Before tomorrow's challenge starts, I want to know. Why are you here?

[Bunny Berry]

WHY? Why are you here? Why are you interested in committing to 100 days of raw food? Man, I am so fired up about this next challenge, and we are going to dig into some stuff that isn't all feel-good and topsy turvy. We're going to deal with some issues. We're going to dig in and see if you've really got what it takes to commit to making one small change in your life. A salad a day or a round of juicing. Why are you here?

I had a very emotional and soul searching weekend around this question. Why am I here? I've spent the last year transitioning to a raw food diet, met so many people, learned a lot, seen a lot, and now it's time for me to start asking the tough questions. It's time for me to get real with myself.

I've been a poser so many times during the last 3 challenges, encouraging people on, and then eating pizza, knowing that you'd all support and behind me. What a crock of crap.

I'm here because (start Fame soundtrack here): I wanna live forever! I wanna learn how to fligh....HIGH!

No, seriously, I'm here because I'm sick. Metabolic Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Won't Get off My Butt Syndrome. And I can either be a giant hypocrite like 99% of standard americans and buy into the pill for every ill therapy, and faithfully take a cholesterol pill, a blood sugar pill, an anti-depressant, and a sleeping pill because that's what my doctor says will make me feel better. Or I can get off my butt and heal myself the Hippocrates Way. There is no in between. I have to make a decision to poop or get off the pot.

By the way, lately I've been taking the pooping route. In fact, I've been drinking so much carrot juice, I actually pooped something out that looked exactly like a carrot. It was awesome.

You are where you are. If you're still transitioning, learning, adapting, doing the best you can, then you're going to learn a lot more during this challenge. We're all suffering from a long bout of food poisoning, and it's time to start doing some serious healing.

If you're only here for weight loss, you can't complain if your body decided that something that is going on inside has to be fixed before you lose weight. If you're sneaking ice cream or mexican food on the side, you can't complain because you're still experiencing IBS. No perfect people, but also no whiners allowed in this challenge. When you fall, we'll be there to pick you up. But not just by saying, Oh it's okay, you can poison your body every once in a while, we're all human. No, we're going to help you find out why this pattern keeps happening in your journey and help you overcome.

We'll have fun. There will be hilarity. But this challenge is going to be work.

Why are you here? Are you ready to heal?

[Gill Gillono]

I NEED to be back with you, Sister! I have gained 15 pounds & a ton of emotional Ickyness since last summer, and I know you are mY last chance at healthy living. Even being a cooked Vegan for 3 years has left me FAT, filling up on carbs & processed sugars.I know VBeing Mostly High Raw has shown me Stupendous results when I seriously undertook the challenge a few challenges ago..SO HERE I GO!!!! Peace & Blessings, Gilly

[Helen]

I'm here because I want to be the very best that I can and I truly believe that eating this way free's me up to achieve just that. It unlocks doors and lets the light in, it regenerates and heals me and it just makes so much darn sense to my mind, body and spirit that I can't ignore it.

And I can do it all in the company of some truly wonderful and inspiring people so bring it on Bunny, let the show commence!!!!......................

[Nita!]

Hi! I'm here because....i feel I can't do this alone.
I live in Argentina. /also call the meat eater country/ lol.
At the moment I'm 50% raw eater and the other 50% (better dont tell you, vegetarian but floor and refined sugar are always present).
I need a community support to do the rest!.
I really want to be part of the next challenge"

[rebeccaj]

I"m here because this is the place to be: no whiners, but no mean people either. I'm here because despite all of my knowledge and understanding of how this raw food thing works, I still fall off the wagon way, way, way more than I want to and I'm ready to STOP IT. I'm here because I'm recognizing that I am conditioned to fear, conditioned to fall, and conditioned to eat emotionally whenever those things happen. I'm here to break the conditioning.

And I'm here to be a lifeline - I'll hold you up, if you hold me!

I have a video from yesterday that I couldn't get uploaded, so I'll have that to you all today. I'm here to be everyone's Workout Buddy.

I'm excited about the tough love, Bunny. This is where we all need to go. We're all moving in the right direction together, and it's DIRECTION, not speed, that matters.

[Colleen]

I am here, because if it hadn't been for this website, I would have gone back to SAD a few months ago. Everytime I come to this site, I read what everyone posts, what videos there are and it gives me new motivation. I have a long way to go, but I need to lose weight, become healthier, become more intune with my body, and have the motivation I get from this wonderful place. Thank you Bunny. *hugz*

[VeroGirl]

Thank-you for your honesty Bunny. It all starts with the person in the mirror! I'm here because I'm tired of being addicted to milk - cow's milk - and with the notion, conscious or not, that food will solve all of my emotional issues. I'm here because I'm tired of being tired (subclinical hypothryroidism) and there is too much still for me to do in this lifetime and time is running out. I know in my heart that toxicity from all the crap I've eaten in my life has been the root cause of this condition. I'm here because my obesity will soon land me in the world of diabetes or some other horrible annoyance. I'm here because I know that at some point in my life, probably before I developed a personality (so we're talking young here!) I didn't all all the survivor issues I have now and I would like to return to a more coherent state within myself. I'm also here because, short of living in a house full of people who are also eating this way, this is the best support I can find. It's not perfect - I'll still have my husband eating the SAD way and friends who "forget" I'm eating raw, moments when I'll be all alone with myself and all the weak parts that have brought me here - but it is what it is and it will have to do. Let me say thank-you to all of you out there - my gratitude is unending.
XOXO
VeroGirl

[ladilox]

I am here because I am ready to meet the woman I am meant to be, the woman inside of these layers of pain and the past, the woman who shows the world, by example, how a joyful life should be lived. I am so grateful that my body is giving me another chance...I haven't always been good to her and she has been here for me. Now is my turn to take care of both of us, my body and me...

[rawfoodkarma]

Im here because I have a brain tumor and unfortunately I found out about eating raw and its benefits, way too late. It's never too late to start. I am on a lot of meds, so I really want to keep my organs in optimum shape. Due to the meds, Im not allowed any supplements. I normally dont take ANY meds but these are actually sustaining life due to brain swelling. Steroids are horrible. I am having a break from steroids right now and trying to reverse what they've done. I'm on chemo and want to eat the very best.
I hope to beat this tumor and continue many more challenges. I've ate raw on past challenges and didnt feel quite right, which was due to my tumor. I have to continue, because cooked or processed food will make things worse.
I dont like how my mind feels on cooked food either. Im glad another challenge is starting now.

[Sarah]

I heard something yesterday, there is no raw food movement, without movement.

I am here because I am turning thirty this year, and I refuse to do it still living with cracked self image and internal drama and baggage that keeps me from being who I am. I want to engage, participate, and teach in this next challenge. I want to blog daily and share what I am going through. I know that each time I attempt a healthy lifestyle I am one step closer to fully committing and living it. I need to be successful this time. I want to get up off my butt. I want to do a yoga challenge. I feel my spirit opening and changing, and I feel excited and I like it!

[Lowanna]

Oh, I love ladilox's comment, this really spoke to me!

Im here cos this is part of my life now, I love the amazing community who support and give so much!
Even though I will be starting a little later (after my day 10 cleanse) Im here cos this is what Im choosing, its a beautiful postive path that lightens me on all so many levels ;o) I Love RAWFU and I ADORE the RAW LIFESTYLE !! But most of ALL I LOVE Sharing this path with ALL of you xxx

ladilox said:

I am here because I am ready to meet the woman I am meant to be, the woman inside of these layers of pain and the past, the woman who shows the world, by example, how a joyful life should be lived. I am so grateful that my body is giving me another chance...I haven't always been good to her and she has been here for me. Now is my turn to take care of both of us, my body and me...

[Shortcake]

I am here because I want to find the real me and let her shine. I want to overcome being concerned of what others think of me. I want to be a raw vegan and stop emotional eating. Reading what others post motivates me to keep trying and getting back on the wagon. I don't think I would of ever had the courage to give raw vegan a try if it wasn't for this site. It's baby steps everyday but I am going to make it!!!

[Nikki]

I am here because I can not move through the rest of this life without experiencing my full potential. I am here to change my relationship with food. I am here to take care of myself, and connect with others. I love Raw Fu! My life has turned upside-down & inside-out since August 1, 2008 (when I started transitioning to raw)... all in the most positive ways, and I want to keep moving in that direction. During this challenge I'm going to focus on my EMOTIONS and CHOICES, because it's always a choice :). So excited to kick off another challenge tomorrow! xoxoxoxoxo