Support for 30-day challenge?

[racheljj]

Hi. Is there a special place to go to get support for the 30-day raw challenge? Or do we just post any questions here?

I started the 30-day raw challenge on January first. I'm doing fine but finding it hard with the ice/snow storm here. The cold and just staying home all day contribute to me wanting to eat the chili and muffins I made for the rest of my family. :) I guess I don't have any specific questions right now but it helps to talk with others who are going through similar things. Emmaann started her 30-day challenge on the same day I did so we've been giving each other support, which is great!

Gotta run.

Rachel Johnson

[flutterfly]

Hi Rachel,
Yes, you post here. How are you doing besides being cold with the snow and all?
It's me Georgie ;)

[Rawmommie]

Hi Rachel, I kwym about the cold! Have you tried making any raw soups? I made an avacado soup that was so creamy and just a little bit warm from the food processor mixing it. It helped fill my tummy and curb the cravings. You could also make some warm tea or maybe some things in the dehydrator, they will be a little warm right when you take them out. Hang in there, it gets easier each day!

Karen

[Rawkinlocs]

Rachel,

That's the thing about eating raw (if you're gonna do recipes, etc. as opposed to eating the basics); it takes planning and prep. I was thinking to suggest Alissa's chili recipe to you (I think I read on your journal that you have her book) but then I thought to myself that maybe the recipe would be too overwhelming since you have to have sprouted barley on hand, etc.

So, what I thought of was one time I made a chili soup of sorts. I can't remember it exactly, but basically I'd take some tomatoes and maybe some soaked sundried tomatos to make it thicker if you have 'em and blend that up. Then I'd add some chopped onions, bell peppers, celery and whatever else you add to your cooked chili; some chili powder, cayenne, salt, garlic, etc., etc.

Then, if you want it warm, I'd put in a pot and do the "until your pinky is warm but comfortable" thing.

But again about the planning...it helps if you can kinda do meal planning for your family a week in advance and for yourself. So, if your family is doing something one night that you can do a raw version of, you'll know ahead of time whether you need to sprout grains or soak nuts or dehydrate something a day or two in advance, etc.

It's definitely a re-learning process!

Thankfully, I've never been a hot food lover. I'd always want my food to be slightly warmer than room temp. While my husband would send french fries back to get a fresh, hot-out-of-the-grease batch..I'd be content with the lukewarm ones because I can't stand having to blow smoke out of my mouth as I attempt to eat them due to my tongue burning! :eek:

But you're doing well so far...hang in there and we're here to support one another!

[Sweet lips]

Rachel,

I can understand being in the house, I am injured and can't go out to play. I called my friend today and said I wanted something and when she asked what, I couldn't tell her because I just wanted eat something that was fixed by someone else or just go to the grocery store until I found something in the non-produce section in the sections that contributed to my SAD eating ways. I wanted to stuff my pie hole. She kinda, as I am about to do to you, said "Rachel, no you don't - in her soothing and loving voice of care. ( of course she said my name), anyway - don't despair, this is day 5 and you done well so far, and you can today as well.

I love Rawkinlocs recipe and yes, I am (because I am on day 3 of 100% raw), a hot steaming food lover, however, I found that these three days, of the things I have created with the support of friend who is there, either e-mail (cause I was a little witchy the other day, although I wouldn't dare admit it, she wrote an e-mail to me without knowing and it was cheering), and also the board. If you go back and read Smatsy journal on Alissa's website, I am the one who wrote her and asked her to help me and she gave me some very encouraging words, which you may wish to read.

We are all here for you - if you have to write every 2 seconds, because we all need the support. Someone is reading and ready to support. I have began to look at other people's success stories and am having my son (I can do alot of stuff, but simply taping a show of of the t.v., escapes me, besides that's why I had him to do stuff like that - at least that is what he says), The Biggest Loser (anyone catch that?), now it is unrealistic for me to have to have a trainer and only eat, exercise, and live in a house for 10 weeks with some people I don't know, however, the challenge is not! you have entered a challenge, and this is not your first, you have made some major accomplishments - and writing a book and then getting it published is not an easy feat and the book reflects the stuff you are made of girl.

I am sending you a (((((hug))))) because right about now, you probably need it. Also, THANK YOU - I STAYED RAW BECAUSE I WAS WRITING YOU,[B]and realized that the desire I had to eat what my son is heating in the oven is gone. Let's rock and raw Rachel and make our dreams come true :) Please ignore my spelling errors as I am a person who does numbers and relies on spell check and that ain't here yet - Alissa?

[Alissa]

hi Rachel, you can post questions about journaling and the 30 day challenge in the journaling and photo post discussion area, its the second to last forum:
it says:

Photo and journaling discussions (4 Viewing)
This forum is to share ideas and experiences of the 30 day challenge and to talk about the photo post and journaling area.

but this is fine here as the answers to your post im sure will be helpful for everyone!

[racheljj]

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and advice!

Georgie, It's so good to finally "see" you! I'm doing ok but it seems to get harder every day instead of easier. Now it's even colder in our house (the temperature dropped and even with heat it's only sixty-five in here) and all I want to eat is something warm! Nothing raw sounds good this morning, even the tahini milk, which has been helping up to now.

Rawkinlocs, Thanks for the ideas about warming some veggies or something to make a chili. I'll have to try that today! I already had the raw food that I wanted to eat for the first few days but then we had a winter storm so I haven't been able to get to the store to get more supplies. Before going, I plan to look through Alissa's book and make a list of ingriedents to get so I can try some of her recipes. Now that the weekend is almost here, though, I probably won't go to Whole Foods until Monday (it's on the other side of the city).

Sweetlips, Thank you! What encouragement! I'm so glad that you're sticking with it as well. :)

Alissa, Thanks for pointing out the other place to get support for the 30 day challenge. I didn't see it before! I'm off to post there now!

Rachel Johnson

[racheljj]

Oops. Rawmommie, I missed you! sorry. I haven't tried any raw soups but I think I may have to today. How do you make your avocado soup? I've got several avocadoes around. Thanks for writing. You've been a big inspiration to me!

Rachel Johnson

[yani]

I know what you mean with the cold and snow. At the very beginning of going raw, I read constantly. Really good books to read are John Robbins "Diet for a new America" (that one made me so mad, I looked at the family's food cross-eyed for awhile), " Raw Family" (inspirational), "Fast Food Nation". Those are a few suggestions.
Remember that every day, every moment, you have a choice. What do you choose that moment? Is it chili? By the way, I have a fabulous raw chili recipe that I like sooooooo much better than any cooked chili I've ever eaten! I am with you in spirit, I know you can do it- and you are going to feel FABULOUS for making all of those moment to moment decisions to stay raw! Be gentle with yourself.
Yani

[Sharon in Colorado]

You can do this Rachel - I'm rooting and praying for you.

[Mishka]

Hi Rachel~
I am going to start my 30 day challenge tommorrow. If I figure out the posting for journaling and picture part..LOL. Anyways, I would love to compare notes with you and encourage one another:)
Michelle

[racheljj]

Yani, Thanks so much. So, what IS your raw chili recipe? I'd love to have it! Keeping busy helped me not be so cold during the day but it sure does feel cold again tonight. Thankfully, I'm full from eating the Date nut torte that I made. It's one of the recipes from Alissa's book, and it's divine!

You're a sweetie, Sharon. I know you're there for me, and I really appreciate it!

Hey, Michelle. Nice to "meet" you. Good luck starting your challenge! I'm six days out, but I'd love to have support and give support. Let me know when you get your photo up, and I'll take a look. Don't hesitate to email if you need anything.

Rachel Johnson
johnsonrj@missouri.edu