Raw

Description

2019 IBPA Ben Franklin Awards Silver Medal in Body, Mind, & Spirit

“I love this book, and—as a writer/dancer/seeker who has struggled with the swing between self­ doubt and grand dreams—resonated with so much of it. Bella writes with great honesty and heart, and invites the reader to share her journey in a lovely, intimate way.”
—Gayle Brandeis, author of Fruitflesh: Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write

“Written in spare, elegant prose, Raw guides rather than preaches, and reveals rather than moralizes. The result is a bracing look at how bodies, food, relationships, emotions, and beliefs interweave to make us who we are.”
—Jill Jepson, author of Writing as a Sacred Path

“Informative and heartwarming, Bella Mahaya Carter’s story is about what we carry inside of us, not just physically, but spiritually. I came away from this book feeling nourished in all the right ways.”
—Claire Bidwell Smith, author of After This: When Life is Over Where Do We Go?

“Bella understands internal landscapes, which she has learned to navigate with self­forgiveness and compassion. Her transformational healing memoir will speak to anyone wanting to live a healthier, happier life! A supportive and inspiring read for anyone on the path of consciousness.”
—Christine Hassler, Best­Selling author of Expectation Hangover, Master Coach, Speaker

“Sometimes, we heal the spirit and the body follows. Sometimes, it’s the other way around. Bella’s search for health as detailed in this marvelous, uplifting memoir, reminds us that there is a rawness to the spirit that parallels the rawness of the foods we put into our bodies. I ate this book in one sitting, then went back for seconds. You will too.”
—Jack Grapes, author of The Naked Eye

“This memoir will resonate with readers seeking alternative paths to health and healing. We love how Bella complements her approach to healthy eating with an equally nourishing approach to thinking and feeling. This book is indeed a living embodiment of ‘food for thought.’”
—Ron Hulnick, Ph. D., President, University of Santa Monica, and Mary R. Hulnick, Ph.D., chief educational officer, University of Santa Monica, coauthors of Remembering the Light Within: a Course in Soul ­Centered Living

“In her brave and transparent book, Bella Mahaya Carter reveals how she took her healing into her own hands, overcoming obstacles we can all relate to: fear, shame, worth. Her story will inspire readers to allow themselves to be seen while bringing their gifts and voices to the world.”
—Nancy Levin, bestselling author of Worthy

“Bella gracefully limns the tale of how a raw food diet launched her into understanding and coming to terms with anxiety; in a world awash with food­based memoirs, this is juicy, fresh fruit.”
—Lisa Kotin, author of My Confection

“Carter’s decade-spanning quest covers countless forms of therapy and self-help. Her relentless unease is palpable throughout, deftly portrayed through effective dialogue and memorable recollections.”
—Kirkus Reviews