Melon Monodiets

[Guest guest]

Jan,

 

I tend to eat monodiet meals, but not the same thing throughout

the day. For instance, I eat fruit for breakfast and most days

fruit for dinner. However, fruit at midday makes me very

unhappy. I actually crave greens at that time, so I eat salads

for lunch.

 

The reason I eat only one food (or mix up to about three) is

that I find it more satisfying than eating a lot of things mixed

together at once. It's as if I can't truly taste anything with so much

on one plate and then

I never feel full or satisfied afterward. I notice that if I've had

too many foods at once at a meal then I tend to get

hungry and graze shortly after. I might be physically full,

but psychologically I'm not satisfied.

 

I'm sure there are biochemical reasons for monoeating and

food combining, but I really don't want to obsess about these

things. It's enough work getting to the groceries that carry

organic foods and keeping the kitchen stocked with healthy options.

 

Mary Ellen

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

On Aug 17, 2006, at 12:02 AM, SV wrote:

> Here's what I ate today:

>

> breakfast: watermelon

> snack: watermelon

> lunch: watermelon

> dinner: watermelon

> another snack: watermelon

>

> Shari - who will do the same thing tomorrow but with cantelope

 

Hi Shari,

 

I'd like to ask you - or anyone - why you would choose to eat a

monodiet? Do you really *enjoy* eating that way? Or are you doing

it for some other health reason?

 

I'm asking because several weeks ago I tried a watermelon monodiet

for a day -- after being inspired to do so by a comment Elchanan made

in a message about cleansing activity. He had said, " ....eat a

monodiet of watermelon for several days. (Seeded, organic preferred.)

You'll likely be VERY delighted with your experience. "

 

Well, my experience with it was anything but delightful. I started

the day with gusto because I love watermelon. I eagerly anticipated

the experience. (I wasn't trying to do it for any kind of

" cleansing " ; rather, just for the simple reason of experiencing the

" very delight. " )

 

I felt very well to start with but by late afternoon, I was getting

pretty sick of watermelon - literally. By evening, I had eaten

nearly half of a whole, seeded watermelon (one piece about every 2-3

hours in accord with appetite; also had a few glasses of plain water

inbetween). Throughout the evening, I was nauseous, dehydrated, had

stomach uneasiness, felt sad, unsettled and tired. That night, I

slept fairly well, but awoke about an hour earlier than usual with

stomach cramps and subsequent loose stools, then diarrhea.

 

The next day, I ate my usual diet of a variety of fruits and a large

salad of tender greens. Throughout the morning, I felt a little

queasy but by afternoon, I was feeling normal again and back to my

usual energetic self. I couldn't bear to even look at watermelon,

though.

 

It took about a week or so later before watermelon looked appetizing

again. Finally I can enjoy it now, but only my usual one slice per

day. I can't imagine doing this type of monodiet again - and

certainly not for several days in a row.

 

So please, clue me in on the why and " delight " of monodieting.

 

- Jan

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan,

 

I eat mostly mono, but I don't often eat the same thing all day or for

several days unless I get a case of really awesome mangoes and then I can

definitely eat them all day! :-)

 

I eat most meals mono (one type of fruit per meal) because I feel the best

eating this way. I have more energy and improved digestion than when I was

doing a lot of smoothies and combining. It's taken me awhile to get to this

point though. I do have several different fruits per day usually though.

 

I hope that helps,

 

Audrey

www.rawhealing.com

 

 

>Jan <jantese

>rawfood

>rawfood

>[Raw Food] Melon Monodiets

>Sat, 19 Aug 2006 10:55:25 -0400

>

>On Aug 17, 2006, at 12:02 AM, SV wrote:

> > Here's what I ate today:

> >

> > breakfast: watermelon

> > snack: watermelon

> > lunch: watermelon

> > dinner: watermelon

> > another snack: watermelon

> >

> > Shari - who will do the same thing tomorrow but with cantelope

>

>Hi Shari,

>

>I'd like to ask you - or anyone - why you would choose to eat a

>monodiet? Do you really *enjoy* eating that way? Or are you doing

>it for some other health reason?

>

>I'm asking because several weeks ago I tried a watermelon monodiet

>for a day -- after being inspired to do so by a comment Elchanan made

>in a message about cleansing activity. He had said, " ....eat a

>monodiet of watermelon for several days. (Seeded, organic preferred.)

>You'll likely be VERY delighted with your experience. "

>

>Well, my experience with it was anything but delightful. I started

>the day with gusto because I love watermelon. I eagerly anticipated

>the experience. (I wasn't trying to do it for any kind of

> " cleansing " ; rather, just for the simple reason of experiencing the

> " very delight. " )

>

>I felt very well to start with but by late afternoon, I was getting

>pretty sick of watermelon - literally. By evening, I had eaten

>nearly half of a whole, seeded watermelon (one piece about every 2-3

>hours in accord with appetite; also had a few glasses of plain water

>inbetween). Throughout the evening, I was nauseous, dehydrated, had

>stomach uneasiness, felt sad, unsettled and tired. That night, I

>slept fairly well, but awoke about an hour earlier than usual with

>stomach cramps and subsequent loose stools, then diarrhea.

>

>The next day, I ate my usual diet of a variety of fruits and a large

>salad of tender greens. Throughout the morning, I felt a little

>queasy but by afternoon, I was feeling normal again and back to my

>usual energetic self. I couldn't bear to even look at watermelon,

>though.

>

>It took about a week or so later before watermelon looked appetizing

>again. Finally I can enjoy it now, but only my usual one slice per

>day. I can't imagine doing this type of monodiet again - and

>certainly not for several days in a row.

>

>So please, clue me in on the why and " delight " of monodieting.

>

> - Jan

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, if a food, any food mono or otherwise makes me feel bad I stop eating it.

I stop eating anything when I feel bad. I fast.

 

I eat watermelon because I like it and for no other reason. I am not trying to

overcome any health challenges (that I know of) and eat mono because my

digestion likes it that way.

 

When I am hungry I eat. I do not eat because it is " breakfast time " or it is

" lunch time " or the clock says it's " dinner time " . That is a bunch of hooey. I

eat when I feel the need. And I probably shouldn't even call it hunger because

I honestly don't know what true hunger is, hardly anyone in our culture knows

true hunger. We think that growly feeling in our stomach is hunger, wrong.

True hunger occurs in the back of the throat (I am told) and I've not

experienced that, ever.

 

So, to answer your question - I eat watermelon because I like how it tastes.

 

Shari

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Audrey and Mary Ellen,

 

Thanks for your input. Yes, I can understand eating a mono-meal, but

that's different from eating the same one food throughout a day for

every meal. The " delight " of the latter has me baffled. My body

feels best with variety as was borne out by my experience with the

watermelon-for-a day diet.

 

I've enjoyed some awesome, juicy mangoes, too - but I'm satiated

after one in any given day. There's no way I could ever eat nothing

but mangoes all day no matter how good they taste.

 

Peaches are my very favorite fruit of all and I eat of lot them when

they are locally grown and in season (like now), but even so, the

thought of eating mono-peaches exclusively all day does not give me

delight.

 

Jan

 

 

On Aug 19, 2006, at 11:07 AM, Audrey Walker wrote:

> Hi Jan,

> I eat mostly mono, but I don't often eat the same thing all day or for

> several days unless I get a case of really awesome mangoes and then

> I can

> definitely eat them all day! :-)

>

> I eat most meals mono (one type of fruit per meal) because I feel

> the best

> eating this way.

 

 

On Aug 19, 2006, at 11:55 AM, chicwriter wrote:

> Jan,

> I tend to eat monodiet meals, but not the same thing throughout

> the day.....

> Mary Ellen

[Guest guest]

On Aug 19, 2006, at 12:26 PM, SV wrote:

> When I am hungry I eat. I do not eat because it is " breakfast

> time " or it is " lunch time " or the clock says it's " dinner time " .

 

Shari - That makes sense to me, but it sure wasn't the impression I

got when you wrote:

 

> Here's what I ate today:

>

> breakfast: watermelon

> snack: watermelon

> lunch: watermelon

> dinner: watermelon

> another snack: watermelon

 

In any case, appetite-desire is the way I ate when I tried the mono-

watermelon diet. I had picked a day when I could be at home so I did

have the luxury of eating at unstructured times.

 

 

> So, to answer your question - I eat watermelon because I like how

> it tastes.

 

And you still enjoyed it at the end of the day - and at the end of

your 15-pound watermelon - as much as you did at the start and with

your first bite? I surely didn't. As I said, I literally got

" sick " of it as the day wore on.

 

Do you have any idea what Elchanan meant when he said, " You'll

likely be VERY delighted with your experience. " ? (Perhaps Elchanan

could explain himself if he's reading this.) Do you find " delight "

after your days of mono-watermelon eating? I guess it's going to

remain a mystery to me.

 

Incidentally, did you read a recent news article about cold vs. room

temp. watermelon?:

" WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- That ice-cold watermelon may be refreshing,

but it can be less nutritious than watermelon served at room

temperature, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists reported.

Watermelons stored at room temperature deliver more nutrients than

refrigerated or freshly picked melons,... "

 

Full story here:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/26/cold.watermelon.reut/

 

Jan

[Guest guest]

Yes, Jan I read the article and it's a miracle I'm still alive because I cut

them open and they sit on the counter all day! Anything left at night goes in

the fridge.

 

I wrote breakfast, lunch, dinner.... because people need these to relate to.

All I meant was, whenever I was hungry I ate watermelon.

 

And yes, it did taste just as good with the last bite last thing at night as the

first bite first thing in the morning.

 

I know that I feel really well after a day of watermelon only and an entire

weekend just puts me off the charts with energy. I never have experienced the

loose bowels or any of the negative side effects of eating only watermelon.

 

And mangos! Oh my, my, my I have been known to eat an 18 case in a day! The

dog loves the pits!

 

Shari

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan,

Just two quick comments:

 

1. If you (anyone in the group) ever try something I suggest and have a problem

with it, please

contact me immediately (if you wish), so we can address the problem and turn it

into something

constructive. Unfortunately, this has not happened here.

 

2. I suggested several days, and you have not tried what I suggested. Nor,

apparently, has

anyone else who responded other than Shari, and she loves it. So none of the

advice given here

comes from anyone who actually knows (except Shari). Just a thought to consider.

 

Now, to attempt to address what may have happened, and if you wish to do

so...would you be

willing to describe what you actually experienced? Pain in the stomach? Wild,

raging cravings in

the mind? Did you find yourself smelling things (in your imagination, perhaps)??

 

Best,

Elchanan

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of Jan

Saturday, August 19, 2006 12:14 PM

rawfood

Re: [Raw Food] Melon Monodiets

 

I've enjoyed some awesome, juicy mangoes, too - but I'm satiated after one in

any given day.

There's no way I could ever eat nothing but mangoes all day no matter how good

they taste.

Jan

___________

 

Jan and all,

One more thing, this time I'm cross-posting to the PathOfHealth group. Over in

that group, we've

recently discussed some ideas, arising from quantum physics, that demonstrate

that what we

notice and experience follows what is in our mind. Put another way, we tend to

find what we are

looking for. This is borne out by much research in the social sciences, as well.

 

When I read your sentence, " There's no way I could eat nothing but XXX all day

no matter how

good they taste, " I am reminded of this knowledge, and of something from Henry

Ford, as well:

" Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't, you're right! "

 

So again, as per my previous message, if you wish to explore what you actually

experienced that

day, I'd be delighted, whether in a group or privately, as you prefer. My guess

is that some

powerful feelings were unleashed ... this seems reflected in the intensity of

your response.

 

But as I say, it's a guess at this point.

 

Elchanan

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of Jan

Saturday, August 19, 2006 12:18 PM

Re: [Raw Food] Melon Monodiets

 

Do you have any idea what Elchanan meant when he said, " You'll likely be VERY

delighted with

your experience. " ? (Perhaps Elchanan could explain himself if he's reading

this.) Do you find

" delight " after your days of mono-watermelon eating? I guess it's going to

remain a mystery to

me.

 

Incidentally, did you read a recent news article about cold vs. room temp.

watermelon?:

 

" WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- That ice-cold watermelon may be refreshing, but it can

be less

nutritious than watermelon served at room temperature, U.S. Department of

Agriculture scientists

reported. Watermelons stored at room temperature deliver more nutrients than

refrigerated or

freshly picked melons,... "

Jan

________________

Yes, Elchanan is indeed reading all this.

 

First regarding the watermelon, there are two reasons to chill food:

1. Preservation

2. Mask part of the real flavor. (Example: Almost no one would drink white wines

were they not

" chilled to perfection " .)

 

Household refrigerators work much as air conditioners do, by dehydrating the air

as it is

cooled. The air flow, the dehydration, these cause some nutrients to exit from

ANY food (not

airtight-packed) in the refrigerator. They just happened to test watermelons

that day. Remember,

we tend to find what we are looking for!

 

Regarding what Elchanan meant, above ... I believe he meant that after several

days on such a

monodiet, you might experience an ease, a restfulness, a peacefulness, quite

different from what

you might typically experience, and that you might sleep better than you might

imagine. I

believe he meant that you might have the opportunity to come face-to-face with

yourself -- with

your feelings, with how you really small and taste, etc. -- in ways that you

probably don't ever

allow to happen; in other words, that you might have the opportunity to know

yourself as few

allow themselves to do. I believe he meant that you might begin to relearn the

distinction

between thirst and hunger, and the distinction of genuine satiation, which can

ONLY occur while

eating a single food at a time.

 

And he may have meant some things in addition, he apparently no longer has his

the original

discourse on this topic.

 

He does apparently have an observation to share based upon what you have written

today. Consider

first, what actually happened. Then, SEPARATELY consider your reaction to what

happened.

Separate the two, what happened from how you experienced and interpreted what

happened. There

may be a great opening here for you, to learn and to grow, if you choose to

harvest that

opportunity.

 

And Elchanan indicates that he would be delighted to chat about all this, if you

wish!

 

And now he goes to eat ... watermelon! :) Just kidding, it's actually only

watermelon.

 

Best to all,

Elchanan

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi All:

 

It was great to see this posting and the many responses. I am normally not on a

monodiet, however, I am currently doing a 21 day melon fast. The details are in

my blog.

If you get the opportunity please check it out.

 

http://cantwatpap.blogspot.com/

 

My experience with the watermelon was good. The cantoloupes were a little

daunting.

Since they act as a diuretic, it is very important to increase your fluid and

mineral intake. I

am currently on papayas.

 

Take care.

 

Kimberlie aka spiderwoman

 

 

 

rawfood , Jan <jantese wrote:

>

> On Aug 17, 2006, at 12:02 AM, SV wrote:

> > Here's what I ate today:

> >

> > breakfast: watermelon

> > snack: watermelon

> > lunch: watermelon

> > dinner: watermelon

> > another snack: watermelon

> >

> > Shari - who will do the same thing tomorrow but with cantelope

>

> Hi Shari,

>

> I'd like to ask you - or anyone - why you would choose to eat a

> monodiet? Do you really *enjoy* eating that way? Or are you doing

> it for some other health reason?

>

> I'm asking because several weeks ago I tried a watermelon monodiet

> for a day -- after being inspired to do so by a comment Elchanan made

> in a message about cleansing activity. He had said, " ....eat a

> monodiet of watermelon for several days. (Seeded, organic preferred.)

> You'll likely be VERY delighted with your experience. "

>

> Well, my experience with it was anything but delightful. I started

> the day with gusto because I love watermelon. I eagerly anticipated

> the experience. (I wasn't trying to do it for any kind of

> " cleansing " ; rather, just for the simple reason of experiencing the

> " very delight. " )

>

> I felt very well to start with but by late afternoon, I was getting

> pretty sick of watermelon - literally. By evening, I had eaten

> nearly half of a whole, seeded watermelon (one piece about every 2-3

> hours in accord with appetite; also had a few glasses of plain water

> inbetween). Throughout the evening, I was nauseous, dehydrated, had

> stomach uneasiness, felt sad, unsettled and tired. That night, I

> slept fairly well, but awoke about an hour earlier than usual with

> stomach cramps and subsequent loose stools, then diarrhea.

>

> The next day, I ate my usual diet of a variety of fruits and a large

> salad of tender greens. Throughout the morning, I felt a little

> queasy but by afternoon, I was feeling normal again and back to my

> usual energetic self. I couldn't bear to even look at watermelon,

> though.

>

> It took about a week or so later before watermelon looked appetizing

> again. Finally I can enjoy it now, but only my usual one slice per

> day. I can't imagine doing this type of monodiet again - and

> certainly not for several days in a row.

>

> So please, clue me in on the why and " delight " of monodieting.

>

> - Jan

>

[Guest guest]

Question -

 

Does anyone eat the watermelon rind or juice it or dehydrate it? Also, what

about the seeds?

Paul Pitchford, in his book " Healing with Whole Foods " recommends it. He says

the seeds are

very healthful if chewed thoroughly.

 

Melanie

[Guest guest]

I eat the seeds and all the way down to the white. I tried juicing the green

with the rest of the melon and found I would rather just eat the melon and the

seeds.

 

Shari

 

 

[Guest guest]

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

melanieburtis

Saturday, August 19, 2006 6:31 PM

rawfood

[Raw Food] Re: Melon Monodiets

 

Question -

 

Does anyone eat the watermelon rind or juice it or dehydrate it? Also, what

about the seeds?

Paul Pitchford, in his book " Healing with Whole Foods " recommends it. He says

the seeds are

very healthful if chewed thoroughly.

 

Melanie

_______________

Melanie,

Watermelon seeds are among those that can be eaten. Personally, I just don't

like them, but if

you try them and genuinely enjoy eating them, here's to ya!

 

I learned what parts of the watermelon to eat by watching a couple of animals

eat watermelon.

They ate not only the colored (red, yellow, etc.) portion, but they also ate

INTO the white of

the rind. Lots of minerals and other nutrients right under the skin, you know!

 

Elchanan

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

thanks for this .. i want to know if i can juice the rinds too?

 

melanieburtis <melanieburtis wrote: Question -

 

Does anyone eat the watermelon rind or juice it or dehydrate it? Also, what

about the seeds?

Paul Pitchford, in his book " Healing with Whole Foods " recommends it. He says

the seeds are

very healthful if chewed thoroughly.

 

Melanie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

On Aug 19, 2006, at 4:39 PM, INFO @ Vibrant Life wrote:

> Hi Jan,

> Just two quick comments:

>

> 1. If you (anyone in the group) ever try something I suggest and

> have a problem with it, please

> contact me immediately (if you wish), so we can address the problem

> and turn it into something

> constructive. Unfortunately, this has not happened here.

 

Elchanan, actually it did happen. The day after my watermelon

monodiet - on July 27th - I sent you an off-list, private email to

your earthlink address with the details of my non-delightful

experience with it (including your comment in context that inspired

me to try the diet), and I kindly asked for your input on the matter.

 

I received no reply from you so I figured you were either too busy or

that you didn't like to reply to messages off the list. So I let the

matter drop until Sheri mentioned how she eats melon for a day.

 

It doesn't matter anymore, though, because yesterday evening the

" delightful " part of the monodiet-for-a-day experience finally struck

me like a thunderbolt. And it is this: The day after eating nothing

but watermelon, I was *extremely delighted* to start eating a variety

of my usual foods again. I so delighted in the different tastes and

textures in a way that I never had before. And that's been the case

every single day since. I thoroughly appreciate the wide variety of

raw foods that I eat every day.

 

To me, the watermelon monodiet was sort of analogous to beating your

head against a wall in that it feels so good when you stop. And in

remembering the pain of the head-beating, each day without it is a joy.

 

I'm not a masochist, so I won't subject my body to a monodiet again.

It told me loudly and clearly that it does not like it; rather,

thrives on a variety, even for a day.

 

Also, these words of yours today (in a message about garlic and

distinctions): " I, too, love to love what I eat! " further solidified

my feelings. At the start of my watermelon monodiet, I loved eating

watermelon; by the end of that day, I hated eating watermelon. It

took me almost of week of watermelon abstinence (just looking at what

was left of it the next few days made me want to gag) to finally

enjoy watermelon once again - and only one nice piece per day.

 

Jan

[Guest guest]

Do you mean that you think Jan should have stuck with

the melon mono-diet, even if her body was clearly

indicating it wasn't happy with it?

 

 

--- " INFO @ Vibrant Life " <VLinfo

wrote:

 

> Hi Jan,

> Just two quick comments:

>

> 1. If you (anyone in the group) ever try something I

> suggest and have a problem with it, please

> contact me immediately (if you wish), so we can

> address the problem and turn it into something

> constructive. Unfortunately, this has not happened

> here.

>

> 2. I suggested several days, and you have not tried

> what I suggested. Nor, apparently, has

> anyone else who responded other than Shari, and she

> loves it. So none of the advice given here

> comes from anyone who actually knows (except Shari).

> Just a thought to consider.

>

> Now, to attempt to address what may have happened,

> and if you wish to do so...would you be

> willing to describe what you actually experienced?

> Pain in the stomach? Wild, raging cravings in

> the mind? Did you find yourself smelling things (in

> your imagination, perhaps)??

>

> Best,

> Elchanan

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

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