How I Paid My Brother $200 to Start Drinking Green Smoothies
When I translated my book, Green for Life, into Russian I was hoping my relatives would immediately read it and heal themselves. In view of this, I presented a Vitamix blender to my younger brother Val for Christmas. For nearly two years thereafter I continued enthusiastically sending the Russian translation to my brother. Somehow, Val wasn’t as thrilled by green smoothies as I was, and happily passed my books on to his friends without ever reading them himself.
Recently, Val and his family immigrated to Canada. For several months they couldn’t find jobs. One day my brother’s wife Tanya called me and informed me that Val needed $200 but was too shy to ask for it. While listening to her, I devised a sneaky plan. I called my brother and told him that I was looking to hire someone with a technical mind, (Val is a computer engineer) to read through my book and give me suggestions, to see if anything was wrong, or needed to be revised. I would be paying $200 for this tedious job. My brother was delighted with this opportunity and asked for a copy of my book, (as he had given away all the others). I said, "Sure, I think I might have another one around here somewhere..." and rushed a copy to him second day air.Three days later, I awoke to the ringing of my telephone at six in the morning. It was Val. He said to me,
"Vicky, as soon as I received the book yesterday, I sat down at my desk armed with a yellow marker and a red pen. I was really looking forward to finding all the errors and teach you a lesson or two on science. However, I somehow forgot about the pen from the very first page. I couldn’t put the book down till I read the whole thing. What a simple and clever idea these green smoothies are! I cannot wait to try one. Forget about sending me 200 dollars, but please wire me a few dollars so I may buy some greens! Also, I was so excited about green smoothies, that I immediately started calling my friends to tell about the benefits. I was shocked to find that they already knew! And that their entire family had been regularly enjoying green smoothies ever since they got a copy of the book from me!"
While sending Val the money I promised, I thought to myself that occasionally it can take some effort and imagination to help our loved ones.
Seeking Your Testimonials
Dear friends,
I am excited to let you know that I am currently revising my book, Green for Life. The new edition will be published by North Atlantic Books in August 2010.
For this book, I am seeking new testimonies of healing resulting from green smoothie consumption. If you have a story to share, please reply to this newsletter. To help us avoid overlooking your testimony, please change the subject of your email to read: My Testimony
We appreciate if you would let us use your first name as well as the town and country where you reside.
Thank you for your continuous support!
Joy for Life Reatreat - Febuary 7th - 13th, 2010
The Joy for Life Retreat is a unique chance to nourish and rejuvenate your health while embracing the opportunity for self realization. Victoria Boutenko creates a supportive environment for participants to learn from her expertise while reaping the full health benefits of green smoothies. The Work of Byron Katie is a central feature of the week and is scheduled in a way that enables everyone attending to go totally into the truth of what is. It is deeply transformative process of inquiry that empowers us to end any wars with reality by asking four simple questions.
Each day you can look forward to a diverse menu of Green Smoothies and fresh organic produce, up to 6 hours of The Work and plenty of opportunities to relax in a beautiful natural setting.
Febuary 7th - 13th, 2010 in beautiful
Pacific Palisades California (located between Santa Monica and Malibu).
For more information and to register please visit JoyforLifeRetreat.com
Don’t forget to visit our Blog and Forum The blog contains many of Victoria's popular articles and recipes. On the forum you can ask questions from other members and find Raw Food and Green Smoothie support.
With Green Love, the Boutenkos
Visit our Newsletter Archives, by clicking here. You will find archived copies of Raw Family Newsletters dating back to 2005.