Any Raw Foodists in Our Midst?

[tgl]

I keep seeing posts on vegan, and vegetarianism and meat eaters...

Any raw foodists? Natural hygienists? Fruitarians? Breatharians?

[angelicfruit]

I'm planning on testing the water and transitioning to raw food for 30 days in December. A bunch of people in my neighbourhood are raw foodists and have been for a number of years. The guy who lives upstairs runs a magazine and workshops on raw food.. so I'm definately in the right place!

[tgl]

Wow. And you're in London. Some people have told me that it's hard to find vegetarian food in England, so I assumed raw food was out of the question. That was a couple of years ago, however.

30 days, huh? Be prepared for some rapid weight loss. Gentle weight loss. But rapid.

[kthdsn]

I've been learning about the raw diet lately and I am very interested in trying it. I have already cut out fizzy drinks, caffeine and meat from my diet, and I have added lots of fresh fruit, water and cooked veg. I tend to have fruit and juice through the day then a cooked vegetable filled meal for dinner.

I am finding it difficult to contemplate not having a cooked meal, but I am finding it easier to eat fruit instead of junk for the rest of the day. Those days when I give into the junk food remind me why I'm doing this, I feel so much better without it.

I would love to chat with others trying out the diet/lifestyle.

[angelicfruit]

30 days, huh? Be prepared for some rapid weight loss. Gentle weight loss. But rapid.

eek.. I'm skinny as it is! I lost about a stone (14lbs) when I went veggie a year ago. I'm not sure how much I've left to lose to be honest. Ideally I'd like to put on some weight. Any thoughts of doing this and going raw? Perhaps I could manifest some..

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by tgl

Wow. And you're in London. Some people have told me that it's hard to find vegetarian food in England, so I assumed raw food was out of the question. That was a couple of years ago, however.

30 days, huh? Be prepared for some rapid weight loss. Gentle weight loss. But rapid.

Hi tgl

To be honest, India aside, England is leaps ahead of most western nations when it comes to the number of vegetarians and the availability of vegetarian food.

[Jaben]

I've been eating exclusively raw for 5 weeks now. I've had some very positive personal things happen in my life since I made the transition. Although I can't be certain they are all direct side effects I know my emotional state of being has been much more positive. Also, I had a minor skin condition that went away after being with me for 8 years.

I am surprised at how energized I can feel on small quantities of food. I haven't measured caloric intake but it seems I don't have to eat as much to maintain the same level of energy and state of mental clarity as I used to. It's only been 5 weeks, but I've given up my pots and pans.

I live in a small conservative city, home of the Mayo Clinic, in Minnesota. I was weird when I transitioned to vegan 4 years ago. Now even amongst the vegan community I'm weird. But, I still went to our local vegan potluck last month and my dishes went over so well they scheduled an all raw potluck in January! And the local vegan deli has made some tasty dishes for me per my request with advanced notice.

Steve said he kicked off a stretch of eating exclusively raw on Labor day weekend. Does anyone know how that is going? He said it was a lot of work, but I don't think it has to be. Yes, in my town it does mean no eating out for the most part. But, it is really easy to whip up a meal in 10 minutes. Making crackers, breads, cookies and cereals in the dehydrator is done in steps that require around 5 to 20 minutes at a time and you can leave the house while they're baking. If have the time, raw "Cooking" can be a very enjoyable form of entertainment or hobby allowing the expression of creativity. Enjoying the flavors and colors can be revitalizing in itself, not to mention the nutrition.

My current favorite raw food recipe books are "Rejuvenate Your Life, Recipes for Energy" by Serene Allison and "Raw Food, Real World" by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis.

[tgl]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Hi tgl

To be honest, India aside, England is leaps ahead of most western nations when it comes to the number of vegetarians and the availability of vegetarian food.

I didn't know that. Has it always been that way? I knew a vegetarian who went to England and came back complaining that it was impossible to find dairy-free and meat-free places to eat. But, it was a few years ago. And I don't remember where in England they visited. Might not have been one of the larger cities.

Jaben, congrats on 5 weeks! I recently went to a raw potluck and I had forgotten how so little food can fill you up completely. It was funny because before I started eating raw, I was terrified about how much money I'd have to spend in order to get full.

Angelicfruit, I don't know about the weight loss. I was happy to lose the pounds I did. Ask around though. The raw foodists around you should be able to give you some good advice.

[n_vizion]

Jaben,
I read on another forum that one of the side effects of raw food eating might be the loss of hair in large amounts because of detoxification. The good news is that the hair grows back thicker and healthier than before. Have you experienced this?

[Jaben]

[quote=n_vizion;4443] I read on another forum that one of the side effects of raw food eating might be the loss of hair in large amounts because of detoxification. /QUOTE]

I haven't had any noticible detoxification side effects. Although I didn't quit cooked food cold turkey ( or tofurkey ). I was vegan for 4 years and then in January of this year I started drinking 1 to 2 ounces of wheat grass every day, juicing with my GreenStar juicer. In June I went raw for 2 weeks. I switched back to cooked food because I was really busy and didn't have good equipment.

When I switched to cooked food the first thing I had was a veggie burrito from Chipotle which was my favorite, but this time the beans and rice were lifeless almost like eating cardboard.

By August I had all of the essential equipment in addition to the juicer, Vita Mix blender, food processor, Excalibur dehydrator, young coconut cleaver etc. I kept eating cooked food but experimented with different raw foods. In September I slowly transitioned to all raw food and then decided to go exclusive.

Angelicfruit,
I didn't measure my weight loss, but wearing a belt has become a necessity in the last month and I can fit into some pants that were too tight before. However my upper body seemed to retain if not gain muscle mass and I don't look too thin. I believe eating raw will restore your body to your ideal weight whether you're underweight or overweight.

TGL,
How long have you been eating raw?

[elian]

Hi, I've been on the raw food diet since March. (I am actually certified through Alissa Cohen's Living On Live Food program.) I have lost almost 30 pounds to date.

n_vizion: I've had a little hair loss, but nothing to complain about. It is typical with hormonal changes. I haven't had too much detox over all. Just some minor digestive rumblings.

I feel the best ever on 100% raw and I have a much calmer temperment (even my hubby says so).

[tgl]

I was raw last year for 9 months. Then I slipped. I was in a horrible relationship and rather than let go of the dream of what I thought the relationship could be, I let go of healthy, vibrant things. I want to kick myself every day for that.

I'm currently eating SAD, but I've recently started a raw food group in my area. We had a potluck and it just reminded me of how good I felt eating raw, so I'm making a commitment to get back to raw food.

Detox was a little hard for me because, unlike Jaben, I did not transition slowly. I was still eating meat when I switched. I think it's healthier to transition slowly, as well as easier. ...Not that I'll be transitioning slowly, but I think it's probably better.

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by tgl

I was in a horrible relationship and rather than let go of the dream of what I thought the relationship could be, I let go of healthy, vibrant things.

I've been through you're saying here; relationships can be so difficult sometimes! It takes real courage to build boundaries. But I finally said no to the whole situation.

As for raw, I'm seriously starting to consider it. I was 100% raw for 3 or 4 days, just as long as my (free) supply of veggies and fruits lasted. During those days, I was more positive, and needed less sleep. Also, I think about all of the healthcare bills I won't be paying later for chronic diseases.

[Jaben]

The connection between emotional stress and cooked food is worth pondering. This past weekend I had a few moments of craving when I was hungry and tired. Taco Bell of all places. But I wanted to make a point not to give in because I feel there is a slippery slope addiction type pull to cooked food. Plus the restriction increases creativity and encourages you to experiment with different foods to address cravings and provide needed nutrition.

I've never heard of the loss of hair problem with going raw. I'm sorry n_vizion I figured you were exaggerating.

Elian, do you know how long does the detox period usually last? I would imagine as long as you are losing weight you would be releasing toxins...

TGL. 9 months, wow... Glad to see you are getting back into it. You started up a raw potluck Good for you. Are you located in a progressive area?

[tgl]

Nope. Country-fried Georgia. Where they hunt vegans for sport!

I have noticed a connection between cooked food and stress. It seems to me that the more chaos I let into my life, that I accept and give space to, the more I crave and submit to cravings.

You may have noticed on your way from meat to veg to vegan to raw a decrease in your ability to tolerate too much craziness. The intolerance isn't a negative thing, where you're screaming and yelling at folks, but more of a positive thing, where you find yourself moving away from heavy, ugly vibrational people and situations. Raw food is definitely a more subtle energy, I've noticed. And there is, at least for me, a certain mindframe, certain kinds of environments and situations where I cannot stay when raw.

Detox seems to vary for everybody. I was reading something awhile back: some raw food healing place noticed that some people with significant health problems experienced no detox during the initial stages of transitioning, only to come down with some strong detox stuff later. As if the body were so full of toxins, that it took time to create an internal hurricane in order to flush them out.

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by Jaben

In June I went raw for 2 weeks. I switched back to cooked food because I was really busy and didn't have good equipment.

By August I had all of the essential equipment in addition to the juicer, Vita Mix blender, food processor, Excalibur dehydrator, young coconut cleaver etc.

Hi Jaben,

I did a one-week-raw experiment recently and I felt absolutely great. I want to give eating raw a 30-days-trial next - even more so when I read your posts, they're really encouraging.

Could you give a recommendation as to what kitchen equipment is needed at least to get a fair impression of eating raw? I don't want it to seem difficult or boring to me just because I lack the proper tools - but I also haven't yet manifested a million dollar

Thanks!

[Jaben]

Hobbes,

You could definitely survive for 30 days with a food processor and blender. The blender doesn't have to be a Vita Mix to start but you will want to get one eventually. So, I would start there and expand as you are inspired or find good deals. I bought my Excalibur and Vita Mix on Ebay.

My list of essential equipment for a long term raw foods kitchen is the Green Star juicer, the Vita Mix blender, Cuisinart food processor, Excalibur dehydrator, Kitchen Aid coffee/seed grinder, good knives, a salad spinner, a young coconut cleaver, a julienne tool, sprouting containers and a mandolin.

In June I had no blender so I was making smoothies in my food processor, very messy!

I really love the dehydrator. For dinner I had energy flat bread (sprouted buckwheat, flax and germinated almonds). It is the same texture as pita bread, well close anyway. And, it tastes like it's fresh out of the oven even after freezing it and thawing it. Actually, better because it has life too it. It maintains pretty much the same flavor after dehydration as before. With it I had sprouted chickpea jalapeño hummus in which chickpea miso and cashew butter are the secret ingredients. Until you have a dehydrator you may want to try Manna sprouted bread. It's the closest to raw bread you can buy at any health food store.

If I had to give up 1 of the four main appliances, a food processor, blender, juicer or dehydrator I would have a very difficult time choosing.

[Jaben]

Originally Posted by tgl

You may have noticed on your way from meat to veg to vegan to raw a decrease in your ability to tolerate too much craziness. The intolerance isn't a negative thing, where you're screaming and yelling at folks, but more of a positive thing, where you find yourself moving away from heavy, ugly vibrational people and situations. Raw food is definitely a more subtle energy, I've noticed. And there is, at least for me, a certain mindframe, certain kinds of environments and situations where I cannot stay when raw.

After reading this I had to think about it for a while. Yes, I do feel the capacity for negative emotion is much smaller on a healthier diet. I do have negativity in my personal life. And when I succumb to negative emotions I do realize that indulging in unhealthier foods will make me feel better temporarily. Coffee was hard for me to quit for that reason, it made me feel good while allowing me to harbor negative feelings at the same time. On healthy food your only choice is to bolt or to let go of the negative emotions. This becomes even more difficult when the people or circumstances are infringing on your physical comfort and peace and quiet. I believe though that negativity in any form can only affect you if you harbor it within. Healthier foods decrease your capacity for harboring negativity and increase your ability to feel good.

[Andrew Brunelle]

No, I am not a raw foodist and I am not even a vegetarian. Although I am moving in that direction, I cannot seem to make a good transition. It may be possibly because I still live at home and I do not want to not eat what my mother makes, not to mention what she makes tastes really good. But I have made substantial changes to my diet, such as no soda, no refined, processed foods, more fruits and vegetables, much less meat and candy, less sugar, and I'm moving towards a healthier diet, it just will take some time for me. Another negative influence is my brother who eats all junk food all the time, meaning there is always junk ood in the house, but I try to refrain myself. He'll be off to college in a year and we've already discussed we're going to cut the junk food out completely. So it's looking good from this point on.

[Jaben]

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