Help: I fell off the wagon and got run over by the holiday bus!!

[Vegan Princess]

HI everyone,

I've been around here for about a year now. In the past year I've had about 5-6 months 100% and a lot of time high raw. The 100% got thrown out the window when I started dating my boyfriend in August and we started eating a lot of meals together, mostly out. (always stayed vegan though) I still managed to eat mostly raw other than those meals, but lately things have just gotten out of control and I have strayed WAY too far from what I know is right for me (having the stomach flu and also traveling to Thailand didn't help matter). I have made it known to my boyfriend that I'm recomitting to 100% come January. He's very supportive and is up for preparing raw meals together. I just need some support from all you guys - it's so hard to clean out all the cooked food now that I have opened the door to let it back in. And since I know I'm going 100% in about a week I seem to be eating more cooked food to "enjoy it while I can" - even though it doesn't taste as good as raw. Make it stop!!

Cindy

[Flanny]

It's the addiction. It's never as good as you remember it and yet you think you gotta have the taste.

I'll add you to my prayers. I do hope you transition into 100%.

[spicyfull]

Hang in there.........

[oceanee]

Oh yeah, it's the addiction. I know too well as I would fall from 100% raw to eating just a few vegan meals and then as I was psyching myself to go back to 100% raw I would start eating the weirdest stuff. I would feel awful, out of control and depressed but I couldn't stop. I mean it was like some strange person took over my senses.
In reading other wise words on this site I remember one wrote something to this effect -
Look at the food you ate in the past as just that. You had plenty of it and be happy for that . BUT now is now and for your happiness, health and well being you are committed to raw. I have written that down in a book I refer to when I need some extra help to stay the course.
I have to spend the time to plan my meals, I often do not go places to avoid being put in a situation I am not ready to handle. Like an addict you have to focus on your own triggers. BUT green Smoothies are a life saver !!!
Thanks for posting as I have been feeling weak today, sort of vulnerable and my mind has been testing me . There is comfort in not being alone.
best of luck - you can do it ! See you in the 30 day January Challenge!
Oceanee

[Flanny]

I'm getting together a long list of recipes I can make most any time that hopefully the family will enjoy. Most of them look delicious and can be prepared with locally available supplies. Once I have that finished and some staples on hand my wife and I are doing 100% for 30 days together :).

[Vegan Princess]

Thanks for the encouragement guys! I like that saying Oceanee - I think I will write it down as well.

I sort of spaced about the 30 day challenge. It helped me so much all the other months I was raw - I will definitely be there!

Cindy

[oceanee]

Great - can't wait to see you on the January 2008 challenge.
Oceanee

[StarFire]

Hey there VP... we've been on this journey together for a while now... and right now especially... it's so important to remember that this is a journey -- we have lots of different grounds that we cover... some beautiful flat paths, some roads with pot holes, some hills, some valleys... but all in all --- no matter what - we're still moving forward...

right now - you're on a road that's going up hill a bit - but that's okay - cuz like beppas grannie always says... what doesn't kill ya -- will only make you stronger! This experience will be part of your amazing testimony -- AND... it will make you stronger in the long run.

You can do this VP... I'll be in the January challenge with you... starting out the new year - to make the magic happen.... take all you know -- and jump in with both feet 100% in January.... and in the mean time, make wise choices.... rawk on girl.... we can do this!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/welcomeback1.gif

[Vegan Princess]

Thank you Starfire!! :D Love the ducky. You're right, it is all part of the journey - it so reinforced how much better I feel on raw!! I'm dying to get back. It's been too hard taking the leap with family here, eating out so much but I am getting more raw food than before and am sooooo craving being 100%. I know I will be fine once I hit January. I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with all my rawbie friends on the january thread.

Cindy

[Stina]

three magical things that get me back on track

1. meditation (and prayer)

2. one day of fasting

3. colon hydrotherapy

tah-dah!

[katie01]

One day, one meal at a time. Look at the luscious fruit hanging around and eat it. There are so many tasty options in SEASON right now. Browse the supermarket for something!

If you're prepared ... well, at least full (hehe) of some yummy fruits and veggies you'll be more likely to stay on the raw road!

Don't overthink it! Just keep eating something -- fruit or some veggies, fruit or some veggies.

PS -- stop buying any non-raw food girl! :) lol
Merry Christmas!

[Vegan Princess]

I stopped buying the no-no food. I never really bought it - it's been the food out of the house and at work. Raw is the way I eat at home for the most part. Yesterday I got some lovely fall bounty - butternut squash, persimmons, mandarins. And I know I'm a raw foodist b/c I dragged my mom to 5 markets in china town and to find durian and then carried the whole heavy thing home over a mile up a huge san francisco hill. LOL. :D Last night I made raw pumpkin spice muffins and chocolate fudge - so I am trying to be prepared!! I also cancelled out reservations at an italian restaurant - we are eating a home tonight.

I have yet to try colon hydrotherapy, but I think now would be a guy time. Especially since I recently spent 2 weeks in Thailand and had stomach issues the entire time - I could use a good cleaning out. LOL.

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate!!

Cindy

[StarFire]

Durian !!! aaaacccckkkkkk...... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/backingout.gif .... and you're forcing your family to eat AT HOME with the Durian in the house.... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/faint.gif


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/n82403129_16535.jpg .... Happy Holidays to you to VP!!! ;)

[jacsam]

Wow...it's so great that your boyfriend is supportive of you being 100% raw. Jump back on the wagon girl and bring your boyfriend with you.

[Vegan Princess]

I don't think my boyfriend is really ready for 100% for eternity, but I think after all the holiday eating he's been doing he'd be willing to give it a go for a bit - I know he'd lose weight really quickly. It's just a matter of filling him up - he's a big guy and really active. But he knows it's important to me so I know he will help me out, even if he chooses to eat non raw things too.

Cindy

[magglepie]

Hi Cindy! Welcome back. We're jumping back in together. I fell too ;P Darn that bus! I know you can do it! After A few days you'll be thinking I Heart Raw food I'll never leave you again ';)

[Vegan Princess]

LOL - I do heart raw food Magglepie. :p I had the most delicious dinner at the local raw restaurant last night - I've missed that place!!

Cindy

[Radiantly Raw]

Hi Cindy! Welcome back!! Sounds like you're ready! It's so wonderful that you have the support of your bf. You're going to feel so much better in no time!! Best wishes! :D

[Ingenue]

Cindy I am so glad you posted this! I'm totally in the same boat. My boyfriend is veggie and interested in Raw, but not ready to totally jump in. He's completely down with Green Smoothies now (thanks to moi :) but still keeps his Italian super carb diet. Homefries for breakfast, pizza for lunch, pasta for dinner. Holy hell! I am so good through the week when I'm not around him, but on the weekends I feel this incredible urge to eat with him food that he loves and I once loved.

For me it's symptomatic of a deeper struggle. Raw foods are my truth and it's important to honor that even as we come together as a couple. I also super agree with the other posters, it's the cooked food addict monkey mind having at me when it happens. I have re-affirmed my rawness in the new year and know that I cannot have one little bite for any reason. Don't want it!

xoxoxo Emilie

[Vegan Princess]

My boyfriend decided to try raw for the month. I'm so proud of him - I didn't ask him to - he made the choice on his own. I think what sealed it was we were both sick this weekend - went to a raw cafe and had wheat grass, e3 live shots and huge green drinks - and it totally made us feel better. I just feel a lil stressed having to come up with dinner ideas - and ones that will fill him up no less. It might be easier if we lived together - and he doesn't have any of the right tools at his place. We'll figure it out though. You just gotta do what is best for you though - your boyfriend will apreciate having you at the top of your game!

Cindy

[Anastazia]

Welcome back, Cindy!
You're obviously a vital part of this community, & know what your body wahts & needs! Now it's just a matter of goin' for a walk where that bus don't drive! That's great that he's on board, too!
~Anastazia~

[rawjustine]

It is so good to hear others fall too.We had fresh bread,i had to cut it fir my children.It is sooo bad.But green smoothies REALY do help,that and lots of yummy fresh mangos,yummy:D

[Vegan Princess]

I am, ahem, *was* a bread addict myself. I've been doing awesome though - 100% since the 2nd. :D Feeling like my old self again and down 4 lbs last time I checked. Woot woot! The boyfriend has been doing fantastic too and he's fitting into his sweaters he accidentally shrunk. :p

Cindy

[Ingenue]

Cindy, that's awesome! Congrats!