"Forks Over Knives" follows the journey of several Americans as they move from lifetimes of eating mostly animal products and processed foods to a whole food plant-based diet, and the miraculous health results that follow.  Two scientists, Dr. Campell of Cornell University, and Dr. Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic, lead the way, sharing their research findings that illuminate the healthfulness of a plant-based diet, and it's ability to steer fork-eaters clear of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. 

The film also touches on larger issues, including the morose diagnosis that given the healthfulness of most Americans, today's children may not reach the average age of their parent's generation.  So, our scientists start asking the big questions:

"Who will protect the public?"  Their answer: Not the government, not the American Dietetic association, not the insurance industry, or the pharmaceutical industry, nor the medical or food industries.  Perhaps only the public can protect the public, and armed with the information in this film, we might all learn how to live long and fruit-full lives.

We are happy to feature a friend down in Cupertino: a raw foods nutritionist, photographer, etsy entrepreneur, and professional oil painter... Claire!  This miracle mom and type I diabetic has been serving up health to her whole family, and has proven herself a true dehydration master!  Really though, don't those kale chips look good?

Visit her blog to view her take on breakfast cereal, homemade cookies, pecan crisps, and more!

At Cafe Gratitude, we hear miraculous stories every day.  While bartending at the Berkeley Cafe last week, I happened to meet Dave, a handsome man with rugged hands and sparkling eyes.  A professional Over-The-Road "Big Rig" driver by trade, he had just come off of a day long trip, and was simply radiating joy to be in the Cafe.  A coworker of mine swung by to tell me that Dave juices wheatgrass with an extension cord at gas stations as he travels, and also carries a blender in his cab.  Intrigued, I began to pull him a double-shot of his favorite elixir while he told me his story.

In 2008, Dave weighed 430 lbs and had been diagnosed with colon cancer, type II diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and failing kidneys.  He was on a host of medications, and doctors thought that he would soon need to go on dialysis and go on the kidney transplant list.  Luckily, Dave met two people who introduced him to raw foods, and put him on a diet that allowed him to transform his life.  He sat before me, alive, joyous and invigorated, as he told me how after just 4 days of his new diet, he was able to go off all of his diabetes medications.  A year and a half later, he stood before me, 230 lbs lighter, both kidneys intact, and the spirit of gratitude lighting up his being.

Nowadays, Dave has quite a following.  Check it out yourself at TheRawFoodTrucker.com or Dave's Facebook Page.  People have come out in droves to support Dave in his transformation, to share inspiration, and to practice what Dave calls “Gratitude Rocks.”  I invite you to try it yourself:

Practicing “Gratitude Rocks!”

Notice what you are focusing on at the moment.  Now, find something in the moment to be grateful for.  Now, observe where your attention is, and find something else to be grateful for.  Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat...

Dave began doing this meditation on gratitude during his long hours on the road.  The longest he has ever practiced “Gratitude Rocks” was 9 hours!