Attn raw foodists w/ a little experience: a couple questions

[vegankristen]

OK, this is my 3rd attempt to go raw in the past year and a half. I've been vegan for a little over 2 years, which i love and is very easy, but transitioning to raw is proving to be very difficult. BUT, I think i am ready this time.

I'm just curious about how long it takes to see/feel changes, and what those changes consist of.

Also, quick and not-as-expensive meals that i can put together when i don't have time to plan and prep my food.

Thanks so much and wish me luck!

Kristen

[Andrew]

Hey Kristen, welcome! I'm sure you will get lots of support and encouragement from everyone here.

As for changes, keep in mind that everyone's experience is different, especially when talking about "how long before this or that happened." For example, I probably lost upwards of 10 pounds or more the first month, but I had just come off a stressful relationship breakup, sold my house and moved into a new one, started going to a personal trainer (so my exercise level was way up), and did an Ejuva cleanse. Between the stress, exercise and my jackrabbit-like metabolism, it's really no surprise I lost weight! But I still technically lost if after going raw! I suppose my point is that there is usually more to the story.

Other than losing weight (which I am now trying to healthfully put back on!): my energy increased, I sleep less, my skin looks fantastic (if I may say so myself!), I'm leaner/more muscular than I've been in years, my eyes are brighter, the dark skin/circles under my eyes are lightening and my fingernails are stronger. Morning stomach pains are gone. I also heal much faster--hit my thumb with a hammer and, to my disbelief, a day later that nasty bruise was gone, and I recovered VERY quickly from surgery in late October. I have not been sick for months--no cold, flu, nothing--and if I start to get a tickle or anything in my throat it is gone the next day. I used to get sore throats very often and also suffered from "cluster headaches" which would last for days. Since going raw--nothing. I'm sure I will think of more...

There are changes beyond the physical, too. I am much more at peace. I handle stress with much greater ease. People, things and situations don't "get to me" as much, and if they do, I'm over it MUCH more quickly. I'm more appreciative of nature. I have a stronger bond with animals (yes, this one is a little weird, but I swear it is true). I am better able to prioritize the important things in my life. Friends have said I have a very healthy "glow" about me. I feel I am kinder to others and to myself.

As for your transition, remember that everyone is on their own unique schedule, be it for career success, house projects, raw food eating, or whatever! From initially learning about/researching raw food eating to finally DOING it 100%, it took me almost an entire year. Be gentle with yourself and do the best you can. That's really all any of us can do, right? Be patient and you will get there...hopefully, support from everyone here will encourage you.

As for simple meals, you'll get tons of suggestions and there are probably some on the recipe forum. The first one that popped into my head was a tomato and avocado salad...yum. A little herbs, sea salt and olive oil sprinkled on top. I'm salivating a little just thinking about it.

Again, welcome! Enjoy your journey!

Peace,
Andrew

[askcassyfirst]

Kristen, welcome! For details, feel free to read my journal and the others here at rawfoodtalk, but here is a bit in brief:

I have been high raw nearly 2 years, and saw results after the first month. Clearer skin, higher energy level, better bowel function. at 4 months at 100% I had lost 30 pounds, was walking miles and miles everyday, and lifting weights with vigor. My IBS and PCOS faded, PMS was a thing of the past and my fibroids disappeared. Last year I dropped below 80% for a bit, and gained a bit of weight quite quickly, and my skin showed the difference. My issue is caffiene and wheat. I bounced back to high raw and the problems faded again. For me this is a way of life that brought health & wellness, so I don't dare go back. Currently I am on day 30 of the 100% challenge.

Since I went raw I have left my job in a health food store and struck out on my own as a nutritional consultant, and recently been promoted to the manager of an education arm of a well known digestive care & cleansing company in Florida. I know that my positive energy (as well as stamina) that is required in my current job, is a direct result of cleaning up my diet. So hurrah for raw!

Inexpensive meals, that is easy. Just grab fruit and veggies to go. I also buy the big box of organic field greens (baby lettuce and greens) from Costco, and that saves big dough. You will be surprised that you can find deals on organic at the super stores. If you need quick and easy, many stores are now offering salad bar options by the pound, which is a great way to get a meal on the go. "uncooking" or preparing on the weekend for the week ahead is great, which is the way I do it. With a husband and a 55 hour work week, I have no other option!

Good luck, and lean on us for support.

Cassy.:)

[MaxMarie]

I got lucky and found a fantastic book right at the beginning of a two week vacation. I was home the entire two weeks and went totally raw. Coming back to work is a struggle because someone's always got food around. Since Whole Foods has shops both north and south of where I work, folks are always slipping off the highway to buy something nice and tasty.

sigh...

I'm fond of portobellos and avocados for a quick fix. I've found that butter lettuce is super thick and makes great "bread" for a quick mushroom burger. I've also discovered jicama and sun chokes make great snacks. Both are roots. White in color. Jicama you take the skin off, sun chokes you don't. They're very similar in texture and flavor. I like to keep them around to munch on with a little raw salsa. Tomato, cilantro, onion and jalapeno.

I haven't worried much about adding all ingredients to a recipe. Even if I've got them all... I like to simplify.

[Sweet lips]

Welcome,

When I started this summer , I ate an avocado at lunch on a salad, chopped with tomato, but just had to have it everyday. My breakfast was always fruit, even as a diabetic, after a few days, I noticed great changes with my sugar - I am type 2. I used to have swelling on the left side of my body, which quickly abated within 3 days, and the same results even when I started the 30 day challenge. As Andrew spoke, and I agree, everyone is different, but I find that many people, not all, but many have a general feeling of wellness.

My experience with detoxing is limited as I have a lot of meds, and coming from surgery, I now have dual meds on top of what every was there, but I am finding that I don't have the desire for much food at all, so as I heal, there may be some detoxing that will come about.

I wish you well at your journey - check on the recipe board for really simple ideas and menus as well as www.fromsadtoraw.com both will prove you well. The people here will also support you, take your time, allow your body to re-learn how to respond to what it needs and be blessed - you don't have to be perfect, know that nothing beats a fail but a try- so keep trying - we all have at something in our lives.

[Mike]

I'm just curious about how long it takes to see/feel changes, and what those changes consist of.

Hi Kristen,

You could see immediate changes depending
on what you eat. If you start drinking 40
ounces of green juice, 4 ounces of wheatgrass
juice, and eating Ann Wigmore's Energy Soup
every day, you will see miracles!

In the morning make energy soup with 1/4 or
1/2 an avocado. In the evening make energy
soup with soaked almonds, soaked flax seeds,
and hemp seeds.

After a week, everyone will be commenting on
your improvements!!

For the green juice, I make it with 1/4 cucumber,
1/4 celery, and 1/2 greens and sunflower green
sprouts, plus a little carrot or beet.

[vegankristen]

Thanks so much for all of the feedback!

I'm soo impatient when it comes to noticing results that is get discouraged very quickly.

I think i've definitely received the boost i need.

If anyone else has personal stories to share, i'd love to read about them.

Best!
Kristen

[Pailani]

<<Last year I dropped below 80% for a bit, and gained a bit of weight quite quickly, and my skin showed the difference. My issue is caffiene and wheat. I bounced back to high raw and the problems faded again.>>

Cassy, isn't nearly 80 percent still high raw? I wouldn't have thought that, at such a high percentage, it would be possible to have many health problems.

Or was this *significantly* below 80 percent?

[askcassyfirst]

80% is where I feel comfortable describing the average of where I was at last spring. However, numbers are numbers, right? I could be 100% one day, and 50% the next giving an average of 75%...Numbers are soooooo misleading. I just focus on what the number stands for: the actual food, not the number.

Last spring was my one year aniversary of going raw. I wasn't perfect, reading on this board you wil notice that it is a journey. I had a a major job change, a move to a new city, and having left my job at the health food store, I didn't have fresh foods in front of me at low cost anymore. Your question points out why why juggling numbers can be such a farce. It had to do with WHAT I was eating, even more so than the percentage.

I consider myself high raw because typically I will consume cooked tubers, veggies, and the ocasional non raw sprouted bread or sushi. (I am not vegan) I can't sit and measure every number, because that makes me obsessive and antisocial, and unhealthy. However, if you look at what types of non raw foods I was eating during that weight gain period, you wil understand the point I made:

If I eat milk or cheese, wammo: breakouts & water retention. I eat refined flour and sugar, and my pancreas goes crazy. I have PCOS, so yes, it is a very quick response when I eat the wrong thing. If you read my journal, you will see that I have gained and lost weight quite quickly many times. If I am eating well, and under less stress, I lose weight. If not, my system goes haywire.

I am not describing this in a very scientific way, but let me give you an example. If you would like to knowmore about the link between blood sugar and PCOS, follow this link: http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/blood-sugar-news6.html . Think of it this way, last spring, I was eating thru a pack of mints a day(made with bad sugars) and although that was only 200 calories, it was 200 calories of sugar that my body couldn't handle. On a diet of 1800 calories, that is only 11 percent junk, but it makes a big difference in someone with insulin issues. I had also gone back to eating white flour tortillas instead of sprouted wheat. Another no-no for me. PCOS relates to insulin resistance, so someone could be gaining weight on even a low calorie diet if they are not watching WHAT it is that they are eating.

I hope that makes sense and answers your question.

Cassy:)

[Pailani]

Thanks, Cassy, it makes a lot of sense. And it's good information for myself as I make my own journey. Thanks!

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Askcassiefirst has it correct.

I too lost 30lbs in 90 days as many of you have read. My mental outlook on life in general changed for the better. I too changed jobs and things now are going great.



My wife finally signed on to raw. She's been 100% for the last two weeks and has lost 6lbs.

She has commented on how she feels.All the things I too experienced early on with raw: energy, clearer mind, no desire for sugar or liquor, increase in libido, yeah baby!!!!!!!!


I've finally posted my photo. Hope to see it pop up soon.



Peace,
M.B.

[vegankristen]

Thanks so much for your advice! I think i will definitely start off with the green juice and energy soup that you referred to. A few questions though:

What is the recipe for the green drink?
Also the recipe for Ann Wigmore's Energy soup?
How often do you consume either of these daily and what other foods/meals would you recommend eating throughout the day?

I'm looking for a way to restart raw, and see differences quickly so i'll be motivated to stick with it. I'm so impatient!!

Best!
Kristen

[newyorkraw]

What is the recipe for the green drink?
Also the recipe for Ann Wigmore's Energy soup?
How often do you consume either of these daily and what other foods/meals would you recommend eating throughout the day?



I would like to know this too :)