Wanted to start this blog to share both my yoga and raw food journey. What i have discovered so far on my raw journey is that I am totally obsessed with mangoes (yummy), I try and add a mango to anything. And, once it's been devoured I rub the pulp over my face and leave for an hour. I love being mangoed!!! Also have a bit of a crush on durians...but this relationship don't come cheap. Ah well, a monthly luxury after payday. My yoga practice has deepened considerably since going raw. As toxins exit, my twists and bends become easier and alot more pleasurable. Bliss.....

Mmmmmm...... Mangoed myself this morn, it is Saturday after all and a day off work. some people feel the need to shop till they drop, wine and dine...me...just give me a mango and I'm happy. Started my morning yoga practice with 15 minutes of pilates leading into a deep practice. Soon heated up in my living room, had a little dance around after. Off to watch Adventures in Motion Pictures perform Edward Scissorhands tonite, can't wait. Matthew Bourne.....i love you. Hubby has just put madonna on...need to get up and boogie. Bye xxxxx

if any of you get the chance to see Matthew Bourne's dance version of Edward Scissorhands, then do. Again this wonderful man created 2hours of pure dance pleasure. He is a genius, a wild creative imagination. I left the theater dancing myself and humming the music..... This morn I've had a mango, banana, strawberry and oj smoothie (again rubbed myself down with the mango pulp). Have got watermelon and pears for lunch. We are heading down to Kamakura to say hello to Big Buddha, then we'll walk down to the beach to feel the sand between our toes.....my heaven! The sand is like volcanic grit, but hey tis better than nothing. And just to be breathing in the sea air and to be listening to the waves...isn't that just perfect?

Just got home from work...oh that Monday feeling. After a most wonderful weekend it was tough getting all suited up. The weather wasn't really in our favor yesterday, but we went to Kamakura regardless, which really is a beautiful, spiritual place. Temples, shrines, gardens, nature and all so close to the sea. We lit a candle for someone who is always in our hearts and just walked around taking in the sights and sounds. Bustling Tokyo isn't that far, but you really do think you are in a completely different country when in Kamakura....maybe the true Japan!! Photos to follow shortly. In true British style we paddled in the sea (minus hankies on our heads) and then sat on the sand watching the kids run wild without a care in the world. Infact I didn't have a care in the world yesterday, was happy on the beach. Have decided to blog more about my raw journey (am still new on the fruitful path), as I am learning so much and want to share it with you all. Will also post before and after photos so you can witness some changes. Will start all this tomorrow as i need to get my beauty sleep right now. Nitey nite zaadsters...zzzzz

Not sure how I can keep this short..will give it my best shot. So, you may have sussed from my info page that I'm a bit of a Dancing Queen. Love pointing my toes, creating movement and my degree allowed me to venture into the world of physical theatre. The yoga obsession isn't much of a shock to those who know me. And the fact that I love teaching (currently teaching english in Japan), it only seems natural that i wish to pass on my dance a yoga knowledge...my goal for the next few years in japan. Now the raw food thing has led to many a strange reaction; the question 'why'? the hovering over my lunchbox out of curiosity, the 'uuurghh' when one sees a raw mushroom swallowed with glee and the very direct..what the f***? At 6 years old I vommited when I ate fish. I rememeber sipping lemonade then being sick after that. Chicken was spat out when i was 10 as I had gone off the texture and taste. Then upon starting secondary school I realized that if i love animals so much why was i eating them? So, I went vegetarian. ma hoped it was a phase, but alas no. When I do something, i do it good and proper. So for 21 years now I've been vegetarian. Was a tad hard when Imoved to japan, but fortunately managed to escape the fish bits and bacon bits put in, on and around most dishes. So, I married a wonderful man. Loved life, got promoted and was happy. Then all seemed to collapse around me. My promotion turned out to be hell. The enviroment was negative, people were critical...my self esteem was none existant. i then miscarried at 9 weeks. Being so far away from home, and a limited support network in Japan, I sank. I realized drinking wine made me happy, so I'd down wine and then some more after work. I gained weight...my dancers figure long gone. I went to yoga when my schedule allowed......then one evening after about 2 years I thought 'cut the crap Em'. Spoke to my boss the following day and told him I was demoting myself. I returned to teaching in January 2005...white wine was thrown out the window. Lifted myself up, yogaing daily, turned vegan later in 2005, lost a load of weight and then........discovered the world of RAW FOOD. Toyed with the idea a bit, then again thought 'gotta do this properly girl', so this year went full hog...raw vegan. * have lost 30kg (want to get a bit more off) * have never had this much energy in my life, not even when at dance college * my yoga practice has deepened * clearer frame of mind * strong nails (have always been a little brittle) * deep sleep * happy, happy, happy Now studying to be a raw lifestyle coach along with becoming a yoga teacher and returning to my dance roots. I have been reborn.......... Hope I didn't rabbit on too long

So left work with a hop, skip and a jump as I have tomorrow off. I thought i would treat myself to the delicious delights of a durian. So, headed to the supermarket where the spikey little thing was just a few hours ago....and...it's...gone. I thought it may of gone into hiding, so I looked behind the watermelons, no. Nothing to be found behind the melons either. I walked away a defeated wondering who the lucky soul is who would be devouring the wonderful piece of nature. Whoever you are, enjoy! (you lucky buggers).xxxx

Since moving to Japan I have come to love all things pink.....a shock to to all those who knew me in my gothic days dressed head to toe in black. I have to question was it the fact that I had yet to try dragon fruit or was it it's vibrant packaging that persuaded me to buy it....what do you think?