"Second transition?"

[yeahbethany]

Hi all,

I wanted to share this with you all and see if anyone else (maybe some more experienced raw fooders) have experienced this as well?

I kind of refer to it as a "second transition." You know how when you are transitioning to raw, you should really eat whatever raw food you want, and in whatever quantities and combinations, in order to keep yourself satisfied and help you make the transition?

And then, as you've been raw for a while, you start to enjoy simpler things (mono meals, salads, etc.)?

I've experienced the transition (a year ago), and the "simplifying" (this past summer...)...but now, I feel as though I'm having another "transition period." Simple foods don't satisfy me any more. I have cravings, and in order to keep myself raw, I need to make more complicated recipes. I also seem to be craving/eating TONS of fats (tahini, nuts, avocadoes, and even some raw dairy cheese). I've just been reading Alissa's book, and it is so inspiring. It talks about how when you first go raw, you should NOT cut the raw plant fats, since they will help you feel satisfied and make the transition. I'm wondering about this "second transition" I seem to be going through. One insight I have is that since it is winter in a cold climate, the food is not nearly as nutritious as it was when I bought it all at the farmers market over the summer (and was satisfied eating simply!).

Anyone else experience this "second transition?" Any thoughts? Insights? Think I will go back to the simple food in the summer, and back to the heavier food in the winter?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[Sweet lips]

Bethany,

I followed your journal very close and it inspired me to go raw. From my noggin to you - It may be that you need to heavier foods now in the winter as you suggested, and when things are plentiful, you then have a wide range of variety to choose from and is much simpler - like picking a watermelon, and just chunking it and eating it; peaches; plums and the like.

I believe as long as you stay with the raw, you will do very well. The second transition may be your body telling you exactly what it needs as well, so therefore the cravings. I am sure that you and your body are on very close speaking terms, and thus it just wants you to listen. Now remember it is just thoughts from my noggin :D

Enjoy your day

[chilove]

it could definitely just be a seasonal thing if you live in a cold climate, i definitely crave heavier foods when its colder, even though i dont feel as good as when i'm eating lightly.

[flutterfly]

I have gone back and forth with this for years.

[Pailani]

Bethany, that's interesting, about the seasonal thing. I wanted to go raw back in September but thought I wouldn't be able to do it over the winter, so my original plan was to start in spring. As it turns out, I started in January. But maybe the difficulty about being raw in winter isn't a difficulty if we just listen to our bodies and feel okay about eating heavier raw foods?

[yeahbethany]

Hi all,
Thanks for the thoughts! Its good to hear that others have this as well...Its also good to hear people say "just go with your cravings...it might be what your body needs." Its something I just didn't expect, since the "experts" will say that you will constantly want more simple foods. Maybe it is not a straight line, but a jagged or curved line to that point? Who knows?

Interesting stuff.

One thing that really tastes good to me lately is soaked chickpeas. Go figure. Might be something I need. Interesting, because I didn't used to like raw chickpeas.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Bethany - as most of us are still on our 'first transition' perhaps it would benefit you do invest in a consultation with Alissa or Dr. Doug Graham or someone else who has been doing this successfully for many years.

[yeahbethany]

Thanks for the thought, Sharon. It would be interesting to know what someone like Alissa might say...

I wish we could get fresher food in Chicago. I've been starting to sprout, which seems to be helping.