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Before long, I was lured to David Wolfe's mercurial raw food program of high-fat diet, highly touted supplements and superfoods. After all, it was a bit dissuading for a man to stay in the kitchen much of the day juicing carrots and celery when there are so many other things to keep up with in the house. I have purchased many of David's online products which I have now come to realize were useless or unnecessary and expensive.
Meanwhile, I was motivated to give my first lecture to a budding deaf health support group in the Metro Washington area in early 2002 and I have ever since been very much involved in keeping them informed about raw vegan movement. Realizing last year that newcomers would need a beginner's kit with needed information to start on their journey, I had to review all information put out by leading raw foodists before I can pass on their literature to those beginners. But then after a long review, I realized in the late winter that Dr. Doug Graham's low-fat, high-fruit raw vegan regimen (811rv in short) is the only way to go. Now I am pushing 811rv in all my messages that are shared with other interested folks.
And I have been following 811rv very closely ever since. Fruits all day. Greens with tomatoes and celery for my supper salads most of the evenings. Orange juice in half a gallon (or just watermelon whenever available) for my breakfast, 8-9 bananas blended with celery (or just mangos whenever available) for lunch and again bananas or OJ for the mid-afternoon or early evening. Some fruits for a night snack if needed. Oh, I love those simple no-frills meals. No supplements or superfoods!
Ever since I began following 811rv in earnest in March this year, I have been picking up more stamina for my running than ever in my late adulthood. In the past I would have to wait until afternoon before I can walk or run because of my bothersome feet (slightly arthritic??) - I never like to go to a doctor for anything. It helps that I am now free to run in the mid-morning (though my right foot can be a bit numb if I am not too careful about my walking or running pose). That's quite encouraging to me. Apparently it is because I have discontinued my daily consumption of avocados and flaxseed seeds and thus clearing excess fats from the blood and allowing more oxygen to reach the cells.
I have been following one principle of Hallelujah Lifestyle which is to keep up physically on a daily basis by walking and light jogging. When I first heard of Northern Virginia Senior Olympics last year offering the opportunity for participation and achievement to senior residents, I was tempted to test myself and competed in short distance events. I got nowhere in the first event of 50 meter dash -- I got a slight muscle pull in my right thigh and had to drop out of the next two events.
For this year's NVSO competition I switched back to my old school forte which was in long distance events. I have been very fond of my school days competition running as a miler and earning a few first-place medals. Unfortunately, no mile run event is offered at the Senior Olympics. 880 yard run (now 800 meter) was my next favorite at school. To my great surprise I was placed in two events in my age 65-69 bracket: second place in 800 meter run and third place in 800 meter walk (no place in 1500 meter walk). Like I said, it was hard to believe I finally got my medals in 48 years since my high school days! (my graduation was in 1957) And I am working on a training strategy for the next year's NVSO competition. I might need to consult Dr. Doug soon for better training.
I do indeed attribute my recent achievement to the 811rv -- thanks to Dr. Doug and those leaders for disseminating such valuable information on his discussion board covering as much nuances of the 811rv as possible within the given space and time. And I also want thank Jeff and Sabrina for having the wisdom and imagination in getting the VegSource running and allowing everyone anywhere in the world to read and share messages related to diets and lifestyles whichever they prefer.
Obviously, I have selected mine. My search is essentially over. It is now all about knowing more details on 811rv and sharing the messages with other folks.
Dean Keefe lives in Burke, Virginia.
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