not finding that many yummy recipes - help!

[runninggal1974]

Hi!

I am sincerely trying to do this raw diet thing and have tried for at least 8 weeks to cook exclusively from Alissa's book. I did the 30 day challenge etc. but most of my results are quite strange. I do like her dressings but most of her entrees have been difficult to eat.

Like the lasagna - took me about 3 or 4 hours from start to total clean up, which is really not sustainable as a cooking option for me if these entrees are going to take so long- but it really was not good. What did I do wrong? I am going to try making the chilli this weekend...I do love the marinara sauce on angel hair zucchini... I hated the nori rolls...

The walnut fudge was dripping with walnut oil after processing in the food processor (albeit, it is pretty tasty)...

She recommends eating fudge balls to help with cravings, like she did the entire first year so I diligently kept those around and ate them whenever I wanted to thinking, well, it's raw so therefore it's healthy...but I have actually gained at least 7 pounds in these last 2 months. My boiled chicken breast or fish dinners are replaced with really dense nut pates, olive oil dressings, rich desserts etc. As a competitive distance runner, eating less "fat" leaves me quite hungry.

I am also VERY tired. My period is starting in a week so I am sure my body is gearing up for that but I have never been this tired before my period starts which makes me wonder if I am having some iron deficiencies or some other nutrient deficiency induced by this diet.

I eat lots and lots of fruit (breakfast), sprouts, large salads (for lunch usually but always for dinner), and some entree or salad for dinner and nuts/seeds/avos as wanted. I love my fruit smoothies to and occasionally get around to juicing some greens.

1. What could I do to fix my entree preparation problems or what recipes did some of you especially like?:eek:

2. Why am I so tired?:eek:

Thanks so much!

Runninggal

[britaniefaith]

Hi!

I am sincerely trying to do this raw diet thing and have tried for at least 8 weeks to cook exclusively from Alissa's book. I did the 30 day challenge etc. but most of my results are quite strange. I do like her dressings but most of her entrees have been difficult to eat.

Like the lasagna - took me about 3 or 4 hours from start to total clean up, which is really not sustainable as a cooking option for me if these entrees are going to take so long- but it really was not good. What did I do wrong? I am going to try making the chilli this weekend...I do love the marinara sauce on angel hair zucchini... I hated the nori rolls...

The walnut fudge was dripping with walnut oil after processing in the food processor (albeit, it is pretty tasty)...

She recommends eating fudge balls to help with cravings, like she did the entire first year so I diligently kept those around and ate them whenever I wanted to thinking, well, it's raw so therefore it's healthy...but I have actually gained at least 7 pounds in these last 2 months. My boiled chicken breast or fish dinners are replaced with really dense nut pates, olive oil dressings, rich desserts etc. As a competitive distance runner, eating less "fat" leaves me quite hungry.

I am also VERY tired. My period is starting in a week so I am sure my body is gearing up for that but I have never been this tired before my period starts which makes me wonder if I am having some iron deficiencies or some other nutrient deficiency induced by this diet.

I eat lots and lots of fruit (breakfast), sprouts, large salads (for lunch usually but always for dinner), and some entree or salad for dinner and nuts/seeds/avos as wanted. I love my fruit smoothies to and occasionally get around to juicing some greens.

1. What could I do to fix my entree preparation problems or what recipes did some of you especially like?:eek:

2. Why am I so tired?:eek:

Thanks so much!

Runninggal

I feel for you!! I'm only on my 11th day Raw and am finding alot of the entrees difficult to make! especially when you are hungry, you don't feel like coming home after work and spending so much time preparing something to eat. I'm starting on a green smoothie cleanse tomorrow to give my body a break from so many deserts and nuts, etc. I also have gained weight since going Raw. I know that Alissa and many other raw foodists say to "eat whatever you want as long as it is raw!" but for me, I find that I gain weight if I eat too many dried fruits or nuts. I think it totally depends on your body and metabolism and mine is screwed up because of my thyroid. I would try cutting it down on the deserts and adding more green smoothies. I hear you on the exhaustion part! I'm still tired most of the time. Today I could barely get ouf of bed. I wish I could help you more with that but I'm struggling with it myself! good luck though, hang in... don't give up!! <3

[Beckla]

omg - call or email me privately... I can hook you up.

I know it can be intimidating at first -- but you can do this!!!

Trust me. It doesn't have to be overly complex to be delicious, and we can help.

Becca

[Dj 247]

I can't eat a lot of the recipes that are made with nuts. I love nuts, but those recipes just don't work for me. I hope to find a few good recipes that I really love to keep me going. I am eating mostly fruits and vegetables, but I do make some dips with avocados. I also have been having problems with tiredness. Some days are worse than others. Exercise helps, but sometimes I am too tired to get started. Then some days I feel awesome! What's up with that?

[Shirleyh]

If you have a dehydrator, you can marinate eggplant with bragg amino, sea salt, and oil. Then dehydrate for about two hours.

I also make pickles with kirby pickles, unpasterized apple cider vinegar, water, garlic clove, and sea salt.

Food processor is good to make cake, cookies, and nut pate' that taste like tuna. It is good.

A blender is great for smoothies, and making nut milks. Hazelnut milk with agave and vanilla extract is good. I read mac. nut milk is great. I have tried it yet.

Keeping bananas around at all times.

Great nuts is cashews and brazil nuts.

[jeannieh99]

Hi!


I am also VERY tired. My period is starting in a week so I am sure my body is gearing up for that but I have never been this tired before my period starts which makes me wonder if I am having some iron deficiencies or some other nutrient deficiency induced by this diet.

I eat lots and lots of fruit (breakfast), sprouts, large salads (for lunch usually but always for dinner), and some entree or salad for dinner and nuts/seeds/avos as wanted. I love my fruit smoothies to and occasionally get around to juicing some greens.

1. What could I do to fix my entree preparation problems or what recipes did some of you especially like?:eek:

2. Why am I so tired?:eek:

Thanks so much!

Runninggal


I'm happy to see this because I can relate to it also. I've been 100% for 6 weeks and I am so tired all the time. I think mine involves my thyroid, but I think I might be missing some nutrients.

I also would like to get feedback on any short cuts. I don't have time to be soaking nuts. I don't have a dehydrator. My dh is allergic to nuts anyway, so I can't make dishes with nuts for both of us. I would love to see some tips on making something tasty. So far I've been making salads every day and night.
Jeannie

[lafsalot]

runninggal, have you tried green smoothies? Takes only minutes to prepare, and it is a delicious and complete meal - very filling. ~ Cathy

[runninggal1974]

Hi Cathy -

How do you do your green smoothies? I definitely have not done those enough. Thanks for the idea!

-Runninggal (Julie)

[dustandbreath]

Tiredness: I just completed my first 30 day challenge, mostly raw (a few bites here and there of cooked vegan stuff, but not much at all). Anyway, I went through a very tired phase around week 3. Freakin out about it. I have since leveled off.

Lasagna: LOL, my wife spent hours making that and then would not eat it. It took me 4 days to finish that myself. I liked it at first, was sick of it by the end.

My favorites so far: Marinated anything, the pate on salads, "potato salad" with the jicama (?), stuffed portabella--but again I have eaten that alone and after a few rounds, I am getting tired of it. I really liked the broccoli soup and the spaghetti. Many I do a lot of carrot juicing, smoothie-ing, salads (honey mustard is my favorite . . . of the two I have made!) and some entrees. Green smoothies as I understand them are fruit smoothies that have greens blended in. There are recipes for them. I just put some collard green leaves in with mine. It is fine, but I am not a green smoothie chef yet.

DJ247: where in S Ill? I lived in Hurst as a kid, and my wife is from Mt Carmel

[Strong]

I am not currently attempting to go 100% raw, but instead I am going "raw until dinner" and following approach from another raw book that includes transition levels (I am at level 4).

I have felt much better since starting this - less afternoon slumps - and have noticed after my more regular dinners that I become more tired than during the day when I am raw.

But, the maing point of my post is that I also have hypothyroid....and I saw a couple of you mention you had that (or another thyroid disorder). I have noticed that I feel best with my thyroid levels on the high side of normal (a low number) and maybe if you are feeling exausted that would be something to check. For me, my synthroid has been a miracle and I have a DO who is willing to have me at the point in the normal range where I feel best.

And, it is impt. to take the thyroid med on an empty stomach and not eat for 45 min to 1 hour after taking it.

If you are not doing that, it is worth a try.

I know Synthroid isn't "raw" but it is a miracle for me.

[Dj 247]

Tiredness: I just completed my first 30 day challenge, mostly raw (a few bites here and there of cooked vegan stuff, but not much at all). Anyway, I went through a very tired phase around week 3. Freakin out about it. I have since leveled off.

Lasagna: LOL, my wife spent hours making that and then would not eat it. It took me 4 days to finish that myself. I liked it at first, was sick of it by the end.

My favorites so far: Marinated anything, the pate on salads, "potato salad" with the jicama (?), stuffed portabella--but again I have eaten that alone and after a few rounds, I am getting tired of it. I really liked the broccoli soup and the spaghetti. Many I do a lot of carrot juicing, smoothie-ing, salads (honey mustard is my favorite . . . of the two I have made!) and some entrees. Green smoothies as I understand them are fruit smoothies that have greens blended in. There are recipes for them. I just put some collard green leaves in with mine. It is fine, but I am not a green smoothie chef yet.

DJ247: where in S Ill? I lived in Hurst as a kid, and my wife is from Mt Carmel

I live just outside of Centralia Il. We are about 80/ 90 mi northwest of Mt.Carmel. Never heard of Hurst, but I looked it up and found out it is near Carbondale. Were about 50 mi from there. How long have you been eating raw foods? It looks like you have tried a lot of different things. I have been wanting to try the broccoli soup and I love portabella mushrooms.

[dustandbreath]

I know Centralia, and yeah, Hurst is a blip on the map. I have only been raw for a month. I fudged a bit today and yesterday after my month and wish I hadn't. I feel sluggish as Strong mentioned noticing. It is amazing the difference in feel.

As for trying things: My wife just started going through the suggested planning menus, and I think only really through week one and two. She is no longer trying to be all raw, and so I am pretty much reverting to what I know about (that we have done) and that we have stuff for. Other than that it is mostly salads and fruit and nut creations with smoothies. I just don't want to take the time to figure out new things on lunch break or when I get home, although I am itching to try some new things.

[solarliving]

I hear what you're saying. Most of the "entrees," are on the dense side and can be rather complicated, especially at first. The Leafy Green wraps are easy and satisfying. Honestly, most of the time I eat pretty simply. Green smoothies, whole fruits, salads and then I have a more decadent treat like the date nut torte, or fudge balls if I feel like it. It is good to also have some raw crackers or raw bread around.

[Morn]

Rawvolutions taco meat made with walnuts & the refried beans recipe made out of sunflower seeds (both are posted on this site). Just do a search with the banana. I also liked Alissa's broccoli soup recipe.

[runninggal1974]

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

I have recently made the chilli and onion dip and it was awesome!!

Pineapple sundae did not fly over well...

I will not give up! I believe in this way of eating.

Runninggal

[StarFire]

Rawvolutions taco meat made with walnuts & the refried beans recipe made out of sunflower seeds (both are posted on this site). Just do a search with the banana. I also liked Alissa's broccoli soup recipe.

that spicy taco recipe is amazing!! but I think the sunflower seed refried beans... I made that with tahini and really didn't like it - so I might try to make that again but with almond butter instead (but a smaller recipe this time so if I still don't like it I won't be wasting so much stuff!)

Hope youre feeling better - and so glad to hear that you're not giving up - there really are a lot of wonderful recipes out there!! blessings on your journey! ;)
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/monkey.gif

[Pennypower]

I started also by making Alissa's meals but quickly learned what things I liked and what I hated. Then I took the things I liked and recombined them my own way to make recipees I liked. Like, now I know how to make a pie crust, and banana avo pudding, so then what if I just poured the pudding (mixed with some raw coco or carob powder, vanilla extract, and honey or agave) right into the pie crust and freeze it, and then spread some blended frozen rasberries on top. Voila, I have a rasberry chocolate cream pie! Anyway, just get creative.
I wouldn't worry too much about being deficient due to this diet. Your probably getting WAY more nutrients in all areas than you were getting before. I try to make sure everyday I'm getting plenty of glucose (fruit) fat (nuts,oils,avacados) and greens. It sounds to me like your getting plenty.
As far as weight loss and energy, just try restructuring the way others have advised. It is very normal to have very low energy levels for the first couple months.
One of my mentors told me once that it takes 3 months to repair the endocrine system from all the damage that''s been done by the years and years of sugar and SAD. But once the damage begins to be repaired, your body will work better than it ever has in your whole entire life. My guess is you may be tired from all the healing and repairing your body is doing. I'm expecting to experience that channge very soon, and you should too. Hang in there.;) ;)

[VeggieMel]

Aside from Alisa's delicious recipes, I'd also recommend "Raw food made easy" by Jennifer Cornbleet. She has an incredible marinara sauce recipe!

[Morn]

that spicy taco recipe is amazing!! but I think the sunflower seed refried beans... I made that with tahini and really didn't like it - so I might try to make that again but with almond butter instead (but a smaller recipe this time so if I still don't like it I won't be wasting so much stuff!)

Hope youre feeling better - and so glad to hear that you're not giving up - there really are a lot of wonderful recipes out there!! blessings on your journey! ;)
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/monkey.gif

Yes make it with the almond butter it is great!

[Morn]

Oh I was just thinking about Alissa's blueberry pie recipe. It is really good. Try that!

[rawsurfer]

i find that simple is where its at... otherwise it can be a full time job. i sprout, and almost always have a big bag of sprouts in the fridge, which i put in salads, soups, and juice. i love green juice, and carrot juice. also, wait until you are hungry before you eat, and drink water between meals, because when you drink with meals you dilute the digestive enzymes.

i found that nuts just make me really tired. definitely soak them though. just make nut milk or somthing if you really feel you need them (chocolate milk is great). if you really believe in this way of eating, then i would hazard a guess to say that you probably dont need to worry about all these recipes... they take so long.. just eat food in its natural form and you will feel better and get rid of a lot of stress

hope this helps
peace

[eatyourbroccoli]

strawberries and cherries dipped into alissas carob fudge sauce

or rawpriestess' brownies (search for 'RP Brownies' the recipe is on this site somewhere)

or chocolate pudding over at therawtable

or different types of fruit smoothies

or salsa or guac as a dip for veggies

or almond butter on celery with raisins

or cashew butter and apples

or the apple pie in alissas book

or apple sauce

or a banana sliced in half with almond butter down the middle

or banana ice cream

or cherry ice cream

or.......i have a sweet tooth. can ya tell?

i tend to keep things pretty simple. i dont have a dehydrator.

i can live on raw pudding and pie and brownies and smoothies and get SO much more nutrition than anything on the SAD diet

its..pretty cool.. :cool: