Real Raw Life

by Holly Otterbein

[ mind/body ]

We usually think of support groups as being for the weak — lifelong alcoholics, grieving widows — and not for people as seemingly thick-skinned as vegans. But for Cassendre Xavier, co-founder of Real Raw Life, the temptation to eat chicken instead of a mango is always lurking right beneath her palate.

"Unless you're Demi Moore, you probably don't have money to get a juicer or a dehydrator, so it takes creativity to make good raw meals," says Xavier. "And in the worst-case scenario, you live in a neighborhood that's not even close to a store that sells fruits or vegetables. It can be very hard."

Xavier, who also pioneered the Black Women's Arts Festival and is a singer-songwriter, has been a raw foodist for four years, but has only been an absolute vegan for 61 days at a time. "I define it as eating 50 to 100 percent uncooked, plant-based foods every day," she says. "I mean, I just started a job at a pretzel joint — I'm not perfect."

In the twice-monthly support group, members meditate, visualize their vegetable-filled futures and "talk about the struggle but don't dwell on it." At this week's special event (which takes place on Wednesday, though the support group gathers every first and third Monday), Xavier will also read and sign her new book, Expanding Your Capacity for Joy: A Raw Vegan Comfort Book, Sourcebook & Journal. As for who can attend, Xavier is pretty open.

"You could have just eaten a raw steak," she says, "and we'll let you in."

Wed., May 27, 7 p.m., free, Essene Market & Café, 719 S. Fourth St., 215-922-1146, realrawlife.com.