UPDATE!

Good morning, dear people,

Still trying to locate my connector cord, the one that connects the computer to the camera, so i can show you the images from the YOU ARE THE GIFT Dinner and Celebration of Saturday, May 22nd. I can't believe it's the 25th already....

Susan and I (of "Mostly Raw Catering") received lots of nice feedback about our participation in the event, and we were generally pleased how things turned out. There were some dishes I would have liked to tweek, things i would have done differently, yada yada. When it comes to catering, you live and learn. Each new event is an opportunity to get better and better at what you do and how you do it.

I promise...as soon as i find the camera cord, i'll show you pics!!!

What was so special about the entire event, was being part of something that we all hope will have wider effect. The evening was about sustainable living and raised much awareness. Two guests at our table were so moved by the amazing movie Colin and Tracey made, they mouthed the words, "THANK YOU FOR INVITING US!" with tears in their eyes. Maybe they will start recycling or composting or eating more raw food. Like ripples in a pond, this party and the lasting effect of it's message, will go on and on.... It's a live thing.

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My mom had her stomach surgery and is in the hospital recovering. She's been in a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort following the surgery, but is calmer and more relaxed than she had been.

The incision in her stomach is at least 9 inches long, and, I don't know the whole story yet, but i've heard that the doctor removed 8 feet of intenstines while "re-sectioning" her bowel.

From what i've heard, the doctor also said her vegan diet with green smoothies and salads was not helpful.

I'll report back more when i investigate more. I'd like to speak with the dr and get all of the details of the surgery, and understand more his point of view on diet. The last we spoke to the dr, he gave a thumbs up to her eating food that was more easily digestible, and food that took away her stomach pains.

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Susan and I have our 2nd and final catering job this round, coming up this Sunday in Swarthmore! Kaitlin is graduating from college with a degree in dance and wants to feed her visiting family 'mostly raw' at her graduation party! In just a few days, Susan and I will be busy again rolling chocolate 'bliss' balls!!!

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A WORD OF THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEERS FROM THE MAY 22nd EVENT
When Susan and i took on the job of preparing raw food for 200 people, we knew we would need help. What we did not know was that there would be such an outpouring of support and love from our community. We are truly blessed by our friends from Arnold's Way whose help in this challenging project was INVALUABLE. We could NOT have done it without you. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Raw food is such that dishes really CAN'T be made too far in advance, with the exception of dehydrated items. Pesto pizzas can't be made a week or two out...and then, say, frozen. Everything needs to be put together very rapidly, very freshly. There was just NO WAY that two hands could have accomplished what SO MANY did!!! We had lines of volunteers putting together the pizzas...one on pestoing the bread, others on carrots and broccoli, another on the white sauce. The collard wrap assembly line was a sight to see!!! And Gail and Mark in the kitchen on 150 dill cucumber bites was an amazement as well....!!!

Not to mention the volunteers who came to Susan's house to roll and stuff 1,000 dessert bites!!! Aunt Mary entertained us all after that trying evening by singing "God Bless America" while jumping on the trampoline!!!

We're particularly proud of how beautiful the fruit display turned out, and we can't thank the Schallers enough for their gift of the beautiful edible flowers. They just "made" it! The beautiful flowers made everything POP with beauty and color! Can't wait to show you the pics!

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As for me, I'm hangin' in. Not doing great. Not doing even really good. But, I'm not freaking out too badly about it. It seems a very familiar place right now and that i can get back on track really anytime i want.

i'm acknowledging of the fact that i've had a LOT going on, and binge eating and weight gain is where my stress shows.

I'm hoping I can reign myself in soon, get back to a healthier diet and begin exercising daily again.

Out of control eating and gaining weight dissappoints me, and others in me, but I'm doing my best. I'm not doing well, but i'm nowhere near how bad i used to be.

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WORDS OF WISDOM FROM "THE SECRET"

You must feel good. You must feel good about You. This is important, because you cannot attract your perfect weight if you feel bad about your body now. If you feel bad about your body, that is a powerful feeling, and you will continue to attract feeling bad about your body. You will never change your body if you are critical of it and find fault with it, and in fact you will attract more weight to you. Praise and bless every square inch of your body. Think about all the perfect things about You. As you think perfect thoughts, as you feel good about You, you are on the frequency of your perfect weight, and you are summoning perfection.

xoxox michelle joy