autruche
02-02-2007, 03:54 PM
I'm in England, where there don't seem to be many raw vegans, except perhaps in London. Having said that, I just found a couple who host workshops in raw vegan cookery not far from me, which was really exciting - I hope they're wishing me luck from not-so-afar...
I've been vegan and vegetarian (alternating) since I was 6, and I finally 'saw the light' in about September 2005 (I'm 18, so I took my time about it). Unfortunately, I didn't go about things in the best way...
I decided to 'fast', having generally one portion of fruit or veg a day. I realise that this might not have been a healthy option, since I experienced what some anorexics describe as a 'hunger high', and therefore pursued the diet for some months. It was almost as if I was addicted to feeling the tranquility that it induced: I was more directed in my thoughts; I could sleep deeply, and I woke up refreshed and, again, focused on what I had to do that day - rather than being focused on my stomach.
Being without guidance throughout, I may have gone too far. I soon contracted glandular fever (mononucleosis), though I accept that this is a very contagious virus and I might have caught it anyway. My doctor decided that I was anorexic, and my family and friends accepted the diagnosis. I do not. Though I felt terrible when I was ill, the illness came suddenly - it was not preceded by months of fatigue or any other signs of low immunity. I recovered quickly, but I now feel under pressure to eat more than I feel healthy and happy eating. Sometimes it disgusts me, as if I'm a pig to be fattened up before he slaughter.
Following that, I had IBS-like symptoms, because I suddenly shocked my body with a 'normal' (western) diet again. I didn't eat meat, though I occasionally had fish. I knew dairy would upset my stomach more than most things, so I steered clear of that most of the time, too. However, all the IBS advise books I read told me that cooked food would be easier for my body to digest, because it was broken down slightly already. I'm happy to say that I'm really stubborn, and I don't listen to advice unless it sounds good to me (not always so wise...) Cooked food made me feel terrible. I stuck to salads and fruit most of the time, but I still ate processed cereals, bread and processed, pasteurised soya milk.
I had to have very intrusive tests, all of which showed simply that there wasn't anything wrong with my digestive tract (yet), though my immunity was really low and my liver function tests were suggesting I drank too much<!> Finally, I decided that something had to change, and I resorted to the fountain of all knowledge: the Internet (or, at least, the clever people therein :o)
I've been going rawer and rawer (Rhaaa). Now, I'm happy to say that I'm going to the gym around every other day and I feel far stronger. The past 5 days have only boosted my vitality - gym work-outs have been easier than ever, so I've been pushing myself harder and I'm finally feeling happy about myself.
Yet, it's still tough. Of course, my diet is my choice, but eating is nevertheless a very social activity, and one which I do not wish to be excluded from simply because I choose to eat differently from those around me (or indeed, not at all), nor do I want those who care about me to worry unduly. Could you suggest a way by which I allay their fears, and avoid succumbing to the pressure that I wish I could withstand? I am beginning to resent them for encouraging me to follow the same unhealthy eating habits that so many people in western societies do, and from which I wish I could dissuade them.
Even alone, I'm not always strong enough to resist something so apparently innocent as a cashew nut, unroasted and without salt, yet almost certainly processed at very high temperatures, for example. I know I should, but I feel alone.
From tomorrow, I'm going to have a fast for a few days to make up for my errors. Then, no honey, no nuts, no dried fruit, no olives etc. etc., unless I'm positive that they're raw. Bring on the deiciously healthful fruit and veg. (Thank heavens my juicer should arrive tomorrow!)
Please E-mail me if you have any advice to give me. I have so much to learn.
Love, Helen x
I've been vegan and vegetarian (alternating) since I was 6, and I finally 'saw the light' in about September 2005 (I'm 18, so I took my time about it). Unfortunately, I didn't go about things in the best way...
I decided to 'fast', having generally one portion of fruit or veg a day. I realise that this might not have been a healthy option, since I experienced what some anorexics describe as a 'hunger high', and therefore pursued the diet for some months. It was almost as if I was addicted to feeling the tranquility that it induced: I was more directed in my thoughts; I could sleep deeply, and I woke up refreshed and, again, focused on what I had to do that day - rather than being focused on my stomach.
Being without guidance throughout, I may have gone too far. I soon contracted glandular fever (mononucleosis), though I accept that this is a very contagious virus and I might have caught it anyway. My doctor decided that I was anorexic, and my family and friends accepted the diagnosis. I do not. Though I felt terrible when I was ill, the illness came suddenly - it was not preceded by months of fatigue or any other signs of low immunity. I recovered quickly, but I now feel under pressure to eat more than I feel healthy and happy eating. Sometimes it disgusts me, as if I'm a pig to be fattened up before he slaughter.
Following that, I had IBS-like symptoms, because I suddenly shocked my body with a 'normal' (western) diet again. I didn't eat meat, though I occasionally had fish. I knew dairy would upset my stomach more than most things, so I steered clear of that most of the time, too. However, all the IBS advise books I read told me that cooked food would be easier for my body to digest, because it was broken down slightly already. I'm happy to say that I'm really stubborn, and I don't listen to advice unless it sounds good to me (not always so wise...) Cooked food made me feel terrible. I stuck to salads and fruit most of the time, but I still ate processed cereals, bread and processed, pasteurised soya milk.
I had to have very intrusive tests, all of which showed simply that there wasn't anything wrong with my digestive tract (yet), though my immunity was really low and my liver function tests were suggesting I drank too much<!> Finally, I decided that something had to change, and I resorted to the fountain of all knowledge: the Internet (or, at least, the clever people therein :o)
I've been going rawer and rawer (Rhaaa). Now, I'm happy to say that I'm going to the gym around every other day and I feel far stronger. The past 5 days have only boosted my vitality - gym work-outs have been easier than ever, so I've been pushing myself harder and I'm finally feeling happy about myself.
Yet, it's still tough. Of course, my diet is my choice, but eating is nevertheless a very social activity, and one which I do not wish to be excluded from simply because I choose to eat differently from those around me (or indeed, not at all), nor do I want those who care about me to worry unduly. Could you suggest a way by which I allay their fears, and avoid succumbing to the pressure that I wish I could withstand? I am beginning to resent them for encouraging me to follow the same unhealthy eating habits that so many people in western societies do, and from which I wish I could dissuade them.
Even alone, I'm not always strong enough to resist something so apparently innocent as a cashew nut, unroasted and without salt, yet almost certainly processed at very high temperatures, for example. I know I should, but I feel alone.
From tomorrow, I'm going to have a fast for a few days to make up for my errors. Then, no honey, no nuts, no dried fruit, no olives etc. etc., unless I'm positive that they're raw. Bring on the deiciously healthful fruit and veg. (Thank heavens my juicer should arrive tomorrow!)
Please E-mail me if you have any advice to give me. I have so much to learn.
Love, Helen x