New Here, Need Direction

[RawWedding]

Hello! Im a vegan and have deieded to go raw to reap the complete benefits. Little about me;

Im 22, 168lbs and want to get back to 130lb. I am 5 foot 6. I have a wedding in 7 weeks and I want to look beautiful and healthy and slim (Don't we all!)

But its mainly for health, and at the same time I will be dropping the lbs. Im hoping to start on the weekend. I need to know how to do get started.

I'd like to hear peoples experiences too, whether it be weight loss, energy, health, anything! ;-)

From Angelica
xxxx.

[RawWedding]

oh... and when you guys say u eat raw, does this mean 100% raw?!

Could I eat like 80% Raw and still get the same benefits and hit my goals?

[maui_butterfly]

welcome to raw!

i got started eating raw foods after doing an 11 day Master Cleanse. like you, i began eating this way for health reasons -- as a (so i believed) "healthy" vegetarian for 18 years, i was 50 pounds overweight, frequently constipated, and after giving birth to my daughter in 2003, acid reflux was my daily companion. since the cleanse and going raw 4 months ago, i have lost 35 pounds, and i have found a level of vibrant health that i never dreamed possible.

everyone on here will tell you "go 100% raw for 30 days and experience it yourself". after that, you can try doing the 80% thing, and feel the difference for yourself. then you can make a truly informed decision.

good luck on your journey, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

[Lady Green Jeans]

Welcome! You've come to a great place for great support, recipes, and feedback. I second the suggestion to try the 30 day challenge and see for yourself how you feel with this lifesstyle.

My journey has not been perfect (whose is?) but it feels so good to remain on the raw path and to be giving myself the continued gift of health.

Best wishes for your journey.

[RawWedding]

thank u both for the welcome :-)

Where can i find the 30 day challenge?? Is it a list of foods to eat, like set out daily? I have no idea how to sprout grains lol. Can u buy them as seeds?!

Well I'll keep it simple with fruit and veg for now :-) Will I lose my hair? And will this help for protein (as I need to add muscle and lose fat)

http://www.gnc.co.uk/pages/product_Details.asp?xs=B0ED44EDD06D46CA89AD5D0F0DF FA6FB&ProductNumber=082099

Sorry if the message is too random :-)

Angie xxxx.

[EZ rider]

I need to know how to do get started.The best way to get started is to eat raw foods and stop eating cooked foods. You don't need any special equipment or apparatus to eat most of the foods in the produce department and most neighborhood food stores stock fresh raw foods in their produce department so you don't have to go far to get them. Have a fun journey.

[Eva]

Alissa's book has some great recipes and lots of general info, her DVD's great too. If you're on a budget, another options would be to use the banana at the top of the page to try to find answers to questions you have...

I agree that it's a good idea just doing it for 30 days 100% and deciding from there if you want to continue or do high raw or something else. I never would have believed it was possible to feel this good before trying this long-term...

And EZ Rider made a good point that you can get raw fruits and vegetables anywhere. Sometimes I will eat 5 bananas or 5 tomatoes because it's what I'm craving. If you're eating raw, it's usually easier to make that the only restriction in the beginning. :)

I can't wait to hear more, and best wishes for your wedding/marriage!

[RawWedding]

Hiya!

So bascially just fruit and veg for 30 days?
I might as well do it till I go on holiday & wedding and continue there :-)

How about the raw hemp powder I mentioned since im exerccsing?

[KatK]

You can also eat raw nuts, raw sprouted grains.

[RawWedding]

I dont know how to sprout grains :-(

With Quinoa the seeds r in the bag and its easy

But with beans the packaging says to boil and theyre not seeds theyre the actual beans if u know what i mean

ive never seen seeds of beans in store before?

[KatK]

There's a section on this forum about sprouting, and here's my favorite website on the subject:

http://www.sproutpeople.com/

[tiggerbounce]

There is a 30 day challenge thread here that starts new the first of every month, but you can join in any time and just keep going. You are always welcome there.

Many people get Alissa's book and follow her 30 day plan for the challenge. You can also just go to the produce department and grab what you like or what looks interesting and just start eating fresh and raw.

It is fun and interesting to do recipes but not necessary. The fastest results probably come from whole and fresh and 100% , but some find it easier to maintain with recipes. But then some prefer the simplicity of grabbing a banana and heading out the door. Each person is different. I love blending frozen fruits (that I freeze myself) into smoothies/slushies. Some people do a lot of juicing as well. So many options.

You can eat fresh fruits/veggies/sprouts/nuts/berries/seeds/herbs. You will find that if you really look around at the store you will find interesting new things to try all the time. Especially at health food stores or Whole Foods or Asian markets, etc. Eat the spectrum and you will love it.

Oh yeah, and do not forget to banana search detox so you are prepared for it and understand it.

Welcome and have fun!

[EZ rider]

I like to include raw sproutable seeds in my diet like raw sunflower, flax, chia, etc seeds. I don't necessarily sprout them but I have to know that the seeds I am eating can and will sprout into a living plant. This can be easily tested at home by taking one or more seeds from the lot and providing the conditions necessary. Most seeds will get a "tail" fairly quickly and you will have a definitive answer there to the question "is this a raw, living food ?".

[subbacultcha]

I didn't sprout stuff for ages because I thought it would be tricky but it couldn't be easier!

All you have to do is soak the thing you're sprouting - seeds, pulses, etc. - for a specified time (just google "sprouting ______") in a jam jar with some cloth over the top, then drain and rinse them a few times a day. You can't go wrong really.

[Eva]

It is pretty easy to sprout once you know what to do... sproutpeople.com has really helpful tips. Their sprouts are a bit expensive, but they are high quality. Either way, the tips are free! So, you can certainly buy the sprouting seeds elsewhere and use the directions. :)