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20

Dec

2009

Monkeys Still Fall Out Of Trees

Saved in:-   General



How many times have you fallen off your own personal wagon? Seeing as you’re here, I’m going to make an assumption that you’re into raw food.

And I’m going to make a prediction that at some point you’ve felt like you’ve ‘fallen off’ the raw food thing. You may have labeled it a ‘binge’ or that you had a ‘craving’, or any number of other labels available. You may have then felt you let yourself down and that, hindsight, you didn’t really want to eat what you just ate.

Did you feel like you’re an unsuccessful raw foodie who just can’t stick to it?

We’ve all been there and I’ve got another perspective for you after hearing a friend say that, “monkeys still fall out of trees”.

What does that mean?

It means that monkeys are expert at living amongst the trees, they’re perfectly adapted for it, yet they still sometimes fall out of trees. And guess what? They’re still monkeys.

Falling out of a tree doesn’t make them any less of a monkey.

Falling of the wagon doesn’t mean you’re any less of a raw foodie. This raw food thing isn’t a diet; you’re not on it or off it. Raw food is a lifestyle and it’s experiential – once you’ve had that feeling of eating raw for a while you just ‘get it’. You become a raw food monkey :-)

I heard a great quote once that said, “you’re only 1 meal away from being a healthy eater”. I love this quote because it really fills me with excitement about what’s possible. You and I can change any aspect of our lives with our next action, no matter what has happened in the previous years, months, weeks, days, minutes and seconds…

Show yourself some love.

Go get ‘em you sexy raw food monkey! x

For more information take a look at the my other Raw Food Recipes.

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  • Grace

    Thanks for this. So Abe!

  • http://www.choosingraw.com Gena

    What a friendly and inspiring post, Russell!

  • http://www.WestofPersia.com Bria

    I love this saying! Thanks for sharing it. I will share it with my Yoga students this week. You have a wonderful holiday!

  • http://imsorawkin.blogspot.com/ Rawkin’

    That’s so beautiful. Thank you!
    xo
    Rawkin’

  • neil

    Nice post.
    How are the dvd’s coming along by the way.
    I guess we are talking January at the earliest now.

    Neil.

    From Russell: Thanks, Neil. Yes, the DVDs are still with the editors. They said they would work through the holidays too so hopefully it’ll be very soon after the new year. Thanks for your patience.

  • MIndy McAuley

    Thanks for the inspiring quote (just one meal away…. ) I’ve been doing well with raw food, but struggling in other areas, and that quote really gave me a lift about the possibilities for change. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Russell. Big congratulations on your new position at 105degrees!

  • Tory

    I just received the X-Mas Cookies recipe via e-zine!!! Awesome! My vote is cast for Russell – favorite raw chef. I’m glad that Russell will be coming to the US (108 degrees) – his recipes are to Live for, helps me like eating this way. Gratitude

  • Susan

    This post describes me to a “T” right now! I have fallen off my wagon, and I don’t like rolling in the dirt! Thank you for the encouragement and permission not to beat myself up!

  • Shannon

    lol, you must’ve read my New Year’s Resolution…..! :-)

  • http://therawproject.com Christine

    Great post, just what I needed as I strive towards an all-raw diet during our coldest months.

  • http://www.myrawworld.blogspot.com Amy

    Hi Russell, I love this entry! This is why when people ask me if they think I will be a raw fooder for ever, my answer is always an unequivocal YES!

  • kristin

    awesome positivity! thanks for the reminder that no one is perfect!

  • sans

    well, I fell off the wagon and rolled down the road!

  • Andrea

    Yay!! Thanks you for that!!

  • Debbie

    I am a raw food monkey! I needed to hear this today as I have been trying many new raw food recipes and falling out of the monkey tree lately. Now I know I can live among the monkeys as I learn my raw culinary skills. :)

  • Linda Jane (LJ)

    Ok, so now I know who I am . . . I've been doing the raw food/juicing thing for about 2 months but I treat myself to a Whole Foods Dill Tuna Salad every Sunday . . so I thought I could not call myself a real “Raw Foodie.”
    So now I'm gonna get the tee shirt, and wear it with pride.
    I am a Raw Food Monkey!!
    Thanks Russell!!
    LJ

  • http://www.gonefrutti.com Rebecca

    Great Inspiration!!!!

  • Andrea :)

    What's not to like about being called a 'sexy raw food monkey'!! :)))))

  • June

    Thank you for this perspective. you are right on target!!

  • Lori

    I can totally relate to that feeling because I had a non raw meal one day last week and I have been beating myself up about it.

  • Suzy

    I had non – raw food last night and didn't feel good all the old stomach upsets back.
    I was very tired and had no energy and ended up having to take an enzyme to help it digest then a maalox to deal with the acid.

    I didn't beat myself up about it, but yeah i wanted to make zucchini and pesto and next time ….i hope i remember how much happier i am on the raw food.

    i'm not adverse to eating some grains especially that ezekial stuff but i'd rather eventually sprout my own.

  • Erica

    Thank you for your post- what a simple, yet well put, and much needed thought/support.
    Thanks so much!

  • Michelle

    Wow thanks…definitely speaking straight to me in this it seems. I think I can, I think I can…

  • susan

    I have not made the complete transition to completly raw about 50% and I think only because I don't have my own dehydrator yet…

  • wendy

    Totally cool! Thanks you, Russell

  • Rhonda

    Thankyou for your understanding words, you have made a “chunky monkey” giggle and grin—- but mostly grateful that my daughter sent me your site.

  • rawfoodie

    Thank you very much for this. I have in the past felt like I've fallen out of my raw foodie tree and have felt immense guilt. Today I had a non raw treat and I didn't freak out. I'm just going to get back on it:)

  • http://twitter.com/ElsitaMora Elsa Mora

    I agree with you :)
    As humans, we have a hard time seeing how human we are. Meaning: how natural it is to fall from the trees once in a while (not only regarding the way to eat, but also the way we live). In the past years I had a hard time accepting that idea because I'm a perfectionist. But the more I educate myself and study myself, the more I understand that the real perfection is in the desire to be better every day. As long as we keep trying to be better we will always be happy.

  • Raquel

    Everything you share is a HUGE inspiration! Today was a great day in that it was about 90% raw, but I most definitely can relate to the days I do eat something that has no benefit to my body and leaves me completely unfulfilled.

    I know that RAW is the most delicious and nutritious lifestyle there is, so thank you Russell for your story, your blogs, your recipes and your internet presence that allows us to “meet” you and find guidance and inspiration!

  • Kate

    yeah, this is a wonderful, wonderful post!

  • Laurie

    Hi James,

    What great timing for this message.

    I have been eating raw for only a few short weeks, since July 1st. I went on a 21 day raw food cleanse and loved it so much I have stayed predominatly raw. Lately though, it seems that my old style of eating is creeping in little by little. It was only a few minutes ago that I was wondering where I am going wrong.

    So, thanks for your timely support. I got it. There is no wrong. I ate what I ate, I din't eat what I didn't eat and now I can choose again.

    Laurie

  • Laurie

    Oops, I mean Russel.

  • Michelle

    Thank you – I especially needed that today!!

  • Jerrilynne

    Did you really just call me a monkey? Heh, heh. Well, I'm not worried about falling out of any trees. I've always tried to eat more on the healthier side even since I was a teenager. I've been doing the raw food thing for over a year now, but I'm not 100% raw. Heck, I'm not even 100% vegan. But, I really enjoy fruits, nuts, salads, and juicing. I don't look at it as I have to eat this way, I just feel so much better when I do. When I get a sweet tooth … no problem. There are plenty of wonderful raw desserts to choose from. If I get a craving for something, I allow myself to have whatever it is but in moderation. But that doesn't happen too often since my body tends to reject food that isn't good for me, and I feel real sick the next day if I over indulge. That makes it easy to go right back into eating healthy again.

  • http://www.naturesboutique.com Carrina Rowe

    Very good. I am a new raw foodie and need very simple and convenient recipes to start with until i become a pro. I had a spinach and pear smoothie the other day and it was awful which has put me off slightly. Also it became so frothy and in the end there was enough for 5 smoothies and it didnt help as the blender i used wasn't very good. Anybody got any good tips for a good blender and also some nice smoothies that wont put me off :-) xx

  • Kim

    Thanks Russell! I really needed to hear this since I've fallen out of the tree for the last 2-days! You're the best!

  • Woodhousemill

    Thank you for sharing. It is very true and gives me encouragement. It's difficult changing lifestyle when you've lived one way for so long. It's good to know that, like with most things in life, we all fall down. We just got to pick ourselves up and keep on going.

  • Ashley B

    :) I like this analogy. I have actually worked with monkeys at a sanctuary and the idea of trying to be a “better” monkey, a healthier monkey, a thinner monkey, this abstracted dual self that always wants to be more than it is…They just are, they don't have to forgive themselves! Hahaha, the thought! They are not capable of questioning their basic goodness. We funny creature (esp us western ones) are often on some sort of mission to improve this thing that is our self and by all means let's keep our eyes on the prize…however, occasionally trying on the arguably less devolved perspective of our hairy brethren could maybe serve to relax and thereby even assist out efforts a bit.

    “…The sun will stand as your best man
    And whistle
    When you have found the courage
    To marry forgiveness

    When you have found the courage
    to marry
    Love.”

    -Hafiz

  • Donna_d_broughton

    Thanks, I needed that just at this very moment.

  • Herme

    AWESOME!!! Thank you! :D

  • Marysmith574

    OH! Yes! Russel, I can relate to that indeed. Case in point, yesterday, Thanksgiving Day here in USA. I felt like a drug addict who vowed to be clean and sober and went binging on a festivities day, when I know very well that kind of nourishment is not for me anymore. Thanks God we always have tomorrow to repair, until… the day of tomorrow will come no more!

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