Interview with a Diva: Rory Freedman

When I read the book SKINNY BITCH, by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin , I was pleased to find hard-hitting, no b.s. info and accounts of what is happening with our food supply, animals, and just how we lull ourselves with falsehoods and sabotage our own health.  I applaud Rory Freedman and her partner for being so clever with their title and writing-style which is provocative and edgy.  They have done much to bring the message of raw foods and compassion to animals to the masses, and I thank them both!

I recently had the opportunity to ask a few questions of Rory Freedman and I’m thrilled to be able to share this interview with everyone!  Without further ado…

Rory, I loved your book and I can’t wait to learn a little more about you!   Briefly tell us about your raw journey, who inspired you, and about how raw you are.

Tim VanOrden is a friend of mine, and I’m blown away by his accomplishments as a raw athlete. I’m also in constant awe of all the amazing food he makes. Kris Carr is one of my dearest, soul-sister friends and she inspires me in every way, shape, and form. She’s a beacon of beauty, light, and laughter. And in general, I’m envious of so many people in the raw community who are living the life, as I’m not yet there.

You are so gorgeous! Do you have any raw beauty secrets you could share with our readers?

I would imagine that all your readers know more raw beauty secrets than I do! But one of my favorites is coconut oil-when I’m feeling really dry, I use it as face cream, body lotion, and hair moisturizer. (But then I have to hide from my dogs.)

The one product that I can’t live without isn’t raw, but it’s really natural and lovely: Dirty Hippie Soaps’ Kissin Stick (Herbie flavor). It is literally the best lip balm I’ve ever used in my entire life. I’m obsessed with it and want everyone else to be, too.

I know from your books that when you eat cooked food, it is vegan and quite healthy; do have any desire to go more raw with your diet, and do you have any other health and wellness goals?

Compared to the real world, yes, my diet is healthy. But compared to the raw world, I could improve a lot. If I were being my best, healthiest food-self, I’d eat more raw salads and would juice greens daily.

Talking to women at signings and events, what is the main reaction you get about your work?

The main reaction is that because the book was written in an informal, irreverent way, it is a fast, funny read, easy to understand, and “life changing.”  People are permanently transformed after reading about factory farms and slaughterhouses.

How do you juggle all that you have on your plate now with the success of the books and has it been a major change for you, and what is the most challenging?

Time and stress management are tough ones for me. Some days there are a million meetings, emails, phone calls, interviews, and deadlines, and I get stressed out and overwhelmed. And then on top of that I feel guilty, like I’m not being a good dog mom. Remembering to stay Zen and present is a constant battle. I can usually decompress on my daily hike with my dogs, and my girlfriends and I send each other daily gratitude lists, which is also a big help. But overall, I really can’t complain. I have the best friends in the world, a job I love, and the understanding that the success itself doesn’t mean anything.

Competition in the industry is crazy- how did you know how to get your manuscript to the right publishers?

And what do you think is the reason behind the success of your books besides its timely message, ie is it marketing, promotion, the right cover….? Please share your insights.

The Universe was behind me every step of the way. Probably days after having the idea to write Skinny Bitch, I had dinner with some old friends who I hadn’t seen or spoken to in years. I told them I wanted to write a book and they told me they had just gotten a publishing deal and that I should try submitting a proposal to their literary agent. The book, Writer’s Market, was invaluable in teaching me what to submit to the agent and how to do it. Once I got representation, the literary agent handled everything from there.

As for the book’s success, certainly the cheap, provocative title gets consumers’ attention, especially since so many women struggle with their weight. But the real draw is the compelling information inside. Most people have no idea about nutrition; many think diet soda is healthy! To learn some fundamental things about the foods they eat every day-it’s shocking and motivating, and people are keen on sharing what they’ve learned with their friends and loved ones.

What do you see as women’s biggest obstacles with eating healthy- and how can we overcome them?

There are so many different obstacles. Some women have the information and desire to eat well, but time is an issue. Other women are ruled by their emotions, and they eat to feel good, to blanket feelings, or to numb out completely. And others are just dangerously clueless. I think the key for overcoming any obstacle, food-related or otherwise, is to identify your weakness and decide how committed you are to beating it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Do you have a spiritual practice?

Oh, I am constantly practicing not beating myself up for not keeping up with my spiritual practices. Yoga, meditation, and journaling are all available to me when I am available to them.

I’m easily distracted and somewhat unstructured, so I like little doses of lots of things. I’m consistent in doing what I feel that day, that moment. Whether it’s listening to a Kabbalah CD, zoning out to Prana music, doing five minutes of yoga, dancing in my apartment, affirming my intentions, or weeping while making my gratitude list, I indulge my spiritual self regularly.

How much do other lifestyle factors like exercise, fresh air, sleep, etc factor in?  How much sleep do you get a night?  And how late do you typically eat at night?

If I have a book deadline, I can be a really naughty girl and stay up until 4am and sleep until noon the next day. It’s hard, but I try not to feel bad about being a night owl in general. My mom is a night owl, her mom was a night owl, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been one. (My mom recently told me she used to keep my sister and me awake late at night as babies so we’d be more likely to sleep later in the mornings and let her sleep.) On a typical night, I’ll eat as late as midnight, go to bed around 2am, and get up around 10am. I know it sounds like a fraternity guy’s schedule, but it works for me. I’m not big on eating in the morning. I like to get my 7-8 hours of sleep, go hiking with the dogs (and then maybe go to the gym or yoga), and then eat fruit for breakfast around 1 or 2pm when I get home.

Anything else you would like to add, advice to women in general about diet or success or living with purpose…?

Whatever you want to do, be, or have, it is possible!

Guilt is entirely useless.

Eat well, enjoy food, and love your body no matter what!