Exceptions?

[Dancing Fern]

Are there any kinds of exceptions you have in your raw lifestyle? I am wondering if taking vitamins and other various supplements would be considered cheating? I feel guilty for some reason when taking my multiple vitamin pills and such in the morning. I don't believe most pills are raw at all, or even vegan or vegetation for that matter. What do you think?

[145ish]

I take vitamins and I don't think twice about it. I've been known to use regular mustard too :eek: and I don't feel guilty at all. Personally I don't think it's necessary to be 100% raw 100% of the time. I fall about in the 98% range and I don't think that makes me any less raw just because I had a tsp of mustard and a vitamin.

That's just me though. Some people are sticklers for being 100%.

[Revvell]

I don't take pills. They don't happen to have any life in them whether they are vegan, vegetarian or not. Dead stuff does not beget life.

Revvellicious

[Stina]

Sometimes I make herbal tea and use it as a base for a green smoothie. I use vanilla extract. I'm okay with these little things.

[GoingtoRAW]

I say don't obsess about things - you'll make yourself crazy. Find your comfort level...that's where you'll be most successful!;)

[Veganforlife]

I don't take pills. They don't happen to have any life in them whether they are vegan, vegetarian or not. Dead stuff does not beget life.

Revvellicious

I concur......

[Dancing Fern]

Hmm well what about teas? I don't even know where to start here. I mean most are boiled.. so.. Has anyone ever tore a tea bag open and added it to a smoothie or something, not heated or anything, just the dry insides of the bag? I can't see herbal teas going wrong but then again if I had any I'd feel so guilty! ah.

[Veganforlife]

Hmm well what about teas? I don't even know where to start here. I mean most are boiled.. so.. Has anyone ever tore a tea bag open and added it to a smoothie or something, not heated or anything, just the dry insides of the bag? I can't see herbal teas going wrong but then again if I had any I'd feel so guilty! ah.

It depends HOW the tea leaves are dried.

[Revvell]

My question is... what is your intent? herbal teas? what for? Just curious because I've never heard of anyone adding them to smoothies..

What is it you're looking to do or get out of doing this?

I'm just looking for clarity here.

[Dancing Fern]

My question is... what is your intent? herbal teas? what for? Just curious because I've never heard of anyone adding them to smoothies..

What is it you're looking to do or get out of doing this?

I'm just looking for clarity here.

Well mainly green tea because of the metabolism boosting values as well as a variety of other health benefits associated with it. You can get it in pill form too. So I was thinking about tearing a tea bag open and putting the leaves into a smoothie, curious to if it'd have the same effects without being basically cooked in the heat of a cup of tea.

[barose]

I say don't obsess about things - you'll make yourself crazy. Find your comfort level...that's where you'll be most successful!;)

I agree. I know what you mean. I can easily drive myself crazy over this and eventually give up because I'm not "perfect". Its good that you're asking some of these things, but at the same time don't worry too much.

I drink tea from time to time. I like tea tasting and learning about the different type of green, white, black, etc teas, history, various ways of brewing, etc. It not something I do daily or weekly for that matter. Just because I'm raw doest mean I'm going to give up everything food related that gives me some pleasure, as long as its not harmful. I don't think occasional tea is. Others may not agree.

I also use herbs (Western and sometimes Chinese herbs) for various ailments. I do it less now because dont have to due to a raw diet. But if I did, I would in a heartbeat before going to a Western doctor for prescription medication.

As a side note: You dont boil green or white tea. It ruins it. Brew temps are much lower than the boiling point and brewing times are no longer than 1 minute.

[beppa66]

I toss a few green tea bags in a jug and let the sun do the work. No boiling, tastes great. I use it for the base of smoothie when I don't have fresh coconut water.

[Revvell]

Ahhh, o.k. well, fruits, greens and veggies have the same beneftis w/out the caffeine. I'm thinking I really would not like the texture of tea leaves in my smoothies plus, you said herbal. That's different than green. Herbal can be non-caffeinated. Green has caffeine. LOTS of talk on this board about that.

IF for some reason you feel the need for tea, then how about putting it in a jar and putting it in the sun?

See, part of this for me is, do you want to be raw or not? (to me, raw is 100% ~ others don't agree). If you're not going that way then this discussion is moot. You can drink it anyway you want; take pills, etc. Not being harsh or brash here, just saying what is as people are constantly asking what is o.k. and those of us responding don't know if they wish to be 100% or not (without asking, of course). If not, then, for me, eat/drink what you like. If so, then no, those don't go. Does that make sense?


Well mainly green tea because of the metabolism boosting values as well as a variety of other health benefits associated with it. You can get it in pill form too. So I was thinking about tearing a tea bag open and putting the leaves into a smoothie, curious to if it'd have the same effects without being basically cooked in the heat of a cup of tea.

[virginia]

I have not used multivitamin and mineral supplements for decades, when I went raw I transitioned to whole food supplements unheated. My favorite superfood is super bluegreen algae for which I am a distributor through simplexityhealth. We also offer live probiotics and enzymes and other supplements treated very gently. Surprises me that many who eat 'whole foods' use fragmented supplements. Most 'vitamins' are not at all as they occur in nature and are highly processed. Bee pollens, algaes, etc., can be found raw. I've been raw since 1975 and consider the algae to be a foundational food. Thanks, Virginia Sustarsic

[Trolltyget]

I might use non raw condiments (tamari, vanilla extract and such) from time to time but I never eat cooked meals or cooked foods as a part of my meals.
This is what works for me and I think that is the most important thing. You should never let others make up rules for your life and your (eating) habits.
If you feel good with what you are doing, then carry on doing so!
Relax and have a good time instead of worrying so much! :)

[DavidZaneMason]

Opinion:

-I think that during early transition days.....you should definitely take them....if you feel strongly about it. Later on, you may not want them....or they may actually make you feel ill......so you'll have to make your own call. My own experience is that I have not taken them in many, many years.....not since my original transition days....and I am very happy / healthy! LOL.

-David Z. Mason

[Conscious Midwife]

NUTRITIONAL YEAST and questionable olives
(I just stop asking the question until I can get back to my for sure raw olive supplier):D :D

[the_lab_rat]

I still take supplements. I have some leftover from before I committed to being raw, and I'm not just gonna throw them away. Anyway, I can feel benefits from them. There are also a few I continue to buy...spirulina, algae, etc... Maybe after I've been raw for longer (only at about 6-7 weeks now) I won't need supplements anymore, we'll see! I've definitely cut down since going raw. If I do buy them, I make sure to buy organic and VEGAN ones at least and not ones with gelatin capsules or preservatives, ick!

[domestic goddess]

I make my own kefir when the mood hits me...I have my own grains that I use.

Also, and maybe I am wrong, but if there is some illness or disorder you have that raw food is not going to cure that you feel like you need to or want to take something for, then there should be no guilt or should you be made to feel any less authentic. Granted me using milk makes me NOT a raw vegan but if my body needs the probiotics I am going to make it. But, that is me. I take several supplements for Lyme Disease and Vit. D deficiency as in all my research I have not found anywhere that raw will cure/correct either of those. I am still deticated to being as close to 100% as possible, but regardless of my % I call myself raw as I do not eat cooked. Plus, for me it is a lifestyle and belief system which takes things way beyond the percentage of raw one eats, imo. :D