It would mean a lot.

All sorts of craziness has gone on – from a cranky old laptop, to life events beyond my control. I thought of giving up. I thought of never writing or blogging again. But writing and blogging is such a part of my heart, my soul. I sometimes need extended breaks from it. But I could never, ever give it up completely. I’d wither away and die like a flower with no rain.

Am I forgiven? Do you still love me?

Thank you, kindly.

Now, on to the good stuff…

Check out this cool, vintage Mission Bay bike I’m the proud owner of. Awesome ride, eh? More about how it came about at the end of the post (but don’t scroll down and spoil my surprise! Read through like the troopers I know y’all are, okay?)

Anyway, most of you know I love all things pink. I’m a girly girl pretty much all the way – and you know I have an old soul. I love vintage things – including my bike!

So, where have I been? I think for the most part, I needed a good, long break from blogging. There for a while, I agreed to way too many reviews and giveaways and although I wholeheartedly love doing those posts, they are very time-consuming for me as I put all of my heart and soul into them and don’t just throw up a casual “so-and-so company sent me this or that for review and I liked it or didn’t” – I go in to great detail and after a while, even though I thrive on it, it wears a girl thin, ya know?

Plus, as you all know, life happens. Things pull us away from doing what we love. And as writers, we many times put our passion for the written word on the back burner as we run here and there tending to the things life throws our way.

That’s where I’ve been. Tending. Mending. Reinventing. Rejuvenating. Recharging. Evolving. Thinking. Healing…

So… how’d the bike come about? My husband (!!) spruced it up for me. See the before picture, folks. It’s come a looooooooooong way. I’d been wanting to ride bikes forever so it’s such a blessing to have a husband who enjoys doing just that!

Yes, you read right. It took many, many years of healing from the pains of domestic violence and although there will always be bad memories, occasional nightmares, and scars, I was finally able to open my mind, heart, and soul to love again. I was scared but I made the right decision. I know – without a doubt! – that he is my soul mate.

I always wondered what people meant when they said “you’ll know when you meet Mr. Right” – now I KNOW. I do. He’s everything I ever dreamed of and hoped for!

It’s amazing how deeply he’s touched my life. And it’s amazing what he did to that vintage bike…

Before

After

And what about you? How have you been? Any plans for the New Year? News you’d like to share with me? Healthy milestones you’re bursting with? Please talk to me – I’ve MISSED  you all!!!!

Also, I AM going to be posting reviews and giveaways. I just don’t plan on making them my main focus – at least for a while.

Just a quick post to let you know that I’m not the only one in contest mode–June, over at An Apple A Day, is hosting a contest. She’s giving away coupons for First Juice, Riceworks, and Coconut Bliss! Eeeek!! Head on over and enter this contest. (Thanks for an awesome contest, June!)

Don’t forget what’s coming up here!!

Upcoming Contests Featuring these Fabulous Companies

• 2 books by Nomi Shannon, The Raw Gourmet (These two books have GORGEOUS photos and the recipes are amazing!
• 2 Food Matters DVDs (Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but do check out their site–they have a RAWsome message to share!!)
• Detox 4 Women by Natalia Rose (I read this book last night and it’s awesome; it really helps you understand water retention, etc!)
• Living Tree Community (Raw almond butter and organic coconut mango persimmon butter!)
• Oh Nuts! (raw macadamia nuts and pecans) <— These are seriously delicious nuts–and they’re JUMBO sized!
• E3Live (Green-tasting (which I don’t mind!), but I REALLY notice that it’s making me feel better. It was definitely put to the test through my recent stressful events!)
• and MORE!

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.

Photo Credit: Arte Ram

New Design

As you’ve probably noticed, this site recently received a fresh design–compliments of Heather, at Goofy Girl Designs. I love her creative mind, her bright designs, and she’s such a cheerful soul to work with! I can never say enough good things about her…. Anyway, I adore what she’s done with the place, don’t you?!

Contest Giveaways

I’ve been trying to contain myself and keep this hush-hush, but I’m bursting at the seams and can’t keep the news quiet any longer! I’m thrilled to announce that some awesome contests are in store for Healing with Juices’ readers. I will keep the prizes secret, but I can tell you that the gift(s) winners will receive are quality and will most certainly help you either maintain or improve your health.

Newsletter

I’ve decided to offer a newsletter. It’ll be published monthly and will highlight the previous month’s topics, as well as new information that wasn’t covered here. And I’ll also be sharing products and/or books I love find helpful for a healthy lifestyle. I’m going to update on the status of the newsletter after I decide what prize will be offered to the lucky winner. Yes, there’ll be a special contest for those who sign up for the newsletter!

What a Blessing!

Isn’t this all so exciting? I am so passionate about health and helping others obtain better health. I desire to be your encouragement, inspiration, motivation, and quality resource as you strive to either maintain or achieve your ultimate health. It’s such a blessing to be able to pour my heart and soul into this site–and your lives!–and watch my passion grow, change, improve, and succeed. What part of all this news are you most excited about? Jump in the comments and let us know!

Don’t miss out on upcoming posts! 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 more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.

Michele L. Tune

Yes, you read that title right. I’m confessing that I’m living on an Amish farm…. I know you’ve wondered where I have been, why posts haven’t been published as often as they used to, and why the juicing ebooks are still on hold.  So, now you know why: I’m living on an Amish farm–without electricity! Amazing, eh?

Check out the windmill. Isn’t it beautiful?

Photo Copyright 2009 HealingwithJuices.com All Rights Reserved

Freelancing is pretty crazy on an Amish farm. Cherish your office. Seriously. I’ve somehow managed to get my assignments in on time, though.

If you’re thinking this is crazy, imagine how I feel. I still can’t comprehend the fact that I’m actually living in an Amish-built house on an Amish farm–without electricity. Did I mention there’s no electricity? Well, the Amish don’t wire their homes. There’s no plug ends, no light switches, no super duper easy and convenient modern amenities…

So, here’s the million dollar question: why? Why would I give up convenience? That’s what you want to know, right? Well, haven’t you ever wished you could sit on an old-fashioned porch in the country where life is simple, days are quiet, and you can sip iced tea while watching the clothes gently sway this way and that on a clothes line like your grandmother talked about? Have you dreamt of lessening your carbon footprint, doing more to preserve the environment, and living as green as you possibly can?

I realize this life isn’t for everyone. Some days I think it isn’t for me either. But for all the sacrifices, there are so many more rewards. Yes, sometimes I think I’d pay a million dollars for a plug end if I had that much money to spare. Other days I realize how truly blessed I am and wouldn’t trade my life–missing plug ends and all!–for all the money or anything in the world.

Your second question is probably: so, how do you get on the Internet;  how do you charge your laptop? (Okay, that’s TWO questions.) Well, there’s an answer for them, too! For the Internet, I use a USB modem. It is limited, though, so sites like YouTube really gobble up the usage I’m allowed. And I charge my laptop compliments of solar panels and/or wind generators. Yes, the sun and wind are awesome resources and although it still blows my mind that the sun and wind can charge a panel and travel through a wire to then juice my laptop up with energy so I can continue writing and blogging, I’m forever grateful that it’s possible! It’s almost like magic, really.

There you have it. This is my confession. And, let me tell you… Amish living is HARD WORK!! The Amish community is fascinating, though–and yes, horses and buggies are to and fro all the time!

What’s that? You wish you could read even more about life on an Amish farm? Really? You’re in luck! A new blog is in the works. It’ll document day-to-day events on an Amish farm. I’ll be sharing the link here when it’s live. Be sure to subscribe (see the end of this post or the top of the sidebar to your left, for subscription options) so you can be one of the first to visit!

In writing news…

I have a couple of stories in the latest Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader: Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader. One of the stories is about how the Amish lifestyle is eco-friendly! You can check it out–or pre-order by clicking on the previous title, the book below or the link following it.

(Available for pre-order HERE.)

Next time, we’ll get back on topic with raw juices, smoothies, and juice fasting–promise!

Don’t miss out on upcoming posts! 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 more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.

Thoughts? What’s going through your mind right now? Spill the beans!

Michele L. Tune

Healing with Juices Joins the Wellsphere Community

You probably noticed the new badge in the sidebar. I’m excited to share that I’ve been selected as a Top Health Blogger in the Wellsphere Health Community! I was told it’s because of the “quality of this blog and my passion for all things health-related.” Since HealingwithJuices.com focuses on raw fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies and raw juice fasting, my Top Health Blogger badge  is in the Raw Food category.

Michele Tune Raw Food

An Exciting Adventure

This is quite an honor for me as I’m a passionate health advocate. Raw foods and juices are such a huge part of my life and juice fasting has improved my lifestyle immensely. Most of you know I’ve lost over 100 pounds and overcome many health issues. I am still working to achieve even better health, but I’ve come such a long way I can hardly believe it. I do not take this Top Health Blogger status lightly and have already been focusing on ways to make this blog – and 2009 – even better. I’m also going to set aside time to actively participate in the Wellsphere Community, so come on over and join me. I really look forward to sharing, learning and reaching a bigger audience than I originally imagined possible at this point in this blog’s “life”.

More News in the Blogosphere and Along the Cyber Highway

Healthy Living Today is an amazing site brought to us by Mark Salinas. He shares his most inspiring journey to better health. He recently created a page titled Your Journey where he lists other health-related sites. You’ll find this site featured there. Not long ago, Mark also asked me to share my story with his readers. (I’m going to get to that soon.) Thank you, Mark. I’m so honored!

Esculon Magazine (owned by Alexandra Mihaescu)  mentioned this site in an article about juicing: “Learn all about juice fasting and what it can do for you from Dr. Emily Kane and Michele Tune.” I appreciate that you value my advice, Alexandra. Thank you!

I also just received an assignment to write an article about juice fasting for a popular site. I’ll be sharing the link when it’s published so don’t forget to subscribe!

And a Contest for Fun

OhSheGlows.com is hosting a contest for Honest Foods. Haven’t heard of Honest Foods? Check them out! This mention of the contest is part of my own entry. My entry will be complete when I add OhSheGlows.com to my blogroll (which I have) and when I leave a comment sharing what Honest Foods product I’d most like to try. I personally have my eye on the Blueberry Vanilla Crackle Granola Planks! I’m a blueberry/vanilla kind of gal. Oh, and the prize? One box of Honest Foods Whole Food Country Squares!

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 tips to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health.

Here’s to life, health, and healing with juices (and smoothies!)

Here’s to life, health, and healing with raw juices!