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Barefoot Running No Nike Sweat shop Goods

Nike does not own my sole, Barefoot liberation

I am not one to want to try and “prove” a point.

I would rather present information and let the recipient decide if the content is a good match for them,at the same time walkin my talk.

Like the journey into a raw food life style, adopting a barefoot ethos you will get the scoffers, uninformed, scammers, and the jealous.

For me, having to speak with the uninformed is the most awkward place to have a discussion from, as it comes from their  need to have something to say but not having the knowledge.
And on many occasions they are coming from a place of having to defend a position, either to save face or keep up a lie they have attached them selves to.
In the case of bare foot running the need to understand the bio mechanics of a running form is something that an average runner is not interested to consider.

By putting shoes on, problem fixed, form is hidden by big wads of rubber and the immediate is gratified once again, a common trait exhibited by our western culture.

If you chose to take the time and research what is the bio mechanics of a human running form, it becomes clear, very quickly, that the hoary old arguments that gets propagated  about joint damage, pronation stability, and running on ground that is to hard for us  is part of the sport shoe industries marketing platform and has no truth in actuality.

The preceding generations of runners  had minimalist footwear and function very well, the huarache running sandal has been around in some form for centuries hurrache running sandals

I hear many of the the tired old reasons getting trotted out and are not worth the time to argue against.
As with any new action undertaken by you and your body, it is advisable to go slow and ease into it.

Injuries can happen no matter if you are a shod runner or unshod.

That statistic in itself is slap in the face for the proponents of Nike corporate greed if the product does what it claims, why is there such a high rate of injuries in shod runners.

As a western culture we do not let our feet get the strengthening and freedom of movement nature intended.

So a foot freed from the atrophying aspects of  swearing shoes, will need time to strengthen and be able to function correctly.

Preventing Injuries is not a function of shoe wear but result of applying correct form and training protocol.

Bare foot running is the most natural way you will find that form, without artificial cushioning you soon learn to activate the correct shock absorbing form and efficient running style.

Another message I strongly endorse in my conversation about Barefoot running is the corporate greed that is so rampant in the world of sport running shoes.

The atrocity of third world workers being paid a pittance for working in the factories Of Nike and the like.

Take a look at the truth behind the swoosh, and their disregard for their workers and the poverty they live in.

Enabling Phil knight and his cronies can live a life of luxury and pay out millions to like of that bastion of integrity Tiger Woods., and the like

If you want to take a look at the story of Jim Keady and TEAM SWEAT  head over to

www.teamsweat.org/

There you can read about his battle with getting justice for the workers of Nike, the following link is to more videos of the organization and there work.
He went and lived amongst these people to see what it was like to live on the wage they received.

http://vimeo.com/6109896

So I hope you enjoy your nikes they were manufactured with injustice, repression and corporate greed as the ingredients.

Hey I am not saying they are all bad and footwear has no place in a sporting arena.

Its just I personally do not like the ethics behind the marketing of, we are  broken runners, who need to be fixed by buying a  product  from companies that I read of, and see supported evidence of,  having no conciseness for the conditions of its factories work force.

SO what do you think……… are you like the majority of Marketed Sheep and take what they say as truth………

Do You take time to look at what is being sold to you as a TRUTH………

As always great to hear your thoughts

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By Russell – March 4, 2010

RawFood Driveby Shooting

Just playing with driveby Shooting  video Conversations

I have been pondering on if you need some of the new fangled sport drinks or sports supplements to achieve your athletic potential if you are on a raw food diet.

You see lots of advertising geared towards expensive additives and supplements for athletes and I wonder it it is again the strive for the dollar that is the engine of the marketing train , not any long term results for the athlete involved.

How are you tackling your race nutrition……….?

Please leave your ideas to share

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By Russell – February 27, 2010

Bare foot running Vibram Five Fingers review

Bare Foot Running is no good


Well if you are trying to chase down the guy in front and you are going down hill on a gnarly piece of terrain you are defiantly behind the eight ball so to speak,  so  something to help with the impact is a good call

Once you understand the technique and principles behind barefoot running, I believe you are on the way to a longer running career by strengthening you feet and running mechanics.

You endow your self with the opportunity to have longevity in your running through a natural adaptation to the act and mechanics of running.

As for the ability to make things a bit easier on you, well that is why we have an intelligence and resources to come up with solutions to adapt and survive.

As long as we do not loose site of the original principles, using our innate intelligence as a species is a gift and resource we have over other animals on this planet.

So I invested in a pair of vibram five finger NON shoes :-0 and I am enjoying the experience. These minimalist footwear range are good for the feet, and for people who are somewhat fearful of stepping in doggy poop and puncture wounds etc, they offer a peace of mind

WHAT IS YOUR LONG TERM PLAN FOR TRAINING …………. as always love to hear from you

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By Russell – February 24, 2010

Fasting for Performance

I am just keeping with a nutritional theme  in this quick post, and the possibility of

Fasting for performance

A lot of times when you are  fueling your self for performance  it is not only the quantity or quality of  food you take in but the digestion as well.

This is where a 3 day water fast can give you a good clean out and a start point to reset the system.

Obviously if you wanted to completely give your self a reset you engage in a complete rest and fast but this 3 day water fast is a good starting point if you want to start a clean out.

This is a quick video from Frederic Patenaude

I think he is a well balanced individual with good info

Have any of you guys conducted a fast and if so what was your results……

As always look forward to hearing from you

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By Russell – February 19, 2010

Raw Food Treats For BareFoot Running Fool

Raw Food Lifestyle

I know, I know,…..  I jump around from topic to topic in my writing,

sometimes about Triathlon multy-sport activities sometimes barefoot running, sometime rawfoods, sometimes mental health aspects, sometimes just random thoughts but that is what goes on in my life so that’s why I rattle on about it.

I see the need all the time for people to stop and take stock of where they are in their lives whether it be a hopeless overweight individual or a overworked stressed out mom who needs to unwind before implosion.

I will always state that the first line of defence against all Ill’s is the food you take into you,this is without a doubt the starting place for greater improvement in your life.

Irrespective of if the goal is to alleviate stress,  get fit, or create a personal PB in you sporting endeavor .

Stating the obvious is that it is not the only thing to be examined for a life to be truly lived at maximum enjoyment but it is the easiest place to start.

You do not need to go out and go for a run you do not have to make an effort to join a gym or schlep down to the pool, heck……!  all you have to do make a choice whether to cook up some dead animal or gorge on some beautiful  sweet fruit or some other gastronomic delight that is a departure from your normal fareRaw Food Treats

The picture above is cinnamon bread from a great website

Raw Food Recipes

run by Susan Powers who having been involved with food and wine for years as a trained sommelier, gourmet food and fine wines, became 100% raw, lost weight, had more energy than she ever had and state’s the best part was the mental clarity that she began to experience.

A statement of Susan’s I heartily agree with

It is said that 60% of our illness in this country is caused by the SAD (Standard American Diet). Our current way of eating is not only making us sick, it is also quickly depleting our planet of it’s resources in ways that are completely unnecessary.

Needless to say I am a big fan of her website and her content, and she is a glowing example of a person who is not dogmatic about the raw food lifestyle and is reaping benefits of the transition and contributing back for others to follow.

Pam Boteler

From  an athletic perspective………. I had a email conversation with Pam Boteler, who, I think is such a powerful example of taking on a raw food lifestyle ,the 80/10/10 reference that Pam speaks of below is a term used by Dr Douglas Graham for what he calls an species specific diet consisting of 80% carbohydrate 10 %fat 10% protein

Pam is a National Champion Canoeist, Motivational Speaker


Raw Food Athlete

  • Undefeated in the U.S. in the 1000-meter singles canoe event.
  • Undefeated in the U.S.A, from 2000 to 2008 in the 500- and 200-meter events.
  • Has won numerous international medals in 1000- and 500-meter singles events.
  • Holds the American record in the 1000- and 500-meter singles events.
  • Part of the record-holding C4 (four-person)crew for 1000 and 500 meters.
  • 2009 –broke the C2 200-meter American record (with her 18-year-old canoeing partner) at the 2009 Sprint World Championships in August.

    • Looking at her and her accomplishments you would think she had all her ducks in a row but Pam explains…..

    Since childhood and throughout my adult life, I have privately suffered with clinical depression, bulimia for over 20 years and, and had bouts with irritable bowel syndrome, challenges with my adrenals and other organs, skin problems, and more.

    At the time Dr. Graham and I met, in August of 2007, I was just coming out of being very ill (again).

    I view 80/10/10 as a triad for life: compassion for self, compassion for animals, and compassion for the environment.

    My focus has not always been about being perfect with the diet, but about wholesale transformation, raising the bar in my training and recovery protocols, and essentially striving to live a compassionate life.

    In contrast with the death and destruction of the standard American diet (to humans, animals, and the environment), 80/10/10 is now a no-brainer for me.

    Dr. Graham and Robert Cohen opened my eyes to the horrific treatment of animals and the disgusting drugs and other chemicals and environmental hazards that are a part of what Americans put into their mouths every day. As I began researching the impact of an animal-based diet, I saw a triad of death, in which I could no longer participate.

    You can find Pam’s full story at Doug Grahams site

    Measure of your life success

    At the end of  the day it is not about being perfect with your diet, it is not about being a champion athlete, it is not about being able to create  fantastic recipe’s  as  a measure of your life success.

    The ability to be able to stop and take stock of where you are, and assess  if your present way of viewing things is serving you, making decisions based on a long term objective rather than a short term gain.

    If you decide your life style needs to be examined and your desire for change is greater then the acceptance of  your present circumstance, there is a heap of powerful stories and awesome people who have challenged an accepted way of viewing things and are leading the way for us to follow.

    S0……….. What is your greatest change you have to make to see a change that you desire in your self ?…….

    What challenge do you need to take up to live a life fully explored…….

    As always love to hear from you

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    By Russell – February 16, 2010

    Raw Food Diet and the Athlete

    Can you eat a Raw Food Diet and be a competitive Athlete

    It is not my intention to beat people over the head and get them to see the light and embark on a vegan raw food lifestyle as i do not believe that would get and converts or would it endear you to your circle of friends.

    I still cringe when I think of my Born again Christian days ( not that I am saying it was not an important part of my journey).  I was not the life of the party carrying around a bible and breathing fire and brimstone Aaghh ….!!!  I am sure you have encountered the type of behavior I am speaking about.

    The real things that influence people are your actions s if you walk your talk it becomes more obvious and impactful then being a clanging cymbal.

    It all starts with education and understanding what is required for optimal nutrition for the human body a plant based diet is more then adequate indeed in the right balance will enable a human form to age gracefully and have a quality of life that is based on a sustainable food gathering regime and integration with all other aspects that make up life here on this tiny blue bubble.

    As an athlete it is often the mindset that nutrition is a complex thing that needs planned diets , expensive supplements and a dose of mega vitamin to stay with the program.

    So this is where you start to examine the available truth of an alternate thinking that has the possibility to set you on the road to conscious choices for your eating choices based on a harmony with sanctity of life and sustainable agriculture.

    Can you achieve a high level of competition on a plant based diet ?…… most certainly !…… check out

    Tim VanOrden  at http://www.runningraw.com Tim has made the statement I’ve had to stop doing upper body workouts at the gym, because I now build muscle too quickly, which slows me down as a runner.

    Brendan Brazier www.vegacommunity.com the 2003 Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion.  He competes successfully placing near the top at international Ironman triathlon events.

    I  wrote a post  awhile back on Carl Lewis      Vegan Olympic Super star

    His story is a great inspiration 10 Olympic medals to his credit  he wrote,

    “In the spring of 1991 – eight months after beginning to eat vegan – I was feeling listless and thought I might need to add protein from meat to my diet. Dr. McDougall, however, explained that my listlessness was due to my needing more calories because I was training so many hours each day, not because I needed more animal-based protein. When I increased my calorie intake, I regained my energy. I was drinking 24 to 32 ounces of juice a day. I ate no dairy products. And I had my best year as an athlete ever!”

    What Raw Food Choices Can You Make

    Vegetables contain the highest proportion of protein for energy, with around 10% of their calories coming from protein,Nuts and seeds being higher in protein weight for weight as they also contain a lot of fat adding to their calorie content.

    Raw foods are an easy and healthy source of high GI foods. Containing vital enzymes  which your body needs during exercise.  By keeping the  food raw,  it helps  retain most of the nutritional value.

    For muscle building fruits, veggies, and soaked/sprouted nuts and seeds are excellent sources of the most absorbable amino acids available

    If you look at your diet and decide to make a change keep in mind

    1. Regularly consume energy soup or green smoothies to guarantee the proper amount of greens beginners and some more experienced raw fooders do not eat enough greens

    2. Starting on a raw food diet too many fats are in the regime trying to imitate cooked dishes by substituting starches with nuts.

    3. Gradually adjust and work out your own individual diet to help you ease into the best choices for you.  Variety is very important!  experiment  in the veggie , and fruit aisle.

    Hey I try all sorts of recipes some work out better then others :-) but a bit of imagination is all that is requiredDurian and frozzen strawberry To purists this might seem a sacrilege but get a portion of Durian in a bowl take some frozen Strawberry’s (  I live in a strawberry growing area so I make a point of freezing a bag or two ) throw them into the blender for a few seconds to mush them up add small amount of pure vanilla essence to the durian

    and pour the frozen strawberry blend over the top Yummo !!!!

    So your mission ……….should you choose to accept it……. is to question what impact is my diet having on me and my environment ?

    What do you think …… can you, do you think you need to, change your dietary habits for greater athletic and personal growth ?

    As always looking forward to   hear your comments if you want somebody to give you a head start with making a decision to upgrade your diet follow along with

    Kardena Pauza she walks the talk and has a great information click on the Image below for more details

    vegan diet plans

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    By Russell – February 11, 2010

    Motivation is to be found in the Obstacles

    Where do you find Your motivation

    In training for the Bribie Island adventure race the Kayak section is big chunk of time out of the event and if it is not a discipline that is trained for you are going to suffer.

    My training buddies and I get down to the water after work during the week for a 1.5 hour session a generally against the tide haul, depending on the tide it can be a strong tidal race and if it is a wind on tide its a lively ride.

    Home made Kayak Trailer

    Dale lives quite close to the ramp and

    has a novel method of getting the kayak to the water,

    now you have to agree that he has come up

    with quite a contraption but what the heck it works.

    Idle daydreams

    There is always the possibility of finding an excuse for not following your goal, no matter if it be a training goal, or a life goal this is one of the obvious connections between sport and life.

    If you are willing to get up to the start line you need to be connected to your true intent then there will be no excuses, a desire based on a whim is just a daydream and you need more then just idle daydreams to weather the voice of the inner critic.

    Connect to your true intent and you will be empowered to rise above all obstacles and this holds true in all aspects of your life. Dale could have easily said I would love to go training with you but I can’t get the Kayak to the water but he is connected to a motivation that takes an obstacle an uses it as a stepping stone not a wall.

    You will eventually get smooth waters and wonderful sunsets on your way

    As always love to hear back from you all

    Hey what are you using for excuses…….?  Can you change it around and use it to get your self motivated and get closer to your goals

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    By Russell – February 6, 2010

    World age group Championships or Circus Show

    Busy training for the Bribie Island Adventure race  http://www.geocentricoutdoors.com.au/multisport/index.htm and wondering if I have to do any big K’s to try out being powered by my Rawfood diet.

    I have done up to a three hour session and seem to work alright on my fuel intake. I still have to back off a bit so I do not overload the ankle, but apart from that I seem to recover okay from training and feel good.

    After being out of competition with an injury for awhile its all coming back to me how hard it is to fit everything in around a working life.

    Remembering the effort it takes to get to a competitive position I was reminded of chat I had with me ole mate  Coach Jeff awhile back just after the Triathlon age group world titles were held on the gold Coast here in Australia.

    It did not start of as bitch fest about the state of the sport and its administration but we both had misgivings about the bench marks that ” Championship events” have set up for qualifying race participants.

    I remember posting awhile back that I did not get to the World Championships event and wondering if the sport itself was attracting me anymore after a more then a couple of races with a crowded a race course and inexperienced participants making it unpleasant if not downright dangerous.

    Hey I am all for participation and encourage newcomers to step up to a start line but when it comes to state and national tittles and especially world championships a real qualifying protocol should be in place and consideration given for those who have put a lot of effort into their skills and fitness to participate in a ” Championship event”

    Here is a recording of the call  I have got it set to send you over to Smithies website after it finishes playing but just hit the back button if you want to leave a comment


    As always look forward to hearing from you and what you think     ….. Should there be a certain standard before you can compete……

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    By Russell – January 29, 2010

    Barefoot Running Harvard backed credibility

    Barefoot Running Backed by science at Harvard

    I saw a tweet by Clynton Taylor over at http://www.runningquest.net/ regards a Harvard study into bare foot running.  It was a link to what I thought it is a great video on barefoot running, with needless to say, a positive outcome based on science and successful implementation of the knowledge.

    Brave souls that stand up to be a voice against the flow of opinion know that they are going to get sniped at but still have the belief that the message they have is part of a truth that needs to be voiced

    I find it astounding that the message of the benefits of barefoot running has been around for many years and the early proponents of it have been seen as some heretic misguided fools who had obviously been inhaling the herb and had addled their senses.

    Healthy feet of an 11-year-old girl who regula...
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    I am obviously overjoyed that a percieved authority has come out and said hey…. barefoot running is really good for you. It is seen as a permission to look at the information as a serious piece of information.

    Though to me it is another reason further adding to the need of being aware of the voice of the herd that is influenced by the mind shaping power of advertising.

    Unfortuantly the power of advertising is so prelevent and encompases all our tribal thinking even if we are not aware of it.

    The tribal thoughts are only of strength because the inherent laziness we have adopted in our rush to have a sanitized world that we think we are in control of.

    The subliminal message that the face of advertising presents to us, has the influence to lull us into a set of belief”s that blunt our own innate and god given understanding of the truth about what we are supposed to be as a good animal of this world.

    In my own circle my raw food diet is seen as extreme and I get presented with many reasons why I can not eat only fruit and vegetables and be healthy, partly because the meat and dairy industry have so much vested interest in controlling the tribal mindset it is a echoed thought without understanding ” but where do you get your protein “.

    The questions I field in regards to running barefoot are mostly of the same ilk,  echoed questions straight from the sports shoe advertising rhetoric

    If we as good animals of this earth learn to trust in our own sense of what is right for us, we stand a chance of living a fulfilling and rewarding exsitence here on this wonderfull planet.

    Being mindfull of what dictates our actions is a great start to being in control of your health, wealth, and happyness.

    Taking your shoes of and going for a run is just the start of getting a greater connection to who you are in relationship to the real you and your enviroment.  It is a very liberating thing to be able to have the thought. “I am going to try this without being told i am broken” and have a need what ever the advertising numbed tribal mindset is embracing.

    Tell me

    what do you fear to do because nobody else does it, but it feels right for you.?

    what do you hide uder the covers, because you are worried what somebody else thinks?

    always great to hear from folks all the best with your journey

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    By Russell – January 28, 2010

    Dehydration Barefoot and Raw in the Kitchen

    I was asked by new runner Judith(keep it up girl)  for a couple of recipes for dehydrated goodies, so I am always happy to oblige .

    Your Food Dehydrator

    Venn diagram illustrating the relation between...
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    I find that for my self  the longer I am following the raw food life style fresh fruits, green smoothies and blended salads are the majority of my food intake.

    I will admit to giving in to emotional food choices and this is where have some sort of treats on hand can be great.

    There are several fruits and vegetables that can be dehydrated but not every fruit or vegetable retains quality.

    As I am no great chef in the Kitchen, I thought I might just throw in a couple of lines about choosing a dehydrator if you are thinking about getting into healthy food choices

    Depending on how much dehydrating you plan on doing you might be okay with a mid-level unit.

    Getting the cheapest model isn’t recommended here is a couple of things to consider when choosing a unit

    1. Cheap stuff won’t last.
    2. You can hold off on upgrading if (when) you find out you love drying food and want to do more of it.
    3. Get one with an adjustable thermostat. This will let you dry everything, from fruits to meats to potpourri. Some recipes require drying at one temperature for two hours and a lower temperature to finish. Being able to adjust the heat makes your dehydrator more useful.
    4. Look at shape. There are cylinders and cubes. I recommend the square food dehydrators because you get more usable drying space. The round ones have a hole in the middle, ( speaking from experience  its  inefficient) you can’t lay food down all the way across the tray.
    5. Finally, think about getting one with a timer. Food dehydrator recipes vary widely when it comes to drying times. You might dehydrate something that won’t finish until the middle of the night. A timer will turn the machine off at the right time
    Tomato slices ready to be dried in a food dehy...
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    How To Make Chia Seed Crackers

    Ingredients: Chia seeds and water

    2 cups of Chia seeds  I put them through my coffee grinder for easy mixing

    2 1/2 – 3 cups or more of water

    Mix together in mixing bowl and add more water if necessary. It should be very moist. Don’t worry – it does not have to be perfect. They always turn out.

    Spread onto dehydrator trays I tend to make a thicker type of cracker but you can vary it to your own preference.

    It depends on what else you are drying with it I try to put a few trays in that will take about the same time to dry so the thicker the cracker the longer it will take

    Before starting cut into triangles is you have a round unit or squares if obviously you have a square one. Dehydrate at about 95 degrees for 12-24 hours or until they look dried and crispy.

    About half way through the process, just make sure they are scored through flip over and continue dehydrating.

    Now this is a very basic Chia seed cracker recipe. But you’ll want to add spices or additional ingredients to make them flavorful. Otherwise they will be bland.

    dehydrator cracker made with chia seed Optional:

    I often add the pulp of stuff I have juiced to the mix which gives it a variety of taste.

    A favorite one of mine is, after soaking a couple of cups of dates  which I use the liquid for a sports drink  when I go for a kayak or run, the pulp of the dates added to the chia seed gives it a good texture and taste.

    Raw in the Kitchen is great but stuffed in a kit bag for a hike or a paddle it does not travel well this is the beauty of being able to dehydrate a calorie packed food source.

    After awhile you know what works with what  Don’t be frightend to experiment, I have to admit to some faliures that even the animals won’t eat but what the heck it’s all fun.

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    By Russell – January 22, 2010

    What injury are you working through

    Most athletes will succumb to some sort of injury over the course of their sporting life and it is always the bane of your goals and desired outcomes to pull up with a difficulty that stops you or impedes you in some way.

    At times like these, it is even more frustrating having a problem that seems to have no solution, this is where thinking outside the box is a valuable skill for anyone to pick up.

    Within my sporting life, I read quite regularly of problems related to shin splints and calf injuries, etc etc and unfortunately the old hoary chestnut gets wheeled out as to the solution to the problems the obvious one is it if you are a runner ….OH its time for new shoes….. Duh!!! dint you buy the last lot cos they said with the pronation control and extra spongy stuff in the heel will save you.

    Just because something is seen to be a truth it can be often be the truth only because the lie has been repeated over and over enough times it becomes the truth.

    There are many instances of this in our world, ranging over many aspects of our existence.

    Whenever there is an alternative to be considered it will always be measured against the tribal mindset, this is where the ability to assess a new concept or way of thinking sets you against the considered norm.

    In the search for answers, or solutions to a quest of unfettered free thinking it is a strong individual that can honestly challenge the tribal mindset and change the Truth that people operate on.

    I know that when people are exposed to a new concept the chord it strikes is dependent on what immediate impact it has on their current state of existence, and their ability to accept a new way of thinking.

    Injury happens to all of us, sometimes it is obvious and other times the subtle and insidious meme of tribal mindset thinking shackles the desire for change. If you are challenged and want to believe for something different but people say to you OH it cant be done or worse still, what will people think !!!! get the F**k out of there.

    For me, if I choose to run in my huarache sandals

    Barefoot running

    pic by G3 photograhy

    follow a raw foods lifestyle, and have long hair, by believing my actions will be a path of healing for me I am willing to commit to it and be grateful that I have the ability to think outside the box.

    How about you ? What thing do you want to challenge or change in your life ? what sort of outside the box thinking do you need to commit to.

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    By Russell – January 18, 2010

    Barefoot, Raw food, on the trail again

    Like everybody else the holiday season has taken a big bite out of the normal routine and schedule.  The reality now of back to work is always the downside of having a break.

    Though in saying that I am one of a lucky few that does not have a boss standing over my shoulder and giving me a hard time.

    I have been away and have not got alot of structured training in but have been happy with Kayaking in waters with views like this at the end of the daysunset after kayak trip

    It was my first time I have been away for an      extended period of time without access to my blender and kitchen utensils that I come to rely on for ease of maintaining my my Rawfood lifestyle. As much as it was a departure from the routine I found I maintained quite well.

    It was a good wake up call for me as I realized I was going down the path of making the mistake of trying to complicate eating.

    I like mucking around in the kitchen and I make up dehydrated goodies and stuff to tart up meal

    Raw crackers

    While I was away, I found that I kept going on a very simple plan that involved very little more than Fruit and lettuce wraps.

    It was the biggest chore I had was to figure out how to keep the kids dead animal products from spoiling and cooking it up.

    It has become more of a challenge to me to prepare animal products for meals as I gain more insight into how much impact unnecessary killing and production of animal food products have on the planet and the end consumers.

    Even after the length of time I have been been following a raw food lifestyle commitment I have not got all the bumps worked out and unfortunately there is quite a good deal of mixed information on what constitutes  long term  raw food protocol.

    What I do know is that amongst the terrifying statistics of obesity and attendant health challenges  in the western world today even a stumbling adherence to a raw food lifestyle is greater then the lemming like involvement that people have with the food choices on offer today.

    I have not completely gotten over the injury to my ankle as yet but even on the limited training I am able to do my performances have been steadily getting more comfortable and I believe my bare foot running techniques and Raw food lifestyle are the reason that I am able to get good results.

    I am finding that to be competitive I do need to be able to have some form of cushioning for stony downhill tracks as I have to back off to much, and the huarache running sandal does not preform very well in wet weather,

    On the weekend I was out at Woodford for a trail run and coped a barrage of questions about why I was running barefoot.

    Photo by Tim Miller

    I spied a set of  vibram five fingers of another minimalist runner that in turn led to an interview with the photograper for a story to be put out on bare foot running so it was a great day out escpecialy as I ran a second place finish for my race.

    This is a summer seiries race so it is apropiate the start and finish line is at the woodford swimming pool

    As always the sense of gratitude I have for being able to run and enjoy the companionship of of fellow runners is the true motivation for being involved in sport, the other health benefits are just a bonus.

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    By Russell – January 11, 2010

    Don’t Give Up

    Motivation comes in all forms

    to some the motivation to start a training program is what is required for some it is loosing weight for others it can be as painful as needing motivation for carrying on with life.

    I do apologize for such a lengthy time between post I make no secret of the fact, my sport and my adherence to a healthy Raw food life style is a complex at time and slippery relationship I have with functioning in this world without the weight of depression taking hold of my life.

    On the Threshold of Eternity
    Image via Wikipedia

    This is not the place I talk about depression I have other places I post for that info but I just felt after the absolute depths I went down into over the past few weeks I had to bring it up as the more I get challenged and overcome I would hope it might help any other who has a journey that has similar challenges.

    I speak often about the power of exercise and diet to be at optimal functional place I am a practitioner of all I write and speak of so when I go down into such abject places as have been my reside over the past few weeks I question why and wonder if I am speaking a lie and advocating something that is only a good idea in my thoughts.

    I have not understood how I have been training well and gaining form and strength, summer has arrived and the beautiful fruits are with us, my garden is producing and the ocean water is warm .

    Yet I could not stay with the good things in my life as the dark clouds sent me into the introversion of isolation and wretchedness that hides you under the covers and leaves you curled up on the floor.

    I have resisted the medical advice to start medication believing in my talk that depression can be managed through a combination of exercise, diet and support, this time was the closest I have ever come to accepting the drugs so i could be free of the wretchedness of my thoughts.

    I did not take up the drugs, I had a wonderful connection with a spiritual community that gave me the bump to stay on my course and see my course through. I will not make this any more then what it is a cathartic writing for me about a challenge that is mine.

    We all have our own forms of challenge and we call on what ever motivation is on hand to see us through it, I have no doubts that if I did not lead the life I do with the exercise regime and dietary habits I adhear to I would be in a different place and possibly taken another course of action to to gain peace in my life.

    As an encouragement to anybody reading this be you a veteran athlete or a raw beginner, somebody thinking of changing your diet for better results in your life don’t give up Please don’t give up.

    Find a companion to share the load, stick to a belief of what can be accomplished, not of how far it is to go and why bother.

    I will leave you with a great clip that I found relevant

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    By Russell – December 8, 2009

    Raw Food Transition Report

    Raw Food Lifestyle  the Transition

    In my transition from a low animal intake diet to a vegan low fat raw food life style there has been a lot of learning for me. I have had no eureka moments, and a few challenges.

    Part of the difficulty is the amount of diversity in what is the accepted form of raw food regime.

    1. You will get
    2. high fat,
    3. low fat,
    4. gourmet
    5. vegan
    6. super foods
    7. non fruit
    8. high greens
    9. no nuts
    10. stay away from the Avos

    Unfortunately there is almost a religious fervour that surfaces in the various forums and leaders of the practice.

    It is a case now, where  that I will use  the tag Rawfood Barefoot Athlete it is not an issue that I like to spend any time defending.

    I am finding that for me it is not only about what you are eating that makes up your overall health.  For me I see a great more harm done with the belief structure that you have to adhere to this and that principle before you can get the raw foodist badge.

    I tend to look at other elements of the  Raw food lifestyle that make up more of the holistic side of being able to walk a with caring for all elements of what keeps us alive on this earth

    I read other testimonials that glow with instant this and instant that results, I guess it is where you are starting from that is a datum start point for measurement to take place.

    I came from a competitive athletic back round so had an awareness of the positive building blocks and the negative foods that impacted on my performance. After a couple months of the 811 regime I had definitely better digestion. This had been a problem for me for a long time.

    A serving of fish and chips
    Image via Wikipedia

    It often that manifested in chronic energy leval dips, to actualy

    vomiting after a fish and chip meal which I was fond of.

    The first challenge in consuming more fruit I had, was to get through was salicylate allergy.

    Salicylates are in a lot of foods, I found that I reacted more to some then others. http://salicylatesensitivity.com/

    At 4 months proper food combining and more understanding of a raw food life style as opposed to 811 dogma, I balanced out definite mood swings that always exasperated my ability to control my bouts of depression that spun me of into places that were hard to see out from.

    Mum Was Right Eat Your Greens

    At six months the difficulty I had was always feeling hungry all the time and never feeling satiated.

    Getting information on the quantity of greens and juices needed, enabled me to get a larger volume and variety of water and nutrient dense intake, apart from fruit.

    At this time I started getting really severe itching on my back and shoulders, to the degree of causing the skin to bleed with scratching. I also developed a tear drop psoriasis on my scalp.

    I persevered through the ‘detoxing’ thinking but the discomfort was to much to bear ( see bed sheets with blood stains all over from bleeding skin)

    After reading varying discourses on the amount of fats in a diet I added more fats than the 10% through more nuts, avocados, hemp seed oil, olives, and coconut oil as a skin oil.

    A glass jar of Spectrum Naturals brand organic...
    Image via Wikipedia

    After 12 to 14 days I saw the shift and the the itching subsided and after a month the psoriasis cleared up.

    I have my own garden that can provide 40% of my veg, and live in a sub tropical climate with readily available fruits and vegies.

    At 10 months I have found an eating regime that has me feeling more satisfied, but I still am adjusting as I go along.

    I know that as a lifestyle, a raw food eating plan has seen me gain a lot of ground in reclaiming a quietness of mind and focus, from a demolition site of depression, alcohol dependency,and scattered thoughts.

    I continue to learn and respond to the feed back my body gives me. At this time I still working out the way that my body optimally work’s at. It is a journey of conscious eating I am sure is more preferable and long term more beneficial for my soul and the earth I inhabit.

    As always love to hear from you guys and tell me what effect a change of diet has had on you.

    I have recommended

    This product to you before if you are a little lost on how to start on a change of diet to one that includes a lot more plant based product go over and look at this offer

    Easy Veggie Meal Plans

    Depending on when you read this Kardena is doing a special with a 50% price reduction opportunity. This lady walks her talk and has the body and looks to prove it. Click on the banner above and take a look

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    By Russell – October 4, 2009

    Raw Food Blues BareFoot Pain

    Just recently the World Championship for age group Triathlon was held a 100k down the road from me and I did not bother to go.

    Now I really like my Triathlon and I have been a competitor since 1996 and have enjoyed so much of what is something I still enjoy but the spark has gone
    It is not about the need for competition that gets me up for early morning training and so another chapter
    is closed on my life

    Does this mean I become a couch potato, no of course not I still have an ego that would want to be able to get through a 5k run without barfing up a lung

    For me it brings up a separation of an old way of thinking and a new set of goals and aspirations. When you set an Identity of self around being something achieving a thing, it is a vulnerable place as many people
    find even if the goal has been achieved there is a place of loss while the next objective is settled on

    I have been going through plenty of Raw Food Blues and BareFoot Pain as I progress through my transition I think that like many others who take the time to write to a blog it is a mixture of cathartic writings and love of a subject to be shared with anybody that happens to stumble upon whatever ranting you are involved in.

    This can be an awkward place to be at times especially if your position is one of a left field stance as you are positioned for a great deal of negativity if you find your self in a position of reexamining your path or having to adopt a different tack then you had previously taken.

    That is I find is to the heart of all dogmatic disposition when the ego refuses to admit a change is in order to be more in line with an emerging truth.

    I find this effect in most avenues of expression and the topics I like to write about are of no exception.

    Indeed the very topics I like to write on have gone through a metamorphosis what floated my boat 10 years ago is not what winds me up now

    Though I would hope the vigor in which I pursue something has not diminished I would hope that my ability to look at what i now consider a barometer of my health both mental and physical be dictated by growth and
    understanding as opposed to the fear of change and damage to an ego.

    I recently asked interested readers to participate in a survey that asked for responses for what topic material, frequency of contact and form of contact.

    Thanks to all those who replied if you missed out and still want to add your thoughts

    http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RAoD9UBdL_2fAanifxIbNZig_3d_3d

    So to that end I will still ramble on about my involvement in triathlon,and multi sport participation,but will be commenting more on the role diet and conscious habits have in our involvement of sport and achievements as we set out to be active participants of a life well lived

    be an active participant by stepping up to the start line.

    As always leave a comment and tell me how you are doing let me know what challenge you are going to give yourself to see growth in your life

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    By Russell – September 25, 2009

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