discovering some of my weaknesses with raw...

[raw-siobhan]

I have narrowed down a problem of mine and I need some helpful tips to get by successfully in my quest to put more raw foods into my life. The problem is that as much as I love to look through recipes and try some of them, ultimately I just dont have the time or the desire to do the preparation. If I could just go and buy them somewhere I wouldnt have a problem, but I shamefully have become lazy and easily overwhelmed with life in general to take the time to do the preparations for the foods that would best mimick the type of cooked foods I enjoy eating. I know that RAW can be as simple as I want it to be, but can you tell me your experiences with convincing yourself mentally that an orange is as appealing as...you fill in the blank...Anyways, I figured I would be able to learn from your experiences and I hope you have some tips for me. Thanks so much.

[Rawkinlocs]

Girl, don't I KNOW it! I get so lazy about making stuff sometimes and all I have to rely on is fresh food so I make SURE that I have the things I really and truly LOVE (for me, grapes, bananas, pears and melon) and so when I get hungry, I reach for those. But during those times when I feel I want or "need" something more or heavier, then I either get into trouble (i.e. eat something cooked that is readily available) or I have to make something. So, what I've started doing is taking maybe one or two days out of the week or every other week and just making up a bunch of stuff all at once to have on hand such as crackers, cookies, fudge balls or RP's brownies, dried fruit such as pears that are getting way too soft, seasoned/dehydrated nuts, etc.

I don't eat that stuff often, but it's so nice to have them there for "those" times.

I also make sure there are 'nanas in the freezer for making shakes or ice cream - that is easy to whip up and is satisfying.

Don't feel like ya gotta make stuff daily, take a day to uncook for the week (depending on what you make, some stuff can last longer than a week) and that way, if that orange ISN'T as appealing as ______, then you'll have something on hand that may or may not need a simple "warming" in the dehydrator and then you're good to go!

[raw-siobhan]

Whew...even YOU struggle??? I am glad you have tips for me. I like the idea of just being prepared for a weak moment with heavy stuff available. I will do that. :)

[tvillemom]

Amen!! I'm right here with ya! With a family of 5...and being the only raw-fooder (or trying to be) it is soooo hard to cook for everyone else and still find the tmie to prepare my own food. It just seems so much easier to eat alittle of what they are having. BUT, I know in the long run it will cause so many cravings, and food binges, etc. that I've learned that this "go around" I've gotta be more prepared. I am trying to spend an afternoon a week, and some time on the weekend preparing meals. Good luck...and just so ya know, now that you realize part of the problem you can work on it!! ;)
Wendi

[Irisha]

I have the same problem actually. I like to jump into stuff and just do it, but with this it's not so easy as this is a long term project and needs to be approached a little differently I think. In any case my not so raw foods I still indulge in is Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas with olive oil/garlick dip and raw sashimi tuna, which though raw is actually not on rawfoodists list:) I think it's okay to keep a couple healthy favorites and revert to them every now and again as you're learning the ropes in this new world. I'm trying out new recipes and because not all of them turn out successfully I'm noting down the ones I can actually use in the future. So far I very much like the RP brownies with store bought frosting (very rich and can't eat a lot at once) and I also made the raw chili for the 1st time yesterday which wasn't bad really. I understand the hardcore raw foodists actually don't spend that much time on meal preparatins and enjoy the simpler stuff on a regular basis. But if you're used to your taste buds being overexcited you must compensate with some elaborate dishes in the beginning. I agree that making a bunch of stuff in one day seems to be a way to go, just in case those cravings strike it's nice to have some tasties in the fridge.

[asil]

Ha! Me too! I can get so lazy! And to top it off, raw recipes are a bit of a gamble -- I find I like about 1 in 5 that I try. But I've found a few that I really like (for me, Alissa's flax crackers, Juliano's real toast, Raw Food Real World's pie crusts, fudge, refried beans, and corn chips) and I make those in triple batches when I'm in the mood.

In addition, there are some prepared foods that only take a tiny bit of advanced planning, like almond milk, marinated veggies, and veggies softened and warmed in the dehydrator.

As to foods that take no advance planning or prep, I think smoothies really hit the spot for cravings, as well as avocado, tomato and basil salad, warmed corn on the cob, dates, and pecans.

There's hope even for lazy folks like us! :)

[Indi]

I think most of us understand where you are coming from!

I know that the way raw vegan foods affect my mood, appearance and general health is my motivation to stay raw.

I make sure that the first thing that i have in the morning is at least a pint of water followed by a pint of juice with lots of greens or a green smoothie.

I don't think about it, I JUST HAVE TO DO IT!

I always feel so good after this that i am less tempted to destroy the way i feel by making the wrong food choices.
I found that if i start my day this way i am more likely to make time to exercise / meditate etc.

If i do end up straying off the path i no longer beat myself up as for me this usually will end up in a binge! I accept my slip up and move on.

I also found that it can be overwhelming looking through loads of recipe books, so i just quickly pick something quickly and make it, otherwise i end up spending all of my time looking at recipes and loose the will to actually make them!

You will soon be able to identify the combinations that suit you.
Don't be afraid to experiment and substitute ingredients.
Maybe stick to the easy stuff for a while.

There are some very simple recipies on this site

http://www.geocities.com/health-nut.geo/lih-nh-rawfood.html

Good luck :)

[raw-siobhan]

As I was reading through all of your helpful hints (and thank you all!) I started thinking about how much I used to love V8 drinks. I was thinking it would be fun to try to duplicate that recipe. I dont have a juicer, but I now have a pretty spiffy blender (thanks Dad!!!). I was thinking I would put in celery, tomatoes, some greens...what else should I put in it???

[Indi]

Homemade Raw V-8 Juice

6 medium-sized carrots
1 small beet (wash well)
3 large tomatoes
1 bag baby spinach
1/4 head fresh cabbage
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
3 stalks celery
1/4 sweet onion
1/2 clove garlic or less if you don't care for garlic
Kale leaves (a little goes a long way so be careful)
Chili pepper and salt to taste

Run all the vegetables through your juicer, add salt to
taste, and then sit back and enjoy the healthiest V-8 juice
around. Tabasco sauce to taste can be substituted for the
chili pepper.

http://rawsacramento.net/recipes.htm

Hope this helps

[Missrawdiva]

Well, some aren't going to like me saying this.... but you can always do what I did in the very beginning... its kinda pricey but it works. The first week I went raw I had not made any gourmet recipes, and didnt' know what to eat so I was eating coleslaw for dinner w/thai dressing.. every night. Then I decided on the second week to order Matt Amsdens week worth of food from RawVulotion.com . It let me taste gourmet raw food, and then I got his recipe book and I was motivated to make my own. It was good to taste someone elses "un" cooking.. and when I get some more extra cash, I am going to order from some other people online who have a raw food delivery service. So.. you might want to consider that. That way your meals are prepared for you.. and if its just for you, its more than enough food.

[michigan roman]

raw s ,

from my veiw point EATING SHOULDNT BE COMPLICATED / DIFFICULT

but it has been made so by , imo , tv commercials that present eating
as an ' blissful ' experience . like biting into a peice of pizza and rolling
our eyes upward in ecstasy , thusly we look to food for too much joy .

just look at it like your a lawn mower , theres no games . you put oil
in the crank case to lubricate the piston , and gas in the tank to
create an explosion which propels the piston which thusly spins the
blade to cut lawn . its an unemotional / cut and dry thing .

well same with your eating habits , you dont need fancy recipes for
your piston = heart , and blade = legs + mind + hands etc to properly / bestly
function . just throw some human type oil and gas into your
blood via your g.i. tract and get at what it takes to survive and
provide for your family . human oil and gas that leads to the lawn mower
you are in this anology bestly cutting the lawn / providing for your
family is = plain + simple raw ORANGES plus other fruits seeds nuts and
vegis !

the tv's just got you a little confused and mislead . keep DRIVING
towards raw , check out that dude dr graham whom talks about it
taking like 7 years for him to get it all sorted out , and short term
we all know its hard but LONG TERM WE KNOW WE'LL (+ YOUR FAMILY)
WIN ! !

BE A LEADER (ecspecially to your kids cuz their gonna grow into a copy of you)

ps - i hope im not coming off as too rambunctious here , im very sorry
if i am . im just talking like a football coach pep talk style here . :)

[raw-siobhan]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am excited to do the V8. I dont have a juicer, but I am sure I can do a chunky version in my blender. :)