Made it back. Looooong ride out. Began at 7 a.m. Friday, stopping at Henry’s to pick up some food because I knew I’d be tired and didn’t want to have to search out a place to eat in drive-time traffic. Got some large Romaine lettuce leave, tomatoes, avos, olives, bananas and apples. I’d also made some coleslaw with home made dressing.

Arrived about 3:30 or so after having stopped at a couple of rest areas for food, water and relief.

I was pretty tired and it was pretty hot. The room at the Apache Motel was soooo nice and cool; large and comfy. Just relaxed that evening.

Fell asleep fairly early. As I don’t wear watches, not sure what time that was. Awakened at 1 a.m.; responded to email and watched a couple of shows on HULU, then, back to sleep. Got up about 6:30, went out for a walk. It was friggin’ cold! It’s amazing how it can be 105 during the day and 50 degrees at night.

I was hoping I could walk to the festival so, did a tour to see if that was feasible. It wasn’t so, went back to the motel, got dressed and headed out.

Beautiful location totally surrounded by rocks. The usual suspects were not in site, i.e. the “big names” in the raw food arena.

I hung out with Ronnie and Minh for the most part and spoke with a few vendors. It seems the few people who did show were ready to circulate money, especially on Saturday.

Guessing, I’d say no more than 200-300 people showed. Certainly glad I didn’t have a booth OR, pay to get in. I’d have been asking for my money back.

What was good ~ the food. Elaina Love was there. She’s my favorite and the only one I purchased from. I got her salad in the afternoon and brought her kelp noodles and ninja roll to the motel for dinner.

Next day, wasn’t really hungry all day (that’s different) so, after I spoke I stopped and got a salad and ninja roll to go on the ride home.

The other thing that was good, the location. The rocks that surrounded the event and that it was on grass rather than dirt as S.B. was, was delicious.

Saturday, anyone listening to the main speaker did so in the sun and they sat quite aways from the stage because it was set on a hill. On Sunday, they put up some canopies so folk could sit under some shade.

There’s really not much else to say about RSF other than it was disappointing. Low turnout; you had to walk in 102 degrees up a hill to watch the food demos; the “Bodhisattva Lounge” where the other speakers were was tucked into a corner and the speakers were drowned out by the speakers on the main stage.

The agenda was changed at the last minute and some who were supposed to speak didn’t show up or showed up on the wrong day and time because they weren’t notified of the changes.

On the program, many speakers, including myself, just had their names listed, not their topics so, if someone didn’t know them, no one went to listen.

For me, it was not worth the 8-hour drive out; the 6-hour drive back (different route, fewer stops); the gas, the time, etc. for the festival itself. Getting to hang out with Ronnie and Minh, meeting RawDawg Rory and his lady, Jason Firth and eating Elaina’s food… well, I’m glad about all that AND, having some quiet, relaxing time at the motel. Nothing to do there but be. What was sweet about it, 102 degrees outside and the room was cool without a/c. Don’t know how that happened yet, loved it! And the shower was AWESOME! I LOVE a good shower!

Back to work this morning. The more I talk about it; the more I see, the more I KNOW what I’m doing with Tap Into Your Ideal Weight is SO needed. I saw so many women at the festival who were overweight and “trying” to stay raw. It is SO hard when they’re cravings sabotage every food program they try.

I was so amazed at myself. Usually when I’m home alone ~ I eat. Out at a venue like I was, I eat. Bored, I eat. Watch vids, I eat… I didn’t! I mean I ate, but, normally, I’ll be prepared with what seems good when I buy it yet, never eat it. I’ll go out to a restaurant and eat/overeat and not good food. Well, didn’t do that. Had no desire! Didn’t even consider it!

I made my raw “burritos” with the Romaine wrapped around sliced tomatoes, avos and olives. Two of those and I was satisfied. An hour or two later, had a banana. No cravings!!!

Yesterday, I was up at one a.m. Realized I was hungry about 3 a.m. so, had a small salad from Elaina Love’s. Slept for a couple of hours, had two glasses of orange juice which I’d brought with me, then headed over to the festival about 11 a.m. Not hungry.

After speaking, I stopped at Elaina’s, got salad and roll to go, headed home about 2 p.m. Still not hungry. No cravings whatsoever! Stopped about 4:30, had the roll and a few olives I’d picked up at the festival. That was it until 9 p.m. when I had a small salad and some o.j. Bo’d made for me.

This is the first time in my life I’ve ever been so aware of myself, my food habits and hunger. So often I’ll think ~ “right now, I’d normally be eating but, I’m not hungry!”

I know hanging out at a festival with nothing really to do, I’d normally be eating. Didn’t happen. Driving home to relieve boredom, eat. Nope! In my room alone, watching vids or reading ~ eat. Nooope! I ate when I wasn’t watching a vid or reading. Totally focused and savoring my food and how I felt eating it. Soooo pleasurable.

I know my program works. I am SO thrilled with it! I’ve never found anything that I’ve done I’ve been so happy with. I just have this strong feeling of contentment and joy knowing that women (and maybe, eventually, I’ll do a men’s program) do NOT have to continue going on endless weight-loss diets only to be frustrated one more time! It’s over!

AND, by referring others who sign up, they can virtually pay for this totally risk-free program. I truly wish everyone could feel the way I’m feeling now about food, cravings, emotional eating, etc. Oh! What am I saying? They can! Yet, will they?

Injoy,

Revvell

I’m sitting here eating one of Rawmazing’s wonderful crepes and marveling at the last 4 days or so.

One thing that’s amazing to me is how many people say to eliminate weight, cut out the fats. I don’t know what fat they’re talking about because I ate 4, count ‘em 4 crepes last night and this morning I’m down another pound. When I went raw about 14 years ago, we really didn’t have the resources that are available now so pretty much all we had were nut and seed-based recipes. Burgers, breads, crackers, etc. and we ALL (six of us) eliminated excess weight. I didn’t have that much to drop but it was leaving!

Also, on one of my interview shows, I think it was Susan Schenck on Let’s Talk Raw, who talked about her fat elimination method and that was 400 calories a meal, 4 times a day, including raw fat w/ each meal. Well, I’m not a calorie counter but I went out and got some avos, olives and coconut oil. With each meal (mostly various salads yet, sometimes just a banana or two) I had either a few olives, OR 1/4 (or so) avo, OR a couple of teaspoons of fudge, made with coconut oil. Did that add up to 1600 calories? *shrug* I dunno. All I can say is, my stomach is flatter than it’s been in a long time; pants I was not able to put a leg into a couple of months ago I can now wear again comfortably and I feel good!

Now, to help me stay on the regimen, I’m also using the tools I’m teaching women in my classes. Know this! I am NOT starving; I don’t feel deprived in the least. I’m eating full, satisfying meals with natural nutrients and enzymes.

My husband is not raw ~ not even close. The only thing he eats that has any vitality at all is freshly squeezed oj. His favorites are bread, pasta, pizza, chicken whatever and fish.

Being vegetarian for 23+ years, the chicken and fish has not been a problem but the starches???? Oh yes, I’ve succumbed but, not for awhile now!

In one of my blog posts I mentioned how, when He was gone on a gig I’d eat and overeat HIS stuff. One night I even ate a whole pizza! Well, that’s ended. He’s been working a LOT lately and I stay raw and sane in my food choices! I make sure I have food “I” like and want; have NO desire to check the cupboards for bread or pretzels; never even LOOK in the freezer for pizza or potatoes….. NO desire whatsoever!!! Cheese is staring me in the face. My mind is like ~ “what’s that? Is that even edible?”

It is SO cool to not want any of that stuff!

The first to go was sweets. I remember being at weddings or birthday parties and sticking my finger into the frosting on the cake. I’d always want the corner piece where most of the frosting was. Forget the cake, just give me frosting. That doesn’t even look like something someone should put in their body to me anymore. I remember that sickly sweet taste and eeeeeuuuuwww! Yuck! So, that craving is GONE!

If you look at my squeezepage, you’ll see one of MY former downfalls. Sneaking food! See the woman with the potato chips next to her? That use to be me. In another blog post I mentioned how, when I was a child, I’d sneak into the cupboards when my mother was gone. Well, I found myself doing that as an adult. Using the tools I share, that lil habit is GONE!

Oh! The mysterious moment. Yesterday morning I was out walking and at one point, before even heading back, I was wishing I’d have drunk some water or brought some with me. My mouth was dry. A couple of houses from that thought, I saw what appeared to be a bottle of water. It was! AND, it was full, never opened!!! DAYUM!!!! Well, I opened it; drank it. It was soooo good! Now, I was also hoping I’d see the bear that’s been frequenting the area I walk. Didn’t get that wish.

O.k! Here’s what’s been happening business-wise. I realized that many of us have issues around the holidays. There comes this cycle where we go to friends’/relatives’ homes and we overeat ~ OR, we stay home and ~ overeat. We rationalize that these holidays come only once a year so, going to indulge. In actuality, we act as though we’ve not eaten all year and we’ll never eat again! At the end of the holidays we feel as though we SHOULD never eat again since we ate so much.

In January, we do the “I’ve GOT to lose this weight – I’m going on a diet” resolution. (how many of those have you done and kept?)

How would it be if you could enjoy the holidays, enjoy the food, enjoy the company FULLY and TOTALLY without overeating? How would it be if in January, you didn’t feel the need or urge to go on another weight loss diet because you savored your food instead of stuffed it? (listen to what the monkey mind has to say about that ~ Oh, stuffing yourself is part of the fun! Is it REALLY? )

How would it be if you could share the information I’m about to give you and create over $24 as holiday income for every person you referred who joined in?

How would it be if YOU could stay raw with no effort? Wouldn’t that be awesome???

Well, one thing I’ve found out on my journey. ALL weight loss diets “work” IF you can stay on them. That’s the catch. How many food programs have you been on? Even staying on raw ~ as soon as stress comes up, what do we do? What we’ve always done ~ eat! and, not raw, either, yes?

Check it out. If it makes sense to you, join me and some new friends on my pre-holiday support program. Support yourself by eliminating those fears and emotions which cause you to overeat and potentially make some cash to support you in your journey.

Enough for now,

Revvell

Last night part of the neighborhood got together for a local book signing. Pretty cool! It was held at Webster’s Fine Stationers and we were all right by the door when folks came in.

I also had an opportunity to do smoozie demos. I didn’t get a lot of action but some of the other authors did. People either knew them or had heard of them. No one knew me unless they were “friends” from Facebook. Was nice to meet the other authors, one I knew from her writing and the other whose name I knew but him, I didn’t know.

Anyway, my name is slowly getting out there and, it was a pleasant evening.

The fire is still going on. There’s a $150,000 reward for the jamoke who started it. One good thing about the fire ~ fire “season” hasn’t really started yet with the Santa Ana winds and such but now, there’s little fuel to burn.

It’s only 49% contained which means IF the winds start up, the fire can do even MORE damage.

The air here is bad. I went out to water my suffering garden and my throat is raw from all the smoke. Raw honey helps a lot in this situation.

Between trips to the beach where I really don’t want to work and time here, I’m working on my newest teleclass beginning in October. 7 weeks with 3 1/2 hour private sessions. It’s going to be AWESOME! We’re setting up an affiliate program for anyone who’d like to spread the word and create some income. Costs you nothing!

A new Let’s Talk Raw is happening tomorrow evening (Monday, Sept. 7) with Jim Carey (no, not the comedian).

Enough for now ~

Revvell

We vacated Sunday because the air here is so bad from the La Canada/Flintridge fire. The a.m.’s here are really rough because the marine layer presses the smoke down to the ground. The house still smells like a chimney and we really can’t go outside. Inside is very bad air even with fans and a/c.

My throat is hurting again. We were thinking of going back up to Big Bear but are hearing the smoke is traveling up there as well ~ from the Yucaipa fire.

Over 121,000 acres burned near us and the forecast is predicting rain which is a good and a bad thing. Bad because it will create wind and possibly “dry” lightening causing more issues. Good because, of course, it may help put out the fires. Problem now is, as I stated, low (or is it high?) pressure is keeping the smoke right where it is.

We’re considering going to Sports Chalet to see if they have a Trikke. I want one! Told Bo I should have one for His birthday. He didn’t have much money coming in on MY birthday so, I didn’t get anything yet, for HIS last birthday I purchased a 90-minute helicopter lesson and ride. Now his biz has taken off ~ whatchu think?

I’ve got so much work to do to prepare for “Tap Into Your Ideal Weight ” classes and really don’t want to have to go anywhere yet, may have to and possibly not have the internet access I’ll need. We’ll see.

Had a very interesting chat with Bunny Berry last night on Let’s Talk Raw. I like how very honest, upfront and revealing she is with what’s going on with her.

Just put up a new video explaining something about why I’m doing the “Tap Into Your Ideal Weight ” program. Not quite what I wanted to say but, maybe others will get that it’s not about the food so much as the addiction to the food (could be any drug ~ just happens to be food); habits; social pressure, etc. I think what we, as humans, have learned to do with food is incredibly interesting. I think food is more addicting than any other drug I can think of, partly because it’s so easily accessible, and it’s acceptable. Without conscious awareness, the addiction continues.

There are still some openings left for the Wed. morning teleclass if you want to be in on it AND save some $$$. Next session will be much higher.

Thanks all for the emails and messages checking to see if we’re o.k. We are and we appreciate you.

bfn ~

Revvell