Photo by Darwin Bell

I figured it might interest you because I always find it fascinating to get a more transparent look at how companies operate.

I also think that it’s important for me to share the behind the scenes stuff, so people understand what goes into running a blog and business like mine.

So let’s take a look at The Magick Menu launch, shall we?

The Magick Menu Goodies

One of the things that I like to do whenever I launch a product or program is to give people a taste.

Since I don’t live near every reader, it’s not exactly ideal for me to make food for everyone. So what’s the next best thing? Videos and recipe books, naturally.

The first video I released as part of The Magick Menu launch was my Wicked Guacamole recipe video.

Next, I released my “11 Snacks to Silence Your Stomach” recipe book. It was a huge success and got tons of great comments.

Then I went away to SXSW, and released my Avocado Fritters video. I didn’t get to promote it as much as the other goodies, but I think it was a great freebie for people who were already on the list.

The Live Unveiling

Then I hosted a live ustream event training called “How to Make Healthy Eating Inevitable“. It was great to chat and answer questions with people live on the video.

Here’s what I covered in the training:

• How to step back and figure out what healthy eating means to YOU. (Not dieting, or any of that deprivation stuff.)
• 3 ways to make healthy eating inevitable, so there’s no second guessing, no regressing, and no guilt.
• How I save time in the kitchen, and money at the grocery store… because I’d rather be having fun than slaving away in my kitchen.

You can watch the recording here.

The Fast Action Bonuses

During the live unveiling of The Magick Menu I also announced some fast action bonuses. These are special first-come-first-serve type bonuses.

I know that we as human beings tend to put things off, I know I do. That’s why the fast action bonuses are so important. Well first, it rewards people who are ready to take the plunge and eat right.

Second, it helps those people who aren’t really in a hurry. I mean, I can’t be the only one who really cares about eating right but I know it’s not on most people’s priority list. Especially when there’s something good on TV, or a crisis to be managed like the dog shredding your favorite blanket to bits.

You can see what the bonuses are by checking out the sales page here. Depending on when you read this, there might still be some of them available! ;)

So, what next?

Now that I’ve revealed my latest big project, and people are jumping on board… what’s next?

At the end of April I’ll be re-running my signature program Cure Cravings Forever. (Get on the waiting list for that by clicking here.)

Until then I highly recommend you take a look at what The Magick Menu is all about, and see if some magickally-done-for-you menu plans might make your life easier.

Have a great day, and enjoy your meals! :)

Let me illustrate this with…

The Unavoidable Sports Metaphor

Look, I hate sports metaphors as much as the next gal. But here’s the deal: all of us can use a coach at one point or another in our lives.

A teacher. A mentor. An adviser. A consultant. A coach.

You might not know this, but I’m a black belt in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do. As a youngster I used to compete in tournaments, and even went as far as the United States Nationals.

My favorite part of competing was the patterns competition. Though I did enjoy my share of sparring.

Until quite recently, I don’t think I ever really appreciated the importance of having a coach. In the ring, when you’re fighting and just trying to catch your breath you really don’t think about your coach much.

When you win, you don’t attribute it to your coach. If you lose, you don’t blame your coach. You know you’re the one doing the butt kicking (and receiving it!).

But it sure feels good to know that there’s someone on your side. Someone watching your back. Someone who is keeping her eyes on your strengths and weaknesses, and telling you about it.

Your coach has a higher vantage point than you do. Instead of being caught up in all the action, your coach can see what’s coming. She knows what you need and she can guide you to excel.

On top of all that, your coach is experienced. More insights, a sharper eye, and targeted advice just for you.

Who Needs a Coach, Anyway?

We’ve all become accustomed to the idea of athletes getting coached. Tiger Woods, one of the best golf players of all time still has a coach.

Do you think that Tiger Woods could do alright without coaching? Sure he could. But he doesn’t, because he is committed to being his best and he knows a coach is the way to keep him accountable and continuously growing.

Actors get acting coaches, business owners get business consultants, and yes if you want to eat healthy high-raw meals you get a raw food coach.

When Things are Humming Along

I remember after I first went raw as an experiment for 30 days, I felt incredible! I was practically floating. I was getting better grades, losing that excess weight… and just feeling good in general.

That’s when I decided to “indulge”. While in New York City, my mom and I decided to visit The Magnolia Bakery. I hadn’t had anything super sugary (other than my beloved raw treats and desserts) for at least two months by then.

I ate three bites of a chocolate cupcake. It was the cutest cupcake I’d ever seen. But my body had such a violent reaction, I instantly regretted it.

I got the worse rash I had ever seen. My stomach got completely red, full of little bumps. I didn’t feel so hot myself, and I just put the rest of it back in the box.

Honestly, I realized it wasn’t worth hurting myself over a cupcake. Not when there were plenty of delicious and healthy raw alternatives. The type that didn’t give me major rashes or cause me to breakout like nobody’s business.

Woops, There Goes the Wagon – and You’re Not On It Anymore

Photo by Renee

I’ve fallen off the wagon many times. I’ve had those days (or weeks!) when I thought maybe this whole raw food thing wasn’t for me.

Then there were times when I just wished I could get back into eating more raw foods. I literally stayed awake in bed imagining eating sweet and savory foods.

I didn’t have anyone to keep me accountable or keep me on track when I was going raw. I had never even heard of coaching at the time, well except for sports coaches.

A Raw Food Coach Can Keep You Accountable

Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables has been the biggest turning point in my life. There were times I wish I had someone to keep me accountable, to listen to my binging horror stories, and to steer me in the right direction.

Luckily, I learned from my mistakes along the way. Now I can help others who may be struggling with their direction and old habits.

If you’d be interested in learning more about raw food coaching, leave a comment below or email me and we’ll go from there.

What, you mean I need to buy furniture?!

and…

Boo, no more backyard gardening.

So, it’s my birthday, and I’m moving.

To commemorate this huge transition in my life, I thought I’d invite you to join the fun. What better way than to have a sale? Here are the deliciously magickal details:

• 1 hour Magick Power Session is $48 instead of $74.
• 4 hours Month of Magickal Raw Food Coaching is $192 instead of $296.

The sale ends on September 4th, which is the day before I move. Because I can’t be expected to reply to email or schedule calls when I’m packing up my dehydrator and juicer, now can I?

You can buy your coaching sessions with me, and book them any time between now and October 31st. So even if you’re not ready to up your raw intake, at least take advantage of these discounts before prices go back up!

Funny Inside Story about my Move

Photo by Remko Van Dokkum

Before I get into the story, I just need to mention my newfound addiction to the Soul Garden daily horoscope videos. Blame the lovely Gala Darling for getting me hooked.

Both Gala Darling and I are Virgos, and for the next 30 days we’ll be wrestling with the persona we want to bring out in the world. Becoming the Raw Foods Witch and living that truth is definitely part of the journey for me.

By the end of 2009, Virgos who did their “deep spiritual work” will be rewarded with 30 years of great living. I know my spiritual work is to help others, to put myself out there as a resource, so this sale is just another way for me to make myself accessible to more people.

Now onto the story of my new place…

Of Bats, Bat Caves, and Castles

Around 11:30pm on a warm night in July, I was dreaming. In my dream there were strange fluttering noises. I tried to ignore them, but soon I was awake. Still in that drowsy in between state.

I heard the weird fluttering again.

Oh, it must be the wind brushing plants against my window.

This time I heard the noise in the inner corner of my room. It wasn’t coming from outside. It was quiet for a moment. Then I heard it again, and felt a gush of air near my face.

It was in my room! I froze, fully awake now, adrenaline coursing through my body. I stayed there for a minute trying to regain my composure.

I got up and walked into the living room. That’s when I saw it fly around in a large circle: it was a bat! I ducked when it flew over me, and I couldn’t control the shriek that escaped my throat.

“Dad, there’s a bat!” This wasn’t new territory for my dad, we usually had a bat or two every summer in our house when we lived in the country. But we weren’t living in the country anymore, and we’d never had a bat here before.

He fetched his net, swung a few times, and finally managed to take the bat outside where it could at least get some food and find it’s friends.

To this day we’re still not sure how it got in the house.

Flash Forward to Today

My Alchemist Man and I have an inside joke about Batman and Robin, probably because we’re big comic geeks. (Some people have also called us the Mr. and Ms. Smith of the office when we worked together.) There’s even a “bat signal” for his workplace, that we could see from his bedroom window.

Naturally when trying to come up with a fun name (a la Havi Brooks’ Hoppy House, or Naomi Dunford’s Barn of Bliss) for our new place, I thought of the bat cave. Ignoring the fact that our new apartment is on the 25th floor and not home to lots of bats (at least I hope!), it might work.

I also like the idea of a castle. Witches sometimes live in castles, right? Though I really want to emphasize that I’m a good witch, and my castle would be one with rainbows, raw treats, and good Feng Shui.

Onto my 24th Birthday and my Own Castle

Come join the celebration, take advantage of the discounted coaching options until September 4th, have a slice of raw cake, and help me get through the next 30 days of being a Virgo.

• 1 hour Magick Power Session is $48 instead of $74.
• 4 hours Month of Magickal Raw Food Coaching is $192 instead of $296.

Have a magickal week, and Happy Birthday fellow Virgos! :)