I continued to develop as any fatally artistic, morbidly romantic, pepole-loving introvert might---discovering gardening, lucid dreaming and a career in dance. In 1995, touring the U.S. with Kenny Roger’s, what I can only describe as a lightening flash hit me at one 3am truck stop---I would no longer eat milk or eggs. It came to me as quite a surprise, since I had little to no thought about veganism in the past. My only explanation for the catharsis is that my ideals were leading down this path subconsciously---the gardening, recycling, herbology, aromatherapy and nature-based spiritual practice---it was inevitable.

What ensued is months of label reading and experimentation. Over the next two years I began fasting, toyed with the high protein diet, and eventually cut out refined flours and sugars. I was an avid meditator, backpacker and soul-searcher and the entire time, a professional dancer.

In 2001 I was in training with the Off-Broadway aerial theatre production, De La Guarda in Las Vegas. A cast mate and dear friend of mine, Heidi Knapp, told me of a diet based on raw foods that healed her of a major health concern. Surprised that an extremist like myself had never heard of such a thing as the raw diet, I was impressed and hungry to know more. The deal was sealed when Heidi took me to my first raw food restaurant, The Raw Truth Café in Las Vegas. I had lasagna, pizza, and chocolate pie---all raw, all vegan, all scrumptious. I noticed immediately how deeply nourished I felt---raw food was delicious to the senses and the soul.

For the next year I read books on raw foodism and observed my current diet, noting what would soon be changing. Finally, in August 2002, living in the innovative community of San Francisco, I made the full-out transition to raw veganism. Life will never be the same!

What changes have you noticed?

Miracles...

First and foremost I notice a feeling of personal integrity. The raw vegan lifestyle is truly an expression of mySelf. Authenticity may just be the key to radiant health.

Physically, I notice a general stability in my life. There are no more mysterious energy swings throughout my day---no after-meal lulls, no 4pm lethargy. I now eat and receive life. It is as simple as that. I notice my digestion stabilizing and the feeling of lightness that brings. I notice my skin is now beautifully clear, to the point that I no longer use any special soaps, products or antibiotics to have a glowing complexion. I notice that my period, once lasting five days, immediately became light and short, lasting only two days with no discomfort at all, and now only visits a few times/year.

Perhaps the most profound change I have experienced however, is my stability emotionally and mentally. Medicated for the past seven years of my life for Bi-polar Disorder, mood swings threatened many times to destroy my health, my relationships and my existence---even when consuming western medicine’s chemical “cures”. Through the raw vegan lifestyle, I have developed a deeper understanding and respect for mySelf, my mood swings have narrowed, and my mental balance has returned to it’s intrinsic state---the glorious health that is natural when we do not interfere with toxic situations, poisonous thought forms, synthetic chemicals and cooked food. I am medication-free, antibiotic-free and hormone-free for the first time in my adult life and am feeling better than ever.

Last but certainly not least, I enjoy a deeper pleasure from the foods I eat and a heightened sensuality in all of life.

What is it like traveling 365 days a year and trying to maintain the raw vegan lifestyle?

The inconsistency of career traveling can be very difficult on an individual. The water I bathe in, the air I breathe, the climate I walk in, and the time zone I wake in changes almost weekly. I have found that to combat the stress of inconsistency on the road, four things help more than anything else; using consistent personal care products, drinking bottled water, daily exercise and eating raw foods.

I choose not to eat out often, preferring the simplicity and comfort of preparing my own hand-chosen, organic food. However, dining out as a raw foodist is becoming easier and easier, what with salads as common fare on almost any menu, and juice and smoothie bars cropping up in even small cities. In fact, this movement has gained so much momentum that San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles all support specialized raw food restaurants that stimulate any palate.

And really, what is easier than finding a grocery store? The first thing I do upon arrival in any city is look up the nearest health food store or co-op in the yellow pages. Discovering the ins and outs of healthful eating is a genuine interest of mine. If there is any extra work that goes along with the traveling raw vegan lifestyle, I can honestly say, “it’s my pleasure.”

How does this diet work for athletes? Where do you get your protein to maintain and build muscle?
Professional dance is a demanding sport requiring powerful muscles, extreme flexibility, precision coordination and agility and complete emotional engagement. Training as a dancer literally takes a lifetime - there is ever more to learn, strengthen and express. Besides an average of 10 hours/wk spent on stage performing, in the studio rehearsing or in the classroom teaching and learning, I personally also work out at the gym, do consistent physical therapy, hike new terrains and drop it like it's hot at the club. All together, I exercise a minimum of 3 hours/day, 5 days/week.

I am a beautiful example of how strong and solid a female athlete can be eating only raw foods.

Commonly asked where get my protein, I respond that the body does not need protein. It takes the difficult-to-digest protein it is often given, breaks it down to useful amino acids, and builds muscle mass from there. Leafy greens are the most readily-assimilated, amino-acid-dense food available. A diet rich in varied greens is ideal for building muscles and maintaining the reliable supply of energy an athlete requires.

What percentage raw food do you eat and what might your menu look like on an average day?

Waiting until I feel hunger and always going out of my way to buy organic, my first meal might consist of a green drink and two honey crisp apples. I then usually do my first work out of the day which might be an hour and a half dance class and 45 minutes of physical therapy, whereafter I might devour an entire head of baby bock choy, a pint of cherry tomatoes and relish a luscious avocado. I may help myself to 2 more bananas after that meal has left the stomach, and go for a 45 minute hike to see whatever city I am in the way cities are supposed to be seen. Late at nite, my appetite is insatiable and I can easily stomach two entire melons, a 1/2 C of almonds and an entire head of kale, or as many dates and figs as I like. Finally, late in the evening (or should I say early in the morning) I will commence my final and favorite workout of the day, self-directed dance ritual/class.

I have been advancing in raw percentage since August 2002, beginning at about 75% and for over a year now, hoovering happily around 95% or higher.

What is your favorite food?

Avocado, the essence of all life! (with young coconuts, macadamia nuts, oil-cured olives, dulse seaweed, dinosaur kale, medjool dates, pine nuts and persimmons coming in a close second).

What is the most important thing you have learned?

If you aren’t getting the results you desire, try a new approach. Repeat as often as necessary.


Source: http://www.tonyakay.com/RawInterview.html