Let's clear this up once and for all

[NicoleF]

Hi all. I just wanted to get something totally clear and maybe Allissa could help on this one. When it comes to eating 100% raw, I keep hearing that the difference between 99% and 100% is like night and day. Okay, but what about cashews? They aren't "truly" raw (unless you get them online from a special source and I don't think most people are willing to do that). What about if I eat a pasteurized olive on my all raw pizza? Or what about oats? They aren't "truly" raw either. Is that going to be the difference between being truly healthy and being sick? I know this has been discussed a lot, but I'm STILL confused. I always feel lousy and want to experience the benefits of raw that everyone raves about, but once in awhile I don't have time to whip up (or I don't have all the ingredients on hand) to make a homemade salad dressing (I have two small children) so I sometimes use a commercially made vegan organic dressing. Is that going to be the "difference" between my feeling great and feeling crappy? I'm not in THE LEAST being sarcastic here. I REALLY want to know. I have been dealing with feeling lousy for like five years. Weak, tired, nauseous, etc. I really don't know what's wrong with me and I NEED to feel better! All tests I've had done are normal. I'm about 80-90% now and have been for a few months and I understand that it takes awhile to "heal," but if I decide to go 100% raw to really heal and feel the true benefits described in all the raw books I've read, then I need to know if it's okay to eat cashews, olives, oats and what have you. I'm almost scared to go 100% because I'm afraid it won't make me feel better. My friend was 100% raw for six months straight and never lost any weight and didn't feel any different. THANKS, Nicole

[rawpriestess]

I can only tell you about my personal experience.

I've gone raw more than once, and I was 100% raw, and I mean raw,
no cashews, no olives, no condiments, no salad dressing, nothing.

If it wasn't 100 percent cold pressed olive oil I didn't use oil, if it wasn't 100% raw, ripe, fresh, organic produce, I didnt' eat it.

I ONLY ate fruits, veggies, greens and some nuts, with a baby amount of olive oil that WAS cold pressed and raw.

I only ate Celtic Sea salt, and ONLY a baby bit.

I survived on fruits and veggies, now I only did this super strick 100 % raw for 3 weeks, then I blew it, and when I did, I ate raw, cooked, dairy, raw, cooked, raw, cooked for 4 years, before I could even try it again.

Because I am an all or nothing type of person.

So, I decided to do what others were doing, I decided that for me, I would be 100% raw, but IF, I had some salad dressing at a raw potluck, I wasn't going to worry about whether it was Bariani olive oil or not, and IF I ate something at a potluck and it had cashews in it, I wasn't going to worry about it.

So, my life since, being less strick, has been much easier, I lost 40 pounds, and I've had a few cheets, but I still think of myself as raw, I will always think of myself that way.

Even when I might choose to eat some cooked food, It will be like a Non smoker walking into a restaurant through a cloud of other's smoke.

So, I hope this answered your question, and again, it is only my opinion.

[VeganVixen]

I can eat certain cooked foods w/o any ill effect (like vegan non raw sushi, non raw agave ,balsamic vinegar, ,mustard,gari, or steamed sauteed veggies,and miso) but I RARELY eat anything other than the miso , balsamic vinegar ,mustard which makes up my "2%" ......I think those less than "5%" differences can be bad for cooked food addicts (I dont have a problem with this) but for some its a trigger ,personally unless you are REALLY sensetive, sick, or eating highly processed junk it wont hurt you.......but thats just from my experience.

The stuff that gets me is the SAD things that have more than 2 ingredients....but I REALLY prefer raw -it just taste better!

[swingbolder]

Oats are raw if you roll them yourself from oat groats (which can be done with a manual grain mill).

[Sweet lips]

Between 99 and 100 percent - big difference? To that I say, in whose mind. Sinc you did not share the reason for why you feel lousy, I can only talk from my experience and perhaps that will give you insight into what is going on with you.

100% raw is just that to me - I try my best to follow that to the tee. When I feel like I am going faulter, I start with everything in its natural state - my olive oil is raw - no doubt about that - and to that, I add lemon juice for a salad dressing, with a little sea salt. I eat fresh fruit cut up in a bowl, and sometimes just blended veggies for a soup, with a little raw oil and sea salt. That helps my mind to stay in the 100% raw mode. From the grouping, I then may do some raw gourmet, using only the raw veggies and fruits, nuts and seeds.

If on ocassion I choose to use the locally purchased raw cashews -I accept them for that, and add them to my food preparation. I say this to you, not mean, but out of concern - what exactly are you eating, at what time of the day, how much, and how are you feeling emotionally and mentally? If there is some debris in you are around raw may help you with your clarity to see it, or it may be so toxic that you can't see it, but will need to spend sometime within in to seek what is needed from the outside to bring restoration to your body.

The things you listed with not cause undue harm to your body, but can cause undue stress to you, if you are constantly cringing at the thought they are not raw. It is a process Nicole, and each one of us process differently. Your friend, who is not you, may have a whole set of other things going on, that prevented her weightloss. I lose slowly, when I lose, and I could be doing exactly what someone else is doing, and they have dropped 30 pounds. I am sorry, but I can get emotional with that - what God has for me at my appointed time is for me.

Your test may have come back normal, but please be sure that you have documented all of your systems and how they are feeling on any given day. There is a reason to feel lousy, but it may not be physical - you are not required to share your intimate details here, but examine you, your life style, stressors that are prevelant, which are very real to you - check yourself to determine if your out-of balance is because you are trying to get balance beyond your scope.



NicoleF Okay, but what about cashews? They aren't "truly" raw (unless you get them online from a special source and I don't think most people are willing to do that). What about if I eat a pasteurized olive on my all raw pizza? Or what about oats? They aren't "truly" raw either. Is that going to be the difference between being truly healthy and being sick? I know this has been discussed a lot, but I'm STILL confused. I always feel lousy and want to experience the benefits of raw that everyone raves about, but once in awhile I don't have time to whip up (or I don't have all the ingredients on hand) to make a homemade salad dressing (I have two small children) so I sometimes use a commercially made vegan organic dressing. Is that going to be the "difference" between my feeling great and feeling crappy? I'm not in THE LEAST being sarcastic here. I REALLY want to know. I have been dealing with feeling lousy for like five years. Weak, tired, nauseous, etc. I really don't know what's wrong with me and I NEED to feel better! All tests I've had done are normal. I'm about 80-90% now and have been for a few months and I understand that it takes awhile to "heal," but if I decide to go 100% raw to really heal and feel the true benefits described in all the raw books I've read, then I need to know if it's okay to eat cashews, olives, oats and what have you. I'm almost scared to go 100% because I'm afraid it won't make me feel better. My friend was 100% raw for six months straight and never lost any weight and didn't feel any different. THANKS, Nicole"

[Sharon in Colorado]

I think if your heart is into it, you should try to be absolutely pure for at least a month. All fruits, veggies, and some "raw" nuts and seeds (except cashews). Try it for a month. If you aren't getting the results you desire after that, try something else. Just be sure you are including ALL elements - sun, fresh air, exercise, clean water, LOTS of rest, etc. Document this for a month and see how it goes.

And by pure I mean nothing 'questionable'. I'm trying to stop using percentages because it gets too confusing. I consider "all raw" to be something like RP is doing, raw with the cashews, condiments, oils, etc being used, or "pure" without anything questionable (like Dr. Graham's type of diet).

Trying this way a month definately won't harm you. If anything, it'll be a cleansing diet and you'll get an idea of which direction to go after the month is over!

Hope that helps...

[NicoleF]

Thank you for all your responses. I don't know why I feel lousy. It all started right after my first child was born. My mother committed suicide the day before she was born and my father just committed suicide about 6 weeks ago. I know this is all extrememly stressful and probably has a lot to do with my toxicity, but even when I feel like I've mourned enough, I just can't get rid of the anxiety. I have a history of panic attacks and although I haven't had any serious ones lately, I just feel "on edge" all the time even for no apparent reason. The more I think about it the more I am convinced that this has nothing to do with my diet--but my emotional state. I read that eating raw helps you deal with stress and anxiety better but it doesn't seem to be helping at all and I don't really know what to do. I refuse to take anti-anxiety drugs, and seeing a couselor--well I've done that all my life and it really never has helped much. I feel like I always have "butterflies" in my stomach from nerves and I can't figure out why! What am I so nervous about? Anyway, sorry to dump on all of you but I just need some insight. Everyone tells me I eat healthier than anyone they know, yet I'm always the one who feels lousy! It doesn't seem fair. Nicole

[Rawkinlocs]

Oh wow Nicole!! I'm so, SO sorry about your mom and what happened.

Yes, this is definitely some emotional stuff going on with you...things that a healthful diet could help in "part", but from what I've heard is that eating raw brings not only physical things to surface to be worked out, but also emotional things as well. It brings it to surface so you'll end up having to deal with it. You know how most times we eat and we eat "bad" things to cover up our feelings and hurts and pains...well, eating raw doesn't cover up things so you're kinda more "left open" to have to deal with things.

I can't give you much advice on dealing with emotional stresses and things but there are many of our beautiful members who I believe will be able to offer you some wonderful suggestions.

I know it probably won't do much if anything at all, but I'd like to offer you a great big cyber (((HUG)))!

[Texicalian]

Nicole - First off, bravo to you that you have chosen to move towards health and to handle these heart-wrenching situations by strengthening who you are. My aunt committed suicide 32 years ago and I see my cousins and mother still dealing with the loss. Grieivng and mourning go in cycles with joy. I hope in your child you find the joy of new life.

I can understand your desire not to take any anti-anxiety medication, but would consider herbs or natural supplements? I'm an editor in the herbal medicine field and have been surrounded by Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) my entire life so I know that it can be a benefit without many of the harmful side effects of allopathic (conventional) medicine. Although, you still have to be careful in these products as well. Valerian and St. John's wort have both been tested in clinical trials and been found effective. I also think California poppy is good - and you can get combinations with all of the above. My cousin, a cardiologist who treats with CAM, recently put me on lithium (the kind you can get at the health food store, not perscription). I've struggled with insomnia for years and have noticed when I take that and stay away from high glycemic foods and cacao from the afternoon on, I do sleep better. Admittedly, these supplements are not raw, but I believe that the primary concern right now is to make you as strong as possible so that you can deal with your pain and loss. If you have the opportunity to visit a Naturopathic doctor or other holistic practioner who will treat body/mind, I highly recommend that.

Blessings to you, Lori

[julie07052]

:) Nicole,

I was raw for 6 months. I lost 20 pounds (I'm small so that's huge) and lowered my cholesterol so much that my doctor couldn't believe I had done it without medication! I have four little kids, so staying raw can be a challenge. Unfortunately for me, I didn't stay raw and I've spent two years trying to get back to that heavenly raw state of grace. Today marks my third week of raw and though I've been lurking these boards for a while - I just had to reply to your post. Changing your way of eating is a wonderful first step, but it's not going to fix everything in your life (or bring about world peace!). I'd like to recommend a book to you. It's called "Loving what is" by Byron Katie. (She has a website you can go to www.thework.org for information about her and the book.) I was at a seminar she taught last night and was really moved by the experience. While I was there I bought her latest book - "I need your love - is that true?" which I've just started reading (it's fabulous!). This is not a book to fix you - because you aren't broken. You don't need this book, but you may find something in it that strikes a chord inside of you and brings you some peace. I hope so!

[Gosia]

My personal experience has been that being say 80% raw is nowhere near as good as 100%. If I eat a little bit of cooked stuff, although I feel better than when I was say 20% raw, my skin is not clear as when on all-raw. Interestingly, if I have something cooked and do not tell my husband, he will smell it anyway (even if it was just some vegies) because I become "stinky"! On top of that, I find that if I have a little bit of cooked, I do not feel satisfied, and I want more. Also, there seem to be some strange connection between cooked foods. If I have say some curry, then I want chocolate, which then makes me want coffee etc etc. Then I start feeling really sick, bloated, stinky, can't sleep and get pimples. So I feel that it is much easier for me to avoid cooked altogether! Now, as far as the difference between say 99% and 100%, as I go along, I notice that certain foods "in question" become not so much appealing. For example, I do not like dehydrated foods, I do not use olive oil or salt, because I do not like them anymore etc. I believe that these things will adjust themselves as you go along, so there is no need to worry too much about them. The main thing is to keep being comitted to being raw, and be open to gradual changes/improvements in the diet. 100% will happen, eventually. Of course, some radical decisions can be helpful too. For example, I recently stopped buying bread altogether (for my children), and this has helped a lot in making a progress in their transition.

I also wonder about the possibility that, in your case, it might be worth trying to go 100% now, considering how you feel. Perhaps your body is very sensitive to some ingredients in commercial products that you buy, and it might best for you to avoid them altogether?

If you have some sort of a food processor, making a simple salad dressing takes only a brief moment, and you do not have to use many ingredients. For example, blend some seedless grapes and tahini and that's it! Or, tahini, dates and water. Or, just oranges. Or, celery sticks and tahini.

By the way, I believe that eating plenty of ripe fruit and a big bunch of greens daily is important. Fruit will give you carbohydrates, water and vitamins that you need, and greens willl give you the minerals.

Aaah, and in relation to comments by your friend: I felt different days after going raw, the difference was obvious to me and my husband (who enjoys the new me). You can see the pictures on my website, they speak for themselves. You can also see clear changes in many other people on raw, this has been well documented on various raw pages on the Internet. There are multiple stories of people healing themselves from all sorts of "incurable" diseases.


And finally, the food on raw is great! Give me a choice between a dinner in the finest cooked restaurant in the world and a bunch of sweet, juicy mangoes. I choose the mangoes! Yum yum yum! :) Or, dark grapes, one of my favourites. Watermelon mmm. Or, those apples that I bought last week from a local grower, juicy, sweet, crunchy... OK, back to work.


All the best,
Gosia.

[Wendy]

Nicole,

Feeling edgy for no reason? I think you have plenty of "reasons" considering the stress levels. I hear kava kava is also good, and even Calcium or Magnesium tablets taken at night before you go to sleep can help.

[lodestar]

Gosia, I loved all of the reminders about how great is feels to be raw. I think the points that resonated most with me is how a small bit of cooked food generally leads to a taste of something else and before you know it a small snowball has turned into a SAD snowman. Happy day my dear raw friends!

[Revvell]

Whoaaaaaaa! Your father committed suicide 6 weeks ago? And you think you've mourned "enough"? Nicole, nooooooo!!!! There is NO enough! Grieving happens and CAN happen for years! It just tends to get a bit lighter as the years go on.

I don't know what you can afford yet, might I suggest looking for some groups or a counselor where you can get some assistance? There are also some very good books on getting through the grieving process. Go to Amazon, do a book search and type in "grief".

Yes, it is a time to take care of yourself. Most tend not to. They use deaths, moving, any kind of transition as an "excuse" not to. Bravo to you for at least searching for something to assist.

O.k., why you feel lousy. Could be plenty of reasons. Two I come up with immediately the death of two parents ~ were you close with them? Were they helping you in any way ~ financially or looking after your children? There might be some underlying unconsious feelings of guilt and fear going on. Panic attacks ~ Definitely fear factor.

From the physical ~ do you have silver fillings? Where do you live? Anywhere near where a lot of cars/trucks go by? You body COULD be filled with metals.

If you wish some help with the fear/emotional stuff, feel free to email me. I can give you some tools which might help you. This is what I do btw.

Revvell

[VeganVixen]

Yoga might be beneficial to you!

[solarliving]

Hi Nicole,

I am new here and I came upon your post. I am deeply sorry to hear about what is happening in your life. I know that you must be going through a lot right now. I am not sure if you have ever heard of EFT or Meridian Therapies. They are mostly known for the success of dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Very easy to do on yourself and basically just tapping on particular acupuncture points. I am a Hypnotherapist and I have been doing EFT for many years now and I have resolved many issues within myself using this technique. It is truly a gift from God. Check out these websites if you are interested. By the way EFT means- Emotional Freedom Technique

www.tapintoheaven.com-- complete protocol
www.emofree.com

Sending postive energy,

Angela

[Doe]

solarliving, thank you for posting about EFT. Just downloaded the manual and started reading it.

[cornvalley]

Hi all, my first post. I found this site two days ago and really love it. My life is filled with years and years of experience in the raw lifestyle starting with the gorgeous writings of Herbert Shelton back in 76'. I have many water fasts under my belt (so to speak) at Natural Hygiene based retreats. Walked the walk while doing the talk and have come to this place where that in seeing the need out there for 'helpful' info, IT must take precedence over the dogma that pervades the '100% raw' fooders mindset.
I love all you here, I really do. I do this as a way of helping those with less long term experience. This is wonderful thread and could be full of insights as to why certain people gravitate towards 'must be 100%' instead of allowing for the obvious variables to having just as healthy a life with including a minor amount conservatively cooked foods (starches mainly). I happen to think David Wolfe has done a disservice to the raw food movement by proclaiming at the end of every chapter 'cooked food is poison'. This is not sound and produces the kind of mindset to which those variables cannot be considered even though the scientific evidence is contrary to this mantra. Food is what it is, a way of delivering a broad array of nutrients in combination with the elements to provide carbohydrate to muscles and nerves, etc. The actual amount of micro nutrient required for heathy functioning is quite low in comparison to calorie needs. This is not to say that any old food will supply those needs correctly. We can not really help those around us by proclaiming ill truths and in a way that prohibits alternatives. Most people in need of a healthier lifestyle will never come to the '100% raw' mindset. Do we want to help others truly or are we proclaiming this 'raw reality' as gospel for reasons about 'us'?
I won't be back here for a few days (off to a wedding up in Big Sur!) so I cannot respond sooner if need be. I would love to answer again when time permits.

[jaurequi]

solarliving,that is indeed an interesting site! Seeing as so many folks have addiction issues with food...

I have a question for you, though: Is it possible for you to share your personal testimony? I find things more credible when I read a personal testimony. If not, would you mind sharing a testimony of one of your clients, of course, respecting all codes of ethics regarding confidence? Generalities are welcomed :)

I did read some from the site as well.

I find this absolutely fascinating.

Thanks. And thanks, Doe, for bumpin' up the thread :)

[sachis2112]

Nicole, I agree with Revvell. You cannot expect to be done grieving so quickly. I am still grieving for a husband I lost 3 years ago. However, please remember that you truly can continue to move forward as well as grieve at the same time. I am engaged to a man who lost his wife 6 years ago and I know that he still mourns his loss. The key is that he does not question my love for him even though I still mourn my loss. If your family and friends don't question your ability to love them because of your mourning, dont sweat it. There will be those quiet times when you are alone when it will hit you full force for years to come. As long as we will always speak of or think of those who are gone, their lives will continue to mean something.

My personal experience with the difference between 100% and 99%... I went 19 days 100%. The only thing I consumed during this time that was cooked was a squirt of agave nectar here and there. I didn't do cashews if I could avoid it... I usually used macadamias instead. (BTW, Trader Joe's has cheap ones!) I'd quit coffee about 2 weeks into 80% raw and went 100% a week later. My body was so full of crap that it took me weeks to see any benefits as far as weight is concerned, although my attitude and energy was through the roof! I had to be 80% raw for 2 weeks, about 90% for 1 week and 2 1/2 weeks 100% before I lost my first pound. I lost about 18-20 lbs total (I wasn't keeping very good track) but now I've been 75% raw for two months and have put back on 10 lbs. I'm tired, bored and sometimes get a bit bummed for no reason. I even caught a cold this week! Blah! Back to 100% for me!

[LNdolls]

Nicole,
My mom passed in April - and dealing with grief is stressful and can put your body chemistry out of whack whether you are raw or not.
I found and continue to find GREAT clarity using the four questions process of The Work by Byron Katie - lots of freebies on her site - www.thework.org I have read her books, listened to her CDs over and over. And I listen and use her free downloads just as often.
Supporting your body with the best possible food will enable you to process your losses as comfortably as possible, but I would think that feeling lousy is at the very least appropriate for your circumstances. And it sounds like you are trying to do everything you are able to do to help yourself. Asking for help from other people - as you are here - is a smart move.
I send you a big cyber hug,
Best Always,
LN