To keep all of you inspired while we are away, we've asked some
remarkable individuals to share their raw food stories with you. Enjoy!
Hello all, I would like to thank Wendi and Jim for inviting me to tell the story of my raw food journey. Our paths are so different in this journey and yet our destination seems to be the same ? wellness, vitality, and longevity. I think it is so interesting to hear about the different journeys we have individually and I am honored to share mine with all the wonderful readers of this blog. My name is Tina and I thought I would first tell you a few brief things about me. So, here we go?
I am an accomplished life-lover and mommy ? yes, a five year old gives one such a great perspective on life! I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up ? any guidance is always appreciated in this area of my life. I love to entertain, have fun, visit the islands (I am convinced I had a previous life there!) and be silly as much as possible. I truly believe life is all about passion - in everything. I love to strength train ? it makes me feel strong and empowered. I love the living foods lifestyle.
So, how did I get to this place of living/raw foods? Let s start with some background:
I grew up eating the extremely Standard American Diet (SAD) lifestyle ? fast foods (you name it, I ate it), Hamburger Helper, cube steak (what is that ), fried chicken, junk foods, candy (I was the bubble gum queen), lots and lots of sugar, and well, you get the picture. Now, don t get me wrong, I was pretty active and would have been considered overall normal and healthy to those around me with regard to my eating habits and my energy level. How deceitful eating SAD can be!
As an adult, many of those same SAD habits continued but with added ?luxuries? such as filet mignon, fancy cocktails, and gigantic chicken salads. I did learn that I was gluten-intolerant so I had to remove a lot of the SAD items I adored like wheat pasta, breads and cereals. Again, to those around me I was considered to be active, even health conscious since I enjoyed working out, eating salads (not the kind I eat now, mind you), had discipline with no gluten products, and was active. But, my idea of a great dinner was a 2-inch thick filet, a baked potato with butter, and peppers saut ed in lots of olive oil? at least 2-3 times a week! Yes, I would often incorporate a salad, but they were still a SAD salad with cheese and processed dressings on top. And rum drinks? Forget it I adored coconut rum and diet cola. Enough said.
Then, in March 2007, I heard the word that we all seem to fear so much - cancer. ?I m sorry, Tina. You have breast cancer. What ! Me? There is no way! The words were numbing. Something was screaming in my ears and yet the room was quite calm. Thus began my transformation.
After many late nights cramming my brain with research, statistics, methods, and beliefs I immediately went organic. Within a month of my surgery, I went vegetarian. By mid-summer, I went vegan. I did not do chemo or radiation and chose not to take the 5 year medication recommended (why would I take a drug that has a side-effect of cancer ). I found Hippocrates words, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food? inspiring and made it my credo. I knew I was on the right path to wellness ? not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spirituality.
Then in September 2007, another significant and measurable turning point occurred as I watched Kris Carr's TLC documentary, Crazy, Sexy Cancer, and then met Kris at her very first book signing a few days later. I watched her glowing, smiling, sincere-self gush life and vibrancy. She is an inspiration to living life to its fullest and I immediately connected. I asked what one book would she recommend and, although she had many favorites, she said Natalia Rose s book, The Raw Food Detox Diet. I bought it right then and there. That very night I came to another fork in the path of wellness and nutrition ? raw, living food. I embarked on the raw food path and I continue to explore the riches provided by this journey, and what a ride it has been!
So here I am my life has changed dramatically since my breast cancer diagnosis in March 2007 - for the better! I am now an active raw foodist, I belong to several forums and meetup groups, I use my VitaMix daily, I finally purchased my own Excalibur dehydrator, and I adore raw food cookbooks! I exercise regularly and continue to move to a greener lifestyle day by day. I feel so alive! I love to inspire others, so in addition to my personal blog about my cancer journey at tinainthepink.blogspot.com, I am launching a new site, Positively In The Raw soon at www.positivelyintheraw.com, that will include lots of wellness, raw, and lifestyle tidbits, along with links to resources and blogs like this! Just like Wendi and Jim, I find such joy and have such passion for sharing my experience and inspiring others to continue to seek wellness and all the wonderful things life has to offer. I look forward to walking alongside you on the path of wellness.
To learn more about, and connect with, Tina Pruitt Campbell, check out:
- Her story featured in the Fall 2007 issue of ?Breast Cancer Wellness? magazine
- Her blog ?Tina In the Pink
- Her new site (coming soon at www.positivelyintheraw.com)
- She's an Ambassador on the Crazy Sexy Life Forum at my.crazysexylife.com
- She's on Twitter!
- She's on Give It To Me Raw
- She's also listed under her name on Facebook.
Additionally, Tina is currently pursuing her Raw Professional / Raw Food Coach credentials.
Original Comments
Below, we have included the original comments from this blog post. Additional comments may be made via Facebook, below.
On February 14, 2009, wrote:
I can't even think where to start! What an interesting story and, I think, testament to the raw food diet, among other things. Can I recommend to you another book, "The Live Food Factor," by Susan Schenck You'll appreciate the science involved, not to mention the testimonials -- including by influential people in the field, such as Victoria Boutenko -- indexes of stuff like foods you definitely need to avoid, a listing of raw chat groups, etc. etc. And there are recipes! I think you'll find it very useful -- I know I have. Good luck on everything.
On February 14, 2009, wrote:
Thanks so much Elizabeth! I appreciate your comments sweetie!
I failed to mention that I have also totally eliminated all the chronic sinus issues I used to have and the daily meds I took for those issues. In fact, I no longer take any drugs. At all. No pain relievers, no aspirin. No nothing. I no longer suffer from severe monthly cramps either. It is amazing!
I totally agree with your recommendation on the "Live Food Factor"...there is so much good information in there. I have a HUGE library now of nutrition, wellness, alkaline, and raw food books. Some of my books were bought specifically for cancer purposes ("What to Eat if You Have Cancer", The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet", "Waking the Warrior Goddess", "Crazy, Sexy Cancer", "How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine", etc) and then evolved into the raw food books that I adore (I have over 30 books on living foods alone!). They all have so much good information and have all been instrumental on my wellness journey.
Thanks so much for the well wishes and please feel free to keep in touch!
Hugs, Tina
On February 14, 2009, wrote:
Thanks Michalene! So glad to see you stop by sweetie!
On February 14, 2009, wrote:
Tina bo bina fo fina TINA!!!!!!!!!!
I love you and you inspire me every day, even when you try and cut your pinkie off:)
Raw food is dangerous see ??
You look so radiant and I am excited about your new site.
rock on sister, rock on,
love
debbie febbie wo webbie DEBBIE!
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Wow, Tina! Thanks for sharing your story. I guess I've never read your blog, so I didn't know of your journey. I'm looking forward to seeing your new site!
-Rawbin
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Such an inspirational story and you look wonderful in your picture. I am learning slowly about raw foods and doing my best with all the new things to take on board and reading stories like yours just keep me motivated. Thank you for sharing.
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Tina.....thank you for sharing your journey. I am inspired and in awe. You look younger and more vibrant now than ever before! I look forward to following you as you continue on this amazing road to abundant health!
xoxo....Penni
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hello Local Rawsome Lady! Glad that we are on this journey together in our! Love the pics, seeing your transformation and hearing how you took your health into your own hands. You are a ray of sunshine and hope for all you touch. See you around "town", Love and Blessings, Linda
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hi Debbie FWWD!
You're a doll...love you for all the joy and vibrancy you create! Thanks for the wonderful comments and the support....can you believe I did that to my poor pinkie ?!! I used the mandoline yesterday for the first time since the accident and literally shuttered before I started cutting the zucchini (same thing I was cutting on Feb 4th.....we know what happened then)....but all was good and the zucch's are happily dehydrating right now (used one of Kirsten's recipes) - YUM!
Love ya girl....hugs, Tina
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hi RawBin!
Thanks for the wonderful comment and support ~ I really appreciate it~ I am really looking forward to working with you on the Raw Spirit Festival sweetie!!
Hugs, Tina
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hi GORGEOUS! I am so honored. You are remarkable.
Peace & veggies,
Kris Carr
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Tina you are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your story!
Stacy
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Madeleine,
Thank you so much for your lovely comments ~ it is a wonderful feeling to know you have provided some tidbit that inspires and/or motivates others. Take your time with transitioning so that you don't get frustrated or overwhelmed. It is a wonderful process, but take it slowly. Start with committing to one raw meal a day...and only raw snacks. After a few weeks, move to 2 raw meals a week, and do that for a few weeks, or perhaps a couple months if needed. At that point, if you are wanting to be completely raw, it is time to clear out the cabinets of all non-raw food. At best, it is time to clear out all the junk because that third meal should still be a rather "clean" one.
You are on the right path sweetie! I believe it all starts in the mind...the desire. You are doing great because you have started the process! Keep up the great work and keep in touch!
Thanks again for connecting ~ it means a lot to me!
Hugs, Tina
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hi Penni!
Thanks for the totally sweet comments - wow! You are an inspiration yourself and I look forward to your new book - can I get an autographed copy !! I agree wih you, this is an amazing road and there are so many amazing people to hold hands with and skip down it together...you are certainly one of those amazing people.
Thanks again for the post and the wonderful support!
Hugs, Tina
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hi sweet Linda!
Thanks for the support and kind words! I am also glad we are on this journey together ~ when can we have our own raw food restaurant out here in "town"? Let's get together in the next few weeks so I can hear all about the 3 weeks at HI....and I can't wait to hear about your first crop of wheatgrass - how exciting is that !
Hugs, Tina
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hi Kris,
Thank you so much. You are so amazing girlfriend, I love all that you are and all that you have brought to my Crazy, Sexy Life! You have touched so many.....you are the candle so many of us have lit our flames from - thanks sister cowgirl!
Hugs, Tina
On February 15, 2009, wrote:
Hi Ms. Stacy!
You are too sweet! Thanks so much for stopping by sweetie - see you soon!
Hugs, Tina
On February 16, 2009, wrote:
You are such an inspiration to me! Your story is one of hope and courage for taking back your life and making it even better! You rock Tina!
On February 16, 2009, wrote:
Hi Jane,
Your comments mean so much to me...thanks luv! You rock yourself!
Many hugs, Tina
On February 17, 2009, wrote:
Good to know about the cancer books. I'm going to take a look (my husband is a survivor). Thanks for the suggestions!
On February 18, 2009, wrote:
Hi Tina! Thanks so much for sharing your beautifully written Raw Story! You're lucky you have found what works for you and makes you "happiest" and "healthiest!"
On February 20, 2009, wrote:
Hi sweet Shelly!
Thanks so much for the read and the lovely comments. You are such a special person - love ya girlfriend!
Hugs, Tina
On February 25, 2009, wrote:
Tina,
I am so proud of you! Thank you for always being so generous, and sharing your passions with all of us! Luv Ya, girlfriend !
On February 25, 2009, wrote:
Hi Carolyn!
Thanks so much for the support and off-the-hook comments - you're the best!
Luv YOU girlfriend!
Hugs, Tina
On April 14, 2009, wrote:
you absolutely glow Tina. It was an honor to read your story and to speak with you tonight on the RSF volunteers teleconference call. I'm thrilled our listeners will benefit from you being a guest speaker on an upcoming call and look forward to meeting you in DC!
Warmly,
Arianna Rose
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Hi Arianna,
Thanks for the lovely comments sweetie! You are such an inspiration for all the wonderful things you are doing...I can't wait to meet you!
Talk soon, hugs, Tina
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
Hi Arianna,
Thanks for the lovely comments sweetie! You are such an inspiration for all the wonderful things you are doing...I can't wait to meet you!
Talk soon, hugs, Tina
On April 26, 2009, wrote:
you are so inspirational to me tina. you look amazing.
On June 15, 2009, wrote:
Tina--
Thank you for adding me as a friend and for sharing your story. Last October I had a mammogram and they said something showed up which hadn't in the last one. (I had had ones at 25, 35 and 43). After additional mammo shots, a sonagram by the nurse and then the doctor coming in and doing another one, they said they didn't see anything. They thought that perhaps they had just gotten extra tissue and/or that the equipment had improved that much in the last 9 years that it had picked it up. They had me come back in 6 months (now 44 yrs) to see if there was any change. Well, there wasn't any. I momentarily felt relieved, but in the back of my mind (and which my family didn't seem to understand) was the thought, but what do I do when the time comes and they say that it is cancer. Do I continue on this destructive eating path, playing the roulette wheel with my life
Even with all the positive feedback you receive, you may not truly be aware of the deep effect you have on others by sharing your story. Thank you so much for your inspiration!
Have you ever read "Cancer Is Not a Disease: It's a Survival Mechanism," by Andrew Moritz? It discusses both the effects of food and emotional turmoil that contributes to cancer. Very good book.
You look fantastic and congrats on your race and your brilliant t-shirt!
Jill Hejl