I’m here at the Nervous Dog Coffee Bar in Akron, using my new laptop and writing my first-ever post away from the home office. How cool is that? (Photo credit: Laughing Squid)
By the way, for those of you who are RSS/email subscribers, just so that you know, I have two articles for you today. This one and “End of the Week Gratitude Theme # 54.” Simply scroll up your email/RSS notification and you’ll see both of them.
The last time I interviewed myself, I received a couple of interesting comments from the community who thought this was a good idea because it’s a way for them (i.e. you) to get to know me more (especially now that I’ve taken on a whole new lifestyle, the raw food way to optimal health). I mean, after all, just about every post I write these days have made some reference to this.
I’m thrilled to say that a good handful of you have actually taken the initiative to check this out for yourselves. That’s GREAT! Your success is my success. That’s why I do this – for YOU. Feedback from the community is incredibly important – I totally rely on your comments as a way of knowing how well you’re doing with your own experiments. So please keep them coming, okay?
I’m trying to put myself in your shoes and determine what you would want to know about me. While I’ll compose a couple of questions tonight, why don’t you add your own in the comment section for the next time I do this again? As you’re formulating them, keep in mind these are questions you’d ask as if you were sitting across from me at the table.
Let’s roll with the questions!
1. Do you see yourself continuing with the raw food lifestyle forever?
When I first made the decision to go raw, I also adopted the philosophy of “eating to live, not living to eat.” Big difference! While I am super conscious of what I am putting in my body these days, I’m not obsessed with eating. Instead, I’m very focused on bringing my body, mind and spirit back into wholesome health, the way God intended for me.
Vita-Mix Blender
Having said that, not long after I made that decision, I went out and bought a Vita-Mix blender, which was not cheap. However, by taking that sort of action, I was sending a strong statement to my subconscious that I was very serious about making good on this life-altering decision.
I was also letting the universe know that I was worthy of such an investment. How many of you have said to yourselves at least once, “Oh I don’t want to spend that much money on myself!”???
My thoughts exactly – been there, done that.
After learning as much as I have so far, I cannot possibly return to SAD. How could I?
I show no signs of slowing down. In fact, I continue to delve further and further into this world, becoming more and more astonished at the kind of information I never knew about. I look up to people like Philip McCluskey (who I interviewed here recently) and others who have gone this way. I see how they’ve successfully made the lifestyle change and how much it’s markedly changed their lives for the better.
Isn’t that what we all want?
So, yes, I see myself continuing with the raw food lifestyle. I also want to add that the raw food movement is gaining momentum in the mainstream. People are gradually catching on to the lies and deceptions of the big pharma companies and their cozy relationships with the FDA. More and more raw food restaurants are popping up in metropolitan cities. It’s only a matter of time.
This is why I previously recommended that you subscribe to the free Natural News newsletter. Reading their articles will definitely be an eye-opening experience for many of you.
Okay, next question?
Stephen’s Response to Himself: Whoa, not so fast my buddy boy! Let me just say you packed a wallop of an answer to that first question. It’s true that when you follow a decision with strong action like buying a $500 blender, you are indeed sending a strong message to the universe as well as your inner self. Of course, there’s always the chance that one day you’ll abandon the whole thing (like most people) but knowing you, that’s highly unlikely especially since you’ve kept yourself accountable in a very public way via this blog!
2. Does maintaining a raw food lifestyle mean you’re eating raw meat and fish?
Raw Meat
Good heavens NO!
As we speak now, the raw food movement is quickly moving from the “hippie-peace-loving” image into the mainstream. It hasn’t quite reached critical mass but it’s getting there and I think the media will eventually label this way of eating the “plant-based diet” because that’s what we’re really doing — eating fruits and vegetables, not raw meat and fish!
I can see how the mere mention of “raw foods” can be off putting, even scary, because the first thing that comes to most people’s mind when I say those words is raw meat and fish.
Besides, I’ve pretty much eliminated meat except for the occasional pieces of chicken in my salad. I don’t think I’ve had fish since September but I do think I’ll have one every so often. You see, I’m not 100 percent raw and I don’t think I ever will be.
So the next time you hear someone say “I’ve gone raw,” think plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables!
Stephen’s Response to Himself: Well, I think you singlehandedly cleared up a very common misconception. Nothing more I can add to that, is there?
3. You mentioned in your last blog post that today was the 2nd of a 3 day juice feast that you’re doing. What’s that all about? Are you trying to starve yourself to death?!?!?!?!?
Hahaha, no, of course not! Without going into too much detail at this time, let me just say that I’m actually undergoing a very short-term experiment as a result of in-depth research I’ve done on juicing. Have you ever heard of people feasting on water for a certain number of days?
Well, it’s like that except I’m drinking freshly made juices, giving me not only calories (versus zero for water feasts) but also a ton of nutrients. It is another way to clean my body of old toxins and waste. Large amounts of nutrient liquid are passing through my body, cleaning, rehydrating and alkalizing it, according to juicing experts like Angela Stokes, author of “A Juice Feaster’s Handbook.”
I’ve mentioned Angela Stokes several times by now. In her handbook, she talked about how she went on a 92-day juice feast and what it did for her. That might be considered drastic to some of you but I will probably do that sometime in 2009, especially after I buy a more powerful juicer like the Greenstar. I’ve been using Juiceman, Jr,. a decidedly low-end juicer, which has been good enough for my purposes for now.
Just think of this 3 day juice feast as a mini-experiment to see how my body reacts. Based on yesterday and today, I’ve noticed the following:
Separate container full of pulp after juicing
1. My body is still producing waste, which means I am getting rid of old stuff left behind in the colon even though I have not consumed any solid foods in two days.
2. Both days I experienced fantastic energy. It was not hard at all to wake up early (between 4:30 and 5:30 am) and get a head start with the day. Even though juicing experts recommend plenty of rest, yesterday afternoon I had a vigorous workout. Today I got wrapped up in my work and didn’t make time for the gym because time flew like crazy.
I’ve read reports that the reason you’re on a roll during a juice feast (at least in the beginning anyway) is because your energy is sky high and your mind seems to be sharper than usual. As a result, you end up having fun with whatever you’re doing to the point where you don’t notice time flashing by.
3. On the morning of Day 2 (today), the scale reported my lowest weight in several years (151.5). What will it say tomorrow?
Update: I just stepped off the scale on the morning of Day #3 and it said: 150.5! That’s a total of 2 pounds lost during the 3 day juice feast. WOOT! I love watching my tummy shrink. But once I start eating solids again on Thursday, my weight will probably rebound to its natural range which I think is somewhere between 153 to 155 lbs (according to the running average lately). By the way, in case you forgot, I began this summer at 178.5 lbs. – you do the math!
If I can do it, so can you! Just a matter of commitment, focus and dedication to returning yourself back to natural health. It’s that simple!
4. The juices were surprisingly filling although not as much as the smoothies because the juicing machine separates the fiber by dumping it into another container (see photo). To my surprise, I felt satisfied after making at least one cup of juice every 3 or 4 hours. Sure, I felt some hunger pangs in between but they were not severe enough to cause me to fall off the wagon. Yes, it took a fair amount of discipline but so does anything you want to achieve!
Okay, that’s enough, I’ll write a full article on the benefits of juicing sometime in the future.
Stephen’s Response to Himself: Don’t forget to mention that if at anytime during the feast you feel dizzy or uncomfortable, STOP. Don’t push yourself over the edge. It’s not meant to be horribly uncomfortable. There’s nothing wrong with taking small steps like you’re doing with a 3 day juice feast to see how it goes before going back to eating solids again. If you decide to extend it to longer periods, that’s up to you. The key is listening to your body and doing what it tells you do to because it “knows.” Guidebooks are only meant to serve as a guideline, the rest is up to your inner spirit.
Judging from the in-depth responses you’ve given tonight, we’ll stop here and turn it over to the community for questions they want to see in the next “self interview.” Meanwhile, thank you Mr. Hopson for doubling as the interviewer and interviewee. You sure have a split personality!
To everyone else, that’s enough entertainment for today. Go and have a great one until the next time. And oh yes, don’t forget to use the comment section for questions you want for the next time I interview myself.
If you liked this post and you want to be notified of the next one, subscribe via Email or Full Text RSS Feed. I would love to have you as part of the community!
Welcome! You've arrived to a newly renamed blog (formerly called Adversity University) specializing in personal development for spiritual beings having a human experience. To see a speaking demo tape and other information, please click 
7:03 am on December 3rd, 2008 1
Hey, great interview Stephen – your dual personalities of interviewer and interviewee played nicely together!
While I don’t follow a “raw food” diet – I do tend to get lots of fruits and veggies daily. Except when I don’t. And reading here today reminded me of one day over this past holiday weekend. I ended up eating really poorly – chips, ice cream, brownies (the problem of having a daughter who likes to bake!), soda, and just too much of everthing. Does this sound like SAD? I think, probably so. For me, this is NOT normal. Normal is lots of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, apples, pears, grilled chicken, yogurt, milk, etc. Well, after I “pigged out” over the weekend – I remembered one of the real reasons, besides for my health, that I don’t normally eat this way. About an hour after I finished, I felt a pit in the bottom of my stomach, and I was just generally lethargic. And if long-term health benefits aren’t enough for eating a more healthy meal – then this certainly should be – the short-term effect of how you actually “feel”.
I’m not quite to where you are yet, Stephen. But I’m well on my way down the road of eating healthy – and days like this weekend are great reminders “why”. I don’t want SAD!!
And, a question for you (unless you’ve already answered it – then just yell at me for not digging deep enough around here!): What led you to start blogging, and what keeps you writing?
8:02 am on December 3rd, 2008 2
@ Lance:
Oh good Lord, you are FUNNY! I can’t wait to meet you one day – perhaps our paths will cross? You never know.
Glad you enjoyed my “split personality of an interview.” I really had to split myself in two to accomplish this little delusional feat! LOL.
Yes Lance, the weekend “outing” you just had was definitely SAD. (I’m laughing because what a neat term to use those three letters when we are actually referring to it as an acronym – Standard American Diet).
One thing I’ve learned is that when I go overboard with something like pigging out, I remind myself not to beat myself up. It’s over and done with and we can learn from it. An hour after you ate, your body spoke up and told you the unvarnished truth and gave you that lethargic feeling. Very interesting – do you see how it’s communicating with you? Most people hardly ever realize this – all the pains, aches, tummy aches, headaches, cancer, etc. are various ways the body is trying to tell us something. I find this rather fascinating, don’t you?
Congratulations on your path to enhanced health Lance, I’m a proud supporter of you. It doesn’t mean you have to adopt an entirely raw food based diet if you don’t feel it’s right for you but at least you are increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. That says right there you’ve moved yourself ahead most of the population!
I read somewhere that if you increase your fruit and vegetable intake to where it’s at least half of your diet, then you’ll have eliminated many of the health problems you would have had later in life.
Onward and upward Lance – you’re doing FABULOUS. I love your energy and commitment. Don’t worry if you slip and fall of the wagon from time to time. We’re all human but at least you’re listening to your body, that’s more than I can say for most people!
Thanks for the question – you are surely one of the more responsive readers here at Adversity University. I’ll save that for a future “self-interview.”
2:22 pm on December 3rd, 2008 3
Stephen, I just subscribed to the Natural News newsletter. Thanks. I hadn’t heard of it before your article. I even printed out about 5 of their articles to read later and share with family and friends after I read them.
I didn’t do so well with Thanksgiving. Being a vegetarian, at least I didn’t eat any meat but Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually when I eat whatever I want of my favorite cooked foods that I don’t cook during the rest of the year before of my blood sugar problem—brownies, pumpkin pie, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole. I did chop up some broccoli and cauliflower. We had a really big salad too but I didn’t get around to eating any even though that was what I had planned on eating. I am not beating myself up over it. I do really well with my eating except at Thanksgiving and Christmas so I am ok with that. As bad as I eat on those 2 holidays, my diabetic A1C blood test still comes back in the healthy range so my doctor is happy with that. I am always pleasantly surprised because being honest me, I always tell the doctor what I ate and how unhealthy it was. My A1C test results have been in the 5.0 – 5.5 range for over a year now. I don’t do insulin. I just watch my diet and eat healthy most of the year. I will get back to eating more raw foods this week. Thanks for the inspiration. I just may have to give the 3-day juice fast a try. I will have to be careful that my blood sugar doesn’t go too low if I decide to do that.
4:16 pm on December 3rd, 2008 4
Now I know you are nuts, Stephen. You actually talk to yourself!
Go out and get a good meal with mashed potatoes and a rare steak.
You are losing it.
(Just kidding. I love you anyway!)
4:26 pm on December 3rd, 2008 5
@ Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker:
I can see how much the Natural News newsletter has intrigued you already. That’s really cool. Let me know which articles you found striking because chances are, I’ll have read the same ones too.
Good that you’re not beating yourself up over your Thanksgiving meal – I know how tempting it can be for those of us who strive hard to achieve a certain measurable result.
You know something? I just realized now that you are a diabetic. I should have caught that because in one of your earlier emails to me, you said you had ordered a DVD entitled “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days.” How was it? (For those who are curious about it, go here: http://www.rawfor30days.com)
I love your healthy attitude about all of this. You’re on solid ground girl!
4:30 pm on December 3rd, 2008 6
@ Corinne Edwards:
Haha, yes I talk to myself, that’s right! And I had blast doing it yet again. It’s all in good, self-poking fun.
You’re not the only one who thinks I’m “losing it” – LOL – I love it! When someone thinks you’re off the deep end, it means something right is being done in your life. In other words, the more people who call you crazy, the more you’re on to something. Think of all the pioneers who believed in things that others called hogwash.
4:35 pm on December 3rd, 2008 7
I can quite vividly picture you walking on the street, signing to yourself, making imaginable expressions while the by-standers stop and stare…!
Seriously, that’s great you got a laptop, meaning I won’t be bugging you as much to put up a long-delayed post!!
Hmm… I gotta visit you in Ohio sometime, in warm weather that is, and sample your newest kitchen gadgets including the juicer!!
Regarding the raw foods, actually, not all vegetables can be eaten raw such as okra, beans, potatoes, etc.
Ofc, it takes common sense to think raw foods means only plant-based ones, not animal-based!! One will definitely get SICK from eating raw meats especially beef, steak, etc. due to bacterias. Our bodies are not especially designed to digest raw meats like animals can.
4:57 pm on December 3rd, 2008 8
@ Nita:
You got me laughing with your vivid imagination.
You’re probably right that you won’t need to bug me about putting up a post in a “timely manner” now that I have a laptop. True, true.
Oh yes, if you ever swung through Ohio, you’ll have a blast watching me make smoothies, juices and raw food plates. They’re all simple, really. But I do want to enhance my “culinary skills” and find interesting ways of making raw foods fun and tasty for even mainstream folks.
Believe it or not, there ARE some people who eat raw meat – I’m not kidding! They’re very much in the minority, for sure. That actually reminds me of a documentary I saw once. A man got lost in the Alaskan wilderness and survived by eating raw salmon – he used a stick to catch them and ripped them open for dinner. It was disgusting but somehow he survived the ordeal.
5:17 pm on December 3rd, 2008 9
Dude thanks for making my morning!
you have left me smiling and giggling after reading your self interview.
And of course, inspiring.
Although i was getting worried – you know what they say: Talking to yourself is not a good sign!
PS Thanks for the link on chocolate! I feel more assured…!
5:22 pm on December 3rd, 2008 10
@ Elias:
“Talking to yourself is not a good sign.”
So they say! Hmph! LOL. Glad you’re in on the joke here.
By the way, the raw chocolate comes in a variety of different flavors. The truly raw ones are bitter but they have incredible properties, especially when taken with gogi berries (look like red raisins). Having said that, there are other packages that you can find in health food stores that have sweeter chocolate coverings over the caceo beans. You’ll just have to give it a try and see what happens.
5:52 pm on December 3rd, 2008 11
One thing is bothering me.
What can you eat at Greektown next year at SOB09??????
Can’t wait to see you!
6:55 pm on December 3rd, 2008 12
Stephen could choose to eat Greek salad, Corinne.
3:29 am on December 4th, 2008 13
Stephen, yes, I have had the disease of diabetes for about 5 years, or more. I lose count of time. The DVD was great with really good information and encouragement. I deal with the blood sugar problem on a daily basis but a diabetic isn’t who I am. I am not in denial. I refuse to use that label for who I am. It is a disease that I have and for the most part control, not because of anything the doctors have told me to do but from coming to know my own body and what I can eat and what I can’t. When I was first diagnosed by the doctor, he gave me a copy of the American Diabetes Association diet and told me to lose 20 pounds and gave me a prescription for Glucophage (not sure I spelled that right?). I did both the diet and the medicine for about 6 weeks. I didn’t lose any weight and I was strict in following the diet the way it was written. I felt like I was constantly plugged into an electrical current from all the sugar from the fruit. What I learned was that my body can’t distinguish between white sugar, artificial sweeteners, and natural sugar in the form of fruits. I was also dropping too low too frequently with the Glucophage. So after 6 weeks, I stopped the medicine and the diet and started experimenting with counting carbohydrates. The carb counting is what works for me. I didn’t mean to get carried away. Sorry about that.
6:03 am on December 4th, 2008 14
@ Nita:
I second Nita’s recommendation – I certainly could have a nice big Greek salad!
6:15 am on December 4th, 2008 15
@ Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker:
Very interesting – it didn’t hit me until yesterday. I’m glad you enjoyed the DVD and that it had good information for you.
Good for you that you refuse to label yourself as a diabetic. It’s not WHO you are, you got that right. Yes, you’re being one smart lady by listening to your own body – doctors may know some things but they do not know your body like you do. Like books, doctors can dispense with information but it’s up to use to them as guidelines, something to go by while the ultimate decision is made by our own inner spirits that “knows.”
Interesting information about how your body couldn’t tell the difference between white sugar, artificial sweeteners and natural sugar from fruits. Wow. Fascinating. It’s like the subconscious not knowing the difference between what you’re visualizing and what’s real, you know?
You’re not the only person who decided to drop the medicine and experiment with other things. Countless of people on the raw food diet/lifestyle have dropped their medicines too to fantastic results. I myself dropped the thyroid medicine I was taking but that was way before I began the raw food lifestyle. I remember the doctor telling me it would harm me if I did – it did not.
So while doctors are there for a reason, they don’t know everything. Besides the harsh truth is they are just as blinded as the rest of America about the miracles of plant-based foods and natural healing remedies. The medical schools are just starting to introduce natural healing methodologies in their curriculum. The pharma industry still has a tight noose around them. They stand to lose billions if the truth were to be known about their harmful drugs.
Haha, I got carried away too.
12:10 pm on December 4th, 2008 16
Dear Nita -
Whew!
Of course Greek salad!
Best place for Stephen.
Why didn’t I think of that? Thanks!
Corinne
8:44 pm on December 4th, 2008 17
You mentioned “eating to live and not living to eat”… do you find this raw food diet has you thinking about food a lot?
I’m just wondering. I imagine the addictions to various foods would come to the surface on a raw food diet.
7:52 am on December 5th, 2008 18
@ Ned:
Actually Ned, that’s an interesting question you pointed out. The statement I made “eating to live and not living to eat” is what I am striving to do. I don’t believe I’ve ever been “addicted” to food but ever since I made the decision to go on a raw food diet, I am usually thinking about how I will plan my day in terms of what I will eat because I’m much more conscious of what I put in my body these days.
Whereas before, I would subsconsciously eat whatever at certain hours of the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between). What that meant was I would eat without regard to what it was that I was eating. For instance, if I had a potato chip bag in the house and I was hungry in the afternoon, I’d open the bag without regard to what I was doing to myself. I was eating without planning.
Now I’m planning things out because it takes certain organization to adapt your life to this way of nutrition. If I have a meeting or two during the day, I’ll think about what to pack for lunch or mid-afternoon snack.
Does that make sense? I’m not sure addictions to various foods have come to the surface on this raw food diet because other than eating healthier foods, I haven’t had any cravings to go back to the SAD diet (Standard American Food).
Iinteresting food for thought! Thanks for sharing.
6:42 pm on December 5th, 2008 19
Hi Stephen – You are SO funny. Loved the part where you told yourself “Whoa, not so fast my buddy boy!….” This post reminds me of when someone catches me talking to myself and I say, “Yep, I found someone to have an intelligent conversation with”. Hehe.
Question. With a raw food diet you’re eating mostly fruits and vegetables (carbs). Where does your protein come from? And do you also supplement your diet with any of the good oils? Or, is the proteins, carbohydrates and fats ratio a fallacy?
3:56 pm on December 6th, 2008 20
@ Barbara Swafford – Blogging Without A Blog:
Thanks Barbara – I love being in the moment with this sort of thing – it makes it fun for me and hopefully the reader.
Thanks for the question – I’ll add that to the list of questions the next time I interview myself. These are very important and good questions to ask – I appreciate you thinking of them.
8:03 am on December 10th, 2008 21
Good morning Stephen,
I too appreciate the value of eating better. Although, i am not on a raw food diet or any diet for that matter, but eating healthy requires a tremednous mindset and discipline. Like you said, i will quit smoking and drinking coffee on a specific date, will not work for some. Changing the mindset is the first step on this journey of improving the life styles on the road to good health.
As a culinarian, it’s noted that the trends are shifting, more people are aware of the benefits, after generations of observing poor eaters, and a surge in rising health care costs. The true difference is taking control of your life… and it starts at HOME!(The temple of your body, per se)
I met this wonderful woman a few years ago at the Paul Smiths College Symposium, by the name of Linda Long, she is an author of an awesome cook book aptly titled “Great Chefs Cook Vegan”, please check out this website.
This will demonstrate the need for proficient chefs to provide interested people who are a specific lifestyle eating habit. They will not be suffering alone in silence any longer. I encourage you and other interested people to check it out.
Keep it up Stephen and congratulations on reaching your milestones…
8:04 am on December 10th, 2008 22
OOPS, please forgive me all,
i neglected to attach the website.
here it is:
http://www.lindalong.com/
8:14 am on December 10th, 2008 23
@ Stuart Slutzky:
My good friend! How are you? It’s been years since I’ve seen you. I’m thrilled that you and I are still in touch with you reading my blog.
Hey, you forgot to answer the 2nd question – did you figure out what my other passion is? There’s a surprise prize (haha, I love how that sort of rhymed!) to the first commentator who figures it out.
Thanks for the awesome comments – I appreciate your brotherly support. I can’t believe we met almost 20 years ago and are still in touch. I love you brother!! I have to make a point of getting reunited with you and meet your growing family.
In 2009?
8:38 am on December 10th, 2008 24
@ Stuart Slutzky:
Excuse me for the confusion Stuart but I had asked in my response to you if you had “guessed what my other passion was.” As soon as I posted that, I realized you had not seen the next “self interview” I conducted where I asked my readers that question.
If you go to my next “self interview” here you’ll understand what I was asking: http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2008/12/09/stephen-hopson-interview-withyou-guessed-it/