🌱 My Journey to Raw
🧒🏼 Czechoslovak RootsI was born and raised in Czechoslovakia, which later became the Czech Republic. Even as a child, I was taught to be mindful of what I consumed. Soft drinks and candies were off-limits. Cakes were always homemade. Labels were scrutinized for additives, especially glutamates – we already knew in the ’70s that they were harmful to kids. Whatever happened to that knowledge? 🏡 Summers at the Garden House
Though I grew up in the city, we had a summer house with a big garden, where my grandma lived during the growing season. Our summers were filled with fresh produce. We raised rabbits, exchanged eggs with neighbors, and enjoyed fruit from our trees – cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, and more. Vegetables, jams, compotes, and pickled goods filled our pantry. What wasn’t eaten fresh was preserved for winter. Even though we ate a lot of white bread due to affordability, I grew up with a deep awareness that food matters. ⚖️ The Weight of Guilt
Despite this wholesome upbringing, I’ve struggled with weight all my life. My mom’s constant “don’t eat that, you’ll get fat” echoed through my childhood. I wasn’t overweight, but the psychological weight of being told I was fat lingered. I tried countless diets. The result? A spectacular yo-yo effect. I remember even refusing a chocolate cake my great-grandmother offered – and feeling ashamed about that too. You just can’t win trying to please everyone. 🍔 Food Freedom, Then Despair
Moving out on my own, I binged – like a fox in the hen house. Suddenly free, I lost control. I gained weight fast, then spiraled into depression. Luckily, I’ve never turned to alcohol. Instead, I made a promise: I will eat with awareness. Enter: the era of light products. For years I lived on low-calorie diets, constantly hungry, fearing the scale. I’d weigh myself daily and adjust my food intake accordingly. 25 years of bouncing between 62 and 72 kg – never at peace with food. 🥩 LCHF Was a Game-Changer
Then came low-carb, high-fat. Finally, I could eat to fullness without ballooning. I enjoyed food again – meat, cheese, vegetables – and stayed around 65 kg. With a physically active life managing horses, dancing, and farm work, LCHF felt liberating. But age brings new signals. 🤕 Aging Signs and Headaches
Eventually, I developed unexplained headaches, breast pain, stiffness, and signs of aging I didn’t want to accept at 45. My husband and I discovered The Healthy Life YouTube channel by Markus Rothkranz and Cara Brotman. Markus – raw vegan and wildly passionate – made us laugh and learn. We were skeptics, but their message resonated. Could raw food really work? 🔥 It’s Not Just Salad!
We feared a life of cold salads and smoothies. But we discovered a whole world of warm soups, dehydrated dishes, and gourmet creations – as long as nothing goes above 45°C. I indulged in new kitchen toys: a dehydrator, high-speed blender, and a sous vide cooker. Warm, flavorful soups became my happy place. 🥕 Smooth Transition & Total Joy
Surprisingly, the transition was easy. Planning helped. Creativity exploded. We were amazed by the vibrant colors and powerful flavors of raw food. Cooking became play. Eating became joy. The planned 3-month trial morphed into a lifestyle. 🥚 Still Love Our Eggs
We’re not purists. We still eat eggs from our happy hens – no guilt, just gratitude. Food is not our religion; it’s our joy. ⚡ Results That Speak Volumes
After 3 months, I lost 10 kg. I now weigh 56 kg – a number I hadn’t seen since adolescence. But more importantly, I love how I feel. My headaches disappeared. My joints, back, and chest no longer ache. My skin smoothed out. I began exercising not from guilt, but from joy. 👗 Old Clothes, New Confidence
I now wear dresses I had tucked away “for someday.” That day is now. And beyond vanity, it’s the sense of empowerment and peace that fuels me. 💫 Raw Food = Energy & Elation
Eating raw food feels like fueling with light. No more guilt, no more dragging energy. We’re clearer, happier, and more present. It wasn’t animal ethics that led us here, but over time, the idea of eating meat became unappealing. It just doesn’t resonate with our bodies anymore. 🌸 An Invitation from the Heart
If you’re curious, try just one raw meal a week. You don’t need to go all in. Just explore. Let your body decide. If this site and my journey inspire you to take even one nourishing step, then I’ve done what I came here to do. With love and crunchy hugs,
Iva 💚