Hello Everyone, 

The Newport International Film Festival is bringing the documentary film “Simply Raw…Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” to it’s line up of extraordinary films.  This is one of them.  A transformational  story  about the lives of 6 diabetics who followed a whole raw food diet for 30 days   The results were unbelievable.  By only the 4th day some were off their insulin completely.  By the end of the 30 day period their blood sugar had stabilized.  4 out of 6 of these folks had effectively reversed their disease.  For some the lifestyle was not so easy. It was a compelling and extraordinary experience for everyone involved  Many people you will recognize are interviewed in the film  Woody Harrelson,.Gabriel Cousens MD., Morgan Spurlock of “Supersize Me”  Please join us on June 5th at 6PM at The Jane Pickens Theater( 49, Touro St) in Newport, RI and get your tickets for film from Newportfilmfestival.com. The cost for the event is $30.00

Following the movie we are hosting a wine and raw food tasting across the street with the film makers,  Helen Ross MD. from”The Tree of Life” and  and many people who are in the movie.It will be catered by Rawvolution, Whole foods, Frank Giglio, Chef from “The Tree of Life” and a host of folks from the New England area.  This event will be held at The Colony House in Washington Square which is directly across from the movie theater ( Jane  Pickens Theater) . Please email Newportfilmfestival.com for  tickets for this event. The cost of this event is $30.  For any information please call Virginia @ 401-846-9553

I urge to you attend this fantastic film and put in your vote for best documentary.  Please email Vtrehernet@aol.com for any information or call Virginia @401-846-9553.   Anyone who might need a ride from the Boston area should call Joe Gerber @781-444-8461. 

Please take the time to check out the video below.  While working at the Tree I was able to work with Michael during his 21 day diabetes reversal program.  Michael is a fine example of how one can overcome great challenges with a positive mind.  When it comes to health problems and disease, some folks think there is no way out but a needle and a pill.  Doctors hand over a prescription and say get use to it.  After 15 years of being a type 2 diabetic, Michael took matters into his own hands and proved he could beat the beast.  Amazing!!

It has been a big weekend for me in regards to training.  Saturday, I went out with a few members of the Bimbler crew for a lengthy run.  A few runners would head back after an hour, but Forest and I continued on for 4 hours.  We kept a smooth steady pace as we ventured off onto the Lake Saltonstall property.  By the time we headed back to town, I think we were both a bit worn out but happy to have completed the lengthy run.  I was getting really hungry by the end of the run and started to feel a bit hollow inside.  I was fueled on soaked raisin water and felt quite hydrated, despite the warm temps.  It feels good to know that I have a solid base to go out and run marathon distance on any given day.  I guess the only issue now is how fast I want to try and run it.  Over the next 4-5 weeks leading up to VT, I will be putting in a long run of at 25 miles once a week.  At some point, I will also need to put in back to back days of the same distance.  This will give the same effect of running with tired legs without having to do it al in one shot.  

On Sunday I will be running the Nipmuck Marathon for the 2nd time.  I remember having a horrible race last year.  I was extremely worn out at this time last year and was barely putting in 20 miles a week.  I ran too hard during the first have of the race and hit the wall on several occasions on the second loop.  I plan to run a smarter and more consistent race this time around!

In other news, I was just asked to be a part of the Raw Spirit Festival in Sedona, Az in September.  I will be on of many chefs giving 1 hour food prep demos.  I was lucky enough last year to step in to an empty spot and look forward to being back in the event.  

  My garden is looking amazing!  I am all about done planting veggies.  Remaining are my watermelon, squash, and basil seedlings.  I have over 30 organic tomato plants as well as cukes, herbs, peas, beans, zucchini, radishes, and greens.  I can’t wait to start munching on the homegrowns!!  I look forward setting up a small farm stand this summer to pass on some extra veggies. 

Enjoy your week!

Blessings

Yesterday brought together a few members of the Bimbler’s Sound running group for the 14.5 mile Soapstone Trail Race in north eastern Connecticut.  At roughly 6:30 we piled into Clyde’s mini van and made our way north.  

We arrived with plenty of time to relax and go about our pre race rituals.  Some, like myself, seem to pace around and get a bit nervous.  Others spend time prepping energy drinks, taping toes, or figuring out what clothes they should wear.  

I really enjoy running in New England.  The Grand Tree racing series consists of 30 races throughout New England and vary in distances from 6-50 miles.  I enjoy seeing similar faces in the different states that hold the races.  During Soapstone, I would finish seconds behind a 29 year old girl named Serena.  She also finished just ahead of me 3 weeks ago at the Seven Sisters trail race.  I find the community to be warm and friendly and always enjoy meeting new people along the way.

Around 9 am the race started.  We would run for a mile or so on dirt road until crossing the main road into the Soapstone Park.  Once in the park, we would make a sharp right hand turn and find a massive and Steep trail that had to be climbed.  It was quite a view.  Ahead the runners, well walkers at this point, looked liked ants as they tried to make their way up the mountain side.  A seconds glance showed the beautiful views up top as I quickly sunk into the trail and made my way down the opposite side.  The first several miles brought gentle undulations and a steady pace.  Just before reaching the halfway point, runners would be forced to run through a stream bed.  If you were planning on staying dry, well, too bad.. This seemed to go on for about a mile until a sharp left turn brought us to a long gentle climb.  

I remained with a group of about 5 runners for the entire race.  We would challenge each other at different points of the course.  Some stronger on the up hills, others quicker on the declines. Either way, it is nice to run with others and keep motivated when your legs are tired and lacking confidence to continue.  One man who continuously challenged my pace, took two hard falls.  I slowed down to see if he needed help but he encouraged me to keep going.  A few minutes later he was right behind me and challenging me again.  But, a few minutes later, he was face first again.  I wouldn’t see him again until after I crossed the finish line.

The last few miles brought one more hill climb as I followed two other runners onto the road for the last mile of the race.  Here I pushed hard and tried to catch up with the girl in front of me.  I didn’t have much juice left to make any gains, but I did finish better than I expected.  A finish time of 2:07:48 put a smile on my face.  I was a few minutes over the 2 hour mark, but with sore legs from the day before, I was pleased with the results.  

Quickly after the race, I downed about 15 bananas to take in some much needed calories.  In the morning, I consumed 2 bananas and a few dates.  Throughout the race I drank maybe 3 cups of water at the aid stations and maybe another 1/2 cup of soaked raisin water.  For the warm temps, that was not enough.  I was definitely dehydrated upon finishing the race and have been realizing that I need to start taking in more water while running.   We would spend the next hour or so, enjoying the weather and cheering in the other runners.  Everybody did a great job and I was happy to watch Oddjob, Allstate and Clyde finish the race in style!! It was a bright and sunshiny day!!!

It seems that since I have been back in CT, every weekend has been taken up with priorities.  Without any requirements, I was really looking forward to having the day to do whatever I wanted.  Despite a long night at the Cafe, I woke early to meet the Bimbler’s for an “easy” taper run before Sunday’s Soapstone Trail Race. Forrest, Iggy, Mr. Bimble, the Peanut, Forrest and Booman would leave the Branford Green and head towards the Supply Pond.  We opted to run the Wagon Wheel Trail which would end up totaling about an hour or so. Along the way we chatted and played a few speed games.  Usually I try to keep up with Mr Bimble, but today he got on my heals and pushed me through the woods.  I haven’t been able to get on the trails with Mr. B that much so its always a treat playing chase.  

When I got home,I felt the need to get on the fixed gear and go for a spin.  I ended up riding close to ten miles to the New Haven Farmer’s Market. There I would connect with David Zemelski of Starlight Garden and purchase a bag of the most amazing organically grown greens I have ever tasted.  This early season batch was super tasty and extra spicy!  What a treat!  I continued to ride through the city and noticed that a few streets where blocked off due to the Indiana Jones Festival.  Since a few scenes for the up coming Indiana Jones movie were filmed in New Haven, i guess they decided to throw a party for the premier.  The streets were lined with classic cars, musicians, and acrobats.  I meandered over to my sister’s house for a brief visit then made my way back to Branford.  

Now it was time to head over to the garden and see if the last week of rain did any damage to my plants. Luckily all was intake and I was extremely happy to see that all the sunflowers and beans that I planted two weeks ago have popped out of the earth.  I planted 14 organic tomato plants, varying from yellow pear to purple cherokee, Roma’s, red cherries, and even an heirloom variety called Pineapple!  I also planted some cucumber, zucchini, fresh herbs, and watermelon.  

After a few hours in the garden, I felt it would be best to head home and relax before tomorrows 14.5 mile trail race.  While running today, I overheard a certain someone mention that I was too slow to complete the course in under 2 hours.  It looks like I have a challenge up ahead of me!!

Blessings

I was recently asked if I thought my lifestyle was too extreme.  Okay, maybe wanting to run 100 miles is a bit out of the ordinary but that running is not the subject here.  The person was wondering if my “raw” food eating was going too far.  I sort of chuckled as I began to reply.  To me, eating a diet based around raw fruits and vegetables is completely normal.  It has been done since the beginning of time.  Peeling a banana and eating it is normal.  Grating a carrot and eating it is normal.  Sprinkling a few seeds on a fresh picked salad is normal.  

I replied by mentioning that a diet of over processed packaged cooked food is extreme.  Michael Pollen wrote in his new book In Defense Of Food, “Try eating foods that your great great grandmother would recognise as food.”  What is normal about Quorn, or Go Gurt or microwave dinners.  Instant meals in a box or rainbow colored cereals??  Is eating a 4oz burger consisting of up to 1000 cows and that could last for over ten years actually normal??

This person seemed to get my point but responded by saying that it is difficult to go out for a decent meal.  Well that maybe true, but a going out to eat isn’t always about the food you eat, its about the company you keep. So if a wimpy salad is all I get, then whatever.  

Over the last few months, I have been making a solid effort to live a lifestyle geared towards natural hygiene.  With the influence of Dr. Doug Graham’s 811rv lifestyle, my exercise, recovery, and life has improved greatly.  As I become more aware of eating simply, and taking the time to let the body rest, I am realizing the true benefits to the natural way of living.  

One way that I have quite beneficial to my health is mono eating.  Mono meals refers to consuming one food, generally fruit, alone.  As a guideline, you can eat as much as you want until you are satiated.  This will ensure proper digestion, and keep the body energized.  Check out this interesting take on Mono Meals.

Realizing, that it is not all about the running, I have finally incorporated a stretching into my life.  Every morning, before anything else is done, I spend 15-30 minutes stretching.  I incorporate sit-ups and push-ups as well as some yoga and basic calisthenics that I remembered from my football playing days.  I am doing nothing out of the ordinary, but just getting the body in movement to release any tension that may have built up during sleep.  I must say it generates warmth on a cold morning, energizes me and helps start the digestion process for a morning meal to follow.

Getting back to the mono meals, lately I have been starting my day with watermelon. I find it very hydrating and energizing.  Today I will start with oranges.  I will probably consume 5 or 6.  Sometimes I eat them individually, or upt to put them into a blender and drink like a shake.  

So give mono eating a shot….It’s like the old saying, “Keep it simple, stupid!”

Blessings

I have been settled back into Connecticut for nearly a month and a half, yet I still have yet to see most of my friends and family.  It has been a rather tough transition to the fast paced life of Southern CT.  I have been doing my best to not get caught up in the hectic lifestyle that most people I know are engaged in.  

When I told my family that I would be moving back to train for a race, I don’t quite think they understood what I was talking about.  My main focus is running and completing the VT 100 come this July.  I know many people out there, train for races while working full time as well as taking care of their families.  This is all fine and dandy, but for me, I wish to put forth all my efforts without distraction of a 9-5.  Currently my life revolves around training, refueling and recovering.  Sure I do a little work here and there, but it is only to make sure I can pay the bills at the end of the month.

Recently I have been slightly distracted by those telling me to get off my ass and work.  My 60-70 miles a week of running plus cross training, means little to those who are not in the game.  To some, I am just sitting around and letting life pass me by.  Over the last few years, I have put in an average of at least 50 hours of work a week.  I gave everything I had to my job before becoming totally burnt out.  Now it is time to give a little back to myself.  

For me, life is about adventure.  I am currently putting together travel plans for the fall.  In September, I head to Ireland and England and just recently decided that Australia, although quite far away, will be the next stop.  I will return in late autumn to take care of a few things, before hopefully spending the winter in Costa Rica.  I can’t imagine getting older and wishing I had done more. My desires are to inspire others, educate, and help put a smile on the faces of those I meet.  So for now, I will do what feels right to me.