The Forever 21 book launch party in Sydney!

On 19th March 2011 the official launch of Forever 21: The Empowering Guide To Reclaiming Your Youth, Beauty, Health, Happiness and Spirituality took place in Sydney, Australia.

About 85 guests enjoyed listening to the informative speakers, enjoyed great food and had lots of fun!

Robyn Chuter, an experienced vegan naturopath with a passion for empowering others to achieve total health, spoke about the benefits of a healthy vegan diet. She was followed by the beautiful Fawn Porter who spoke about her personal training work and her healthy vegan lifestyle. Then we heard from Dr Aryan Tavakkoli via video message about the benefits of a vegan diet for the environment. Our MC for the night was the lovely and multi-talented Elizabeth Usher.

Then it was my turn. I spoke a little bit about the book and then went through a long thank you list, expressing my gratitude to all who were involved in the book’s production and to all who helped on the launch night.

Here is an excerpt of my speech:

“Forever 21 is about empowering people to question the status quo, think for themselves and be confident to be who they are, whatever that may be. We are all unique and have something special to offer this world. The book is about rediscovering self-love and embracing each precious moment we have on this beautiful planet to achieve amazing things.

It is our birthright to be happy, healthy and beautiful. I wrote Forever 21 to inspire people to reclaim their power and also to share the good news that the vegan lifestyle is the healthiest, most sustainable diet for all. It carries the lightest eco footprint.

Ultimately, I wrote Forever 21 to save animals from slaughter by humans, to save humans from themselves and to help save the planet. We are all we’ve got. We can be happy as one global family if we take the courage to do what we all know deep in our hearts is the right thing to do.

Forever 21 includes interviews I conducted with leading experts in the fields of health, wellbeing and fitness. I was really pleased to be able to present interviews with people I consider to be really amazing individuals, who are focused on helping others achieve their best in all aspects of life. Some interviewees include Victoria Moran best-selling author and Dr Andrew Knight a vegan veterinarian and extreme athlete. I have certainly learnt a lot from listening to them.

In summary, for anyone seeking to achieve their full potential on all levels, this book is a great starting point.

I will read one of my favourite parts from the book now. From pg 84. This is part of the interview I did with Dr Aryan Tavakkoli who we saw in the video earlier. She is a respiratory physician who lives in New Zealand. I asked her the following question: ‘As a medical doctor, would you recommend a vegan diet to your patients?’

This is what she said: ‘Most of my patients are overweight and have numerous problems including heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. All of these can be easily improved if not resolved completely through simple lifestyle measures: healthy diet, exercise, and cessation of harmful activities such as smoking. Many medical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals have confirmed the multiple benefits of following a plant-based diet. These include improvement and reversal of coronary artery disease, improvement or normalisation of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improved diabetes control and a reduced risk of cancer. There are doctors who are currently successfully using a plant-based diet in the treatment of patients with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. I often recommend a plant-based diet to my patients and also give them some easy recipes to try such as delicious green smoothies for breakfast, which are full of anti-oxidants. If all my patients took my advice and changed to a vegan diet, I would be a very happy redundant doctor!’”

After my speech, we presented some of our lovely guests with lucky door prizes, courtesy of Viva La Vegan!, Bounty Burgers, Vegans Are Cool and Loving Hut. Two guests also won a copy of Forever 21.

Then came the best part: the food! It was a vegan feast! Socially Vegan Cakes and Au Lac Australia catered for the event and certainly won a lot of fans during that night! All guests were also given a skin care sample pack courtesy of Arbonne.

Since the launch party, I have had some lovely feedback from those who attended. Here is a sample:

“Your book launch was the most fun book launch EVER. What a great night, Kathy! I’m sure you are very happy with the outcome and very proud of your wonderful book. I read a great deal of FOREVER 21 last night, and I am most impressed with what you have done, how you have spoken so earnestly from the heart, and the subjects you’ve included. There was one section, in particular, that really spoke to me. Thank you for such a beautiful night, the speeches, the food, the friendship. It was heartwarming! xxoo’s”. Andra.

“Hi Kathy, just to say your Forever 21 book launch was fantastic! – a very inspiring evening with great speakers and food, not to mention the lovely energy of the attendees – well done and can’t wait to read your book now.” Loren Lembke. Founder of Bounty Burgers.

For anyone who missed the party, there will be a launch in Melbourne and Brisbane sometime soon. For other locations, please email me if you are interested in having an event in your city.

Forever 21 is available to buy from many locations. Please see www.kathydivine.com/forever-21 for stockists.

Wishing you the very best in health and happiness now and always,

Kathy. xx

p.s More pics from the night coming soon! Stay tuned!

p.p.s Very special thanks to my Make-Up and Hair Artist Biljana “Billie” Josevska and Zara Pamboukhtchian for these photos.