WARNING: This blog contains RAW subjects

Around 8 years ago at this very time of year, I became a vegan overnight. I went from a junk food junkie on the standard American diet to only consuming organic fruits and vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Suddenly I went from being known as "Mikey" (reference to an old LIFE cereal commercial) to being known as the health nut. I lost over 40 lbs, went from a size 13-14 to a size 4, and could be seen running around my block for fun. It was delightful. The problem was that it was a whirlwind romance that brought me into that lifestyle. Not too long after that romance ended, so did my vegan ways.

I added dairy products, then eggs. I added fish, white flour, and refined sugars. From this past holiday to this past weekend I added poultry and (GASP) red meat. The pendulum officially swung too far in the other direction.

I've known for years, even from my days as a vegan, that the ideal diet for me is 100% raw. I've been fighting it, avoiding it, ignoring it. In my mind, Raw Foodists are weird, extremists, flakes, fanatics, sickly looking and overly obsessed with talking about food. They're anti-social, self absorbed and always seem to be on some crazy spiritual journey that leads them into the woods to hug trees. Yet I can't escape the truth - eating raw is the healthiest choice I could possibly make.

So here I am, 8 years later, making another decision overnight on grace. I started yesterday and I'm feeling the same grace now that I felt 8 years ago when I became vegan. Maybe the reason I didn't have grace to do all the diet stuff I tried between then and now is because I wasn't supposed to be doing all those other things. Going vegan then was right. Going raw now is right.

I take solace in the fact that I'm rooted and grounded in Yeshua. That will keep my newly freed spirit and clear mind from seeking a zen garden in the Alps. There are so many other things I'm concerned about, but none of those things really matter. I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Finally.

Carrot juice, anyone?