Who is this "Karen" anyway?




  • an Artist
  • a Strategist and Architect of Mobile Apps 
  • a person who thinks that a master's degree in Buddhist studies was worth 2 years of her life ( and a LOT of money)
  • a vegetarian for about 10 years. 
  • a lifelong student of herbal medicines and natural healing methods. 


For years I have considered 'going raw', but I always pictured myself carrying around a backpack filled with 20 pounds of carrots, munching constantly. That seemed like a kind of hell to me. Carrot hell.

Due to health concerns, I was wanting to loose between 10 and 15 lbs, so a friend and I bought the 'P90X Extreme Home Workout Program" and committed to doing it 6 days a week for 90 days. At the end of 90 days, I was definitely a bit more muscular and cardiovascular-ly fit but had actually lost only 2 pounds. So, I went on a diet that was all meat and greens with no carbs, no fruit and no grains. That was ok but just not right.

So I went raw. I was delighted to make myself decadent treats with dried figs and avocado and orange juice. Plus I lost 15 lbs without once having to stop eating because I 'should'. That is awesome.

I have discovered a few things about 'raw nutrition' that have made it sustainable for me. My friend told me yesterday ( and she's not the first) that every raw foodist she had ever met had been a 'weird hippie with crazy eyes'. I know a few and have some theories- one is that they just started out that way... I'll write a blog on that.

Bottom line, if you'd like to loose weight, have better digestion and just feel healthier, go at least 80% raw.

A site I recently saw that I really recommend is called "Food Matters". If you are on a diet fact finding mission, I think they have some great information. They do seem to support the Gerson therapy though, and I have mixed feelings about that.