Successfully Raw - NYC

SUCCESSFULLY RAW EVENT, MARCH 29TH in NYC

The AMAZING presenters...

(Joel Odhner, Philip McCluskey, Anthony Anderson, Dhrumil Purohit, Karen Knowler)


I can honestly say that this past weekend was one of if not the most educating, exciting, inspiring, eye opening experiences of my life. It would be near impossible to detail every amazing thing that happened this past weekend so instead I will highlight some of the best moments. And I will be posting a separate entry about my meeting with Natalia Rose!


First of all, I should start off by saying that everyone who was a part of the Successfully Raw Event, really did such an amazing job. I’m not sure that I could pick just ONE part that stood out for me the most because each speech by each person was original and so informative that it would be hard to have a favorite. I will say that a lot of what Karen Knowler touched on about eating and emotions, really resonated with me. I can’t wait until the audio/video is up so that I can hear the whole thing again!! I asked two questions during Karen’s speech… and I’m a tad bit nervous to hear myself haha but it’s all good. I was so excited to be there. I also did an interview with Robert at the end of the event, to say what my thoughts were about it, etc and it was my first time being on camera like that, and I unfortunately let my nerves get the best of me! I believe I said “um” quite a few times, that is my nervous habit… to say “um” over and over lol. It’s okay though, I am not going to beat myself up about it -- everyone’s first time can’t be perfect, right!? Next time I will be more prepared!

If hearing Karen, Dhru, Anthony, Philip and Joel’s talks weren’t amazing enough… meeting and conversing with so many wonderful people really took the cake (raw cake of course lol). It was so awesome to see so many familiar faces of the people who I have been communication with through giveittomeraw.com and blogger, etc.

Anthony gave an amazing speech, I talked to him before and after the event and was truly trying my best to keep composure, it's not easy to be around someone that beautiful!. Not only is he obviously physically gorgeous but his personality and energy are equally as stunning. My favorite part of his speech was when he was talking about how when he first went Raw, when he would see other SAD people in restaurants eating nasty cooked food, he felt like they were eating "demon food" and couldn't help but be a little judgmental. I totally related to this because when I first went raw, I felt like I knew so much more than everyone and that anyone who ate anything cooked or processed was ignorant. It's not a healthy way to be though, you have to keep in mind that everyone has there own time and just because something is working for you, does not mean that everyone is going to accept or agree with it. You have to stay open-minded, always!!

Dhru really did such a great job at making everyone feel so comfortable and at home. Being around him is truly an amazing experience... it may sound strange but if you have ever met him, you'd understand what I mean! He has this sense of calmness to him, that was truly refreshing. Your one amazing guy, Dhru!!

Philip’s story is so amazing and inspiring. His before and after pictures alone are an inspiration! He seemed so comfortable talking to everyone and sharing his experience. He is a great guy and I'm so glad I was able to finally meet him!!

Karen is a firecracker!!!! I met her after she gave her presentation and was soo excited to have a picture taken with her. She is a GREAT person and dancing with her was so much fun!! She does this dance that me and Jayna are now calling "the karen".... it's classic and no one can do it like her! lol. She is adorable. I feel honored to have met her!!

A BIG thanks to Vanessa from Gnosis Chocolate for her AMAZING chocolate bars! ooh my, those are the best I've ever had! and I also have to mention how unbelievably gorgeous she is.... and such a sweetheart as well!!

Meeting Jayna for the first time was great… She was so spunky and energetic, I felt instantly connected to her and drawn to her energy. I don’t think my trip would have been what it was if I had not met her. Same with Lindsey… the three of us just clicked and really balanced each other out. Hanging out with them felt so normal and comfortable, like we had been friends forever. It was great and I cannot wait to see and spend time with them more!

Penni was actually the first person to come over to me, she was absolutely GORGEOUS! My mom said to me after “wow, is she all raw, because I want to look glowing like her!” lol I told her how she is a part of the 92 day Juice Feast and about her blog and how inspiring she is. Her accent was so adorable, too, she introduced herself as “pinni”… lol.

I went around with my camera asking to take pictures with some special people… there were a lot of people who I wasn’t able to get pictures with!!! But next time, for sure.

Some photos from the event…

PURE FOOD AND WINE!!!!!! Wow... that place is even BETTER than I expected. I seriously only ate there the whole weekend, besides the amazing food that was at the Successfully Raw event (I had TWO of the pizza's that were given out, lol they were so good). I ate at Pure Food and Wine the first night, with my mom. We had such a great time, we each ordered 3 courses and had bites of each others. I was so full by the end of the night that I could barely breathe, but it was worth it... sooo worth it! After dinner, we went over to Pure Juice and Take-away, where I bought a piece of this amazing chocolate cake. I took it back to the hotel room and ended up eating it the next day for breakfast (bad, I know but it was a special weekend! so I indulged.) The next night, I went to Pure Food and Wine again with my girls Lindsey and Jayna, we were going to eat with the rest of the gang from Successfully Raw but there were no seats left, so we just went over to Pure Juice and Take-away and ate there! It was really fun. We all got three sundaes and ate them all, lol and I got a Sea Veggie Salad that was delicious. If you are EVER in NYC, I highly recommend going to Pure Food and Wine! It's expensive but it's a real treat... there is nothing like it!!!!

(Marinated Shiitake and Avocado Sushi Rolls.... omg... these were my favorite! simple yet divine! and why is it that when I try to make sushi, it NEVER looks like this!? lol)

(The best thing I've ever eaten in my life... no lie. Sooo good. It was a mint/chocolate ice ceam.)

(This guy was hilarious... and gave me good ice cream samples! lol)

Jayna, Lyndsey and me taking pictures in the hotel before heading to The Park Club... can you believe that we all had JUST met that day???? soul mates !!!!! :-)

We met up with Dhru, Philip, Karen, Vanessa, Penni, Jenny, Jami, and the rest of the crew at The Park club. We had a BLAST!!! dancing all night long and getting high off of Vanessa's amaaaaaazing Gnosis Chocolate!!!!! I love how we all were drinking water and eating cacao, while most other people around us were drinking alcohol and smoking.... and I must say, our group had the most energy of anyone there!!!!! we were rawkin it!!! I don't think Jayna or Karen stopped dancing the whole night... lol. My feet and legs are STILL sore from dancing... it's great! Lyndsey left the club early because she had to drive all the way home and was getting tired, so me and Jayna stayed until around 2:30 or 3 a.m. and took a cab back to my hotel and slept there for the night and then left the next morning... she wrote me the sweetest, most touching note and left it for me to read after she left. It brought tears to my eyes. She's one amazing woman, she really is. I'm so thankful to the universe for bringing her into my life. After Jayna left, I went back to sleep for awhile and then woke my mom up and we went to Pure Juice and Take-away before leaving the city. I was SO happy to run into Jenny and Jami there! I talked with them for awhile and then left. Jenny is such a great person, she just radiates. I cannot even begin to describe in enough detail how amazing the people are that I met this past weekend. I know that I made friendships that will last for a lifetime! NOTHING compares to that :)

and of course I had to save memorabilia from my weekend!.... lol

Thanks to EVERYONE who was a part of the event. and just a note that most of the pictures I posted are mine and a few were taken by other people at the event! so if you want me to credit your photo, let me know!!!

much love to you all,

xo

Britanie