Q: Let’s get this big Getting To Know You party started by having you, Ms. Nathalie Lussier, give us the rundown on who you are and what you do.
I’m known as The Raw Foods Witch, which means I get to spread the magickal effects of eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. I love creating programs, healthy menus, and articles to help people eat healthy and really experience the benefits of eating more raw food. I’m not into promoting a 100% raw vegan diet, in fact I think it’s much better to ease into a new way of eating gently. I’m the creator of the Cure Cravings Forever program, as well as my weekly holistic living tips newsletter called The Cue.
Q: What inspired you to start your own business, one that is so clearly based on personal passion?
I’ve always had a very idealistic view of life, in fact I went on to study Software Engineering with the hopes of writing software to find a cure for cancer. Along the way in my University career, I found raw food. I felt so much better eating this way and realized that programming would not be the way to find a “cure” because prevention worked so well. So when I graduated I turned down an offer to work in a programming position and decided to start spreading the word on my new friends: fruits and vegetables.
Q: On the Hello!Self blog, we love to shine light on the people, places, and products that make us giddy and grin from ear to ear – what we call the Good Life Goods. What are some of your Good Life Goods today?
Twitter: This may not be a product but more of a place, and it’s been responsible for so many great connections. I’ve met more awesome people through Twitter than most any place and I suggest that if you haven’t tried it yet, you give it a go. I’m @NathLussier on twitter, say hi!
Goddess Leonie: One person who always has a way of making me giddy is the gorgeous Goddess Leonie from GoddessGuidebook.com. She’s a radiant example of living the good life, and I just love her style.
Soul Garden: If you’re at all interested in horoscopes, then this site may just blow you away. It’s got daily horoscope videos during the week and tons of great people to connect with. I have to admit I’m pretty addicted!
Q: You are one in-tune lady. Can you share a bit about how you use connection with self to inform your choices – be it food choices or others? And do you do anything in particular to strengthen this communication with your own body?
Oh yeah, connection with self is so crucial in everything I do. One of the most beneficial things I’ve been doing lately is unplugging from my computer and my work. I can get so caught up with keeping everything afloat or keeping my communications going. But since I’ve been taking “non computer” breaks and turning my computer off early in the evenings I can really be more effective. I find my mind is less cluttered.
Another thing that has been huge in my life is living in the moment. Not letting my brain do all the talking, but just being present with what’s happening. Huge! Both for my food choices and listening to what my body says. (That includes telling me to exercise!)
Q: What makes you radiant?
Honestly I feel most radiant when it’s sunny, I’m surrounded with green plants or trees, and I’m with my boyfriend Robin. I have a thing for trees, and I know that I will be making tree planting an important part of my life’s purpose.
Q: What are the top three tips you have for people wanting to free themselves of any heaviness or burden that their current relationship with food may be harvesting?
- Resistance is futile: if you are resisting eating something and it’s driving you crazy, you’re just compounding the problem. The more rules you create around food, the harder it will be to follow them. Instead try creating fun challenges or positively reinforced goals.
- Be gentle with yourself: if you want to make different food choices, realize that you have been eating a certain way for many years. It takes time to change something so engrained and blaming yourself for “failing” is not going to help.
- Eat more leafy greens: one way to break the cycle is to start retraining your taste buds. You can do that by eating more leafy greens (spinach, swiss chard, kale, cabbage, parsley, collards, bok-choy, etc.) and green smoothies. Soon you will gravitate towards these choices more naturally.
Q: Now it’s time for the lightning round. Quick- What’s your favorite:
Food? Durian
Name for a pet? Ray
Recipe? Raw brownies
Item in your kitchen cupboard right now? Raw coconut butter
Way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Snuggling up with my honey
Quote? Well behaved women rarely make history. ~Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Thanks so much for having me here Emily. It was a true pleasure, you are incredible and ask such great questions!
Thank YOU, Nathalie! The pleasure is all ours….
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