Articles in the Confessions Category
“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
I saw this quote on a birthday card as I stood around waiting on my friend to mail some Christmas packages at the post office yesterday. The quote jumped out at me. It hit home. Loud and clear, resonated deeply within my soul.
With a new year upon us, I guess I get to thinking about could haves and what ifs, what’s to come and where I’m going. Don’t you? I thought so.
Anyway….
I always tease that people I love are going to live to be at least 110 or so. But, realistically, that isn’t going to happen. We all face death. Some fear it. Others dwell on it. And then there are some who never let the thought even cross their mind. At all.
Am I trying to be morbid? No, absolutely not! Quite the opposite, in fact.
The more I think about this quote, the more it inspires me, motivates me to make the most of not only the new year I’m facing, but all the years ahead of me – no matter how many or few they may be.
I recently shared that I’m now a wife. It’s odd to say type that out loud. I’m still getting used to it. I’ll be 36 this summer. Wow – 40 isn’t so far away. Imagine that. Strange, it is. Me? 40? Huh?
And so my mind wanders. Do I want a lot of years in my life, or do I want a lot of LIFE in my years? I believe I want more life in the years I DO have, instead of trying to plan to live to a certain age. As I realize this, stress and pressure begins to roll off my shoulders. I feel less tense – and more alive.
Abraham Lincoln was right. And not that I’m planning on making New Year’s Resolutions because I seem to be way too creative to stick to my guns on those things.
I’ve made confessions before. You can read about ‘em here. So what IS the confession I have to share? I guess what I’m confessing this time is simply this: I’m letting go and living.
Tonight my husband made a delicious meal… It consisted of sloppy joes, tator tots, and baked beans. Yeah, there were veggies involved (tomatoes, onions, bell pepper). It tasted divine. My belly feels warm and fuzzy. And I’m a happy girl.
Does that mean I’m anti-juices, smoothies, and raw food?
NO!
Gosh, no.
I still love all the things I’ve blogged about on this site. But instead of trying to crack the code to youth and health through raw foods on SUCH a grand scale, I’m letting my hair down so I can enjoy the awesome ride life has to offer me. Are you coming with me? 
So whether I live to be 110 and can say I’ve been married for 50+ years or only have a few precious years left on this earth (although I’m excited for that 1st year wedding anniversary! ) I just want to LIVE.
“More life in my years.” <—- Raw Juice Girl’s new motto!
What about you? Do you think about these things as another year comes to an end? Do you think Abe was right? Do you want to live to be 110 – or do you want more LIFE in the years you DO have? Share your dreams and wishes!
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To Share the BIG News!
A while back, I mentioned to you all that I had gone to an old-fashioned festival, and that I’d had the AMAZING opportunity to meet not only the Editor of GRIT magazine (Hank Will), but also the Editor-In-Chief of Ogden Publications, K.C. Compton. Let me just tell you, I never thought I’d have that experience. It was my first time ever meeting an editor, so to meet both of these fantabulous people just sent this country girl to Orbit! 
I feel SO very honored and blessed to have experienced meeting them, and I’ll cherish the memory forever and always. The reason it took so long for me to post about it (I met them back in May of this year) is because that HUGE event of meeting them was SO very bittersweet.
It was that very weekend (while I was leaving the festival) that I received a call that forever changed my life: I found out my 28-year-old precious cousin had lost her life that very morning in a tragic car accident. This girl was the life of the party, and she was far more than just a cousin to me–she was like the little sister I never had. I loved her deeply and have missed her beyond words.
That, on top of the other the recent tragedies I had just faced, was too much–it was all overwhelming. I ended up falling off the 100% raw food wagon because the old emotional eating habits kicked in.
I do have a writing blog (Writing the Cyber Highway), but I decided to share all this on Healing with (Raw) Juices because the old-fashioned festival I attended is all about heirloom seeds and produce, eco-friendly living, and the old way of life–which is what I feel I’m all about here on this blog.
On a Lighter Note
Y’all know I’m all about inspiration, motivation, and happy, smiley thoughts, so I don’t want to leave you feeling depressed. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming up: I’ll share the experience of my Mom sewing my pioneer dress in the first of this 3-part series. The second post will share photos and my thoughts on meeting K.C. Compton. And the last post of this series, part three, will share photos and my feelings about meeting Hank Will.
And… a sneak peek of the dress my Mom was kind enough to make for me (I helped–cut out the pattern, that is!)
Look Mom, No Sleeves!
You’ll definitely want to stay tuned!
So… be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
Just like that little lady bug climbing the flower petal, I’m climbing my way back onto the 100% raw wagon….
I recently shared that I fell off the wagon. Then I confessed about my not-so-raw moments. Then the side effects hit me like those not-so-great decisions can.
What side effects, you ask?
How about:
- fatigue
- headaches
- probably because I’m not sleeping well
- guilt
- cravings (I wasn’t craving anything when I was 100% raw!!)
I’ve been thinking….
Then came the questions.
- Do I really want to be 100% raw for the rest of my life? (I am already high-raw and have been for the past few years. Yet, I feel compelled to be 100% raw. Oy, the decisions!)
- Why did I fall off the wagon in the first place? (I’ve been through a LOT of stressful events in my life; why was this time different?)
- How long will it take me to climb back on the wagon? (I’m not going to rush myself; 3 family deaths is tragic; I’m just going to go with the flow.)
Future rawness
So, where will this raw path lead me? I’ll always, always stay on the raw path. I have an endless passion for raw foods and their health benefits. I know I’ll eat raw, drink raw juices and smoothies, and write and blog about it for as long as I’m physically able to. What excites me, is that I have the awesome (ahem: RAWsome) opportunity to share my journey with you, my readers. That is an honor–and it isn’t something I take lightly!
Raw inspiration!
I’m thrilled that my colleague and talented writing friend, Jeanne Grunert, wrote Raw Comfort Foods for Emotional Eaters! She also wrote another very helpful article regarding food and detoxing: Raw Food Detoxification: Shedding Unwanted Thoughts. Thanks to Jeanne for sharing inspiration! It’s especially helpful to me right now.
What about you? Are you struggling with food? Did you fall off the 100% raw wagon–or any wagon? Spill the beans; I did!
Coming Soon
- more contests and reviews
- photos and details about a pioneer festival I recently attended (including getting to meet an Editor and an Editor-In-Chief) Eeek!
- and updates from the Amish farm
So…. be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life. 
Photo Credit: aussiegall
Are you a first-time visitor? Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health, and also be notified of new contests so you can win stuff!
Picture me sitting in that chair… I’m fessin’ up!
NOTE: For health reasons, I don’t recommend that anyone who is 100% raw start eating cooked foods out of the blue. It isn’t healthy at all and I’m only sharing my experience of falling off the wagon to show you that a) I’m not perfect (I know at least some of you can relate. ) and b) to help you know you’re not alone in your health journey “mishaps”. We’re all in this together, ya know?
So, last week I confessed to falling off the 100% raw food wagon. I admitted to giving in to some of my old (cooked) favorite comfort foods during the recent tragedies my family faced. Some of you have asked what exactly it is that I’ve eaten. It’s your curiosity that inspired this post!
The following is a list of what I’ve gobbled up over the last few weeks—not all in one day, or even one week. (Sorry there aren’t any pics! What? I was a little–okay a lot!–depressed and I just chowed down on the stuff. LOL) I’m sharing to the best of my memory and in no particular order, so here goes!
- Half of a biscuit with gravy, no meat
- Chicken (GASP! This one really, really surprised me—I haven’t eaten meat in YEARS! I honestly don’t know what came over me!)
- Stir-fried veggies
- Tuna sub (Just to clarify, it was not a foot long sub! LOL)
- Zero candy bar
- Chocolate cake
- Ice cream (chocolate and nuts were involved–eeeek!)
- Omelet with veggies and cheese
- Boca (processed veggie burger)
- Cappuccino pops (these are Heavenly and evil at the same time!)
- Pizza with olives and mushrooms
- Steel cut oats
- Baked potato
- Vegetarian chili with Mexican cornbread
And there you have it: some of my yummy not-so-raw moments. I never said I was perfect, y’all. And you better believe I’ve consumed lots of raw veggies and fruit in the midst of all that cooked chaos. I’m STILL high-raw, really.
Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite comfort foods? Do you treat yourself occasionally or have them whenever you want? Are you a Raw Foodie? If so, have you ever fallen off the wagon during stressful times? What did you eat if you did? How long did it take you to get back to 100% raw? Come on, it’s your turn to sit in the chair. Get on up there. It isn’t that bad! I can’t wait to read your comments!
Coming Soon
- more contests and reviews
- photos and details about a pioneer festival I recently attended (including getting to meet an Editor and an Editor-In-Chief) Eeek!
- and updates from the Amish farm
So…. be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
Photo Credit: TouTouke
