How Raw Am I?

[Beckla]

I've just been wondering this.

I went raw on 1/5/07. Since then, I've had the following transgressions from the 100% mark:

- About 5 salads in restaurants with non-raw walnuts and dressing
- A few beers
- About 5 slices of sprouted Ezekiel bread

That makes me "high raw" at least, yeah?

[Conscious Midwife]

definately high raw :D

I think there are some folks who claim 100% yet have never considered buying truely raw EVOO and the may not even be consuming raw seasonings.

Funny you mention this
I read a post last night that had a 99% raw intro listing fish as the only exception a few times a week and I think cooked rice or beans (not sure)

So I was like no way attributing only 1% to the fish consumption :eek:
All I could do was laugh, not at the individuals struggle but at the MATH

Anyway for folks who want to go by percentage maybe they should add up total caloric intake and then do the math for what % of those calories were raw vs. cooked/ processed.

Some days I strive for 100%

other days I just eat based upon available most nutrient packed choices

I've yet to make it 30 days straight to the letter T-Total perfectly 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt no give or take.

SO I JUST DO MY BEST ... knowing I can achieve all I believe that I can! :D

[Beckla]

Cool. Thanks, Life. Just was curious. I don't know how long I'll stay "this" raw - whatever "this" is. But it sure is making me feel great. Hard to imagine turning away from that.

[luna99]

I've yet to make it 30 days straight to the letter T-Total perfectly 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt no give or take.

SO I JUST DO MY BEST ... knowing I can achieve all I believe that I can! :D

thank you for saying that. I think it's so important for people (especially those new to raw) to realize that it's about eating raw moment to moment and no one is perfect... if you *can* do absolutely 100% raw all the time, then great for you.. but if you're eating 100% raw on a few days, then you slip and have a little something un-raw.. it's OKAY and don't beat yourself up over it!!

I think a lot of new people (me included) start to feel like if you slip and have *anything* un-raw you've FAILED and then you start to think of yourself and your raw journey in a negative way.

I'm learning to take it one day at a time and not feel so horrible if I fall off the raw wagon now and again.. besides.. eating 99% raw is WAY better than I was eating before.

thank you again!!! :D

[trinity082482]

I don't think the beer and bread are raw but I would say some raw is better than no raw. I think you can work up to 100%! I am almost there. I feel so much better in my own skin! :D

[moonstone523]

INHO, Being a raw foodists is a lifestyle and a mindset, not a competition.

You will truly be a raw foodists when you stop asking for validation like "how raw am I?" and can just be happy in your personal health decisions.

[Noix_coco]

I don't think the beer and bread are raw but I would say some raw is better than no raw. I think you can work up to 100%! I am almost there. I feel so much better in my own skin! :DI thought so and a French guy did some research about that on mice, some were fed with 100% raw all the time and others with raw and cooked food from time to time and others with only cooked food. The result of the experience was that (they measured this with different indicators) the cooked-food group was healthier than the not totally raw group.

So they were recommended me to eat one week raw at a time, then resume with the "normal" diet and try again rather that one day with raw, one without etc. The body may have difficulties to adjust if we give it too many different options.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to advise anything, just trying to figure out things, as all this is new to me!

Helene, 5th raw day

[SiennaInLondon]

I do have to say that going out to restaurants has become a nightmare so I can understand your salad dilemma. I am a mess of confusion.

[Beckla]

Hm. Thanks guys.

To be clear, I don't seek validation here. I'm all set with myself, my own goals and growth. I just was curious as to how my experience was in comparison to others.

[LovingLife]

thank you for saying that. I think it's so important for people (especially those new to raw) to realize that it's about eating raw moment to moment and no one is perfect... if you *can* do absolutely 100% raw all the time, then great for you.. but if you're eating 100% raw on a few days, then you slip and have a little something un-raw.. it's OKAY and don't beat yourself up over it!!

I think a lot of new people (me included) start to feel like if you slip and have *anything* un-raw you've FAILED and then you start to think of yourself and your raw journey in a negative way.

I'm learning to take it one day at a time and not feel so horrible if I fall off the raw wagon now and again.. besides.. eating 99% raw is WAY better than I was eating before.

thank you again!!! :D

Thank you for saying that too :) -- Last year was my first year raw and I went through a lot of mental battles with not staying 100% all the time, but I'm really starting to find my balance and feel good about the choices I make, whether high raw or 100%. Sometimes I feel best at 100% and sometimes I need something cooked. But my health problems are definitely best managed with 100% so that's what I shoot for most of the time.

One analogy that helps me in my raw journey is that of an airline pilot. He/she isn't always on the precise flight path the whole time -- many times the plane veers to the left or the right and the pilot steers the plane back on course to eventually reach the correct destination. That's how I see my eating. As much as I'd love to be 100% all the time (and I know for some this is very doable), I've found that it isn't always the case with me and I can adjust and get back with the next bite, next meal, or next day.

Beckla -- I think you're doing great -- I'm sure you've nourished your body with many wonderful raw foods that aren't listed. And I tell myself the same thing you have when I'm not all raw -- the way I'm eating now is much better than before.

[christiahall]

I would say turning down a beer or few has been the hardest part for me so far. :)

[Beckla]

Thanks y'all. I agree - one day, one decision at a time.

I'm bummed that I had my worst raw day since I started on 1/5 today. A greek salad at a restaurant. Then dinner was the "deviled egg" spread on two slices of sprouted bread.

Oh. And a beer with lunch.

But coming back here totally helped. So nice to find others on the path with similar ups and downs. So thanks for that.