30 Day Raw Food in a Full Time Job

[stellabeam]

Hello Travellers,

I am so inspired by Steve's raw food logs and updates and general attitude that I am taking the step I wanted to take 10 years ago.

I met someone who had cured himself of a 'terminal" disease and had been on raw food for 20 years since that time. He was 50 years old and looked 25. I immediately decided to try it. Unfortunately my partner gave me an ultimatum "me or the diet" and I made an unwise choice.

Always an excuse though, if that's what you look for. I have found excuses ever since then.

I actually tried it for 2 days and freaked out last night that I would get totally spacey, do something foolish and jepardise my job, so I ate some veges and rice.

So today I started again and am calling it DAY ONE.

So here is a little report about it....

I teach at a secondary education institution. It is quite high stress at times with a lot of responsibility. So today I had a moment when I felt myself floating out of the room and by a combination of willpower, prayer and trust I kept on with the lecture and hopefully no one noticed.

I have the most foul taste in my mouth, so disgusting.

My energy is really good though, apart from the aforementioned interesting journey into space.

Also I actually had a fantastic dream the night of my initial pre trail day. I was so happy because I used to have wonderful dreams and have not had them for years.

2 weeks.. just 2 weeks of withdrawals and four of those days are weekends. So that is only ten days and I have already done one!!

Thanks for reading and being part of my world

Stella

[eruso]

I'm currently on a mostly raw food diet and decided going gradually raw was best for me. I have a hard time going 100% raw and staying. I felt so weak everytime I went 100%. Isn't it amazing the effect the food we put in our body has?

I wish you luck!

[Jonathan Mead]

I admire you for your courage to go 100% raw Stella. It's definitely not easy and it's something I've been struggling with as well.

I've been trying to go raw for over a year now and make a lot of excuses. It would cause conflicts with me and my wife (she wouldn't be eating raw), it's sometimes cheaper or more convenient to eat cooked food, etc.

It's time to stop making excuses, to just do it and be authentic.

[Mary Jane]

Stella, best wishes on your raw journey! It could be that you won't have difficult detoxing. I've gone raw a few times, and I've noticed that the first 2 or 3 days might be challenging but not impossible. In fact, after the third raw day of a three-week stay at Optimum Health Institute in San Diego I felt fabulous for the rest of the time there... incredibly energetic and happy and light. Of course, it helped that everybody else was doing the same thing. It's a tad more difficult being around others who are eating SAD.

All the best,
Mary Jane

Healthy Eating with Raw Foods

[Amandaaa]

Good luck, Stella! I might be transitioning soon, too...

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Mary Jane

Stella, best wishes on your raw journey! It could be that you won't have difficult detoxing. I've gone raw a few times, and I've noticed that the first 2 or 3 days might be challenging but not impossible. In fact, after the third raw day of a three-week stay at Optimum Health Institute in San Diego I felt fabulous for the rest of the time there... incredibly energetic and happy and light. ...

Oh wouldn't that be great! that means only tomorrow to go and so far it has been fine.

A major motivation for this trial is for my vision. My eyesight has seriously deteriorated in the past year. I want to take massive action to reverse that. Don't know if raw food will help. My guess is it will.

DAY 2

Today I had a lot of trouble getting out of bed. Just felt delirious when I woke up and was nearly late for work because it was such a struggle to get up. As soon as I had the first bite of apple I felt OK again. Maybe I have to sleep next to an apple .

I feel noticeably happier. It could be that I am doing something I have wanted to do for a long time, but it feels actually physical (if happiness can be physical). Anyway I love it.

I have also had heaps of energy at work and feel invincible. All the kids who usually give me a hard time....I have been tackelling them head on, setting the boundaries and winning. It is so much easier to get your way when you are happy, isn't it?

I had a moment of intense yearning for a hot meal, but apart from that brief challenge I feel like I have eaten raw all my life. So far, much easier than I could have hoped.

Thanks for all your support people

Stella

[stellabeam]

Hello world,

WORK and 3 days raw

I realised that the extra energy I have had has made a huge impact on my relationships with students at a critical stage of getting to know them. I walked in to a difficult situation with this job, because they adored my predecessor and were all upset that he was no longer teaching them. He also had a much broader industry knowledge than I do, as well as having set up the school. Big shoes to fill.

So energy boost and general happiness from going raw has served me at a good time. I have felt respect from the students grow noticeably since I have been on this diet, because I have been able to inject the situation with a ton of positive energy. I did not realise that what I ate had such a big impact on my life.

There are brief times however, when I feel quite faint which is alarming. I had another almost an out of body experience, where I was watching myself teaching in the room, while some part of me floated away. Inappropriately spiritual and scary.

So far though it has done far more good than harm at work, which I am happy to report after only 3 days! I was expecting to have to endure a couple of weeks of horror (detox) before I had any noticeable benefits.

Thanks for listening

[stellabeam]

Hard today. First day off. Had to shopping. Restaurants and fast food everywhere. Just wanted tp devour everything in sight. Took an extreme effort of will not to.

I got too hungry and had no food or water on hand, due to unforeseen circumstances. So I have learnt that I always have to have food and water handy, at least in the beginning. Just did not expect it to be so tough.

I can hardly write this because it makes me think about it.

Stella

[Mary Jane]

Alissa Cohen in her book "Living on Live Food" says that the biggest mistake people make when they first go raw is that they don't eat enough. She said one morning she ate six bananas for breakfast. I know in Dr. Doug Graham's book he also talks about eating huge amounts of fruit at one sitting.

We know that many raw food teachers tell people to eat minimally for optimum health, but when you're switching to a brand new food plan it might make sense to eat enough to not feel hungry... and to eat whenever you are hungry. Eventually your body will get all the nutrients it needs from a smaller amount of food.

Originally Posted by stellabeam

Hard today. First day off. Had to shopping. Restaurants and fast food everywhere. Just wanted tp devour everything in sight. Took an extreme effort of will not to.

When I start to clean up my eating program and don't want to give into temptation when I'm out and about, I make sure to carry something like a raw food bar, or a little bag of raisins and nuts.

Stella, I just want to thank you for writing about your experiences here. It's inspirational! I know you've got me thinking about getting back to raw foods, in spite of the somewhat challenging first few days.

To your success!

Mary Jane
Naturally Healthy Eating, Resources for Health and Wellness

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Mary Jane

Alissa Cohen in her book "Living on Live Food" says that the biggest mistake people make when they first go raw is that they don't eat enough. She said one morning she ate six bananas for breakfast. I know in Dr. Doug Graham's book he also talks about eating huge amounts of fruit at one sitting.

Thanks so much for that info Mary Jane and for your kind words of support. Really nice to hear after yesterday.

Yes I have been generally trying to get as much into me as I can. Yesterday I went on a walk and got lost and rescued a dog etc so it all took much longer than I was prepared for and I also got really cold.

I am losing weight rapidly which is fine for now, but will have to do something about it if I go permanently raw. At work every chance I can I am eating but still not quite enough. Have been reading some of Steve's blogs and learning that avocados and nuts are good for calories in the beginning. Thanks steve I tried bananas and avocado today and it was so delicious and satisfying.

Another day off today and it was really nice to just eat and eat. Yummy blueberries and fresh dates what a combo!

Did not sleep properly last night and had to move house today. My energy was pretty good considering the amount of sleep I got.

Feeling good again

Stella de Raw

I

[stellabeam]

Wow is it really day 6 already?? It has been much easier than I thought it would be.

Today I had one challenging moment sitting in the staff room while a co-worker devoured some pasta looking lunch. I felt like a wild boar when I saw it and had to quickly remind myself of the ramifications of grabbing hand fulls of someone elses lunch, without asking, and stuffing it down my throat.

I managed to remain calmy eating my mandarins throughout the duration of my relapse, and was rewarded.
When he finished he said "That was disgusting?"
"What was it?" I casually asked.
"Pork pasta"

eerr puke yuk


How I feel today

I am beginning to feel like going raw is not the HUGE change that I felt like it was before I did it. It is just food, all the animals eat raw food, what can be so hard? It feels good not to make too big a deal about it because then it will seem harder.

Stella

[stellabeam]

Hello,

Dehydration! Can't seem to get enough water into me. I don't like eating and drinking at the same time, but I might need to be flexible because I don't have time to do both.

Foul breath again. It has been OK for the last few days.

Very low energy in my aerobic workout today but I think It was because of dehydration.

Noticeably clear thinking which is great. I feel "on the ball" at work. Have not had the "scary floating away spacey" feeling for quite a few days now.

Tonight I am going out with friends and I normally would eat out at the pub with them. I know it will be a bit of a challenge, so I am going to stuff myself before I go, with delicious food the way nature meant it to be.

At this moment I am quite hungry and still associate that feeling with the need for cooked food. I am learning that raw food can satisfy hunger too.

1 week Raw! Hurray!!

Stella de Raw

[Mary Jane]

Congratulations, Stella! That's a real accomplishment, your 1 week raw!

Interesting, the dehydration. Maybe it's because you're still detoxing? Are you eating lots of water-dense fruits and veggies?

To your ongoing raw success...
Mary Jane

Originally Posted by stellabeam

Hello,

Dehydration! Can't seem to get enough water into me. I don't like eating and drinking at the same time, but I might need to be flexible because I don't have time to do both...

1 week Raw! Hurray!!

Stella de Raw

[stellabeam]

Yes Mary Jane I am eating HEAPS of fruit and veges..Yesterday 6 madarins, 1 and 1/2 rockmelans, Green smoothie (1/4 lettuce, most of a punnet of cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs celery juice)1 packet of strawberries, 6 kiwi friut, 3 fresh dates 1 avocado.

I HAD to drink enough water today because I felt so awful yesterday and waking up this morning.

It is hard for me to drink enough water and eat enough food because of lack of time. I cannot have water in my working environment so I can only drink on a break. Usually I am hungry so I would prefer to eat.

Today I drank water instead for some of those breaks and got very hungry.

Sapoty Brook raw foodist and author of "eco-eating" told me he does not need to drink water because he gets it from the water rich fruit and veges. This was definately not my experience!

I am craving cooked food.

Stella

[Mary Jane]

It certainly sounds like you're getting plenty of water-rich fruits and veggies. What a shame that you can't have water in your workplace. That would probably help a lot.

I've heard long-time raw foodists say the same thing Sapoty Brook told you. Maybe it just takes time to get through the detox phase.

In Quantum Eating by Tonya Zavasta she writes, "I do not drink free water, sometimes for many months and even years. All of my water comes from fruits and vegetables. So I am doing absolutely the opposite (and not for the first time!) of what nutritional and medical science teaches us to to."

Wow, I couldn't do that. But she has been consuming a very pure raw food diet for a long time.

I hope the feelings of craving cooked food have eased up for you.

Regards,
Mary Jane

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Mary Jane

In Quantum Eating

I hope the feelings of craving cooked food have eased up for you.

Regards,
Mary Jane

Thanks Mary Jane, they only lasted a little while as cravings generally do. Just got ride the storm and it is soon over. Thanks for your quote as well. Interesting that they both said they don't need water.

I wonder if Steve needs to drink as much water on raw food as he did before...??

TODAY

Today energy feels normal. Slight feelings of hunger and thirst and a dose of sleepiness in the afternoon..

I notice I have stopped losing weight rapidly which is good. Nice to know that this diet could be sustainable for me as far as that goes.

Nothing momentous to report..

[stellabeam]

Hello,

Weekends are the biggest challenge because of the social situations. I went to a school trivia night where everyone had brought a plate and there was mountains of all my favourite food. I felt like devouring everything in sight.

I have lost inches around my waist and feel really good about that. I have not been working out as much as usual because it has been hard to get out of bed sometimes with the dehydration. Last week I only went to the gym 3 times. However I have decided to go no matter what. I have to go because I am losing hard earned muscle.

I am eating mostly fruit just because it is so handy. But I crave green smoothies which I can only have before and after work. I wish I could just drink them all day.

I feel that this challenge is making me stronger mentally and emotionally because I have to really be strong at times.

Someone told me my skin was looking really clear. I thought it was odd because I don't get pimples, but I caught sight of myself in the mirror today and noticed a difference.

Thanks for listening....

de Stell

[stellabeam]

I felt good today.

I am having a glass of water before food. Even though it is not ideal it is a lot better than not drinking it at all. As I have said in previous posts it is hard to get enough time to eat enough and drink enough with my work schedule.

I thought I would share what I am eating.

Today so far

5:30 600 ml lemon juice and water
6am 600ml green smoothie made from lettuce, tomatoe, basil, parsley, dill, and water.
6:30 weight training
7:30 10 big strawberries and a banana (not hungry)
10am 10 big strawberries
12:30 8 mandarins

It is 5:30 now and I will have 4 mandarins, 2 bananas and some more strawberries.
At 9pm I will have another green smoothie like this morning but with celery juice instead of water.

As you can see I am snacking frequently rather than having 3 main meals a day. It seems to be the only way I have time to eat enough.

Stella de bella

[stellabeam]

YEH HURRAY DAY 14 2 WEEKS GO ME

Today was pretty easy

What I ate


Today I ate the least amount of food that I have eaten in a day since being on this diet. I just did not feel very hungry and work was hectic.

5:30 600ml lemon juice and water.
6am green smoothie- 2 tomatoes, lettuce, herbs (parsley, dill, I do not know what the others were)
8am 2 bananas
3 more bananas scattered throughout the day
5:30 5 mandarins and a banana.

Later I will have a green smoothie

Anyone thinking about going raw?

Stella

[kpollock]

Stella,

I notice you are eating mostly fruit - how about more veggies to fill you up, and give you longer lasting energy? I don't eat 100% raw at all - but I have a huge salad every lunchtime - lettuce/cabbage/celery/carrot/peppers/onion and sometimes other things like marrow, fennel, spinach, mangetout, beansprouts. Just about every veg (except potatoes/sweetcorn) can be eaten raw. I love the variety!!!

I make my lunch up in a 1 litre watertight tupperware every morning - takes 10 minutes, tops. I also take a handful of mixed nuts and a couple of bits of fruit.

[Prometheus999]

I started going raw after seeing Steve's post a couple of weeks ago. I'm about 95%. It hasnt been easy. I am 225 lbs, play tennis a couple of times a week, and bike as much as possible. Initially the problem I had was I was not eating enough; I was not eating enough protein; I had cravings for salty crunchy snacks and breads. Its been a couple of weeks now and some research its become easier.

I started eating more at each meal.

For breakfast. A green smoothie. carrots, apples, celery, and kale. I also have a homemade muesli - raw oats, raisins, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, soy milk, and honey. 400-500 calories

A salad for lunch. My salads contained a whole head of lettuce, a tomato or two, a whole cucumber, sun flower seeds (3 Tbs=150 calories), bean sprouts. I also discovered hemp seeds - a great meat substitute. Its almost a perfect protein. 1 whole Avocado - almost 300 calories. The avocados will keep you full for hours. 500-800 calories.

Dinner. Another smoothie. Banana. 2 cups of soy milk. Hemp seeds. Flax seeds. Dulse. 300-400 calories.

I think the dulse has help the salty snack cravings. I still miss bread and crunchy snacks like crackers and am considering getting a dehydrator to make my own. I say 95% because I have broken down and made popcorn. That is a compromise because I actually feel like going out and getting doritos when I have those cravings.

Overall, I feel alot better, and am more focused.

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by kpollock

Stella,

I notice you are eating mostly fruit - how about more veggies to fill you up, and give you longer lasting energy? I don't eat 100% raw at all - but I have a huge salad every lunchtime - lettuce/cabbage/celery/carrot/peppers/onion and sometimes other things like marrow, fennel, spinach, mangetout, beansprouts. Just about every veg (except potatoes/sweetcorn) can be eaten raw. I love the variety!!!

Yes that makes sence. I have a problem eating salad fast enough though. I know that sounds gross but it is just practical. I have decided on the weekend that I will eat only veges to balance it out. It is not ideal but I will see how it goes.

Thanks for the sugggestion. It made me hungry reading about your yummy salads.

[backpocket]

Originally Posted by stellabeam

I have decided on the weekend that I will eat only veges to balance it out. It is not ideal but I will see how it goes.

Are you sure? There's barely enough calories in just veges.

About taking too much time to finish your salads, maybe you can try eating salads while going online, or reading something. At least that way you won't feel like you're spending too much time eating.

By the way, I'm going raw too. It just felt like a sudden urge. Now on day 2, and going strong.

Good luck on your diet and keep posting.

[freddy]

Hi Stellebeam, Been reading your post. I started the other day and was doing oK until dinner time. I was so hungry I ended up eating a small portion of spaghetti. I have to cook for two kids, so it makes it hard not to want some. This morning I started off with fruits, and by lunch time I hit a fast food joint. I just ate an orange and have salad for this evening meal. I hope I can do better in the next few days. I have yet to purchase a juicer to try out smoothies I think your doing a great job sticking with your plan.

[kpollock]

Yes, doing a quick addition on the calories might be revealing. Most veg weighs in about 50kcal/100g. I can see why the smoothies are popular - good way to pack more in.

All this has inspired me to a slightly more raw couple of days (fruit + nuts for breakfast instead of eggs or soup, salad for lunch, still a cooked stirfry for dinner though). I felt great today. Managed to get a call about a job, a phone interview, and get a face to face tomorrow. It's nice when your brain feels sharp!

[stellabeam]

Hi People,

Well an amazing thing happened the other day. I had to go out to dinner. Indian...what indian food is raw? None, in this restaurant. So I decided to push the bar and step out of my comfort zone. When they asked me what I was going to eat I just smiled and said
"Nothing, I just came for the company. I am on a raw food diet for 30 days."

This turned out to be a really good reponse because one of the women there had been on a raw food diet for a year, and was waxing lyrical about how amazing she had felt during that time....energy clear vision.."I could feel my whole body rejuvinating..." She was so inspiring and gave me some great recipes and offered me books.

That same day the man who mows the lawn was having a break and my flat mate told him I was on a raw food diet. "Oh I never cook my food" he said casually. "I just blend all the veges up in the blender" He was a 60 year old man living alone.

The last time I met someone who lived on raw food was Sapoty Brook in 1998. I was so amazed to meet 2 people in one day!

So I have been eating delicious food since I met Bell.

Like Spagetti and sauce.

(Grated zuccini and thinly sliced red capsicum with blended tomotoes, basil, parsley, garlic and a spoonful of tahini.)

Also Just blending bananas and oranges together. Put them in a wine glass with a generous spinkling of almond meal and strawberries. YUM !!

I am feeling pretty energtic and happy. I have lost inches and can't imagine how I could have let myself get so fat. I feel so good about that.

I am also really happy that I pulled through those hard days.

Originally Posted by freddy

Hi Stellebeam, Been reading your post. I started the other day and was doing oK until dinner time. I was so hungry I ended up eating a small portion of spaghetti. I have to cook for two kids, so it makes it hard not to want some. This morning I started off with fruits, and by lunch time I hit a fast food joint. I just ate an orange and have salad for this evening meal. I hope I can do better in the next few days. I have yet to purchase a juicer to try out smoothies I think your doing a great job sticking with your plan.

Freddy good on you! It would be extra challenging having to cook food while withdrawing from the addiction of it. (Does addcition sound extreme? That what it is beginning to feel like for me). Thanks for your encouragement and to everyone else for visiting and being part of my journey.

Raw Food is so great. YUMMMYYY delicious, looks gorgeous, smells gorgeous, like eating art and it makes you beautiful....

[stellabeam]

Hi all,

I can't wear perfume anymore! A minute after I put it on I get an awfull taste in my mouth, as if I had put some on my tongue. The first time it happend I thought I must have accidently touched it with my fingers and put my hand in my mouth. The next time I was really careful, and I still could taste it. YUK.

Well I am going strong. I had a woosey moment today because I did not eat enough through lack of organisation, but I just had a big feed and was OK again. I am hardly missing cooked food at all now. If I don't think about how good it would be to eat a hot vege curry, I am fine. If a thought like that does cross my mind, it does not last very long. My energy is good.

I am starting to work out seriously now, instead of thinking I am so good just to get to the gym. I have missed a few days from being dehydrated and not being able to wake up properly in time. But I am making a big effort to drink enough and getting up is no longer a problem.

Breaky Today
I soaked some dates in cold water overnight and blended them up with strawberries and bananas and sprinkled almond meal on top. So delicious

[stellabeam]

Hello is anyone still there??


I am dreaming again!! I used to have wonderfull vivid dreams and often fly. I have not flown for years and I had a lovely flying dream! That makes me happy.

I am into the groove of it now and it is quite easy. Work has been hectic and energy is never a problem even though I get up at 5:30 and work out. I am really happy that I have done this. I have had excuses for the last 10 years and one day just decided to do it anyway. And it really was not that hard.

6 days to go!!

Stella

[Mary Jane]

Hello Stella. Someone is still here! I've been away from the forums for a while. I've often thought about you on raw foods -- you've done wonderfully!

And you helped to inspire me to start a 30-day trial myself. I'm on day 9. It's pretty easy now, but the first 2-3 days were difficult. I felt lethargic and sick with head cold like symptoms and a bad headache. But now I feel GREAT.

I don't know how you've done it, holding down a full-time job. I work at home, so I've managed quite well.

Do you have any intention of continuing when your 30 days are up?

Mary Jane

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Mary Jane

Hello Stella. Someone is still here! I've been away from the forums for a while. I've often thought about you on raw foods -- you've done wonderfully!

And you helped to inspire me to start a 30-day trial myself. I'm on day 9. It's pretty easy now, but the first 2-3 days were difficult. I felt lethargic and sick with head cold like symptoms and a bad headache. But now I feel GREAT.

I don't know how you've done it, holding down a full-time job. I work at home, so I've managed quite well.

Do you have any intention of continuing when your 30 days are up?

Mary Jane

Oh that is so great that you are doing it too Mary Jane!!! I am so pleased that I inspired you even if a little bit. It does get easier doesn't it. The only time I have really had a problem was when I was not organised with food on hand.

I always have a mini eski full of food where ever I go. I have been doing this for a while actually but it is more important when going raw.


The end of 30 days

I cannot think about the end of 30 days. There is part of me that feels like I have not "had a decent meal for a month" and is completely ravenous for cooked food.

I find this a bit scary. I feel that if I have a cooked meal, I will not be able to stop. I know in the short term I would probaly become quite sick from too much too soon (like Steve did) but I think it would be very hard to stop.

Also then I would have to go to all the trouble of giving up again and I have already done that and do not want to go through it again.

And what if I did not get it together to go raw again? So disappointing. Losing energy, dreams, intuition, just that lovely feeling of health and also being in control of myself and my life.

So maybe I have to decide just to do another 30 days. That is too much to conceive of right now but hopefully it will feel achievable when the time comes.

Thanks for your support.

Stella da Bella