Jump In in January Challenge! [Archive]

misslinda

12-30-2006, 10:48 AM

Get Down On It By Kool and the Gang

What you gonna do? You want to get down?
Tell me, what you gonna do? Do you want to get down?
What you gonna do? You want to get down?
What you gonna do? You want to get down? - Tell me.

Get down on it, get down on it,
Get down on it, get down on it, come on and
Get down on it, get down on it,
Get down on it, get down on it.

How you gonna do it if you really don't want to dance,
By standing on the wall?
Get your back up off the wall, tell me.
How you gonna do it if you really don't want to dance,
By standing on the wall. Get your back up off the wall.

'Cause I heard all the people sayin':
Get down on it, come on and
Get down on it - if you really want it
Get down on it - you gotta feel it
Get down on it - get down on it, get down on it
Come on and get down on it, baby, baby
Get down on it - get down on it - get down on it.

I say people - what? What you gonna do?
You've gotta get on the groove
If you want your body to move, tell me, baby.

How you gonna do it if you really don't want to dance,
By standing on the wall? Get your back up off the wall. - Tell me.
How you gonna do it if you really won't take a chance,
By standing on the wall? Get your back up off the wall.
'Cause I heard all the people sayin':

Get down on it - get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - when we're dancin' - get down on it
Get down on it - get down on it

Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - come on and
Get down on it - baby, baby
Get down on it - get down on it - get down on it.

What you gonna do? - Do you want to get down?
What you gonna do? - Get your back up off the wall.
Dance, come on get our back up off the wall.
Dance, come on!

Get down on it - come on and
Get down on it - if you really want it.
Get down on it - you gotta feel it
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - come on and
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - and while you're dancin'
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - you move me baby, when you move
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - get down on it
Get down on it - get your back up off the wall

GETTING DOWN WITH RAW 2007 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :p

misslinda

12-30-2006, 10:52 AM

should I have held that song for Jan 1st??? :D

earthy_mom

12-30-2006, 01:25 PM

I would like to join too!

I posted in the New Here forum but I'll briefly tell ya what Im aiming at .... Im currently 0% raw *blushes* but I know that going raw is the next natural step for me. So my goal for January is to start eating Less processed foods, and more raw fruits and veggies.

Gotta start somewhere right?! Im still trying to figure the whole thing out here, but this forum is amazing! Ive learnt so much here already.

I really hope that I can use this as a launching point for me, I know that there are some of you that are aiming for 100% for the month (an year) but im just sooo not there yet!!

Do we update our progress here?

girlsmiley

12-30-2006, 01:31 PM

Do we update our progress here?
When I first started this journey I "joined" the challenge and never went back into the monthly challenge thread. However, I've found that posting daily, or as often as you can, is a great help. I use it as a souce of "accountability" ... Posting your sorrows will get you lots of encouragement and advice. Posting your joys will give you lots of "cudos" and it will inspire the rest of us.

I look forward to traveling this path with you :D

earthy_mom

12-30-2006, 03:29 PM

I look forward to traveling this path with you :D

Im so excited too!

My kitchen is loaded with fruit, and Ive been eating oranges, grapfruit and dates.

I feel a major energy shift if I eat "regular" food. DH loves to cook me breakfast, I woke up this morning so excited to have a smoothie, but there he was cooking up eggs n bacon... *sigh* I couldnt refuse I would hurt his feeling!;)! But It made me feel heavy and tired... didnt like that feeling at all.

When I eat fresh foodI feel so much lighter and healtiher... I will have to remind DH about my changing lifestyle.

misslinda

12-31-2006, 09:47 AM

I'm doing a run down and inventory of my thoughts,foods and supplies today. When MIDNIGHT hits, it will be a liberating feeling..............

Can't wait to gab and grub with you all! ;)

misslinda

12-31-2006, 09:50 AM

tvillemom

12-31-2006, 09:51 AM

I can't wait for the new year to hit! I've been about 98% raw during the December challenge, and look forward to taking it all the way!
Happy New Year's Eve!
Wendi

tinystrawberry

12-31-2006, 09:53 AM

I'm joining!! i have reallly "fallen off" and i need to get back in shape!
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE !! ! :D

dreamrawalwz

12-31-2006, 10:12 AM

This is the year I will focus on me! I'd like to really become strong and flexible again. I want to treat my body with respect both physically and mentally. I deserve respect.

Vegan Princess

12-31-2006, 12:06 PM

2007 is all about health for me! The only resolution I'm making is not to drink for January. Not that I drink that much, but it seems to me to be icky now that I am treating my body so well otherwise. It's more dificult when you are young and single though. All my other thoughts for 2007 are goals. I'm not a big believer in resolutions. Staying raw is a goal. I like the idea of working towards and acheiving goals. :-) They are not all or nothing.

rawwannabe

12-31-2006, 02:31 PM

For awhile now, I've been eating raw at home, and "whatevah" when dining out....like tonight.

My goals are to buy an Excalibur and a Saladacco this week so I can prepare more of the gourmet dishes instead of paying $$$ for prepared raw goods.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE, Y'ALL

Spirit

12-31-2006, 03:52 PM

edited/deleted

girlsmiley

12-31-2006, 05:45 PM

I deserve respect.
YOU GO GIRL!

We all deserve respect! ... hummmm ... I hear a song coming on ... I will post it tomorrow though ... it is a good way to start the year ... looking for a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T ... :D

Everyone have a great time tonight, whatever your plans are ... I am on my way to church to start the year partying with all my crazy friends! Ain't no party like a Holy Ghost party 'cause a Holy Ghost party don't stop!

DharmaGirl

12-31-2006, 06:54 PM

Hi Everyone!!

Great to see some of you Disco Divas here and anxious to get to know all you newbies, too ;)

Girlsmiley - I love the January Jive music theme .... potential for some real Jivin' January daze PLUS I can still use my bubble gum pink disco boots from the December challenge ... YIPPIE.....

I, too, want to jump on the exercise bandwagon for this month and want to commit to my Rodney Yee home DVD which I've been doing on and off in December.... I feel so much better when eating RAW and doing yoga.... Rodney Yee has some awesome dvd's that you can do right in the comfort of your home ;)

Well, many Blessings to all for the New year....
May we all have a HEALTHY, HAPPY 2007 !!!!

Allie

12-31-2006, 07:06 PM

Hey everyone! count me in as well. I just got back from the store with lots of fresh fruits, veggies and nuts. I also got my mom and my aunt to join me for a 30 day challenge! i'm so excited about that, they have always been hesistant about adapting a raw food lifestyle and i'm hoping this 30 challenge will really show them how wonderful this lifestyle really is. I'm really looking forward to sharing my rawfood journey with you, and learning and growing with you all. I also going to start journaling my journey tomorrow!! Happy New years eve!!!

my_sunshine

12-31-2006, 09:14 PM

I'm in for sure!!!

I haven't been doing raw at all :o .

I'm totally committed to the month at 100%. The most I've done is 11 days, but I know I will do this. I'm going to take it one month at a time. I've been binging huge and feel soooooooo gross.

I'd like to weigh 115 by my birthday (Feb. 11), and I think doing the month raw will get me very close. I want to feel better inside - no more gross, sluggish, tired, yucky feelings.

I'm going to start exercising again.

I'm not big into receipes or nuts or veggies, so by taste alone, I'm mostly fruitarian.

I'm sooooo looking forward to feeling ALIVE again.

luna99

01-01-2007, 12:04 AM

HAPPY NEW RAW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Rawzula

01-01-2007, 12:09 AM

Happy New Year to all!

NO MORE COOKED FOOD FOR ME:D.

misslinda

01-01-2007, 01:14 AM

I'm laying here off and on cruising the boards, listening to meditation music and doing stretches for my neck and back..........
I see it is 47 minutes until the official start of RAW 2007!

I am beyond excited and READY for the FUN!

I'm starting my RAW 2007 with 2 cups of dandelion sun tea :)

Strong Start........Strong End

girlsmiley

01-01-2007, 02:35 AM

Here we go ... Day 1 of our new challenge ... what wonderfully rawsome possbilities lie before us? I don't know ... all we can do is take it one day at a time.

I really like what dreamrawalwz said "This is the year I will focus on me! I'd like to really become strong and flexible again. I want to treat my body with respect both physically and mentally. I deserve respect." I feel the same way. I believe that is, in part, what got me into such bad health ... taking care of everyone else but me. So, in order for me to reach higher goals and make great things happen I need to be healthy and have a better clarity.

Also, I personally believe that when we respect ourselves then others will also respect us ... it's the Law of Attraction :p

So, here is the song for Monday, January 1, 2007 ...

(oo) What you want
(oo) Baby, I got
(oo) What you need
(oo) Do you know I got it?
(oo) All I'm askin'
(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
Ain't gonna do you wrong (oo) 'cause I don't wanna (oo)
All I'm askin' (oo)
Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

I'm about to give you all of my money
And all I'm askin' in return, honey
Is to give me my profits
When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
When you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

------ instrumental break ------

Ooo, your kisses (oo)
Sweeter than honey (oo)
And guess what? (oo)
So is my money (oo)
All I want you to do (oo) for me
Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re)
Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re)
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB

Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) 'spect
When you come home (re, re, re ,re)
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)

bintalhawa

01-01-2007, 03:22 AM

hi..this is my first post....joining the challenge(and staying there) is the best thing i can do to myself.......may GOD help me and all of you along this journey. :)

luna99

01-01-2007, 08:23 AM

I believe that is, in part, what got me into such bad health ... taking care of everyone else but me.

you know, this happens to so many people.... women in particular.

I know that sometimes I'll think to myself "if I had a daughter or a son, I'd want them to grow up in a household where they see through my actions that mothers take care of themselves and should be respected, instead of having a mom who just does everything for them and doesn't take care of herself"... or at least that's how I view it.

if we aren't healthy ourselves, how can we take care of others?

happy new year girlsmiley and may this be the healthiest year for you yet!

- marci

tvillemom

01-01-2007, 09:01 AM

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to jump in and say good morning~! I hope everyone is planning a great RAW day.
Girlsmiley....RAWESOME SONG! I love...LOVE this song...and yes, I feel like 2007 is about respect!
I am going to RESPECT my body by giving it only raw, living foods.

I am on a search to find the cause to a skin rash problem I've had for 10+years. I want to incorporate more greens, and some probiotics to see IF the problem is candida, if the problem improves??? I'm not sure what to do if the problem is psoriases, or excema? Has anyone else worked on these issues? I know eating RAW will heal this, but I am really suffering from this rash, and want relief.

bintalhawa WELCOME TO THE BOARD AND THE CHALLENGE! YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT!
Dharmagirl, girlsmiley, and Dreamrawalz I'm with ya'll on the exercise! I have a great yoga DVD that isn't being used....bringing that out! Morn was a great inspiration to me last month! With her busy schedule, she STILL found time to exercise! :D
Misslinda HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!
To everyone else I apologize for not "speaking" to you, but I'm running out of time this morning! DH is home, and we have a busy day planned
I am soooo excited about the new year!!
God Bless
Wendi

Moonstone

01-01-2007, 09:33 AM

with one of my New Year's resolution being to read this forum every day as I find this to be my truest movitation to not stray from eating raw. :) I will begin to record in my journal again as well.

Happy New Year to everyone!

misslinda

01-01-2007, 11:46 AM

YYYYyyyyyayayayayaY love the feeling of day 1.

I'm gonna have some fragrant green sun tea with dandelion.......
hydrate better today since yesterday I sucked.

Tvillemom, Happy New Year to you as well chickadee!!!!

So I see Path301 is still alive.....I see this morning that he called at midnight--Happy New Year Dude!!!!! :p I'd imagine he will be doing January Challenge too :cool:

I envy you all that will be EXERCISING!!! The most I can do right now is sretching and some walking. :)

My goal the first week is to get all my basics down:

Chewwwwwwwwwww my food until it is liquid
Hydrate
Stretching and breathing exercises

Purl

01-01-2007, 12:06 PM

I'm in for the 30 day. Today is day 1 and I feel like mud. I've got raw sweet pot chips in the dehydrator, I'm soaking the flax seeds for crackers, and tonights dinner is going to be collard wraps. I'm going to eat a huge salad at lunch with mixed lettuce, tomatoes, sunseeds, and raisins. That's my favorite.

In Nov I fasted for and lost 17 lbs and have put 10 of it back on :eek:

My plan is to go raw for 30-60 days then fast again for 21-30 days, bt most of all I am going to listen to my body. I prefer fasting over eating, but I'm afraid that if I fast too frequently I will really screw up my already screwey metabolism. Didn't victoria mention that somewhere?

anyway here's what I have had so far today:

Green smoothie (OJ, spinach, cinnamon, honey, water)
15 sweet pot chips (they were fresh, the rest went into the dehydrator!)
2 oz raw cashews
4 dates with coconut
water, water, water

Vegan Princess

01-01-2007, 12:34 PM

Ahhh...I love a day so fresh and ripe with possibilities! :) I am so happy for the new year and make this a year or focusing on being healthy! Kicking off the morning with a nice green smoothie. Gonna try and hit an afternoon yoga class.

everclear

01-01-2007, 12:42 PM

I feel so energized for day one!

I started the day off with some green juice (baby spinach, banana and an apple) ... it was supposed to be a smoothie, but ended up wayyy too thick, so I had to strain it. Yummy!

2007 is awesome (or should I say rawsome? ;) ) already!

BDraw

01-01-2007, 12:53 PM

:p Count me in! I need -- need -- need this! Wish I could bring you all home with me and we could do this together, side by side! Wouldn't that be easy?

I've been mostly raw for over two years and totaly blew it during the week of Christmas. Somehow I didn't respect myself enough to do what I knew my body needed. I put myself last. Prepared for the rest of my (sad) family and had no time or energy to prepare for me. Sound familar?

And somehow I thought I was being nice to me by eating all the chocolate I wanted. . . and I am shocked how much my sick body demanded!

Life??? Sometimes we can get rather crazy in our thinking! Now it is time to get radical in my (our) thinking ----- RAW, RAW, RAW! 100% RAW just for the wonderful way it makes me feel. Free and light and right.

Let's go get RAW!

fairygirl

01-01-2007, 01:07 PM

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Count me IN too :) Last nite at the new years party i ate some cooked food - boo :(
But today is the first day of a new year and ill be goin strong. I really like that we can all come here for support.

Ill be starting off the new year by making raw lasagna and cilantro pesto to stuff mushrooms with - yummmm!!!!

is anyone else making anything special to start off the new year?

Morn

01-01-2007, 01:22 PM

Well Yesterday we ended the year going to my mother in laws house and watching 4 out of the 6 starwars episodes. A very different new years idea. Anyway, had lots to snack on and my husband even made me a fruit smoothie to ring in the new year which was really sweet. Foods eaten:

dinner salad
carrots and celery with hummus
raw lara bar
couple handfuls of trail mix
dinner salad
cherries, olives
fruit smoothie

misslinda

01-01-2007, 01:42 PM

is anyone else making anything special to start off the new year?

Mmmmmmmmmm,yur lasagna sound Yummmmmmmmy!!!

I am big on TEA this challenge!!!! I started with dandelion/green sun tea.

Hi Morn, BDraw,Purl,Moonstone,Veganprincess,Fairygirl,Everc lear and Swingbolder !!!!!!!!!!!! Hi to all who I missed as well.

:) ;) :D

Path!!!! got yur vm....hee hee :cool: no worries, it'll start soon.... ;)

rawwannabe

01-01-2007, 01:55 PM

Today's "vittles":

I awoke slightly nauseated (I only had two adult beverages last night), and waited about three hours until I made a celery, kale and apple (1/2 apple) juice. That tided me over until the slightly queasy feeling disapated. About two hours later I was hungry, and had 3 Glaser Farms chick pea croquettes. Suffice it to say that although I enjoy most of their offerings, this is a recipe that would taste good fresh out of the dehydrator (I MUST buy one of those!) NOT after having been refrigerated, and dried out. Then, I made a fresh almond milk, organic cocoa (not raw), and banana smoothie. I hope the Glaser Farms Sunburger I bought for dinner doesn't prove to be as disappointing as the croquettes were. As a back up I have plenty of fruit, some homemade guac, and some just okay fermented Glaser KimChee. I DO seem to be giving Glaser (Via: Whole Foods) a lot of business lately!

How are y'all doing? Happy RAW New Year!

girlsmiley

01-01-2007, 01:58 PM

is anyone else making anything special to start off the new year?
Since my first 4 months on this raw journey consisted of falling back into, and a few binges on, cooked food I wanted to eat *light* this month. I am coming off a water only 3-day fast and will do juicing for a few days, graduate to green smoothies, and then keep it simple for a while.

The cool thing about my plan is that it is subject to change as I learn how to listen to my body tell me what nutrients it needs. :D

misslinda

01-01-2007, 02:01 PM

Girlsmilely, I was sooooooooooooooooooo happy to finally see your beautiful face!!!! We have been raw-ing together and to [see] you feels complete!!!!

:)

girlsmiley

01-01-2007, 02:06 PM

Girlsmilely, I was sooooooooooooooooooo happy to finally see your beautiful face!!!! We have been raw-ing together and to [see] you feels complete!!!!

:)
{{{{{{{{trying not to fall out of my chair from laughing}}}}}}}}
***********BLUSHING BIG TIME*************

Thank you ...

LOL ... one of my affirmations is "I receive all gifts I am given with gratitude and graciousness and accept compliments with thanks." or I might have said something else ... :rolleyes:

walkingcooper

01-01-2007, 02:19 PM

So totally with you gals. It's a new year...thank goodness.

Want to spend 2007 getting out of debt and reclaiming my body; I know it's still in here somewhere...LOL

Started 1/1/07 5'8" 235 lbs.

Starting Goals:
To encourage my friends and family.
Become stronger, leaner and Fierce!
Get back into a yoga/pilates routine, after loosing the first 20-40 lbs.
Walk at least 30 mins. a day

nuttie

01-01-2007, 02:45 PM

i would like to join you all!!! what better day than today?
today i had:

1/2 grapefruit
4 strawberries

30 min. on eliptical....

salad/tomatoes/avo

whipped up a batch of "chewies":
cashews/walnuts/dates/really-raw chocolate powder
agave--formed into bite size rounds.....

drinking h20

decluttering the house: this will be an ongoing process

i'm doing pretty well considering there is so much temptation around me.
all your support is greatly appreciated. :o

sherahtaylor

01-01-2007, 02:52 PM

Me me me!!! I really need something like this - I plan to start tomorrow, so it'll truly be 30 days of raw for me. My main goal is to eat 100% raw and to weigh 145 by January 31st. And do my T-Tapp workout M-W-F with NO exceptions!!!!!!!!!!

travelingtoes

01-01-2007, 03:14 PM

I have been super tempted. I hate getting tempted. Cheese seems to be my temptation. Bad Bad Cheese. :p But I've been strong. I've had:
Baby Carrots
Frozen Grapes
Green Smoothie (well, it turned purple because of the blueberries)

dreamrawalwz

01-01-2007, 07:04 PM

HUGH bowl of veggies: sugar snaps, broccoli, caulifloer, celery, carrots, peppers, and tomato.

OJ and left over orange off the peels

lettuce/tomatoes/celery with lemon juice

cantaloupe

misslinda

01-01-2007, 07:17 PM

Dandelion/Gree sun tea

Water

Green sun tea 2x

water

ALL OF A SUDDEN,,,,,,,,,,,,,SLEPT ALL DAY.

I've been really tired and my body wants the rest.

Just having some lemon water now to wake up my appetite and head to the store to get something to eat.

So I guess for me, it's breakfast :p

PeachyMama

01-01-2007, 07:22 PM

I've been good, but I feel like I'm eating soooo much! I'm constantly grazing, it seems.

Today I had:

banana
2 small flax crackers spread with avocado
BIG Romaine/spinach/red leaf salad with cucumbers and the rest of the avocado
Clementine/Tahini dressing on the salad
2 small stuffed mushrooms
2 small Alissa's apricot cookies
8 stuffed mushrooms with about 1/4 cup marinara

I'm hoping that my rebounder shows up tomorrow!

I know that I'm still new to this, and I guess my only goals now should be to simply stay raw and to start exercising. So I'm going to attempt to focus on meeting those goals this month, and worry about taking in less fat next month.

tvillemom

01-01-2007, 07:24 PM

Good evening all! I've done really good today. So far my food has been:
water, apple, guacamole with avo, onion, tomato, cilantro, salt, chili pepper, Super yummy! with Maraw's chips (I can't remember what they are called, spinach and herb chips I think)
Dinner: Not really hungry, think I'll have water.....
Morn I have a question for you. Didn't you post before that you've done "Yoga Booty Ballet"? I would like to know what the workout is like. My DD is going to dance, (she's 6) and I'm afraid I'm alittle jealous,(I never got to do dance as a child) and thought if the workout had some "ballet", I could learn alittle....or is it more yoga?? I want something fun, that I will sweat to, not have to wake up early and put on sneakers.....and doesn't seem like exercise. Demanding?? :o :D I like yoga, I just wanted somthing more "fun". Let me know.
I hope everyone had a great day. I did!! Looking forward to this challenge!
Wendi

my_sunshine

01-01-2007, 08:22 PM

Ohh the first day is the hardest, but I did it. Amongst lots of cookies and ice cream ect!!! I'm tired and dizzy (major chocolate the last couple of weeks), but I'm determined to do this for one month.

Thank goodness for this thread- gotta be kept accountable ;)

Happy New Years Everyone!!! :D :D :D :D

Vegan Princess

01-01-2007, 08:53 PM

PEACHYMAMA: don't worry about how much you eat or how much fat. My first week I followed Alissa's menu which had TONS of rich nut recipes. I found that even in 30 days my taste changed on its own and I don't like rich foods. It will all happen naturally and you will still lose weight. So just eat for now and don't worry. :o

I made it to my bikram yoga class! My stomach is still a little sore to the touch from a stomach bug, but class went well and I am energized. Going to try to do 2 classes tomorrow since I have the day off of work.

Food today:
green smoothie
pizza from raw cafe and small green salad
1/2 apple and tangerine
green juice: beets, cuc, kale, carrot, ginger, celery...red actually. lots of beet!
going to eat some guacamole and corn chips

rawwannabe

01-01-2007, 08:57 PM

YBB is Fun. I should use it more often :)

Question re: dehydrator...just how noisy is the 9 tray Excalibur?

girlsmiley

01-01-2007, 09:42 PM

I've had water only for 3 days and I was planning to break the fast with juice in the morning ... however, tonight I made a rawsome salad for my son and he couldn't finish it all ... so I did! :eek:

Is my stomach going to hate me or what ...

The salad contained chopped carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, pine nuts, onion, field greens, spinach, tomato. The *dressing* was 1/2 avocado, drizzle olive oil, dash salt, dash pepper, dash curry powder, dash garlic powder, squeeze lemon juice.

I tried to chew it really good ... :eek: :o :rolleyes:

berrymarymac

01-01-2007, 09:52 PM

I am going to start my January Challenge on the 3rd. I am on vacation and on the road...so yeah, I simply just want to start that day so I can get food ready and everything stocked in the house. This month, I will not let temptations get to me...I will stay on track, even if it drives me insane because in the end...I will be healthier, skinnier and well...just look **** hot!!

My weight goal this year is not a set one, I am taking it slow and easy and not setting myself up for failure, if I do gain weight or something happens. I will keep a journal daily, tracking everything and I will post in a few days what I have eaten, etc etc. It's amazing to have this wonderful support system! And I'm so happy I found this amazing diet!!!

misslinda

01-01-2007, 11:49 PM

Hi to all you new challengers here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I ended the nite with shredded lettuce
and alfalfa sprouts doused with lemon juice.
I figured since I slept all day,
I'd eat something lite that was appealing to me.

Dharmagirl, when do you leave for Disney?

Tomorrow is physical therapy so i need to be up by 7 am and head out the door. Shoulder and neck/back has been problematic al day.

Looking forward to meditation tonite!

Dream good dreams everyone
and looking forward to chatting with ya'll tomorrow.........

"As the grass grows, it is greener and stronger." ;)

PATH301

01-02-2007, 01:28 AM

Hey misslinda,

So I see Path301 is still alive.....I see this morning that he called at midnight--Happy New Year Dude!!!!! I'd imagine he will be doing January Challenge too
ya better believe I'm in for Jan challenge, I need it!
Sweet dreams to ya misslinda ;)

misslinda

01-02-2007, 01:33 AM

Hey misslinda,

ya better believe I'm in for Jan challenge, I need it!
Sweet dreams to ya misslinda ;)

* chuckles *

yur vm said it all :D glad to see you Path !!!! sent you email btw.

PATH301

01-02-2007, 01:37 AM

okay dokey - misslinda, I'm checking right now :D

SirLuck

01-02-2007, 02:09 AM

Well, I'm a day late..but that's not much. I have tried raw dieting before and noticed many benefits but have backslid. Now, I'm fat as a pig again and need to get on the wagon.

Height: 6' 5" Age 43
Starting Weight: 277
January Goal: 267 pounds; Mostly raw diet.

misslinda

01-02-2007, 02:42 AM

Hey, welcome Sirluck. No worries on the backsliding.....

seems that most of us have. :p all part of the fun and drama.
nice to see men join the challenges as well. Best to you.

Path, I'm gonna start the fasting mid January or so.

....off to bed since I have to get up early for pt.

:)
;)
:cool:

PATH301

01-02-2007, 02:59 AM

I'm right behind you, for bed time, it's 04am here - yawn, zzzzzz

girlsmiley

01-02-2007, 05:07 AM

Good morning all you January Challengers and Welcome to the new challengers. This community is great! :D

The song for today was inspired by tvillemom ...

OH yeah, question, will there be a "music" theme to start out the year? How about something HOT, HOT, HOT???? :D Like us!! ;)
Wendi

It is also for those of us who live in colder climates ... ;)

Buster Poindexter - Hot Hot Hot

Ole ole - ole ole / Ole ole - ole ole

EE-Yessa Ha-ha
Ee-yes girls

Me mind on fire -- Me soul on fire -- Feeling hot hot hot
Party people -- All around me feeling hot hot hot
What to do - On a night like this
Music sweet - I can't resist
We need a party song - A fundamental jam

So we go rum-bum-bum-bum
Yeah we rum-bum-bum-bum
Feeling hot hot hot -- Feeling hot hot hot - oh Lord

(me la la la lum bum bum)

See people rocking -- Hear people chanting -- Feeling hot hot hot
Keep up this spirit -- Come on let's do it -- Feeling hot hot hot
It's in the air - Celebration time
Music sweet - captivate your mind
We have this party song - This fundamental jam

So we go rum-bum-bum-bum
Yeah we rum-bum-bum-bum
Feeling hot hot hot -- Feeling hot hot hot - Oh Lord

Ha-ha

Ole ole - ole ole / Ole ole - ole ole
Ole ole - ole ole / Ole ole - ole ole

EE-yes girls

People in the party - hot hot hot
People in the party - hot hot hot
They come to the party know what they got
They come to the party know what they got
I'm hot -- You're hot -- He's hot -- She's hot
I'm hot -- You're hot -- He's hot -- She's hot
(Real hot) -- (Real hot) -- (Real hot) -- (Real hot)H
a-ha-ha - Oh Lord

How you feeling? (Hot hot hot)
How you feeling? (Hot hot hot)
How you feeling? (Hot hot hot)
How you feeling? (Hot hot hot)

(Hot hot hot)(Hot hot hot)
(Hot hot hot)(Hot hot hot)

Anyone inspired to make salsa ? :rolleyes:

Moonstone

01-02-2007, 08:16 AM

I wanted to share this link I have on my computer. It is a shoppers guide to Pesticides in Produce.

It helps me determine what I must buy organic, especially when not all organic things can be bought.

http://www.foodnews.org/release.php

A free copy of this guide, so you can print it for your fridge, can be gotten here too.

http://www.foodnews.org/

tvillemom

01-02-2007, 09:03 AM

Good Morning!! :D

I can't believe I inspired the song!! :p I was actually hearing the song in my head.....
I'm looking forward to this years beach trip in June, and I wanna be
HOT HOT HOT!!
Anyway, today is Day 2, and I've kicked caffeine OUT...not looking forward to the side affects of that! :o How is everyone else doing?
Today's food plan is:
smoothie
salad
Dinner???? I would like to make something good??? Easy, quick, any suggestions. I think I will look for an easy, quick, pizza crust and make a pizza for dinner. Small pizza crusts....OR maybe that SPICY, HOT, GUACAMOLE with crackers!!! Oh yeah, so many choices, so little time...oh well, there is always tomorrow!
Ya'll have a great day!!
Wendi

cheri

01-02-2007, 09:05 AM

I'm jumping in today....jan 2.....will give me a full 30 days for the month. Meet with nutritionist this afternoon. Hubby is joining also.......I hope!!

tvillemom

01-02-2007, 10:00 AM

Good luck to you today cheri! Welcome to the board, and the challenge. I love this group, we have alot of fun, and give each other lots of support! I couldn't have made it without them! :D
Wendi

Allie

01-02-2007, 10:08 AM

Morning everyone! I made it through day 1, and i'm excited for day 2.... here's what I ate yesterday and what i'm going to eat today.
Yesterday:
raw applesauce
marinated greens /salad
almond butter balls
carrot cake
avocado cups (mmmmm sooo goood!) :D
green smoothie
herbal tea

Today:
green smoothie
fruit
Big salad
Almond butter balls/or raw maple icecream

Goodluck everyone!

elian

01-02-2007, 10:53 AM

... I'm a little late, but count me in on this challenge. The last few weeks have been up and down for me food wise :-( I completed over 40 or more days 100% (I stopped counting) raw, then let myself have just a little of this and a little of that... and it hasn't been good. I've still eaten a lot of raw food, but not 100%.

Yesterday I took a raw pizza to my parent's. They served the traditional greens, black eyed peas, cornbread and such dinner. I did have small portions of each along with my pizza. Afterwards I felt the heavy full feeling of SAD food.

On a good note last night. Hubby made me a tall glass of carrot/apple juice. It was ok.

Today I had a wonderful pineapple/blackberry/banana/grape smoothie. However... while passing the kitchen at work I was driven to taste a chocolate... why did I let myself do that??? I just don't understand. I feel controlled by food sometimes. Anyway it was way to sweet. I thought about spitting it out. I immediately got my bell pepper to eat and some water to dilute the sweetness. I've brought lots of great raw food including pizza leftovers and such to eat on today. I'm still having warm food cravings. Why is this soooo hard right now?

Thanks for letting me vent. I will eat my pizza now.

rawwannabe

01-02-2007, 10:58 AM

Since I posted b'fast and lunch yesterday, I'll post what I consumed after that:

Dinner: organic salad w/ Alissa's dressing & 1/2 Glaser Farms Sunburger (tasty!) and a few Glaser's Curried Nori chips (also yum!)

B'fast...coffee is still a part of my routine, so I DID have dairy. I don't think coffee w/ homemade almond milk will cut it. I hope to eliminate this addiction very soon, as it's the only thing between me and 100%. After two hrs, a bowl or raw granola w/ almond milk.

Onward and upward!

BTW, those before and after picture pics posted were quite inspiring! I encourage others to post more. Thanks, in advance!

**jessireebob**

01-02-2007, 11:29 AM

Hi all! I didn't realise that these challenges were 'THE' 30 day challenges. tvillemom just invited me to come on over and join (Thanks Tvillemom!!) so here I am.

I was mostly raw last month, but ate cooked over the holiday. Managed to be sugar free though except for one day (yesterday...) which is a huuuge feat for me.

I want to do this 30 days challenge to see how I feel at the end of it. To see if I feel less depressed, more energized, etc. I have had insomnia since chldhood, been obese since childhood, had depression since childhood. I've gotten healthier and healthier over the last year or so (ran my first sprint triathlon this summer!! and have lost a total of 85 pounds since my highest about 10 years ago) but I still can't sleep and I'm still deeply depressed and I'm still very overweight. I believe eating this way is a part of the answer.

My plan for the month:
- say my goals/affirmations out loud at least once daily
- minimum 60 minutes of exercise, 6 days a week
- meditate at least 20 min daily
- eat raw and vegan (one cooked meal per week)
- attend at least 3 yoga classes per week

Thanks for allowing me to join you guys! I look forward to it.

Oh, PS - I do keep a journal/blog (link in my signature) but it's more about the emotional issues related to eating raw. Or rather, the emotional issues related to being alive! :) Feel free to read, but it might be a bit boring for those who don't really know me....

Thanks again! Look forward to getting to know you all this month!

Vegan Princess

01-02-2007, 01:02 PM

Jessirebob: you might reconsider that one cooked meal/week. I find when I eat something cooked I want to continue eating more cooked food. It might make it harder for you. Your call. Alissa talks about it in the book and I find it to be true for me also.

Good morning everyone. I have today off of work b/c the markets are closed to mourn President Ford's passing. I did a morning yoga class. It was AWESOME! Definately the best morning class I've done...it's always much harder for me early in the day b/c my body doesn't like to move and it's harder to breath when i first wake up. I plan on going back later for a 2nd class.

Having a green smoothie right now. Gonna pick out a recipe or two to make today. Hope everyone is feeling HOT HOT HOT!

**jessireebob**

01-02-2007, 02:22 PM

swingbolder

01-02-2007, 03:11 PM

Hi everyone,

I guess I'm in this thread too as well as the other one! Can't get enuf of a good thing I guess.

My goals for the month:

-20 minute walk each day, preferably outside but on my treadmill if need be

-to continue water fasting for 24 hours every Sunday

-to continue staying 100% raw, adding the option of one cooked meal on Friday, followed by "just juice Saturdays." Saturdays will be a juice day whether or not I exercise that cooked meal option on Fridays, as it's a good way to get rid of all the extra stuff in my fridge like carrots and celery and peppers and such that tend to hang around too long. It's also a good way to ease into my fasting Sundays.

-to continue meditating daily

swingbolder

01-02-2007, 03:18 PM

Hi Vegan Princess,
Thanks for the input. You know, I've gone back and forth on the matter. But I think I've decided, given my history with food and with all or nothing, 100% thinking, that I'd prefer to approach eating raw as somethign that should be done as close to 100% as possible,

I am trying this approach as well. I've been at this raw thing for two years now, and the pattern for me has been: 100% raw for several months, followed by going crazy eating cooked for a month or two or so, then all my old health problems come back, then I go raw and detox again, stay raw for several months, go back to cooked, get sick again, etc.

I see this pattern and want to try something different for myself as this all-or-nothing approach, at this point in my life, is not sustainable for me. It's just way too disruptive to my health going back and forth. If I indulge in my old foods every once in awhile followed by weekend fasting, which is already a habit (for both health and spiritual reasons) I won't go crazy and have a cooked-food binge-fest for several days/weeks. It's an experiment, but it's worth a try.

Vegan Princess

01-02-2007, 03:38 PM

SWINGBOLDER AND JESSIREEBOB: I'll be watching your expirement. It would be nice to know I could eat a cooked vegan meal on occassion while out on a date or something and not backslide. I just feel like b/c I'm so new at it, I need to keep raw as much as possible. I still am having issues with the idea of going on dates to nice restaurants and just ordering a salad.

misslinda

01-02-2007, 06:02 PM

RAW is HOT !!!!

Hmmmmmm, had a great morning at PT.
One of my neck vertebraes keep inverting and makes it hard
for me to swallow and sleep--so I'm feeling better right now.
Gonna spend some time relaxing and meditating.

So this morning, I had some lemon water,penta water and kombucha.

shredded lettuce/alfalfa and lemon juice

PeachyMama

01-02-2007, 06:26 PM

Love your new picture, Miss Linda!

I had a very green day today ... green smoothie and broccoli salad so far. I might have a slice or too of this really yummy looking expensive tomato I splurged on today at the supermarket if the munchies hit me later. They always do.

I would really like to transition to not eating this late ... maybe following a no food after 6:00 pm type of rule.

I'm feeling less HOT HOT HOT these days on raw ... I realized that I haven't had a hot flash in weeks! A new record for me! WHOOT!!!!

DharmaGirl

01-02-2007, 06:26 PM

Hi Everyone!

MissLinda - so glad you had some relief from PT... sorry you're struggling so much with your health... i'll be sending you healing energy; please look for it in your meditation ;) ... I leave for Disney on the 19th and will be staying until the 27th... I'm sure I can get lotsa tropical fruit and fresh salads... I think I'll make a big trail mix to bring and have for the week.... any other suggestions from anyone????????????????

I,too, have been having a hard time going 100% again :mad: ....I'm eating about 85% , but seems I just can't resist those cooked things since falling off wagon on the 31st; the day we were in "limbo" :eek:

Foods eaten today:

Green smoothie
crunchy green apple
green salad w/celery, tomato, apple, romaine
tangerine
persimmon
4-5 bites cooked food
clementine juice

Hope you're all RAWKIN 'round the clock ..... So great to see so many new people joining in this challenge and of course to see all you December Disco Divas back in action :cool: :D

Peace and Joy!

DharmaGirl

01-02-2007, 06:30 PM

Whoa, MissLinda...

You must've JUST changed your picture... I just looked at it before my previous post and it was not the color one!!!!!!!

LOOKIN GREAT!!!- keep up the rawkin great work ;)

swingbolder

01-02-2007, 08:19 PM

I hope you feel better soon MissL.

intake today:

green smoothie
lemonade
chocolate pudding cup
avocado
mango
kale chips

hawaiigal

01-02-2007, 09:14 PM

Ok I have my ticker up and running and my new Avatar...So I am starting the challenge - well actually started 100% yesterday. I will keep going as long as it takes to reach my goal weight.

I have not been 100% for the last 6 months - maybe 80% but with alot of transgressions on nights out to restaurants etc and my weight is back up where I rather it wasnt. I have a closet full of clothes I cannot fit anymore etc and I am very excited about the prospect of feeling better and slimming down.

I am a bit of a lurker and dont post too much - however I will try to be more active on this board - it has been a huge help to me so far with so much information and support.

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w50PBP6/weight.png

PATH301

01-02-2007, 09:21 PM

Hello everybody :D

I did great today!
my intake:
prior to breakfast - 9 oz of spring water
B - banana's - 1 orange - 1 organic apple - grape seed oil - ACV - organic cinamon - raw honey
L - just spring water 9 oz and 4 oz of prune juice
D - spinach leaves - tomatos - mushrooms - olive oil with basil and thyme and o sea salt and garlic - 9 oz of spring water = S.W.
my snack was more ice cold s.w.

I agree with PeachyMama,

I would really like to transition to not eating this late ... maybe following a no food after 6:00 pm type of rule.
I used to not eat after 7pm or so but over the holidays, that rule flew out the window. So I'm reimplementing that again.

Hey misslinda -
I'm glad your PT went well this morning :)
wrap your self up in those famous crystals of yours ;)
Did you get my vm and email?
I also will be seeing you in the energy field :D

swingbolder - good to seeya

Vegan Princess

01-02-2007, 09:21 PM

Misslinda: YOU are HOT, not just raw! :p

Dharmagirl...I would dehyrdate a lot of chips and crackers to bring as well. If you have a rental car, go shopping for fresh fruit for your hotel room. And maybe some lara bars? I'm going to Kauai at the end of the month..I plan on bringing those things and loving all the fruit!

Today I made MaRaw's chocolate chewies...they taste just like macaroons. Still in the dehydrator, but I LOVED licking the spoon. Also made yam chips and 1/2 a recipe worth of the infamous blueberry pie (haven't tasted it yet).

I made it to my 2nd yoga class of the day!! Man did my muscles burn. But it felt great. :D

Food today:
green smoothie
jicama
raw saurkraut
1/2 avocado
salad w/alissa's creamy italian dressing - the BEST dressing i've ever had!
slice of blueberry pie

cheri

01-02-2007, 09:56 PM

Made it through the first day. Ate 2 apples, 1 orange, 1banana, large mixed salad, 1 tomatoe and some cashews. Sad to say the cashews were roasted so I threw them out and bought raw. Walked 3 miles. Almost pure today. Hubby is going raw also.

misslinda

01-02-2007, 10:07 PM

<<<< 911 Group Huddle >>>>>

I am so LMFDAO...........ya'll are way tooooooooooo kind but my "new" avatar is an old pic of me when I use to be able to run 10-15 miles a day!!!

I was sporting about 103 lbs but still could have used to lose another 10-12 lbs since I'm short. Don't get me wrong, during my ED days I was skinnier so don't think I am ((( warped )))) I'm thinking in terms of RAW weight results now since I was 100% raw for 6 months and balanced between 96-101 depending on intake during the summer then fudged in late August.

I was naturally high raw vegetarian before I new raw during that picture. I'm trying to stay positive and know that I will have those running strides again......so UGhhhhhhhhhhhhh I don't look like that today. :p

I'm rather--how should I say
" bamboozled " :D I haven't been able to color my hair in almost several years cuz of these neck and back issues HA!

Thank you all for the healing vibes.....most accepting and wishing you all blesings and miracles everyday. :)

HEE HEE Path, I jsut came online and prior,was collecting all my crystals---I think were having our telepathic moments again :p

Hawaiigal, SO GLAD TO SEE YOU CHICKADEE !!! how did you put your ticker there in the actual photo sense?

Peachymama, no HOT flashes??? :p Cold shower tonite? ;)
Dharmagirl, I'd imagine with all the FUN and walking around with Disney, you will be so busy that you will not have time to eat bad.......I would suggest too what Veganprincess offered.........your own personal raw platter of fruits in your hotel room. "Fruit A La Carte de Madame Dharmagirl" :D

Morn

01-02-2007, 10:12 PM

I am at work right now but decided to peek my head in for a few to post my food intake for today. I will have to find some time to read all of the posts - just don't have the time right now. So I say hi to all the new people and all of my current friends that were in last months challenge and look forward to getting to know you all! Anyway food eaten today:

small piece of rye manna bread with almond butter and honey
stawberry, banana, kiwi, pineapple, and orange smoothie
fruit salad made of canteloupe, honeydew melon, cherries, pineapple
dinner salad
trail mix of nuts, seeds and raisens

Elian - Welcome back!!! - Thanks for your email! So glad you are with us again!

girlsmiley

01-02-2007, 10:12 PM

Yes, MissLinda ... you are naturally HOT, HOT, HOT :D Sending *~*~*~* healing prayers *~*~*~* your way ...

Regarding the eating the "one cooked meal" issue ... in one of Victoria Boutenko's books she talks about the percentage of absorption one gets when eating raw. The more nutrients you absorbe the less your body needs to eat. So, according to her, if you are 99% RAW you are absorbing 3% of the nutrients from the food you eat. However, if you are 100% raw you will be absorbing 30% of their nutrients. That is a huge difference for a 1% change. I don't know how long after eating cooked your system has to adjust before getting the better absorption rate again. This is something I think about once in a while, especially when I'm wanting to be 100% ... which is my goal for January. We are all different and I surely don't judge anyone who eats cooked ... I just wanted to share that tidbit ... :)

DharmaGirl - what is working for me is fasting ... by not eating and just drinking juices, water, etc. I have been less tempted for cooked food and more tempted by raw food :eek: as in the cauiflower that my son purchased ... I just had to grab some!

Today's intake:

Juice of 3 carrots, 5 kale leaves, 1 apple
Some cauliflower

I made some potato chips yesterday with my spirooli thing ... I did the curly fry shape and them some slices ... boy, do they shrink up! What I have now are something that looks like shoe string potatoes and they are hard ... they look like they would be good on a salad ... lol :-)

I've got some flax seed crackers going in my dehydrator right now. I decided to make them after I juiced and I wanted to put the pulp in the crackers. I know I was going to try to do more fasting, and I will. I know the crackers will store OK. Although, I've got some sunflower seeds soaking to make refried beans. LOL :D AND, for lunch tomorrow I needed to use a package of organic romaine salad, so I made some taco meat from RAWvolution to make a taco salad and added some tomato and onion (my avocado is not ripe yet) and since I want to really do 100% raw this month I'm staying away from the olives until I can get some raw ones from Alissa.

I know I could have blended that bag of salad and made it into a green smoothie. However, I still have one bunch of sad looking kale :( in the fridge so I will be using that in my smoothie tomorrow.

Nighty Nite!

misslinda

01-02-2007, 11:38 PM

Finish Line today:

finished the day with 2 fuji apples Yummmmmmmmmmmmmy.

Lemon water and Penta

Another helping of alfalfa/shredded lettuce with Kombucha tea as dressing
;)

misslinda

01-02-2007, 11:54 PM

Hit Song for Day 3

WARNING: MAY INDUCE DESIRE TO WEAR LEG WARMERS AND STRIPED LEOTARD

Song: Flashdance..."What a Feeling"

First, when there's nothing but a slow glowing dream
That your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind
All alone I have cried silent tears full of pride
In a world made of steel, made of stone

Well I hear the music, close my eyes, feel the rhythm
Wrap around, take a hold of my heart

[Chorus:]
What a feeling, bein's believin'
I can't have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life
Take your passion, and make it happen
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

[Solo]

Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm
In a flash it takes hold of my heart

[chorus (with ... "now I'm dancing through my life")]

What a feeling

What a feeling (I am music now), bein's believin' (I am rhythm now)
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life
What a feeling (I can really have it all)
What a feeling (Pictures come alive when I call)
I can have it all (I can really have it all)
Have it all (Pictures come alive when I call)
(call, call, call, call, what a feeling) I can have it all
(Bein's believin') bein's believin'
(Take your passion, make it happen) make it happen
(What a feeling) what a feeling...

It doesn't matter what you ate yesterday!!!! Keep movin and groovin to the RHYTHM OF LIFE :) ;)

girlsmiley

01-03-2007, 08:01 AM

:D Thank you MissLinda for the song today!

Oh What a Feeling it is when I am eating RAW, respecting my body, and giving it what it needs to LIVE!

I could hardly sleep last night because my body was buzzing ... I haven't been like that since I started my raw journey ... What a Feeling!

Plan for today:

Green smoothie - banana, 2 oranges, 4 leaves of kale
Taco salad - organic romaine salad blend, RAWvolution taco meat, roma tomato, onion

Vegan Princess

01-03-2007, 08:35 AM

Good morning all! I think I have a cold or am experiencing detox. Can't stop blowing my nose. :(

But on the upside, I lost 1/2 pound since Friday. Down to 127...for a total of 7 lbs lost since starting raw a lil over a month ago. :D

Have a great day everyone! I'm actually sort of glad to be back at work today. Sort of.

tvillemom

01-03-2007, 09:02 AM

Good morning everyone! It's almost 10 am, and me and the kids are getting a LATE start. I haven't had breakfast yet, but I plan to have a green smoothie. I guess I'll have to post my foods for today, tomorrow.
Yesterday's food was:
B: water
Lunch: 2 bananas cut up and drizzled with honey
Dinner: salad, key lime pie slice

I made some of Alissa's Easiest pizza crust, I made them "mini" pizza's and have to make the rest of the "stuff" to put on the crust and dehydrate....I know there will be pizza for dinner! :D I've been craving that old favorite, gooey cheese, so I hope the raw version (I've never made before! :rolleyes: ) turns out RAWESOME! I'm using RP's recipe for cheese....and I'm going to top with "stir dried" onions and mushrooms!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Anyway, ya'll have a great day!
Wendi

girlsmiley

01-03-2007, 10:09 AM

Have a great day everyone! I'm actually sort of glad to be back at work today. Sort of.
I have the same feeling ... I think it's easier for me to be RAW when I'm at home and there aren't all these temptations ... !!!

And, sorry to hear about your detox. Not fun. I went through that after about the same amount of time being raw. Seemed like everything was great for the first month and then I got *sick* ... so folks at work were like, "I thought you weren't supposed to get sick when you eat raw..." ... so you try to explain detox ... :confused:

Anyway, I didn't take anything OTC-wise. I spent 2 days at home so I could rest and on those days I drank water with lemon and honey and took a teaspoon of honey once or twice a day. Seems like it hung on longer than I expected, yet, for detox I guess I can understand why it did that.

swingbolder

01-03-2007, 10:18 AM

So, according to her, if you are 99% RAW you are absorbing 3% of the nutrients from the food you eat. However, if you are 100% raw you will be absorbing 30% of their nutrients. That is a huge difference for a 1% change.

Yes, I read that book too, I love all of Victoria Boutenko's books. Remember though that Boutenko is also very adamant on the point that people should use their own bodies and experiences as the final authority during their raw journey. . .over the advice of any raw guru.

Realistically looking at my situation and my personality and where I'm at right now, eating a cooked meal under very disciplined circumstances will be less damaging and disrupting to me healthwise than eating 100% for long stretches of time then going on cooked food jags for weeks at a time, going raw again and repeating this cycle over and over. My goal one day is to be 100% forever, but with this "cooked meal once a week" option I am just devising a different and perhaps saner and healthier route for ME to get there. Not trying to convince anyone else that this is "the way to go." ;)

My plan is not to obsess and fetishize this one cooked meal (should I choose to eat it on Fridays) by thinking about it incessantly the other six days of the week but the goal rather is to NOT let my desire for those foods get totally out of hand and build up to the point where I can't control myself anymore, thinking I just GOTTA have some cooked food, and then I end up Last Suppering my way through the next six weeks. This has been my pattern in the past. Until I can honestly tell myself that I'm fine with never eating, say, sushi, or homemade biscuits ever again, this is the way I'm going to play it. Like I said it's an experiment. I'm committed to raw food for life, have to be, bc I have too many health problems to ever go back to being cooked again. But to keep repeating the same sorry pattern over and over without tweaking the strategy somewhat just doesn't make sense to me.

girlsmiley

01-03-2007, 10:33 AM

But to keep repeating the same sorry pattern over and over without tweaking the strategy somewhat just doesn't make sense to me.
I agree with you 100%.

I think your plan is a great one and I am looking forward to you reporting your results ... wondering how many of those meals you might just skip because you didn't need them at that point. I also believe that the planned fast for the next day would help with cravings that may get stirred up after the cooked meal.

I remember reading about a woman who said she stays raw for 30 days and then goes off for one day, then goes back on raw for 30 days, etc. etc. Knowing that if she is hankering for something cooked she can hold on until that 31st day gets there.

So far I've never made it even 30 days being raw and I cannot remember how many days in a row I went. I know that I used a lot of black olives that weren't raw and I don't know if I really *care* ... it's just that for now I will avoid them so I can reap the benefits of 30 days raw. I don't want to even entertain the thought that I may slip somewhere along the way, it is possible. Right now I am trying my hardest to keep my focus. If I can accomplish this it will be a great victory for me :)

What is great about this whole thing is that because no two of us are the same, our diets won't be either. It is what works for us that will work for us!

Faithfullyfit

01-03-2007, 11:45 AM

Hey RFT friends...... I have missed being here!

I was gone for awhile (Fell HARD!) got busy with life, stress and stuff. I think I became to hard on myself for struggling and for some reason (RAW has shown me alot about my character ;) ) I am an ALL or NOTHING personality-UGH! I know that I NEED to be RAW- it feels so amazing and clear! So, I am back and hoping I can join in.

I just returned from Los Angeles for the holidays and ate at Julianos.............OMG!!!!!!!!! YUMMMY :D also tried Leaf Cuisine- (ok but not that great....they do make great flax crackers though!)

I am hoping everyone has been well and I love the positive energy that flows on the forum.

Happy NEW Year!
Much LOVE and Many BLESSINGS!

berrymarymac

01-03-2007, 11:48 AM

yey...so today is my first day back on the diet since September 2006! I'm sooo happy right now because I get to eat amazing food! I just had a smoothie consisting of 2 bananas, cup of frozen mixed berries and some OJ, which was not raw.

I am going to the market today...so I will have things to eat. mmm, good times!!

misslinda

01-03-2007, 11:56 AM

:) Faithfully Fit , never too late!!! Great to have you with us Chickadee!!!!
I totally understand the whole personality take--ALL OR NOTHING ....what a gamble on ourselves!!!! :p

:) Mrandal, WOO HOO on strong start--Yummyy!!!!!!!!!

**jessireebob**

01-03-2007, 12:37 PM

Last night I ate some handfuls my roommate's of junk food (Pirate's Booty), which i don't even normally eat whether I'm trying to eat raw or not! This was clearly mental/emotional. Normally I scoff at the idea of her eating "healthy junk food" and am horrified by the label. Last night I was drawn to it... I kept sneaking handfuls even though there was no one to sneak FROM (except myself)...

I also ate popcorn which is my addiction. In fact, it's so much an addiction that I think perhaps I have a corn allergy.

But today I am back on the horse. And there's no more pocorn kernals in the house, so I can't make more popcorn tonight. And I went to the gyno today and talked about PCOS and other health issues and it reminded me that I WANT to eat this way. She even agreed to let me have my gluten tolerance and glucose tolerance tests done at the end of the month (I had them done a few months ago and they showed gluten intolerance and insulin resistance). So I've got incentive to do this right, AND a way to objectively see if it's making a difference.

I know I am new here and I don't know you all the way you know one another, and I'm sorry to be blabbing a lot of info. I just really believe that eating this way can help with my eating disorder and can help with other lifelong problems, and so reminding myself by expressing it publicly is (HOPEFULLY!) helping me remember why this is improtant...

so far today:
smoothie (banana, avo, frozen berries, kale, water)
handful pepitas
handful dried apples and pears
1 clementine

lunch will be:
onion bread with guac

dinner will be:
spiralled zuch wilted a bit in dehydrator
slice frozen berry pie

misslinda

01-03-2007, 02:13 PM

girlsmiley

01-03-2007, 02:18 PM

I kept sneaking handfuls even though there was no one to sneak FROM (except myself)...
I can sure relate to that as I did that last month with some cooked food ... shoveling it in my mouth and practically swallowing it whole in case someone caught me! :eek: Thing is, if anyone would have *caught* me it would have been my son or his girlfriend and neither one of them would have judged me for eating what I did. crazy, crazy ...

I also ate popcorn which is my addiction.
Oh, yes, popcorn is one of my addictions too. When I would go to the movies with friends I'd get the biggest bucket and largest diet soda and tell them, "I don't share my popcorn." The past few movies I've gone to I have not gotten popcorn, I brought some seasoned nuts that I had made instead. I also like to have some PURE bars with me (http://www.thepurebar.com/) the chocolate brownie is my favorite.

She even agreed to let me have my gluten tolerance and glucose tolerance tests done at the end of the month (I had them done a few months ago and they showed gluten intolerance and insulin resistance). So I've got incentive to do this right, AND a way to objectively see if it's making a difference.
That is great. When I first started my raw journey I went to the Dr for a scheduled diabetic checkup and he wanted to put me on insulin. I explained my dietary changes and he agreed to let me go until the next appointment before *making* me add that medication. YeeHa! Even with not being *perfect* for those 3 months my A1c went from 7.3 to 5.6 :D

I know I am new here and I don't know you all the way you know one another, and I'm sorry to be blabbing a lot of info. I just really believe that eating this way can help with my eating disorder and can help with other lifelong problems, and so reminding myself by expressing it publicly is (HOPEFULLY!) helping me remember why this is improtant...
Blabber away! That's what we are here for ... ;)
And, that's how we get to know each other ... no worries :p
I *lurked* around here for the first 2 months ... it wasn't until I really participated in the November challenge that I started to get to know others :)

rawwannabe

01-03-2007, 04:45 PM

Yesterday's "eats":

raw granola w/ almond milk
kale/celery/apple juice
a few curried nori crackers (Glaser)
romaine lettuce w/ Caesar dressing from Alissa's book (SO good! YUM!)
1/2 Glaser's sunburger
a bit of Alissa's Blueberry cheesecake w/o crust. I didn't measure & wound up putting in too much honey.

As a result of all of these nuts, I am quite bloated today and interesting;ly enough I put on a pound or two. Hmmmmm....

Today, two cups of joe thus far, but I am down from 4/5 cups per day, so I'm not being too hard on myself.

raw granola w/ almond milk
a spoon full of caesar dressing (yes, it's that good)
almond milk/organic cocoa and banana shake
some sesame nori crackers and a blood orange.
For dinner I plan to have a big romaine salad w/ caesar dressing and some avo sliced on top. Perhaps a bit of "cheesecake" for dessert.

I know that Alissa says that in the beginning one should just eat, but do you guys think this is too nut heavy? I'm actually not eating that much insofar as quantity is concerned.

Despite the coffee, I am a bit "detox-y", but hey, that's good news, right?

tvillemom

01-03-2007, 04:49 PM

Hey all. Had popcorn this afternoon....and I feel miserable. I wanted soooo much for today to be 100%, AND no caffeine.....instead, I think I was concentrating on "giving up" something, and freaked and fixed popcorn instead. I'm tired of the cycle. I will plan lots of food for tomorrow....time to move on. My health will not change, if I keep doing the same thing over, and over, and over again!!
Lots of love to you all.
Welcome back Faithfullyfit!
Hi Misslinda....hope you are feeling well!
Girlsmiley: I remember us "laughing" last month at sneaking cooked food ;)
jessireebob: I hate feeling like an addict. I'm ready to kick it "out" and get on with life. I think I am going to come up with some type of short, maybe 5 minute workout...yoga or pushups, or SOMETHING that I can do with minimal equipment to pass the "craving" time
I also think I have PMS...which is making today HARD as far as cravings go! :(
Anyway....have the best "rest" of the day!
Wendi

girlsmiley

01-03-2007, 06:02 PM

I know that Alissa says that in the beginning one should just eat, but do you guys think this is too nut heavy? I'm actually not eating that much insofar as quantity is concerned.
In the beginning I ate a lot of nuts too ... it was what felt *satisfying* ... probably from the fat as my *favorite* nut is the pecan :p

I don't know how much weight you want to lose (hummmm, I just thought of using the word "release" instead of "lose" like I've seen other people do because if I lose it I SURE don't want to find it again :eek: ) or if you are exercising. I find I lose weight the best when I am exercising ... :rolleyes:

After you are doing this for a while you will find what works for you ... some days will be simple and some days will be "nut" heavy :D

Girlsmiley: I remember us "laughing" last month at sneaking cooked food ;)
I sure do ... and I giggle every time I think about it!

PeachyMama

01-03-2007, 06:30 PM

For those of you who have been doing this a while, how long has it taken you to prefer simpler things?

I'm finding, that even with limiting the amount of nuts, I am still making dishes (mostly all veggie) that are complex mixes of flavors and textures simply because I. LOVE. FOOD.

I want food to be fun in the context of enjoying it, but I want to get out of the need for exciting blends of flavor and texture. I know it's too soon for me to be asking for this to happen. I've had 44 years of eating poorly, and only 3 weeks of being raw!

The reason I'm going into all of this is that I made Alissa's Mock Tuna today. Well, sorta, as I didn't have any almond butter, so I had to start with almonds and add a little water to make almond sauce instead :p I made a small amount for lunch ... and only had about 1/4 cup nuts/seeds combined, but ... man oh man, the texture thing with the alfalfa sprouts, and that yummy dressing/sauce when I made a sandwich of it on flax crackers!!!!! I could have that every day!

And I feel guilty for feeling that way :(

Thanks for letting me vent...

Intake today:

Breakfast: 1 banana
Lunch: Mock Tuna Salad and Flax crackers
Dinner: Small bowl of pineapple and strawberries - 20 minute wait, then romaine/alfalfa sprout/cucumber/carrot salad with a little avo/lemon juice dressing

And I am done. I finished before 6:00 pm Eastern Time, and am going to try to do that every day. If I feel like something later, I'll have lemon water or some tea.

Congrats on your half pound loss, VeganPrincess!

IamLoved

01-03-2007, 06:31 PM

Well three days into the challenge and all is well.

I made an interesting ravioli with marinated portabella mushrooms as a stuffing with a mock cheese filling and some tomato sauce on top. It was good, a little bit too salty, so I'll have to cut back next time. I assembled all the raviolis and then put them in the dehydrater to warm up. Funny thing is I would have been just as happy with something simple. I have been having trouble with salads lately here. They are not sitting well with me. But I am getting lots of fruit in.

I also have decided not to be a slave to the scale. It ends up dissapointing me if I don't lose as much as I think I should have. Once a month, that's it!

I hope everyone is doing good!

everclear

01-03-2007, 06:33 PM

I've been terrible the past two days. :( But today i've been good, and today I will stick to this! My problem is i'm running out of food... I need to get to the grocery store like yesterday!

I got Alissa's book and dvd in the mail today, yay! I was watching the dvd, and omg, the spaghetti with marinara sauce looks AWESOME! I definately want to make that!

Morn

01-03-2007, 06:47 PM

My day off - Yeah right! Well today I had to volunteer in my daughter's preschool this morning after only getting 4 1/2 hours (I got home from work at 4:00 a.m.) of sleep. Then I was off to pick up the A girl at school, randevou with the hubby so he could get her to go to church tonight and then I picked up a few more fruits at my favorite vegtable market. This time I was excited to get strawberries. A whole quart for $1.19. I couldn't believe it. They also look so good. This hasn't been a totally raw day as my daughter had to have a happy meal at McDonalds for dinner and then she didn't finish her fries. So the temptation won and I ate some cooked french fries. They weren't even that good like I remember them to be. I could taste the coating of grease and heavy salt on them. O well maybe next time I will be stronger. The biggest problem was that all I had to eat before the temptation was a lara bar and I was hungry. Well I have to go and exercise. I am going to work out with a tape from my home. Foods eaten:

lara bar
greentea with pomogranite juice
frenchfries
hummus with carrots
Maybe some stawberries after I exercise

rawwannabe

01-03-2007, 07:59 PM

Thanks, girlsmiley!

I couldn't finish my romaine salad. Too full. If the past few days are any indication, I'll be hungry two hours from now.

Vegan Princess

01-03-2007, 08:15 PM

Girlsmiley...good to know detox hit you a month or so in. I didn't know when to expect it. I hardly get sick and here I am sick for the 2nd time in a week! No worries though...I'm getting through just fine. Cept my nose is starting to really hurt from blowing it!

Peachymama: I have only been 100% raw for a month and 3 days. :o By Christmas I found I didn't like some of the prepared things I made for my mom...they were too rich. A lot of times I'll just eat a red pepper and hummus for dinner or a spiced up jicama and some juice. I never ever thought I could be satisfied eating this way, but this is what I have been craving! This coming from a *former* binger!! The idea of a binge has not even crossed my mind since becoming raw!

Food today:
soaked oatmeal w/mango and pecans
yam chips
apple
salad w/avocado and lemon juice
banana
sunflower seeds
jicama and tomato on bed of greens w/creamy italian drissled on top
gonna eat some maraw chewies for dessert - SO delicious!!

Congratulations on day 3 everyone!

rawdicious

01-03-2007, 09:06 PM

HEy all! I just joined yesterday and started 100% yesterday! I'm going for the 30 day challenge, been on raw 70% since October, did a 7 day juice fast, and resumed eating mostly vegan/raw, but my weakness are cholocate chip cookies and chips. I've learned to make my own version of cholocate sweets and indulgences which I have daily but healthy in raw. Have read your posts and learned a lot from all of you. Very excited to be part of this
Rawdicious

cheri

01-03-2007, 09:26 PM

Day 2 for hubby and me and we have remained totally raw and exercised. I walked 3 miles yesterday and 3 today!!! Last night I put barley flakes, kamut flakes, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, dates and figs in a bowl of water. This morning I put everything in the blender with a bit of the soaking water and blended well. It looked like a porridge and was very tasty although we both thought it would have been much better warm. I served it with blueberries. During the day I ate a banana, apple, nut/fruit mixture and large salad. I have not felt hungry. :)

Vegan Princess

01-03-2007, 09:31 PM

Rawdicious: welcome!

Cheri: you can put your bowl of porridge in the dehydrator for a bit to warm it up. I haven't tried it yet though since I eat my soacked oatmeal at work...I'm learning to like it room temp.

PATH301

01-03-2007, 09:33 PM

Just checking in real quick then off to dream world :D

b- bananas - oragnes- apples - grape seed oil - cinamon - ACV - 10 oz of s.w.
S - an apple
L - small salad - 10 oz of s.w.
S - an oragne
D - some bananas - 10 oz of s.w.

went to the gym did a quick hour work out. - feelin great :D

misslinda

01-03-2007, 09:50 PM

Song for Day 4

"I'm A Survivor" by Jo Dee Messina

I was born a believer, biggest dreamer this world has ever seen
Ready to face most anything but learn that I was naive
Ran into things in life that I never planned
But that's made me who I am

I've had highs and lows and seen my share of ups and downs
There's been nights it seemed there wasn't a friend to be found
I've had to save myself from drowning in a sea of tears.
But I'm still here

('Cause) I, I'm a survivor
I won't let it get the best of me, I'll try my very best to be that strong
Oh, oh, oh, I, I'm a survivor
And I'll never give up, never let out, never give in
I'll just keep moving on

Oh
I was taught that honesty was simply the only way
I've spoken honestly and had it blow up in my face
Sometimes I look around and I don't know what I see
But I gotta believe in God above and what he's made me

No
I've witnessed pride and ego destroy the kindest of hearts
Seen how greed can take the best of friends and tear them apart
Every corner, every turn, every lesson I have learned
Has helped me find my way

I, I'm a survivor
I won't let it get the best of me, I'll try my very best to be that strong
Oh, oh, oh, I, I'm a survivor
And I'll never give up, never let out, never give in
I'll never give up, never let out, never givin
Oh no I'll, I'll never give up, never let out, never give in
I'll just keep moving on
I'm a survivor
Oh yes I am

RAW SURVIVORS!!!!!!! :p :D :)

misslinda

01-03-2007, 10:06 PM

yes, welcome to a few new ones here !!!!!

I'm feeling the raw energy vibes and I envy some of
you who are dedicating to putting in some exercise time!
Myself, my PT has give me stretching exercise and I do bilateral types of
movements too.

"Get into the Groove!!!" It sure makes a differenece when incorporating exercising.....glad to hear you had a great time Path!

Cheri, ^5 for the walk!

Rawdicious, I admire your clear thinking in preparing for your weaknesses!!!

Veganprincess, yur oatmeal with mango and pecans sound YUmmmmmmmy. I was thinking.....I have a site that has a chart that shows how to stimulate the sinuses. BRB I'll find it for you.

Morn, if I could massage your feet, I would!!! I know what you mean by eating something cooked and not enjoying but eating it anyway.......awesome that you found diversion and will move crazy and wild to burn that crap out!

Everclear, our good friend....don't focus on your terribleness......it's about better,newer,new beginings......YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! :)

Tvillemom, someone else here has a popcorn fetish. NO worries chick!!!!! We have out moments and they too shall dull out and fade away for good. Why do you think you decided to prepare it and eat it? You're right, it is a cycle --a habit that we are so conditioned of and eventually it disappears......RAW SURVIVOR!!!!!! :D

Girlsmiley, WOW thank you for that health tip that Butenko wrote. That I did not know....those firgure sure make a differnece in that 1 percent :eek: Makes one really rethink eating cooked!

Peachymama, I did the same thing when I started raw...I would make elaborate salads with 5-6 ingredients....it took me a few months as my body purified to be attracted to simple foods. At 100% raw, my body like mono meals and now more than 2 ingredients at a time. I didn't feel deprived or anxious.

To everyone else if I have forgotten, I'm so EXCITED!!!! we are all doing soooooooooooooo FANTASTIC! :)

everclear

01-04-2007, 02:52 AM

I did it, I stayed 100% raw today!!!! :D YAY!!! :D :cool:

Okay, i'm off to bed now before I can develop any cravings for cooked food. :p

PATH301

01-04-2007, 04:11 AM

everclear that's "awesome - awesome - awesome" - great work!!!!!

RawPassion

01-04-2007, 07:11 AM

Sorry I'm late but........I'm in! I'm in! I also signed up for the year challenge. I started Jan 1 and so far so good!

girlsmiley

01-04-2007, 07:26 AM

Cept my nose is starting to really hurt from blowing it!
Puffs Plus to the rescue!

swingbolder

01-04-2007, 07:59 AM

Yesterday was my first day back at the gym since hurting my knees last spring. It was great!!!! I'm sore today in all the right places but definitely feel energized by it. I missed doing weight training.

Intake yesterday:

green smoothie
vanilla/tahini/agave/banana shake
kale chips
avocado/dulse/onion w/basil vinaigrette

tvillemom

01-04-2007, 08:06 AM

Good Morning everyone!!
It's soo great to see everyone!
Morn I'm sending you on a much needed vacation...complete with spa treatments.......*#@*....ta da! ;) Are you the one who was doing "Yoga Booty ballet"? If so, I would like to know what the "workout" is like. I'm looking for something with more "dance" but similar to yoga....????
Peachymama Your mock tuna meal sounds great!!! I need to make that soon! I wouldn't worry about getting into simpler meals, just let your body tell you when. I don't see anything wrong with eating RAW "meals" just as long as they are RAW. I think naturally your body will start to crave more mono meals.....but let that happen naturally!! :D
Girlsmiley I need to RELEASE....yes, let me start thinking of my weight that way, never to be picked up again....released like a helium balloon in the air!
cheri I'm so proud of you and hubby! What a great adventure for you, and doing it together.....I'm alittle jealous ;) DH thinks everything (most everything) I make is GREAT, but would never eat "just that", he's a meat and potatoes man....I just feel good that he at least LIKES what I make! What a great way to support each other!
missionarymamato5 your raviolis sound great. What did you use for the "pasta" part?? I am craving heavier foods right now. I have also put my scale up...but I am weighing 1 time a week, where as before, I was weighing EVERYDAY, sometimes 2 times! :o I'm tired of that, and want to make this journey about health, not weight!
Vegan Princess I'm sorry to hear you are "sick", but rejoicing with you at the same time! I bet you feel rawesome when you get better! And yes, puffs plus really helps! ;)
everclear YAY for you! The first days are sometimes the hardest! Hang in there! YOU CAN DO IT!!
rawdicious There's a recipe here somewhere (use the banana search) for fudge...absolutely fabulous! It uses almond butter, cocoa, coconut oil, sweetner (I use honey)and turns out fabulous! I can eat the whole batch...I make mine and add some chopped nuts (like cashews) in....even some peppermint oil over the Christmas holiday!! Way to be prepared.
Misslinda I really have no idea WHY a made the popcorn...I certainly did not make it for my kids, I knew I was making it for me! I know it's just "that time". One day, I will make it through, "that time" and not crave anything. AT LEAST it wasn't a 3 day binge at McDonald's complete WITH chocolate for dessert! (It has been in the past!) So I'm looking at PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION!! Funny, any of my SAD friends or relatives would've seen home popped (at least not microwaved) popcorn as a HEALTHY treat!! LOL!
I've gotta get to the grocery store. Kids are waiting on ME! (I'm usually waiting on them!)
Ya'll have a great day! God Bless you all.
Wendi

misslinda

01-04-2007, 10:34 AM

Good Morning to all you RAWHEADS !!!!!!!

Slept pretty well...in fact,slept with one of my crystals on my stomach last nite. I did a meditation with various crystals on points on my body.

So far, water and kombucha

FYI: Path301 & I will be starting another one of our infamous "fast" mid-January that we will be incorporating to our January Challenge. Anyone who is interested is welcomed!!!!!

Veganprincess, how is your detox?? :) Feeling gradually better?

girlsmiley

01-04-2007, 11:25 AM

FYI: Path301 & I will be starting another one of our infamous "fast" mid-January that we will be incorporating to our January Challenge. Anyone who is interested is welcomed!!!!!
*** girlsmiley jumping up and down *** I'm in! I'm in! :D

I am glad you are getting good rest!

misslinda

01-04-2007, 12:12 PM

*** girlsmiley jumping up and down *** I'm in! I'm in! :D

I am glad you are getting good rest!

Grandioso Grazie Chickadee !!!!!!

* grabs Girlsmiley and jumps up and down too *

((((( b-o-i-n-g ))))) :p :p

Vegan Princess

01-04-2007, 01:19 PM

Good morning guys,

I think I broke a fever during the night. Kept waking up in puddles of sweat but was cold. I decided to stay home today. Got up at 5 and e-mailed my boss, etc and then was dead to the world until 10. I feel much better just after sleeping. I slept 13 hours last night! Will probably nap too. I am trying to drink a lot of juice today as well. My "greens for life" book arrived yesterday (a nice surprise as it wasn't scheduled to arrive until Monday). So I think I will read that today and rest. And do some work from home.

Have a rawesome day 4 everyone!!

swingbolder

01-04-2007, 01:27 PM

I feel much better just after sleeping. I slept 13 hours last night!

Yay! Looks like you're on the upswing.

tvillemom

01-04-2007, 03:13 PM

Misslinda and girlsmiley I wanna join the fast! I am waiting on my new juicer! I can't wait, and I wanna do a day or two of juice NOW, and then I can join you mid-January.....YAY, I feel like I definitely need this to help me get rid of some junk. How many days are you going for? The most I've done is 5 days of juice.......????? Excited and scared!
Wendi

girlsmiley

01-04-2007, 03:36 PM

Vegan Princess - I am glad you are feeling better and got some good rest! :)

On my way in to work I often listen to Oprah & Friends on XM Radio and I enjoy listening to Dr. Oz. This morning he said that when we eat nuts something gets triggered in our intestines (he called it CCK - Critical Craving Killer) that satietiates (sp?) us ... takes away hunger pains, gives the system a sense of satisfaction [sa·ti·e·ty n. The condition of being full or gratified beyond the point of satisfaction] and it only takes 70 calories of nuts to do this, 6 walnuts or 12 almonds or 20 peanuts.

Just wanted to pass that on :D

Today's intake:

Juice of 5 carrots, 5 leaves of kale, 1 apple (shared this with my son)
Green Smoothie (yesterday's smoothie was really thick and chunky and made 1 qt so I had 2 cups for breakfast and brought the rest to work with me and didn't eat it, so I brought it home, added the juice of 5 oranges to it, and it blended up better ... although it grew by 2 cups so I drank 2 cups at home and then brought 2 cups with me which I did drink)
Flax seed crackers with Refried Beans :D

Also, I've been putting in time on my Gazelle ... 20 minutes yesterday and I will do 20 minutes tonight :D

rawwannabe

01-04-2007, 03:43 PM

Craving(!) the savory. I finished the caesar dressing w/ an apple (it felt balanced for some reason). I thought I was a sweet eater...apparently not.

Thus far: raw granola w/ almond milk, leftover romaine, avo (v. little avo) caesar salad from dinner that I absolutely couldn't finish last night. a banana, and then the leftover caesar dressing w/ an apple. I haven't figured out dinner yet. Maybe some flax crackers w/carrot-avo soup. We shall see.

On the way from picking my kids up, I suddenly became ravenous. As we passed an Italian restaurant I expressed my being tempted. So my kids started naming delicious raw dishes I could eat instead. How cute is that?

Hope everyone is doing well!

**jessireebob**

01-04-2007, 04:01 PM

Tvillemom, what is it about popcorn?!?! It's really the most delicious food! I finished up my kernals the other night and have promised myself not to buy more. I may allow popcorn once a week instead of that cooked meal once week (or that may just be a trick I'm plaing on myself to get past withdrawal!), but I'll have to buy just enough for one pot's worth! I just can't seem to resist if it's an accessible option!

Misslinda, I was planning to fast for the Martin Luther King long weekend, since I have Monday off. I'm nervous about it! Maybe I'll join you guys instead...

Girlsmiley, thats so interesting about the nuts. I sometimes find that they kick in a snacking behavior that I find difficult to stop. Maybe next time I should focus on eating them slowly. 6 walnuts. One at a time. Thanks for the info!

Rawwannabe, that's so awesome that you have such great little cheerleaders!

VeganPrincess, glad you're feeling better!

Everyone else, hi!

I was raw all day yesterday! And today as well! Yay!

Does anyone out there find that when they've been raw for a few days, finding food to eat becomes a chore? I find that after just a day or so, I get to a pont where nothing sounds good or satisfying, so I end up just not eating. I'm sure this is a good way to put me into a state where I am too hungry and believe I NEED cooked food... I guess I'm still just working out how to manage this...

Also, after only two days raw my depression seems to be really kicking in. Some of it is hormonal, but I'm wondering if some is the start of detox? This happened the last time I was fully raw. I spent a week feeling sad and crying a lot, and also feeling really angry (an emotion I rarely have access to)... Hope I'm not heading into another week like that. Ugh.

Everyone else seems to be doing great! I love reading about how everyone is doing and what they're eating. So glad to have found this thread!

My food today:
green smoothie (kale, green apple, banana, blueberries, agave, water)
salad (nonraw vinegar)
pepitas, brazil nuts, almonds, raisins
1 chocolate macaroon

IamLoved

01-04-2007, 04:20 PM

Hi guys!

I am glad that everyone is doing good!
tyvillemom - I used zucchinni for the "wrappers". I have tried it with turnip and it just didn't taste very good to me. The zuchinni is a much lighter taste IMHO. Of course if you are going to be starting a fast you won't be trying these anytime soon. Hehehe

tvillemom

01-04-2007, 05:00 PM

Thank you missionarymama....I have some zuchini waiting in the fridge! Maybe I'll make a batch, to be "finished off" by Monday! Thanks for the reply!

jessireebob: I'm dehydrating a batch soaked pumpkin seeds...some of which I will coat with salt and nutritional yeast (I don't use this hardly at all, but thought it would be a better choice than popcorn ;) ) Maybe you could try the same, or something similar....I also like kale chips, but can't find any decent kale :( Still looking! I also have the same problem with NOT eating...getting board, or feeling like it's just too much trouble to fix something. This "go 'round" the challenge, I'm making stuff that can be frozen (like mini pizza crusts) so I can fix pizza for dinner...and not have to worry about making something that you have to dehydrate!! This will make meal planning easier...and quicker!

That's all I have time to "talk" about!
Wendi

PeachyMama

01-04-2007, 06:03 PM

Hi everyone! I always love coming here and reading how everyone else is doing!

Well, I guess all my angst about eating too much food and wanting complex dishes was for nothing. I'm pretty sure a lot of the volume had more to do with that time of the month than anything else. Because the first week I was raw, I wasn't eating a lot. Then PMS hit, and BAM! The part of me that so desperately wants to finally have a healthy relationship with food got nervous ... for no good reason.

I'm going to journal about this so next month's cycle doesn't freak me out!

Today's intake

Breakfast: cereal bowlful of pineapple, strawberries, and banana
Lunch: Romaine/avo/tomato/cuc/carrot/sprout salad with lemon/olive oil (raw)
Dinner: 1/2 a huge green smoothie (2 bananas, large bunch of Swiss chard)

My rebounder finally got here!!!! That's the good news. The bad news is that my ankle is definitely not ready (I broke it BIG TIME six months ago) for more than health bouncing (leaving feet on the trampoline). But at least that's a start. It has been (not counting my PT) AGES since I exercised. I've never really liked it. In fact, eating raw has made me want to move, so I'm not just doing this because I "have to".

Tville mom ... I might have to try a batch of those pumpkin seeds! I bet they'd be killer sprinkled on a salad too.

Gwena

01-04-2007, 07:13 PM

Wow, this is so exciting reading everyones posts!! I've been super busy and not able to post as of late, but all is going great with the challenge.

The craziest thing about this challenge has been how I've been dealing with cravings. Strangly enough, I've been battling them head on by watching Rachel Ray's 40 bucks a day on the Food Network. The more cooked food I see being prepared, the better I feel about not giving into it. Call me a freak, but it's really helped!

I live in Chicago, HELLO, one of the major food capitals of the world. :o I work all over the city, but spend the most of my day on the Magnificant Mile. Could there possible be enough restaurants in this area?!?! I guess not, cuz new ones keep popping up. I'm surrounded by cooked food ALL day long!! Well, hiding from it is definately not an option for me, so I came to the conclusion that I might as well stop trying to hide, and face it head on. Well, interestingly enough, it's working! :p

Though I still crave cooked food, it's not NEARLY as intense as before. My boyfriend once told me that he doesn't want food to have any power over him, and man I so don't either. By doing what I've done, I feel like I'm learning to not give food power by fearing it. I sure hope this continues to work. :D

Food for today has been two salads, a couple kale chips, and two small Acai smoothies.

Wishing everyone continued success!!! :D

Vegan Princess

01-04-2007, 07:15 PM

Rawannabe: Your kids are too cute! That's so great they are supporting you!

Girlsmiley: Interesting about the nuts. I also heard Dr. Oz tell Oprah only to eat raw nuts b/c the fat becomes rancid when they are roasted. I told my mom that when she was here...she seemed to really take it in since it was coming from Dr. Oz. LOL! :rolleyes: She did tell me today her eating is slowly changing b/c she gets a guilt trip now after eating things she shouldn't. She said I would be proud. That made me happy.

Well I somehow napped for 4 hours!! I could have kept sleeping but I figured I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Body must REALLY need this rest right now! My nose isn't running as much now. I am definately on the up and up!

Jessirebob: I felt emotional detox a week or two in. I felt very down and depressed for no reason. I did not know to expect emotional changes, but they are very real. Didn't last more than a few days though.

Food today:
juice: carrot, ginger, celery, dandelion greens, spinach, beet tops (not very tasty but good for me)
oatmeal w/banana, pecans
a few chocolate chewies
green smoothie: lots of kale, banana, 2 tangerines

Can you tell I am reading "Green for Life"? ;) Probably will have some salad for dinner. Not sure.

everclear

01-04-2007, 07:21 PM

Hey everyone! :D

I'll catch up on what everyone else has said after I post this!

This morning I made the most awesome smoothie EVER! :p Pineapple and bananas... tasted like candy! I wasn't able to drink it all, so the other half is in the fridge waiting for me later lol. Other than that I haven't been able to eat anything, I just don't feel hungry at all. *shrug*

I think my body is telling me I need to fast. The only thing I want really is water... food doesn't seem appealing to me at the moment. Hmm. :confused:

Vegan Princess

01-04-2007, 07:41 PM

Oh I almost forgot. I posted on the raw food events forum about a raw fooders trip to Maui that is being organized by the raw cafe I go to all the time (Cafe Gratitude). Just in case anyone is looking for a cool vacation. :p

lavendarJ

01-04-2007, 08:15 PM

Happy New Year!

I've missed everyone. I just returned from Ohio and was in California for 10 days prior to that. I wasn't able to get a internet connection for some strange reason and finally after trying for the 100th time (at least it seems that way).. I am on the information highway. Okay... I have a lot to say and I am still loving this raw life. I survived the holiday break in California and in Ohio. In Ohio with my grandparents, I did eat a couple of spoons of her dressing and potato salad but that was no big deal... got kind of tired of everyone looking at me like I was doing some "way out there thing" by eating fruits and vegetables... Also, I have been doing some major fasting guys and so I've really been in a concentrated state and focusing on major decisions that must be made this summer... Okay, enough of me... today I fasted in support of my sister who is really trying to do a MC through the 15th and then transition into raw; I also have a cousin who is doing the MC and seems excited; I'm going to support them and focus on the rest of my goals for my own body and soul....I haven't read anything lately and so I am going to try to play catch up and read everyone's posts and browse around on some of the other threads....

happy eating

DharmaGirl

01-04-2007, 08:17 PM

Hi Everyone!

I've been staying raw and feeling great :D OMG, I made the cheesecake everyone's been raving about and it is to die for :eek: .... i was so elated when I took that first bite.... yummo :p it is soooooooooo delicious; highly recommend to anyone who hasn't tried it yet.....

foods eaten today:
green smoothie - tahini, kale, spinach, banana, 1/2 mango
salad w/avo, tom, cuke, celery w/ume plum vinegar, evoo
piece of cheesecake
juice of 3 grapefruits

VeganPrincess; hope you'r'e feeling better

Gwena - GREAT job facing your fears head on; doesn't the smell of all that cooked food sicken you?

Everclear - that smoothie does sound RAWsome :p I'll have to whip one up sometime !!

jessireebob - when I first started raw, i, too, felt like it was a chore to eat wondering what i was going to prepare.... but with some planning, it has become much easier... Alissa says to just keep eating as much as you can and NOT to get hungry as you're just setting yourself up to grab SAD stuff... so, when you get hungry, grab some fruit, or throw together a smoothie... look thru Alissa's book and plan on a couple of dehydrated items a week..... pies are simple and last long too!!! Good luck; hope this helps!!

rawwannabe - that is SOOO cute about your kids... sounds like the raw angels are surrounding you!!!

Everyone else, it's great to be RAWKIN round the clock with y'all :cool:

Peace and Joy to All!

DharmaGirl

01-04-2007, 08:20 PM

WELCOME BACK, LAVENDARJ ;) :D

Morn

01-04-2007, 08:36 PM

Today I had to work and after work I did some returns and came home and exercised to my hip hop abs tape. Food eaten:

tangerine/black tea
an orange
dinner salad
small golden delicious apple
lara bar
handful of trailmix of nuts and seeds and raisens
hummus with carrots

berrymarymac

01-04-2007, 08:50 PM

Today I stayed mostly raw, except for some rice in my sushi. I had some pineapple this morning then after my sushi I had a huge bowl of mixed fruit. I'm going to make hot chocolate now and perhaps eat more sushi or have some pasta! I didn't eat much today because I slept in and spent an hour at the dentist!

rawwannabe

01-04-2007, 09:20 PM

Thanks so much, Dharmagirl!

Had Alissa's Carrot and avacado soup for dinner (no flax crackers...too full).

It must be all of the nuts I ate today (in the form of leftover caesar dressing), but I am SO bloated. Can nuts cause bloat?

swingbolder

01-05-2007, 04:40 AM

Does anyone out there find that when they've been raw for a few days, finding food to eat becomes a chore? I find that after just a day or so, I get to a pont where nothing sounds good or satisfying, so I end up just not eating.

This has happened to me too at times. I just take it as a cue from my body that maybe it just doesn't want food right now, and I try to respect that by just juicing or mono-eating for a few days until I get my appetite back. The good thing is that these phases don't last long (in my case anyway).

Intake yesterday:

green smoothie (oj, bananas, collards, pineapple, coconut oil)
salad (romaine, peppers, onions, olives, cucumbers, italian dressing)
chocolate shake
chocolate pudding cup

girlsmiley

01-05-2007, 05:41 AM

This was one of my favorite movies/songs "back in the day" ... still gets me movin' though! :D

Footloose
Artist: Kenny Loggins

I been working so hard
Keep punching my card
Eight hours, for what?
Oh, tell me what I got
I get this feeling
That time's just holding me down
I'll hit the ceiling
Or else I'll tear up this town
Tonight I gotta cut
(Chorus)
Loose, footloose
Kick off your Sunday shoes
Please, Louise
Pull me offa my knees
Jack, get back
C'mon before we crack
Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose
You're playing so cool
Obeying every rule
Dig way down in your heart
You're yearning, burning for some
Somebody to tell you
That life ain't passing you by
I'm trying to tell you
It will if you don't even try
You can fly if you'd only cut
(Chorus)
Loose, footloose
Kick off your Sunday shoes
Oowhee, Marie
Shake it, shake it for me
Whoa, Milo
C'mon, c'mon let go
Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose
FIRST - we got to turn you around
SECOND - You put your feet on the ground
THIRD - Now take a hold of your soul
FOUR - Whooooooooa, I'm turning it
Loose, FOOTLOOSE
(Chorus)

everclear

01-05-2007, 06:16 AM

I love that song! :D

I hope everyone has a fabulous RAW day today! :p

I'm feeling nervous, I haven't been able to sleep at all! I'm going to pick up job applications today, and eeek! I hate anxiety! (I accidently typed "ate" at first --- is anxiety raw? haha)

I'm also going grocery shopping today too! My list, hopefully i'll end up with most everything on it:

Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Lemons
Grapes
Dates
Watermelon
Mango
Kiwi
Grapefruit (I've been craving grapefruit juice!)
Avocado
Raw sunflower seeds
Raw almonds
Flax seed
Baby Spinach
Romaine
Some other type of 'lettuce'
Baby Carrots
Celery
Bell peppers
Tomato (maybe)
Carob powder (If I can find it)
Agave Nectar (ditto above... I know they have it at Wild Oats, but i'm not going there today)
Ginger root (maybe)
Sea salt
Cold pressed olive oil (*crossing fingers they have it* lol)

Hmm... anything else fun I should add/see if I can find?

Vegan Princess

01-05-2007, 08:21 AM

Footloose - that is one of my all time faves!! :)

Even after all that sleep yesterday, I still slept pretty well through the night last night. Feeling much better. Not 100%, but so much better. I'm back at work today. Hehe, nice that it's Friday! I want to hit yoga this afternoon, but I'll play it by ear.

TGIF everyone!! Have a lovely day 5 and stay strong!! :p

tvillemom

01-05-2007, 08:23 AM

Good morning everyone! Looking forward to day 5! I'm feeling a HUGE detox headache....I AM GIVING UP CAFFEINE! I know it is going to be hard, but I know that soda is "the" thing that is holding back the major health changes that I need to heal. My skin rashes are getting WORSE, and seemingly itchier after drinking in the BAD stuff. Today I'm water fasting.....maybe fruit at my DM-I-L's house, she made a point of making sure they had fruit for me to eat tonight. Probably an apple! I need to "flush" this....and "flush" out this candida problem once and for all!!! I know this "food addiction" has hindered my healing for a LONG time! In month 2, it's time to "up my A game"....or maybe I should say "R game" ;)
It sounds like everyone is doing GREAT!
everclear I love your grocery list!! I'll be praying for you about your job applications....to be led to just the right place, and maybe only have to fill out 1 application!!!
Dharmagirl I love the cheesecake! My kids even liked it and helped me eat it! They didn't realize it was raw!
LavenderJ Welcome back...great to "see" you.
Vegan Princess Glad to see you feeling better! I need to see if I can find "Green for Life" at the library! Isn't it by Victoria Boutenko.....if it is I already have her "12 steps to Raw" book...I really like it, and probably need to re-read it, due to my struggle with cooked food addiction!! Alot of people here are reading or have read "Green for Life", is it good? Does it just talk about greens being good for you? (I already know that) Are there recipes??? Does she cover which greens are good for certain "ailments"??? Sorry for the questions, just curious.
Gwena Surrounded by all that food....good for you, staying raw in the middle of it!!! Are there any RAW restaurants nearby??
Girlsmiley Great song!!! One of my favorites! Thanks for the "pick me up" this morning!

Well....ya'll have a great day.
Oh yeah....yesterday's food......I made mini pizza's, and they were FABULOUS!
I used Alissa's easiest pizza crust (I think, it was made of ground flaxseed), and from the board, I used Raw Priestess's cheese sauce and I kinda just threw together some tomatoes, herbs, etc. for the tomato sauce...For toppings I used ****ake mushrooms and onions that I tossed with olive oil and alittle salt and dehydrated while I made the sauces ....and then put the pizza's together and dehydrated about another hour (waiting for DH to get home from a late night at work)
Anyway, my pizza's were yummy! I'm going to freeze some of my mini crusts...so I can have them at the "spur of the moment" and not have to dehydrate another whole batch, you know, for a quick meal!!
Hope this gives someone here a good idea!
The rest of my meals were
B: water
Lunch: olives, water, 2 pears
Dinner: 2 mini pizzas
God Bless
Wendi

tvillemom

01-05-2007, 08:56 AM

OK...all that stuff I said about having water all day, just went out the door....at 9:30 I received my Omega 8005 and I can't wait to juice with it! I'm going to clean, clean, clean my kitchen...so it's worthy of my beautiful juicer ;) and then have juice for lunch!! I can't wait...hhhmmmm, what to try first...probably my favorite, green juice. Spinach, cucumber, celery, apple. :D YAY! I'm excited..
My new juicer is sooo pretty! (it's the chrome one, so I'm not exagerating! ;) )
Wendi

Moonstone

01-05-2007, 09:07 AM

Hello on day five :)

I am doing well and staying raw, except for the three cookies and a touch of pasta I had. Bleh.

Sometimes I worry about the amount of protein I get, but I have decided to just listen to my body's needs for now instead of always worrying.

I have been craving dates and cranberries the last two days, I am not sure how to eat raw cranberries but I have been eating the dates, as well I made a huge salad yesterday and noticed I left all the tomatoes uneaten, so I think to leave them out for now.

Right now I crave a smoothie of bananas, strawberries and orange juice, so this will be my breakfast and lunch.

I return to work tonight so I am anxious to see how I do when there.

Rawannabe, I am not sure if nuts cause bloatness, they do not in me, but I did get bloated last night after eating brocolli, it was gone by this morning though. I think sometimes if you eat foods that do not go well with each other this might cause bloatness as well.

rawwannabe

01-05-2007, 09:35 AM

Glad everyone is doing well.

tvillemom Good luck w/ the caffeine. I can relate. I never was a soda drinker, but I'm still having a few cups of coffee, and that's been my only barrier to 100%. As I've stated before, I'm not beating myself up over it though. On the contrary, I am loving myself for honoring myself so well by eating this way.

Thanks moonstone I don't believe it's a combining issue since I ate the nute (caesar dressing) w/ an apple. It felt as if the apple would counter/balance the nuts. I could be mistaken.

Last night after dinner, I had one raw flax cracker.

Today, thus far: coffee x2 (hopefully that's it for today's coffee consumption), and a banana, blueberry and kale smoothie. No added sweeteners. Good start to the day.

Good luck everyone!

**jessireebob**

01-05-2007, 09:50 AM

Well it's day 4 for me, ratehr than 5, but I'm feeling great! Fighting the urge to weigh myself every five minutes though!

Yesterday's food was good. Today I've had:
orange
macaroon and 2 maraw's lemon chewies

Will have:
onion bread w/ half an avo and some baby arugala
nuts and raisins
no idea for dinner!

I LOVE the song footloose too. In fact, every song that's been posted on this thread has made me smile! I especially love any Kool & the Gang!

Moonstone, I worry about protein too. I've been inundated with low carb, weight training, Body For Life, high protein info for years. Trying to just let it go for now. See how I feel after my 30 days...

Tvillemom, good luck kicking the caffeine! That fancy, beautiful new juicer ought to make it easier! :)

Everclear, I agree that your list looks great!

Vegan Princess, hope you feel well throughout the daya nd can make it to yoga!

Happy Friday all!

Morn

01-05-2007, 10:38 AM

Tvillemom - Sorry I haven't had a lot of time to read or post over the last few days. Yes I do the Yoga Bootie Ballet tapes. I just bought a two disk set from Sams Club awhile ago for around the $20.00-$25.00 area. The first disc has a total toning Basics routine that incorporates a little dance, ballet, yoga, abwork and strenghting (with light weights for arm work). and the next work out is Advanced Fat Burning which has advanced dance moves that I haven't tried yet. Then there is a hip hop abs disc that is fun with pretty basic dance moves and more ab work. And Finally a Cardio Cabaret disc with a cardio dance workout. Overall I think the set is kinda fun to do. I like dancing as it doesn't feel as much like exercise to me. I am not much into the Yoga thing though as I am not into the chanting thing. They do incorporate a little of this at the beginning and end of the workouts. They say things like "I love myself, I trust myself, something about good energy." Whatever - I just fast forward through all of the nonsense stuff (or just use it as a time to worship or pray to God). I think we love ourselves enough - At least I know I do, or I wouldn't be at the current weight I am at. I think a friend of mine just recently said a wise statement which is we need to learn how to deny ourselves of somethings and not give our flesh all that it wants. But again overall it is a fun series to do. However, the set I have doesn't do a whole lot of ballet but more modern dance and yoga postures (fun, a little challenging, but nothing too hard). Hey glad to hear that your new juicer came in. Happy Juicing! I haven't even had time to pull my new food processor out of the box yet to read the instructions. I hate having to learn how to use new appliances. I guess I just don't have the extra time right now. I am always feeling stressed for time and my house is a wreck after Christmas. Oh and good job on giving up the caffine! Only a few more days and you should be done with the caffine withdrawl. I have been clean of pop and coffee since going raw a little over three months ago. I was seriously addicted and it took me about 2 weeks of headaches on and off to feel better. Now if I want energy ,I juice and it gives me the energy and pick me up but in a healthy way. Hang in there - it is worth it!!!!!

Dharmagirl - Yes the cheesecake is the bomb isn't it! I made it for Christmas and my unrawfriends even loved it. I ate it with strawberry sauce on top - Absolutely Yummy! Now I need to make some more raw fudge to stick in the freezer for those times I need something sweet!

Lavender J- Welcome back - funny I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering what happened!

jessireebob - Yes I too feel like that often. But I think it is because I am just not excited about what I have in my refrigerator at the time. I think the key is incorporating a lot of variety in your menu. Also do you have Alyssa's book. It really helps looking through the recipes. My biggest problem is lack of time as I would like to try more of the recipes but don't have the time to make them as it requires planning and shopping for ingredients that are not easily accessible to me. The closest good food store is an hour away from my home (one way), so for me I need at least a 3-4 hour time block to go there (two of the hours are just in travel time). Also raw produce doesn't keep as long so it requires more trips to the store. Hang in there - eating this way may take more effort but it is worth it! It just takes time figuring out what you like to have on hand for your basic staples. I find that having a bag of trailmix always available (I make my own in a large ziploc) is sometimes a help when I am hungry and want to turn to cooked food.

Swingbolder - good job with your exercise! It makes me feel so much better and stronger - a definate stress reliever!

Vegan Princess - Good for you juicing and eating greens - I have to learn more about this as I need to incorpate more of these in my diet. I eat lots of salad but I never juice greens. I have to have something that tastes good though. Does beet juice taste good. I have one in the fridge that could use a juicing as I have had it for about a week. I thought I would slice it up and put it on my salad but haven't yet. What is a drink with beets that would actually taste good? Glad you are feeling better and back to work.

everclear - looks like a great list! You should be set for awhile!

Peachymomma - try the raw fudge and freeze it. Then when you have PMS cravings next month you will have it. It helps me! I make a whole pan of it and cut it into individual squares and baggies so when I need a snack to take to the movies or just to get rid of a sweet craving it helps. Also maybe for now you should just do some floor exercises or light walking until that ankle feels ready. Working out with light hand weights also will burn calories during and after the workout.

Rawwannabe - I am so in for making that ceasar dressing. Did you get it out of Alissa's book?

Gwena - Isn't there any raw food restaurants in Chicago? (Or even some vegetarian restaurants make raw dishes). You may want to do some research on the internet.

Well I am out of time and I have to go and get my daughter from preschool. So a quick hi to everyone else - I can't believe 2 hours have went by so quick.

misslinda

01-05-2007, 10:57 AM

Good morning and I'm still half asleep.....

Me too me too Tvillemom, I have a detox MIGRAINE as of laSt night.
Plopped into my room and fell asleep doing meditation with my crystals all
over my body.......

Everclear, most definately keep you prayers for your job hunt!

Morn, great reminder for all of us. I have been pushing myself hard the last few days with affirmations instead of negative thoughts that easily creep in.

LavendarJ, Welcome back !!
that's great your family is taking charge of their health!

Berrymarymac, dentist appt went well? pinepapple sound refreshing!!!!Have a WILD & CRAZY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Morn

01-05-2007, 12:09 PM

Ok I just got done making lunch. I was looking through the cookbook as I wanted something other than salad and a bunch of the recipes I either have to wait to sprout or I didn't have all the ingredients on hand so I made the broccoli soup for the first time in my vitamix and wow what a difference the vitamix makes. You don't even realize the almonds are in there. Before with my old blender you would get bits of crunchy nuts. Also the whole thing was just more smooth and the vitamix actually warms the soup up a little. It was hard for me to eat cold soup before. Anyway later is family dinner night out and that means a salad for dinner. I really need to do some meal planning and try more of the recipes Simple eating is fine when you can't squeeze time in making receipes but I can't live like that all the time. I guess my old patterns and behaviors (habbits) still want more (especially when my whole family and everyone around me eats sad). Food eaten today:

watermelon
small piece of sprouted rye bread with honey and almond butter
small bowl of broccoli soup

later for dinner will be salad out

Rawzula

01-05-2007, 12:19 PM

I bought my food early this morning. I am finally back on track.

I haven't been drinking much water. I don't like the chlorinated taste and smell.

Caffeine is another thing I must let go. At one point, I would drink soda every single day...until I heard that drinking too much soda may lead to esophageal cancer:eek:.

I'll probably go out later to buy some water:D.

tvillemom

01-05-2007, 12:54 PM

Rhazula I love your picture of the food! How long will that last....about 1 day for me! Glad you are "back on track!"
Morn: thanks for the info! I think my next big purchase will be a Vitamix....maybe after 1 year raw! I would love one to make soups with! But for now, maybe just straining it out of the blender??? I think I will give the YBB a try. I like the yoga DVD I have, I would just like something alittle more "dancey" ;)
Misslinda:OH yeah...detox...and "aunt flow" all at the same time!! I've been juicing all day so that helps!
Today so far I've had:
12 oz water
juice: spinach, celery, cucumber, apple
juice: apple, carrot, parsley
Both juices were yummy, and so much better than before ;) I am always sooo happy with myself AFTER the purchase, if it's a GOOD purchase...and this time it is!!
Ya'll have a great day!
Wendi
PS. Dinner will be an apple at my mother-in-laws house.

Rawzula

01-05-2007, 01:00 PM

For me, maybe a couple of days. I'd rather eat very little than to eat anything not raw. I've already ate the bananas, they're so YUMMY:D.

Gwena

01-05-2007, 01:02 PM

Hey Y'all!

Tvillemom & Morn: There are only 2 and a half raw vegan restaurants in all of Chicago. Can you even believe it! One is about 45 minutes away from my area by train, and the other is close to an hour and 1/2 away by train. The 1/2 restaurant is a vegan restaurant with a raw plate that's awesome. It just costs about $15. So, I just bring my food and make it in the kitchen. It works out. The tuff part of the day is entering and exiting the building. Oh well, such is life. :o

Dharmagirl: Yep, many times the smells do make me feel a little yucky only because they are mixed with the scent of old grease traps, busses, cars, and taxis. I still find the smell of cooked food appealing even after over 5 years of dabbling in raw foods.

LavendarJ: Welcome Back!! :D

That Footloose song is crackin' me up. I haven't hear that in ages!! Now I'm gonna have it on my mind all day. :p

Food for today:
A salad with sprouts, avo, onion, olive oil, lemon.
A few pieces of raw trail mix.
2 Acai Drinks

girlsmiley

01-05-2007, 01:31 PM

That Footloose song is crackin' me up. I haven't hear that in ages!! Now I'm gonna have it on my mind all day. :p
Then I've done my job well! :p

berrymarymac

01-05-2007, 01:41 PM

Misslinda,

My dentist appointment was not fun. Had to get a tooth filled and a sealant fixed. The tooth he filled was completely filling...there is no tooth left! So if anything else goes wrong...I'll have to get a crown! And my top right back teeth are hurting with sweets, so he said if it gets worse I'll need a root canal and crown. I have bad teeth, even though they look perfect! My childhood seems like it was spent in a dentists office. Oh well, genetics play a role in it and my dad's teeth are pretty bad. And I found out I need to get back to fluoride toothpaste! I'm quite disappointed with that, but found some Toms with fluoride. They want me to use it a month and see if it works. Go figure. Oh and my dentist asked the hygienist (who is the wife of a chiropractor) if natural was abrasive because he thought it was!! Maybe I need to go to a natural dentist, but this one is pretty good.

So today I have had two bananas and 2 bottles of water. I'm going to make some pasta with the pesto I made yesterday and have some chocolate cream pie. I just got on some new ADD medicine because my other was causing heart palpitations. I feel better now, my mind is clear and my anger isn't as bad. I feel like I'm writing my journal in here lol! Oh and my ophthalmologist told me to get some flax oil capsules for my extreme dry eyes.

Yey for raw!! Hope everyone has an amazing day!!!

**jessireebob**

01-05-2007, 03:11 PM

I have a dateish thing tonight, and the plan is to get some food at a tapas place and then head to a bar to see a band play. I told my date that I am eating vegan, and so will likely stick to olives and a salad at the tapas bar, and he started suggesting all sorts of cooked vegan foods that they have on the menu.

This has brought up a lot for me. I realised that part of me is embarrassed that I am eating this way. This guy is a real "foodie" type, and it's interesting how my instinct was to really gloss over the food issue. I don't want to have to explain that I'm eating raw. I don't understand it well enough to explain it well and haven't been doing it long enough that i have any anectodal evidence of my own. And part of me continues to wonder at the fact that I'm eating in a way that seems to go so against the cultures in which I was raised (maybe most of us were?) where food somehow IS one's cultural identity (ie the foods my polish catholic family eats vs my jewish latvian family vs my friend's argentinian traditions vs my other friend's indian traditions). And eating in a way that goes against the practice of people spending lifetimes learning to cook, learning to create culinary art, learning to perfect those cultural expressions...

I know thoughts like this will come up a lot over the next month. I have promised myself 30 days, and so I will do it. But I already fnid myself questioning WHY. Questioning the validity of the claims assoc with eating like this. Questioning the "outsider" feelings that will inevitably be assoc with it. Etc.

Maybe this isn't the best palce to post this. But I wonder if others have gone through this line of thinking. Is it a defense mechanism? My body-mind's way of fighting having to give up a crutch? Is it doubtful and sad thoughts related to detox and feeling kind of poopy? Is it that this way of eating really isn't ideal for *me?*

Ugh.

PeachyMama

01-05-2007, 04:18 PM

Jess, I read your blog yesterday.

When I first stumbled on raw, I was fortunate enough to find Angela Stokes' site. I bought one of her ebooks, and one line of thought in there was worth the price of the whole thing.

Overeaters like us are addicted to food and to the feelings it gives us (or helps hide for us). With any other addiction, avoidance is key. But we can't avoid food, we need to eat. So, deep down admitting an addiction was what really helped me. Comparing it to other addictions REALLY helped. Classic that a woman who knows she has an addictive personality never pegged food in the same league as caffeine, cigarettes, and alcohol... 3 addictions that I had already overcome! And I knew what I needed to do to overcome those addictions, I had to see them as dangerous for me. For the first time, I had some clarity -- REAL clarity -- about myself and my addiction to carbs and sugar.

Eating this food does not trigger addiction for me. I thoroughly enjoy what I'm eating, and sometimes do feel like I'm eating too much, but nowhere NEAR what I used to do (can someone say an entire Whole Foods gluten-free cherry pie in one sitting?). And even when eating too much raw, I was still in control. I made a conscious choice to continue eating. There were even more times that I made the conscious choice to STOP eating simply because I was satisfied (not stuffed, just pleasantly sated.) That was something new for me! The way eating like this reacts with my body is so, so, so different.

So, in a nutshell, yeah, I think this is the way for you to eat. ANYTHING that leads you to a place of being out of control is simply not for you.

I've chosen to think of myself as lucky for HAVING to eat raw to feel healthy. I get to eat the best food on the planet!

Hi to all you other challenges! I'm lovin' this footloose Friday! I've been in a snacky mood today, so I've just eaten little bits here and there... some banana/strawberry/pineapple fruit salad, guac with flax crackers, 3 small apricot/almond balls. I'm not hungry at all right now, and probably am done for the day. If I get hungry later, I might have some broccoli sprouts with lemon juice and a bit of tamari on them.

Morn, thanks for the suggestion about the fudge! Wouldn't you know that my pms cravings were for salty things!!! LOL. Fortunately, it's easy to keep the flax crackers on hand. My problem was knowing I was eating a bit too many nuts (up to 1/2 cup a day), but some of those pates were addictive ... especially spread on a romaine leaf!!!

**jessireebob**

01-05-2007, 04:29 PM

Thanks Peachymama. I know that I use food the way other use substances. I medicate and numb and everything else. Perhaps my resistance is a fear of really havign to give that up?

I like the idea of deciding to be grateful or thankful that in order to be well, I have to eat wholesome good foods. I'm scared though to decide that nonraw foods are NOT wholesome or good. I truly dont want to be someone who thinks of cooked food as poison...

But if this is what I need to be well, then so beit. I'm really going to stick to this 30 day challenge. I think it's the only way I'll really give this/myself a chance to see how I can feel without bingeing and hiding in my addiction.

Thanks so so so much for your thoughtful, kind reply.

PeachyMama

01-05-2007, 04:46 PM

You're welcome! You know, I know an awful lot of people who really enjoy a nice glass of wine or an occasional beer. I don't think alcohol is poison, I just think it's poison for ME, ykwim?

For whatever reason, I've been given the body I have. Letting go and just going with the flow of that has taken some time, but I have a few years on you. I am sure that in time, you will get to the place of being grateful for what you have been given.

Stick with it, it is worth it.

BTW, we have an awful lot in common as far as the reasons why we've used our fat as a shield. I do know how hard dealing with that is. A lot of change happened for me as a result of it reaching a crisis point. I finally got some therapy for it all because I pretty much freaked out when my daughter reached the age I had been when the abuse started.

The most powerful thing for me in dealing with that was realizing (on that deep-down GOTCHA! level, not just on the surface of my conscious thought)that I wasn't hiding a thing. I was still allowing him to control me. That thought alone disgusted so much, it really set up a whole series of changes that have led me to where I am now.

Vegan Princess

01-05-2007, 05:20 PM

Tvillemom: The book is by victoria and it does mostly talk about why one should eat their greens (1/2 their diet) and why they should be smoothies. She says fiber is like a sponge that absorbs 10x its weight in toxins! Also for those asking about the protein question, she says greens have all the amino acids (and vitamins and minerals) we need and they are more easily digestible and usable than complex proteins like one would get from eating meat. It all makes a lot of sense. But all in all, there is only a few pages of recipes. You can get them all I think from her ode to green smoothies. I can find the link of you don't have it.

Morn:I don't like raw beets unless they are juiced. They are fairly sweet. I add maybe 1/2 a beet to some carrots and celery and or cucumber. Make sure you juice or eat the beet greens...they are the healthiest part!

girlsmiley

01-05-2007, 06:39 PM

Greetings all you January RAWkers! :D

Sounds like everyone is hanging in there ... Thanks for sharing in this forum. All of us have "been there, done that, got the t-shirt" at one point or another in our raw journey and it is a privilege to learn from those who have been on their journey longer than I ... the free-flow of questions, concerns, and encouragement is so empowering!

**jessireebob** - hang in there. There are a lot of "foodies" hanging out at RFT ... and I know Alissa is one too ... that is why she wrote the book and made the DVDs and teaches others to "pay it forward" ... and why she is opening her restaurant. Who knows, maybe this guy would love to try some raw food dishes. :rolleyes: Since you are determined to stick it out for 30 days, you could just explain to him that for the New Year you've decided to try something radical to see how it affected your health. That's what I told people when I first started ... "I'm doing this for 30 days." People would even ask me how it was going and I hated to admit when I ate cooked food - but I would admit it and tell them how I felt after eating that food. :eek: It is pretty embarassing to have to call your boss to tell him you won't be in because you've been up all night with stomach cramps because you ate some cheese for the first time in 3 months and your system couldn't handle it. LOL Fortunately I have a very nice boss. ::whew:: When I go out to eat if I need to let someone know that I eat raw food I just tell them that my body feels great eating this way, and I'm losing weight, and I will continue on this journey as long as my body wants to. :)

Today's intake:
Green Smoothie - 1 banana, 2 oranges, 1 stalk celery, couple handfuls spinach (breakfast and afternoon snack)
Taboule and Greek Salad from a local natural foods restaurant (lunch and dinner)

Exercise - 20 minutes on the Gazelle

I am feeling great and have been amazed at how *little* it takes to give me that "comfortably full" feeling.

berrymarymac

01-05-2007, 10:45 PM

So today I had:

b: 2 bananas
l: zucchini pasta w/ pesto
s: piece of chocolate cream pie
s: hot chocolate
d: sushi (not completely raw)
s: 2 cups of cherries, perhaps 3 or 4!

I have some apple spice bread in the dehydrator and might get some raweos in the dehydrator tonight. Tomorrow I plan on making onion bread (which I have been banned from making in the house, so I'll be making in the garage! lol). Buying a new food saver for my dorm, a smaller version of the one here, so I can keep all my food fresh.

Rawzula

01-05-2007, 10:50 PM

For a late-night snack I had:

Diced up plum tomatoes sprinkled with Lemon/Pepper seasoning and Cayenne Pepper.

berrymarymac

01-05-2007, 10:51 PM

For a late-night snack I had:

Diced up plum tomatoes sprinkled with Lemon/Pepper seasoning and Cayenne Pepper.

oh my gosh! That sounds amazing!! mmm

Rawzula

01-05-2007, 10:55 PM

I thought it wouldn't taste good, but it did:D.

misslinda

01-06-2007, 12:14 AM

Hmmmmm, name changes! Mrandal and Killik---FOOLED ME :D I thought about changing mine too.......

How do you say, "MIGRAINE TO THE MAX?" :(

nauseated and yuck!

berrymarymac

01-06-2007, 12:18 AM

Hmmmmm, name changes! Mrandal and Killik---FOOLED ME :D I thought about changing mine too.......

How do you say, "MIGRAINE TO THE MAX?" :(

nauseated and yuck!

lol, yeah. I needed it changed because mrandal was bugging me! lol.

I hope you feel better misslinda!! Be strong and stay with it! You rawk!!

Rawzula

01-06-2007, 12:26 AM

I changed mine because Killik wasn't exotic enough:D.

girlsmiley

01-06-2007, 06:40 AM

Okay everyone ... put on your rollerskates ::the ones with the big pompoms on them:: and lets get going!

Saturday Night
ARTIST: The Bay City Rollers

{Intro}
S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night
S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night
S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night
S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night

Gonna keep on dancing to the rock and roll
On Saturday night, Saturday night
Dancing to the rhythm in our heart and soul
On Saturday night, Saturday night
I-I-I-I just can't wait
I-I-I-I got a date

{Refrain}
At the good old rock and roll road show, I gotta go
Saturday night, Saturday night
Gonna rock it up, roll it up, do it all, have a ball
Saturday night, Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night

{Intro}

Gonna dance with my baby till the night is through
On Saturday night, Saturday night
Tell her all the little things I'm gonna do
On Saturday night, Saturday night
I-I-I-I love her so
I-I-I, I'm gonna let her know

{Refrain, Intro}

girlsmiley

01-06-2007, 06:43 AM

How do you say, "MIGRAINE TO THE MAX?" :(

nauseated and yuck!
MissLinda! *~*~*~Get Well soon~*~*~*

Vegan Princess

01-06-2007, 01:02 PM

Good morning. Feeling even better today. Just go back from yoga and am sipping on a green smoothie. Mmm. Would like to hit another yoga class this afternoon, but gonna play it by ear and see how my energy is. Today is day 6 already!!

Food yesterday:
oatmeal w/banana & pecan
yam chips
salad w/1/2 avocado
green smoothie
last of the choc chewies
last of the blueberry pie
olives
jicama and tomatos w/creamy italian dressing

rawwannabe

01-06-2007, 01:38 PM

Last night I posted this whole long..."thing", addressing what people had written (like the fluoride issue) and it was lost in cyberspace.

Anyway, I'm stlll doing great (except coffee w/ 1/2 & 1/2).

I hope everyone who is experiencing detox symptoms (or is just plain ill) feels better soonest. No detox (although if I gave up the "cupps a joe"...), but my energy really waxes and wanes.

Hav to hop. Latah!

**jessireebob**

01-06-2007, 01:44 PM

Rawwannabe, I hate when that happens! Glad you're doing well and not having much detox symps!

I'm well. My roommie ordered pizza last night. One of my fave foods. And I sat there rationalising eating it and how I WAS going to have that one meal a week and it wouldn't be TAHT bad a transgressiona nd blah blah. Then I made a sammy w the raw onion bread and ate a piece of raw berry pie and did some pranayama and whoosh! the need for cheese was gone!

Yay! I'm still raw!

Now I just need these detox blues to fly away fast!

Oh, anyone out there have weird skin reactions during detox?? I had hives yesterday afternoon that stung and were bumpy and red. And this morning using my usual facewash made my entire face red and hot and puffy. Not sure what that's about...

lavendarJ

01-06-2007, 03:55 PM

Hello Everyone!

I feel a little bit icky because I think I went crazy with the nuts. I ate too many combos I think... I've been munching on walnuts, brazils, pecans, and cashews - knowing it is probably too many combos of nuts to be eating.... I don't know what happened, I just had some kind of nut craving that was out of this world when I woke up today. I've been fasting and my sister has begged me to continue the fast for another week and so tomorrow I will do the master cleanse with her for the next seven days... I was telling her that I'm missing my fruits. I just ate two bananas a while ago and now I'm craving something citrus and so it will be a couple of oranges for dinner probably tonight. I am going to do the fast with her though I might have to alter mine a bit and incorporate some fresh squeezed oranged juice in a few times a day because my body is screaming for citrus really bad for some reason. It's really weird to be actually craving fruits and vegetables while I've been doing all this fasting....

Rhazula-
those plum tomatoes sound good, I'd probably throw in a couple of cucumbers...
Jessireebob-
Hip hip hooray for surviving the pizza ordeal. I know that would be tempting for me. It's so cold around this time of the year and warm bread smells make me start thinking that I need stuff like soup and chili... so far so good. Good for you, that's a tough one. I've never had a reaction like the one you mentioned with the rash thing.

I embraced raw back in August and the only think that I really notice is that my hair (and I have read lots of hair horror stories on this site) does not hold curls like it used to. I noticed that in November. Seriously, I used to be able to wash my hair, roller set it, get under the dryer and then boom - I'd have these big bouncy curls that would last a week. I never used setting lotion or anything. Now, I am lucky if I put curls in my hair and they last the entire day (two days has been the longest and then my hair goes back straight as if they never was a single curl in my head). That's strange to me but me and my sister had one of those light bulb moments and came to the conclusion that it has to be my body transitioning and adjusting to not having meat protein even though I wasn't eating much before embracing raw. I don't know???

Morn

01-06-2007, 04:06 PM

I am finishing up my work day and will be leaving soon. Foods eaten so far today:

lara bar
orange, banana, and stawberry smoothie
small golden delicious apple
dinner salad

Girlsmiley - Me and my siblings used to love the bay city rollers and of course rollerskating! I wish I had more time cause I would love to still do it today. But I do rollerblade outside occassionally!

Misslinda - Love the new Avatar - you look like a moviestar!

jessireebob - Good job! I love and miss pizza too! Way to overcome!

Rhazula - Great job with your food! You are doing great! Did you ever find a job by your house?

Rawzula

01-06-2007, 04:29 PM

I'm going on a job interview on Monday...hopefully it goes well.

Had some more of my seasoned plum tomatoes. I ate some cooked food, but I won't beat myself up over it like I've done in the past:D. It will be difficult to stay raw living with someone who eats junk food:eek:.

girlsmiley

01-06-2007, 04:47 PM

but my energy really waxes and wanes
When I first started raw I had a ton of energy for the first week and then I had energy drain ... chalk it up to detox.

Oh, anyone out there have weird skin reactions during detox??
Considering that our skin is our largest organ you can expect some weird skin reactions ... I went through a phase where my face burned when I washed it with the products I used regularly ... that didn't last too long though. I didn't have hives or a rash though. AND Congratulations on finding the way out of your pizza temptation! Keep on RAWkin!

I feel a little bit icky because I think I went crazy with the nuts.
Interesting ... may have been a bit rich/heavy on your system because you're been fasting ... :o

Today's intake:
Juice - 3 carrots, 2 stalks celery, 1 apple, 3/4 cucumber, 3 handfulls spinach, small glove garlic
Flax seed crackers and Refried Beans

Still need to get in some exercise ...

Vegan Princess

01-06-2007, 04:56 PM

I was on my way out to go eat and then shop when I was the unfortunate witness of a little dog run getting run over by a garbage truck!! It's owner was left standing there, leash in hand, though I have no idea why it was not on its leash. The incident left me hysterically crying! I ended up going back to see if the man was ok and if I could do anything for him. By this time there was a police officer there. The man was holding up better than me though. I just felt awful. I felt sick to my stomach and had to come home and cry and nap. I am glad I went back though b/c no one else on the busiest street in SF (except for the garbage truck driver) bothered to stop! I have a delightful headache now. :( I am vegan first and foresmost out of my love of animals. It just breaks my heart to see anything happen to such innocent little souls. Being around my own animals has helped calm me down though (that and talking to my dad...my mom was so freaked out when I called her hysterical that she made him call me).

I will go back to yoga in an hour and a half to try and center myself again and dedicate my practice to the little dog. :(

PeachyMama

01-06-2007, 05:07 PM

Sounds like everyone is doing well! Congratulations on resisting the pizza, jessireebob. My family had some pizza today, and I did love smelling it. I have a failsafe back-up to keep me on track. I make sure all the carby things in the house have gluten in them. Can't touch them that way! But honestly, I haven't been tempted to eat anything cooked since I started.

I took some time today while I was driving around to take stock of all the changes in just 3 weeks (almost) of being raw:

Improved mental clarity
Disappearance of chronic fibromyalgia neck pain
Disappearance of chronic aching back
Able to sit on the floor and play with the kids without it causing back pain

AND.....

My old jeans fit again comfortably, straight out of the dryer, no contortions or stomach sucking in to get them to zip up. So that puts me down at least a size in just this small amount a time. Yeah raw!

Today's intake:

Banana
Two flax crackers
1 small Krabby Patty (these are Alissa's mock crab cakes, but my kids christened them Krabby Patties, so that's what they'll stay! :) )
Bite of RP's brownies that I made for hubby (Whole Foods had raw cacao!)
Portabello with guac
Banana/blueberry smoothie

I did poorly on the greens today, but I needed to go shopping to get them. I didn't feel like throwing a salad together after running a ton of errands.

I will be doing a green smoothie fast for the next 3 or 4 days, so I'll more than make up for my shortfall today!

Nini

01-06-2007, 06:08 PM

Hello girls (and Path),
I just read this thread and wish I'd read it earlier! I will keep reading it. You gals are so motivating.

Love the songs!

rawwannebe - I bought the chick pea croquettes from Glaser, too. They were hard as rocks. When I bought them this summer they were delish. So, maybe a bad batch? I also ate the sunburger (yum!), arugula pesto, carrot cake, and curry sushi chips. I bought them at Nutrition S'mart in Penbroke Pines last week while on vacationing at my son's.

misslinda - how's the raw wine collection coming? Would you post what you have found so far? I enjoy Frey's now and then.

Love to all!

Nini

Morn

01-06-2007, 07:50 PM

Just got back from the gym and I am going to eat broccoli soup for dinner. Below is today's workout:

30 minutes on the eliptical machine
10 minutes on the stationary bike
chest presses - 50 reps - at 60 pounds
inner thighs - 50 reps at 80 pounds
outerthights - 50 reps at 80 pounds
abdominal floor work

Vegan Princess - so sorry to hear about the little dog. :( That was so nice of you to stop!

O my husband just made a huge batch of fresh juice - I am drinking a glass of orange, lime, carrot, apple, strawberry, banana, ginger juice. It is so yummy!

rawwannabe

01-06-2007, 08:44 PM

Nini, I read your blog. Hugs and kudos to you!
lavendar, I hear you on the nut fest! Last week was one for me.
jessie: I too overcame a major temptation. I made my family one of my former favorite dishes (I won't be responsible for inducing food cravings, so that's all I will say about it other than to say they said it was delish) and I still ate all raw. The really weird thing is, I wasn't even tempted. YAY for us...all of us. This is a journey & I'm enjoying the ride!

Today's intake: frozen banana/kale/coconut water smoothie; 4 curried nori crackers (yes Nini, they are good...& I hate anything "fishy"- these are not); a bit of Alissa' blueberry "cheesecake; rawvolution's hummus (Y!U!M!) and caesar salad from Alissa's Book (yes, I made it again & the entire family loves it!) 1/2 Glaser "Rawie". ....and my 2 cups "a".

Y!E!A!H! Team!

berrymarymac

01-06-2007, 09:09 PM

Blah...that's how I feel today...blah. Having cramps and blah, knowing no one needs to know details lol.

b/l: Smoothie w/ 1 banana, 1/2 cup of frozen berries, OJ to get it going (and yes...it is finally raw!!), kids superfood mix, tsp. of coconut oil.
d: 12 sushi rolls, cucumber & avocado. Blah, I am SICK of sushi!! and two bad salads at the Japanese place. Had to take my sister for sushi so she would shut up about it.
later tonight: chocolate cream pie & banana, berry ice cream.

I haven't eaten enough today and now am feeling dizzy. My new meds cause me to lose my appetite and plus, I've been busy today. So finally am going to make the cookie for rp's o-raw-os. And I got a foodsaver, so now my mom won't eat my almonds because they are vacuum packed and safe! yey! lol.

Vegan Princess

01-06-2007, 09:48 PM

Morn: how was the brocolli soup? It's on my list of things to make this week.

Went to yoga again and feel a lot better mentally.

Food today:
green smoothie
jicama
apple
green smoothie
guacamole w/1 whole avocado on carrot and red pepper
maybe some banana ice cream later

berrymarymac

01-06-2007, 10:24 PM

omg, having the best thing ever!! So I hulled out two tomatoes and put salt and some seasoning in it...then I stuffed it with pineapple salsa that I bought at Whole Foods the other day!! It is pure bliss and my wacky cravings have been calmed! My new favorite dish! I was going to put it in my dehydrator, but mine is not tall enough to fit it.

misslinda

01-06-2007, 11:46 PM

MMmmmmmmm, Berrymarymac! That does sound delicious. So glad you found a recipe that strikes your fancy!

Peachymama!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is FANTASTIC--especially when you don't have to stretch your jeans out of the dryer.

Vegan princess, great to you hear that yoga is giving you mental relief. HOw long have you benn loyal to the art?

Morn *sighs * Well this is how the story goes.......

So last night, I was logged into RFT. I'm in the bathroom and I hear my sister yell out "Is that your avater?" She went on about how my pic looked horrible blah blah blah--the hair,skin etc.....so I changed it...... :rolleyes: Got me a down and blah so on with the show.

I'M SO EMPOWERED BY ALL THIS RAW ENERGY!!! IT TRULY SHOWS HOW GOOD LIFE CAN BE IF WE TREAT OURSELVES THE WAY WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED!!!!

Did you say Rollerskates Girlsmiley????? :p Oh man, I remember as a little girl having the hardest time making those crossover turns :p

berrymarymac

01-06-2007, 11:50 PM

So last night, I was logged into RFT. I'm in the bathroom and I hear my sister yell out "Is that your avater?" She went on about how my pic looked horrible blah blah blah--the hair,skin etc.....so I changed it...... :rolleyes: Got me a down and blah so on with the show.

Haha, sounds like something my sister would say! I think your avatar's as well as you, misslinda, are absolutely beautiful!!

You all rawk!! Day 7 is almost here!!

girlsmiley

01-07-2007, 08:36 AM

to week one ... yeah!

So, in honor of that, and saying "goodbye" to cooked/dead food ...

(Interpretation: "he/him" = cooked food; "I/my" = our inner strength fueled by RAW LIFE! :D )

Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)
Artist: Steam

Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye
He'll never love you, the way that I love you
'Cause if he did, no no, he wouldn't make you cry
He might be thrillin' baby but a-my love (my love, my love)
So dog-gone willin'
So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him, wanna see you kiss him)
Go on and kiss him goodbye

Na na na na, hey hey-hey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye
Listen to me now
He's never near you to comfort and cheer you
When all those sad tears are fallin' baby from your eyes
He might be thrillin' baby but a-my love (my love, my love)
So dog-gone willin'
So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him. I wanna see you kiss him)
Go on and kiss him goodbye

Na-na na-na-na na na na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye
Hey hey-hey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye [repeat many times and fade out]

Everyone have a RAWkin day!

MissLinda ... glad to see you up and on the board :)

walkingcooper

01-07-2007, 09:19 AM

I'm starting a "First Cleanse" by Renew Life tomorrow; in addition, they have a "leaky gut" support and a fiber powder to help carry the toxins out. I decided to do this to help with the effects of the detox I'm experiencing. Still having headaches on and off, and kinda tired. I will say there have been a few nice energy boosts here and there; but, not the overal "awake and clear" I've felt when going raw before. I work at two jobs, and have a very messed up sleep schedule; so that might be contributing to the fatigue problem. Not sure what I can do about that just yet.

Can you eat too many nuts? I was just thinking about it because I'm leaning so much on them for my protein and hunger satisfaction. My appetite is just now starting to level out a bit.

Typical day is like this:

@ 2am 2 grapefruit w/ half avacado. (this is during 3rd shift at the hospital)
@ 8am apple with raisins and almonds(1/4 cup)
@ 12pm = Lunch is a large salad w/mock salmon pate and/or flax crackers
@ 2pm I'll usually have a piece of fruit and/or some nuts(1/4 cup)
most evenings that I have to work I sleep from 5-10pm so I don't usually eat "dinner"
@10 pm I might have a piece of fruit or something quick just to hold me over till my 2am meal.I'm so thankful that we have this forum for support and encouragment! I wish you all the best as we enter into the second week!

lavendarJ

01-07-2007, 10:14 AM

Wishing everyone a happy happy Sunday today!

Morn

01-07-2007, 10:24 AM

Well on the way out to go to church today, I told my 4 year old to go downstairs and put on her shoes. I come down to find that she threw up all over her dress, the stairs, and kitchen floor. It took me an hour to clean it all up. Since I have beeen focusing a huge amount of my freetime to this diet, forum, exercising (and believe me I don't have a lot of freetime), my house has severely suffered. It seems like when I try to find anytime for me and working on my issues, there is no time and if I take the time it affects all the other stuff that doesn't get done. There is just not enough hours in the day! I guess I won't be exercising today except for all the housework I will need to do. The bad news is I am extemely tired but now the whole floor needs to be washed. So today my exercise will consist of picking up after everyone else (so I can find the floor and counters), and putting away everyone's christmas presents so I can clean. Please pray for me (and the rest of the family) that I don't get sick as My mother in law got sick yesterday and gave it to my daughter today. I really can't afford to get sick cause if I don't work I don't get paid.

So I am wondering today if I should just fast or eat extremely light, or juice. what do you all think? What would you do?

__________________

Vegan Princess

01-07-2007, 03:29 PM

Sending healthy vibes your way Morn!! I'd keep eating but also drink lots of juice...hopefully you can keep your immune system strong! How was the brocolli soup? I might make it tonight.

Misslinda: I've been doing bikram yoga consistently for 5 months. I'm just totally hooked and love it so much! I did other yogas here and there, but never had a desire to do them every day like I do bikram.

Went dancing last night. No drinking though. My body hurt too much from the 2 classes to get up and do one this morning. I'll go to the 4:30 class. Had breakfast at the raw cafe. Yum! Also browsed the bookstore and bought a book on juicing...lots of recipes organized by what ailment they supposedly treat.

Morn

01-07-2007, 04:30 PM

[QUOTE=Vegan Princess]Sending healthy vibes your way Morn!! I'd keep eating but also drink lots of juice...hopefully you can keep your immune system strong! How was the brocolli soup? I might make it tonight.

It was great! I put it in the leftovers in my oven at 115 degrees to warm it up abit.

BrianC

01-07-2007, 04:37 PM

Also browsed the bookstore and bought a book on juicing...lots of recipes organized by what ailment they supposedly treat.

what's the title?

Morn

01-07-2007, 04:43 PM

Well I decided to take a break from cleaning and decided to have some leftover juice from what we juiced yesterday and now I am eating some baby carrots with hummus. I am so wiped out and haven't even made a dent yet in my house cleaning. I have been doing laundry all day and still is not caught up. Plus I am trying to figure out my family calendar for the next three months so things don't slip through the grate. It seems to do one task I have 5 others to do before I can accomplish that one. It is the story of our lives as women and caregivers. I wouldn't trade my life though. I love being a wife and mom. It is just overwhelming sometimes though with all that is on the agenda. This is why we need to take care of ourselves and eat well. Because if we don't do it no one will and how can we take care of others if we aren't healthy and strong? My biggest excuse before going raw was I don't have time to tackle this issue in my life so I will just accept that I will be heavy for the rest of my life. (So glad I am taking the time cause I know that if I hadn't I would be headed for some serious health issues down the road.) I know Girlsmiley can relate to all of this!

Anyway food eaten:

leftover juice that was juiced yesterday
hummus with carrots

Thank you Vegan Princess - I am receiving those healthy vibes so I can stay well!

PATH301

01-07-2007, 04:46 PM

Wow - Misslinda - I Like The New Avatar :d

I Was A Great 4 Wheeler Roller Skater!
Remember The First Time You Tried To Skate Backwards :d Or Do A Circle. Great Times :)

girlsmiley

01-07-2007, 05:30 PM

I know Girlsmiley can relate to all of this!
Preach It Sister! :D

I am praying for your health too ... and everyone who is going through detox and dealing with other injuries etc. You are A Survivor!

I have been feeling really good this past week ... *light* ... :rolleyes:

Haven't been eating much and haven't been craving anything either. I'm just going to "roll with it" and listen to what my body tells me it needs. :p

It feels good, too, not to feel like a slave to my emotional eating tendencies. I know there were times in the past months where I would get off the couch and run out somewhere to get something that I saw on a stupid commercial ... I would try to resist yet my mouth would water and I would just get this overwhelming, all consuming, urge ... which would then drive me out to get the *thing* that didn't end up really satisfying me anyway. Now it's cool to feel full after a few flax crackers and some "refried" beans.

I has also been fun seeing my son transitioning ... he is still eating some cooked yet not as much as he used to. He's been taking fruit, veggies, and nuts to work most nights. Yesterday, when I was juicing, he asked me if I would show him how to use the Champion Juicer sometime so he can juice before he goes to work :D I am believing that when I get my Level I certification I will be able to show him some recipes that he can duplicate. I don't know why I think that (the certification) will make a difference ... I'm just thinking that he may be more willing to listen/watch if he knows I went to a class ... lol ... When I first started this journey I made Alissa's Fettuccini Alfredo at the same time he was making the cooked version (it is his *favorite* dish). I know I probably didn't do something right because I ate some and ended dumping it out ... although it could be that I was expecting it to taste like the cooked version. So, he doesn't like to try my recipes ... lol ... at least it's better than when I used to COOK ... lol ... there were many times that we'd have to be fanning the fire alarm and opening the windows and doors because I would start making something and go do something else and then *remember* I was cooking when that all too familiar smell of something burning would hit my nose ... LOL ... LOL ... LOL ... LOL ... LOL ... LOL ... ROTFLMBO!!!!! At least with RAW I can't burn anything! GOTTA LOVE RAW!

So, I am believing that by taking the Level I class I will learn how to make that dish. What is also exciting about my plan to take that class is that the Teacher I am going to lives by the Creative Health Institute and they (CHI) have a Sunday Brunch that is open to the public so I am going to stop by there too (the class I'm taking is being held on a Sunday). It is going to be quite an *accomplishment* to associate "Chef" with my name ... LOL :D

Today's intake: Water
Exercise: 20 minutes on the Gazelle

everclear

01-07-2007, 05:39 PM

Vegan Princess

01-07-2007, 06:40 PM

Brian C: The book is called "Juicing For Life". So far it looks good! Can't wait to try the recipes as I'd just been throwing every thing but the kitchen sink in my juice and sometimes it'd be great sometimes it would be sort of ick.

Girlsmiley: I am LOL about your not being able to burn anything on raw! He he. I am so much more inspired to "cook" raw than ever before. Having spent so much of my life as a vegetarian, even when I went back to eating meat I was never really able to cook it b/c I always thought I was going to get food poisoning from it and ended up throwing it out. No worries on raw! Can't wait to hear how the class goes. The Living Light Culinary School is a couple hours from me and I plan on doing a weekend class sometime in the next few months. They have trained a number of Raw chefs including the famous Roxanne. :D

thevoyager

01-07-2007, 10:50 PM

hi everyone, i took part in the december challenge but fell off the bandwagon due to going back into extremely unhealthy disordered habits. but i'm back on the bandwagon, while im not eating 100% raw right now, i'm not ready. i'm learning to eat like a normal human being and am doing great with it. i'm eating mostly raw foods as well as cooked whole foods. i hope to get back into raw foods soon. i might be ready for the february challenge.

good luck everyone! kick but this january.

berrymarymac

01-07-2007, 11:00 PM

Hey everyone!

Yesterday I put some flax crackers in the dehydrator and they're finally done! Now I don't know what to do with them haha. And I think I made them a tad thicker than they're supposed to be... oh well. :p

I hope everyone is doing awesome! I'll go catch up on everyones replies right now. :D

Mmm, sounds good! Which recipe did you use?

So today, was laid up in bed from cramps and now they are coming back again, great. So food intake:
b/l: two pineapple salsa stuffed tomatoes
s: bananas and a large banana shake made with 3 bananas & almond milk
d: large salad with a mixed greens, spinach, corn, fennel, onion, tomato, avocado, lemon juice, olive oil and a little salt. It was amazing!!

Vegan Princess

01-07-2007, 11:38 PM

Welcome back Voyager! :p

Food today:
juice
grawnola, almond milk, fruit
raw bruschetta
raw saurkraut
salad
jicama
banana ice cream
pine nuts

Good job on week one everyone!! Have a great start to a new week.

everclear

01-07-2007, 11:47 PM

Mmm, sounds good! Which recipe did you use?

I used Alissa's Flax Seed Cracker recipe, but I used golden flax seed instead of regular and left out the Braggs. :)

misslinda

01-08-2007, 12:59 AM

GROOVY EVERYONE!!!!!

Veganprincess, I love the cobra position. btw, yur meals today sounded sooooooooo delicious....the whole bruchetta thingy and the granola and almond mylk!

Girlsmiley, yes, it's all about SURVIVAL! WOWSERS on conquering that emotional eating.....why do you think you have been so successful this time around vs all the other years ???

Voyager!!! NO WORRIES!!! If anything, you have been greatly missed and we send you lots of love and greatness to your healing....

Morn, you are beyond marginal in your efforts with all that you are doing! Have you thought about playing music on a head set so while you do these "chores" or tasks, they don't burden you? I agree, wouldn't trade your life for anything else.

girlsmiley

01-08-2007, 07:13 AM

Hey, this is what this thread is all about eh? :D

Lean On Me
Artist: Bill Withers

Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise, we know that there's always tomorrow.
Lean on me, when you're not strong and I'll be your friend.
I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need somebody
to lean on.
Please swallow your pride, if have things you need to borrow.
For no one can fill those needs that you won't let show.
You just call on me brother(sister) when you need a hand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you'll understand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
Lean on me when you't not strong, and I'll be your friend.
I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna' need
somebody to lean on.
You just call on me brother(sister) if you need a friend.
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you'll understand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
If there is a load you have to bear that you can't carry.
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load if you just call me.
Call me ( if you need a friend)
Call me
(Repeat Until Fade)

p.s. I believe Sharon Of Colorado started this "song of the day" thing in the December Challenge thread and I like it as I would check every morning to see what the song of the day was. However, it's not always easy trying to find a song ... so, if anyone has a song they want to post you can let me know or just go ahead and post it :D

girlsmiley

01-08-2007, 07:35 AM

Girlsmiley, yes, it's all about SURVIVAL! WOWSERS on conquering that emotional eating.....why do you think you have been so successful this time around vs all the other years ???
"conquering" is a big word MissLinda ... :rolleyes:

**FOR NOW** it is under control and I believe it is due to the fasting ... I'm in a more peaceful state, not fretting over what I'm going to eat next, tuning in to my Creator :p

Now, last night when my son asked me to pick him up something from Subway for lunch I was cool with it until I was sitting in the car waiting for him to come out and get it ... I touched it and the smells started to get to me and there was a split-second where I thought, "If he doens't get out here by the time I count to 10 I'm eating this whole thing!" Yet, my inner strength said, "R-i-g-h-t, and you're going to have one big stomach ache afterward!"

tvillemom

01-08-2007, 08:45 AM

Good morning everyone!
I'm sorry I haven't had time over the weekend to post. I have stayed raw....and lovin' it! I've made good choices when we ate out, and actually got up and exercised this morning! I have a "cardio dance" DVD, I did that for about 20 minutes...and then yoga for 10....I cut everything alittle short, because in the past, I pushed too hard and then could not exercise the next day because I was too sore. So, I'm learning to take it slow, and then, push alittle harder, as working out becomes more "routine". Funny, I always saw myself as an active person, but lately, I'm not. It's time to change those bad habits! 2007 is my year to shine.
I have 2 good friends at church, who both came to my New Year's eve party, and have been asking more and more about my eating style. One of them follows "adkins", and the other wants to loose weight, but wants a healthier lifestyle because of her daughter who she fears will be overweight. They say things that confirm in me that eating raw is the right thing to do!!
Yesterdays food:
B: water
Lunch: 2 mini pizzas....1 slice of key lime pie
Dinner: guacomole dip from the Mex. restaurant! YUMMY!
Today so far I've had green juice and plan to have carrot/apple juice for lunch and take some almonds/pumkin seeds as a snack later, as my DD has dance at 3:30 and ball practice at 7. I know I will be really hungry by 2:00. I also have to drive over to the next town and buy DD some dance shoes (she is taking dance for the first time :D and I'm as excited as she is!) Anyway, this is the plan.
Girlsmiley: Love the songs. I will be thinking of some, is there a "theme"? Are we just trying to "inspire" each other???
To everyone: I'm truly sorry for not posting to you all. I have read everyone's posts....I thank you for the support you all bring to the group. I could not make it without you!!
Wendi

girlsmiley

01-08-2007, 09:23 AM

Dinner: guacomole dip from the Mex. restaurant! YUMMY!
Isn't that just the coolest thing ... being able to eat Guacamole and call it dinner! GOTTA LOVE RAW! I am in the process of trying to figure out what to get at the Mexican restaurant when we go out for lunch to celebrate/morn the loss of a co-worker to a better job at another company ... and I, too, have been looking at the Guacamole (made fresh daily with an option to have them make it at your table for about $4 more ... lol ... but it is sooooooooo good)! And maybe a dinner salad, depends on what comes on it :D

Girlsmiley: Love the songs. I will be thinking of some, is there a "theme"? Are we just trying to "inspire" each other???
I didn't really have a "theme" per se, probably just wanted songs to motivate us to keep movin and goovin to get 2007 off to the best start possible under our individual circumstances :)

rawwannabe

01-08-2007, 10:16 AM

Hmmm, no weight lost.

Our family was out for the day yesterday, and I brought two apple in case they wanted to eat out. (note to self: while granny smiths may be good as juiced, they are not good to eat straight up).

Yesterday's intake: raw granola w/ almond milk; an apple; a spoon full of Alissa's blueberry cheesecake; raw hummus w/ raw "bread" (there has to be a better way as, to my taste, this is akin to eating cardboard; caesar salad; 1/2 Sunburger; one flax cracker.

Today, I am experiencing um, how to put this delicately....massive evacuations. And they're um, greenish (sorry for the graphic description. Am seeking advice). Thanks & keep up the great work one and all!

mad4mangos

01-08-2007, 10:22 AM

hi friends! i was posting a daily thing on the main forum, but this is much better. this way i'm not a lone soul just talking about my day...i have others to talk to about it. anyway. today is only my fourth day. mental battle, usa. "do i want to do this? will i lose weight? is it worth it? can i live like this forever? if i can't do this forever, what's the point?" that kind of thing. i feel like i ate way too much yesterday, too. here's what i had:

raw raspberry cheesecake
carrots
raw crab salad and raw mashed potatoes
cantaloupe
raw chili/lime crackers
piece of raw carob fudge pie
Non-raw 2 mini toasts with hummus and a little wine

I know there are great health benefits from doing raw, but I feel like I'm only doing it to lose weight and I can do that just by counting calories. I guess I'm trying to figure out why I truly am so set on being raw? I dunno. I'm crazy right now. :)

rawwannabe

01-08-2007, 10:42 AM

No, madfor...maybe it's a timing "thing" ("x" amount of days raw) because I'm thinking the same thing at the same time. Will continue on though. If nothing else, it's an interesting experiment.

When I feel great, there's no doubt, when I'm feeling "peckish"...not so great, and not so certain.

girlsmiley

01-08-2007, 11:06 AM

mad4mangos - glad to have you with us :)

Regarding ...
"do i want to do this? will i lose weight? is it worth it? can i live like this forever?"
I believe that is "normal" ... I was feeling horrible and life was an effort because I had let myself get so obese. I noticed some immediate positive effects (no more water retention, more energy) and that kept me going. However, I did not make it through the first 30 days ... pretty close to 3 weeks I think ... before I stuffed my face with fast food. It was quite interesting to feel its affects on my system. However, that didn't keep me from doing it again, and again, and again. One time I stopped at two difference establishments because I figured I had gotten an "old" item. LOL ... how SAD is that?

I was mostly raw for my first 4 months and I always felt better eating raw than cooked. It is hard to think "I can never have ..." so I just go with how I am feeling and if there comes a time that I want something cooked I may just eat it. That is how I approached Christmas and I didn't beat myself up. I just know that for the past 4 months I've eaten more raw than cooked and that is a good thing. I'd smell something *good* and want a taste and find myself disappointed so I know that eventually there will be less and less times when I will think I want something cooked.

So, my goal for January is to really do RAW for 30 Days ... and Beyond! :D

Can I do this for life? Yes I can if that is my choice. I like that I don't have to weigh, measure, count calories etc. I do it every once in a while at fitday just to see how I am doing. There are so many raw whole foods that take more calories to digest than they contain (e.g., celery) and I usually eat a whole celery heart at one sitting ... sometimes plain and sometimes with homemade nut butter ... not just a few stalks ... I gotta eat the whole thing :p

**jessireebob**

01-08-2007, 11:17 AM

Mad4mangos and Rawwannabe, I'm having these same exact thoughts... I am so glad to know others are. I really thought I was the only struggling with the "why am I doing this?" type questions...

Maybe it's a part of the emotinoal detox? Maybe in a way it's about us realising that this, like everythign else, will be hard and take time and may be difficult to maintain, and we perhaps can't control it the way we want?

I'm swamped with these thoughts. And with FEAR that I won't lose weight... I wonder if what I'm fearing (this really is the most accurate word... it feels like fear) is that I could miss out on all the good cooked food and all the things my body craves and all the things that shut off my brain (in particular cooked grains) and not lose weight. That 'missing out' feeling seems to motivate a lot of my disordered eating... A sense of it being now or never. Eat it this moment or the chance will pass you by...

Thanks for posting that you have these thoughts. It's making me thyink about them differently.

Anyway, I didn't have that "allowed" cooked meal this weekend. I didn't even have popcorn even though I bought a whole bottle of kernals AND I gave myself 'permission' to make it three nights in a row. I just didn't need it though. I ate big, filling raw dinners, and there was no need for the snack. Yay! My detox blues seem to be lifting a bit, and Friday night I slept well for the time in weeks! It felt wonderful!

Girlsmiley, thanks so much for the awesome daily songs!!

Tvillemom, way to go on managing restaurants!

Misslinda, your colorful replies are awesome. They make me smile each time I read one!

Voyager, glad to have you!

Everclear, I haven't made those crackers yet. How did they turn out?

Berrymac, hope the cramps are gone for good!

VeganPrincess, what do you put in your bruschetta? Is it oil, vin, tomato, garlic, parsley or basil? I guess bruschetta is kind of naturally raw. And so good!! I'd like to make some as well!! Also, I'm so intereste to hear how your yoga is coming along. I'm doing a three day workshop next month with Ana Forrest and am doing a weeklong retreat in June with Rolf Gates. I'm so scared that I won't be ready for either, but people keep telling me it always feel that way b/c you don't know what you're getting yourself into... Hope yours goes really really well!

morn, wow, you sure have a lot on your plate! I wish you tons of positive energy!

walkingcooper, good luck with your cleanse! I really don't know about eating too many nuts, except that if your bod feels like it's on nut overload, it probably is... hope you fee better soon!

There are so many people on this thread. It's hard to keep up and write to everyone, but please know that I'm reading and sending positive energy even to those I don't address directly. I think prob some days it iwll be easier to address folks than others, but it's just nice that we're all here doing this together.

rawwannabe

01-08-2007, 11:37 AM

Thanks for the sharing...it's good to know one is not alone in this quest.

I'm petite in stature, 5'2", and quite small boned. Am currently 136#, and I aim for 103-110#. I carry most of my weight in my bottom half, although I can get away with carrying excess weight because I am "balanced" with broad shoulders and a "wasp waist" . I would have had the "perfect" body in the 1960s. :)

Anyway, weight loss is a bonus, I am doing this because when I feel great eating raw, I have energy to burn....something lacking for the greater part of my life.

It IS good to know we are in this together. Must log off the 'puter now and get some work done. Hang in there, all!

misslinda

01-08-2007, 12:29 PM

LEAN ON ME...........great song!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELLO HELLO BEAUTIFUL,STRONG WILLED AND DETERMINED PEOPLES!!!!!

I had diarreah last night.....in fact the last two days my stomach has been nauceous and ailing.

I managed to down an apple yesterday. herb salad with kombucha for dressing. I was busy with the toilet last night when all was sound azleep. :D

LadyAngora

01-08-2007, 01:23 PM

i'm also going raw this month with my husband... we started on january 5th, but went vegan on the first.

i have a hard time finding ingredients out here, and ordered a lot of things online, but the fresh stuff is tough to find sometimes too... and darn expensive! we're way over our budget for groceries already... but i'm committed to doing this at least for 30 days, so maybe i can find some recipes with cheaper items!

so far, we've had: alfredo, mock salmon pate, pad thai, date nut torte, and alissa's salad dressing. these are all from her book and i'm sticking pretty tightly to her 30 day challenge.

does anyone know of a raw substitute for bulgur wheat? we love tabouli and would love a raw version...

Morn

01-08-2007, 02:11 PM

Just a quick check in. I have to go and clean the floor and do more laundry before I go to work. But wanted to let you know that I lost 2 more pounds (39 pounds total). Another week and hopefully I will bridge the 40 pound mark. I want to lose another 40 by the end of May (which is my birthday month). I hope I can do it. Anyway I had another wonderful present to wake up to. My daughter got sick again in her bed. So I had to strip the bed. Wash the wall, clean the carpet and her dolls, toys, etc. Not fun at all! I think it will actually be good to get out of this house tonight for work. It feels all germy. But so far so good (I am not sick yet). I haven't eaten anything yet today but I am going to get some green tea now.

Misslinda - you must have the same bug as whats in my house right now. I hope you feel better soon!

Girlsmiley - Way to go - You are under the 300 mark! Rawsome!

Lady Angora - Wow way to go a 6 pound weight loss!

To all those new to this challenge and are questioning raw and what you want to do longterm - I say take it day by day and don't worry about tomorrow, (commit for the 30 days to be raw and then you can decide from there after you see how you feel).

Vegan Princess

01-08-2007, 02:29 PM

Great job Morn!!

My food looked so good yesterday guys b/c I got it from the raw cafe! Had breakfast and took lunch home. The bruschetta was "live toast" and each was different: one was avocado, one was tomato basil olive oil, one was olive tapenade and one was a hemp seed pesto (I think). All delicious! I still love the tomato one the best though. Today I am up 1.5 pounds. I think it is bloating. Maybe from the saurkraut. C'est la vie.

Jessireebob: Yes - I am worried about being prepared for all the yoga on the retreat! I keep trying to get all these doubles in before I go, but I know I will be fine when I am there and not having to worry about errands and work and everyone else will be doing it with me. If not, I will just do what I can.

Nini

01-08-2007, 04:53 PM

Good evening all!

I love reading your posts, esp. the food choices.

Today, I ate:
B-a HUGE bowl of sliced oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit
L-Alissa's Broccoli Soup with Fabulous Onion Bread as croutons
D-Grape tomatoes
Garlicky Almonds
bing cherries (splurge!!)

I will have some Energy Soup in a little while if I get hungry.

Instead of rebounding today, I played basketball with my 5th graders. Whew!!!
The cool thing is, I wouldn't have even thought about it a year ago.

Nini

berrymarymac

01-08-2007, 06:30 PM

so cramps on gone due to finally giving in and taking two advil, I had to...it was bad and I had to run errands today. And now...I'm sick. Feels like I have cotton in the back of my throat, coughing and drainage...ugh. So bought some olbas cough syrup for that and other things, so hopefully I'll be good to go soon.

b/l: two HUGE salads at Sweet Tomato, which is a salad buffet place. Ate all raw, w00t w00t!!
s: 20oz. beet, carrot, apple & ginger juice from whole foods, fresh. I felt so good sipping on it...then I ran out.
s: made some trail mix for school, so munched on that while making it. Consisted of: dried cranberries, pecans, pumpkin seeds, apples, mixed fruit, raisins, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, freeze dried pineapple & bananas. Omg, it's amazing! So I have brain food for classes! yey!
d: contemplating. Might just have some OJ and a few bananas.

I have no desire to eat and just want to curl up and go to sleep, but I have packing to do for school. But I need to eat cause I'm a bit shaky. My body is definitely telling me something! I just wish I knew what it was.

girlsmiley

01-08-2007, 06:31 PM

Thank you Morn :D I know you will make your goal! Even to be down 40 more by May ... that is my birthday month as well!!! You are an amazing woman managing a job with odd hours, your family, and your home. I do pray supernatural strength, inside and out, for you :)

I had an appointment today with a Renal Specialist. Apparently protein is spilling into my urine (it's been doing this for a long time and NOW my Dr sends me to a specialist - I think he was just surprised that it was still happening after my diet change). Anyway, about a month ago I quit taking all my medications and have been monitoring my blood glucose but not my blood pressure. Well, it was pretty high and I was convinced to get back on it until I lose more weight. Anyway, this Dr was not too friendly, at least she was telling me that she didn't *see* anything physically to indicate serious problems so she had me get some blood drawn and I have to get an x-ray of my kidneys. Oh well, I know things are going to be OK and if anything is off-kilter right now it will be getting better soon as this RAW food is healing and when I go back in 3 months she will be shocked. It is just a nuisance to me ...

LadyAngora - wow, that is rawsome that you are following Alissa's 30 Day food plan. I think the first month I ate tons of salads and made more dessert recipes ... lol ... You are doing great!

tvillemom - you are doing great too ... what an inspiration!

MissLinda - *~*~*~ Healing Prayers *~*~*~

Todays intake:

frozen peach slices (from a bag of frozen mixed fruit that I ended up tossing :eek: nothing tastes like fresh)
flax crackers and "refried" beans
odd mixture of sliced mushrooms and diced tomato with pepper and nama shoyu

Exercise: 20 minutes on the Gazelle