Dear Dr. Carey,

I am following the transition to eating almost 35% raw. Your 7 STEP ADVICE IS TERRIFIC, AND HAS HELPED ME LIKE THE BIBLE! You know I’m around 47, and I had developed BP. I also teach yoga. Now though my BP, was close to normal, I’ve never touched medication, (don’t believe in it!).

However, the bugbear of BP was always in the background. I could not do the Headstand, and dropping back in a back arch, which I quite delight in. for fear of BP. However, since I started a month ago, just following your advice of not USING FOOD AS A KICKER, I stopped eating chocolates, or biscuits, or the usual kickers, I used food mainly to appease my hunger. Hardly with this small change, I STARTED DOING SIRSASANA AND BACK ARCHES, with zero fear and absolute delight. I HADN’T DONE IT IN 7 YEARS!!!! I cannot explain the joy, it can only be experienced!

Secondly, slight menopausal symptoms had set in due to which I wanted a change in diet. I am a seeker of joy and ananda, I absolutely dislike moodiness and lows. So the slightest onset of this made me MAD. And THIS MOODINESS HAS GONE WITH THE DIET CHANGE!

I can’t thank you enough for your inspiring 7 STEPS and your STORY, YOUR SITE AND THE VIDEOS POSTED THEREIN! You are unmistakably doing the divine’s work!

However, I am stuck on one thing. DO YOU NEVER USE FOOD AS A KICKER? ……. as it is addictive…… Sometimes I do feel tempted to eat chocolate, or chips, …… HOW DO I WORK OUT OF THIS CRAVING? Can you recommend some more inspiring stories to keep me motivated? …….

I do not want to go back to the OLD HABITS EVER, cause this purity of eating has taken me to GREAT CONFIDENCE AND JOY.…. And more important a sense of fearlessness, freedom from fear of physical ailments. My mind feels much more steady …. I do not want to trade this state for the temporary joy and food kickers followed by lows ….. Please do advise.

Wishing you joy,
SUCHITRA INAMKE
Pune, India