That TV show you spent 20 hours of your life watching? That was an investment of your time and attention.

That new coat, those new boots, and your car. Those are monetary investments.

Every day we are called to make investments. But how many of these investments are for your health?

Photo by Michael

In an attempt to save money and stay on budget you might be scrimping on the one investment that could affect them all. Your health.

Investing in Yourself

I’ve noticed that every time my life started to “take off” and feel really magickal was when I invested in myself.

One of my earliest investments was in taking Tae Kwon Do lessons. My parents footed this investment, yet it is still repaying us today. In fact, it could save my life were I ever in a tough spot and needed to defend myself.

Another really life changing investment was attending University. I paid for all of my college education myself, save for the first year that my parents covered. College taught me so much about software, the working life, and what I wanted to do with my own life.

Other investments that have had a huge impact on me are getting a coach, attending raw food lectures, attending seminars, and buying books about raw food. I’ve also invested in kitchen tools like the vitamix, and a dehydrator.

None of these investments were necessary. I could have easily gone on living my life without any of these additions. But I am who I am today because of them.

Other important investments I make every day: eating high raw, exercising, sleeping enough, thinking good thoughts, and spending quality time with the people I love. These are all investments of time and attention too. (And sometimes willpower!)

Investing in Your Health Without Giving Up

One trap that I used to fall into when it came to “investing in myself” was giving up my power.

This happened mainly when I gave my power to authorities and “experts” like doctors, dermatologists, and pharmaceutical companies. (Who all seem to have their own vested interest in giving me certain types of advice. Funny, that.)

I was essentially accepting everything they told me as gospel, without doing my own research. Actually I started taking the birth control pill because I didn’t know about the alternatives to achieve clearer skin.

I definitely encourage you to do your research and take back that power of choice. You have choices, you have alternatives, you just need to learn more about them.

What have you done to invest in yourself lately?

I’m really curious to know what you have done or are doing to invest in yourself. It can be health investments in the form of education, training, exercise, what ever it is for you.

Leave a comment below!

In case you missed some of the free Halloween treats I’ve been sending out, where is a quick summary:

• I released my free recipe book: 28 Desserts You Can Eat Every Day
• I released a training video that helps you understand and eliminate cravings: What It Takes to Stop Cravings
• I shared the story of how and why I went raw, in this fun video interview.

My last Halloween treat for 2009 is the Hyper Halloween Party! If you signed up for the goodies list you should have already received your invitation.

To get on the Guest List, enter your name and email here:

I’m being interviewed on a Radio Show

I am being interviewed on Wellness with Rose Radio this week and I think you’d be interested in the topic: “How to Spook Your Raw Food Fears Away”

WellnessWithRoseRadio.com is a radio program all about natural health, nutrition, and living holistically.

It’s being hosted by Rose Cole, International speaker, author, Certified Nutrition Coach, and founder of WellnessWithRose.com.

I will be on the show Wednesday, October 28th at 12:00 PST/3:00 EST. If you’re a member of The Cue you’ll get a reminder email on the day of!

Raw Foods Witch at the Big Carrot in Toronto

I’m giving a lecture Thursday October 29th, 2009 at the Big Carrot food co-op in Toronto, Canada. The lecture starts at 7pm, and the topic is going to be very Halloween themed as well.

Be sure to say hi if you found me through my web site. I love getting to meet my people in person. :)

Counting Down to October 30th…

Get more info about the party here.

Join me as I host the “Hyper Halloween” party happening live via Ustream & Twitter Friday October 30th, at 4pm EST / 3pm CST / 1pm PST. Expect yummy raw Halloween treats, costumes, and lots of fun!

When you get on my special invitation party list you’ll also get some fun raw halloween treats! How about desserts you can eat every day, my cravings spell, and a few more unreleased goodies?

Yes I want to be on the Party List!

Sign up and get the reminder the day of the party.

This week-end it was Canadian Thanksgiving. Our thanksgiving happens earlier because our harvest season is shorter, and we want to enjoy it when it’s fresh!

As it happens I had two social gatherings to attend, one all raw and the other not so much. What’s a girl to bring to please such different groups?

Luckily I have been immersing myself in the wonderful world of raw desserts for the past few weeks so it was just a matter of choosing one recipe from my new book “28 Desserts You Can Eat Every Day“.

I decided to go with the Raw Pumpkin Pie, using freshly cut pumpkin. Jack-o-lanterns are totally appropriate here at the Raw Foods Witch site.

How to Make a Raw Pumpkin Pie Video

Raw Pumpkin Pie Recipe

If itʼs not Autumn and you canʼt get your hands on a fresh pumpkin you can use a variety of replacements: from butternut squash to sweet potato.

Raw Pumpkin Pie Crust

• 2 cups pecans or walnuts
• 1/2 cup soaked dates
• Dash of sea salt

Blend the crust ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor, then evenly distribute in the bottom of a pie plate.

Raw Pumpkin Pie Filling

• 2 cups shredded pumpkin, butternut squash, or sweet potato flesh
• 1 cup soaked dates
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. freshly diced ginger
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. coconut oil
• Dash of vanilla
• 1/4 cup almond milk or water to help blend

If you donʼt feel like shredding the pumpkin by hand, simply cube and place in a high speed blender or food processor until itʼs nicely chopped.

Then add the rest of the ingredients and blend until nice and smooth. You might need to add more liquid to get it to blend well.

Pour into crust, then chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. This dessert might not seem overly sweet, but trust me when I say it can rival even the most traditional of pumpkin pies.

Get More Delicious Free Dessert Recipes

If you liked this raw pumpkin pie recipe, you’ll find it and more great desserts in my new book!

I’ve put together free a downloadable ebook called “28 Desserts You Can Eat Every Day”. Yep, that’s right I’m giving it away for free!

Grab your free copy of the 28 Desserts You Can Eat Every Day ebook now.

Feel free to share this ebook with all of your friends and family. I really want as many people as possible to experience these healthy desserts.