Since 2006, Martine, The Dauntless Diva, has pursued a raw foods lifestyle with dramatic inconsistency… her longest 100% raw vegan stint thus far without interruption was the last 9 months, and she is continually seeking ways to improve her consciousness and her intuitive responses to her body’s needs to develop, eventually, into a life-long Raw Vegan healthy dish of Diva-bomb raw hotness and brilliance… do read more to find out WHY.

100% Raw Vegan Dinner: Jicama Garlic Mashed Taters, Marinated Greens, Cranberry Sauce and dehydrated Nut & Seed Loaf with Cashew Creme Cheeze… there’s no reason to suffer, my friends.

How It All Happened…

I was introduced to Raw Foods by a dear friend several years ago. We sat down in the living room of our shared-house and watched Alissa Cohen’s colorful, fun-filled DVD, and my life was forever changed. I literally went raw that day, as soon as the DVD finished playing!

My first 6-month 100% Raw Vegan stint in 2006 was brilliant and inspiring, except I did everything wrong and eventually caved to the whim of a boyfriend and will of a Doctor (and my own lack of education and conviction about my Vegan health) and started eating meat again “for the protein”.

When I finally came around after a few months off the path, entirely, and went on 100% raw foods a second time in early 2008, I was underweight and malnourished after a 6-month battle with overwhelming Stress and Depression. I was also broken out, tired all the time, unable to sleep consistently for more than a day or two, and battling aches and pains that ought to be reserved for the Frightfully Old (or the eaters of SAD: Standard American Diet) and not rising Divas.

This time, however, I intently read up on The Basics , then I began gulping down green smoothies, nut pâtés, seed crackers, raw cheesecakes, sprouted who-knows-what, and fistfuls of strange, oddly-shaped fruits with unpronounceable names. I was totally vegan, and LOVIN’ it!

The photographer's favorite food - APPLES.... image copyright John Annesley 2009.

Over a period of about 3 months, my health blossomed – I gained a few lbs. and began looking less like a prepubescent boy and more like a woman. My hair got silky and glossy. My skin cleared and began to glow – in fact I was continually asked what makeup I used (the answer? NONE!). Best of all, my headaches began to dissipate and glide away, and my lifelong struggle to maintain a stable blood sugar became as easy as this simple credo: Listen to your Body!

I was in Bliss, and as my journey progressed and over a year I put together more and more pieces to this pretty puzzle called Health, I was inspired to share this incredibly simple discovery with my friends! Of course, the first question out of everyone’s mouths was:

So, since I know YOU are probably thinking the same thing right now, I encourage you to read this charming, very short, enlightening blog post written on Alissa Cohen‘s blogroll! It really sums up how I often answer so many of those types of questions!

Going to the Next Level…

Shortly after going public with this website, I also began my own personal 90-Day 100% Raw Vegan Challenge. As I’ve progressed along this Journey, I’ve began to notice many preconceptions I had about Vegan diets and lifestyles have begun to change… my health is improving at a noticeable rate.

Consistency was the Missing Link from all my past Raw Vegan eating trials…

The OTHER Missing Link…

When I first went RAW in 2006, one of the issues I struggled with was satisfying my fast metabolism and perpetually hungry body on 100% Raw Foods… and I didn’t learn why this was such a struggle until 2008, when I discovered GREEN SMOOTHIES.

A simple combination of Greens + Fruit + Water in my blender quickly resulted in the most nourishing, delicious, natural, CHEAP and easy nutritional/protein “shakes” in the world… better yet, the GREEN SMOOTHIE was bio-available – my body was instantly rejuvenated by even just an 8. oz glass!

GREEN SMOOTHIES.... the drink that balanced it all. Image Copyright Dauntless Diva 2009

Throughout 2008, I stayed High Raw (75-90% of my daily diet was Raw and Living Vegan foods) almost subconsciously. I knew my body demanded total health, wellness and healing, and that the issues I was dealing with (Endometriosis, anorexia, migraines, acne, dehydration, arthritis-like joint pain constantly, etc.) would be healed by eating the right Foods. And when I began to also add Green Smoothies into that mix, my health sky-rocketed.

I am so inspired by Green Smoothies that I have already led FIVE successful 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenges for groups of SAD (Standard American Diet) Eaters! Most of the participants were not even Vegan or Vegetarian… they simply wanted to Lose Weight, Sleep Better and Improve their Health. And they did!!!

Today Is Where I Live…

As of Summer 2010, I am High Raw after 9 months of 100% Raw Vegan that resulted in a huge healing miracle… I LOVE my primary diet and I love the raw lifestyle, and I mean it honestly when I say, I am learning to delight in EVERY SINGLE DAY of this incredible journey called LIFE!

Raw Vegan Tacos - image and recipe copyright Dauntless Diva 2009.

Life is good, friends.

“Relax. Eat RAW. And Live.”

~ Alissa Cohen