Guest guest Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 You know I have been a member of this group for some time, reading a lot of posts, not contributing too much. This whole " Raw Food Thing " is new to me, actually being healthy in general is new to me. Anyway I decided to start the new year as raw, I spent lots of hours researching, reading, talking, asking questions, reading books, etc. And I decided it was time. I was going to start on the first, but since it was my birthday I started on the 2nd instead. I made it 2 full days raw, and then it fell apart. It is so stupid, I knew when I ordered that pizza that I really didn't want it, I had already had dinner, I ate a big salad, some fruit, a few nuts. But no matter how much salad and stuff I eat, I still feel a hunger. This time it got the best of me, I could have resisted, but I didn't, I gave in. Then on the way home today, I found myself in the line at McDonalds, without even realizing it. I wanted to drive off, but couldn't. I wish I would have just paid for it and left without it, but I didn't. So here I am, but you know what, I felt good for those two days, even though at times the hunger was terrible. I know what I want to do is \right, I can feel it. But it is not as easy as I thought it would be. When you guys first started out, how did you deal with it, did you feel the hunger that I am talking about? I am going to do this, but some pointers would be welcome. And I hate to say it but an encouraging word would be nice to. I can't go to my family, they would think I am crazy, you should have heard the rebuff I got when I just mentioned that I was THINKING about going vegetarian. I will cross that bridge one day, but not today. My instincts tell me this is the right way to eat, in my heart I feel it. One of the other things I was thinking about is going in for a physical and stuff, getting blood tests done, just to see what my cholesterol, and vitamin/minerals, etc levels are at. Then do it again in a year. It will do 2 things in my mind, let me know if I am not getting enough nutrients (which I really can't imagine happening, with a balanced raw diet). But I think it will give me hard evedence to show my family and anyone else down the road that it is healthy to be this way. I am sorry this is so long, but thanks for listening. Monte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 --- " mavalkyrie <mavalkyrie " <mavalkyrie wrote: > You know I have been a member of this group for some > time, reading a > lot of posts, not contributing too much. This whole > " Raw Food Thing " > is new to me, actually being healthy in general is > new to me. Anyway > I decided to start what exactly made you decide to experiment with this " raw-thingy " ... could you explore the genesis of the idea, from the the " idea " -stage up to the action you took... the new year as raw, I spent lots > of hours > researching, reading, talking, asking questions, > reading books, etc. > And I decided it was time. have you ever " pushed " yourself into a radical lifestyle change in the past... if, yes, how if at all can you remember the experience ... if not, how could you put in a nutshell everything you researched,read,talked,asked,etc ... what do you know about it so far based on that research ... and how do you know that it is correct, whatever you found out about it... I was going to start on > the first, but > since it was my birthday I started on the 2nd > instead. I made it 2 > full days raw, and then it fell apart. It is so > stupid, I knew when I > ordered that pizza that I really didn't want it, I > had already had > dinner, I ate a big salad, some fruit, a few nuts. > But no matter how > much salad and stuff I eat, I still feel a hunger. you will learn in the future to distinguish between real hunger and " hangover-hunger " ... > This time it got > the best of me, I could have resisted, but I didn't, > I gave in. Then > on the way home today, I found myself in the line at > McDonalds, > without even realizing it. I wanted to drive off, > but couldn't. I > wish I would have just paid for it and left without > it, but I didn't. > So here I am, but you know what, I felt good for > those two days, and remembering the best hours and nothing but the best of those two days will give you probably the initial base we all desperately needed in the beginning to build on the rest of " it " ... even > though at times the hunger was terrible. I know what > I want to do is > \right, I can feel it. But it is not as easy as I > thought it would > be. it is the same in every endeavor in our lives to succesfully connect the " i want " end to the " i feel " one ... some selfevaluation will help tremendously ... go ahead ... don't be afraid, " no matter " what that evaluation will bring .... it's a matter a character, too ... just get that mirror in front of you and take a deep long look inside ... When you guys first started out, how did you > deal with it, how? very hard ! and i didn't even have anybody around me to advise, to support, no books, almost no info about such a turn ... still i succeded " somehow " ... by trial and error i had to do " something " because i was very sick, and that gave me enough supporting energy for experimentation... i am actually very proud of my own success, because it was all me who did it that's what kind of character i am anyway ... now, that you have pretty good guidence, the change should be easier, faster,surer,happier... did > you feel the hunger that I am talking about? I am > going to do this, > but some pointers would be welcome. And I hate to > say it but an > encouraging word would be nice to. I can't go to my > family, they > would think I am crazy, you should have heard the > rebuff I got when I > just mentioned that I was THINKING about going > vegetarian. i get the same rebuff to this day from the rest of my family and friends ( lots of doctors )... dispite the evidence: all allergies disappeared after 40 years, no asthma attacks anymore, the enlightened feel of my body ready to jump and dance anytime ... clear mind never consciously aware of ... improvement of my myopia from - 4.50 down to - 2.75 in six years ... my eyecare doc still keeps me telling, that diet has nothing to do with this... yeah, right ... I will > cross that bridge one day, but not today. My > instincts tell me this > is the right way to eat, in my heart I feel it. change in the diet opens up all the cans with those worms ... nothing to be afraid of either... your whole life will change dramatically ... some people want it, others don't, you judge ... i personally warn you to be careful with those instincts, those feelings ... they are very difficult to rely on ... very few people have the ability to go along those ... our rational minds are the real handy tools for us ... easier to handle ... with clearer " printouts " and feedbacks, the best identifying means humans possess ... One > of the other > things I was thinking about is going in for a > physical and stuff, > getting blood tests done, just to see what my > cholesterol, and > vitamin/minerals, etc levels are at. those sheets are again unreliable ... your blood signs, vitamin-mineral-cholesterol levels changing all the time ... i tried it ... the only time the blood tests gave me some confort was when i did my first 21 day waterfast ... why comfort... because i read somewhere that i should be careful with my potassium level,that's a warning sign to break the fast, and that one should never do a longer fast by oneself without proper supervision... and since the fasting clinics were way far away ... i decided to do it anyway on my own ... what a trip that was, boy... i am not afraid anymore ... i fast easily and happily ... Then do it > again in a year. It > will do 2 things in my mind, let me know if I am not > getting enough > nutrients (which I really can't imagine happening, > with a balanced > raw diet). But I think it will give me hard evedence > to show my > family and anyone else down the road that it is > healthy to be this > way. i gave all the hard evidence to my family, to my friends, a lot of them doctors, stuck with their medieval practices ... not convincing enough... as yet... and i don't really want to convince anybody anymore ... it's a much bigger " thingy " than a few arguments here and there... be a good model ... you will shine through one day ... > > I am sorry this is so long, but thanks for > listening. > > Monte > > Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 Dear Monte Thank you for your honest and courageous questions It is much harder to go raw vegan from a meat based or junk food diet than from, say, a cooked vegan diet. So take it slowly! Make a goal to go raw in the future, say 6 months to a year. In the meantime add lots of fruits and vegetables to your diet. Read lots of books on vegan nutrition and raw food. Drink as much vegetable juice as you can. This will cleanse, mineralize and alkalize you and make a good transition to a raw diet. My favorite juice is celery, kale and parsley, avoiding the sweet root vegetables. Read David Wolfe's Sunfood diet book. Go to potlucks. When you finally go raw, if you have cravings, do an Ejuva intestinal cleanse with several colonics. Good Luck Niz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 Good point Niz. Monte, at the same time, one common piece of advice is to listen to your body. I was already vegan when I decided on raw, so it was easier for me. At some point along your path you know it is time to go 100%, then go for it! For now, follow your instincts. If that means gradually increasing your raw intake, then do it. Some do better with cold " turkey " (we really need to find a better word for that!) You know you best. Jeff >It is much harder to go raw vegan from a meat based or junk food >diet than from, say, a cooked vegan diet. So take it slowly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your attention, kind words, and inspiration. I appreciate the time and effort you all put into your responses. I am very grateful. Thanks! Thanks Annette, I have joined the Beginners group, I have not read the posts yet, but I look forward to it. Niz and Attila: You know I tried to go vegetarian, that didn't work for me, so I tried Vegan, that didn't work either. To be honest, it was too much work, it didn't feel right. I got so tired of reading labels, trying to decide what ingredients were animal sourced (sometimes it is hard to tell). I don't mind hard work, but I just didn't feel that being healthy should be so hard. That is why raw makes so very much sense to me, (how could it be more simple?)I have good instincts in most aspects of my life (except with women, but that is a whole different story). I trust my feelings and my heart, my inner being. I wish I had heard about Raw Food many years ago, but I didn't and that is ok, it is never too late (unless you never try). Another reason raw feels right is: I absolutely HATE to cook, which is why I ate out all the time, which is why I am in the sad shape I am in, I have never been so big (FAT). Everyday I felt worse and worse, did less and less, moved less and less. I am tired of being tired. I have always loved animals and I am tired of helping to abuse them, that is another reason. All the resources used to produce my friggin Big Mac...my reasons go on and on. I had all this knowledge, yet I did nothing. I just woke up one day and said no more! I have read so many books, talked to so many vegans/vegetarians, done so much searching on the internet... You know sometimes ignorance really is bliss, but I am not ignorant anymore! I have to live by the knowledge I have gained or I am not being true to myself. How can I do that, it is not fair to the people I love and that love me, but more importantly not being true to myself, is unfair to Me. Everything is pointing me in this direction, that is how I know it is right. Thanks everyone again for the input. Monte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 Monte, I'd still recommend finding either a raw mentor (someone who's been at it a long time) or a raw companion (someone at the same stage and level of commitment that you are) to help you along. Even just meeting or talking by phone or email once a week gives a big boost because you have someone outside yourself to show your progress to. Wishing you peace, joy and gastric bliss. Nick Hein Renton, WA - mavalkyrie <mavalkyrie RawSeattle Sunday, January 05, 2003 10:58 PM [RawSeattle] Re: letting yourself down First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your attention, kind words, and inspiration. I appreciate the time and effort you all put into your responses. I am very grateful. Thanks!Thanks Annette, I have joined the Beginners group, I have not read the posts yet, but I look forward to it.Niz and Attila: You know I tried to go vegetarian, that didn't work for me, so I tried Vegan, that didn't work either. To be honest, it was too much work, it didn't feel right. I got so tired of reading labels, trying to decide what ingredients were animal sourced (sometimes it is hard to tell). I don't mind hard work, but I just didn't feel that being healthy should be so hard. That is why raw makes so very much sense to me, (how could it be more simple?)I have good instincts in most aspects of my life (except with women, but that is a whole different story). I trust my feelings and my heart, my inner being. I wish I had heard about Raw Food many years ago, but I didn't and that is ok, it is never too late (unless you never try). Another reason raw feels right is: I absolutely HATE to cook, which is why I ate out all the time, which is why I am in the sad shape I am in, I have never been so big (FAT). Everyday I felt worse and worse, did less and less, moved less and less. I am tired of being tired. I have always loved animals and I am tired of helping to abuse them, that is another reason. All the resources used to produce my friggin Big Mac...my reasons go on and on. I had all this knowledge, yet I did nothing. I just woke up one day and said no more! I have read so many books, talked to so many vegans/vegetarians, done so much searching on the internet... You know sometimes ignorance really is bliss, but I am not ignorant anymore! I have to live by the knowledge I have gained or I am not being true to myself. How can I do that, it is not fair to the people I love and that love me, but more importantly not being true to myself, is unfair to Me. Everything is pointing me in this direction, that is how I know it is right.Thanks everyone again for the input.Monte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Monte Wow! You sure sparked a lot of comments. The raw food group is very supportive and has much knowledge and experience to share. What is amazing is that no two experiences are the same and yours will be just as unique. I encourage you to be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to add those things to your diet that are beneficial to you. Do not worry about what is not " good " or " wrong " . Focus on those things that you have accomplished each day or even each moment and you will see the progress that you desire. I live in a cooked food family. I am the cook and I am the only one who is raw. I prepare two meals. I even cook on the days I fast. I share this with you so that you can see that it is our individual choices that make us who we are. It doesn't matter that the choices of those close to us are different. In the beginning my family was threatened but in time they have come to realize that I am no threat and that their choices are still valid. ( I don't agree with them but it is their right to choose for themselves.) My example has inspired small changes and I can live with that. I hope this is of help. You are a noble spirit and will find your way whatever it is. Keep up the diligent effort. Light and Love Ramona - <mavalkyrie <RawSeattle > Sunday, January 05, 2003 4:50 PM [RawSeattle] letting yourself down > You know I have been a member of this group for some time, reading a > lot of posts, not contributing too much. This whole " Raw Food Thing " > is new to me, actually being healthy in general is new to me. Anyway > I decided to start the new year as raw, I spent lots of hours > researching, reading, talking, asking questions, reading books, etc. > And I decided it was time. I was going to start on the first, but > since it was my birthday I started on the 2nd instead. I made it 2 > full days raw, and then it fell apart. It is so stupid, I knew when I > ordered that pizza that I really didn't want it, I had already had > dinner, I ate a big salad, some fruit, a few nuts. But no matter how > much salad and stuff I eat, I still feel a hunger. This time it got > the best of me, I could have resisted, but I didn't, I gave in. Then > on the way home today, I found myself in the line at McDonalds, > without even realizing it. I wanted to drive off, but couldn't. I > wish I would have just paid for it and left without it, but I didn't. > So here I am, but you know what, I felt good for those two days, even > though at times the hunger was terrible. I know what I want to do is > \right, I can feel it. But it is not as easy as I thought it would > be. When you guys first started out, how did you deal with it, did > you feel the hunger that I am talking about? I am going to do this, > but some pointers would be welcome. And I hate to say it but an > encouraging word would be nice to. I can't go to my family, they > would think I am crazy, you should have heard the rebuff I got when I > just mentioned that I was THINKING about going vegetarian. I will > cross that bridge one day, but not today. My instincts tell me this > is the right way to eat, in my heart I feel it. One of the other > things I was thinking about is going in for a physical and stuff, > getting blood tests done, just to see what my cholesterol, and > vitamin/minerals, etc levels are at. Then do it again in a year. It > will do 2 things in my mind, let me know if I am not getting enough > nutrients (which I really can't imagine happening, with a balanced > raw diet). But I think it will give me hard evedence to show my > family and anyone else down the road that it is healthy to be this > way. > > I am sorry this is so long, but thanks for listening. > > Monte > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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