Hi There, New Here!!!

[haresmum]

I am just beginning the 30 Day Challenge which I have changed to a 60 Day Challenge for myself since the longest I've ever gone is 30 Days and can't get past the hump! I would really like to connect with some people who are on the raw journey and perhaps just beginning the 30 Day Challenge themselves....it is very hard to stick with this when I cook everyday for my hubby and son so I am looking for all the support I can get. I homeschool my 7 year old son so we are home everyday and I sometimes eat out of boredom. He is mostly vegetarian except for the occassional turkey sandwich but I do cook for him and that gets hard on me....the pancakes and macaroni and cheese in particular. I would love to get him eating higher raw and less dairy so if any of you have some experience with getting children high raw and some good recipes to share that would be much welcomed! He does love green salads so we have those often for lunch and there are many days where I can get him to just eat fruit for breakfast but I would love some tasty alternatives to his favorites. I have seen many yummy sounding recipes for things like raw pizza but the time it takes just overwhelmes me. And then I get all weird about soaking and sprouting stuff for some reason....like if I do it wrong I'm going to give us botulism or something!! lol! So I mostly only try recipes that require soaking for a couple of hours and avoid all the rest.If someone could rest my fears on this one I would be a happy girl, lol!! Anyway, this is getting long so I will save some of my questions for later! I really hope to meet some of you and hopefully be able to give some support to this wonderful community as well!

Allison

[sweetgoddess]

Welcome to the forum Allison. How wonderful you are doing a 60 day challenge. I cook for my husband and 10 year old daughter, and also am home so much I had fallen into the habit of eating just because the kitchen was always there!
I found it helpful to have something raw on the counter to snack on while preparing their food, such as cherry tomatoes, seeds, nuts, date nut torte etc. I also found it helpful to prepare my food first since temperature isnt an issue with raw, and then make theirs. When I didnt do that, I often faltered because theirs was ready and convienient. One very important thing I learned there was that if I did falter, CARRY ON!
Another thing that has helped me recently is changing my view of this. I thought of it as very hard , a constant temptation, etc....now I have been thinking of it as a wonderful opportunity...food is everywhere and there is no hiding it. And here I have the chance to work on all food involves for me right in the comfort of my home, amidst people who love me and whom I love. A gift!
I have been able to get my daughter to eat a lot of raw. She loves Alissa's carrot salad, salad wrapped in flatbread with dressing on it, tomato salad, raw banana ice cream, strawberry/banana snoothies which I also pour into popsicle molds for her to snack on, the raw chili, all the raw desserts and puddings, veggies and dip, whole fruit etc.
There is a section of this forum just for raising raw children, I am sure browsing through there will give you a lot of ideas.
One other thing that may help is reading Allison's journal on here. She is a mom of 7 and I find wonderful ideas in there!
Sorry this is so long. I just wanted you to feel welcome and know that this is possible for you. My very best wishes on your challenge.
Blessings~

[haresmum]

Thanks for the reply...very welcoming ;) I like your idea of making my food first so that I am not tempted by the cooked food....I have been doing just the opposite, making my food last and sometimes not even at all because I am so tired after making the first dinner!! I have also checked out the raw kids forum and think I will find great info for my son there, thanks! I will make this short since I realized I should've posted this in the raw discussion forum instead of here! Thanks again for the warm welcome!
Allison

[*~Butterfly~*]

I really don't have much advice, but just wanted to pop in and say welcome to you as well! So far I have really liked the positive aura of this community and hope you do as well!