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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I’ve heard amazing things about this conference!!! It would be such a privilege to go…. and to see you, of course!! 🙂
Also my vegetarian little sister just got her dream job in DC so it would be fun to stay with her and to share with her all of the info I learn at the conference!
Forgot to add: I like you on FB! 🙂
It would be *amazing* to be able to see these speakers (most of them, haha), *and* meet you and some other similar-minded (or -gutted!) people in the DC area. This is a great giveaway!
Oh, what a fun conference! I would love to go because it’s a very broad range of things that I would love to hear about! and of course all the good eats, and your company obviously. 🙂
I tweeted about the giveaway!
Hi Gena!
I’d love to go to the conference, and here’s why:
1. I’m a raw foods, semi-Paleo & gluten-free chef (strange combo, I know!)who’s hemming & hawing over where to go next (MD? RD? IIN?) I’m a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, a former pastry cook at Pure Food & Wine, & I’m also a yoga & Pilates instructor & massage therapist. I’ve finally come full circle (a circle with an EXTREMELY large circumference, mind you) to realize I am happiest when counseling my friends, family & everyone else within earshot about what it means to eat & live in ways that are healthy & balanced for them. I’d relish the opportunity to hear everyone you mentioned speak. It would enrich my life & allow me to be that much more helpful when speaking about health & wellness to others.
2. I never win anything!
3. Finally, I’d love to meet you! I’ve followed your blog for quite awhile. I appreciate your level-head & willingness to engage in discussions that many vegans &/or raw foodists will not entertain. Also, I’d love to get some tips on food photography with regard to blogging! I’m rotten at it, & my poor blog has been neglected for want of some mouth-watering photos!!
Thanks so much,
Patricia
P.S. a possible #4: I’m a New Yorker! A transplant from the South, but still, it counts, right??
I also “liked” your page on Facebook! (I don’t have a twitter)
This conference sounds AMAZING! I am extremely dedicated to health and nutrition, and am in school right now in order to spread its power to others! I would love to attend my first health-related conference and meet others who are equally convicted with the same ideas! Not only that, but I also live nearby in Baltimore, so the travel would be no problem at all!
I would love to attend this conference. I just graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a certified Health Coach, and think this conference would be really inspirational for me. So many amazing workshops, speakers, etc…. I could really use the boost these days.
Thank you for such a great giveaway!
and “Like” you on Facebook!
Also, I already follow you on Twitter….
Tweeted about the giveaway!
I hope I’m not too late to enter! (I also entered all four ways!) I’d love to learn how to have more control over my health while managing the stress of grad school and the rest of my life (something I feel like you can sympathize and/or empathize with).
I tweeted @lovesveggees, and I already follow you on twitter. Awesome giveaway, thanks again!
Hi Gena, awesome giveaway! I would love to attend this conference for a number of reasons. I’ve been following a primarily vegan diet for over a year now and I have noticed some amazing changes in my health, but I would love to hear some inspiring words from professionals and chefs to encourage me further. I have had a profound influence on my family since turning to a plant-based diet and it is my hope to keep my parents and loved ones healthy and happy for as long as possible. Sounds like you will have a fabulous time! Can’t wait to hear all about it 🙂
. . . and I follow you on the twitter
I done tweeted!
I want to go! Because I love learning about health/nutrition, I love Dr Fuhrman, and I really really really love DC!
I would love to win this! I live in Virginia, only 20 minutes from D.C. I have been following your blog for awhile, and was excited to see that you have moved to the area. I have just started attending Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and am so supportive of events like these. Right up my alley. Maybe one day we could meet up, and I could take you to some great vegan restaurants in my neck of the woods! Thanks.
I am from the CT (east coast best coast?) and I would love to have the opportunity to attend this conference because my future goals include becoming a nurse and opening up a nutrition based health care clinic! I also have never been to a conference like this before.
I tweeted, liked you and fb and I am following you on twitter!
I am a Northern VA teen and I am very interested in health and nutrition. I would love to go to this conference because most conferences are not near DC and so I would love the opportunity to experience one nearby first! Plus, it sounds fun and interesting!
Tweeted! Have a good trip to NYC!
And liked on Facebook!
Following on Twitter!
This would be so exciting!! I’m passionate about food and food advocacy and this would be an awesome way to get involved in the vegan community!
As a transplant to DC and a novice in the raw food world, this conference definitely interests me!
Wow this looks amazing! I am currently enrolled in the Holistic Health Counselor training with The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and will graduate in April 2012. I would love to go with you to DC. I am also starting a community based CHIP program, by Dr. Hans Diehl, to help people prevent and reverse heart disease, diabetes and other health risks. This seminar is exactly in line with my studies. I have been following you here for probably 2 years and have suggested your site to many of my friends and family. It would be awesome to finally meet you in person!
Just liked you on Facebook! And I would love to attend the conference because I just saw the movie Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead (so inspirational and really shows you the power of fruits and veggies!) and was interested in hearing more about what Dr. Joel Fuhrman has to say.
I’ve had breast cancer, am pre-diabetic, and have recently discovered that I’m gluten-sensitive. I am trying everything to remain healthy for a good long life!!
I’d love to attend this conference to become even more inspired to rely on a plant based diet and relay that information to my fellow cancer-mates in my Well-Fit group.
If I am not the fortunate one to attend with you, I hope you will share with us some of what you learned!
I already follow you on twitter–and I tweeted 🙂
I would love to go. As a relatively new vegan, I’m always looking to learn more about plant-based foods, cooking, and nutrition!
I’m learning to a appreciate a raw food focus even after 17 years of being vegetarian. You offer so many great suggestions. I would love to spend time and company among others of the same ilk so that I can gleam how to be on the track to becoming a true raw foodie.
I tweeted, and I already follow you on fb and twitter.
I’m not remotely local, but I’d be so fascinated to see how nutrition luminaries of different persuasions interact with one another. I would also love to hear Dr Fuhrman live. And seeing what current raw chefs are doing would be cool too.
Have a great time in NY!
love
Ela
Great giveaway! I would be super interested in attentind this conference. My mom was recently diagnosed with cancer so we have been changing our lifestyle… the more information, the better:)
xo
Just four weeks ago my wife and I were closed-minded carnivores. One viewing of a documentary changed our lives and we have gone 4 weeks of being at least 85% raw vegan. Learning more about nutrition and meeting others in the raw community would be fantastic!
I have been living in DC for 6 months now. I’ve been vegetarian for over a year and vegan for two months. It has been an exciting chance to learn about this city through its food and communities. I have been volunteering on a community garden and met other vegans through the process. This conference would be a great chance to learn more about my health in my own backyard.
tweeted, as well!
also, I followed you on twitter!
This conference sounds amazing. I’ve always wanted to visit D.C. I’m a student and a high-raw vegan with a history quite similar to your own, Miss Gena. I’d love the opportunity to meet you and attend such an enlivening, lifestyle-affirming event.
I’d love to attend this conference! It sounds really interesting, and I’ve never been to any formal presentations about plant-based eating and nutrition. I’ve done bits and pieces of ‘research’ on my own, but I would really love to experience some of the bigger people in this world.
I am on a journey to lose over 200 pounds. Attending this conference would mean the WORLD to me!
I already follow you on Twitter via @ShrinkToFitBlog
I followed you as @Desert_Belle also and tweeted your giveaway from both accounts. I’ve now also liked you on Facebook!
Hi Gena! I live in Santa Cruz, CA (I like to travel!) and I would love to attend this giveaway for a number of reasons:
1) At the end of September, I will have finished with my double certification in Nutrition Consulting from Bauman College. I would absolutely love to gain the valuable holistic information from people like Dr. Joel Fuhrman and Jason Wrobel and put in my stores of knowledge in order to help others. I am also a certified colon hydrotherapist and it’s exciting to me to hear others (such as Caroline Alexander) talk about how it is so connected to wellness and health.
2) I, myself, am a raw vegan and would greatly value learning how to make sure that I am garnering everything I can from my plant based diet in order to be as healthy as I can be.
3) It is greatly encouraging to have a broader perspective offered out of others’ vast experience. It can feel lonely or even discouraging when not surrounded by others who either believe or value your perspective on food and nutrition. This would be an opportunity to have that support.
4) I would love to meet you finally! 🙂
I liked you on facebook!
I followed you on Twitter, too! 🙂
(that is why I want to attend the conference)
🙂
Gena,
Like you I took the long road in discovering the potential in not only the foods I eat but also in my body. Suffering from an ED for roughly 9 years, I did not treat my body to health nor wellness. But after finding veg*nism I was able to find compassion for myself and for that to which brings the world pleasure, food. Thank you for being a voice in our community. I hope to do the same.
Cheers,
Chelsea
I would love to attend this conference to learn more about how to best shape a well-rounded plant-based diet.
It would also be great to connect with like-minded people.
I’m interested in learning more about benefits of eating raw, and learn ideas for raw food preparation.
I would love to go to support the vegan and plant strong presenters for sure! I would also like to be a vegan presence, I think that if enough of us show up to these events, they will want to cater to our interests more, thus spreading the vegan message to more people! Awesome girl!
I would LOVE to attend the conference…I am a super busy Mom of three and a high raw vegan in a a household that is not…I would love to gather as much information as I can to teach my husband and kiddos the things I am passionate about. I follow you on facebook and twitter…safe travels to NYC!
I would love to attend the conference as a long-term high-raw vegan who suffers from some IBS-related issues. I am passionate about food and nutrition, and am always looking for new ideas. And I love Joel Fuhrman.
I am interested because I am a history buff and have never been to D.C., I just celebrated my veganniversary on July 4th, and am looking at grad schools in the D.C. area! I am going to pursue a public health degree so this would be a wonderful resource and informational event!
I would love to go to the conference for many reasons.
1. I’d love to meet you in person finally!
2. I would love to be in the same room with so many people making a difference in the world of health and wellness.
3. I would have two days to myself. =)
4. I would be inspired and educated about nutrition and health, a definite interest of mine.
5. I’m awesome.
I follow you on Twitter!
I liked you on Facebook!
I am no vegan but since following this blog have tried so many new recipes! I love health related topics and aspire to be a nurse who helps the whole patient in assisting in their primary need as well as their nutritional needs to heal! And I LOVE food!!!!
Hi Gena,
What a wonderful giveaway 🙂
I would love to attend because I just started my vegan journey a couple months ago and I still have so much to learn about plant-based nutrition.
In addition, I am about to start my Master in Public Health and my thesis subject will DEFINITELY be related to holistic health and all the wonderful ways one can stay healthy through plant-based nutrition.
Finally, I would love to attend this conference because as it would give me more tools to start my career in holistic health counselling through nutrition ^_^
PS: I love your blog, thanks for all your wonderful posts 🙂
PS2: I liked you on Facebook as well.
I would have tweeted too but don’t have a twitter or smart phone… :p
I would love to attend and:
1.) learn lots of new things
2.) meet like-minded people
3.) support causes I believe in!
This is going to be an amazing event. I am helping organize and as a Health Coach I typically have to go to the west coast. Other speakers include Victoria Moran (Health Coach, Author, Raw, Vegan), Sally Fallon (Weston A Price Foundation) and more! Hope to see some of you there!!
I already like you on facebook
This sounds like a blast! As a vegan I would love nothing more than to support the people working hard to spread information about/ advocate eating a plant-based diet. I have never been to a health conference before but I have heard that they are a really great, informative experience. I would also love to meet other vegans and health-interested people.
I’d love to go! I’ve been nearly 100% raw for almost 4 months so this conference would be amazing to go to!
And I have an good friend in DC that I’d love to catch up with if I get to go to DC for the conference.
I already follow you on Facebook. 🙂
I also follow you on twitter 🙂
I’d love to attend!
I’d love to attend the conference, to learn, explore, and grow on my own nutritional path … and share it with my readers!
I liked you on FB
I want to attend this conference because turning to a plant based lifestyle and paying attention to the quality of what I eat, changed my life. I lost 200lbs on a plant based lifestyle, so I would love to be surrounded by those who are passionate about that lifestyle, or about becoming healthier in general. It is so important for me to become more knowledgeable, to grow, and to meet others who will inspire me.
I’m a big fan of Dr. Fuhrman. His books and tapes helped me convince several friends and relatives to cut way back on animal products. Sounds like a great conference to attend for his speech alone.
I follow you on twitter, liked on facebook, and tweeted your link to the contest.
Whoever gets to go, thanks for making such an opportunity available!
I’ve been plagued by fatigue most of my life and have, the past couple of years, turned my life around and started eating healthily. However, I have a LONG way to go and would love to learn more so that I can, in turn, teach my kids and friends and family.
I would LOVE to go to this conference 1) to learn more about plant-based eating, 2) I love conferences and haven’t been able to attend one since graduating from school, 3) it would be a much needed and welcome weekend get-away, 4) would be a pleasure to meet YOU!
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to enter this giveaway!
I tweeted that little blurb 🙂
I “follow” you on Twitter.
I “like” Choosing Raw on Facebook! And love it in real life too 🙂
I would love to go to the conference because it’s totally my thing, but unfortunately I’ll be a broke college student 700 km away- just a tad too far for me.
If this was a givaway for a conference in NYC- you might have swayed me. 😉
I didn’t know you were on facebook, so I “liked” you anyways!
I would love to learn more about plant based eating, oh and to hangout with you. Duh!
I want to go! I love health. I love wellness. I love YOU!
Sounds amazing! I’d love to visit DC for the first time, and I like that the conference offers many different perspectives.
Hi Gena,
Thanks for hosting such a great give-away! I would absolutely love to attend the Take Back Your Health conference this October. I am an active blogger that strongly believes in living a balanced life full of raw, vegan, whole foods, using my body to run, jump, swim and bike, and encouraging compassion and respect for all living things. I would love to go to the conference to learn more about taking care of my body and meet all of the awesome experts, like yourself!
On a separate note, thank you for having such a great blog! I love reading your posts.
Peace, love, happiness,
Erin
I like you on FB!
Why I’d loooooove to go: I really want to become a stronger health advocate. I’m a vegan who transformed her eating and her life, lost 70 pounds, and need some motivation to help with the last 30, and this is the perfect thing for that. (Plus I sorta have a celebrite/friend crush on you :))
I tweeted about the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/EverydayRevelry/status/88746206041358337
also follow you on twitter
I just tweeted!! (That sorta sounds inappropriate :)) TVS_Jessica
I “like” Choosing Raw on Facebook.
i would like to go as a follow up comparison to HLS3. also, even though i eat paleo i try to incorporate many many veg meals into my day. i’m not one to just eat meat all day!
Sally Fallon with Weston A Price will be there as well, since you follow a paleo lifestyle you may enjoy her seminar as well!
I follow you on twitter. I’m @everydayrevelry
Oh, I’d love to attend this! After spending the year nursing an injured back and getting off track health-wise, I’d love to have the opportunity to hear from such inspiring people as I make my way back to better eating habits, exercise, a vegan diet, etc. Late October is the perfect time too–just before the challenge of being healthy over the holidays!
I follow you on Twitter! 🙂
and i would like to go because it sounds interesting!
i follow you on twitter.
I like you, I follow you, I support you, I think you’re rad, but I am not entering your giveaway 🙂
I will let the entries go to those who are more local or who can fly in for it. I can’t…but it sounds awesome.
Have a great day, Gena!
And if you plan to go to any CA or West coast conferences, trips, etc…please email me! I have a few I am pondering and wondering what I am going to choose..
I just tweeted!
i’d love to go as i’m currently doing a career swap from law into nutrition and am intrigued to meet with and learn from those already in the field (including you!)
I already follow you on twitter…
I already “like” you on FB…..
I’d love to attend the event to learn more about healthy and plant- based living! Sounds very fun indeed and i’ve never been to D.C as well. All the speakers sound great!
I have been following your and other healthy living blogs for over a year. Although I’ve been blogging for 7 years I recently switched over to a new blog with more concentrated focus. I would love to go to this conference and be able to network and learn from others with the same passions as myself. I would use the knowledge gained to help others out there who need the inspiration and motivation to take charge of their health.
Hello, this sounds like an interesting conference. Due to health problems, I recently became (or slowly transitioning) to vegan diet. I would love to attend to learn more. Thank you!
I like you on facebook as well.
This sounds like an interesting conference. I’d be interested in going because I’m really interested in learning more about where my food comes from, and how to be healthier. I’m already vegan, but meeting a raw chef would be an exciting experience for me. And the fact that it’s close to where I am makes it even more intriguing – I’d love to see more events like this in the metro area.
I am also a Facebook fan
I follow you on twitter
I tweeted the giveaway !
We live in DC and my husband has been vegan for one year. He would love to attend the conference and learn more ! Sounds amazing!