The Report Cards are IN!

Our little men started school this year scheduled to attend special education class most of the time. Nicolas could barely speak (a few words) and Seth was clearly lagging behind most his age.

After 4 - 6week sessions they are markedly improved. Both have been subjectively graded by their Kindergarten teachers (they still attend a small portion of special ed) as "meeting grade level expectations".

Nicolas "demonstrated high achievement of grade level expectations" in the following areas:

- Identifies & reads at least 25 high frequency words
- Writes first & last name appropriately
- Counts numbers orally to 100
- Recognizes & names 2D figures

Although Nick has a long ways to go.. we really did not expect him to attend Kindergarten at all this year.. let alone hold his own. We could not be more pleased with his steady progress and accomplishment to date.

For those who do not know - Nick did not speak at all until the spring of 2009 (coincidentally - after a few months of high raw diet).

Seth actually scored a bit lower than Nick on the subjective evaluation (different teachers) - but is doing nicely. He is reading fine - but struggles to write well. They are lagging a bit in 'rithmatic.

Both seem to have quite short attention spans and Nick still throws an "autistic fit" on occasion - but nothing like it used to be.

We are proud of them & we tell them ... frequently.

They look healthy and seem to be getting stronger as we progress. This summer should bring rest and additional growth/healing to all of us.

Bless those who influenced us to adopt this lifestyle, and those who are supporting our continued efforts - we would not be here if not for you.

We wish all of you the VERY BEST !

RD & Family (Russ, Yvette, Nick, Seth & Lexy)

10 Weeks LFRV - 70 Days - Bringing IT!

WOW ! Yesterday was a DETOX day from Hell ! I was freezing - headache - and could barely get through the day - could not wait to get home and sleep. The LFRV is REALLY BRINGING IT !!

Coincidentally - I did have some overts the past 2 days - will lay off again. I also seemed to start detoxing more heavily after my 3 day juice fast last weekend.

I have had a couple of good mornings - other than that - I am tired and symptoms of brain fog, cold hands, fatigue, and lack of tolerance for exercise are holding fast.

I am prepared to stay the course - may water fast for a week before the kids get outta school - should be able to rest nicely & lay in the sun.

Today's plan:

Fuel
===

Breakfast - 8 dates (wait 30 mins) + 4 large apples
Lunch - 10 bananas
Dinner - 1 blended pineapple (wait 30-60 mins) + 1 blended salad (romaine, mixed greens, spinach, tomato, cucumber, celery, lemon juice)

Exercise
======

10-15 minutes rebounding (2X5 - am & pm) & deep breathing
3 miles walking

Sunshine Award

A wonderful gift has been bestowed to us this day from the Berry Boy in N. Fla.

My sons Nick and Seth are big Berry Boy fans and love to eat berry/banana smoothies (banana juice) in the AM.. (especially after I ask them what they think the Berry Boy will be having this morning).. :)

Connie and Christopher have certainly touched our lives these past several months - we are blessed to know them.

I will continue to log our journey along this fruity path to healing - hoping all can learn from the venture - as well as share in the rewards along the way.

Please spread sunshine every chance you get and make this your BEST DAY... ever.

RD.

Rejuvenation

Day 3 of my short juice "fast" and I am starting to feel rejuvenated. I slept almost the entire first 2 days. I would lay down and quickly sink into a deep slumber - my head aching and lungs deep breathing the fresh moist air.

I have read the worse you feel on the feast - the more you needed it. I believe I needed this BADLY ! I have NEVER felt so exhausted for 2 continuous days - just amazing.

It is a shame I cannot afford time off right now - I would definitely extend this - perhaps before the kids get out of school this summer I can get a 10 day juice "fast" in - enabling me to lay in the hot sun and rest my tired body.

I have been using a vegetable/fruit juice combination this time - I prefer it to fruit juice or water - it seems to be "in the middle"... this yields about 16-24 oz of deep dark life giving juice:

2 kale leaves
1/2 baby bokchoy
2 carrots with greens
1/2 beet with greens
2 celery stalks
1/2 cucumber
1/2 green apple
1/4 lemon

Drink 3 of them each day... and plenty of distilled water in between. This seems to be working for me - a recipe I obtained from a chiropractor and used on my very first break from solid food.

The first 2 days - my most notable symptoms (brain fog, fatigue, cold hands) all were amplified. I had to take a hot bath one time to stop shivering. Day3 has brought a bit of clarity - although I am still a bit tired and look forward to laying down again shortly.

Robust health is in my future - I feel I am reeling in a BIG CATCH... it's fighting all the way.. but will be SO WORTH IT... when I am finally able to land it !

Best Wishes All - make everyday your BEST!

RD.

9 Weeks - 63 Days - LFRV - Slaying the Beast !

Well folks... 9 weeks on the "diet of Kings " !!

Prior to starting on my path to healing a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with dysbiosis (a candida overgrowth).

A few weeks ago - I decided to eliminate fats. It seems this decision was a wise one. I am experiencing a classic "candida die off" set of symptoms (I believe I can recognize them.. after months of anti-fungal meds and low carb diet)... I have rashes, mild headache, foul breath, and quite a bit of fatigue... BUT... there is that underlying "healin' feelin' " that persists.

Also... I used to pack away quite a bit of booze... some may have considered me alcoholic.. I cannot be sure of that.. but am sure the ol' liver needs some help. Digesting fats is likely not a strong point of mine.

For those of you struggling to slay the "YEAST BEAST"... eliminate those overt fats for a month or two... it seems to be working !!

I will keep all of you posted.. of course.

Make your days the BEST !!!

RD.

Juice me Up !!

Well into the 9th week LFRV and I am feeling tired most of the time and my hands are breaking out with a rash - just put some coconut oil on them ... they are burning !!!

I have about 0.25 good days a week right now.. which is more that I was having !!!

Good news arrived today.. the company I work for is in Ch11 and we were purchased by another company. Our new company has decided they need me and I received an offer letter from them today !!

Cool stuff - let's get ready to RUMBLE !!!

If I had more time off... I would really let myself HAVE IT.... a juice fast longer than any I have ever done !

For now... I will have to settle for 3 or 4 days this upcoming weekend... unless I feel absolutely fantastic.. then I will try to go to work with it.

I do have to remember... 40+ years of abusive diet and lifestyle have left me in rough shape.. and I have had 2 dental procedures performed in the last 6 months.... I cannot expect to be well tomorrow.

This weekend.. the bald man will be resting and juicing it up !!

Hope you folks all have an outstanding week... I know I will !!!

RD.

8 Weeks LFRV

This week has been a bit of a yo yo. I have felt good a couple of times... and other times not very good at all.

My sleep continues to be very deep, and I have only had overt fat once in the past 2 weeks.

I have an itchy rash on my fingers, and a powdery substance is all around my toenails... I am assuming this is a fungal/yeast related issue on the mend.

My cravings are minimal since I started eating more... will continue to keep exercise minimal and focus on rest, and deep breathing.

All for now - happy healing - RD.

7 Weeks - 49 Days - LFRV

49 days contiguous on the 811RV diet. I am still quite tired - but am healing.

I decided to eliminate overt fat this week and see how it goes. I cannot say I feel better... but certainly do not feel any worse.

My complexion seems to be on the mend, my finger tips, and soles of my feet are getting new skin, mucus is being constantly discharged from my nose and throat, and I have white powder around the base of my toenails.. and some itchy spots (eczema?) on my fingers and hands seem to come and go. Energy is relatively low, tolerance for exercise is NOT substantial, and my sleep continues to be deep, despite the need to urinate 3-4 times each night.

I feel like abundant health and well being is just around the corner... patience and rest ... patience and rest.

Onto WEEK8 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Wishes All,

RD.

Give us this day.......

We are lucky.. and thankful for the bounty of fruit laid before us each day. Our family consumes ~ 100 lbs of produce per week at this point.

We eat green smoothies, fruit, greens, vegs, and some nuts/seeds.

The kids are doing great .. eating 100% raw (unless the school gives them candy/junk in class - it happens).

My wife and I eat low fat raw vegan. She is ~98% raw... this year - I am 100% since Dec18 2009.

Here is an example of our daily fare:

Kids
===

Bfast - Split a Green Smoothie (4 bananas, 3 oz berries, handful baby spinach, water)
Lunch - Fruit - 1Banana, 1apple, 1/2 cup raisins (each)
Snack - 4 dates each
Dinner - Fruit - 1 banana, 1/2 apple, soaked dried figs (4-5) or another green smoothie
After dinner digests.. we will give them guacamole or almonds... and maybe some flax oil before bed.. they need fat... we let them have as much as they want.

Wife
===

Grazing mono fruit (mostly grapefruit, oranges, strawberries).. when hungry.... no real schedule..
.

Me
==

Bfast - 10 dried soaked figs + 10 dates
lunch - 7 bananas
mid day - 4 apples
dinner - 3 mangos + large salad (1+ lbs greens, celery, cucumber, tomato, w/ lemon juice)

Sometimes I have an avocado.. normally.. 2-3 of them per week.

Best wishes all.. it is never 2 late 2 start loving food that loves you back !!

RD.

Day46 - Intoxicating

Today did not start badly. I felt OK this AM.. I exercised and went through the normal routine.

This afternoon at work (even a bit so in the late AM) I felt tired, a bit dizzy.... I seemed drunk ?

My exercise was a bit more intense than the recent past.. but not that much.

I have to assume my body is expelling something quite toxic at this point.. and will rest all I can.. let it pass.

Tomorrow is another day......

Great news.... my dates are finally in !!! I will try them tomorrow.

Meals today as follows:

0900 - 10 soaked dried figs + 4 apples
1200 - 8 bananas
1500 - 3 pears
1800 - 3 mangos + large salad