Can't Warm Up

[myjourney]

I am having a hard time keeping warm. I live in the midwest, and let's just say that winter is the pits.:( I am craving hot foods and can't stop thinking about it. Has anyone eles had this problem? If so, how have you delt w/it?

[jacsam]

I live in a cold place too....right now we have piles and piles of snow outside. When I'm chilled to the bone or just feeling cold, what I do has nothing to do with food. I get in a warm tub and always keep socks and slippers/shoes on my feet, then of course a sweater or sweat shirt and that usually takes care of it. I'm used to room temperature food now and I think you loose that need for hot food. Judith:)

[RawSweetie]

Well, I live in New England, so I feel ya! :(

I'm fairly new to raw. Right now I deal with this by allowing myself something hot once a day. My day is raw except for my one hot thing. It might be a baked sweet potato, or a bagel, or some pasta. I don't stress, and I don't judge myself. This works for me really well.

I recall Karen Knowler talking about the times when one might NOT want to try to go raw--ie. in the winter or during an emotionally challenging time, such as a breakup. I've got both going on right now. Considering these two things, I'm doing grrrrrrEAT!! :p

Good luck!

[myjourney]

I have been trying the room temp foods. That helps a little. Maybe if I ate my room temp food while soaking in a hot bubble bath:). I might have to give it a whirl this weekend:D

Lisa

[myjourney]

Thanks for the advise. I am sitting here at work (looking like I'm busy :D) eating a toasted bagel. I think that might be what will help me get thru this part of the year. Soon it will be warm and eating raw will be as easy as breathing - I hope :)

Lisa

[CrazyDelicious]

Spicy foods to the rescue!!! Though I normally like a little spice (ok a lot) in my food, I find that this doubles in the winter. Cayenne especially is my friend. I will even make special cold-weather drinks that have a little kick and are served warm and they really work. Exercise is also really great - as are big comfy slippers :rolleyes: Strangely enough, I find that I am actually handling the winters better the longer I am raw. I love eating a big bowl of soup with flax crackers and getting out there in the snow! :D

[sport]

My first winter raw I was very cold but I did not give up my tea and that brought me through. I also would have a spoonful of miso in a mug of warm water and that was almost soupy. I was raw on everything else.
This winter I am not feeling at all cold so cheer up. There are brighter days ahead.

[chilove]

Baked potatoes and all veggie soups are much better cooked choices than bagels. :-) Decaf herbal teas would be even better!

But you can be all raw in a cold climate! I've done it for four years now and I've always been a cold natured person. I bought an electric blanket for the bed, an electric throw blanket (LOVE IT) for the living room, and a space heater for my desk. Warm socks and frequent baths are wonderful. Exercise also really helps.

Blessings and thoughts of warm, sunny days!!!

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[RawSweetie]

Baked potatoes and all veggie soups are much better cooked choices than bagels. :-) Decaf herbal teas would be even better!

But you can be all raw in a cold climate! I've done it for four years now and I've always been a cold natured person. I bought an electric blanket for the bed, an electric throw blanket (LOVE IT) for the living room, and a space heater for my desk. Warm socks and frequent baths are wonderful. Exercise also really helps.

Blessings and thoughts of warm, sunny days!!!

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

Unless I want the chewy/crunchy/toasty experience. Then a bagel is best. When I want the potato experience, then a potato will be best. :)

[Blazin'Jane]

It sounds like others have had cold winters their first year RAW. Last year at this time I was losing weight, so still had soem insulation. This year I've been freezing all winter! Tha't quite a shift for me, as I have formerly always been the last one in crowd to feel chilly. For me it isn't food related, which is a good thing because staying RAW is very important to me right now. My solutions have been an extra blanket on our bed, wearing layers (and layers) of clothing, visiting the hot tub and sauna after I swim, and being very organized in the shower so I don't freeze when I get out.
I am comforted to hear that this is just an adjustment phase, and that next year I may not be so cold sensitive.
BTW--I like the miso/warm water idea. I'm going to try it right now.;)

[sport]

I have read that the least harmfull cooked thing to eat is Millet Porridge

Here is a link to one which could be adapted.
Shortcut to: http://www.recipezaar.com/65734

I lifted this from another site

Millet porridge, now there's a hearty breakfast for you. Mostly because you almost always make way too much and so you can have as many bowls as you like.

Here's how...

Millet Porridge Recipe

Enough millet grain for one person - how much? Oh I don't know, a cup? A bucket?
About 4 times as much water
A pinch of salt
Loads of dried fruit - any types (optional but it does help add sweetness. You can go over the top though. This morning's millet porridge was more like dried fruit with millet.)
Alternative sweetener - syrup, or if you want to stay all GI-low, go for apple juice, or Agave Syrup - yep you read it right, syrup from a cactus. Just saw it in the shop yesterday and gave it a go. It's sweet.

Boil your millet for about half an hour adding more water if necessary. I often give it a little bit longer as the last few minutes make the millet porridge nice and soft.

You can add a spot of milk if you like, chopped nuts or whatever you fancy.

And if you have made too much, like I usually do, millet porridge is great the next day too.

[nfracer]

Bear with me-I guess things come in 3's because I posted about "Wilson's Syndrome" (which I had never heard of before last night!!!) and came across 2 posts right after I posted??? Wierd...and maybe worth your reading...but I'm not a doctor, just pretend to be :D (and a little sarcastic too, sorry)

http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=37437

[ShelShel]

I get very cold, but I really feel it's due to the weight loss. :rolleyes: So, you'll get no complaints from me there. :p

Personally, I dress in lots of light layers. Then I can adjust to what feels good to me no matter where I am.

I also take warm baths, when I just can't take it and nothing will make me feel warm enough.

I drink room temp cayenne, lemon water. (Lots of warming spices like ginger...in my foods.)

I find it's out of the fridge or frozen raw foods that get me chilled...so, on a cold day I would simply stay away from these. Make some raw pancakes...or a raw apple pie with room ginger/cinnamon water.

Hope some of this helps. It's hard to get used to at first, but now it just seems normal for me. ;)

[myjourney]

Thanks for the millet porridge, I will give it a try this week. As for the Agave Syrup - isn't that a great treat - love it!!!

Lisa

[myjourney]

I get very cold, but I really feel it's due to the weight loss. :rolleyes: So, you'll get no complaints from me there. :p

Personally, I dress in lots of light layers. Then I can adjust to what feels good to me no matter where I am.

I also take warm baths, when I just can't take it and nothing will make me feel warm enough.

I drink room temp cayenne, lemon water. (Lots of warming spices like ginger...in my foods.)

I find it's out of the fridge or frozen raw foods that get me chilled...so, on a cold day I would simply stay away from these. Make some raw pancakes...or a raw apple pie with room ginger/cinnamon water.

Hope some of this helps. It's hard to get used to at first, but now it just seems normal for me. ;)
Thanks for the idea of warm cayenne and lemon h2o. Will give it a try tonight after work.

Lisa