August 23rd 2003, my dear friend, Katarina, lent me Victoria Boutenko’s book “12 Steps to Raw”.  I read it in one evening.  The very next day, my life went on an extraordinary path.  Embarking on the adventure that is crudivore vegan cuisine brought me close to nature.  I found myself in a serene and harmonious state: mind, body and soul.  Illnesses, supposedly related to age and heredity, vanished.  After six months of impressive results, my three children joined me on nature’s healing path and the fresh offerings from Mother Earth eliminated their problems as well.

Simplicity infiltrates our daily lives.  The kitchen and all its panoply of tools, appliances, canning equipment, boxes and gizmos of all kinds no longer have a place here.  There are no odours when opening the fridge door, but a display of appetizing colours.  Cupboards harbour spices, herbs, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, oils; the multiple delights of vegan cuisine.  And all of this in a fraction of the space usually required for a cooked diet.  Cleaning is done in a flash.  What else is there to ask for?

Desires satiated, disappear.  Shopping looses its charms.  “Eat to live” rather then “live to eat”, “possess to live” rather then “being possessed by possessions”.  That is freedom!!!

The beauty with all of this is the regenerative impact on our environment.  Our food, organically grown, comes from the earth and returns to the earth.  “Green” possessions; re-use, recycle, reduce.  And as for our sanctuary, our own self awakens.  Our ego silences, « the story-teller dies » Dhyan Vimal.  Life simplifies itself at an incredible speed when the fire of resentment, anger, and jealousy is put out at its first sizzling, and transforms into forgiveness, contentment and generosity.

Lots of love and blessings to you and yours.

-Agathe