Just started eating raw - Need help transitioning...

[kiniro]

I didn't realize how difficult this would be (I started this afternoon).

I'll be straight with you guys. I'm a guy, I miss bread, fish, eggs, and turkey, I don't want to spend a lot of time preparing food, and I want to eat things other than dried fruit, vegetable salads, and nuts every for every meal. Is there a Holy Bible for people like me? If not, could you link me to one or two of your top recipes that just might keep me sane? I'm not sure I'll be able to stay out of the nut house long enough for the raw food to revitalize my physical (and mental) well-being.

7 hours and counting...

[ocean spray]

Victoria says that when you start doing Green Smoothies it helps with the cravings. You will want less and less of the SAD food. You might want to try that? Good luck on your raw journey!

[RawVegan4Health]

I started with 2 meals a day raw by having a fruit smoothie for breakfast and a green smoothie at lunch. Simple, quick, and tasy so long as you don't mix in the wrong things. When I started eating dinner raw, at first it was simple things like veggies and dip. I would make Guacamole or some sort of Nut Cheese or something like that. For the most part, smoothies are still my main thing, and even have green smoothies for dinner quite frequently.

[Veganforlife]

Victoria says that when you start doing Green Smoothies it helps with the cravings. You will want less and less of the SAD food. You might want to try that? Good luck on your raw journey!

YES! I so agree. If you can get a hold of her book "Green for Life" - excellent on the impact of green smoothies. They REALLY do help w/cravings.

Good luck!!! You'll be fine!

[Vegan Princess]

Do you have Alissa's book? I think it might be the Holy Bible of which you speak. :) If not, I highly suggest it. It makes going raw a cinch and has plenty of super fast/easy/yummy recipes.

Cindy

[kiniro]

My main problems:

I have a fast metabolism and it's hard for me to think of smoothies, fruits, nuts, and veggies as a meal. I still think of them as a side dish to the main meal. Not just that, but without some sort of slow digesting food in my stomach I get stomach pains (thanks to my non-ulcer dyspepsia). All the raw stuff digests so fast that I have to keep eating to keep my stomach pains from returning.

Also, I don't want to lose any weight (I'm a thin guy and don't want to be any thinner).

[kiniro]

Oh and I don't have the book by Alyssa so I'll definitely check it out.

[spiralgirl]

kiniro,

Hang in there. It is so worth it and you will start to feel great in time. I'm on week six. Do you have a dehydrator?

There are many great recipes on here as well. Yes, get Alissa's book.

Also check out this site: http://gliving.tv/greenchefs/ (there is a section in the middle called Green Chefs, click on different ones, Alissa is there too and you can try some of her recipes there). There are other chefs too so try some of those as well, each chef has recipes when you click on the link. Also if you scroll down further there is a video to watch and more on the right, there are many videos you can watch of raw food being made.

Also check out: http://www.therawfoodcoach.com/start_here.php (this tells you all about beginning raw, also there are recipes on this site too and you can go under the tab free resources and sign up for a newsletter and get recipes and tips sent to you by e-mail.

Another great place for recipes is here: http://thesunnyrawkitchen.blogspot.com/2007/03/this-blogs-recipe-index.html (this is Carmella's blog and she is a part of this forum, great recipes here too, just look at the list and see what interests you).

Alissa's book has very quick and simple recipes though. A friend loaned me her Living on Live Foods DVD and it was great seeing it all be prepared.

Also check out your local library and get a bunch of Raw books there to help you figure out what you like and want to buy book wise.

[RawPaw]

Like you, I'm skinny. I was vegan and SAD (standard American diet) until I started the raw thing a month ago. I don't have too much money as well, but I think that the AA slogan is worth lots. "Progress, not perfection."

Start off with going to the grocery store and visiting the veggies and fruits. Maybe even spending several hours at the organic health foods store and just go isle by isle with pen in hand.

Make a list of your favorite SAD foods and ask why you like them so much. Search for alternatives. Be flexible.

Make a list of must have raw gadgets and start by buying a juicer. Use your blender for smoothies. Slowly build up your cupboard with spices and things like sea salt and agave.

Drink water. Make a meal out of almond butter and celery. You have to get out of the conventional way people do things and start living the way nature/God intended you to. Look for farmers markets in your area by doing a Google search.

The thing is, I'm gaining weight because everything that I eat is nutritious and my body doesn't have to fight the food to absorb it. It's not the end of the world if you screw up, but you need to ask yourself why you want to be living this way. For me, I'm tired of the corporate lies that poison my body. I want to be natural and clean and healthy in order to love people and be more spiritual.

[bunnybunny]

spiralgirl: as another newbie, i'd like to thank you for those links!

RawPaw: your reply was very inspirational. :)