hi from cold Michigan

[carrieann]

Hi! I was just introduced to raw last week at the yoga studio I teach at--I saw someone prepare 4 recipes raw. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and for the last few years I've had problems with energy, and being tired. This is despite always being active and exercising--yoga, qi gong, walking--on a daily basis. Overweight, low energy, acne...I'm also mildly allergic to dairy and wheat so this is a good way to get off of those two groups as well.

I am currently in school getting my degree in Oriental Medicine (acupuncture, herbs) and I currently teach yoga and do Integrative Yoga Therapy. I must admit, there's some resistance to raw food with Chinese Medicine, and I tend to be susceptible to 'cold' .

I just ordered my Excalibur Food Dehydrator last night, the smaller model 'cause I'm on a budget that's pretty small. I'll be using it to heat foods as the weather here is still very cold.

I am slowly incorporating raw--my breakfast this morning was all raw, and lunch was half so. I read somewhere, not sure where now, that it was better to go slowly so you didn't detox yourself too quickly? Wondered if anyone had experienced that. Also, as everyone 'went raw'--did you do any kind of colon support? What seemed to serve you best?

I"m excited, and hoping my husband doesn't think I'm crazy, and will eventually join me.

So, hello from freezing Michigan!!

Carrie

[Radiantly Raw]

Welcome Carrie! Man, I bet you are cold! We're staying indoors today cause it's down to 52 degrees! LOL! I'm in FL.

I went 100% raw overnight, so did my hubby & we didn't experience much detox at all. I keep waiting for it to hit & it's been 6 months. I did have some throat issues for a week or so, but I felt fine otherwise. Just a very sore throat & coughing up junk. The worst hubby had was a sinus type problem for 2 days at a time. This happened maybe 4 times in the last 6 months. He thinks he just got a little sick, but I think it might have been detox. It wasn't worthy of missing work or anything though.

I think it's great to do what you're doing now, while it's so darn cold! By spring you'll be so ready for the fresh stuff all the time & you can be 100% by summer!

Do you have Alissa's book yet? I was on a very small budget as well, but I got her book & dvd as soon as I could. It made all the difference, really!

[bananafana]

Hi and welcome Carrieann!

I totally get what you mean about warming your food. I have a really hard time with eating soup cold. I heard that a vitamix warms things a bit, so i'm saving for one now.

When I went raw I dove in 100% and I have to say, the detox is bad at times, mainly headaches, extreme fatigue and upset stomach. On the plus side i'm dropping weight like crazy (lot's to loose) so that's good.

Good luck on your raw journey!

[carrieann]

As soon as I get that lovely Excalibur delivered on my doorstep, I think I'll be so excited to cook with it, it'll be easy to go 100%. I am so psyched about making crackers and flat breads...:) I never made traditional bread, and this seems to much easier than bothering with yeast!! And healthier.

I've been vegetarian/vegan before and don't remember detoxing. I'm hoping I did a bunch then, so it won't be so bad this time. :)

Oh, and I go to school intensives in Florida three times a year, and it's so nice!!! Even August is bearable 'cause I feel like I get warm through and through. :)
Thanks everyone!
Carrie

[earth_sista]

hi there carrieann! where in michigan are you from? where do you teach? that is so exciting that your learning oriental medicine! im in northern indiana and it's chilly here, too! make sure, to add lots of warming spices to your food and drink some hot tea :)

[theresaann]

Hi there,

I'm in Michigan too, West Bloomfield (south east). It's frickin' cold here, no doubt!!

I'm 100% for about 5 days now...not long, but I've been vegan for 4 months before that. It has certainly helped with the transition.

I was told before I have cold dampness in my constitution, but I am not having any problem with raw this time. I've been raw on and off, in warm weather and cold, for 17 years. I think there are so many variables to what makes us what we are. OVerall, you just have to be EMOTIONALLY ready to go raw, most of all. if that's in place, the rest is pretty easy. But since raw is such a very high vibration, we have to also raise our vibration, at least in my experience. Yoga helps, for sure, I think, but mostly, its just being ready, for me.

[deberaw]

Welcome Carrie! I am in Kalamazoo....brrrrrrr...and Lake Effect snow too!
I've been exploring Raw and gathering equipment...here, there, Ebay etc....for about a year....went vegetarian.....tried 100% early on...but didn't like some of the recipes.....then kept trying recipes.....went high Raw, but really did better when I finally went 100%....I just did the Feb. challenge and am getting ready to do the March one....I did sneak in some of my family's dinner of stir-fry this evening, but it just didn't taste that good to me!

...I think it might depend on how much one has to detox....? We're pretty healthy eaters...so really I just felt kinda spacy, different, but very clear when I went 100%....I slept really well and my skin looks great! I made sure to have a variety of foods including dehydrated crackers, cookies and sweets that I liked....lots of good salad dressings are good too...avocados and bananas and greens are all staples.....make sure you have recipes that you like!...my husband tries a lot of what I make...some he likes, some he doesn't, but he is being a good sport!........kids are trying things too!:D

[jacsam]

My suggestion to you would be to get Alissa's book and DVD. They really will help you understand what the raw food lifestyle is all about. I don't know how you can go raw and not have the information that Alissa teaches you. They have everything you need to know to go raw and to help you answer questions that you husband may have. Good Luck.

[spicyfull]

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

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome to RFT and the RAW WORLD!!! this is an amazing LIFEstyle..... I'm so glad yu have joined us!! It sounds like you are prepared and ready to go! RAWk on!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/bigthumbup.gif

blessings on your journey!

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