Raw Spirit Festival, Prescott, Az.
Monday, September 28th, 2009Arrived 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
