Would you believe it if I tell you that this is possible, permanently, and can happen in the comfort of your own home?

And while you are doing this, you are also building your body with the best life-giving brand new raw materials available!

Greens are leaves which contain chlorophyll, and they are probably the most neglected food group in the entire supermarket.

But yet it is these humble green warriors which does magic for our cells.

Why is drinking a green smoothie better than just eating greens?

Because the blending actually breaks down the cellular walls of the leaves, leaving you with the finest particles of nutrients which are delivered straight to your cells.

And of course, all these living nutrients are still intact and not destroyed by heating.

1) You feel calm and peaceful
The chlorophyll in greens deliver oxygen to your cells and puts the body in a slightly alkaline state. This is a state in which optimal health is required and which cancer cells do not thrive.

Degenerative diseases like cancer thrives and grow in an acidic state.

2) You feel happy for no reason
A healthy body is a happy body. Research has proven that subjects whom are in optimal health condition still feel in control and calm even in the face of seemingly tough life events; while those who are not, tend to feel unhappy even when they are rewarded with promotions or striking the lottery.

3) You adopt a more positive outlook in life
Things which you used to sweat over now seem smaller. You have grown in capacity to handle things because your body is now constructed with newer, better materials.

And did I mention that your cells are rejoicing with the change?

4) Get rid of Unnecessary Addictions
Your body is made up of billions of tiny cells. Every cell is You, they combine to make up your tissues, organs, bones, face, hair, legs etc.

When nutrition is improved, the body is strengthened on a cellular level.

When your cells know what it is like to receive first class nutrition, they will not want to go back to the old ways!

They will resist old substances like nicotine which does not do the body good.

5) Beautiful and Radiant Skin
Do you want smooth, blemish-free skin? Within weeks of constant drinking blended greens, countless subjects reported lightening of spots, smoother skin and radiant complexion.

6) Smooth Bowels
This is probably the most common benefit experienced by far. Blended greens add a whole lot of fiber to the diet, and fiber is essential for smooth bowel movements.

Constipation now becomes a thing of the past!

7) Energy, Energy and more Energy!
If you think that green smoothies cannot give you energy for that workout, think again! Or better still, try it before you judge it.

It is true that due to the low caloric levels of greens, they cannot fill us for long. But the trick here is to combine it with sweet fruits - which supplies us with simple sugars.

This is one of the best pre-workout food which supplies us simple sugars to burn immediately as fuel.

Release Unwanted Weight!
For those who have reached a plateau in releasing weight, try this!

When your cells are nourished, cravings for unhealthy food become lesser or non-existent. Proper nourishment of the cells is vital to maintaining a healthy weight.

This list is non-exhaustive, and we at Raw Food Lifestyles believe that “doing” is more important than anything else! So here’s a simple green smoothie recipe for you.

Popeye’s Mango
2 Large Sweet Mangoes
1 Cup Spinach
1 Cup Water

When you are done, don’t look, just drink. You will marvel at how delicious it actually tastes!

(C) Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Are you also a Green Smoothiest? Drop us a note to share about your green journey! Or, if you have any feedback/question/comment, feel free to tell us below too!

Tags: raw food testimonials, vegan weight loss, raw food diet, low fat recipes

Have you noticed that they emanate energy and draw others to them easily? Do you wish to have the energy and brightness too?

You can, in fact, we all can!

1) We Are Alive
My friend, for the mere fact that we are Breathing, we should be rejoicing. Because we are alive, we can feel, see, smell, taste, hear all that is around us. These are the greatest gifts from Creation!

Anyone born or suffering from a defect will tell you with conviction that just a single one of these 5 senses is enough reason for rejoice.

The blind will tell us they yearn to see colors, the deaf desires to experience beautiful music notes. Shouldn’t we be jumping out of bed in joy every single day then?

Try going deeper into your senses right now - taste completely, listen intently, smell intensely, look heartily, feel lovingly.

You may discover that once you focus fully on your 5 senses, life begins to take on a new meaning.

2) We Are All Here For A Reason
Have you ever wondered about your role in Existence? Did you think you were a result of co-incident?

Well NO! You and I are here for a reason. Every individual on Earth has a purpose in life. Each and everyone of us have a mission to accomplish during this specific lifetime.

So, you are Needed here! For those of you who already know what is your life purpose, congratulations and I’m sure you are already living joyously.

If Existence do not need us anymore, we will cease to be here. But the fact is that we are here, we are breathing! We are alive!

Earth’s resources, our amazing bodies and abilities are all here, ready to support us in fulfilling our purposes in life.

So, what does it take?

It simply requires us to realize it, that’s all. After that, You will know what to do. All the greatest changes on Earth start from the mind.

3) We Are Created In Uniqueness
Isn’t this absolutely worthy of living in ecstasy? You are Special and Unique ie. we cannot find another person like you ever on the planet!

Your looks, shape, color, individual character and everything else about you are copyrighted to You and You only! This is a lifetime copyright and nobody else can rob that from you.

Can you imagine how awesome that is?

4) Good vs Bad?
There is no good or bad in this world, only perspectives. Everything about good/bad, right/wrong, black/white originates from the mind.

If you think it is bad, then it IS bad. If you think it is good, then it IS good. If we recognize that these are merely perspectives, we accept these as experiences and take away some valuable learning.

Especially in today’s turbulent times, joyful faces are hardly the majority. But if life is all smooth sailing, perfect and nothing ever goes wrong - does it still have meaning at all?

And, if we examine all those things we used to worry like mad before, how many of them actually did come true?

If we realize that valid worries is just a fraction of our headaches, we would not be bothered to waste time sweating over it.

Because its simply not worth it!

5) Why Not Live Life As A Miracle?
Most people’s default mood is neutral to depressing when nothing happens. If you don’t believe this, try putting on a joyful face for a full day.

Most likely, you will get asked “Why are you so happy today?” more than once.

The next time when someone asks you this again, simply reply with a polite and cheerful “Why not?”, and see what happens.

As the famous quote from Albert Einstein goes “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

So, tell someone “I love you” today, or take a walk in a park and really feel nature from within. Life is really a miracle just in Itself.

Laugh Heartily, Love Fully and Live Abundantly!
(C) Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Tags: raw food health, raw food recipes, vegan weight loss, raw food diet

For years, my shopping trips have been restricted to just a few lanes in the supermarket.

These are the fresh vegetables sections, fresh fruits sections and whole/organic packaged foods sections.

I seldom wander into the packaged, processed foods or convenience foods section unless I need to grab some other household neccessities like paper towels.

The reason is simple - I find it increasingly difficult to trust food manufactures and food regulating authorities, thus reading labels have lost its purpose.

The recent Melamine poisoning scare probably woke many of us up - as can be seen from the never-ending queues at soy-milk vendors.

People are switching away from dairy in fear of what lurks within.

Food manufacturers inject melamine substances to trick machines into giving higher readings for nutritional content.

Just like them, there can be other unethical business owners engaging similar practices to fool authorities.

We probably do not know of them yet - just like how we had been silently poisoned all these while.

It is impossible to cut risks down to zero, but there are definitely lifestyle changes we can adopt to protect ourselves and our families.

1) Cut down consumption of meat and dairy products.

The higher the animal on the food chain, the higher the risk of contamination. Especially for farm-bred animals which could be raised on tainted feed.

Most farm-bred animals today are raised using artificial means to shorten growing time, so that the animals can be slaughtered for sale earlier.

At best, these animals are fed antibiotics (for quick fattening) and maybe colorings (to enhance the color of the meat).

At worst, they are fed melamine substances. If all these had been happening under our noses all along, what else could be wrong?

2) Include more fresh, wholesome greens/vegetables and fruits.

In replacement of meat products, incorporate more fresh greens, vegetables and fruits into your diet.

Even if you can only afford non-organic produce which may have some pesticides residue, it is still better than ingesting animal products which contains these residues (unless we are talking about organic meat products) AND many more other pollutants/contaminants!

We live in a world today where we no longer know what goes on behind the scenes when the food reaches out table.

To protect ourselves and our families, we need to opt for the least altered, least adulterated fresh and wholesome foods as much as possible.

3) Think twice before you buy something in the form of a packet.

All packaged products run the risk of having some form of undesired ingredient added to them. Some approved food colorings have already been proven to cause hyper-action in children (who have weaker immune systems).

But because there will be some time before the authorities take action, we still have to assume responsibility for our own health.

Table salt, food additives/enhancers and preservatives are present in almost all packaged products. In small amounts, these cannot trigger immediate noticeable health failures.

But, have we wondered why advanced nations are getting sicker and sicker by the day?

Most of the developed societies suffer from some kind degenerative disease (if not all!) like cancer, diabetes, infertility, pre-mature aging etc.

The good news is that we do NOT have to put up with all these suffering, once we stop letting others decide our health for us.

By taking action right away, we protect not only ourselves, but also our loved ones who may be less savvy.

Claim your right to natural, vibrant health today!

(C)Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

If you have any comment on the above topic which you think is beneficial to fellow readers, please send it to us in the box below.

Tags: vegan weight loss, low fat recipies, raw food recipes, raw food health

Our human body is nothing short of an incredible piece of art, an amazing symphony of millions of continuous chemical processes to protect, rejuvenate and heal us.

Linda’s Fav Dish-of-the-week: Raw P’Riceless Glutinous Rice

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and its appearance reflects how well the body is functioning internally.

When the body is unable to get rid of toxins the normal way (eg excretion, perspiration), it will make use of the skin.

This is like hanging the rubbish on the window instead of throwing out of the house through your door!

The good news is - you can start having beautiful skin right away now, just by making sensible diet and lifestyle changes.

1) Aim for a minimum of 75% raw fruits and vegetables in your diet

There is no doubt that increasing consumption of uncooked produces will work wonders for the skin. Never mind if 75% sounds intimidating; just aim for it and try your best!

No pill or supplement can replace the magical life-giving enzymes and nutrients in raw living foods. Pills can help alleviate some deficiency symptoms, but why settle for less when you can have the real thing!

2) Consume at least 250g of dark leafy greens and 1 Tbs of ground flaxseeds everyday

If possible, blend it with some sliced fruits so that the nutrients can be absorbed easily.

Or you may eat it as a salad with some tomatoes, raw corn, hempseeds, half an avocado, miso or a little balsamic vinegar.

Ground flaxseeds supply with us with the essential Omega-3 fats which is vital for optimal health.

3) Cut down consumption of meats, poultry, egg/dairy products

If it is not yet possible to eliminate these, at least try to reduce consumption of these products.

Thousands of studies have already proven a co-relation between toxicity/disease and consumption of these foods.

On the subject of cancer alone, there has been more than 3,500 studies/papers written about how cancer risks rocket with increased meat consumption.

4) Eliminate consumption of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine

After ingesting these substances, the body treats them as intoxicants and struggles to get rid of them. They place a strain on internal organs and can create havoc to the whole body system over time.

If you can eliminate all these completely, there will be a noticeable improvement in skin texture.

5) Sleep

Ever noticed how fresh you look after a well-rested night of sleep? During those hours of snooze, your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself.

Sleep requirements may vary among individuals, but aim for a minimum of 7-8 hours per night.

6) Limit use of cosmetics, skin care and shampoo products with harmful chemicals

Conventional cosmetics, skin care and shower products are heavily laden with manufactured ingredients, some of which can bring more harm than good.

Before you purchase the next bottle of skin care of the shelf, read the ingredients carefully first. We want to be as selective about what we put on our body as what we put in our body.

7) Hydrate

Drinking clean, filtered water is a must-do for anybody who wish to have crystal clear complexion.

If you stay in tropical weather, aim for at least 8 big glasses a day, and more if you perspire through additional physical activity.

Water is needed for all chemical functions carried out by your magnificent body, and most importantly, to flush out the toxins from the system.

Remember that for all diet and lifestyle changes, the hardest part is the beginning.

Once you adopt this new way of life, there is no turning back because you will be loving how good you look.

And you will be loving every minute of life!

Join me today and claim your right to beautiful skin; its really as easy as taking an extra minute before you order your next meal.

Cheers to Healthy and Beautiful Skin, all Yours to have!
(C) Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Tags: low fat recipes, raw food health, raw food recipes, low fat recipies

You are 3 feet away from a scenic lake overlooking lush greens, the weather is perfect and you are ready for an afternoon feast.

A man with a gas mask comes along, and first he sprays the strawberries, apples and lettuce with a layer of pesticides, followed by a layer of fungicide, and finally a layer of “edible” wax.

Then he rinses the fruits and vegetables with some water, and offers them back to you.

Do you still desire to eat them?

This illustration is a bit dramatic, but in actual fact, that is what’s happening in conventional farms today.

Farmers who have lost regard for the wellness of soil, environment, and quality of crops, are focused only on yield maximization.

And thus, many conventional fruits and vegetables are grown with artificial fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, insecticides.

Can this lead to suicide for the human population if it carries on?

1) Organic Produces Are More Nutritious
It has been proven repeatedly that organically grown produces contain more vitamins and nutrients. Why? Because crops reflect the health of the soil they are grown in, they are more cared for using natural means (instead of chemical fertillizers).

2) Harmful Pesticides/Insecticides
Why does organic farming require more heart and effort? Because the farmers need to “coax” the soil back into fertility mode, as well as protect the crops without the use of harmful pesticides.

If a pesticide spray can kill bugs and keep them away, what can it do to us?

3) Possible Toxicity of Fruits And Vegetables Grown On Chemical-Laden Land
Harmful substances from chemically damaged soil will leech into the crops grown on them. When we consume these, we eat all that in as well.

For conventional crops, we don’t know what was the land used for previously. It could have been a dumping ground for many years and some harmful chemicals may still be embedded in the soil.

4) Demand Determines Supply
If we shun organic produces completely because of the price, we are just sliding down the slippery slope. We are actually voting with every dollar we spend in the market.

Do we want to continue to be caught in this predicament?

Or do we want to make a choice right now to claim what belongs to us - the right to eat non-toxic, natural and nutrient dense foods.

5) Global Shift
We have advanced nations, state-of-the-art buildings and incredible technology developments today.

But what is the sustenance of life? Are all these going to keep us alive if our soil is so damaged one day that it can’t even grow an apple tree?

Its cool to have an I-Phone from Apple; but its real apples which can keep us alive.

We are making a decision with every action we take, or don’t take everyday. Let’s make a choice today which will benefit our children, ourselves and most importantly, Mother Earth!

(C)Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Tags: raw & living foods, raw food diet, raw food recipes, low fat recipies

Sometimes its as if 100% is some kind of a destination, and once we get there, its Hooray, but its almost a shame if we ever leave.

In actual fact, raw foodism is NOT a destination. Rather, it is a process of discovery.

Discovery about ourselves, how our body works and ultimately how we affect others around us.

You may already know that eating live foods instead of processed, “dead” foods, frees the body of unnecessary burdens and feeds essential nutrients to your cells.

And so for instance, if we used to eat a breakfast of microwaved pancakes with butter, but we now switch to fresh bananas with nut butter, a number of things are going to happen:

First of all, our digestive organs do not have to deal with the complex carbohydrates, processed sugar and saturated fats from the pancakes.

Hence, the body will not feel the slight comatose (its still slight because the day just began!) which usually comes after eating a starchy/fats/processed sugar combination.

Second, we are not eating microwaved ie. chemically altered foods, anymore. The impact of chemically altered foods are at worst damaging to our cells, and at best unknown!

Yes, Science has not yet uncovered the full spectrum of detriment which DNA altered foods can do to our bodies.

Third, we are flooding our bodies with first-hand natural sugars, nutrients and live enzymes from the bananas/nut butter combo.

These require less effort to assimilate (compared to the pancakes) and nourishment is delivered straight to our cells.

As a result, we feel full, energetic, alive and happy! We are now reaping the benefits of a raw food diet.

The benefits of a raw food diet can be enjoyed by taking in as many raw foods as possible.

It doesn’t mean you have to be 100%, or 90%, it doesn’t even have to be a percentage. Being 100% raw may not even be an appropriate goal for you in the first place. Just go at your own pace.

A person can be a 100% raw foodist, but totally unhealthy because he is overeating only a specific type of food and thus missing out on other valuable nutrients.

Or she could be overeating nuts and oils, have digestive disorders and thus suffer more from weight issues than ever!

These examples would definitely not see those incredible health benefits often raved about in the raw food world.

And does it mean that if we ever fall off from the 100% mark, we berate ourselves and take off in the opposite direction altogether?

Absolutely not! Raw foods, remember, is an on-going journey. It is an amazing process where you discover about yourself.

And it all begins with discovering how the foods you eat can affect you physiologically, emotionally and spiritually.

As long as we are mindful to eat as much unaltered, raw and fresh organic foods as we can get our hands on, we are on the right track.

So, Raw Foodism re-defined:

A Raw Foodist can be someone who acknowledges that foods he/she eat have an impact on him/her, and strives to give him/herself the best possible nutrients out of every meal.

Relax, enjoy your food and start living your life

(C)Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Tags: raw food testimonials, raw food recipes, low fat recipies, raw food health

“Love” is an intangible and yet unmistakable ingredient which is lacking in all our commercially available food products.

There is a whole world of difference between eating commercially processed foods produced by machines, and raw organic produces cultivated with care and love for Earth.

We all know that due to commercialization and profit-maximization, the quality of produces have deteriorated tremendously.

Right at the bottom of the food chain, we have the corn industry, which feeds the cattle industry. With the inflated Big Buck Brother Oil, how many farmers can choose to feed their cattle with high quality organic corn?

There had been news of farmers whom, in their efforts to shorten growth processes, resorted to unspeakable farming methods.

Not only did this accumulate negative vibration in the animals, but also bring forth hygienic concerns.

The dairy industry, which uses products from the cattle industry (and therefore inherits all the associated factors) is another huge interest today.

Eating clean, organic foods is similar to eating Mum’s cooking. These produces are cultivated without harsh chemicals, taking care of Earth and basically - “love”.

“Love” for both the environment, and the crops itself. It has been long known that plants are alive and they resonate to human contact. Plants flourish with Tender Loving Care.

In organic farming, more effort and care are required - mainly because man had done some pretty bad damages to the ground over the years.

Only the true crop farmer will know that our ground is no longer like what it used to be. It has become harder for crops to flourish.

All organic farmers know the pain of losing crops due to soil infertility, pests invasion and natural calamities.

Organic farmers want their crops to live! Every organic farmer wishes for its crops to live and flourish, so much so that it seems almost like a silent prayer.

So how does raw and living foods fit into this?

Making use of only clean, unprocessed organic ingredients, raw vegans concoct all kinds of gourmet dishes.

In their attempts to “beat” conventional processed food laden with additives and all the harmful stuffs, they put extra heart into planning the details for flavors, textures, colors and presentations.

Having loved ones, friends and family to enjoy the food together is priceless. Nothing rewards the raw vegan chef more than appreciating looks of satisfaction on their eaters’ faces!

Lots and lots of “love” are put into designing raw food. It’s like an art, and who knows, maybe this could be a subject in college after 10 years!

Minus the negative vibrations, additives and preservatives, add in “life” from freshness and “love” from Consciousness, we have a “Super-Food”!

Have you had the chance to eat 1 raw meal today yet? Let me know if you did, so we can start jumping in joy

(C) Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Tags: raw & living foods, raw food health, raw food recipes, raw food diet

Besides the most commonly asked question about what I eat outside, there were also remarks like “troublesome, anti-social, impossible etc” coming from friends and relatives.

But challenging does not mean impossible! After turning raw, I’m grateful to say that I’m more alive than ever, still living in Singapore, and I still have my circle of loving friends.

1) What Do I Eat For Lunch/Dinner Outside?

Firstly, I do not follow meal-times - I eat whenever when I’m hungry and I feel like eating. “Lunch” or “Dinner” to me, is more of a connotation to coin hanging out or social time with loved ones (including friends).

There are times when I go to “lunch”, and its purely for catching up or social time. Depending on whether I’m hungry or not, I may just have a glass of water at the table.

Of course, some occasions may call for you to at least nibble something at the table, to put the rest of the diners at ease. In such cases, I order a plain salad or a fruit platter (with no dressings).

If I’m hungry, I usually bring my own food. These can be easily obtainable from fruit stalls or supermarkets - a mixture of pre-washed greens, bananas and any other fruits that catches my fancy.

Or, if I’m short on time for that day, I simply pack a couple of bananas together with some home-made nut butter in my bag.

2) What To Order In Restaurants?

Most, if not all restaurants, have abundant supplies of raw food in their kitchen. Whatever they serve on the dining table are all derived from raw foods.

The difference is whether you dare to ask for them, or not!

When its my turn to order, I’d tell the waiter to make an entree size plain salad, with every possible kind of raw vegetables they can find in the kitchen.

The size is important here - make sure you repeat to the waiter that you want a huge one because you are going to eat that as a main dish.

Ask for some cold-pressed olive oil, if available, on the side.

If its a long lunch/dinner, where the rest of the diners will be served 4-5 courses, then order an additional large fresh fruit platter, free of dressings.

From experience, traditional Chinese restaurants are the ones which I have a little more problem with. They may not have that much raw vegetables to spare, but they can still serve fresh fruits, if requested.

3) Do I Get Hungry Constantly? And How To Prevent That?

Before I start my day, breakfast consists of a super huge smoothie and/or mixed fresh fruits. When I’m out for the whole day, my bag is well stocked with nibbles like sesame balls, goji berries and dried nuts.

These nibbles are condensed in calories and go a long way to keep hunger pangs at bay.

Because of an active lifestyle, I get hungry pretty easily. And I’m grateful to know that the best pick-me-ups are not energy bars, sports drinks or protein shakes.

In fact, the easiest and best way to recharge energy levels is by eating fresh fruits - which gives us good old simple sugars.

For those of you who are active, the next time you complete a long hike or run, try having an apple or banana, instead of reaching for that sports drink or protein shake.

Your body will thank you by rewarding you with energy and happiness.

4) Do I Think Staying on Raw Foods Is Sustainable?

Honestly, before Asia evolved to the stage where there are as many eco-farms/raw vegan/organic cafes as fast food/coffee joints, preparing my own meals is still essential for me.

However, it did not stop me from doing the things I used to do, or jeopardizing worthy companionships. In fact, my life got bigger and bigger after I turned raw.

Ultimately, there is no perfect situations or scenarios. The difference is in making the best out of whatever we have, in a way which works for us.

So, my answer to this last question is a definite “YES”!

So come on, have a raw meal or 2 today, rejoice and celebrate your life!

(C)Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Tags: vegan weight loss, low fat recipes, raw food diet, low fat recipies

Anything we visualize with our mind, will manifest into reality in our present lives.

Pick a day, sit down quietly by yourself and think what motivates you to start living healthy. It could be a new life-partner, a baby coming along, desire for better skin etc.

Or like me - you’ve simply had enough of it and decided to resume control of your life!

Once you have your decision, tell yourself that you are going to kick the habit.

This is extremely important because you have to remember your “why” whenever temptations arise. And they are going to be plenty.

2)Write down Your “What” and “Why”
On a piece of paper, write down in bold why you want to live healthy. Don’t even write the words “Quit Smoking” because your mind will register the “smoking” word every time you look at it.

Try “Start Afresh” or “Live Healthy” or “Be Good-looking”, and paste it onto somewhere you can see frequently.

I put mine on a Wish Board directly opposite my bed where I see the first thing upon waking and bedtime.

Take it with you every morning when you hop out of bed, and into your dreams every night!

3) Get Fit
This is essential! Even if it is just a walk, it does your body good to get moving. Our muscles and limbs are created to move, and if we don’t use them, they simply lose their purposes.

If possible, of course, cardio exercises are even better as they get our heart rates up, and we produce feel-good hormones which regulate both health and emotions.

Just go at your own pace, that’s all.

4) Adopt a New Sport or Hobby
When the mind is idle, there is a higher chance of falling prey to temptations. You chose to gave up a useless habit, and now, adopt a new passion in life.

Go sign up for that piano course, archery lessons, diving trip etc which you have been wanting to. It is important to find your passions because they keep you alive!

5) Make New Friends
The fact is, during the initial stages of quitting smoking, you are unlikely to succeed if you keep hanging out with smokers.

There’s no need to give up your friends altogether, but you have to recognize that social environment does play a vital part in lifestyle changes.

When I first stopped smoking, I lived almost like a hermit for almost 6mths. Until I was absolutely sure that I won’t fall back again, which was 9 months later, then I started going out.

Smoking, for most, is more of a psychological rather than biological habit. Besides the familiar action of holding the stick and bringing it to your lips, the “togetherness” of your usual gang puffing together is going to be pretty hard to resist.

6) Hang out At New Places
If you keep on going on back to the same old clubs where you hung out - and they permit smoking, its not going to work out.

In actual fact, you are still taking in second hand smoke. And as long as your body is addicted to nicotine, you will have cravings and suffer withdrawal symptoms.

7)Go Cold Turkey
Yes, there’s no other way. It has been proven that nicotine addiction is one of the fastest to acquire, and most difficult to kick!

The first week is going to be the most unbearable. There will be headaches, irritation, lethargy and even running noses and watery eyes.

My advice to you - just go through it and have faith that you will feel a hundred times better at the end of it.

The best time to do it is over a weekend - where you can lie in bed while your body detoxes the nicotine. Rest is essential, as you free up more energy for the healing.

Drink Up
Water is important for any cleansing and detox regimes. An abused body may not be able to deliver messages (including the need for water) very well. So just make sure you drink a minimum of 8 glasses of clean drinking water everyday.

9) Eat a clean and fresh diet
You want to leave as much energy to your body for the detox as possible. By cutting out processed foods and heavily cooked stuff, you are lessening the digestive burden on your body.

For the first week, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables if possible.

10) Get Support
Humans are social creatures, we need supporting and loving people around to build us up. Get a buddy, or better still, form a quit smoking gang.

This was what I did, I gathered 5 of my smoking friends, and we all agreed to commit to a quitting deadline. In the end, although only 2 of us made it in the long term, it is still an achievement!

In fact, it will be a big achievement because you created a large value by helping another person to kick a bad habit!

If you stay with a smoker, you may need to address some issues with him/her/them to up your chances of quitting smoking successfully.

There are also many ex-smokers who live/hang out in smoking company, so although it is harder, it is definitely possible to quit regardless of circumstances!

Don’t wait for that New Year or Birthday to come before you decide on new resolutions. Do it right away today, and start living a new life!

Love, Abundance and Joy for You Today
(C) Copyright 2008, Linda Loo

Tags: raw food diet, raw food recipes, vegan weight loss, low fat recipes

Before Raw 2004

Before Raw 2005

Before Raw Feb 2006 - You can tell that age is catching up, as with most ladies after 25..

Before Raw Mar 2006 - Age is definitely showing, despite regular facial and spa treatments…

Before Raw Apr 2006

And then here comes the changes…

3 Months Raw Aug 2006

1 Year Raw Sep 2007 - Before a Mountainous Hike

1 Year Raw Sep 2007 - After the hike, a raw meal, and then ready for another climb!

2 Years Raw May 2008 - Better than Botox and liposuction!

2 and 1/2 Years Raw - Fresh out of bed, no make-up and not even moisturizer, people mistook me for a college student!

2 and 1/2 Years Raw - Getting Younger and Younger!

Now can you see why I said its unimaginable to be “Un-Raw”? The best part is - its just so simple

Just like me, you can have soft fresh skin, abundant energy and reverse aging by the day. Even if you are motivated enough to take 1 raw meal today, you are already well on your way!

If you are inspired or encouraged by what you saw above, do post a comment below or drop me a short mail to tell me about it.

Tags: low fat recipes, vegan weight loss, raw food diet, raw & living foods