"Health is a journey, not a destination"

Hello and Happy New Year!

Today I was reading some educational-inspirational text by David Klein and T. C. Fry, particularly the part where he (T. C. Fry) explains that health is a journey, not a destination. As you maybe know, last year I tried to be 100% raw, but I failed several times and now im eating cooked, low-fat vegan dinners. I couldnt change overnight, even though i wanted to, so now I´m taking my transition to 100% raw very slowly and gradually changing my diet towards all raw foods.

In this text T. C. Fry reasons so beautifully that we are all on our path of life and we should not force ourselves to something if we are simply not ready for the change. Instead we should take it one step at a time and not see ourselves as failures if we can´t change something overnight.

"Everyone is on a path which, despite our ideals and efforts, can only progress on its own terms and schedule. When we relax and allow our process to flow, life becomes easier. Conversely, pressuring ourselves about our eating goals always has a negative outcome. When we push ourselves to do anything before we are ready, emotional tension builds up and up until plan backfires. If that happens, we can change our attitude and choose the easy path, knowing that we are always doing the best we can in any given moment...and this is not only good enough, its superb!


No matter what is your goal and no matter where you are on your path, you are always doing your best. Whether you are at 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% raw foods, you are still the same wonderfully special person, and you are fine just as you are. There is a certain mystique about being 100% raw, and the health benefits can be the greatest, however, in truth, you are always the same perfect spirit, regardless.


If your progress is slow or stuck, it´s OK - that is where you need to be...it is impossible to be anywhere other than here and now! You´ll achieve your desired results and become healthier and happier by accepting ourselves, appreciating your intentions and efforts, detaching from the judgmental inner and outer voices, and taking one comfortable step at a time when you are ready. However long it takes, weeks or decades, and whatever happens, it´s all good, and it all has its important place in your process of self discovery.


When you do reach your lofty goals, whatever they are, you may feel that life is better than before, but you will learn this amazing truth: the goal is not a final destination, but merely a milestone on our journey of unfoldment."

I also re-red a little bit of "The 80/10/10 Diet" book today and found some similar text by Douglas Graham where he also states that we can even benefit from raw foods by gradually changing our diets towards more healthy and vegan.

"The 80/10/10 plan is not an all-or-nothing proposition. It allows you to work toward a goal, rather than simply follow a diet. You do not have to eat primarily vegetarian or raw foods to benefit from the 80/10/10 program.


If you eat a relatively typical American diet, 80/10/10 is a program that allows you to continue eating the foods you are used to, while beginning to introduce the new foods that will lead you toward your goal. Direction, not speed, is the most important aspect of learning to succeed with 80/10/10.


While in my experience, consuming a 100% raw version of the 80/10/10 diet is optimal, other low(er)-fat plant-centered diet programs also offer substantial health benefits...and many people find them to be the right choice for their lives. If you find yourself judging others for not choosing all raw, all low-fat, or even all vegan foods, I implore you to take a BIG step backward and recognize that all of us must make our own choices, and no one path is best for all people.


I have been saddened and dismayed by the number of people who tell me that an enthusiastic 80/10/10 supporter has stopped talking to his or her family, or has taken on a holier-than-thou fundamentalist attitude with friends who do not "see the light".

 Friends, if you stop connecting with your loved ones over the food you eat, you have missed the point! Healthful living includes healthy relationships and compassion for your fellow humans. If you wish to contribute to your loved ones, accept them where they are, and then lead by example, with an open heart...you will have far greater success if you do."


So well said :) I will not punish myself anymore for not being 100% raw or 100% perfect, its stupid. And I know and understand that most people will probably never understand the point of raw foods or will never be raw foodists, or they will never give up meat products or dairy, even if they know the outcome...and its OK, because its their path of life and its where they are at right now. We all have to find our inner truth and we all have our personal journey to follow :)

I choose to follow the fruit :P