Karuna Detox can be a Life Detox!
Read about 'turning point' experiences, leading to enhanced relationship with food, work, life and self.
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Hi Sho!!!!
Sorry for taking so long to reply, how are you?!
All is really good with me, your detox changed so much for me and I wanted to say thank you thank you thank you!
For a start I am looking in to NVC and have decided that I want to learn and teach it. Such a useful thing in my current role one of my trainers use it and she has invited me to shadow her on a future course!
Seth and me are kind of back together, I've just returned from Israel and he's coming here in a couple of weeks then I think i'm going to spend the summer out there! I keep meaning to call Ann to say thank you.
So in short that detox was the best ever, far better than samui as your environment is so supportive, I've lost over a stone and am nearly back to my normal weight, was also raw fooding for the past two months although I'm back to eating slightly cooked food now but am definately more aware of nutrition.
Thank you and all the team again, I have recommended you to my friends and I will definately be back.
Lots of love,
Yael xx
Hi Sho,
Just wanted to thank for you for a fantastic week. When i look back in such a short amount of time I have made so many changes, not only with my diet but emotionally as well. I feel like a different person. It's hard to explain - I feel so light and calm as if I am at peace with myself.
I expected just to detox and received the wonderful gift of also changing my life!!!
Just three weeks ago i was hardly sleeping, tired all the time, moody and irritable - now i have so much energy, positive, focused and sleeping very well.
I didn't get a chance to say thanks to Heather, Tim, and Anna for their wonderful support, making the juices and also making the break-fast dinner.
Heather also checked up on me a few times when i wasn't feeling very well which was very much appreciated.
And 'The Journey' with Anna was fantastic - she was very supportive, 'Double Detox' with Tim made me feel great - so a big thank you to the three for all their support.
I enjoyed your meditation and NVC sessions in the morning - which i am using in my daily life.
Thanks again for a wonderful week and a fantastic journey!
Love,
Linda xx
Love and thanks again for the best job in the world and for transforming my life - everything really wonderful that has happened inside of me has happened because of working with you - deep gratitude!
Love,
Anna xx
Dear Sho,
I felt so pleased to have done some yoga and and the odd country walk as well as lost a stone on your retreat . As I got caught in a ghastly rain storm and a flood on my way to Bath on the day I left Ham farm, it was a rude awakening to life outside the Karuna bubble of calm and quiet.
I am still experimenting with the ratio between the raw and cooked foods - I will persevere with this, inspired by your nutritutional talks.
You gave me the New Year boost I needed to redirect my life towards Health. I will be returning to your retreat.
I felt very looked after by you all, and your enthusiasm for your way of life was enchanting. Please thank Tim, Anna and Heather for their good energy and support too..
best wishes to them and you of course...
Namaste,
Tracy
Hello Shoshana,
Thank you very much for the e-mail. I think you covert most of your "disciples"! :-))))
Your wishings with love and light reached me and the timing couldn't be better.
The detox was the start to an incredible journey to myself during the last two month. And now: I think that I have never felt better. Life is so unpredictable!!!!!
Christmas in Germany was quite a challenge with all this heavy bavarian food. What can I say: "I failed!" :-))))))) But with awareness and consciousness!
Back in England my eating habits changed a lot without any effort and I loooooove the Smug Smoothie for breakfast. (I am even not having Hamburgers anymore (twice in 2 1/2 month for testing) and it didn't feel good at all, even the taste is by far not as good as I always thought. Thats a miracle!
You gave me wounderfull new inputs with your knowledge about nutrition but further more yourself with your open and warm personality.To understand and to feel: to be a "Human Being", not a "human doing" or "human knowing", frees and release so much energy, it is almost breathtaking sometimes.
Thank you so much for that.
All the best "with love and light"
Bodo
Hello Sho,
I must firstly thank you for hosting such a perfect experience.I have had a life changing 2 week after the detox I have been about 95% raw and love the way I feel.
Love,
Ian
Hi Sho,
Since my retreat I have stopped drinking alcohol completely! The retreat has totally changed my life and I can honestly say I have never felt better. I have managed to stay at my post retreat weight, and feeling amazing every morning and full of energy is more appealing than waking up with a hangover! Its really odd, I just don't want to drink any alcohol at all. If you had told me 6 months ago that by xmas I would no longer drink or smoke (gave up 2 weeks before retreat) and would drop to a size 10/12 I would never, ever have believed it.
There seems to be so many more hours in the day as I wake up earlier especially at the weekends and have time now around my hectic work life to enjoy my hobbies again. My spare bedroom has become my yoga room and I paint and sew in there too when I can, something that didn't happen 'before detox'.
At work we are doing our annual 'registration' so I am seeing hundreds of people I haven't seen since this time last year. Everyday people are saying to me, wow, you look amazing and, wow you have lost loads of weight - it fills me with confidence and my new found healthy living has really made me look and feel 10 years younger.
My eyes, skin, hair, everything looks great :)
My friends have all accepted my new way of life and I think I am actually quite an inspiration to many of them which i'm really proud of. I will definately be seeing you again next year.... just working out when I can come.
I cant wait to do it again! See you soon.
Thanks again
Laura - June/July retreat 2007
Hi Sho,
Hope you and your family are well, i am fine thank you. I had to have a wisdom tooth out three days after i got home from the retreat, this was followed by an infection which took a couple of weeks to completly clear.
Now that i am clear, i do feel great, i am eating well and taking regular exercise, and i'm a couple of pounds lighter than when i left the retreat.
Thank you all so much for making the retreat both enjoyable and informative, i am using some of what i've learnt by changing my eating habits, eating lots more fresh fruit and veg, i have also made smug smoothies.
I would very much like to see you all again sometime in the future.
Thanks again
Paul
You provided me with a jumpstart back into a more meaningful lifestyle. I was looking for a way out of depression of four years and help to address my obesity and what led me to a negative state. You have given me this and a positive connection with my body and self.
I was treated with care and dignity and with an easy inspiring elegance that encouraged me to trust the process and get confidence to 'let go' to new ways of thinking and feeling
Sho, Heather, Tim, Anna, Ali - A beautiful team of specialists. Responsive, kind and fun, not patronising and clearly deeply knowledgable and expereinced with great integrity and genuine care for wellbeing. This is SPECIAL, I think.
I rate the retreat 10/10 - there was depth and breadth, order, structure & flexibility. I appreciated the excellent facilities, beautiful environment, supportive context and good quality and quantity of resources.The best out of the three I've been on. I can't imagine a better one really. It is hard to improve on perfection!
Coming here was one of the best decisions I have ever made & money well spent.
Thank You! Love,
Catherine
Hi Sho!
I would like to tell you about my definite change physically since I left Karuna Retreat.
I don't need to eat as much as I previously did. It gave me space to realise all the rubbish I put in my body. I can safely say that six weeks on, I am having daily bowel movements, often several a day, and this is something I have never experienced so thank you for that! I no longer crave sweet stuff, and can even look a chocolate caramel square in the face in and put it back in the cupboard - amazing!
I am more relaxed about food, not in the grips of food cravings any more and really eat a lot slower than I used to... and I haven't put any weight that I lost back on. I feel so much better within myself.
I feel so much better and it is such a relief to have spent the time at Karuna. I am aiming to come back to Karuna I definitely want to do a detox more like this. My sister is even more enthused about it having seen me since the detox so she is planning on booking with you in the Spring!
So thanks for everything!
Ali
I felt I received individual care for my particular circumstances and I am now refocussing on living 100% to take care of this body and feeling I am able to do this easily. The session with Sho could prove to be life changing for me! I created a new skin, a new home... I am full of gratitude for this new beginning.
I felt discouraged and tired when I arrived and the unique blend of care provided by the Karuna Detox team really facilitated me in starting to dance along my path again. I felt it was designed just for me! Awesome!
I have been on many detox retreats over the years and this is the most loving, supportive, well balanced and enjoyable! I will reccomend it to everyone, BEST EVER! I am booking for the next year now!
All sessions were very informative and enjoyable, Sho is a great communicator and altough I already work in the field I intend to use Non-violent communication personally and expect it to influence my professional work too!
Support was excellent in quality and attention to detail. The dinner at the end was beautifully presented and delicious. Mmmm! The organisation was amazing, it all flowed.
Congratulations and thank you to you all. You have created a dream, a seamlessly nurturing experience.
Love to you all,
Kishori
Hi Sho (and everyone else),
I would like to let you know how I'm doing.
My skin is still in perfect condition; something I've never experienced since I was a little girl! It isn't actually as big a transformation as I imagined, and I certainly didn't become a different person, but what a relief it is, not to have to constantly stop myself from scratching and put sticky cream on my arms and neck!
I am being careful with my diet, about 70% of which is raw and organic at the moment, and also being very aware of introducing anything new. The only 'mistake' I made so far is when I went to see friends and ordered a 'veg.pot' which turned out to be mainly potatoes and beans. I ate them anyway because I was so hungry; the worst way to introduce a new level on the mucous scale!
After that, I've come back to my mainly-fruit-and-veg. diet, although my big salads have become 'small' salads now, because my jaws ache from chewing so much roughage!
The 'smug-smoothie' is too filling for me, so I started putting just the powders and not the seeds. Hope this is still fine.?
Love to you all,
Jee Soo
Hi,
Thank you so much for such a great week. I have learnt so much, and the great thing is that it is stuff that I can apply now, immediately and therefore it has allready become part of my life. Rather than book learning that I always think 'I will do that when I have time'. It was such a geat opportunity for change. Thank you.
Love,
Debbie - London
Hi Sho,
I forgot to tell you I lost 5 kilos during the retreat which was good.I notice a difference already with what my body is telling me.
Looking from the outside I think you made the retreat such a success with your wonderful personality and by setting an atmostphere of love and acceptance and by sharing stories from your life.You probably cant see it,but you are what made the whole thing work and what made the group blend well together.
I fly back to RIO on Tuesday,I am going to keep in touch with you. Good Luck with all,
In Gods Love,
Phillip - Brazil - January 07
Good evening Sho,
I went to the GP this evening and had my blood pressure checked and to my surprise it was 136/80 which is just amazing. I was so happy I didn't know what to do with my self . You see I have been taking water tablets for about 1 year and half and stopped taking them the very first day I started the retreat and haven't taken any more since. I am so happy about my blood pressure because this has been concerning me for so long.
I know now that I must remain stress free and try and keep my weight down. To be honest with you since returning to my normal every day life I have not stressed about anything so far and I just hope it stays this way.
Bye for now
Marva - September 06
Hello Sho,
The reason I am writing you is to inform you now I am getting since leaving. I made my smoothie every morning last week, which I enjoyed every much.
In the mornings this week I had my smoothie. Lunch time I only had an apple and banana and in the evening I make a nice green salad with some salmon and sometimes I have the salad on its own. The problem I am having now is that I am getting tired of eating the same salad all week and was wondering if you have any ideas with regards to things to eat since I wanted to stay raw as much as possible. I also would like to lose some more weight.
Tony is doing really good also and is determind not to go back eating unnecessary foods. He lost 13lbs after the retreat and and a further 4 lbs this week. Both of us feel so clear mentally and realised that this detox not only cleared out out bodies of all the rubbish but our minds also. I feel so calm and can't really understanding it.[sic]
Sho, I can't thank you and Mark enough for the information you have given me and Tony.
THANK U BOTH SO MUCH.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards
Marva Chooyin - September 2006
Hi Sho & Dao,
Would like to say thank you both for the week spent with you in May. It wasn't easy, but so worth every minute I felt so good! Enjoyed all that I paricipated in - yoga, meditation & Non-violent Communication. Learnt so much about what we should and shouldn't be putting into our bodies and am trying to eat healthily, I will definately be returning!
Karen - London - August 06
Life back in London is good, busy of course but, thanks to Karuna retreats, much more manageable and positive! Andrew is just thriving from his experience in Devon and has taken on board so much of what he learnt. I have renewed passion in making many raw dishes and am enjoying it all immensely.
Thanks very much,
Philippa - London - August 06
Hi guys,
I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am that I first came across your program. My week with you in March was totally life-changing - and I only booked in the first place because I wanted to lose some weight, I wasn't looking for anything else! I am now vegan, pretty much 100% raw, am loving the food and how I feel, and my next step is to give up wine for good too (1 1/2 weeks so far!). I have also signed up for an Alissa Cohen certification course later on in the year when she visits the UK.
Even my parents have taken notice and are trying to incorporate as much raw as possible into their diets. No luck with my husband as yet, that will be more of a challenge...
So thanks again from the bottom of my heart.
Catherine - London - August 06
Hey sho,
We r still on the wagon and feeling great. although we do have a few roast veg grilled mushrooms odd bit of fish,but it has change our life 4 sure.
We r trying not to bore everyone with our new regime don't want to become a BORN AGAIN VEGGIE!
We r continuing to loose weight, how skinny r we going to get? If only my legs were longer Graham would have had some great new jeans! getting drunk has been fun and so quick.... makes 4 a cheap night out. and best of all no hang overs.
Also no headaches or migraines yip pee.
Hope your both keeping well we recommend you 2 everyone. the dehydrator is great and have made some fab cakes even some that will rock your world!!! but all organic!
If your ever in london check out Fresh n Wild great new totally organic shops which sell it all and has a great buffet.
Take Care keep up the good work.
G n G - London - August 06
Hello Sho,
The detox retreat was excellent and i thank you all for putting so much of yourselves into the retreat and all that went with it. The formula you have developed for such a week is extremely good and the balance of activities was perfect for me.
Thank you for the fruit bag - it came in very useful and I didn't feel hungry all day so there were some fruits left at the end of the day.
Many thanks once again... I feel very privileged to have done a retreat with you both!
Love,
Barbara - Yorkshire - June 06
Dear Sho and Dao,
I am trying to eat healthier, and have found that since the retreat I don't need to eat very much to feel full, which has been great for helping me maintain my weight!
I found the retreat really beneficial for my health, and have a had a lot more energy than I had before and although it was hard, would definitely do it again!
Many thanks for all you help and advice,
Natasha - May 06
Hi guys,
Hope you are all well. Sorry for not being in touch until now but I wanted to come back with some positive news. I know I said before I left that wild horses wouldn't get me back ... However, I've never felt so well.
I have only gained 3lbs of my 11lbs weight loss, my diet has improved and I am definitely eating more fruit and veg than I ever have and enjoying it. I am also exercising more, which has amazed Kevin.
I have to admit that I am still drinking my coffee and wine but in moderation, well that may be a little bit of a fib but not as much as I used to.
The really great thing is my arthritis seems to have gone in my fingers and hip which is bloody marvelous.
Lots of love
Diane - Bedford - April 06
Dearest Sho and Dao,
I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for the retreat - it has done me the world of good! Last week I was still getting back into the swing of the real world, but by the weekend I had more energy than I thought was possible! I felt like a little kid again! I am so happy and my friends and family have all commented on how happy, healthy and alive I look - I know it was my choice to make the changes, but your support, help and advice is proving invaluable and I will be forever grateful!
I am sticking to a mostly raw diet so far and was initially slightly skeptical about how much energy it could give me, but i'm almost flying now which must be a sign that my body really is getting all it needs! plus i've found a local organic box scheme and pick up my 1st box on thursday - i'm really excited to see what it's like!
Thank you soooo much for everything - you are both truly amazing people!
Love,
Helen - Kent - March 06
Hi Dao,
Really pleased to hear that retreats have expanded and using the whole farm now - wow that's brilliant. You both deserve it, your retreat was fantastic!
I'm 3 weeks into spring colon cleanse, not quiet upto last years experience, but the eyes are beginning to sparkle and my hairs growing mental amounts (both of which seem to happen when I cleansing nicely!!). Both me and Kerry have kept a fair amount of raw in our daily diets, although we both slipped over winter time (and of course have had the odd big day off).
We're also both wheatgrass juicing every day and have invetsed in all singing all dancing (well almost) juicer that does huge amounts more than what either of us have worked out yet! Oh and we've been going to yoga every week since April.
So - thanks you guys, your real stars!!!!
Big Love,
Tay and Kerry - Essex - February 06
Dear Shoshana and Dao,
I came to the Karuna Detox Retreat in search of a cure for asthma, within 2 days of not eating I had stopped using daily asthma preventative medicine - Beclomethasone Dipropionate used twice a day since 1999.
The advice given by you on the retreat led to me trying horseradish as a cure on the basis that asthma is caused by eating mucous forming food and horseradish melts said mucous.
Well, I have not had asthma in more than one month as a result of consuming horseradish daily. I had been experiencing asthma symptoms for 12 years.
With great gratitude and blessings, thank you from my heart and my lungs.
Love,
Oliver - London - February 06
Sho....
every morning (including this morning) I wake full of energy and I put it down to the detox.
I've made many changes in my life and the detox was the catalyst.
And one other thing is that having removed all the 'crap' from my life now I don't let any more in; which is a BIG thing for me.
No crap food, negative thoughts, bad men..................my list is endless
Maddie - Ireland - February 06
Hi Sho
I hope you are well. I wanted to write and thank you and Dao for a great week. The NVC intro has left a thirst in me to explore further and i'm doing a weekend here in Manchester in 2 weeks time. I'm enjoying reading the Rosenberg text and attempting to apply it to my relationships in daily life.
I'm doing well in myself; food is the fuel for dance and yoga at the moment! too much raw doesn't work for me and makes me go a yellow/green colour around my mouth! However intend to stay moderate in my consumption of grains, abstinant in sugar/processed junk and not too obsess in the meantime when things aren't perfect in what I eat! I feel good in my body and its moving well to the music.
Thanks to you and Dao for your selfless sharing of your knowledge and wisdom.
Om Shanti
Deb - Manchester - January 06
Hi Shoshana,
Thanks for your e-mail yesterday, my journey home went very smoothly on Friday.
At this very moment I am waiting for my first pot of kombucha to cool down - rather excited to add the culture from Dao's batch before I go to bed.
Yesterday I bought the blender, have done two batches of brazil nut milk with goji berries so far. It was delicious and very filling. I am soaking the hemp seed now, will juice it tomorrow morning. I am also glad to report I am on organic, raw food still, this will become a staple diet from now on.
Thanks once again for everything. I haven't been this whole and calm in many, many years.
Chelsea - Guernsey - January 06
Dear Shoshana & Dao,
Well what a week! I did not think I would make it but I am so PROUD that I did and I feel great. I've had the busiest weekend imaginable but I managed to stay very raw and veg based. I've made the hemp seed drink, huge raw veg salads and nori wraps. I'm loving it.
It was lovely to be told how great I looked, and even better to have a beautifully functioning gut. I have a tendency to lecture people about it all. It is the world according to Dao at the moment!
I want to thank you both so very very much for your guidance, support, teaching and love. You are quite a team and I feel very fortunate to have fallen into your path. And you know what, I love how I feel so much, that I may even come again some day. I never thought I'd be thinking that.
I wish you a peaceful Christmas and Hanuka.
Tiggy xx - December 05
Hi Shoshana,
Just wanted to keep you up to date with the kidney pain. Was in agony throughout the journey and was absolutely convinced it was an infection. I ate a banana and the pear on the way home which is bizarre in itself. I thought I'd gobble the whole bag of fruit and veg in the taxi, but when it came to eating it, its weird that I could only manage two pieces of fruit in 4 hours. Got home, still in agony. Gave up on the Italian exam. Laid down with my bag of veg and kept on nibbling. Was still in pain and 6.30, at 7 I started feeling very lively and I swear 15 minutes later the pain just disappeared. After 3 days of constant pain, it went in about 15 minutes. Looks like it was detox after all, it just took a little longer for my kidneys to realise I was eating again. Perhaps I had a very toxic kidney, I don't know. Perhaps you could ask Dao what could have caused my kidney to be the place of detox, i.e. could I be eating something that kidneys really don't like?
Best Wishes
Debbie - November 05
PS: the kidneys. What did occur to me was that I did used to crave salt. In the last couple of years so much so I have been known not even to eat crisps or salty things but I just put salt in my hand and eat it on its own. I wonder if they kidneys really didn't like it. THe good news is, I made a little salad last night with the tomatoes and celery you gave me. I put salt on some of it and couldn't eat it. I just hated the salty taste. THe salt craving seems to have gone for the moment. It really does affect the taste buds alot.
Hi Dao, Sho and Yamuna
We (lisa and me) are doing really well since our retreat last September. Lisa has now become a master brewer of Kombucha, finding more uses for it all the time! We are more "raw" than ever and loving it. Most of the old habits are gone for good!
We truly feel that we have made the transition and know that the future holds even more goodness!
Thank you for being a huge part of our journey. Everything that you shared with us last year is still affecting our lives in a positive way every day.
All the very best
Damian - September 05
Dear Shoshana and Dao,
I am doing very well since the retreat. I know exactly what I want from life now, and I feel so much better for it.
Also, I am eating about 60% raw fruits and veg, lots of sprouted seeds and nuts and I feel really good. Have not been ill since the retreat, not even a headache or running nose!
My fitness/sport level is really good too. I still need my comfort food (mainly chocolate, ice creams, etc) some evenings, but I know why: I have not dealt with the roots of all my "issues" yet, but I'm gradually getting there.
I wish I had more time to do meditation / spiritual exercises. Anyway, I look back at the retreat with great joy and I want to thank-you again for what you are doing.
Best wishes,
Cecile - Oxford - July 05
Hi Sho (and Dao),
I must tell you that I felt FANTASTIC at the end of the retreat and that feeling has stayed with me, but, I must admit (owing to my own lifestlye rather than anything else) it has diminished somewhat. Nonetheless, a truly brilliant thing to have done and I am still feeling the benefits.
So I tried upping my exercise, cutting added salt from my diet (which I didn't tend to do in any case), reducing my alcohol intake and losing weight. I did all of this successfully, but the BP was still the same. Last week, I went to the GP for what was going to be a critical reading (if it was still high, then I was going to have a label plus a recommendation for anti-hypertensives). Guess what? My readng was normal and they don't understand how that happened. I do. I totally attribute it to the week I spent in Devon.
I know that might sound melodramatic, but all I can do is report what has happened. In the past year I have tried lost of stuff to, amongst other things, bring the BP down, for example, trekking arduously in the Andes and doing a few half marathons as well as eating sensibly (which I've done for most of my adult life anyway), but it has all been to no avail as far as the BP is concerned.
I've to go back in six months to get another reading, but I fully expect it still to be within the normal range. So a success story of sorts.
I truly believe that the detox has been responsible for the recent health benefits I've experienced. OK, so I've pu back on ten of the 20 lbs I lost in Devon, but I'm still ten pounds lighter and, more importantly. my blood pressre has come down.
Love,
Caroline - Glasgow - May 05
Hi Sho,
I do hope all is well with you and the family.
I am doing really well in myself. The diet and weight are pretty stable after some major emotional and healing shifts. I was well on the way, as you know, and your retreat really focussed me on where I need to go both emotionally and in my physical world now.
I am now looking to changing the place in which I work and have a great sense of calm about who I really am and what I want to do.
So again many thanks to you and Doa for your part in my journey. This summer I hope to carry out a Vision Quest to find a new sense of direction for the emerging me. So much past conditioning is still falling away!
Many thanks.
I wish all three of you love, peace and happiness.
Wendy - May 05
Hi Sho and Dao,
I know its been a long time but I thought I'd say hi and let you know I'm doing really well.
Trying to keep quite raw and definitely do feel better and can tell the difference when I eat something heavy like the Pizza Express pizza last night, would have much rather enjoyed a salad!! But now I know for next time.
Best wishes,
Dominique - Ashford - April 05
hello Sho & Dao,
Thanks for asking, yes I'm feeling very good. I broke the fast slowly and gently and am still eating only from the 3 first categories and all raw. Very satisfied with all these nuts and seeds with plenty of salads and fruits and not even tempted to eat anything else so that's great.
I am all excited by all the diet changes and have already created some lovely nori rolls filled with marinated vegs, yummy. I haven't got going with the sauerkraut and the kombutcha but window sills are filling in with trays of sprouting munchies. I got the cuzina blender and had a couple of hemp smoothies.
So really as you can see life is good. My other half is happy with the changes and enjoys what is in his plate. Intestines are still a bit lazy but they behave OK and don't disturb me. Lastly my yoga practice has also benefited from an injection of new ideas. I soon will be plotting a raw gourmet feast for Christmas...
Hope same with you and again can't thank you enough for the week and the wonderful knowledge you have shared with us.
Shanti - December 04
Hi Sho
It's Marie here from the November retreat. My sister Louise just wanted me to let you know that after a year of trying she became pregnant the month after the retreat!! She's thrilled to bits!
Take care
Marie - December 04
Hi Sho & Dao,
I have just returned from a week in Andalucia, where my new digestion stood to be really challenged, with the usual temptations of alcohol, coffee, ice cream etc etc. readily available. Holidays usually mean a complete STOP for me, digestively speaking.
A mixture of reasonable self restraint (well, I was on holiday) accompanied by a fairly tenacious adherence to food combining, no caffeine, no dairy and around 70% raw meant A RESULT. No change, perfectly functioning digestion as it has been since I returned from the retreat. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
All it has to do now is survive Tuscany in May and the Morocco in December(I guess I'll be seeing you in January again guys).
Best Wishes,
Alix - December 04
Dear Sho
Thanks for your email. I have started slipping hemp milk into the children's food in small quantities and mixing juiced veg to soups and sauces. The biggest success on this so far is carrot and Swede soup into which I "slip" two juiced raw carrots after it has cooled slightly and before serving (one of Dao's suggestions) and it is delicious!!
I have decided that I will eat raw for breakfast, lunch and always have a substantial salad to accompany the evening meal. I am doing excellently with the food combining which I do not find hard. I don't eat much anyway and simply don't need the rice/pasta/potatoes.
I additional to this I am going to try having at least two completely raw days a week: today is to be one of them...so its nori wraps for tea!!!
Thanks for the Kombucha advice, the mushrooms floated together on my second attempt so I think I am getting the hang of it.
Hope you are all well and have managed to rest before the next fast.
I will keep in touch
Much love
Claire - October 04
Hey Sho
Well - two weeks on and I'm still feeling great. Maintaining rawness and will see how it goes and not been back on coffee at all with no pangs. Was alcohol free until last night (Patti smith gig is a very special event!) but one Gin and tonic gave me a headache and made me feel sick this morning. Part of me was a little pissed off I guess but on reflection I know it's a better way to be and I've been having some great times with friends in my new space. I'm sleeping like a baby which is very unlike me and fantastic and is another factor which has given me so much more energy. Not that huge, rushing extreme feeling and if I try to feel it, I can't. The energy is just more naturally part of me now and continually so. I haven't had one day when I've returned from work that I've even considered just flopping on the settee all night.
And my head is so clear and steady and my emotions range from the peaceful and calm to the extremely happy. In this lovely space - I realised I felt bored and meaningless in my job and have asked my boss to either make me redundant or find me something more purposeful to do. Despite the fact she made me promise never to go away on a detox again! She's a great woman who has taken my feelings on board and will hopefully sort something out.
I'm loving all the experimentation with new foods and old foods in different ways and possibly being a bit of an obsessive bore with my friends!
I've just seen the new dates in Nov/Dec and they obviously fit in with when I'd like to return. I also see you've got a back to back which I'd love to do.
Once again - thanks for an amazing experience. It's allowed me to make some really important changes in my life. some I knew I wanted/needed to do and many more I had no idea about (just don't ask about the smoking - I've had a bit of a relapse but it will only be temporary). I was amazed at both of your skills, humanity and realness and I also look back on my (first) week and remember how much fun and laughter there was as well - a real bonus.
Thanks,
Fee - July 04
Hi Sho, Hi Dao,
Thought I would send an email to give you an update on all things with me.
Well, after the course, way back in January, I came back to London, and sadly, pretty quickly got back into my all too familiar bad habits, putting on all the weight that I had lost during the fast, getting stressed and heartburn at work, and all round feeling pretty miserable in myself.
But, the things I learnt and the things I have since read must have stuck with me because about 3 months ago I decided to make some serious lifestyle changes (this had quite a lot to do with also becoming single). I started walking to and from work every day (fast 45 minute walk each way), I started eating a high raw diet, cutting out most dairy and processed foods (I was already a vegetarian so no change there) and started drinking fresh vegetable juice every day.
And, hoorahh, I finally don't crave fatty, lardy food anymore and I actually love eating my daily salads and have even come back around to having carrot juice in my vegetable juices ( I still won't have it on its own though!!!!).
Without even trying I've lost 10 kilos and this time it's off for good, I can feel there are still a few kilos to go but it doesn't feel like a chore, it feels great. Physically, I've never felt better.
So, I guess, I just wanted to say thank you for the course, I do think back on it from time to time. I felt very cared for and it was definitely what I needed at the time, it certainly was a life changing course for me, even it if took six months before I actually started putting it all into action. Better late than never.
Kind regards
Kate - July 04
Thank you so very much for such a fabulous week. I am feeling so amazing and have been told how incredibly well I look, which is great to know.
I do so hope that you will be able to organize another week or yoga/raw food/colonics/anything ASAP.
I am reading my raw food books (bought last year but never really attacked!) and am off to the library tonight to find out about local yoga groups etc...
Catherine - July 03
Page Updated: 10/04/2008 18:04:44