long enough to ‘allow’ the space for initiating anything new, they find reasons not to love themselves enough...

I have lost 12lbs of ‘armour’ which I was ready to do and had prepared for. Just as people prepare for a holiday, prepare the garden for spring, I believe when you are making a new lifestyle change or choice it is important to prepare. Preparing for the juice feast was not just a case of making a shopping list of all the fruit and vegetables I required. For several weeks I reflected on why I wanted to participate in this 92 day challenge and what the benefits would be of doing so. I also identified what, if any, barriers might get in the way to me succeeding, what support I would need, what I hoped to achieve, what life would look, feel, taste, smell and sound like at the conclusion of this experience. I also considered what life would be like if I didn’t participate in this experience.

My armour has served me well during the past few years when life has challenged me on every level – something I asked for in view of the fact that I want to progress and become the best me I possibly can. I know that despite my armour I have personally advanced physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, including my ability to truly love myself at the deepest level. Why the need for armour then? Well, having reflected, meditated, discussed and reviewed my findings I recognise that my armour has served as a great personal learning experience which has equally contributed to my current professional role. Having created the armour and finally allowing it to melt I am in a position to relate to so many other people, some who are still holding on. Drawing on my personal and professional experience, I am in a position to offer my support in a multitude of ways in my role as The Conscious Living Practitioner™.

Life is a continuous, flowing, moving journey – there is nothing stagnant about it unless we get stuck. After all, we are each responsible for our lifestyle choices and our actions. I love the experience of breaking through old barriers and stagnant patterns and emerging out the other side. This process creates a sense of achievement underpinned with gratitude that I have made further progress and allowed myself to fully embrace the true essence of this journey, my life!

I wonder where you are on your journey and if you can relate to anything I have said. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Love, light and blessings

Michèle x J

Juice Feasting Day 3

Monday 9^th March 2009 Juice Feasting Day 3

I am glad to say I am not feeling quite so bad today although there is still a slight hint of a headache.  I was up at 7am having had an incredible 10 hours sleep which is not something I usually do – still there’s lots of healing going on and I want to fully honour the process. I took time to meditate and state my intention for the day something I practice on a daily basis. (I also give thanks before going to sleep every night which is a great way to end the day).

I took my two 9 month old Jack Russell’s – Archie and Angel for their morning walk which is a great way to connect with the outside world. The common which is just across from the sea was pretty deserted this morning which meant they could run around without any interruption. I have a double connecting lead which enables them to run around together and guarantees that I can catch them if they choose not to respond to my calls or come to me!

I spent most of the day working on my computer doing various business related projects, nothing too eventful happened. I have only recently launched my first eZine and launched my new business website so everything is in an embryonic stage. I think this is an exciting time especially as I too am emerging into the woman I have always wanted to be – conscious, creative, alive, open, beautiful, self loving, free and living my life with and on purpose. The layers of the past are melting away having served their purpose, having protected me from my own fears – it’s great to feel so liberated...

Today I had orange, grapefruit & lemon juice twice; spinach, pineapple and ginger juice and pineapple, spinach, ginger and apple juice (I found the last juice a bit too sweet and was not able to drink the full quantity).

I lost 2lbs since yesterday and my face is looking less puffy.

Once again I am off to bed as I feel pretty tired - it is almost 9pm. I wonder what kind of day you have had? J

Juice Feasting Day 2

Sunday 8^th March 2009 Juice Feasting Day 2

I was up at 7.40am having had at least 15 hours sleep! Wow, how quickly the healing can begin – there has been lots going on in my life up until this point and the last two years have taken their toll on my body. In fact, although I have engaged  in various short juice feast journey’s and numerous master cleanse days that has not been enough to clear the toxic build up accumulated over the past 2 years, the past 45 years!!! I feel so ready to let go of my past on every level and know that the juice feast is the catalyst to support me in achieving that.

I lost 6lbs of weight since yesterday – no surprise as my body holds on to emotions and any food with the hint of toxicity e.g. sugar, wheat and dairy. I had a few non raw foods on Friday evening in celebration of my partner Ronny’s Birthday and as a final farewell to packaged foods (nacho's and cheese with tomato sauce, a glass of rose wine and a small cake).

My body has been longing for me to be 100% raw for some time and due to various circumstances I have resisted this calling. However, now that I have taken up the challenge of the 92 day juice feast I know this won’t be a problem in the future. I certainly don’t advocate 100% for everyone – after all we are all unique individuals and it really is a personal journey. I know that our nutritional needs change over time and if we are truly being conscious then we can’t know how that will pan out at any given time in the future. I like to think I will be 99-100% raw as this allows 1% for flexibility and supports a non-dogmatic approach or the potential for me to become rigid.

My partner and I went shopping and bought lots of fruit and vegetables in preparation for the rest of the week and decided to spend the remainder of the day resting (something we have not been in a position to do for several weeks). We had a movie day watching 3 DVD’s – a thriller, a comedy and a drama!

Today I had water, lemon, agave nectar and cayenne to start the day as my stomach and head were still pretty fragile. That was followed by orange, grapefruit and lemon juice and later I had apple and spinach which my body didn’t want so I only had a few sips. I have not yet been able to stomach the full quantity of juice that is recommended including the essential green juices. I will work towards it as my body repairs itself step by step. I am off to bed now, it's almost 9pm. Goodnight! J

Juice Feasting Day 1

Saturday 7^th March 2009 Juice Feasting Day 1

Today was day one of my 92 day juice feast and I have mentally been preparing for it for a few weeks, including doing a short master cleanse (which I didn’t write about due to so much going on in my life). I woke up having had just over 8 hours sleep and felt motivated and excited that the first day had finally arrived! I could have started sooner and decided not to because I wanted to join the Global event and share the experience, support others and be supported.

I have to say I didn’t really feel like drinking a great deal of juice – and listened to my body accordingly. I did have a combination of lettuce, kale, celery and pineapple juice first thing and have to say that that was really all I could stomach. By 4.30pm my partner Ronny (who has joined me on the juice feast for as long as feels right for him) and I decided to take a nap and we didn’t waken until 8.50pm. I was sick and had a headache which I welcomed as a sign of immediate toxins leaving my body (although I felt pretty awful). I went back to bed and slept until 3.40am, returned to sleep and woke up at 4.45am once again to be sick – phlegm mostly (sorry about the detail – I want to give an honest account of my experience). And that really is all that happened on day 1 of my juice feasting journey...

My 92 Day Juice Feasting Journey

Why am I doing a 92 day juice feast?

Having previously experimented with an 18 day juice feast last year and numerous short juice feasts in between I feel that I am finally in a position to commit to the 92 days. This choice is the next crucial stage of my personal healing adventure. I know that due to the various challenges I have experienced in the past few years and particularly the last two, my body is in need of comprehensive cleansing. The juice feast offers me an optimum means to repair any damage caused by previous toxic eating, drinking and emotional trauma. Therefore, the 92 day juice feast will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to increase my health status on every conceivable level!

Why 92 days?
There are 92 known elements that the body needs in order to function at an optimal level and it is these elements which influence the program design. The aims of the Juice Feast are to: cleanse, rebuild, rehydrate and alkalise.

Within the pages of this blog, I will endeavour to share my personal journey during the 92 day experience: for the next 3 months, I won’t be eating any solid foods. I will however, be consuming loads of fresh fruit and large quantities of (green) vegetable juices, as well as herbal teas and several recommended supplements.

 Disclaimer:
Undertaking this juice feast is something that I am consciously choosing to do at this time and please note that I am not providing guidelines for other people to follow. I have spent some time preparing for this juice feast and have the necessary support I need in order to do so. Please take full responsibility for your own health and if YOU are interested in participating in a juice feast of any kind, first seek the guidance of your health care provider.

What Is Juice Feasting?

The goal of a juice feast is to drink at least one gallon of fresh juice per day without restricting calorific intake. This makes it quite different from a juice fast.

All the juices are freshly prepared and pasteurized juices are never consumed. However, it is possible to prepare all the juice for the day in the morning and then drink a quart of juice at various intervals throughout the day. Making the juices requires preparation and clean up time which will take at least an hour to an hour and a half every morning.

It is impossible to explain every detail of the juice feasting here as there is so much information to share. However, to read a quick synopsis you can visit www.Juice feasting.com where you will have the luxury of reading all about it.

What’s my motivation for participating in the juice feast?

I first learned about juice feasting in the autumn of 2006 while exploring various aspects of raw and living foods in a bid to compliment my prior training and graduation from The Living Light Institute in California. At that time I was living in a single bedroom as a mature student and there began my first experience of juice feasting albeit on a much reduced time scale. Now over 2 years later I am committed to the full 92 days and about to begin day 1!

Juice feasting of a durable length provides the basis for major detoxification. Consuming fresh nutrient dense juices, rich in alkalizing minerals and free from fibre will enable my body to cleanse as the energy usually required to digest my food will not be freed up.

It is characteristic that during the first month of the juice feast while consuming sufficient calories and fluid intake, that a daily weight loss of ½ to 1lb is likely. During this time the body is releasing excess fat and toxins steeped in the cells. However, if you are near your ideal weight for your body it is also possible to gain weight if you drink the recommended quantity of juice.

As well as embarking on this experience as an opportunity to lose excess weight and reach optimal health on every possible level, I want to incorporate juice feasting within my future retreats with clients. I want to experience the many benefits of this great adventure and learn first-hand how my whole being is affected.

As a consequence of major detoxification especially at the beginning of the juice feast, it is likely that I will experience some detox symptoms. Nothing to worry about as I have previously encountered detox symptoms: when I introduced raw food into my diet, when I undertook a short juice feast and when I became a vegetarian.

It is important to recognise that juice feasting is not a permanent lifestyle. It is a temporary means to rid the body of its toxic build-up. However, it is possible to participate juice feasting more than once throughout the year – it is an individual choice. If you would like to learn more about juice feasting and the wonderful work of David and Karina Rainoshek then do visit www.juicefeasting.com for a comprehensive introduction.

Juice Feasting Equipment

I will be using a Green Kempo Power Juicer (also known as the Hippocrates juicer) which is a top-of the range juicer. It reduces the deterioration of juice oxidation in two ways:

1. The gears contain magnetic and bio-magnetic materials which creates sufficient ionisation of the minerals in the juice to delay the onset of oxidation.

2. The accompanying juice collecting jug has 4 magnets located in its base which provides further reinforcement of this process. Oxidation is delayed for up to 48 hours

This twin-gear juicer doesn’t heat the juice and produces superior juice quality.  However, it is not as fast or convenient as my less expensive (back up) centrifugal juicer.

Juice Feasting Updates

I intend to post daily logs when I can. I will also write about other topics related to conscious living and well being. I welcome your comments and support during this amazing journey.

Love, light & Blessings

Michèle x