Hi from Iowa!

[meancat]

Hello-I have been reading alot on the raw food movement and would love to make a change in my life. I'm not sure how to make that initial change though. My life has totally revolved around food, drink and host of unhealthy habits.
I would love to know how some people made that serious change without letting your surroundings affect your decision.
I also have so many questions but will continue to read the forums. I have been so inspired by many of the people here!
I'm concidering doing a juice fast first, and then trying to go raw. I going to read a little more first, but if anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate any pointers anyone has to offer!

Thanks so much and wish me luck!

PS can I manage a juice fast with a Jack LaLanne juicer?

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome to RFT!!! The best place to start is by getting Alissas book and DVD... two amazing tools to help you transition to the raw lifestyle! Without these two tools - I don't think I would have succeed! They are so filled with information, step by step instructions on so many things raw... plus a ton of recipes.

Being a newbie to the raw world can be overwhelming -- so much to learn, and so much information. Alissas book simplified everything and made things easier for me to understand.

I think you could probably do a juice feast with a Jack LaLane juicer... I was just loaned one of those and have no idea how to use it!! lol...

good luck to you ... blessings on your journey and enjoy the ride!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/welcome.gif

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW.....Welcome to MY World.

[berrynice]

Hello from Upstate New York! I am brand new to this site and raw food living. I purchases Alissa's book and am looking forward to digging into it to learn more. The reasons I want to make this change are to sleep better, hopefully lose my sinus congestion and fatigue. I would love to hear some encouraging words and success stories. Thanks everyone. I am also new to this type of forum.

[Stina]

Welcome! Going raw will bring so many blessings to your life. All of my favorite raw food experts, like Alissa, David Wolf, and Victoria Boutenko, all recognize what a powerful addiction cooked food is, so don't underestimate what you're up against. The important thing is to just keep practicing being raw and don't give up.

You mentioned not being influenced by your environment. I often use a visualization technique where I'm enveloped in a beautiful ball of energy and light protecting me from all of the sad crazy energy around me. I often do this when I'm surrounded by people eating my old favorite junk food. You'll find mind tricks that work for you. Keep communicating here on the board and get to know us and let us get to know you. Stick close to your new raw friends and we'll help you deal with stepping into the unknown. You gotta get through detoxing, if you're like most of us, so if you start feeling crappy, I promise there's a light at the end of the tunnel. It's also a good time to learn what kind of meditation would suit you personally.

Love, Stina

[meancat]

Thank you for the words of encouragement everyone! I'm really looking forward to making some positive changes! Its gonna be hard though--I'm surrounded by friends and family that do nothing but cook and eat!!

I am determined though, today I am buying Alissa's book and making my grocery list. I have learned alot already just by reading this forum but I'm still felling like I know nothing! But I will keep reading!

I also want to say how nice and friendly everyone here is. I started snooping around to other raw web blogs and I'll have to say some of the people on there were down right mean. Not very supportive of people who were not 100% raw all the time.

Thanks again and will post when I start my journey to my new life.

[berrynice]

Welcome! Going raw will bring so many blessings to your life. All of my favorite raw food experts, like Alissa, David Wolf, and Victoria Boutenko, all recognize what a powerful addiction cooked food is, so don't underestimate what you're up against. The important thing is to just keep practicing being raw and don't give up.
Love, Stina

Hi Stina,

I really appreciate your encouraging words, because I have bought a lot of raw this weekend and am keeping a daily journal at home. Tomorrow I plan on starting my journey and am a little nervous about those times out with family and friends when all my favorite junk foods are all around me. Do you have any suggestions when the tough times pop up? Thanks a million:)