Dear Mado,

I do not want to give any food advice, because I have moved away from many labels recently, but it is important not to place guilt on yourself.  You will find your way to feeling good, and sometimes it takes listening to our bodies which will reach for nutrients that they need in whatever form they can find them, and sometimes it takes forging a path with our minds and following it.  But nourishment comes in many forms and it is important to feel gently with our bodies and their cravings. 

Fears are always worse when they are in your mind than when they are being lived in actuality.  You are so strong!  You'll be able to face any situation you find yourself in!   

love,
 
Sunmaiden

Hi Yuliya,

Hope you're enjoying yoga time and great sweet fruit!  Sending you all the best,
love,
 
Sunmaiden

Hi Gurth,

Just saying hello and enjoying your journal!  Change is sweet and its nice to hear that your fruit has been 'joy-able' !
Wishing you long lasting and best tasting goodness!
 
Sunmaiden

Hi Jenny,

Just stopping in to say hi and send good wishes!  You sound so vibrant and happy, and its nice to see your pictures and hear about your exciting garden! 

Best Wishes,
 
Sunmaiden

Thanks for sharing this Esmee, its a beautiful read!
blessings,
 
Sunmaiden

Hi Jeff,
Interesting topic.  I hadn't considered the aspect of fathers being more present in a peaceful society.  Certainly children do best with at least one doting/attentive care giver, be it mother, grandmother, father, etc.  There are many single moms in my area, but they almost always live with family, who pitch in to help with child care, often a grandmother or cousin, while single mom works or goes to school.  The slightly richer ones all have nannies, even in two parent or family homes and even if the mother doesn't work, so there will always be one full set of eyes on the child(ren)... at least in theory.  (Biological parents seem to be the most attentive and hired help never looks that enthusiastic -to me).

I think the beauty of two parents is the balance it provides between the sexes, sort of yin/yang.  It doesn't have to be lacking with a well balanced single parent (like Esmee shared ) but it often is.  I know a single father who raised his daughter from babyhood to adulthood, and he felt there were certain things he just couldn't relate to, issues he didn't understand and support he couldn't give.  Similarly my best friend was raised by a single mom and was one of three sisters.  They were all very close, but there was a lot of mystery about males, social discomfort and later an inability to judge what was ideal in a future mate.... but the love is really what matters and special individuals can do a great job raising their children.

Esmee, thanks for sharing your story!  Your mom sounds like a beautiful person, very brave and strong to raise a child on her own, and she did a super job!  I think that independence that you got, being a latch key kid, was beneficial - giving you confidence and freedom.  There's more fear these days around children taking care of themselves, going to the corner store to make a purchase, riding public transportation... and I think that fear can be limiting and harmful.  My parents both had full time jobs during my pre-teen and teen years and I loved having the time to myself after school, before they came home

Best Wishes,
 
Sunmaiden

Hi Everyone,

I've watched my journey ebb and flow over my time here, with small changes and radical shifts, experiments and periods of pure fruit eating bliss.  I can't say that I've come to definite conclusions about what is best on a raw fruit diet or even what is best for me, but I have enjoyed the journey.  I have been moving further and further from a pure fruit diet and felt it appropriate to note that here, to give some closure. 

I have found it very hard to make a change from a pure fruit diet to a diet with wider variety, but have found the results satisfactory enough to continue with.  I have noticed many improvements and also noticed some regrets.  I still hold strongly to the beauty and simplicity of fruitarian diet.  It could be that I make another future return to fruity eating, but at the moment, finding the "middle" way is bringing some good changes into my life!

I'll still pop in now and then, but want to offer my appreciation for everyone here!  I admire you all and have enjoyed interacting, learning and sharing in your journey's.  You've all become good friends of mine and I feel very honored to be a part of things here.

Love and Best Wishes,
 

P.S.  Another new beginning: A pineapple coming to fruit in my garden!
Sunmaiden

Hi Yuliya,

I used to get stomach aches from corn as a child and haven't really enjoyed it since, though I've had a few pieces of very fresh corn over the years.  Its important to feel comfortable and well nourished in the cool weather, so I certainly understand its attraction!

So glad to hear about your successes with the kefir, here!   It is amazing how much it can change.  Are your kefir grains, water grains?  I just heard that the water grains may be available here, if I search a little.  I read that water kefir originated either in Mexico or Tibet (researchers aren't sure) but its been in Mexico, and traveled through central america/S. America and is traditional in a number of juice drinks.  So interesting that many cultures use it.  I noticed good results with my culture, but found it tricky too, to determine how long to leave it.  One of my coconut meat "yogurts" bubbled out of its bowl when I left it overnight!

Thanks for all the insights!
Best Wishes,
 
Sunmaiden