More questions

[aenea]

I should really start compiling a list of questions before I keep posting you guys are going to get really sick of me :)

Like i've said before I ordered the book yesterday (yay) but after reading forums questions are starting to flood in!!

1. I was curious about the detox phase anything you can tell me is great or maybe point me out to links on the forum that has already covered it.

2. I'm changing because I believe the way I am eating is horrid and that raw is a much better way, I'm very much convineced this is how God intended, I am however not sure that I really want to give up chicken. Chicken and turkey is like the only meat I eat, I can totally live without any redmeats... Any thoughts?

[Amberly]

So if you feel like keeping chicken and turkey for a while, just do it, but add in tons of raw food and eventually you will most likely not want them anymore. Once you begin to feel clean your body will be able to sense what is good and bad and will begin to reject the meat. My thoughts anyway. Also, watching alot of PETA videos helps to can the meat consumption.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Most PETA videos are agressive and may not be for the weak at heart. If you don't want to be disturbed for the rest of the day, you may choose to avoid PETA and get a copy of The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell.

P.S. There aren't any nutrients in poultry (or any animal product for that matter) that can't be obtained through plant foods. :)

[Amberly]

yeah, you'll figure out that American's are over proteined and animal proteins aren't necessary.

[Ariannah]

What you decide to eat is entirely optional to you. There was a time when I used to talk myself into eating all kinds of harmful things because I liked the taste of them, or felt I "couldn't do without".

If you want to be really raw, then sure, go 100%, take the 30 day self-challenge, and see how you feel.

Now, my personal opinion about turkey and chicken. It's bad for the environment, the birds themselves, and the people who consume them -

I'm completely opposed to the way today's animals are factory farmed and processed. Many chickens and turkeys never see the light of day, living in cages, injected with vaccines, fed unnatural foods to make them fatter sooner, stacked upon each other so their feces is all over each other. By the time they reach the neatly styrofoam packaged containers in the supermarkets, they look all nice and clean, but what are you really getting?

Yes, you can get organically raised poultry that is raised in much better conditions, free range, drug free, fed a natural diet, and treated better. But then again, by the time you can afford to feed your family with one of those, you could have had a myriad of raw delights that are better quality food and contain usable nutrients and enzymes.

But now NOTHING compares to the taste and the feel of RAW. You'll feel better in so many ways that you didn't even originally know were wrong! You have no idea how many things in life I assumed were "normal".

Give raw a try!

[aenea]

That makes me feel a little better. I've been on another program and have lost 7 1/2 pounds YAY... and have really cut out a lot of junk already and have upped the fruit/veggie intake immensley so I'm hoping that this will be a somewhat easy transition for me.

PETA is a great cause and I admire the individuals who give up meat to protect our animals, it isn't why I've decided to go raw. I've done it for pure health reasons, and while I think it's ok to eat meat, meat today is not the same meat 200 years ago. Pumped full of antibiotics and gene-altering gunk it's no wonder we are all sick.

I feel very at peace about changing the way i see food, and looking at what is going in my body. I unfortunately can't commit to 100% raw until I get my disbursment check from the college on the 22nd of feb, but I am definately going to be starting on the smoothies and upping my veggie/fruit intake and get some nuts and what not. The lifestyle change literally kept me up with excitement and happiness lastnight. I was totally craving a strawberry/kiwi smoothie lastnight while i was trying to sleep:)

Thank you everybody who has responded to all my questions, I really appreciate it, and hopefully soon I can do the same for another.


~Aenea~

[BecauseICan]

For me, giving up meat has been easy. I've never been much into red meat, just didn't like it and we don't eat swine so turkey and chicken were my thing, but NO more!! One of the things that I did was stood at the counter of my carniverous family and really "examined" the meat ~ looked at the slimy coating on the outside, followed the bloody purple veins with my finger, squished it in my hand and then thought about putting that in my mouth. GROSS!!!!!!! And ya know what, now that I no longer eat them, I no longer have to help slaughter, YEAH!!!! Think about all of the gooey organs ya scoop out with your fingers so that you can plop that slimy little muscle onto your tongue.... how about that chalky, ooey stuff that is sometimes on the meat or can't you just feel that fat on your tongue, ya know how it kinda bounces back as you chew it. ooooh yummy...........gag, gag, gag...

Did I help? ;)

[cassidy]

Hi Aenea,
I know you responded to my post about the whole detox thing... to tell you the truth it feels great to detox. There are some weird things to deal with: old injuries flaring up, possible headaches, chest pain for me for some reason, tons of energy - insomnia :eek: ....... and whatever individual issues your own body will need to rid itself of. But KNOWING that this is what it is... detox... you feel great. I love the fact tha my body if finally healing itself - on it's own. I'm irritated that I can't go to bed and fall asleep my 9pm... but I'm excited that I have SO much energy.
I don't think there are any downfalls to detox - it might be sometimes uncomfortable... but look at that great big grand picture of health and appreciate it!
It sounds like you are on the right track and I'm so happy you are joining raw food talk... it such a fun bulliten board. Many a sleepless nights have been spent delving through the archives and posting recipe or life questions... that always get answered!

[aenea]

haha I hope i have your problem too much energy then I can stay awake and do homework :p I have had a lot of heatlh issues over the years, one thing that still bothers me is that i had shoulder surgery cause i tore my biceps tendon from lifting people when i was a physical therapy aide for mentally handicapped individuals. I honestly can't say enough how excited and happy I am, I think my only major concern is food prep, and while nothing has to be cooked I'm used to eating my meals out of a microwave because of my schedule. I will have to be very diciplined and make things the night before so that I'm not skipping meals leading to slipping up and eating something out of hunger or things like that. I'm very glad these forums are available, I've really enjoyed reading through everybodies comments and positive posts. Very motivating.

[cassidy]

You can prep doughs (for pizza.. you make this and have a slice for lunch or dinner every day for a week... its so good) dips, sauces, salad dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge. My advice is to take a few hours whenever you have time and chop up veggies, wash lettuce, make some dips and pates, crackers, zuchini noodles, marinaras, make rp's brownies... and anything else you can store in the fridge so you can grab and go. It is a good idea to always have something so you don't go for a nonraw item due to convenience instead. This works best for me - just always have lots of options ready. It takes a little bit of time... but it is well worth it. With all the extra energy you'll be able to do it no problem. It's also a lot of fun.
Another thing I like to do is dehydrate banana slices overnight and then eat them in the morning. They don't get dehydrated all the way so they are still a little moist and really warm... delicious! I sometims have this, a Kombucha and I try to get in a green juice (this takes time too...but is also worth it!) in the am.
There are just so many options.... :)

[dreamrawalwz]

If you want raw for health reasons, I think eating chicken/turkey will not give you optimal health you're looking for. My aunt went vegan in the end of november. She had a serving of mild fish a few weeks ago and it did her in that night and the next two days. It proves it harms ones body. I know that wasn't chicken, but it was an animal protein. The fish actually in the "ok" list in the China Study book. I suggest reading the China Study. No, eating the chicken/fish won't undo or prevent the detox and healing, but it just won't help continue to the level you want. It IS better if you have to go a step at a time though. If it's raw w/ chicken/turkey versus all cooked and junk, I say go for the first one. Just keep an open mind that one day you could "give it up." Good luck!

[aenea]

I will keep that in mind thank you!