Important: Please read to the end of this post for a special summer wrap up contest! It’s super easy to enter, so read on!
It’s been awhile since I wrote a personal update about what’s going on in my life. A lot has changed in these past few months, and I wanted to give you a little glimpse into my summer.
I Traveled, and I Met Mother Nature
In June I went to Miami with Robin, where we went scuba diving for the first time. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! It shifted both our opinions on fish and sea creatures.
Even though I’ve always had a fear of sharks from watching Jaws too many times as a kid… I remained calm when we met a shark underwater. It was kind of peaceful, go figure!
In August we went camping in the Algonquin park of Northern Ontario. We didn’t see any bears, but we did hear the loons. Let me tell you that it’s really beautiful to hear with your own ears, as opposed to watching it on TV.
I Got Media Attention
The publishing world moves a little slower than the online world I’m used to. Even though I’ve known for awhile that I was going to be published in magazines like Viva, Tonic, and The Edge, the issues are just coming out now.
I’ve become a regular contributor for Tonic, and I run the Inspired Living column in Viva magazine. I’m also featured as one of 25 passionate women entrepreneurs in the book “The T-shirt to Prove It”.
Oh, and I recently got nominated in the Best of Canada Natural Health Awards. Life is good.
(That’s what I call bragging, thanks for indulging me!)
I Adopted a Dog
Millie is our little bundle of rescue-dog joy. She’s adapted really well to our apartment and the nearby parks. She loves to chase the geese, even though they’re bigger than she is.
I also got a taste of what having a kid is like between bath time, feeding, and bathroom breaks. Millie isn’t too keen on getting bathed, just look at that pouty face!
With the new dog we also took the opportunity to re-arrange the apartment. It feels a lot more FengShui now. Even though Robin isn’t into that kind of thing, he likes the new arrangements too. ;)
I Programmed My Witchy Butt Off
Even though I thought programming was behind me, I put on my software engineer hat and programmed my butt off. This is me in 2006 during my undergraduate degree in software engineering.
This summer I programmed something that’s really near and dear to my heart. It’s designed to make eating healthy super easy, and although it’s currently in beta I can’t wait to wave my programmer flag and show the world.
I MCed, and Hung Out with Raw Superstars
In June, I helped out at the Simply Raw Festival in Ottawa, where I MCed on the main stage. I had to improvise for an hour because one of the speakers was stuck in traffic. Luckily, I also took Improv classes this summer… so I was able to keep the crowd entertained.
I met one of my childhood music heroines, Bif Naked. She spoke at the festival about her journey with raw food, and we laughed about her dog’s bowel movements together.
In August, Robin and I learned from the superfood champion himself, David Wolfe. He showed us how to identify different edible mushrooms, as well as mushrooms used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
David walked barefoot in the woods, and we wore our Vibram FiveFingers. I swam in the nearby lake and munched on superfood chocolate. Yum yum.
Something Big is Brewing…
So while I was out there living my life, I realized that something had changed. All of these life experiences have led me to a realization. This is something that really revolutionizes the way that people will think about diet, raw food, and health.
It has nothing to do with juicing, fasting, supplements, superfoods, or will power (gimme a break!).
I’ll explain my big epiphany in the next post, so stay tuned!
Summer Wrap Up Contest!
Now that I’ve told you what I’ve been up to this summer… it’s time for you to let me know what you’ve been up to!
To sweeten up the pot a little, I’m giving away a raw food book to one lucky winner! And since I’m feeling extra generous, if we get over 75 comments, I’ll give away two.
So to increase your chances of winning a raw food book with super fun recipes, tell your friends and family about this site. Tweet it out on twitter. Post about it on Facebook.
The contest is over and the winners have been announced! Click here to see who they are!
{ 117 comments }
← Previous Comments
Oh no way! I had no clue you weren’t originally from Austin. Good on you Ana, I love hearing this kind of story. :D :D Very exciting!!
If I’m allowed to be completely honest, this was the summer from hell, but I did get to see family members that I’ve havent had contact with in a while. Though it was born out of a tragic situation, it was nice to reunite with them.
This summer, I finally got off my a** and started the music blog I’ve been talking about for so long. By the end of August, only two months in, I had 1000 visitors in a month (August), I had met the city’s most prolific music writer, I had listened to two albums before they were released to the public, and my newsletter was subscribed to by a music industry icon. Quite the summer, not sure what I do for the fall lol.
Aww I’m so sorry to hear you had a hellish summer Carla! It’s good that you were able to see the silver lining, and I’m sending you lots of hugs and good thoughts.
Wow Michael, that’s awesome way to go! I love that you just put it out there and started getting these results, much applause for you my dear!
The coolest thing that happened to me this summer was the opportunity to spend a weekend in NYC with dear friends! For a brief 48 hours my husband and I got to experience life in the city that never sleeps! It was a wonderful experience and a fun dichotomy to our mid-western lifestyle. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the culture and fashion and business in such an amazing city.
Ooh I’m a huge fan of NYC so I can totally relate to this! :D It sounds like a great way to absorb the city too. :)
Hiya Nathalie, just dropping by to say that Millie is adorable. Been meaning to do that for a while now. Also glad to see that you had an awesome summer!
As for this summer, my answer is going to be a little different ^^; I met a bunch of people from the fighting game community and it’s been a lot of fun hanging out, seeing myself improve and being more outgoing. Also finished a bunch of craft projects that I’ve been meaning to for a long time.
Aww hey Martine! Thanks, she is so much cuteness in one little bundle hehe. :)
Aww I love that you’re getting out there and being more outgoing! It sounds like you got a lot of socializing + gaming + crafting done, and that’s sooo much fun! (Confession: I started playing games again 2 days ago… it’s been wayyy too long!)
Wow, Nathalie, your summer sounds amazing. I have had a peaceful summer, which I like. I could have used better weather, but the entire west coast was a bit socked in this year, so I’m not alone in that. I’ve been rather productive, giving radio interviews and writing guest blog posts, blitzing on social media and generally making some amazing connections.
In truth, the best thing that’s happened to me has been to spend more time with my friends here in Seattle and really build a solid community.
Sounds like you have some great ideas brewing. Not that’s cool. I love that you adopted a pet. My dog, Addie, forces me to take walks every evening. It’s a much needed stress break.
I can’t wait to see what your great concept is.
A couple cool thing that happened to me this summer. My son called me Baba, which is dad in German. I was contacted by a billion dollar company to help them promote a project. They want to help me through on a Superpower Coaching seminar in Austin. It’s a win-win. So many great things are happening. It’s been a full year already and I it’s only 2/3 over.
Hi Nathalie
Wow, what an amazing and exciting summer indeed! Congrats on all the work you are doing and Millie is just the most adorable addition!
I am so thrilled for you and super excited about all that you have been up to – wow! Talk about being a superstar role model for following your passions! To many more awesome adventures!
And I have to say my summer was pretty adventurous too, as last spring we decided to say “good-bye” to our suburban lifestyle, and move into nature, to embrace a more natural, simple and sustainable lifestyle. So now we live so close to Algonquin park (too bad I didn’t know about you coming out here, as we could have planned a meeting…. but something to keep in mind for the future), we have been awaiting the building of our new house here over the summer, so everyday was exciting in itself.
I have been getting more integrated into communities here and bringing more awareness on good health and nutrition, but not the easiest crowd to work with… it is all good as I don’t impose and help with open arms those, who are truly seeking it.
And in terms of diet, we signed up to a local CSA farm and have been getting 2 huge baskets of the most spectacular vegetables ever. We up’d our intake of greens and veggies even more and are just loving it! Still not as raw as, I would perhaps want us to be – so will have to look up this book for sure, but now that we are settled in our house and no more living out of a suitcase, I am hoping to expand on my sprouting from last year and sooner rather than later get a dehydrator too :)
All the best to you always in health and happiness and can’t wait to read about the epiphany!
Hi Evita! Wow I had no idea, it’s great to know you’re up by Algonquin – will definitely let you know the next time we’re up there. Good for you on upping your veggies too, that’s awesome! :D
Wow Karl congrats on being contacted by this company, it sounds like an awesome opportunity! Wohooo! And Yes – I love the evening walks with Millie, Addie sounds like a doll. :)
*hugs*
Aww Sukie! I love that you’re really getting that community of friends thing going – and way to go on all of your social media + press gigs, woohoo! :D
Hello Nathalie, sounds like you had a totally amazing summer! Very inspiring.
I also spent lots of time outdoors, which I love to do in the summers here in BC – I love climbing mountains and swimming in natural habitats.
Looking forward to reading about your epiphany and what you have programmed! I think it’s awesome you’re creating some health related software.
Hi Dorota! Ooh I’ve never been to BC but I’ve heard great things about the beautiful scenery and camping/outdoorsy stuff. Lucky you! :)
← Previous Comments
Comments on this entry are closed.