Know Any Literary Animal Lovers?
Hi there PureJeevan readers! We wanted to let you know that Jim's new novel CHROO is available on Amazon. It's a crazy adventure involving a billionaire heiress, her Chihuahua BFF ("Chroo") and a host of human and animal characters. Find out more on Amazon! Here are some links:
I have a need for hot food in winter to feel warm.
We hear this comment a lot from those trying to lose weight. Some joke that they thought their excess body fat would be keeping them warm, but they're still feeling cold and needing hot food in the winter months.
In the past, we've talked about reasons what's going on in the body when hot foods are consumed. Understanding this will help you realize that hot foods are actually not very good for our bodies. When we consume very hot foods, that heat is then inside our bodies, next to vital organs, while the body needs to maintain a temperature around 98.6 degrees. When we have temperatures higher than that right next to our vital organs, it must quickly work to remove that excess heat. It's the removal of this excess heat that causes us to feel warm. It's our bodies trying to stay in a healthy state. We are actually putting our bodies under stress when we do this (the same holds true for eating overly cold foods, like frozen desserts and icy drinks).
Jim here... Today is April 25, 2009 -- Wendi Dee's Birthday!!? She's asleep now. It's 1:30 in the morning & I've been up for hours assembling something stunningly amazing to share with you. You see, this year, I asked some friends, family, and foodies to take a page of a sketchbook and offer Wendi some Happy Birthday wishes -- and then send it back to me so I could bind it all into a large book!? WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! Check out the response from 40+ people from around the globe. It's a little overwhelming to see this much positive energy in one place. What a momentous day she's in for in another 5 hours or so when she gets up and is greeted by such a surprise! If you'd like to say Happy Birthday, just leave a comment here! Thanks to everyone!
Clarifications: (1) Yes, as some of you may have guessed, Wendi's body has circled the sun more than 25 times. If you visit the site, I explain what the "25th" birthday means a little more. It's basically about the amazing power of raw foods. (2) No, I didn't send messages to David Wolfe, Gabriel Cousens, Woody Harrelson, or other raw food celebrities Wendi isn't friends with. However, if they are huge fans of Wendi's, they are more than welcome to contribute via email or comments! LOL ;-)
Original Comments
Below, we have included the original comments from this blog post. Additional comments may be made via Facebook, below.
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy 25th Birthday Gypsy!!!
I so wish to be there with you celebrating this amazing day, but as I can't, I send you lotsof e-love.
*hugs tightly*
I LOVE YOU!!!
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Happy Birthday Wendi.............wishing you al the happiness your heart can hold, on this special day of birth and always...........you inspire so many!!!!!
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday Wendi!
I had posed this question in another post on this site, can't remember where now!
But I will post it here too
On my birthday I like to look back to last year's birthday to see what about me has changed!
What about you Wendi? What has changed about you
Hope there are lots of ovely surprises in store for your big day!
Sheryl Miller
Austrlaia
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
wishing much peace, love and joy to you on this special day... Happy Birthday, Wendi!
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Happy Birthday, Miss Wendi Dee! I hope your day is a joyous as ever. ;)
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Very, very Happiest of Birthdays, Dearest Wendi. You give so much of your essence and touch many souls. I wish you a day that is beyond beautiful and filled with joy and blessings as you embark on another wonderful adventure around the sun. And love LOVE love abound...always. xo
Blaq Berry
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday lovely lady!!! I'm sure you'll be glowing all day! :)
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Seesmic video reply from Disqus.
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
That is the best present ever!
And Wendi, if you did not know it before, I think you now are sure....
You Are Loved!!!!!!!!!
Happy 25, can't wait for your 24th next year!!!
love love love deb
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday Wendi. Thank you for being such a light in the world.
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday Wendi!
What a beautiful book!!! I am so happy to be part of it, and thanks Jim for posting the whole thing! It is just beautiful.
We love you!
~ Melissa
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Hey Girl! Happy, happy day to you and thank you Jim for inviting Bo and I to be a part of this special day!
Revvell
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Hey Girl! Happy, happy day to you and thank you Jim for inviting Bo and I to be a part of this special day!
Revvell
(Did this twice since I had to figure out the system)
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday Wendi GIRL!!!
Have lots of fun in this, your 25th year. Blessing and love all around. Kisses riding on the wind for you.
Much love!
P. Lis
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Have a wonderful amazing Day of Incarnation, the sweetness of your eternal spirit always shows!
XOXO!!!
Jill
p.s. thank you to Jim for being such an awesome partner :)
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
I'm glad to know Wendi's birthday was as special as she and her family are. And I love the phrase "Wendi s body has circled the sun more than 25 times." I'm gonna try to remember that one for birthdays!!
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Not even having met you, Wendi, I can always feel your love for others online. Thank you so much for all you do for others. You are a true jewel in this world!!
Much love and birthday hugs,
Jenny
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
May this be the beginning of the happiest birthdays of your life.
love joy and peace
fatima
On April 25, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday, Wendi!!
Best wishes!!!
Keep shining!!!
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday, Wendi! Thanks for all the gifts you've given us!! XOXOXOX
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Hi Wendi ~ I'm sending HUGE birthday wishes all the way from Washington State! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Debbie *�*
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Wendi have a blessed day as you have so blessed others.Because you have sown so
much enjoy the returns! Have many more circles around the sun, Love Diane
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
let your light shine and radiate in every nook and corner of our beloved planet and beyond, and let me whisper happy birthday in your ears,thank you for being here
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Happy Happy Birthday Wendi!!!!
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Happy, happy, happy birthday Wendi Dee!
hugs from Florida where the coconut grows :)
love
sheila
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
One happy birthday is never enough, here is another one :) <3
I will add to the notebook! I was afraid to sign the real thing, in case it got lost in transit after sending it back :(( I would have felt so awful. I hope you're having an amazing week!
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Wendi,
So Happy Birthday.I had no idea it was your birthday.I was gone for a few days off computer.BUSY! And still wanted to wish you a Happy belated Birthday! Bye Dianne (DianneRawGirl)
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Happy Birthday beautiful Wendi!!
You are such a light in this world....I hope your day was filled with light and joy and wonder!
Hugs, Tina
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Ulol, my love!!! *blows kisses*
This birthday was THE BEST EVER! Even though you weren't physically here with me, it was extra special because I had your special contribution to my birthday book! It made me cry so much to see your page in the book. It was VERY special to me!
I miss you so very much! Thanks for stopping by the blog and leaving a comment, but most of all for always sharing your love and friendship with me.
I love you, too!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thank you so very much, Mary!! It was THE BEST birthday EVER!!
I'm so happy that I can inspire others--all of you have given me so much love in return and that has meant the world to me!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, Sheryl!
I responded to your original question a few minutes ago on the other blog post. :-)
Thanks, again!!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Carlos!! Thanks for being a special part of my birthday gift, and for saying Happy Birthday to me on your blog, too!
I love you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, WendiLou!!! It was The BEST birthday EVER!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Blaq Berry!!! You are always so loving to me. *hugs* Thanks for your sweet comment. :-) Thanks for being such a special part of my birthday gift!
I love you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
I've been glowing all weekend, Rawbin!! It was THE BEST birthday EVER!! It lasted all weekend and continues through today as I read and respond to all of the love-filled comments that have been shared with me. :-)
I love you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
My first video reply on the blog!!! I LOVE IT! I LOVE YOU!!
*blows kisses*
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
It really IS the BEST PRESENT EVER!!! Jim says he's screwed for next year--no way to top this one! ;-)
I think you know me so very well. Yes, I didn't truly realize how much everyone does love and care for me. After this, how can I ever doubt? I am blissfully blessed.
Thank you so very much for being a part of my special gift, Debbie!
I love you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Elizabeth!
Thanks so much! I had THE BEST birthday EVER!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Melissa! Thanks for making my birthday celebration continue through Sunday, also! You are such a dear friend to me.
I love you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thank you, Revvell and Bo!! I LOVE that you were both a part of my gift! It has been THE BEST birthday EVER! It's one I'll NEVER forget!
I love you both!
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, P. Lis!! Thanks for being a part of my gift, also. Jim said he was impressed with your artwork--he hasn't seen your paintings, yet, I told him! You are truly gifted!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Jill! Thanks for such a sweet comment. It was THE BEST birthday EVER! I can't even imagine a better one in another incarnation! :-)
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Oh, it WAS!! It was so very special Allison!! Thanks for being a part of my gift!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Jenny! You are very welcome--I love helping others.
I hope to one day meet you in person--maybe while we are on our cross-country tour!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Fatima! This was definitely the happiest and BEST birthday, ever!! Thanks so much!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, R_Eli! I had a fabulous birthday!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, Jacki!
You are very welcome for all of the gifts! I love giving to others!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
More birthday wishes from Debbie! Thanks so much!!
*blows kisses*
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Diane! It was surely a blessed day for me!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Anasha! Thanks so much for your beautiful birthday wish!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, Vebanmimi! I had a wonderful day!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Sheila! Thanks so much! I had the BEST birthday EVER!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks for all of the birthday wishes, Joanna!
Yes, please add to the special notebook. I welcome a page from anyone who wants to contribute. It is such a special gift to me; it's one that I will always cherish!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, Dianne! It was a fantastic birthday!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much, Tina, for your sweet comment!
Yes, my day was absolutely filled with light and joy and wonder!! It was THE BEST birthday EVER!!
Lots of love to you,
Wendi
XOXOXO
On April 27, 2009, wrote:
The pleasure was all mine, I hope you pass that Birthday love down to all the future generations.. are you listening Kat ??
love you too!
Deb xoxoxo
PS Sam had fun with her drawing too, lest you think I drew that!!!!!hee hee
On April 29, 2009, wrote:
You're very welcome. It was our pleasure and what a GREAT idea Jim had!
Sharing is lovely, don't you think? When I decided I was going to "go raw" and not consume cooked foods anymore, it was a huge life-changing decision. Even though there was no one standing next to me, telling me what to do and not do as I was changing my eating habits, I was still supported in my efforts. My support system was made up of copious amounts of experience and advice that was openly shared by experienced raw foodists. Even though many times I felt like I was alone, the path I was walking was etched with loving words left by caring people who wanted to encourage others who were yet to come down the same raw food path.
So it's time to continue that discussion on the aforementioned fringe one percent -- those people who will not accept your conscious intention to pursue your own health via this path. Please keep in mind during this discussion that we're only discussing just that one percent, not people in general. So, this is, I hope, relatively rare.
To begin, I'd like to stress a few points:
Yesterday, I posted a question on Facebook and was met with some wonderful responses. The question was essentially, "If you're a trying to run a health-conscious household, and if you truly believe that most sugary candy is actually damaging to people's health, then what should you give away to all of the little trick-or-treaters who visit on Halloween night "
I got some great responses! Raisins, fruit leathers, glow sticks, etc. Thanks to those responses, I went out and bought about 60 glow-stick bracelets (the kind that you snap and then they glow brightly for 6 horus or so). I think the kids will think these are neat, and will all want to wear them. I also picked up a bunch of small juice boxes with 100% juice in them. (They're pasteurized, of course, but at least it's not sugary junk.) So, between all of that, I think I'll make it through the night without getting egged.
When you get into raw foods, one thing you're probably going to notice from time to time is that others are "concerned" about your health. This is hugely ironic -- not only because it's likely your own concern about your own health that brought you to raw in the first place, but because you most likely hold the conviction that the raw food diet (or some close variant of it) represents the most healthy dietary regimen available for humans.
Nevertheless, you'll receive a lot of concern. You'll receive it even when you have that "raw glow" and are looking and feeling better than you have in years! The main concerns:
Continuing with our Taco Week, here's a quick and easy (and delicious) salsa recipe. You can really have a lot of fun with salsa, and can get highly experimental if you like. Almost anything tastes great in salsa. This one is fairly basic, so feel free to spruce it up with some of your favorite ingredients. Let us know in the comments section some of your favorite variations so you may inspire others!
Jim here... We're at an interesting juncture here at Pure Jeevan. For the moment, we're still living a little more "in the box" than we plan to in the near future. One example of this is my personal excitement about Fridays. Oh, I suppose Fridays will always seem special to me somehow. But after years of the corporate routine, Friday remains the most welcome weekday.
Friday signifies the end of the five-day stretch during which most people do whatever they happen to do to pay the bills, to keep (raw!) food on the table, and a roof over their heads. While I know of and admire many people for whom the work week is generally meaningful and rewarding, I suspect that the majority of people go through it simply for the money. Sure, many "like" their job (or, perhaps more aptly, "don't hate it"), but I have met too few who absolutely love their jobs. (Come to think of it, I've met quite a number who actually do hate their work!)
Read more: TGIF!, and a Recap of Major Pure Jeevan Activities
Look at the dinner we had this evening!!!
A bean and rice burrito, taco with all the toppings, tomato and pepper salad, and sweet orange salsa! Yum, yum, yum!!! I'll be posting the pic again and sharing a recipe on Monday.
Driving to work today, we noticed that McDonald's has launched its latest product aimed at the health-conscious demographic. In case you haven't heard, you can now purchase fruit smoothies at Mickey D's! Sounds like real progress, right? Well, let's take a closer look and see if they're really as healthy as they sound.
McDonald's is not exactly known as a healthfood destination. After all, a typical lunch at the Golden Arches these days might well include something like an Angus Bacon & Cheese, Large Fries, and a Large Coke. ?Together, that's 1,600 calories, 64 grams of fat, and 2,400 mg of sodium, 99% of which is from highly cooked, highly processed, non-organic, factory-farmed, nutrition-barren source materials . (Add on another 75 calories and 550 more mg of sodium if you plan to go through, say, five packets of ketchup along with those fries.) (Source) And, some people eat that daily!
Read more: The Anatomy of a McSmoothie & Pure Jeevan Calls for New Term for "Smoothie"
We've got three incredible posts coming your way this week, and we're going to get started right here and NOW with a one-hour interview with the incredible Kevin Gianni. As most of you know, we postponed our RV Tour recently.As part of that, we'd planned to stage a fun event related to the All Raw Directory.We'd planned to air this interview with Kevin (conducted back in December 2008) for that event.
Fast-forward to today and we realize that, like our raw RV Tour, our All Raw Directory promotion will have to wait. It's funny how things trickle down like that. But, all is not lost. This is still an incredible interview -- and guess what ! It's only part one of a two-part interview, as well as a special super-fun surprise we'll be announcing on Friday. We promise: No one in the raw food community will want to miss Friday's post. All we'll say now is that it's a truly unique, limited opportunity unlike anything you've seen here before! Trust us: You couldn't possibly guess what it is!
Read more: Part 1 of a 3-Part Series Profiling the Multi-Talented Kevin Gianni!