Alternative to Juicing?

[Carlene]

I hate juicing. I have to admit, I'm not a fan of cooking or cleaning up that's why a simple raw diet is just perfect for me, but I'm worried I won't stay balanced because I also don't like kale and collards. I can tolerate some spinach in my salads, but not eating all those greens worries me.

Last time I tried raw and failed there were many factors. Juicing and trying to eat things I didn't like in abundance was part of the emotional reason. I do eat zucchinni, cucumbers, brocolli, and cabbage but the leafy stuff is beyond me (as of now).

I've been adding Nutiva's raw hemp seed protein to my morning smoothie and have been feeling great, but I was wondering what other alternatives there were for us lazy gals who can't stand the mess of juicing.

[Revvell]

Carlene,

Blending. What we do is, juice oranges, throw juice in da blender, add bananas and any other fruit in season such as strawberries, then add some greens. There's LOTS posted here on wonderful green smoothies. The fruit juices tend to hide the taste of the greens by the way.

Revvell

[tracyinfo]

I agree with Revvell, use a blender! Also, the fruit really does mask alot of the green taste. Start slowly with the greens if you don't care for them. If you like parsley, add a lot of parsley and 1/2 leaf of kale. Slowly build up.

Also, I have been adding cayenne and mint to my shakes the last 2 days. I love the combination! Beware - start with a pinch only of cayenne!

Blessings.

[Revvell]

Ohhh, mint!!! Yes, we did that for a bit too! Thanks for the reminder.

Rev

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

I say, "If it works for you, then great, if not then fix it."

So, if not eating greens and not drinking juice works for you then great.

I don't care for greens much, but I do make pesto stuffed mushrooms all the time, so I get alot of basil and spinach, I eat salads, with a few greens and lots of other good veggies, and I simply eat the fruits or make fruit sorbets so I get my fruits, instead of juicing them.

I personally don't think juicing is natural, because we are supposed to eat the whole food.

Of course, taking basil and nuts and olive oil and blapping it all up and puttin it inside a mushroom then dehydrating it, probably isn't too natural either, but hey, I like it.

So, do what works for you, and eat all the good foods you love, and I'd quit worrying about whether you are getting enough greens, if your body wants greens, you'll start wanting to eat them.

I know this is how it works with my body.

I don't care for something one week, and then the next week I want it.

Maybe one day I'll even want an avocado (nasty little green slimey things)

[Carlene]

Thanks everyone. I'll try blending them with my morning smoothie. Everything else I eat whole.

So what's the thought on Nutivia's Hemp protien? I'm so excited to do this, yet afraid to fail because of energy, that I'm hesitant to remove it from my diet just yet.

[RawTruth]

So what's the thought on Nutivia's Hemp protien? I'm so excited to do this, yet afraid to fail because of energy, that I'm hesitant to remove it from my diet just yet.Hi Carlene -- I'm not sure what you mean by this ... especially that you're "afraid to fail because of energy." Are you talking about being sure you have enough protein in your diet? If so, read Alissa's "essay" on protein in the section here titled "Need to Know More About Raw?" It's actually from her book, which, if you don't have it already, you might want to buy because it will answer all your concerns. It's the best insurance I know of to keep you raw!

By the way, I don't juice, either. But, I do eat lots of greens (well, I think it's lots -- green smoothie and at least one large green salad each day).

Best of luck with those green smoothies! (If you haven't done so already, be sure to search on this forum for all the threads on green smoothies -- there's sooo much info).

[Carlene]

I have read Alissa's book and know about the plant protiens, but this has always been my problem. Whether it was macrobiotics, veganism, or even being a vegetarian, my amino acid levels would drop. I had them tested, out of 20, 7 were below low, 6 were low and the remainder below normal. It took three months of supplementation to get me back to normal. My liver enzymes are high, and my instinct tells me my liver does not process the amino acids it should. I've been working on this for the past six months with cleanses and have made some progress, and even though I know everyone else is living fine without added amino acids, I'm hesitant to try it too soon for fear of losing all my energy and giving up. I've been thinking to wean myself off the extra protien after my first 30 days 100%.

~That last statement is assuming that taking raw hemp protien is still considered 100% raw.

[Revvell]

Well, I have to say, I'm curious as to how someone bases a "normal" reading of protein. Compared to whom? Meat eaters? Certainly not to raw vegans.

Carlene, MOST people's protein intake is waaaaaay too high which is why there are so many dis-eases. Many of them are based on excess protein.

Alissa and a couple others here have already discussed this in full methinks. For some reason so MANY people ~ oh, as I write this I'm realizing ~ because of the dairy/meat industry ~ so many people think they need wayyyy more protein than they actually do.

Personally, I don't even think about it ~ OR how many carbs, fats, etc. I eat. I just eat/drink a variety of fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts.

You gots to do what you gots to do ~ obviously. :)

Revvell

[Carlene]

I'm getting there Revvell, especially since I am so bound up and thinking it's the hemp seed. I actually took physillum seed tonight in hopes of gently cleaning my system. But raw is a pretty radical thought process to wrap your mind around especially after reading so many books on nutrition for so many years. I went for the blood test because I fell into a weepy depression and lethargy which wasn't like me at all. I saw a naturopath, but you know, although she is a great person and listens really well, she was more into supplementing than finding the underlying cause, which I have believed for years to be my liver. Anyway that's off subject. I just need time to assimilate and see personal results before I can take the final step. I will admit, people like you who have been 100% for a long time burst all my past beliefs about how much protein a human needs.

Truth is I'm feeling great, except for that mentioned above, and I've been taking the hemp seed. My first attempt at raw without it was a disaster. To rock the boat when I'm high and motivated with my current success scares me.

But not to worry. I plan on getting to where you are, but I might hang on to the final cliff before taking that last big leap a couple of days or weeks longer. Hope you'll bear with me, you're one of the role models I'm following in this forum.

[Revvell]

Carlene,

Oh, make no mistake here. I've been on and off for 5 years having been vegetarian for 18. Each time I do it, I get stronger and stronger.

Bound? As in bm problems (or are you just kinky? <G>)

For quite some time I was into Sunrider products ~ reason being that, they are herbs and considered "whole" foods as opposed to vitamins and supposedly not heated over 115 degrees. I probably did those for about 10 years, since 1989 ~ off and on. The more I moved into raw, I let that go as I felt I was getting my nutrients through my foods.

As far as hemp protein, etc., I know one here in particular thinks it's the best, I've not tried it as I've decided to basically stop with the supplementation and trust in the food nature gave me to eat. Seems to be working quite well.

Psyllium, eh? did that for a bit too ~ in my fruit pies. My understanding of psyllium and such is, being AS it is, it needs extra water to actually do anything as it turns into sludge in the body. How did it work for you? Notice a difference?

Weepy depression and lethargy IS something different and it may be a good thing. See, folk have a perception of things. They "think" (are programmed) that weeping, sadness, anger, ~ emoting in general is not a good thing! It is! It's a wonder-filled thing!

I've had people tell me that I'm not "meditative" or I don't act as they "think" (are programmed to "think") I "should" because I, as a human being, express myself in all SORTS of ways...totally, and fully.

Consider this if you will ~ when going raw, many have a perception of what is to happen instead of allowing what DOES happen. We have been "bound" in so many ways other than anally. We've not allowed ourselves to express fully and completely. IF one allows this natural procedure, one will eventually come into a balance. In the meantime, let your expression come out creatively. IF feeling weepy, write a poem or an essay about how you feel. IF feeling joy, go dancing barefoot on the grass. Carlene, it's all about living life fully and totally. Eating raw is about the most total and natural one can be with their food. Don't worry about how to get there, enjoy the journey and more importantly ~ play with your food.

Thank you for your kind words also. :)

Revvell

[Carlene]

I did drink lots of water with the pysillium, and it seems to have worked. I am a writer and do use my moods creatively, but whatever happened to me last year was too out of wack that I had to do something.

But I am enjoying everyday of being raw. I had something of a near death experience once, and instead of a bright light, saw a large pool of algea. All I would have had to do was step in. It felt so right, return to the earth and be part of her. I am so looking forward to what being raw does for me. Just when I would be vegan, the changes in my psyche were amazing. It's like you awaken to the earth and become part of life rather than just a spectator.

[Revvell]

I did drink lots of water with the pysillium, and it seems to have worked. I am a writer and do use my moods creatively, but whatever happened to me last year was too out of wack that I had to do something.

But I am enjoying everyday of being raw. I had something of a near death experience once, and instead of a bright light, saw a large pool of algea. All I would have had to do was step in. It felt so right, return to the earth and be part of her. I am so looking forward to what being raw does for me. Just when I would be vegan, the changes in my psyche were amazing. It's like you awaken to the earth and become part of life rather than just a spectator.

Nod,nod,nod. So looking forward to hearing more about your continuing journey.

To your health,

Revvell

[yeahbethany]

A GREAT alternative to juicing is to make green smoothies in a blender. There are several great threads on these bulletin boards about that...

Happy blending!

-Bethany =)