questions, questions, questions!

[shalom]

Okay - i will try and keep this as short and simple as i can.

I am 100% sold and in love with this lifestyle. I feel great (look better too), my kids are doing great, my 3yo asks for salad all the time.... i love it!

dh is totally supportive of me. BUT we disagree on some things because of certain concerns that he has. He says that he believes that the raw diet is mostly good. but, he is also studying to be a nutritional specialist (he wants to be available to the vegans since we have found they most advise meat and cheese to be in diets) anyway, he wants to be a vegan nutritional specialist. That being said, he is very cautious and skeptical cause he knows that the main stream nutrition bookshave their own agenda..:rolleyes:

But here are his things:

He believes it is beneficial to have a few slices of sprouted bread a week.
- i sprout quinoa and millet and feel that that is good enough

He thinks it puts out social limitations
- i say, bring a salad or fruit.

he is reading a lot about the whole thing where different nutrients are only brought out through steaming (nutrients that are essential for digestion).
- i said that it seems as those nutrients could be found in other raw foods?

He also works at a natural food store and said that it doesnt help for him to see people that come in to the store, who claim to be raw - looking pale, emaciated, malnourished/ no glow.... you know what i mean?
- I said, that they probobly *were* malnourished; not everyone does this "right". It is easy for newbies/novices/those without support to develope habits that don't give them the complete nutrition they need.

Gosh, i know that there are more things he said and questioned - but for mow i am drawing a blank. I will have to post them as i think of them.

Thanks ahead of time - he knows i am posting this - we are both interested in seeing what you all have to say.

~shalom

[DavidZaneMason]

Here's the thing:

-People sort of pre-decide the level they are going with.....and then supply the facts and rationale to back it up. So trying to debate the rationale of something is rather pointless! Ha! ha! Being successful and happy are always the best salesman for a healthy eating lifestyle. I feel no particular compulsion to try to convince anybody of anything......only to support them in THEIR goals.....or help them to find what they truly want.

-David Z. Mason

[luckitri]

Because he can see this, as do many of us who are forging ahead anyway, perhaps he can realize that he is getting involved in a field with much opportunity for research and further understanding on best way to do this. Many of us have realized much benefit in the short term but hear rumors about this not being sustainable long term. We choose to stay in it because the benefit outweighs our SAD options but we need to learn how to maintain long-term. There are people who have been raw many years but they seem to be the exception.

I always thought that the idea of a potluck was not just the socializing but also to try new foods. I look forward to sharing delicious new foods with people and letting them know that it is safe for them to enjoy it.

I met a raw nutritionist who told me that the doctor was right - I should not have young coconut - but from reading on-line other points of view about high cholesterol - I think that the school taught her wrong. There is just too much information out now to support that idea. My cholesterol has become an acceptable ratio - not with any doctors drugs or eating suggestions - with raw.

Please remember that some of us come to this lifestyle out of medical desperation - nothing is working for us in the SAD community - not the food - not the Rx - not the doctors. I don't know why this is. For years I have thought that my SAD piecrusts and biscuits from scratch suddenly didn't cook up right because the flour is being irradiated - I just can't figure it out. And suddenly in middle age my body is doing so many strange things - and all of us middle age women who suddenly get these bloated pregnancy bellies - what is that about? Me whose waistline was once the envy of everyone - why does the SAD food suddenly do that to me? I am far from skinny or healthy with raw yet but I am so much better than I was.

If someone is not having severe digestive problems from head to toe with SAD white flour products - well let them keep eating them. Me - I had problems with each part of my digestive system and a different doctor for each part. It does not make sense. It is all one digestive system. And none of their solutions did anything for me. With raw I don't need any of them. So I say focus on the good parts and figure out the other parts.

[Livingsunfoods]

Hey Shalom,

First off that's great that you and your kids are feeling great. Speaking from my own experience I do what works for me and listen to my intuition. It may take time getting there, meaning listening to what your body needs and not the mind. There is a lot of conflicting info out there and it can drive you crazy, if you let it. IMO I would look at the people you are getting your info from and see how healthy and vibrant they look. I come across raw foodists that aren't very healthy looking too. But I don't know what point they are at in their lives or what goal of health they are shooting for. I would be more concerned about people that are leading advocates on raw and how they look. For example look at Alissa, she radiates energy and beauty. She has that "glow". That is just where that person is at. I know that I'm feeling fantastic and super energetic! Although I didn't have any major health issues before raw, I can't describe what it's done for me spiritually and emotionally. Living this lifestyle is amazing and always an adventure. I've met so many good people. I could go on and on... On the social limitation thing, I have no problem. Just about every place has a salad on the menu. Just because I don't eat like the average person doesn't make me an outcast. I still can go out and have fun with my friends, family, etc. I'm just the one with the most energy.:) Good luck to you and your dh, that's great that's he is looking into that. Everyone is at a different point in their lives and need a different level of help with their health.