Social drinking

[LaTisha07]

I have found my weakness. It was simple for me to jump into eating raw the moment I read Alissa's book. I love fruit and salads (have to learn to love other veggies) and I hate to cook, lol. Not to mention I just love the idea of being 'natural'. The problem that I see that I am going to have is when I go out. I'm young (24) and recently single, I've been with someone since I was 17. So, I'm just now beginning to have a little bit more of a life outside of my kids. Usually, I do drink when I'm out and out of habit, I still want a drink. When I drink, I eat. The 2 just sort of go hand in hand with me. Because I haven't been eating raw very long, when I went out last night..I had a bit of an internal fight about whether or not to have a drink, I decided to have that drink but only 1 (I have read the stories about alcohol after going raw and I HATE feeling sick!). When I started to feel that familiar churn of my stomach, I automatically thouht FOOD! and it wasn't salad that I was thinking about. Needless to say, I had a very guilty meal of cooked food. The thing is, I didn't really 'want' it, I just drank/ate like that more so out of habit. I think its more of a mental/emotional thing. So, what are your opinions on this? I think luckily, the guy that I am planning to hang out with isn't a heavy drinker and he is supportive as far as what I eat (he told me he'll eat meat but try not to do so around me, lol). He was looking through the menu to find something appropriate for me but I just said whatever, I wanted something fried and greasy. He think its more so about weight because he was telling me that I could always just 'walk it off' or hit the gym. Of course the weight is the least of my concern because 1 bad meal won't make me blow up. It is about the health. Guess I just need to make a conscious decision to stick to 100% raw and change my mind set about going out. Sorry this is so long, I think I need to start blogging! lol

[CaliRaw]

I drink too, but not much. I like wine and wine coolers. The last time I had alcohol was last Thanksgiving. I think I will be Ok without it. But, for you, did you read the part in her book where she says "Don't indulge the thought."? Every now and then I read that part again. It helps.

I think I read somewhere, maybe her book (not sure), that there is raw organic wine. I've read so much over the past year and can't remember where it was published. :confused:

[EZ rider]

IMO the alcohol lowers your shields (defenses).

[RawCutter]

ive been out a couple of times while fasting. i just order a sparkling water with some wedges of something like lime and im good to go.

[Vegan Princess]

I still enjoy wine here and there. Lately if I go out and have a few drinks and then get hungry I go home and have half an avocado or some raw crackers. Satisfies me for the time and I'm SO much happier when I wake up in the morning than I would be had I caved and eaten raw. If you still want to enjoy a drink, try going prepared and bringing some crackers or something in your purse.

Cindy

[rawsurfer]

last night i was at a frat party and i just filled my solo cup up with water and nobody was any wiser. people dont really care. plus i know if i drink i will feel like poop. im over it.

[exurb]

Wine is raw. I like the occasional glass of wine, especially red wine.

Many raw types still enjoy wine, usually in moderation.

Generally wines that are people's home-made hooch are not raw, they are made from concentrates, but most "normal" wines in bottles are raw.

[CaliRaw]

Wine is raw. I like the occasional glass of wine, especially red wine.

Many raw types still enjoy wine, usually in moderation.

Generally wines that are people's home-made hooch are not raw, they are made from concentrates, but most "normal" wines in bottles are raw.

Really? I didn't know that. So, I can have Strawberry Arbor Mist? :D

[LaTisha07]

Oooh...I didn't know that about wine either. I do remember seeing in Alissa's book that there is organic raw wine. I really need to go to the local vegan restaraunt to find out where a health food store is. I've been eating very simple because I don't know where to go for my shopping. I live in a large city so there must be something somewhere. There are liquor stores on almost every corner, think I could find appropriate wine there? :)

[monkeyboy]

Yo Yo,

Monkeyboy here...now listen up

Drink all you want.

Wine is raw.

Let's face it.....being raw is cool but you need to chill now and then.

I suggest :

St Supery
E. Guigal
Bogle
Smoking loon
Acacia


Peace,

M.B.

[Ariadne]

Hey there,

I go out and feel the same way, but instead of my usual dahl and poppadums (yum!) Ive been havign flax seed crackers and zucchini hummus. Once your body knows its eating snacky food its happY!
I came in the other night and ate a full bowl of hummus and crackers, and some cherry tomatoes. My friends all think its really funny as they order their chinese/indian food or tuck into chips.:D

[Revvell]

Yes, there is raw wine yet, it does contain sulfites.

My suggestion is, decide what your intent is with going raw. If it's just about physical health, "maybe" a glass of wine now and then wont harm you.

For me, my health/life is about awareness as much as anything else and even one glass of alcohol takes that away. Call it what you want, alcohol is still a drug.

Revvell

[exurb]

fer sure!!

You can't always find organic wines, but normal bottled wines are raw.

[RawCutter]

yesterday i had pina coladas sans rum, they were really good, coconut water, fresh pineapple juice, blended with ice = yum

[FreeLily]

I have loved alcohol for so long and it really helps me let my guard down and have fun so the thought of giving it up was completely scary. I went on a three week cleanse and refrained from alcohol simply because if I paid $150 for all of the cleanse components I wasn't going to mess it up by drinking! Thank goodness I paid money because every time I try and do it on my own...I cheat. SO not drinking for a few weeks really got it out of my system. BUT when my best friend came to town and wanted to meet at a bar...I had to go...I couldn't just stay home. So I got my club soda with lime and just acted normal. I don't know if club soda is approved in the raw community but its a good transition! Since then I've gone to the bar many times and just drink my water. I think finding out that I could do it...made it so much easier. Knowing I could just drink water and be happy was a breakthrough and now I know I can do anything! So you can do it!

[Riiiya]

last time i was in a "social drinking" situation i ordered the yummiest apricot juice (well it probably wasn't raw). It's just that drinking leads to Eating for me too (and not healthy eating). And the sad thing is that i wouldn't even WANT that food but end up eating it for...i don't know WHAT reason! then i regret it so much that i just decided- nah no drinking for me. I'm not that much of a drinker anyway, so it doesn't change my lifestyle too much

[EZ rider]

Knowing I could just drink water and be happy was a breakthrough and now I know I can do anything!Me too, I'm sober and love to feel in total control. I would rather have a cold fresh young coconut juice (I keep them in the frig) or cold carrot juice in a frosty mug then any booze anytime. Lifts glass of juice to toast all the RAWbies.

[FreeLily]

I love coconut water...I forgot to mention that...if my husband pops open I beer...I crack open a coconut! :D

[RawCutter]

will someone open a raw cocktail bar already!?!

[jeannieh99]

will someone open a raw cocktail bar already!?!

oh man! You just hit the nail on the head!! That is what we need!! Raw cocktail bars. I think that should be the rage! Imagine....Raw...coconut coladas.....raw bloody marry's....raw....long island Ice tea's...with all kinds of fresh juices....you name it...it could be made raw! with fresh fruit slices.... even green drinks with unique names...

oh boy, did you get my juices flowing!!

you could take a date/spouse there or just go with friends and chill....order some raw hordeorves (never did know how to spell that word..lol)..

I bet there is a huge market for something like that.:D

The slogan could be "just say YES!"....lol

Jeannie

[Revvell]

will someone open a raw cocktail bar already!?!

Been thinking about it awhile now. Don't want to have to be there all day, every day. Wanna manage it? :D

[RawCutter]

Been thinking about it awhile now. Don't want to have to be there all day, every day. Wanna manage it? :D

not really.

but i would go there.

[barose]

will someone open a raw cocktail bar already!?!

Sounds fun, as long as there is a market for such a thing.

[Eilene]

Red and white wines are RAW. So is Champagne. I used to have a glass every night. Now I drink only on weekends. My hubby loves it because every time we order a bottle of wine, he gets more & more of it as time goes on. I am as close to 100% raw as I know and I love wine...but as time progresses, I find I am drinking less and less. It's just me...but I live a very healthy lifestyle & I enjoy my wine on the weekends. I'm doing the best I can. Years ago I used to body build. Now sweets are my weakness...I gave up desserts (I was SAD at the time) and alcohol for 1 1/2 years. I can't believe I even did that. I'm living this lifestyle now because I really WANT to & I feel great. If I decide to cut out alcohol because I want to, than I will. For now though...I am happy with where I am. So...wine is RAW!!!

[JoAnn D.]

There is a wine company in Caliornia, that makes raw organic wine and it does not contain sulfites. It is the Frey wine company. Haven't tried any so I can't say what it tastes like.

[KristensRaw]

I recently tried a wine that was VEGAN and ORGANIC. This led me to wonder whether all wines are vegan!? In some brief research on the Internet, this is what I found...

If it says "vegan" on the bottle, then at least you know it IS vegan. Here is one that I tried recently and enjoyed. It's organic and vegan: Organic Vintners Mendocino Pinot Noir www.organicvintners.com

This is what they had on their site about vegan and biodynamic wines:

Biodynamic principles take the organic approach a step further by making sure that the growth of the grapes is in tune with the larger environment. Using homeopathic sprays, herbal preparations and lunar cycles, soil fertility is increased and vines are protected from pests and diseases.

Vegan wines. Winemakers, both organic and conventional, are not obliged to declare on the label when they use animal by-products as fining agents to clarify wine. These include egg white (to brighten red wines), casein (a milk protein to make wine taste softer), gelatin (removes bitterness) and isinglass (derived from fish). A vegan wine, on the other hand, uses no animal products whatsoever.

The vegan versions typically use clay to make the wines clear. It appears that many wine makers have switched to use clay for fining. However, you won't really know unless you ask.

And more info I found about straining/clarifying wines: Isinglass, a substance obtained from the swimbladders of fish. Used mainly for the clarification of wine and beer, it is a form of collagen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isinglass

More refining options you might hear about: http://www.leeners.com/finingagents.html

Cheers :)

[dahlila]

Hi Latisha!

I'm in B'more also. There are some great health resources here... I'm sure you've already discovered the Yabba Pot.

There is a large wine shop in Hampden called 'the wine source' that has organic raw wines.

also, I guess you already know about the farmer's markets in waverly and downtown? and the health concern in towson is really wonderful! there is a big raw potluck happening this w/end just outside of b'more let me know if you need info.

[lalakis]

im with monkeyboy....


red red wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine

;)

ive actually been drinking a couple times a week lately, but all i drink is red....it works for me.

[elfinbaby]

My dh works for a wine marketing company so we are never without wine. It comes straight to the doorstep:) I've been on and off raw for a year now. In the beginning, drinking socially (and this wine crew can drink!) really made me feel baaaaad. I would hurt for days. So after a year I finally caught on:p

I don't really feel like keeping up with the rest of the drinkers when I think about how awful I'll feel the next day. And, yes, coming home late at night and hangovers make me want that nasty greasy fried food you can only get through a drive through.

I'm still working on it but in general I can say that the amount I drink when I do drink has been cut drastically. I just can't do it. I'm almost over the "It's fun at the moment" b/c I seriously hurt the day after I have those thoughts. I am such a baby.

That said, there are some good wines out there that are organic and raw. Frog's Leap comes to mind. There are others but I forget. FL happens to be a fave but pricey. Dh said it's an amazing winery - they are really working in the most environmentally friendly way. Far more than any other wineries he's visited. Plus, the wine never ever lets me down - it's good.

Bottom line - I don't think I desire wine/drinking like I used to. It just doesn't hit the spot anymore. It tastes too strong, kwim?

[barose]

I went from being able to put away 20 STRONG hard liquor drinks in a night (every month or so) a few years ago to now enjoying wine and happy with 1-2 glasses a week. When I eliminated gluten and other substances from my diet, my tolerance went down - thank God, because I could have killed myself from all that drinking in more ways than one.

Now with raw, I'm a lightweight. I only drink wine because I'm definitely not drinking beer or hard liquor. I don't feel any after affects from wine at all, then again, I don't down the whole bottle and I think having a clean diet helps.