help :(

[runninraw]

I am really struggling right now and just need to vent I think. I went 100% raw for about three weeks (starting June 12) and then stopped, mostly because everyone around me was constantly pressuring me and telling me that I could not survive on only raw foods. My parents sort of understood the whole raw food thing and were supportive at first, but then they started telling me that I couldn't get enough protein from raw foods, and my dad even emailed me articles that talked about nutritional deficiencies and how it's bad to go 100% raw. Needless to say, I don't have the most supportive atmosphere for trying to go 100% raw. I am going to try again though. I have had some eating problems in the past, and eating raw gives me freedom from food. I feel so clean and light and healthy with raw foods, and I don't want to give that up.
I think one of my biggest problems when I went raw before was that I tried to make too many elaborate meals, and I should just stick with simple salads and green smoothies. The problem is that those things just dont seem appetizing to me all the time. I don't know if I'm not making them taste good enough or what; maybe i need to experiment some more. I know that with raw food you are supposed to eat what your body is craving, but I always feel like I am force feeding myself salads when what I really want is like a sandwich or something. How do you overcome this and get over the cravings? It is easy to go raw when your mind and heart are completely into it, but it is going to be harder for me this time when I have doubts and pressure from those around me.
Sorry I just realized this post is really long and rambling, but I just needed to get these feelings off of my chest and to hear from some people who actually believe in raw food. I want to start again tomorrow, and hopefully with everyone's help will be able to make it this time!

[Rawkinlocs]

Not that long of a post at all!

Do you have Alissa's book, Living on Live Food? If not, get a copy and really read those first chapters before the recipes.

People are very conditioned to believe what society has taught us regarding nutrition but you can rest assured that a well-balanced raw diet will give you virtually everything you need and anything you feel you're not getting, if YOU so choose to you can always supplement (i.e. B12, Vitamin D, etc.)

As for food prep...it is not necessary to always eat prepared meals BUT, it's good to have a few favorites under your belt so if you want to keep it simple for the most part, when those times do come where you find yourself bored or in a food rut, you can whip up something to satiate you and then when you're ready, go right back to more simple eating. That is the beauty of Alissa's plan...you eat what YOU want...if it's simple stuff with a few goodies every now and then, then you can have that - if it's fresh fruit and veggies AND goodies everyday, then you can have that...there are no "rules" - it's all about what you and your body wants/needs!

So, keep it simple if that's what you feel led to do, but at the same time, don't rule out recipes altogether. Learn to make them and find out what your favorites are (especially the quick, easy ones as well as maybe one or two more "complicated" ones that you can plan and prepare for or just have on hand such as crackers or bread) and then again, when you want or need something a little more than the usual basics, you will either have them on hand or you can readily whip 'em up real quick-like!

But you have to really go with your heart and your gut and how YOU feel with raw...the naysayers are only going to tell you what they *think* they know from what every doctor or nutritionist has told them...but you have to be the shining example and do this for you. In fact, if at all possible, don't even tell people or talk too much about what you eat or don't eat so you and your food do not become the hot topic of everyone's discussion whenever you're around. Just tell them you eat healthier and let the results speak for themselves.