hardest thing you had to deal with while gong raw

[dread_head]

what is the hardest thing you had to deal with while gong raw??
i'd have to say if my family really not understanding, and keep forgetting that i only eat raw.

[RawChicky]

my family thinks that there is no way I can survive on just fruits and vegetables and that I'm going to get sick or that I am starving myself

[Sharon in Colorado]

Getting invited over to the home of a new aquaintance for a meal who doesn't know I am raw, or being "taken out" to a restaurant that does not do fresh food, like the Korean restaraunt I went to a couple weeks ago.

[aromaticwings]

For me it is getting past the cooked food addictions... When does it stop?/

[honeybee joy]

Originally Posted By Sharon in Colorado
Getting invited over to the homw a new aquaintance for a meal who doesn't know I am raw, or being "taken out" to a restaurant that does not do fresh food, like the Korean restaraunt I went to a couple weeks ago.

How have/do you deal with that? I have been wondering myself how I will deal with that if the issue arises.

[honeybee joy]

The cooked food addictions, the emotional detox side, and feeling kinda like a outsider, because not a whole lot of people are raw, so finding it hard to find those in your city to connect with.

[English Tracy]

Cravings are definitely the hardest thing I have to deal with!

The second is a husband who asks continually "why do you have to be so extreme about things?"

I have seen the light but he still has the lampshade on his head!!!

Tracy

[veganman]

Figuring out the best way to eat to get the nutrients and calories I need.

[pomegranatebliss]

No question - emotional detox. I'm still going through waves of it at almost two months high-raw, and I'm sure I will be for a long time. I had nearly ten years of professional counseling, but there are a lot of things that still needed complete release.

Now, I'm very happy to be going through all this emotional detox because things are releasing once and for all. I feel spiritually lighter as my body is getting physically lighter. But it's definitely the hardest part of the raw transition for me. I'd have days where I'd burst into tears ten times a day for no apparent reason. Luckily I was unemployed and job hunting in my new city at the time, so I could go with whatever came up, exactly when it came up.

I've also done a lot of release in dreamwork. Old insecurities play out in my dreams and then are no longer powerful. It's physically tiring to wake up after a restless night like that, but again, it feels good to get all of that stuff out. I am definitely healing spiritually a lot on raw.

I really think that the raw teachers need to talk more about emotional detox. I did a lot of research before going raw and I never expected the intensity of what happened to me. Each person will go through the transition in their own way, I know. But the emphasis seems to be on physical detox symptoms way more than emotional. To me, it's the emotional that would have made me much more likely to slip up and even abandon raw. I'm totally ready and committed to raw, so I'm working through it, but some better warning would have been a very good thing.

[Coriander74]

*handling the never-ending "how do you get protein" question
*CRAVINGS!!!! All I can say is Thank Goodness for RP's brownies!!!

[greeninlosangeles]

Well, the hardest one for me is that we want to have a second baby, but my husband thinks that because "I don't get enough protein", baby would not be healthy, so we put that on hold now. He also thinks that I am way to skinny at my healthy(5'6, 120lbs)weight. We agreed that he will read about it, so I need to find something short, but clear for him. I also will show him Breakthrough video with four healthy raw kids.

[jaurequi]

None of it was hard for me; I went 100% overnight and it just got better and better.

Only thing that might be slightly challenging is business lunches, dinners. But even that isn't a big deal because there are always salads and greens available, and I can either eat before I leave or when I get home. No problem.
Same with flights.

Best,

[dreamrawalwz]

At first major cravings, but after I got over those 3 days I was fine and it was smooth sailing from there (took MULTIPLE tries for me to get past those 3 days).

Now the protein, calcium, ect. questions.

The HARDEST thing at the very moment has been emotional detox. I can't seem to get through it.

[Im2Fruity]

trying to find something decent to eat when I have to go out

[mcasburn]

If I may sound like a broken record for just a moment:

1. Trying to find raw food in restaurants
2. Deflecting the protein question
3. Cravings (mostly for things that contain known allergens)

I also want to share what's been GREAT about raw food, though: watching so many people around me start to wake up and improve their diet, and hearing them say that I inspired them. :)

[lissomllama]

People not being understanding. Story of my life, lol.

[Sharon in Colorado]

How have/do you deal with that? I have been wondering myself how I will deal with that if the issue arises.

It can be quite a challenge. Some of the times I did, I would explain that I was a vegetarian (in between being raw), and sometimes ended up eating their cooked "veggie" dish. Once it was not good, I mean it was tasty, but it was a chile relleno, which is full of egg and cheese. So it was really bad for my cholesterol.

Once I explained and told the hostess I'd bring my own food and not to worry. The last thing I want to do is be a big concern. If the host/ess is making salad anyway, then that is good with me.

The further I get along in the game, the less it is an issue to me, but it still comes up, and I still have to 'explain'. However the less I make a deal out of it, the less other people get confused or offended. I've yet to be invited to a formal sit down dinner - I suppose I would just explain that I only eat fresh fruits and vegetables and hope for a salad!

I mean, what if I was a diabetic, or had a food allergy. It would really be mandatory for my health if I was in that situation. But being raised kosher and having high cholesterol my entire life, I've pretty much gotten used to eating different from everyone else. It is just a little more of a challenge with a new person.

[Sharon in Colorado]

The second is a husband who asks continually "why do you have to be so extreme about things?"

I have seen the light but he still has the lampshade on his head!!!

Tracy

English Tracy, I just had a similar conversation with my DH about this. He said I am so black and white.

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Restaurants are the hardest for me. I am doing better now-but I had a bad spell with some SAD this past Summer. I am happy to report that I'm back on Raw. I will be avoiding them for a while-as I don't want any temptation.

Lana

[juliebove]

Perhaps not hard, but annoying. And that would be produce that spoils before I can eat it.

[Deenasmiles]

The hardest thing I've had to deal with is all of my own confusion surrounding eating RAW. I eat and eat and eat, but when I come here and read what others have had, it makes my food amounts seem insignificant! I'm concerned - not for the big eaters, but for me! I'm new to this (today is my 2nd day RAW). I don't eat anywhere close to the amount of food that others on this site are eating, yet I feel full and satisfied.

Should I force myself to eat a certain amount of fruits/veggies in order to eat 'x' amount of calories - even if I'm full?! I feel bad cuz initally, I didn't even know I had to count calories! Please help!

Here's what I had today:
Breakfast: two oranges
Lunch: a cup and a half of red grapes
Snacks throughout the day: a grapefruit, a plum, half a canteloupe
Dinner: a carrot
Snack: two oranges

I also drank a cup of white tea this morning (which, I just recently found out, is not allowed on RAW) and LOADS of bottled water.

Sorry for turning this into a cry for help, but PLEASE, I'm a confused newbie. I feel fine and full, but I don't want to continue eating like this if everyone else is eating so much more. Health is my main objective.

~Deenasmiles~

[Sharon in Colorado]

I also drank a cup of white tea this morning (which, I just recently found out, is not allowed on RAW)

White tea is sun-dried so if you don't boil it, it should still be raw. But whether or not it's raw, the allowing part is entirely up to you.

[Coriander74]

Hi Deena!!!!

As far as I'm concerned, calorie counts don't particularly matter, as long as you're getting food into ya.

There are many fruitarians around, who live on fruit mostly, and who would probably tell you that you're doing great. However, I believe in a good balance of fruit, veg (especially GREENS :D ), some nuts and seeds for protein and good fats.

Whip up some veggie juice with apple to sweeten it, or have a huge salad with olive oil and lemon juice or orange juice as dressing... have a blast discovering new foods and what tastes good to you and what makes your body happiest :)

And feel free to question away!!

[Rawkinlocs]

The hardest thing I've had to deal with is all of my own confusion surrounding eating RAW. I eat and eat and eat, but when I come here and read what others have had, it makes my food amounts seem insignificant! I'm concerned - not for the big eaters, but for me! I'm new to this (today is my 2nd day RAW). I don't eat anywhere close to the amount of food that others on this site are eating, yet I feel full and satisfied.

Should I force myself to eat a certain amount of fruits/veggies in order to eat 'x' amount of calories - even if I'm full?! I feel bad cuz initally, I didn't even know I had to count calories! Please help!

Here's what I had today:
Breakfast: two oranges
Lunch: a cup and a half of red grapes
Snacks throughout the day: a grapefruit, a plum, half a canteloupe
Dinner: a carrot
Snack: two oranges

I also drank a cup of white tea this morning (which, I just recently found out, is not allowed on RAW) and LOADS of bottled water.

Sorry for turning this into a cry for help, but PLEASE, I'm a confused newbie. I feel fine and full, but I don't want to continue eating like this if everyone else is eating so much more. Health is my main objective.

~Deenasmiles~

Hi Deena,

No, don't worry about trying to eat as much as the next person eats...listen to your OWN body and eat accordingly. Somedays you may eat a little, some days you may eat a lot. There are many here who are very into counting calories and figuring out every little minute detail and that (IMHO) is a bondage...well, for ME it would be but to each his/her own.

No, as Alissa has stated many times before, eating raw is "strict" enough...if you try to add too many more rules to it especially when just starting out, you set yourself up for trouble.

Eat however much or little you feel comfortable with and what works for your body and allow yourself to become intune with your body and what it needs.

I am the same way...I see some raw fooders eating these HUGE-A-MONGOUS salads and I eat just a small bowl of it because that's all I can eat...I don't need a lot of food in one sitting and while some say to stretch your stomach, etc....I just can't do that, sorry. I eat as much as I want or can eat and then I stop and if that means eating two or three or even one hour later, so be it...I'll pop a few grapes into my mouth and I'm fine. No problems, I'm not emaciated or any of that.
Congrats on your first two days!

[Graciebeliever]

The hardest thing I've had to deal with is all of my own confusion surrounding eating RAW. I eat and eat and eat, but when I come here and read what others have had, it makes my food amounts seem insignificant! I'm concerned - not for the big eaters, but for me! I'm new to this (today is my 2nd day RAW). I don't eat anywhere close to the amount of food that others on this site are eating, yet I feel full and satisfied.

Should I force myself to eat a certain amount of fruits/veggies in order to eat 'x' amount of calories - even if I'm full?! I feel bad cuz initally, I didn't even know I had to count calories! Please help!

Here's what I had today:
Breakfast: two oranges
Lunch: a cup and a half of red grapes
Snacks throughout the day: a grapefruit, a plum, half a canteloupe
Dinner: a carrot
Snack: two oranges

I also drank a cup of white tea this morning (which, I just recently found out, is not allowed on RAW) and LOADS of bottled water.

Sorry for turning this into a cry for help, but PLEASE, I'm a confused newbie. I feel fine and full, but I don't want to continue eating like this if everyone else is eating so much more. Health is my main objective.

~Deenasmiles~

Dear Deenasmiles :D

You are doing exactly right for you :)

Don't dispair if you are full and happy eating what you did today.

SOME of us that are emotional eaters or others that need long over due nutrients or those who do LOTS of physical activity simple eat more!
Just like SAD some just need more and some less.

YOu need to feel good about what you eat and not think that there is a quota for you to fill.

At first I ate a weeks worth of stuff in 2.5 days!! Holy Fruit Gone Batman hehe

Take each day and eat the amount that you are comfortable with.

Also about the Tea? Some Raw peeps have tea and they have decided that for them, it is just fine. I think RawPriestess has a morning cup of tea. Nothing with caffiene but non the less for her it is something she enjoys and there is no CRIME in it :)


DON'T even think calories :) no no no
just eat the things that fall into the guildlines of what Raw is (an ongoing learning process for everyone) and eat as much or as little as fills you and makes you feel Great!

Keep a little list of what you eat each day and if you eat too little, go back and have another piece of whatever. If you want to eat 15 bananas? EAT EM!
Listen to what your body says to you afterwards. It's not like you are eating a box of twinkies! Eat oranges or whatever till you are perfectly full.

Just remember that being here is a place to learn and find what is best for US. Read what others sat and pick what is best for you and let us know what works for you:)

Prepare yourself for days that just are tougher than others but after a while the Raw thing is so natural that you wont even worry anymore.

SO glad you ar here!
Hang out and Don't stress it you are doing just great :D

[PATH301]

Hey misslinda here's the thread I told you about!

Biggest challenges - is overly concerned friends and family. Everything else is a breeze.
I have a brother of mine - who is my daily grind so to speak, but I recently found a quote by frederick douglas - "where there is no struggle there is no strength."
So this is a great motivation for me to continue to educate myself in eating healthy and my brother as well. :D

[Lay-Lay]

Eating out if the biggest challenge. I don't do it often but when I do I eat some before I go and then order a fresh salad or fruit.

[chamomile]

When I first went raw, I was sooooo excited. I wanted to talk about it all the time, and to everybody. But nobody was interested. My dh was great and listened and listened, but he wasnt really interested, he was just trying to be a good husband.
Months later I still find it hard not having a raw buddy. This board is really great, and really helps.

[Graciebeliever]

I agree with Chamomile!

My greatest difficulty is not having anyone to share my raw journey with. The only light is that my 17 year old Son has watched me eat raw for the last 45 days and he told me yesterday that when he is at home he wants to eat what I eat and he has begun to really get anti junk and fast food. It does a heart so good :)

Other than that? It is to see Fruit go bad cuz I didn't get to it :(

Makes me wanna weep. But thanks to lot of good answers as to how often people shop I am getting it through my thick head I need to buy less and shop more often. That is solving the problem :D

[Lunar*Fey]

Figuring out the best way to eat to get the nutrients and calories I need.

I'll second that!

But harder still is the issue with my family (especially mother) mostly because of me having anorexia in the past.
Also, going over my friend's house (mostly sleeping over)! Its so hard and makes me feel like I have to leave early...before I eat them out of fruit! Also when I went over a different friends house I went on a bikeride with her family. When we got back she made homemade pizza and asked me if I liked pizza. I said no and she asked why. She is a nurse and says she knows everything about nutrition and that if I didn't eat enough calories and protein after bike riding I would lose muscle. she went on and on. I told my friend about a million times prior that I was RAW and explained what it was but she NEVER "remembers" and seems a bit thick about it lol.

[konmai]

Since I'm new to RAW, I think my body is really happy about getting all the nutrition it can now! So I eat a lot, but the thing is I can't afford to feed my new found hunger now. :o After I fast, I'm going to have to NOT listen to my body(I know it's bad) & just eat the fruits/vegetables that are on sale.

That's all I can think of. As far as going out, I just don't eat or order a salad. I'm too lazy to hold a conversation w/ the waitress about getting a dish my way. :rolleyes:

[raw-a-go-go]

My hardest thing that I have had to deal with is that I am a personal chef (have been a chef for 20 years) and being so focused on cooking SAD for someone else, watching their nutritional needs and intake AND then trying to focus on my own needs and issues with trying to go high raw.
It's exhausting. I was have many slip ups, which bum me out BUT also is enlightening as I see the very real and negative physical effects SAD food has on me (I eat any dairy and I am asleep within 20 minutes!!!!).
My emotional attachment to food runs deep and I am VERY aware of it so I try to address each situation with my self as it arises.
I, too, get confused as to what 'works' for me, or what is 'right' for me.....especially as I am the one usually with all the answers for everyone else. The raw lifestyle is not so different from what I preach and teach, but it's the breaking of old habits that I struggle with daily.
AND then there are the people who say "come on, one drink won't kill ya - it's raw, right?". Ugh. I feel like I have to educate people daily and am always explaining the changes I am making.

pomagranitebliss - I just read your blog and I can't believe how much your words are reflecting my own.....so nice I am not alone out there; everything from the emotional eating to immigrating to Canada (still waiting residency status).

[pomegranatebliss]

pomagranitebliss - I just read your blog and I can't believe how much your words are reflecting my own.....so nice I am not alone out there; everything from the emotional eating to immigrating to Canada (still waiting residency status).

I don't want to hijack the thread, but you don't have your e-mail function activated...feel free to e-mail me if you like. Waiting for the permanent residency can be frustrating! Thanks for your kind words! :)

[rawpriestess]

a week ago, I would have said the cravings

but now, I would say the emotional detox

[rawpriestess]

Dear Deenasmiles :D

You are doing exactly right for you :)

Don't dispair if you are full and happy eating what you did today.

SOME of us that are emotional eaters or others that need long over due nutrients or those who do LOTS of physical activity simple eat more!
Just like SAD some just need more and some less.

YOu need to feel good about what you eat and not think that there is a quota for you to fill.

At first I ate a weeks worth of stuff in 2.5 days!! Holy Fruit Gone Batman hehe

Take each day and eat the amount that you are comfortable with.

Also about the Tea? Some Raw peeps have tea and they have decided that for them, it is just fine. I think RawPriestess has a morning cup of tea. Nothing with caffiene but non the less for her it is something she enjoys and there is no CRIME in it :)


DON'T even think calories :) no no no
just eat the things that fall into the guildlines of what Raw is (an ongoing learning process for everyone) and eat as much or as little as fills you and makes you feel Great!

Keep a little list of what you eat each day and if you eat too little, go back and have another piece of whatever. If you want to eat 15 bananas? EAT EM!
Listen to what your body says to you afterwards. It's not like you are eating a box of twinkies! Eat oranges or whatever till you are perfectly full.

Just remember that being here is a place to learn and find what is best for US. Read what others sat and pick what is best for you and let us know what works for you:)

Prepare yourself for days that just are tougher than others but after a while the Raw thing is so natural that you wont even worry anymore.

SO glad you ar here!
Hang out and Don't stress it you are doing just great :D
Please note, I have my ginseng herbal tea in warm water, it is not heated or boiled, so it is raw

[Minnie]

The hardest thing is the TIME I put in to preparing to eat. Some days I'm in the kitchen from morning till night LITERALLY! Washing, cutting, blending, mixing, dehydrating, soaking, rinsing, sprouting, growing, freezing, juicing, and that’s just the kitchen duty! Then there needing to go to different stores and places because there is not one grocery store that has all I need and not one department store that has all the equipment that I need! I have to buy a lot of stuff online because there are things that aren't at any local stores. Then I have to shop soooo much more. Sometimes I think I’m good for the week but I have never gone a whole week without needing to go get something. Before I did my big shopping once a month and a bit 2 or 3 more times during the month. Now I do my big shopping once a week and still have to go back 2 or 3 more times during the week. It never stops and it can really wear me down! And it is also my biggest complaint from my husband too. He is very supportive and I’m lucky for that, but he thinks I spend too much time on raw preparation and I AGREE!!!! But it seems my only choices are to quit or become a fruitarian and then I can just wash and eat fruit! Well that is my hardest thing to deal with. The second would be the expense. Man is it expensive! :eek:

Minnie

[Tirza]

I am wondering if anyone has done a time-study comparing the prep and cooking and cleanup times of SAD and Raw. There is even more clean-up time after cooking (even the stove and oven and vents and walls and ceilings and windows). I would FAR rather wipe down a juicer, blender and food processor than try to chisel the gunk off the pots and pans and appliances and every surface in the kitchen. I don't have to disinfect everything for fear of salmonella. I don't worry about botulism. Or mad cow. Or mercury in the fish. Or cholesterol. Hormones. Or.........(you get my drift)

To be fair, one would have to consider all the "Washing, cutting, blending, mixing, dehydrating, soaking, rinsing, sprouting, growing, freezing, juicing" that they may have done before as well.

Of course many of us may not have done things like dehydrating, sprouting, freezing or juicing before Raw. But many do. We were vegetarians and then vegans for many years and even though we cooked a lot of stuff, we still made salads and used vegetables and fruits. We had a huge garden and had to deal with all that. We bought large amounts of fruits and vegetables that we couldn't grow and froze and canned and pickled them. I ground all my own grains and made bread and noodles etc.

Not intending any offense, but in the most simplistic scenario, I guess if you just peel some potatoes, (or open a bag of frozen fries) use some bagged salad and throw a piece of meat in the pan it does take a lot less time. Wow-that is how most of the people in the Westernized world actually eat.

That is how I grew up too but even then we had a garden, we picked berries and fruits and froze or canned them. My dad hunted and fished and we had to deal with all that. Or we bought a large quantity of meat at a time and had to put it all away.

All I am saying is that there is still preparation time on any diet, and as we get more health-conscious, the time for preparing some things is bound to increase, while for others, it will decrease or disappear.

That said, we all know that while it is hard to work into an efficient routine, once we do it, we can flow pretty smoothly with it. You will find faster more efficient ways to do the things you need to do. Soon the shopping routine will get better as you get used to it.

Really, we do most of our shopping 2x a week for the produce. That is the main thing. Then about once a month I stock up on the nuts and seeds etc. I get used to where to get the stuff. I don't order too much online and I could certainly do without it all.

You can make it as complicated as you like. But simple is better, with just a few adventures into more intricate recipes. At least until you get established.

The very BEST thing to do is to make a menu. I devote an hour of one evening deciding what we will have for the upcoming week and make a shopping list from it.

I would say from the sound of it, you might be trying to do it all too much and too fast. You may therefore be trying to buy too many things. Most on this board agree that real raw living can and probably should be really simple and as close as possible to the natural. I know that the recipes are meant to help with transition but I wonder if they make it harder in a way. People can get really overwhelmed frantically trying to get every piece of equipment and stock every conceivable ingredient so they can prepare as much as they can that will closely approximate and so replace their favourite SAD dishes.

Not only that, they have a real concern about getting enough of all the nutrients, so they want to get as wide a variety as possible. And "natural raw" might seem boring. We are worried that we won't be able to stick with it if we don't make all the fancy stuff. Well I notice a lot of postings from people who have a hard time sticking with it even though they ARE making the fancy stuff. I think it is a matter of decision, a matter of listening to your body and determining what makes you feel and function the best.

Doing the raw diet "whole hog" does also make it way more expensive than doing it the simpler way. My DH exclaims every time he shops for me that our groceries are SO much cheaper than before. Dairy, meat, fish, junk foods, etc. COST! while produce is really cheap! Even in the grocery store. Even if there is a trucker's strike. Even if there is a rise in prices because of floods or drought. If you can get it at a local farmers market it's even cheaper. I find that he makes a face when I have him go to the Health Food Store for the things I want from there. That is where the money is spent. I sometimes just forget it because I know I can make our food without it and still eat very well. I still make concoctions, just not the ones with the exotic ingredients. I have yet to get a durian. I have not had a young coconut. I don't know what cacao tastes like. I don't feel the least deprived. (Just annoyed that so many recipes are coming out with these exotic, sometimes hard to get and expensive "staples".)

I have never before been able to prepare meals so quickly as I can now. My husband is wondering what I do to "earn my keep" now that kitchen duty is so much easier. The only way I would have it quicker and easier would be if I were to open frozen packages of things and put them in the microwave and I would NEVER do that.

[dreamrawalwz]

The hardest thing is the TIME I put in to preparing to eat. Some days I'm in the kitchen from morning till night LITERALLY! Washing, cutting, blending, mixing, dehydrating, soaking, rinsing, sprouting, growing, freezing, juicing, and that’s just the kitchen duty! Then there needing to go to different stores and places because there is not one grocery store that has all I need and not one department store that has all the equipment that I need! I have to buy a lot of stuff online because there are things that aren't at any local stores. Then I have to shop soooo much more. Sometimes I think I’m good for the week but I have never gone a whole week without needing to go get something. Before I did my big shopping once a month and a bit 2 or 3 more times during the month. Now I do my big shopping once a week and still have to go back 2 or 3 more times during the week. It never stops and it can really wear me down! And it is also my biggest complaint from my husband too. He is very supportive and I’m lucky for that, but he thinks I spend too much time on raw preparation and I AGREE!!!! But it seems my only choices are to quit or become a fruitarian and then I can just wash and eat fruit! Well that is my hardest thing to deal with. The second would be the expense. Man is it expensive! :eek:

Minnie

Are you at a point in raw when you can simplify and have more mono meals with less combinations and recipes? It really cuts down on prep time!.

[Tirza]

Are you at a point in raw when you can simplify and have more mono meals with less combinations and recipes? It really cuts down on prep time!.
That's putting it in a (raw) nutshell! You said pretty much everything I meant but mine was very long winded. (What can I say, I am very expressive!)