Why are some days harder?

[rawlee]

I have been 100% raw since Easter, some 60 plus days. I cook for my husband the standard fare and never/rarely have a problem. I've grilled steaks, made mashed potatoes, scooped out ice cream....today with the family here, it was so darn hard. I really wanted the potato salad, bread, chips. I had to excuse myself from them while they were eating and it really is disheartening to me. The green salad and fruit that was available to me just wasn't cutting it. I did not eat the cooked food, but I'm really bummed about how I'm feeling now. Can I ever been at a family gathering and not be so tempted by the food? Thanks for listening...

[muse27]

I find that if the temptations are so great that I feel helpless, I eat and avocado and so raw clover honey and feel great.

Dan

[codajess]

You've a stronger will power than I! *sigh*

[Oceana]

Your war is NOT one you fight alone! I do this also!


I have been 100% raw since Easter, some 60 plus days. I cook for my husband the standard fare and never/rarely have a problem. I've grilled steaks, made mashed potatoes, scooped out ice cream....today with the family here, it was so darn hard. I really wanted the potato salad, bread, chips. I had to excuse myself from them while they were eating and it really is disheartening to me. The green salad and fruit that was available to me just wasn't cutting it. I did not eat the cooked food, but I'm really bummed about how I'm feeling now. Can I ever been at a family gathering and not be so tempted by the food? Thanks for listening...

[rawpriestess]

It DOES get easier.


Victoria Boutenko says to NOT be in any tempting situations for the first two full months of being 100% raw,

and I know that if you are 100% raw, it is so much easier than if you keep any cooked in at all.

I used to have terrible cravings, and now I don't.

this is something you can do.

Write down at least 5 reasons that you want to be raw, make three lists, keep one in your purse, give one to a friend, and give the other to somone who you can truly count on (maybe a life coach, or other raw person),

then when you have a temptation, take out your list and ask yourself, are these things STILL important to you? if they are, you may not be tempted any more, if you are still tempted, then call your friend right then and there, talk to them, have them read the list, and ask you if these things are still important to you, etc.

then if THAT doesn't work, then call the last person on your list,another rawbie, or a life coach someone who will be in your face if that works for you, and they will in turn read your list to you, ask you if these are important enough to you for you to stay raw for another day, and if the answer is yes, then you will stay raw, but if you truly wish to eat the tempting food, then you might, but you will have given yourself enough chances and help and distractions that you may just be able to eat raw and stay raw.

I've done somthing similar to this and it works really well.

When I am tempted (not so much now as I've been raw a few months) but when I was not 100% or when I was just starting, I would want raw, and Dragggon would say, "the whole world is out right now," or "they don't make it anymore." no matter what it was, LOL he is so funny.

[Halo Aglow]

Hey Rawlee!

First off, I think you did amazing!!!

I think maybe it would have been a breeze for you if you had more raw selections there. So all that was there for you was salad and fruit?

Maybe some more planning and bringing along your favorite raw meals and desserts will make next time a breeze. You will probably have people wanting YOUR food. :)

[MendhiGrl]

I've been making the recipes in Alissa's book (both entrees and deserts) and I feel like I'm eating completely and fully, just with better flavors and more enticing colors. So far I love Pad Thai and the marinara sauce with zucchini pasta, and I've made blueberry pie. I can't believe that I get to eat such tasty food and it's a full meal.

Good luck and hang in there!

[chilove]

Remember that holidays and social occasions are usually much harder to deal with because in our culture everything revolves around food. On these days it is very important to have a plan. Make yourself LOTS of raw food that you really love to keep with you and prepare yourself mentally and emotionaly before the event. Do some affirmations, make a commitment to stay raw that day, and congratulate and reward yourself with a non food related treat when you do.

Take care,

Audrey

[rawnora]

There's a great book called "Quit for Good" by Ralph Cinque (a long-term raw fooder) about simple strategies for getting over addictions. I just ordered a used copy for $2.50 plus shipping, and there were other copies available. One of the author's suggestions is to not be exposed to the thing you're trying to not indulge in, which is going to be difficult for you. I agree with others that since this isn't a possibility, you have to find other foods besides fruit and greens or you're going to find yourself eating the bad stuff eventually. Mealtimes will probably become much more labor intensive, but this is the price you must pay to be healthy in the circumstances you're in right now. Imo, you've got to come up with some recipes that you really love. When I was just starting out, I experimented until I came up with a recipe for spicy sunflower seed/carrot/ginger pate that I dipped sliced veggies and crackers in. I had to change it along the way as my body became more sensitive to spices, salt, etc., but for me it served as a filling and satisfying food that allowed me to eat with others and not feel deprived because I could eat as much as I wanted, without guilt, and without feeling badly afterward (unlike everyone else). Everyone can find something that fills that space for them. Fruit and greens are ideal, but they won't give you those same feelings you used to get from cooked food and the result will be you'll eventually lose control and go back to those other foods.

It takes a long time to be raw and not be tempted by cooked foods. I am still tempted occasionally, even after almost 6 years of 100%. I just read a book by Essie Honiball called "I Live on Fruit" wherein she describes experimenting with eating cooked potatoes after 6 years of being totally raw. She said she was surprised to find herself eating like a starving person, wolfing them down. Within a few hours her tongue turned blue and she was too sick to eat for 3 days, during which even cooked potatoes were not tempting. Essie says that it wasn't until she was raw 12 years that she no longer felt tempted by cooked food. It's not like it's a constant struggle for 10 years and then suddenly a switch turns off -- it's more like a slow ascent and along the way we have periodic struggles where the ground is a bit rockier. It's an understatement to say that the benefits are more than worth persevering through the temptations.

Nora
www.RawSchool.com

[rawlee]

Thankyou all for your support and advice. I do know that I've never been better than since I've been raw. I'm not even sure if I was forced to put that food in my mouth that I could actually swallow it!!! It was more craving/feeling than actually contempalating eating it. Does that make any sense?
You are all right, I should stay busy and prepare better food for myself.
RP...I really like your affirmation advice. I do have many reasons to stay raw. Thanks so much. I visit this forum several times a day for encouragement and that has also saved me many times.
rawnora..6 years raw...how incredibly inspiring. Thanks for your wisdom.
chilove..I went shopping today and did treat myself! Thanks!
Luna Lin..you are the best cheerleader!
Everyone thanks...today has been a grape day!!

[Lay-Lay]

I know how you feel! Sounds like we have the same things going (cooking for hubby, 60 days, etc...) Last night my family and I got together for steak. I about busted a gut. I ate so much salad waiting for them to finish their steaks. I was almost tempted to go for the steak, my mom said no you don't you've worked to hard to do it for that and my husband (with a half chewed up ....well I won't say) said: "honey your doing, good I wish I could do that too". So I survived and I am stronger because of it. A couple of weeks ago we went on the riverboat with family and I made Alissa's angel hair past w/marinara and some candy balls. Well, everyone was more interested in my food then they were the all you could eat buffet and everyone opted to help me eat my candy balls instead of the chocalate cake being served, LOL! You can do it and so can I because we are rawsome.

I am sort of looking forward to turkey season and fixing the mock turkey dishes in Alissa's book.

I also would like some good mock egg/omelot recipes and mock bacon. Any suggestions/recipes floating out there that someone wants to share?

[ShelShel]

Wow...right there with you. My family just enjoyed goulash with italian bread tonight and I sat there with a salad. :rolleyes: Why do we do that to ourselves? :p Well, I made it through and promised myself next time...I will have something equally yummy in front of me...so the temptation won't be there.