Staying in the Raw

[pearlgirl]

Hello Lovlies,
I am so in awe of how this community just shares, posts, and has patience with each other - I truly feel blessed getting to know each of you! That's why I feel so awkward sharing this challenge with you all: I'm having a hard time going 100% raw. My addiction to cooked food is stronger than I realized and I'm having a hard time making a complete change. Has this ever been a problem with anyone else? I dream of a day where I'm not struggling with this.
I believe that once we share our deepest fears, it sheds light on them and helps them to go away, so I'm asking for any tips or comments you may have in this area.
Thank you, thank you for your wisdom and love.

[Biff]

You say that you are having a hard time being 100%. What % raw are you now?

Anyways, you are striving for 100%, so you are not happy where you are now, so my suggestion is to spend more time learning how to make more raw food recipes that might help your SAD cravings (like raw pizza, raw tostatas, etc.) along with many quick recipes.

Find some raw friends to plan meals with. This will help you plan a nice meal and share thoughts with people who are like-minded.

If you find yourself starving and not in the mood to really make anything, this is where I just make a quick smoothie.

Also, get rid of all of the tempting SAD food that you have in your house. Get rid of the bag of chips, microwavable dinners, mac&cheese, etc. Always have ripe fruit available.

These are all obvious answers, but sometimes just a reminder helps! :)

[pearlgirl]

Thank you for your post. Actually, those reminders are really good hints! I've never thought about dicussing meal selections (outside of talking with my husband). Most people in my circle of friends think it's just another crazy thing I'm trying, but honestly, I want this work. Thanks again! :)

[Graciebeliever]

A Warm Hello :)

i found for me that there was no other way but 100% from the very start. I did no transition. I cleaned my house and got everything in I would need and I started from there.

There have been hard days but with nothing around to tempt me and not allowing myself to eat out or go to places with the wrong stuff it has made it much easier.

I also carry my own food with me almost where ever I go and that is a real necessity for me.

Some people here slowly transition but the bottom line for me is this..

What is your motivation?

Mine was and is a DEEP motivation to save myself from a life filled with body pains, illness and over weight..

BTW? Love the people here too :)

Stay and read about others that does help but you must decide what you want to gain from raw then look to that end :)

Walk the Raw journey!! It is totally worth it.

[rawpriestess]

Hi,


I have gone on/off raw for about 5 years, I always WANTED to eat 100% raw, I struggled, I tried, I worked at it, I just didn't do it for very long, and all the time, I was just playing at it,

Oh, I THOUGHT I was really into raw, I THOUGHT I wanted to lose weight, and feel great, I THOUGHT I wanted to be healthy, but I didn't

You see, I was so into my stuff, so identified with being sick and tired and fat and overweight, and all that, that I couldn't SEE myself as anything else.

So, I would find all kinds of very creative ways to sabotage myself, I'd dream up a big party that I JUST HAD to go to, that I couldn't stay raw at, I'd give a party, I'd go out for dinner, I'd want just one more bite of something, I'd buy all kinds of SAD foods, then have to eat them, so they wouldn't go to waste, I'd invite friends over, I'd go over to friends houses, I'd go raw just before a holiday, I'd take a SAD cooking course, I'd book a vacation, I'd, well, you get the picture.

you see raw, isn't something you just do, you become it, you are either a raw foodist, or you are not. Now, maybe this "feels" right or it doesn't, but for me, I had to know in my heart that I COULD eat anything I wanted to, but I was CHOOSING to eat only raw, ripe, fresh produce, and mostly organic if at all possible.

you see, I couldnt' look at it as a diet, that someone else designed, because I would always second guess their reasoning.

[Seren]

I found it really hard to go raw the first few times that I tried. When I started making smoothies every morning for breakfast (all fruit) I found it a lot easier. I think you have to make it as pleasant as possible to start off with. Like, at the moment, I wouldn't enjoy waking up to a green juice or smoothie in the morning, but Im only just starting. Also, I think the fact that I met a raw foodist just before I went raw helped me. It made me see that it is actually possible! Good luck!!!


Seren xXx

[pearlgirl]

Wow, thank you for your valuable information! I totally agree with everything said here: it is a lifestyle, I have to find my motivation, and most importantly - keep the SAD food out of my house! What an evolution life is. I'm going to meditate on all your sweet thoughts - thank you! :)

[Regen]

Have you got Alissa's book? The book is more than just recipes and will walk you through the changes.

Have you seen this website - it's relatively new although Karen Knowler isn't new to raw by any means. There's info on there about raw being a whole person experience and there are bits about making your kitchen ready through to dealing with difficult situations.


http://www.therawfoodcoach.com



On a separate note, can someone tell me how to make weblinks interactive, please?

[Feebee]

I'm right there with you. What you are describing about yourself is entirely too familiar.
Hang in there, I keep trying, and I know one day it will be effortless. (Gotta keep thinking that! :) )
Peace

[Kerilyn]

I love everyone suggestions as I'm having the same trouble myslef!! I really like the idea that it shouldn't be looked as at a diet...it's definitly a lifestyle change, for GOOD! I am very new to this whole idea myslef. Today is technically my "Day 1". (Last week I tried it out for 5 days.) I have been researching Raw Food for about 1-2 months now..which after reading all of these threads makes me a "youngen" But good luck with everything, keep positive! I am going to try to make some recipes that look and taste like my old food...pizza..brownies..I really think that will help because when someone says you can't have something it just makes you want to have it that much more!

[rawbeliever]

Green smoothies really helped me go 100% raw. I don't know why, but my cravings dwindled after I began eating them, and they return whenever I stop eating them.

Also, make sure you're eating enough, and that you always have food on hand, even if you're just going for a jaunt in the car. Bring an apple or two.

Having social support is also very important. I'd never be able to stay 100% raw without this (or some similar) web forum. I check in daily, even if it's only for a few minutes. It helps me stay focused.

Good luck, keep trying!

[learningrawways]

HI Pearlgirl, I haven't been successful at going 100% raw either. I can do breakfast, lunch and dinner, it's at night that's my downfall. And the thing is, I've noticed that I don't need to eat as much anymore so at night I am not hungry. But I need to eat in spite of my full stomach. It's very weird! Here I am at 53 years old finding out that I have food issues, something I was not aware of before.

[DavidZaneMason]

I hear you.

Opinion:

-You are 100% where YOU need to be. That's all ANY of us ever have. To pick up the ball where we are and bounce it. It certainly is a challenge to dribble and still look to the hoop - but it's a skill that even a novice B-ball player can acquire....and so can you. For sure! All you can do is the little things every day that you are motivated and prepared to do. To worry about aught else is certainly not an efficient use of your energy.

-David Mason

[kawai]

its hard... i still think of SAD food every meal...and in between meals too. I have only tried being a raw vegen since second week of Sep. These are the tricks that kept me fr falling:

1. i ate large bowl...bucket of salad before allowing myselve to proceed to SAD...which by then I am too full.

2. I put the plastic covers over my microwave and oven. I also store my pot and pan right on the top of my cupboards. It makes cooking alot more difficult.

3. I stir clear supermarket except the fruit and vege lane...and bought so much fruits and vege that if i dun go raw they will rot....and since I am a penny pincher, it helps me to stay raw.

I have feeling the pressure socially.... so far had been avoiding going out with friends and inviting them back.... I have moved to South East Asia... the eating culture here is super strong so being a raw vegen is tough. The saving grace is they have lots of exotic fruits with superb price... my fridge is filled with mangos, pineapple and durians now.

hang in there... I am also trying to hang in here...

[Sharon in Colorado]

It's a bit of a catch 22 - you see, in order to stay 100% raw you have to be 100%. By letting in a little cooked you keep your cravings alive. So you really have to make the decision to "go all raw"...just try doing that for 3 days and you'll see that you can keep going and going, just as long as you are all raw, it is so much easier.

[sno white]

I agree with all of the suggestions but only those of us who must continue cooking for a family can understand the temptations to “taste” what you are cooking …. How else do I know when it is seasoned to perfection? :o

I know that it is a life style and not a diet. I have every intention of getting to my goal of 100%. I have overcome some addictions and I consider the others as hurdles I have to get over and I will keep trying until I get there.

There are those who think they can and those who think they can’t. Both are right

[Trinity]

I have a family as well and I'm about 98% raw which is a big step from 100%. I do all of the cooking for my family, I do not expect them to change because I have. What I do is...........I taste as small amount as I can and then I spit it out! It sounds gross(no one sees):) but I do what I've gotta do. My 2% is condiments and YIKES coffee in the moring, actually I'm switching to green tea tomorrow, wish me luck:). I also make my eveing or breakfast first and have it ready for me to eat as well. I take as much time and pleasure and love and put it in my food as well as my families:) They support my choices, I(and God) beat cancer so no one gives me any guff:)

[isopach]

The only things that keep me raw are:

1. Education. I am aware of why I do it, and the consequences of a SAD diet.

2. Nutrient dense food. My food is extremely rich in nutrients, so that my body is never lacking anything. Without these things, I could easily 'waste away' on raw food, because I might end up picking raw foods that don't meet all my requirements. This is especially important if you expand a lot of energy exercising.

I haven't been perfect the whole time, but my resolve strengthens the more I am informed of the benefits of raw, and the dangers of cooked. Keeping it organic is also crucial.

I am also very fortunate to have a family that is all raw, all 9 of us. Makes it easier to cope.

[pearlgirl]

Whoa! What an awesome nest of ideas and support. You all are my heros! Thanks for taking the time to post and I truly appreciate your wisdom - thank you! :D

[KombuchaCHIC]

I find that the more raw foods I ate, the less cooked foods I craved. My tough spot was when winter came. All the cold weather cued my body to eat warm foods. I'm hoping I can do a better job this year...I'll have a dehydrator and I think that will help with the warm food cravings.

Just keep at it, and don't beat yourself up when you slip. For most people it is a long transition with ups and downs. :)

[kawai]

one tips for preparing food for family, i always cook with measurement.. like 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1 tsp seasame oil etc, this way the food tasting is almost zero. Somehow thats how I was raised up... cooking without tasting. It worked fine, the only drawback is whatever I cook is standard... the taste never improve or change.

[chilove]

Hello there,

Hang in there! It does get easier, I promise. I used to be a major junk food addict and compulsive eater and now I've been 100% raw for over two years. If I can do it anyone can!

Here are some things you can do:

Make a list of all every raw food you can think of that you actually really enjoy the taste of. You'll be surprised at how long it is. Read it everyday, several times per day so that you can be reminded of how many yummy things there are for you to eat.

Throw out ALL of the cooked food in your house.


Write a list of affirmations. Some of the ones that worked for me were:

I love raw food
Raw food heals me
Raw food gives me joy
Raw food gives me energy
I love fruit
I am vibrantly healthy and happy

Be sure to do your affirmations for at least 10 minutes every morning, 10 minutes every evening and all day during the day whenever your mind is free for a few moments.

Do lots of positive visualizations picturing yourself healthy and joyous. Picture yourself loving raw food and being completely satisfied.

Think of raw food as abundant. Be grateful for all the wonderfull raw food in the world that is available for us to eat and to help our bodies and minds be strong and healthy.

Go to raw potucks in you area or start one. You can post notices at health food stores and on craigslist.com for free.

Write your list of all the reasons why you want to go raw and all the positive changes you want to see. Repeat it to yourself every day!!

Remember, NEVER indulge in cooked food fantasies! Banish those thoughts as quickly as possible. Make something super delicious and yummy that is raw that you love instead. Think of cooked food as "dead" food and remember how it contributes to illness, unhappiness, disease and death. Remember that you want to feel vibrant, energetic and joyous.

Give yourself lots of love and self care so that you don't have to rely on food for entertainment, comfort or love. Realize that you will need to start feeling your feelings rather than numbing them with food. Be prepared with alternative positive coping skills to help you deal with your feelings. Pray, write, cry, scream, hit a pillow, dance, whatever helps you get out the emotions. Emotions are actually not that difficult to deal with, just invite them in, stay present with yourself and let them pass. You'd be surprised at how quickly they will pass.

Remember that health and happiness are your birth right and that you will achieve them if you feed your body what it was meant to eat: fruit, vegetables and to a smaller extent, nuts and seeds.

Blessings!

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[luckitri]

Thanks for that about the emotions chilove, I have been having a really rough time being raw with hubby in the hospital and now my beautiful baby boy has been being sexually assaulted and bullied at his school and the offenders were harrassing us at home also. I think I have finally gotten some positive action on it this time but my emotions are a mess right now....and I fell for SAD today. Well, I made a decision that if they don't put a stop to it I will not make him go to school.....at ALL. I am angry at the insensitivity of the police officer to not be able to believe that a boy can be sexually harassed and assaulted and to doubt his integrity and I forgive myself for failing in my RAW journey today. I guess I am indulging myself because of my emotions (?) but maybe I need to get some of those chocolate nibs or raw indulgences when the budget permits. I will not push raw on my family but I am having difficulty making myself cook SAD for them and they are angry with me for not cooking every night. Another problem that I am having with raw is that I want to get my food fresh from the market every day. Sometimes I try to buy a weeks worth of stuff and the greens go bad too quickly. Even the kale doesn't keep very long. Fortunately I live close but still to me - going to the market every day is an indulgence and I have felt the need to stay close to home because of the assaulting girl gang. The suggestions here are good however - especially I cannot do anymore creative SAD cooking! I will just have to go by the recipe and not taste test!