Your incredibly insightful message on Russia absolutely astounded me. I am originally from Far East Russia and have lived here in the US for over five and a half years. I was only 20 years old when I just came here as a student. Now, over five years after coming to the US, getting amazing education, marrying a wonderful man and having a beautiful baby girl, I thought I had it all. But many people still cringed when they found out I was from Russia. It became my mission to lose my very slight and almost unnoticeable accent, forget about my roots and try to do everything the way any “normal” American would do, to blend in if you would. I just didn’t want to be an outsider.

Well, I definitely succeeded. Most of the people I meet today have no idea of my roots and are quite amazed if they ever find out I am a foreigner. One very important thing I forgot is that Russia and its great heritage will always be a part of me, no matter where I live or who I choose to become. And I am grateful to you for showing me that, for reminding me who I really am. There is nothing wrong with being different, or taking the best of both worlds and combining them into a beautiful person. Thank you for showing me this so clearly. First with eating raw and then through your books, finding this website that led me to your blogs on Russia, which in turn led me to my personal rediscovery. I applaud the amazing and inspiring woman that you are, Carol Alt! THANK YOU!!!

Have you read Anastasia and the Ringing Cedars of Russia books by Vladimar Megre? I think you may be interested.

They have really opened a path for me, one of them being a raw and superfood diet.

Thanks again – love and light
Chris

I’m an American. I met my wife in a cafe in St. Petersburg, RU, in 2002. We were married two years to the date from that day. She moved to the U.S. and is utterly astounded when I tell people that I would gladly have moved to Russia, if I could have found work. I tell people that Russia is like the U.S. in the 1930’s. A little depressed, a little behind, but filled with golden people….people who will present you with a lavish meal even if they have to scurry around to their neighbors and borrow most of the food to make those amazing Russian dishes…not because you are an American, but because you are their guest!

My wife’s parents will both retire shortly following full working careers (he with the gas utility; she with a retailer). Men retire at 60; women at 55. They have their own apartment, which was deeded to them by her father’s employer in the early 1990’s during Perestroyka. They both will receive a modest pension and continued government-sponsored healthcare (of a sort). They have a dascha, a small country cottage where they garden to grow the fresh food that’s so very hard to come by at times. They purchased apartments for both of their daughters when real estate prices were low, as it looks they are again.

What’s my point? I look at my own country (of which I am a proud citizen, lest anyone have any doubts), and I see people who are as unemployed or underemployed as any Russian could be; people who will never have a retirement because they can’t live on a social security check; people with no healthcare plan; people who eat the worst food that the marketers can trick them into buying; and on and on. Then I look at my wife’s parents situation, and I ask myself, “Who’s really better off, here?”

As you point out, Carol, everyone has his own perspective and we, as Americans, can often benefit from seeing how the rest of the world lives.

I look forward to installment number 2 on your Russian idyll.

Best. John

Hope you have a doctor who is following you closely. As with any lifestyle change, it is best to have someone follow you and your particular problems and reactions!

I follow Dr Gonzales’ protocol-check it out on his site. Perhaps your doctor will tell you this is what you should be doing to?

But, in any case, Milk products should be eaten with discretion. They do cause mucus and this can clog the colon.

In general you should not eat too much of any ONE thing in your diet–moderation is ALWAYS key-even with RAW.
I say in my book to eat a wide variety of RAW foods. And i say this because the body cannot take TOO MUCH of any ONE thing.

As for the GLOW–I found i got the “glow” pretty much within two or three months. (and yes, i was working with a doctor who helped answer any questions i had on my particular health situation!)

What i think the GLOW means (this is Sarma’s term and her book is titled with this word) what i think it means is that people around you start to notice that you look better. You will NOT see it yourself as change is so gradual.

But people who did not see me for a couple of months were like: “Wow! Did you just get back from Vacation?”
You know, i mean, you just start to look ‘better’–however, i will say, if you are constipated, it is hard to feel or look good! You NEED to get the toxic stuff out of the colon.

Please see a doctor if you cannot find a natural solution that works for you!

All the best,
CA