July 6, 2011
(last updated May 5, 2014) 
Hello friends!
I can’t believe that by tomorrow night, I’ll be in NYC. As I try not to burst with excitement, I’m here to offer one lucky CR reader a chance to attend a health and wellness conference here in Washington D.C. on October 22nd and 23rd. It’s called The Take Back Your Health Conference, and it’ll feature such health and wellness experts as Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live. Other speakers include Andrea Beaman (a non-vegan but plant-strong chef), Caroline Alexander, a colon hydrotherapist, and Jason Wrobel, a raw, vegan chef.
And, oh yeah: I’ll be attending, too.
It’s worth noting out of fairness to fellow vegans that the agenda is not an entirely vegan one. As one of the organizers respectfully noted to me, the majority of the speakers encourage a plant based diet, but one member of the Weston Price Foundation will be speaking. I have no qualms about saying that that organization’s posture is drastically opposed to everything I believe and try to share on CR, but I will also say that the raw, vegan community here in DC is not vast, and I feel that it’s important for me to support the raw vegan chefs and speakers who’ll be at the event. And there will be a bunch of them! Plus, Andrea Beaman will forever have my love for having been the first Top Chef contestant to try to make plant-based entrees of her own volition, and not because the challenge demanded it.
If you’re a local reader (or like to travel), please enter today’s contest to join me at Take Back Your Health. There are a couple of ways you can do this, each worth 1 entry:
1) Leave a comment on this post telling me why this conference interests you.
2) Tweet the following: @choosingraw is giving away a free ticket to a health and wellness conference in DC in Oct: enter here! https://bit.ly/mZJT29
3) Start following me on Twitter
4) Like Choosing Raw on Facebook
I look forward to meeting you at the event!
On that note, it’s a jam packed day, and still going, so I’m signing off for the eve. Only one day more till I blog to you from the Great Apple!
xo
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This conference would be totally be THE way to give an awesome kickstart to my new plant-based lifestyle!
Hi Gena,
I did some raw counseling with you awhile back in 2009/10. I am inspired by the impact you have made as a blogger and by your choice to go back to school. I just went through a huge transition in my life: I had a baby in January and have chosen to stay at home with her and pursue my own passion for nutrition. In July I started my Health Coaching certification at the Institute for Intergrative Nutrition. I am very excited about the program and feel this would be a wonderful opportunity for many reasons. Some of them include meeting you, hearing some great speakers and having a little get away for myself. I will now end my mini essay!
–Tracey 🙂
So exciting when former clients choose nutrition careers themselves! Thanks for updating me, Tracey 🙂
I’m a college student who’s an aspiring personal trainer, and a big health, exercise & fitness NUT. (I say nut, because enthusiast is an understatement). I’ve never been to a health conference, but would love this one to be my first. I’m looking for any opportunities I can to progress in my career and meet others who share the same passion. I hope you pick me! Thanks 🙂
I would love to attend because I’m getting more and more into raw foods all the time, and always want to learn more. Also, I would love to see D.C. And, I want to learn more about support for plant based diets and it would be super awesome to see the speakers in person! I work with food and love try
Id love to attend the conference! I read Eat to Live and loved it!
I would love to go! I am trying to find a little more of a balance with my eating and exercising (a seemingly endless quest). Inspiration is always welcome 🙂
Hope you are doing well G!! -Elese
Just had a baby and looking for healthy recipes and tips to get back into a healthier lifestyle as well as better shape. Thanks for all your amazing recipes!
This conference interests me because I do want to take my health back. Healthy living has become a challenge for me lately and I need a kickstart!
I’m definitely interested in going! I live in Virginia, and have really taken my health into my own hands and mind over the last few years, paying more attention to what I consume, how I move, and how that relates to my inner (and outer) self 🙂
I love that there’s a community built around mindfulness of health and natural well-being, and I’d love to meet other people who are eager to learn and talk about these topics more!
O…..pick me, pick me! I would love to attend this conference……I am a Registered Nurse and always looking for healthy ways to help my patients (and myself) reclaim well being in a natural way!
Denise
I would love to attend this conference! Like you, I am making a big life change by going back to school. I will be getting my Master of Arts in Food Studies, so conferences like this are right up my alley.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I would love to “Take Back Your Health”! I am plagued with arthritis, and have a devastating family history of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. But I am determined not to go out like this! I started increasing raw foods in my diet in January of this year and have already lost 24 pounds. I am now passionate about learning more about how and what to eat for my best health. I have great energy and commitment and I love the idea of being able to take control of my health! Pick me! Pick me!
Thanks much,
Drenda!
Gena,
Attending this conference would be a great opportunity for me! I am currently enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and training to be a holistic health coach. I am constantly reading and expanding my knowledge on all things health and nutrition- it would be great to hear from experts in the field in person! I am also a DC resident and would love to meet you- I stumbled upon your blog a few months ago and love your insights.
Oh, and I liked you on FB!
Thanks! Nicole
Hi Gena,
Here are my reasons for really wanting to attend this conference. By switching to a plant based diet, I have become a much healthier (and lighter) person. I’m not where I want to be health wise entirely because I can’t seem to shake this unhealthy relationship I have with food. I’m a million times better, but there’s still a hold on me I can’t shake that give me setbacks. I would love any opportunity to help me overcome this, and to burst through to continue to journey.
Thanks for listening!
(and I tweeted your comment, and am following you on FB!)
Crissie
I “liked” you on FB!
I have Lupus, and am trying my hardest to treat myself holistically on a tight budget. I love food, and have found my symptoms improving on a largely raw diet. I would love the opportunity to hear recovery stories and learn tips from experts in the nutrition field. Thank you so much for offering this giveaway!
And I like you on facebook
The reason I’d like to go to this is I am trying to use veganism as a road to recovery from my ed (also why I love your green recovery series)
I follow you on twitter
im following you on twitter
i tweeted about this giveaway
i’m interested in this conference because i’m always interested in health and nutrition, and i’m passionate about increasing an awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet
Following you on fb and commenting!
The conference interests me because I’m passionate about taking care of my body and the planet! Sounds like it would be a very enriching and exciting experience!
Follow you on Facebook!
I “like” you on Facebook!
I follow you on Twitter!
Gena,
There is nothing in particular that makes me more “worthy” of getting this incredible opportunity to join you in D.C. But doing so would be the trip of a lifetime.
I feel that we are kindred spirits in many respects! As a nutrition student/recovered anorexic/high-raw vegan, I feel like we would have heaps of topics to cover over kale salad and smiles. Your experience and insight would be amazing, and I just know we would have the best time together. What’s more, this conference represents everything I (and you!) have accomplished in overcoming my eating disorder. I took back my health.
Your blog has taught me so many things and greatly aided in my recovery process. Meeting you in person and getting the chance to come face-to-face with a the friendly vegan foodie that helped transform my twisted behaviors would mean more to me than a bagful of kale chips. And If you know me, that’s a big deal! (;
Stay lovely,
Heather
Heather,
I’ve followed your comments and cheered on your healthy attitude to ED recovery for a long time; you may think that I don’t get to know my readers through comments, but I definitely do! I’d love to meet you, and indeed we are kindred spirits.
Gena
You made my day. <3
Like you on Facebook!
we would love to attend as we love hearing about and learning from others on variety of health topics, plus would love to hang out with you!! Although not sure if we would be able to make it as we have a family obligation around that same time 🙁
we look forward in hearing your thoughts on what is discussed there.
Hope you are having a great time in NYC!
I just liked your page on fb!
I would absolutely love to attend this conference! Switching to a plant-based vegetarian (and although I shy away from labels, essentially vegan) diet has completely transformed my relationship with food. Largely because of the manner in which I’ve reshaped my diet, I’ve realized that I am incredibly passionate about food, cooking, nutrition, and health, and I’d love to have a career in this area after graduating from college in a couple of years. Just what shape such a career might take is still a mystery to me, though I’m sure that attending this conference and hearing from others in the raw and plant-based community would certainly be helpful in that regard.
tweeted the giveaway! 🙂
Following on Twitter!
I would love to attend to learn more about plant based diets and ways to prepare food and how it can heal your body 🙂
And I follow you on Twitter.. of course!