Beginning again! (long post, feedback requested!)

[Guest guest]

My reason for this post is that I want to stay accountable and

motivated. I may be posting on a regular basis my struggles and

successes

 

I've been struggling with Raw for about a year now, and one week

ago, recommitted to 100% raw. I feel great (actually, the best I've

ever felt) when I'm eating raw. This time really does feel different

(as far as my own commitment to stay raw goes) and I do think that I

will succeed. In the past, I could stay raw for 2 weeks to 2 months,

and then the cravings would kick in and I would rationalize, " I can

eat this one little thing! " and then I start saying it every day!

Well, you know what happens then….

 

I went cold turkey. The first few days, I was just eating what I

felt like, not worrying about proper nutrition, but just staying

raw. I am now following Alissa Cohen's guide. Wow! She is soo

inspirational! I would highly recommend anyone who is struggling

with raw to read her book! She is motivational, down to earth, her

recipes are easy and of course, they are fabulous!

 

My pitfalls/weaknesses:

 

I've never really liked uncooked greens (kale, collards, mustard,

spinach), But I love them cooked. Spinach is actually my favorite

veggie in the world and I do like it raw, a little bit! So, I

usually juice my greens (usually spinach, apple and kiwi, this is

fabulous and makes about 2 large glasses) so I don't have to worry

so much about eating them the rest of the day, or I'll make pesto

with ¾ spinach and ¼ basil, which is also super yummy. I know I rely

on spinach too much. I try to hide it in blended things, sometimes,

too, but I'm looking for other ideas.

 

I feel like I'm not eating enough food, in general. Now, it is not

that I'm hungry; I'm simply eating a lot less. My body does not seem

to mind. Ex: yesterday, I ate one large salad, ¼ cup mock salmon

pate with flax crackers and lettuce, one large orange, 4

strawberries, and about 5 bites of a date nut torte. Lots of water.

I felt very satisfied.

I try to eat at least one large salad a day, at least 2 pieces of

fruit and then whatever else I feel like. Is that ok?

 

I was never a big alcohol drinker (less than once a month, no more

than a drink or two), but I have heard that organic, unsulphured

(sp??) wine is ok. What is your experience with this?

 

I'm a smoker! I have noticed that when I'm raw, I crave them less,

and when I do want one, I don't like it as much. Quitting on the

horizon, but I'm not going to push it right now, one addiction at a

time! Anyone else in the same boat?

 

Sorry for such a long post, but I really want to succeed and I know

you guys are a great support system. Any suggestions or feedback

would be greatly appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Hi Kristi:

 

A couple of thoughts below: *within the Asterisks*

 

rawfood , " Kristi Swanson " <kswanson@u...>

wrote:

>

> My reason for this post is that I want to stay accountable and

> motivated. I may be posting on a regular basis my struggles and

> successes

>

> I've been struggling with Raw for about a year now, and one week

> ago, recommitted to 100% raw. I feel great (actually, the best I've

> ever felt) when I'm eating raw. This time really does feel

different

> (as far as my own commitment to stay raw goes) and I do think that

I

> will succeed. In the past, I could stay raw for 2 weeks to 2

months,

> and then the cravings would kick in and I would rationalize, " I can

> eat this one little thing! " and then I start saying it every day!

> Well, you know what happens then….

 

**in my life, when I continue to struggle with something, it usually

comes from an unclear intention....; as the intention becomes

clearer, the mechanics of the " how " get worked out**

 

> I went cold turkey. The first few days, I was just eating what I

> felt like, not worrying about proper nutrition, but just staying

> raw. I am now following Alissa Cohen's guide. Wow! She is soo

> inspirational! I would highly recommend anyone who is struggling

> with raw to read her book! She is motivational, down to earth, her

> recipes are easy and of course, they are fabulous!

>

> My pitfalls/weaknesses:

>

> I've never really liked uncooked greens (kale, collards, mustard,

> spinach), But I love them cooked. Spinach is actually my favorite

> veggie in the world and I do like it raw, a little bit! So, I

> usually juice my greens (usually spinach, apple and kiwi, this is

> fabulous and makes about 2 large glasses) so I don't have to worry

> so much about eating them the rest of the day, or I'll make pesto

> with ¾ spinach and ¼ basil, which is also super yummy. I know I

rely

> on spinach too much. I try to hide it in blended things, sometimes,

> too, but I'm looking for other ideas.

 

* Spinach => the younger the better, and less is better overall. It's

high in oxalic acid. Basil is an herb/toxin/poison - not really a

good " food " -- use much less, or none*

>

> I feel like I'm not eating enough food, in general. Now, it is not

> that I'm hungry; I'm simply eating a lot less. My body does not

seem

> to mind. Ex: yesterday, I ate one large salad, ¼ cup mock salmon

> pate with flax crackers and lettuce, one large orange, 4

> strawberries, and about 5 bites of a date nut torte. Lots of water.

 

*whilst you didn't say what you weigh, how tall, etc... that looks

like you're probably not getting enough calories in general, and are

quite a bit short on carbohydrates (read: energy). I've got a couple

of very simple, quick recipes following.*

 

> I felt very satisfied.

> I try to eat at least one large salad a day, at least 2 pieces of

> fruit and then whatever else I feel like. Is that ok?

 

**suggest swapping the size of the fruits and the salads - make

a " large fruit " salad, and a small vegy salad.**

>

> I was never a big alcohol drinker (less than once a month, no more

> than a drink or two), but I have heard that organic, unsulphured

> (sp??) wine is ok. What is your experience with this?

 

*u*nfortunately, alcohol is a toxin/poison in our bodies (I'm Irish

and used to be a big drinker!) it is neither abosrbed nor

digested...just irritates/toxifies...I've had some luck just

substituting good distilled water**

>

> I'm a smoker! I have noticed that when I'm raw, I crave them less,

> and when I do want one, I don't like it as much. Quitting on the

> horizon, but I'm not going to push it right now, one addiction at a

> time! Anyone else in the same boat?

 

**not a smoker here; blessed: I missed that one: and, obviously,

recommend eliminating that**

>

> Sorry for such a long post, but I really want to succeed and I know

> you guys are a great support system. Any suggestions or feedback

> would be greatly appreciated!

 

**couple of quick recipes:

 

Applesauce (from Elchanan via Dr. Graham...?)

3 apples, cored

6 dates, pitted

put in food processor, and blend it up....eat slowly, masticating

each mouthful.

 

 

smoothie: (probably also from Elchanan - somewhere from a fast

breaking suggestion, modified....I actually made it for my SAD wife

for her breakfast-on-the-road drink today, and she liked it!

3 sm. bananas (6-7 inches)

6 dates

1-2 nice stalks of celery

8 oz. water --

blend up, and eat as a fruit soup.

 

(smoothie comes out to ~435 Kcal, with a distribution of 93%

carbohydrates, 4% protein, and 3% fat.)

 

suggest investigating the use of the free online Nutridiary :

http://www.nutridiary.com

and aim for a MINIMUM of 80% carbohydrates (preferably from whole,

fresh organic or better fruits) and a MAXIMUM of 10% of proteins and

10% fats. quick rule of thumb for protein is about 1g of useable

protein for every 5-6 pounds of body weight. sooo...if you weighed

150 lbs, about 25-30 grams of protein would probably be adequate.

When I began using Nutridiary, my fat% was waaaayy too high...like

42%; nuts and seeds....too much...even though I was soaking/sprouting

them.. I've only been using Nutridiary for about a month now..and

raw since 10/01/04, with a couple of minor digressions. 90% fruit

since ~3/15/05.

 

 

Nutrition is comprised of many more " items " than diet. (fresh air,

sunshine, water, emotional poise, etc..etc.)Actually, at the point of

not wanting to sound rude/pendantic, I'd recommend concentrating on

eliminating the alcohol and the cigarettes before I'd work on the

diet. Reasoning to eliminate obvious toxins/carcinogens first, to

beging improving health. Then, maybe raw, with modifications toward

better food combining so the foods taken in don't putrefy.

 

Hope this assists a little....; my experience of it has been good.

 

good luck.

 

Bob ***

[Guest guest]

Bob,

 

Great advice...today I am really wrestling with the " why " of my

struggle.I feel so much better when I eat raw, have more energy,

conquer my depression etc...and when I am eating SAD I actually sit

there thinking " why am I eating this. I'm going to feel like cr*p in

the morning. " etc...but I still eat it. Wish I could get a handle on

the mindset that creates this tug-of-war!

 

Tess

 

Bob wrote:

>

> **in my life, when I continue to struggle with something, it

usually

> comes from an unclear intention....; as the intention becomes

> clearer, the mechanics of the " how " get worked out**

>

 

 

> Bob ***

[Guest guest]

I love raw but it gets boring without the proper utensils to go all the way with

preparing the raw foods oneself. It also gets extremely expensive.

 

tesser2u <tesser2u wrote:

Bob,

 

Great advice...today I am really wrestling with the " why " of my

struggle.I feel so much better when I eat raw, have more energy,

conquer my depression etc...and when I am eating SAD I actually sit

there thinking " why am I eating this. I'm going to feel like cr*p in

the morning. " etc...but I still eat it. Wish I could get a handle on

the mindset that creates this tug-of-war!

 

Tess

 

Bob wrote:

>

> **in my life, when I continue to struggle with something, it

usually

> comes from an unclear intention....; as the intention becomes

> clearer, the mechanics of the " how " get worked out**

>

 

 

> Bob ***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi kristi,

 

May i suggest this website? It is a book. The infomation on it has

helped a great deal and explained many behaviors I was having that I

didn't understand. As with all things in life take want you want and

leave the rest

 

http://www.wellnessnet.com/BRP-book.pdf

 

Love and kisses,

Lu

[Guest guest]

**in my life, when I continue to struggle with something, it

usually comes from an unclear intention....; as the intention

becomes clearer, the mechanics of the " how " get worked out**

 

 

I think know what my intention is. My intention is to go raw

to get as healthy as I can. Is that what you mean?

 

* Spinach => the younger the better, and less is better

overall. It's

high in oxalic acid.   Basil is an herb/toxin/poison - not

really a

good " food " -- use much less, or none*

 

Well, so far, spinach is the only leafy green I can stomach

raw. So it'll have to do for now. As I said, I'm looking for

ideas to get other greens into my diet. If you have any,

please share. And I disagree about the basil, and fresh herbs

in general. We'll have to agree to disagree!

 

 

*whilst you didn't say what you weigh, how tall, etc... that

looks

like you're probably not getting enough calories in general,

and are

quite a bit short on carbohydrates (read: energy).  I've got

a couple

of very simple, quick recipes following.*

 

I'm 5'4, am about to turn 33 , and haven't weighed myself

lately, but I'm guessing 150-155ish, definitely need to lose a

few pounds.

 

**suggest swapping the size of the fruits and the salads -

make

a " large fruit " salad, and a small vegy salad.**

 

Hmm. Sounds good to me! I'll probably leave my large veggie

salad alone, to make sure I'm getting enough leafy greens, but

I'll up my fruit intake. Fruit salad sounds like a great way

to do it.

 

>

> I was never a big alcohol drinker (less than once a month,

no more

> than a drink or two), but I have heard that organic,

unsulphured

> (sp??) wine is ok. What is your experience with this?

 

*u*nfortunately, alcohol is a toxin/poison in our bodies (I'm

Irish

and used to be a big drinker!)  it is neither abosrbed nor

digested...just irritates/toxifies...I've had some luck just

substituting good distilled water**

 

I don't think it'll be a problem. I've already been to a bar

and drank water only.

 

**not a smoker here; blessed: I missed that one: and,

obviously,

recommend eliminating that** 

 

The only reason I say I'm not worried about it is because I'm

wanting/enjoying it less when raw. I anticipate quitting very

soon.

 

Both recipes sound good! And, I'll definitely try

Nutritiondiary to monitor my ratios for awhile.

 

Actually, at the point of

not wanting to sound rude/pendantic, I'd recommend

concentrating on

eliminating the alcohol and the cigarettes before I'd work on

the

diet.

 

Not rude at all! However, knowing myself, a healthy diet needs

to come first and the rest will follow naturally.

 

Thanks Bob!

 

kristi

[Guest guest]

i'll check it out. Thanks

 

kristi

 

---- Original message ----

>Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:56:01 +0200

>Lu <Dahzhid

>Re: [Raw Food] Beginning again! (long post, feedback

requested!)

>rawfood

>

> Hi kristi,

>

> May i suggest this website? It is a book. The

> infomation on it has

> helped a great deal and explained many behaviors I

> was having that I

> didn't understand. As with all things in life take

> want you want and

> leave the rest

>

> http://www.wellnessnet.com/BRP-book.pdf

>

> Love and kisses,

> Lu

>

> -------------------

>

>