With a 110-year-old friend

I started this blog a few years ago to hopefully inspire others on their path to health; once in awhile I need to recharge and get inspired myself. I am not a raw foodist, but being around all the health-conscious people at Raw Spirit Festival provided just that revitalizing effect.

The setting at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Arizona was amazing and decadent, with desert mountain views, a fancy pool with an innertubing “river,” and a giant Dr. Seuss gingerbread house in the lobby.

I attended one day of the festival, at which many friendly, happy-looking people were in attendance. Many booths shared their raw food products, healing sessions and such, and some highly nutritious foods were for sale.

What probably motivated me the most to continue following a healthy lifestyle was meeting someone who looked great and was totally mentally alert at 110 years old! Bernando LaPallo told me he puts olive oil on his skin daily to avoid wrinkles, avoids stress, and eats organic foods – no meat, but he does eat fish. He was with longevity-focused folks from Akea who have a tasty supplement product that contains superfoods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and more.

Also enjoyable was the talk by Mimi Kirk, a lovely 73-year-old with a new book of raw food recipes. The festival attendees rang in the New Year by dancing to the Luminaries, who had one song about affirmations and another about kombucha — a refreshing change for hip hop. As the clock struck midnight, Fantuzzi was playing some fun African and other beats.

It is always great to be around like-minded people!

Truth on Earth

Many people came out to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Loving Hut Asian vegan restaurant in Mira  Mesa, which will hopefully follow in the successful footsteps of the one on El Cajon Blvd.  Loving Hut claims to be the fastest growing international chain of vegan restaurants.

The entertainment was by Nominjin of Mongolia who travels around the world and sings in numerous languages, and the charming young sisters called Truth on Earth, a “social action rock group” who write about major world problems like starvation, human rights, animal rights and so on.

The food didn’t stop coming out of the kitchen:  spring rolls, soy shrimp, salad, pasta with vegan cheese, fried rice, and a variety of cakes and non-dairy cheesecakes.

Presenters were from the local veggie scene, like Mimi Kirk, 72 and looking great, who won Peta’s Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50 contest, and is working on a book called “Live Raw” and inspiring over 10,000 Facebook friends. Stephanie Redcross spoke about her company Vegan Mainstream’s new zine – see their website next week for a sneak peek of interviews with 25 bloggers talking about their favorite vegan blogs. A few of the Veg-Appeal ladies and Bob Linden of Go Vegan Radio also spoke. The event was a great chance to celebrate a restaurant with delicious healthy food and network with locals who share a passion for environmentally-friendly living.

The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day was a big success at Earth Fair in San Diego. This was the 20th year of the free, enormous event held at Balboa Park, with approximately 70,000 people coming out in support of our planet. For several years now, regardless of the weather the day before, the sun seems to shine strongly for Earth Day.

Eco-friendly shopping was also ever-present, whether the beautiful Balinese “upcycled” clothes from Soul Stylezs or reusable sandwich bags made of vinyl. There were also attractive gift bags that could take the place of disposable wrapping paper, environmentally-friendly handkerchiefs, canvas shoes, and many other items. People looking for planet-friendly cars were in hog heaven.

There were many delicious veggie food choices beneficial to our health and the Earth. One could sample organic  juices, coconut milk and soy ice cream sandwiches. Righteously Raw’s organic raw cacao bars with acai, maca and other flavors were a highlight.

There were Mexican and Filipino food stands, affordable vegan dishes like enchiladas from Govinda’s, and Peace Pies served their beloved raw meals. Speakers including raw foods expert Mimi Kirk, yoga and energy healer Jerome Gross, and other local food and health experts.

Art Miles Mural Project was on hand bringing people together to paint murals for global peace and harmony. They are planning an amazing international event in Egypt this Fall with many murals — contact them for more info.

At San Diego’s Earth Day, the crowds can be overwhelming for some. Public transportation is encouraged, but the numerous cars transporting people to the event and loads of trash (despite the recycling containers in many spots) contradict the point of the event. However, the eco-friendly shopping, great bands, healthy food and fun hopefully inspire the thousands of people to make a difference for years to come.

Lovely Mimi

Mimi Kirk of the San Diego area is the beautiful woman known for recently winning PETA’s “Sexiest Vegetarians Over 50″ contest. Now 71, she was the oldest contestant. Kirk told Fox 5 she feels like she is in her 20s because of the raw foods diet she started two years ago when age-related diseases, high cholesterol/blood pressure, and arthritis were making appearances.

“Even though I was very healthy and a vegetarian for the better part of 40 years, I did not want to take drugs. So I researched and found the raw food diet,” said Kirk.

She lost weight, took care of the aging-related diseases, and now feels full of energy.

“My skin looks great, not like someone in their 70’s. I couldn’t be any happier about the way I feel,” she added.

She suggests people interested in changing their diet start by adding some raw foods, not taking things away, and says a green juice or smoothie is paramount for starting the day. For lunch she recommends a very large salad, which is chewed very well.  At night, though Kirk eats 100% raw herself, she suggests others transitioning their diet may want to have very lightly steamed veggies and a grain like quinoa. The key is to not let yourself get hungry; fruits and veggies make great snacks. She believes in a 5-7 day detox to help make the transition. Kirk said once someone is raw for awhile, they will feel great and not have cravings for unhealthy food.

A couple favorite meals are parsley salad and kale salad. When traveling, Kirk orders an entrée-sized salad with all raw vegetables:  broccoli, asparagus, etc., with olive oil and lemon on the side or another dressing. If there is a set menu, she asks to replace the chicken on a salad with avocado, and leave off the cheese or anything not raw.

“When my meal arrives, everyone at my table wished they had order the same thing.  I actually don’t like eating food that is not organic, but I try not to be particular when we are traveling,” said Kirk.

Besides traveling, this lovely vegetarian is very busy keeping up with her growing Facebook page, often answering questions about the raw foods diet. She’s also writing a raw “uncookbook.”