The Diva's Before vs. Current

[Green_Woman]

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/divebefore.jpg

Pre-Raw... April 2006... I would go mostly-Raw two months after this photo was taken. I was depressed, short, overweight and hated myself and my Life... it all showed on my face. Hard to find pics of me from my pre-Raw years, as I avoided cameras! Btw, in this photo, I'm a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding - I was literally all dolled up, at least... for me pre-Raw, I was. ;)






I experimented with 100% Raw in 2006 for a few months, then went back to SAD. When this photo was taken (Spring 2008 - campaign ad for a friend) I had recently gone back on 100% Raw in a desperate attempt to beat my mental battle with Anorexia (the Diva's untold story... ha!) and to find a "cure" for Endometriosis.

My 100% stretch in 2008 lasted for over half the year, but I was not totally consistent, and ended up hospitalized for the Endo multiple times. I also had not yet grasped that I COULD HEAL my LIFE, inside-out, if I changed my THOUGHTS...





Cont'd below.

[Green_Woman]

DAY #90... experiencing detox trials, skin issues, and still uncertain if I could be victorious over the Endometriosis pain... but determined to heal my LIFE.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/detoxface.jpg


Day #125... skin beginning to clear, and rapidly winning the battle against Endometriosis! This photo taken yesterday, day #125 of my 100% Raw and Living Foods, doin' it Alissa Cohen's way...which is really just my way! ;)

I am LOVING Life, HEALING my Life, and living to the FULLEST every day.... for every bad day, I have 30 good days. This is such a turn around in my Life, a revolution at the CORE... and I am loving my journey.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/rose6.jpg


And now.... July 9, 2010 -- My NINE-MONTH Anniversary of 100% Raw Vegan....

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/martineswimsuit.jpg

[Revvell]

Wow! What an amazing difference! LOVE the corset!

[monkapotapus]

You look AMAZING!! :cool:
Thank you for sharing~

[freshlight]

wow, that's inspiring!!! Thank you so much for posting these, you have a strong glow now, congratulations. Keep enjoying this wonderful life :)

[snoops]

Wow - what perseverance. It shows in your photos and your posts how good you feel. Thanks for posting those.

[maddiesdaddy]

You have a total body glow going on! Thanks for sharing G_W. You are an inspiration.;)
Dave

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh ya girlfriend... you are doing it!!! you are you are you are.

so how does it feel to be a whole new person?

[Mary Kay]

Way to go!

Mary Kay

[Green_Woman]

Thank you everyone! I couldn't ever find a "Before" picture to post in the past, because I really WAS super camera shy prior to Raw.... after going Raw that first time several years ago, I began to slowly develop confidence and to take delight in my own appearance.

Now, I'm working on doing what Louise Hay recommends: looking in the mirror and saying (and MEANING): "I LOVE you, Martine. I LOVE YOU!" :D


Try it... it's really a fascinating exercise!!

[Allisonheck]

You are an inspiration! Thanks...

[DRiz]

Great story, lovely photos. Truly an inspiration!

[Moretta]

You looking amazing.

[Basenjimamma]

You are beautiful, through and through..I am so happy for you..

[Eva]

I always love your photos, Miss Martine the Diva... Hot stuff I tell you! You are such a poster child for this lifestyle. :)

[Green_Woman]

Oh gosh, thank you Eva. *blushes*

Thank you, all!! It's encouraging to have so many GOOD days and so few ICK days, you know!?

It used to be the other way around, but honestly, my HEAD used to be turned the other way around. *laughing*

[Amarynth]

Simply SENSATIONAL!

You are truly an inspiration. I love reading your posts and I simply adore the pictures as they really document your transition into a wonderful, beautiful person.

Thank you so much for sharing. :)

[OnMyJourney]

Get it girl!! :D You look Fa-Bu-Lous!!!!

[Fern]

Diva, you are absolutely stunning, thanks for sharing your pics. You are an inspiration.

[Pking]

Great story & great pics!

[RawHealthyBeauty]

You are and looking MARVELOUS!! Bet you feeling that way too!!!
You're truly inspiring in all your posts that I've read!!
Look at you go Green Woman!!! :)

[CathyA.]

You have no spirit in the before pic. Doesn't seem like it could be you. You look AMAZING in the after pics. And people say that raw is unhealthy. Pu-lease!:rolleyes:

[Green_Woman]

Doesn't seem like it could be you.

It wasn't Me. It was me. ;) It was me 4 years ago when I was depressed, miffed, unhealthy, unhappy and more! :D


I WAS a different person in 2006.... heck, you can even see way more strain/stress/anger, etc. reflected in my eyes/face in photos from 2008... I experienced (enacted?) a major shift in consciousness and perspective towards Life just a few months ago.

Every day, I am becoming New. :)

[CathyA.]

I so know what you mean. When I ate SAD, I was sad and depressed. This is real living.

[brendasue]

Where are the pictures?

[ViolinCyndee]

OMG SOOoooooooooo gorgeous!

[Green_Woman]

Thank you everyone! :D

I've been trying different raw skin care approaches of late to speed up the clearing of my last remaining "detox acne". I also get breakouts whenever the Endo rears its (weakening, vanishing) head.

I tried oil-cleansing for a week, and while it made my skin soft and glowy and luscious, it also started creating really painful, large breakouts on my neck. I think it was a combination of the Mold outbreak on my house last week + the detoxing of my facial tissue from the oil.

I wimped out on the oils and switched to Sugar scrubs (as per Revvell) and am pretty pleased with the freshness of my skin after 2 days of sugar scrubbing. I'll let you know what eventually works best!!

[Evie]

You are an inspiration!:)

[LNdolls]

I am loving you, Martine!! The before and afters are really a wonderful portrait of your changing. Inspire and perfectly timed for me.
And I love your haircut!
Best,
LN

[Green_Woman]

Thank you so much, both of you. :D

My hair style is constantly changing... kinda like my Cancerian moods. ;)

My sweetie says I have filled out properly of late - hooray for me!!! I'm getting curves in all the right places, and yet maintaining a healthy, fit slimness. Gotta get back into my nightly Yoga now that I'm back on my feet!!!

I LOOOOVE RAW!!!!!!!!

:D

[revdrcyn]

awesome - you are gorgeous and healthy!!

[RawAngie4life]

DAY #90... experiencing detox trials, skin issues, and still uncertain if I could be victorious over the Endometriosis pain... but determined to heal my LIFE.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/detoxface.jpg


Day #125... skin beginning to clear, and rapidly winning the battle against Endometriosis! This photo taken yesterday, day #125 of my 100% Raw and Living Foods, doin' it Alissa Cohen's way...which is really just my way! ;)

I am LOVING Life, HEALING my Life, and living to the FULLEST every day.... for every bad day, I have 30 good days. This is such a turn around in my Life, a revolution at the CORE... and I am loving my journey.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/rose6.jpg

MY GOD!
You are beautiful. Amazing. Wonderful.

[margoss]

stunning...you're hair and skin are beautiful

[Green_Woman]

Thank you!!!

Blessings and bliss,
Martine
aka The Diva

[Raw Angel Mom]

Wow, what do you eat mostly? There are so many ways to do raw food, i wonder what has been your secret.

Did you do any detox or just raw food and which food?

Congratulations!

[Green_Woman]

Raw Angel - in a few days my website, Dauntless Diva, will be back up and running. I talk a lot on my site about my intuitive style of eating raw (i.e., there IS no plan I follow... my diet changes by the day!) based on Alissa Cohen's BOOK + teachings.

My only "secret" is that I listen to my Body and eat what it asks me for... daily! I keep it 100% vegan, living, raw... and I gravitate towards lots of greens, cultured foods, nuts (soaked and sprouted, preferably) and fruits. But ratios change by the day. ;)

[islesgirl]

If I haven't posted this anywhere before, Green Woman, I think you are lovely and that you are the picture of glowing health. Your skin looks amazing and your shape is perfect. And like Revvell, I love your corset!:D

You always sound healthy and strong too - what a transformation!

So looking forward to reading about you on your new website.:)

[klomasius]

A beautiful transformation!

What lovely photos! I'd love to see more. :D

[StarFire]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/ICONATOR_63e46fb39725c212ce583b2994.gif WOWZERS... :eek: gurrrl... you so RAWk! :D

you are an absolutely GORGEOUS GODDESS! talk about inspiration.... yes amen! thank you so much for posting these pics!

[StarFire]

A beautiful transformation!

What lovely photos! I'd love to see more. :D

dude... your horns are showing.... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/teehee.gif JUST KIDDING FOLKS!! his profile pic has a GREAT pic of klomasius dressed for halloween...
ummm wait.... klomasius... that was halloween wasn't it? :D

[Green_Woman]

You all are wonderful and make me laugh about Life, and feel lovely. :D

I snapped a couple shots with my webcam two days ago (so these ARE the most recent pics now, and I'm at around 250 days 100% Raw)...

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/IMG001431.jpg


http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/IMG001435.jpg

I've been drinking Green Juices and it's helping my skin overall to clear up and STAY clear... I haven't conquered the monthly cycle/recurring pain completely quite yet but I know... I KNOW... that when my present "healing crisis" is worked through, I will emerge still healthier and more grounded in wholeness than ever before.

I am WHOLE, I am HEALED, and I am BLESSED.

So there you have it -- a mini update on Greenie's 100% Raw journey, and a few silly (sexy) webcam pics that are grainy as heck therefore leaving you guessing about whether those Green Juices made a difference or not. *laughing*

[Shels]

Oh. My. Lord.
:eek:

You look beyond fantastic! Congratulations!

[Green_Woman]

*laughing*

Why, thank you, lovely girl!!! Look who's talking. :D

[firefly]

WOW!! what a difference...you're beautiful!! I love the hair too...:)

[GlimR]

Gorgeeous!!!

[willimakeit]

Gorgeeous!!!

Yes, this is the superlative I was looking for. I needed to turn the brightness down on my screen your light is glowing so much Green_Woman. By the way you said you were "short" did raw make you get taller as well as so lovely as I wouldn't say no to a few more inches:)

[Green_Woman]

Photo taken today!!!

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/martineswimsuit.jpg

Yes, Raw Vegan foods MAY be why I gained 2 inches in height in the last 3 yrs... considering I started 100% Raw the first time at age 22, it was NOT normal for a woman my age to be gaining in height. And my family is full of short people!!!

I started Raw in 2006 at 5'3" and 130 lbs and dabbled with about 80% Raw for six months, then went back to SAD for a year and ballooned to around 145 lbs, still about 5'3"...

Today I am 100% Raw Vegan (with approx. 3 intentional "slip ups") since October 2009, and I'm 5'5" and 120 lbs!!!

[Sara1803]

You look great! I cant wait to feel great in a pretty bikini!

[sozei]

OH MY ! :eek:

you have a beautiful body....just gorgeous.

[Green_Woman]

Thank you everyone!!! Just listen to Alissa's advise in her wonderful book: Relax, eat RAW - and Live!!!

Listen to YOUR Body... watch things transform.

[maddiesdaddy]

You look amazin! You are an inspiration to many and one special individual. The RAW food experience seems to extract your inner voice in a way that I have never seen before. Please continue writing, posting and updating as you move along this journey. We wish you every success!....and don't expect any speedo shots from me!:eek:

Maddiesdaddy

[Green_Woman]

LOL!!! Speedo shots!!! That reminds me, MD, of an article I read on Yahoo news about the ten WORST fashions for men... Speedos were one of them. :D

I enjoyed my 9 months of 100% Raw Vegan, and though while pregnant I'm not forcing myself to be 100% Raw 100% of the time anymore, I am looking to stay as close to the earth as possible while still making sure I'm getting everything Baby needs for ultimate development...

I find myself moving further and further from the concept of that label, and closer and closer to "100% Intuitive Eating" which may or may not be 100% Raw on any given day.

As I explore that, I'll also continue writing about the challenges and discoveries I am making in the world of nutrition.

100% Raw Vegan was what my Body needed to cure itself once and for and COMPLETELY of Endometriosis... it is a POWERFUL healing modality and I'm excited to help other women I know (and some men) embrace that lifestyle for as long as they, too, need it.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I have a question. If 100% raw is good for you, how come you don't feel it's the best thing for growing a babe? If it's the ultimate in health and healing (in your opinion) then why would you want to grow the roots of your babe in SAD food? Even a little SAD food?

curious,
Aleesha

[Stella Green]

Green Woman Diva, Congratulations! I am so looking forward to reading about your adventures with your new little one!

I just have to ask: your stomach is amazing! Are you doing exercises too?!? Do tell.

[lafsalot]

Kudos to you Diva for acquiring and cultivating a healthy and peaceful relationship with food by choosing the path of mindful eating!

[rawlight]

I have a question. If 100% raw is good for you, how come you don't feel it's the best thing for growing a babe? If it's the ultimate in health and healing (in your opinion) then why would you want to grow the roots of your babe in SAD food? Even a little SAD food?

curious,
Aleesha

Yes, we've watched you cure so many emotional, physical and spiritual issues with rawfoodism. Why are you stopping now?

[Green_Woman]

I have a question. If 100% raw is good for you, how come you don't feel it's the best thing for growing a babe? If it's the ultimate in health and healing (in your opinion) then why would you want to grow the roots of your babe in SAD food? Even a little SAD food?

Above all else, I am 100% intuitive... I listen to my Body, and at this point in time, my Body is not accepting 100% raw vegan. It's hormones -- and hormones, they say, often calm down in the second trimester... but for now, I can't even tolerate the smell of many of my old "favorite" foods without becoming ill.

I've been speaking with and reading/watching the journals of several women, some who were vegan through pregnancy -- some who claimed to be raw vegan... many who attempted raw vegan and found themselves facing a similar challenge. One famous 100% raw vegan mother who I have spoken to admitted to eating non-raw foods on multiple occasions (and her cravings WERE definitely SAD) while others "confess" to having eaten in fact very little raw the first trimester, but they still consider their pregnancies to have been "raw vegan" because of the 2-3rd trimesters...interesting.

I am not returning to the SAD diet. I'm a little more wise than that. ;)

SAD (Stand American Diet) is a diet of processed foods, heavily based in hormonally and chemically-altered semblances of food. My diet may not be 100% raw or 100% vegan at present, but it's not SAD.

The more research I do into raw vegan pregnancies (the very, very few that are on record as having been 100% raw, that is), the more accepting I am that I am NOT 100% raw at this time... even Jinjee -- famous for her raw pregnancies admits to having had THREE non-raw pregnancies before she felt confident enough in her lifestyle to attempt a 100% raw pregnancy. That was after she'd been 100% raw vegan for several years... and while she was with her partner, Storm, 100% raw vegan for several DECADES.

I think I'm doing juuuust fine. ;)

I don't have faith in raw -- I have faith in ME... and my Body is very clear about what she can and can not handle during this hormonally-turbulent first trimester.

Raw is one facet -- a powerful one, but only one -- of my lifestyle and my choice of healing modalities... I'm not stopping. I'm simply adjusting. Stay tuned. ;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

I think it's always important to go with the flow... being stagnant is never good. I wish you a healthy pregnancy and birth (((hugs)))

[Green_Woman]

*adjusts adjusts*

[rawlight]

Above all else, I am 100% intuitive... I listen to my Body, and at this point in time, my Body is not accepting 100% raw vegan. It's hormones -- and hormones, they say, often calm down in the second trimester... but for now, I can't even tolerate the smell of many of my old "favorite" foods without becoming ill.

I am sure there is lots to think and feel about during this time. That hormone thing especially :eek: !!

I truly wish you well.

[Green_Woman]

Y'all sound like you're attending a funeral. ;)

Not being 100% raw 100% of the time doesn't mean I've totally "forsaken" the creed. ;)

[rawlight]

Y'all sound like you're attending a funeral. ;)



Really? That certainly wasn't my intention. I was sincere. You explained very well the way you reasoned it all out..... :confused:

[Aleesha Sattva]

Y'all sound like you're attending a funeral. ;)

Not being 100% raw 100% of the time doesn't mean I've totally "forsaken" the creed. ;)

nope i didn't feel that way at all... perhaps that's how you are feeling?

[Green_Woman]

Nope. Amused, but not like I'm at a funeral. ;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

i was referring to the rest of your statement actually. i found it interesting you took it that way...

whenever i take something out of context... i always look at it closely/deeply cause often it tells me something about the way i feel.

regardless, either way... http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/hello.gif YOU ARE PREGGERS AND HAVING A BABE!!! http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/thbellydance.gif

[Green_Woman]

Thanks! I'm pretty excited to finally be launching on THIS leg of my life journey... :D

I read Jinjee's book ECSTATIC BIRTHING last night (quick read -- WONDERFUL book) and was so thrilled and inspired by how transparent and identifiable her raw food experience was/is...!!! Some of the passages she wrote about what she experienced in her first couple of months of pregnancy and even just in her pre-baby raw journey could have been written by me... it was lovely.

HIGHLY recommend it for anyone considering or in the midst of a raw pregnancy... really good info for women to know.

[fostin]

JUST AMAZING, and you look fabulous!

[Green_Woman]

Thank you, Fostin!

I'm finding that with (currently 95% raw vegan) pregnancy, my skin is clearing even MORE and my hormones are feeling MUCH more aligned and balanced even than before... lovin' it, except for the "morning sickness" which is in fact 24/7. :D

[groberts1998]

DAY #90... experiencing detox trials, skin issues, and still uncertain if I could be victorious over the Endometriosis pain... but determined to heal my LIFE.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/detoxface.jpg


Day #125... skin beginning to clear, and rapidly winning the battle against Endometriosis! This photo taken yesterday, day #125 of my 100% Raw and Living Foods, doin' it Alissa Cohen's way...which is really just my way! ;)

I am LOVING Life, HEALING my Life, and living to the FULLEST every day.... for every bad day, I have 30 good days. This is such a turn around in my Life, a revolution at the CORE... and I am loving my journey.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/rose6.jpg


And now.... July 9, 2010 -- My NINE-MONTH Anniversary of 100% Raw Vegan....

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/martineswimsuit.jpg

Very nice! You look very good. You look Fab. You really are a little hottie. Good job!

[bing]

As I was reading and looking at the photos.. my jaw dropped and couldn't help but say WOOOOOOWWWW...:eek:

You look so gorgeous and kicking! Your pre-raw photo looks not you, LOL. I'm truly amazed by the result. And you have great photos, you look like a model.