When you know the truth how can you not follow it [Archive]

Rawkinlocs

10-15-2004, 09:52 PM

Flutterfly,

I TOTALLY feel you on this!

As well as I've been doing the past 7 days, today was very difficult for me as I was tempted to eat everything from chips to pancakes to a soy chik patty and more.

I didn't but I sure wanted to. It's really all mental. You must understand that sometimes we know better, but we have been and if we are tv watchers, still are being conditioned to believe that eating other things is okay; that disease just randomly occurs and what we eat has absolutely nothing to do with it; that if it tastes good, it must be good.

I sat here just moments ago struggling within about why I should not give up on this 30-day challenge and go raid the refridgerator; why I should not just consider myself a percentage raw and eat what I want in moderation, of course :rolleyes:

But I realize that it's all a trick of my mind and that the physical ACT of eating isn't where it ends, but it's also mental and even emotional.

I'm not even hungry, but thoughts of all these foods are popping into my mind. The only thing I can do to fight the urge is to think about my family members who eat the things I desire with no regrets YET are suffering severely with disease, pain, taking bottles upon bottles of meds and getting worse rather than better.

Then, those foods don't seem so appealing to me anymore.

No, you're not alone in your feelings and even your actions. It's hard to undo all of the programming that has been done over the years. It's sometimes hard to believe or remember that the very thing that gave or gives us so much pleasure if only for a moment is really wrecking havoc in our bodies.

Try to be strong...let's be strong together so we can be strong for someone else who may need the example of a healthy person. I have people all around me who are now coming to my husband and myself for help...to much is given, much is required and having the knowledge that we have, we are almost required to not only share it, but to also live it!

Sorry for rambling, but hopefully something there was a help to you.

flutterfly

10-16-2004, 09:17 AM

Thanks Rawkinlocs for your reply.I will do the best I can. I follow the www.fromsadtoraw form and see there are a lot of people that have the same problem I have. It is to bad there are not more people that could group together in their home towns for support. It is always easier to be part of a group that can actually meet face to face.That is what I had when I lived in Green Bay, WI and I miss it so much.
You are wise beyond your years and thanks for the support ;)

GoingRAW

10-16-2004, 11:12 AM

Flutterfly,
I definitely can relate to your struggle. I know that I feel so much better when I eat raw. The days when I am up to 100% seem so natural. But there are the days when my cravings for cooked get so strong and I give in. Unfortunately, my mind doesn't know the definition of moderation and I will end up overeating cooked junk food. My body feels terrible and sluggish and I just want to sleep. I never feel that way on raw. So why does it keep happening. Support is much needed here too.
I also wish that there was a live discussion group. It is so much easier when you can talk face to face.
It does help having these forums though, I couldn't imagine trying to do it w/out them...
Good luck to you!

flutterfly

10-16-2004, 11:24 AM

I also love the way I feel on 100% raw. You never feel stuffed or gassy(did I just make up a new word lol) as you do when eating cooked.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to share a home with someone that wanted to be raw also. Maybe we should make a new form for people that would like to do that. Heck, I would love to be in an all raw home and just do all the food prep and cleaning any takers?). What a dreamer I am lol.

ehartmanf

10-16-2004, 04:16 PM

I just want to say that needing the support of other people is not a flaw. I believe we all need each other, especially when we are doing something as difficult as changing our entire way of eating. I live with a spouse who is not raw, but supports me in whatever I want to do. Still.....it's hard to look at all his food in the house, the cookies, the chocolate, the pasta, etc. We're all going against the tide and I think it will always be a challenge, regardless of how good it is for our bodies. Don't forget about the female hormonal fluctuations. Some days it is especially difficult to stay away from the cooked foods, expecially the sweets.

Rawkinlocs, my mom has often quoted that verse to me through the years...."to whom much is given, much is required". :)

NWgal

10-17-2004, 12:01 AM

[QUOTE=Rawkinlocs]Flutterfly,

I TOTALLY feel you on this!

As well as I've been doing the past 7 days, today was very difficult for me as I was tempted to eat everything from chips to pancakes to a soy chik patty and more.

I didn't but I sure wanted to. It's really all mental. You must understand that sometimes we know better, but we have been and if we are tv watchers, still are being conditioned to believe that eating other things is okay; that disease just randomly occurs and what we eat has absolutely nothing to do with it; that if it tastes good, it must be good.

I sat here just moments ago struggling within about why I should not give up on this 30-day challenge and go raid the refridgerator; why I should not just consider myself a percentage raw and eat what I want in moderation, of course :rolleyes:

But I realize that it's all a trick of my mind and that the physical ACT of eating isn't where it ends, but it's also mental and even emotional.

I'm not even hungry, but thoughts of all these foods are popping into my mind.

I love this topic.... I am finding that my "emotional Stomach" Must be heard and honored.. This time of year I really get into the snacking vibe. I want chips and sweet little snacks .. I have been observing my body and my emotions and seeing how this works with me.. raw chips are so Easy to make so I make a bunch and almond stuffed dates. and cookies.. and little mini pumpkin pies ect.. I make sure there are LOTS avalible for me .I make more then enough for myself.. and since my husband is eating them and still has no idea they are raw . LOL ( I will tell him someday) thats another story for another time.. anyway..If I have MORE then enough its so iteresting .. I have no intest in the old stuff. If I feel rigid in my food at all and dont have treats ... I go to a very hard place in my resolve to eat raw... .I know Alissa talks about this on her DVD.

flutterfly

10-17-2004, 11:49 AM

I have fed people raw food also that never had a clue as to it being raw. You will have to share your story about the raw pumpkin pies.

lil

10-17-2004, 11:52 AM

I think it's a lot to do with conditioning. Many of us grew up believing that pasta, breads, potatoes and a host of other cooked foods were good for us. Letting that go is hard. I also think that a lot of us were comforted with these foods - when we were children, puddings, cheese, candy...was used to sooth us. So it's no wonder, when needing some support, that we would turn to these foods.

FEELIN'GOOD

10-17-2004, 12:00 PM

Hi FlutterFly!

Gosh... I think that we all have this issue as you can see! We are so brain-washed into what tastes good that we automatically think we are getting the short end of the stick when we eat healthy. In Alissa's book she says it best to find what you really love and make those recipes often. I used to be a chocolate fanatic... but since I have discovered Madjool dates... I can't stand the taste of chocolate! Amazing... it makes me giggle when I try to cheat, and I spit it out because I don't like it any more!
That's when I new my taste buds were adapting, and salads have never tasted better! I also found those baby coconuts, and WOW... I don't even like coconut, but this is so calming and comforting to me... I just crack one open after it has chilled for about 3 hours in the fridge, I sit outside on the patio, close my eyes and sip away... it takes me to a whole other world! My husband calls it a healthy cigerette because of how I seem to be addicted to it all of a sudden...

Anyway I'm getting off the subject... I guess what I'm saying, is find a few things that are raw that comfort you... mine are Madjool dates and hummus with flax crackers, and baby coconuts... they help me stay focused and comfort me when I'm feeling like raiding the fridge... Good luck!

FEELIN'GOOD

10-17-2004, 12:06 PM

Rawkinlocs...

I had to comment on what you said eariler:

"The only thing I can do to fight the urge is to think about my family members who eat the things I desire with no regrets YET are suffering severely with disease, pain, taking bottles upon bottles of meds and getting worse rather than better."

That is like a bible phrase to me! I look at my mom who will NEVER do this diet, and it makes me sick to my stomach when she calls me and says she's gone to the docter again and he gave her some other pills to HELP her... I want to just take her by the ears and shake some sense into her! I know that I am far from perfect on this diet, but I have just started and I can proudly say that I am 85% raw right now... maybe even more. I have not taken one asprin since... nothing! I know I will be 100% raw by the years end because of your exact comment above... TO LIVE WE NEED TO EAT LIVE!

It makes me wonder why those two words, LIVE & LIVE are spelt the same yet be pronounced differently... maybe it's a message?#%^&????????

Oh, I just got TIVO and for any of you that love TV but get frustrated with commercials of fast food and junk, it is great because you can tape all your shows so easily and then fast forward the subliminal messages away.... Yippee!

flutterfly

10-17-2004, 02:12 PM

My Mother and Sister are also very ill most of it is from the bad foods they eat. I have a Daughter that is a little over 300#, one that is almost 200#. They have seen me eat as healthy as possible and make jokes about my choices of food. I decided years ago that everyone has a choice and if you try to take that choice from them in any way they cut you out of their lives ( can anyone spell dysfuctional family).
I just have to do the best I can with what I have and be happy in my choices (bananas and cashews with an apple tossed in lol)

GoingRAW

10-17-2004, 02:19 PM

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to share a home with someone that wanted to be raw also. Maybe we should make a new form for people that would like to do that. Heck, I would love to be in an all raw home and just do all the food prep and cleaning any takers?). What a dreamer I am lol.

I think that this would be the best. It would take so much stress out of having to plan all your meals not to mention the prep. And the support would be awesome... I am in dreamland w/ you :p

tglasco4

10-17-2004, 06:08 PM

I think the primary reason people have trouble staying raw is that they start off on a false premise. That being, its good for me, I feel good when I do it, so I just should be able to do it! Thats wrong. We first have to understand that our appetites are PERVERTED. We are addicted to things that are bad for us and we like them. Hence, a simple decision to just do it (as nike says) becomes difficult and fraught with frustration. If we have been fed our whole lives with things that are dead and our bodies are used to recieving them, our whole being will cry out for these things as a junkie's body cries out for dope during a cold turkey withdrawal. We have to be much more patient and much more focused and determined (and prayerful I might add) to overcome the perverted appetite we, as humans all have.

Peace.

NWgal

10-17-2004, 08:34 PM

My husband found one on my mini pie's in the frig when i was out.. and went on and on about how good it was.. Pumpkin is his fav! Then he had some of my Cornchips and with salsa and guac.. and went on and on about how good "homemade" cornchips are..... I know him and If tell them they are raw.. he will decide he didnt like them after all .. LOL.. So i'm going to just keep making things and let him eat them... heheheh

NWgal

Kristi

10-18-2004, 07:34 AM

twinyoga

10-18-2004, 10:05 AM

I was eating raw yesterday and then went to a birthday party and thought "why can't I eat like everyone else?" and had 1/2 a bagel. Then I made a raw dinner and kept thinking, while I was eating it, why am I doing this and I never enjoyed the dinner. DH came in and ate dinner later (the raw dinner I made) and loved every bite of it. Now this was his first all raw meal ever! I told him I thought it was terrible and he said it was all my way of thinking about it. He told me not to think of it as raw and being "different", it's healthy and a good way to eat and I should enjoy it.

I am aiming for 100% raw every day but also knowing that I will have some cooked foods when I am out of the house (and that's all that is offered) but will do my best to stay raw. It works for me. I feel good. If anything, I mentally get scared. That's silly. Afterall, we didn't get scared when we decided to be vegetarian? Or when choosing to eat kosher?

I believe in letting people eat what they want and I have to do the same to myself.

Anyway, I'm on this journey too. I hope sharing my experience helps.

He's right!

corky

10-20-2004, 01:26 AM

Some wonderful input here! I love the raw house idea--or how about a raw community?? Where we could all have huge gardens and orchards and share raw meals and like-mindedness. Yes, another dreamer here. It is so hard in regular society though with all the holidays and birthdays to not get caught up in junkfood oh plenty!! It is awful. I feel so good that i am now taking a stand for what is the truth and doing my best to follow it--sure isn't easy though! Even my kids gymnastics class has chocolates i am supposed to sell?? Can't they come up with something non-food? I truly believe as Victoria Boutenko says, is that cooked food is an addiction. When we are unhappy or stressed, we reach for food--some have been lucky and have not gained weight through this but have still suffered with other issues. That is why a support group like this is so necessary as we all fall off and on the wagon as we follow our truth. :)

flutterfly

10-20-2004, 06:57 AM

A Raw Community would do it for me! That is if I could afford to live there.
I know what you mean about groups selling chocolate ( I live right by Hershey, PA and smell chocolate all the time)when there are so many other things to sell.It is time things change before everyone gets cancer or something just as bad. Some of us have had the wake up call and then there are some of us ( me included that slip ever so often) but we all do the best that we can for now. Lets start up that Raw Community ;)

Olive

10-20-2004, 11:55 AM

I've worked in HIV prevention for years and have learned the hard way that people don't change their behaviors just because they have compelling informations! I've seen people chose to get infected with a preventable disease rather than protect themselves. Why? I think that unless we have an emotional connection to the change, rather than just an intellectual one, it is very hard for humans to change. Many of us are just too strongly ruled by our emotions and compulsions.

My father is a perfect example of this. He is on meds for high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, both of which are preventable and reversable. When I've talked to him about making dietary changes to reverse his health problems (cutting down on alcohol, eating more produce & whole foods) he says that's what the pills are for. Arrrrgh! I can't make him change, but it is so sad to think I will lose my dad much sooner than I should because he'd rather drink rum and eat junk than live longer and healthier. On the other hand, seeing the path he has taken has made me determined to not go the same route, so I am thankful that I have an emotional connection to change.

Sometime in the next couple years, my partner and I plan on buying our first house. I have dreams of remodeling the kitchen . . . with no stove!

Curtis

10-20-2004, 12:42 PM

Flutterfly my opinion on this has to do with how we are raised. At least for myself I was raised in a typical American family where a lot of how we ate was programmed from tv advertisement and the fact my mom is a nurse.
Realizing the last few years that most of what I was taught and accepted about eating was wrong now I have to work on "reprogramming" my mind and spirit to the truth of foods in their natural state are better for me.
My advice that I give myself everyday is don't sweat the small stuff, if I make a mistake, move past it and try again and as I do this and grow I make less and less mistakes in this area.
No you are not alone :)
The raw community idea is wonderful, kind of reminds me of ecovillages that have sprung up in the last few years.

corky

10-20-2004, 08:39 PM

I would love to see a kitchen with no stove! Hard to sit back and watch people choose other paths when you know the answers! Its hard about your dad Olive but again what do you do. My grandpa died last year--3 wks after getting the flu shot vaccine--he was losing his memory (gets flu shots every year) but other than that healthy--i can't help but wonder about the flu shot...another one of those things--my grandma just got hers and i can't stop her as she thinks it is the right thing to do.

corky

10-20-2004, 08:42 PM

Alright! Any other takers on the raw community??!! I think that would be so great--i really do--here there are people who build cob houses--so we could each build our own cob house and that would keep the cost down (only $30 000cdn) and share the land price. Labor intensive though--and you have to not mind getting your feet muddy!

flutterfly

10-20-2004, 08:55 PM

I'd get muddy feet and work hard to be in a place that was all raw. Hard work never killed anyone.

GoingRAW

10-20-2004, 11:40 PM

corky, that sounds great. Would you mind explaining a little bit more about cob houses? Thanks in advance! :D

corky

10-21-2004, 12:15 AM

You can check out www.cobworks.com and click on photos and it will show you some pics. There is also info. on what it is. I think they are really cool and environmentally friendly!

Helen Of Tennessee

10-21-2004, 05:45 AM

Hi all,

I found the longer I'm high raw, the harder I fall when I drop the percentage of raw.

About a month ago, I went 12 days with no GRAINS (this is basically my last step to conquer to being all raw). I felt FANTASTIC during this period. I then slipped up and allowed grains back into my food choices :mad: It's been a battle every since. I am now extremely hypo and in pain. I made a list of my symptoms and I'm up to 17, with headaches and joint/muscle pain being the worse. Even with the pain, I'm drawn towards grains. 50 years of habit is VERY hard to overcome. Like most of you, I have other family members who are not raw. My daughter wants to be as she has felt the benefits of eating raw, but she is doing worse than me and brings in a lot of grain foods (she's 25). With the grains sitting in my pantry . . . . well you know the story.

I'm working right now on increasing my raw food intake and in November I'm taking the 30-day 100% ALL RAW Challenge. I know it's a mental decision I have to make. I also know it would be a lot easier if I had an all raw house - no processed foods in the house. I too dream about a home where there is no stove in my kitchen and my frig and fruit bowl are full of fresh fruits and veggies; where there are others living near me that are all raw; where there is a raw restuarant in town . . . but I don't have all this, so I rely on boards like this, articles, websites, prayer, books, and anything I can to try to break this vicious cycle I'm in of eating high raw, falling off, eating high raw, falling . . . Like Alissa says, until I hit 100% raw, I'll probably be in this vicioius cycle.

To another day of wonderful fresh fruits, smoothies & salad. I leave Friday morning for a trip to Michigan to see my family and to meet Edda (on this board) who has been raw for 3 months. She is going to make me a green juice (I've never had a green juice).

<>< Helen of Tennessee

tglasco4

10-21-2004, 10:11 AM

The only thing about the community is, suppose someone lived there and was raw. But later decided they didn't want to be raw anymore but still wanted to live there? I don't think the community would kick them out, but it could cause a situation that was uncomfortable. It could lead to shunning. Just something to think about. Also, would the raw community be 100% raw? Would be 100% vegan? Would all that live in the community agree to this (sort of like community covenants)? I am praying about starting a health ministry which would include a sizeable piece of property. I would want everyone who worked in the ministry to be at least 75% raw and have experienced a 30 day juice fast. I am wondering about feasability. Any ideas?

Todd

tglasco4

10-21-2004, 10:16 AM

Hi Helen,

Sounds like you have hit the nail on the head with regard to your grain intake. I have learned something from you in that regard. It could be that grains and protein are dangerous for a thyroid condition. Especially since you felt really good over that 12 day period. Perhaps if you eliminated grains for 30-60 days and just ate fruit and veggies (even steamed veggies) it would greatly improve, if not entirely eliminate the problem?

Todd

Hi all,

I found the longer I'm high raw, the harder I fall when I drop the percentage of raw.

About a month ago, I went 12 days with no GRAINS (this is basically my last step to conquer to being all raw). I felt FANTASTIC during this period. I then slipped up and allowed grains back into my food choices :mad: It's been a battle every since. I am now extremely hypo and in pain. I made a list of my symptoms and I'm up to 17, with headaches and joint/muscle pain being the worse. Even with the pain, I'm drawn towards grains. 50 years of habit is VERY hard to overcome. Like most of you, I have other family members who are not raw. My daughter wants to be as she has felt the benefits of eating raw, but she is doing worse than me and brings in a lot of grain foods (she's 25). With the grains sitting in my pantry . . . . well you know the story.

I'm working right now on increasing my raw food intake and in November I'm taking the 30-day 100% ALL RAW Challenge. I know it's a mental decision I have to make. I also know it would be a lot easier if I had an all raw house - no processed foods in the house. I too dream about a home where there is no stove in my kitchen and my frig and fruit bowl are full of fresh fruits and veggies; where there are others living near me that are all raw; where there is a raw restuarant in town . . . but I don't have all this, so I rely on boards like this, articles, websites, prayer, books, and anything I can to try to break this vicious cycle I'm in of eating high raw, falling off, eating high raw, falling . . . Like Alissa says, until I hit 100% raw, I'll probably be in this vicioius cycle.

To another day of wonderful fresh fruits, smoothies & salad. I leave Friday morning for a trip to Michigan to see my family and to meet Edda (on this board) who has been raw for 3 months. She is going to make me a green juice (I've never had a green juice).

<>< Helen of Tennessee

flutterfly

10-21-2004, 10:32 AM

Oh darn. I just found the raw cereal to keep me warm and now I learn that it is no good for me. I could cry. As soon as I find something it is taken away. What is a person to do lol

Rawkinlocs

10-21-2004, 11:22 AM

Oh darn. I just found the raw cereal to keep me warm and now I learn that it is no good for me. I could cry. As soon as I find something it is taken away. What is a person to do lol

Everyone is different. Listen to your own body and perhaps grains won't affect you in the same manner as the next person. But in the event that they do, how about using buckwheat instead (since it's not really a grain according to what Alissa said in her book) or spelt (since some who have problems with wheat have better success with spelt). Not sure which grain you were using, though.

Curtis

10-21-2004, 11:49 AM

I have researched cob homes a few years ago and along with strawbale have made quite a mark, at least in the western states. Some cob homes in Ireland and England are over 100 years old and still standing.

Like your idea Todd on a health retreat type of thing.

You can check out www.cobworks.com and click on photos and it will show you some pics. There is also info. on what it is. I think they are really cool and environmentally friendly!

corky

10-21-2004, 04:02 PM

Is raw oatmeal bad? Also, Todd, i totally hear you on all the potential differences that could cause trouble with a community--still it would be a dream!!--unrealistic perhaps--i know in Hawaii there is something but they consider raw meat 'raw' and i will not eat that or raw eggs and that would be an issue for me--like you said raw vegan. What type of health ministry are you thinking? Oh and i saw your pic. good for you for doing a 30 day juice fast!! I went for 7 then had company come and, well that was the end--my goal was 14. How did the 30 days go for you? I would like to hear your ups and downs (if any) with it. Takes alot of discipline--i had a neighbor try it with me but she only made it 1 day--it is very hard as eating, raw or not, is such a habit and cultural thing.

Helen, enjoy your weekend away and tell us how your 1st green juice goes! I have made wheatgrass juice and shot that back with a pineapple juice chaser. I feel great after. I don't do it enough though..yet...!!

Helen Of Tennessee

10-21-2004, 04:13 PM

Hi Corky,

I have had Wheatgrass/apple juice/lemon juice a few times. I guess I wasn't thinking of that as being a green juice as I was thinking more of leafy greens.

Maybe I should get this more often as I do like this. I'll let you know how it goes with Edda's green juice.

As for grains, here are a couple of articles that I have pertaining to grains. Now some people eat raw/sprouted grains and have no problems and I think that is great, but since I can't tolerate grains (especially rice), I like these articles:

Grains Are Not a Natural Food
http://www.rawvegan.com/grains.html

Grains and Lentils
http://chrysalisyog.homestead.com/grains.html

<>< Helen of Tennessee

tglasco4

10-21-2004, 07:41 PM

Hi Corky,

The 30 day fast was a little tough for about 3 days. Maybe. After that it was not very difficult. The key for me was making sure I was full. I was drinking at least a gallon of fruit and veggie juices eat day, sometimes more. The toughest things aside from the general weakness of the first couple of days was (1) Missing the feel and taste of food in my mouth. Not that I was hungry. In fact after the first 3 days I began to wonder why we need solid food at all! I know we do but my energy was so high and I felt great. and (2) I seemed to develop quite abit of plaque in my mouth. I was constantly flossing and brushing but it kept coming. That was near the end of the fast. As soon as I started eating solid food it went away. Overall, it was truly a life-changing experience and I would highly recommend it.

The health institute would focus on juice fasting, cleansing and overall health. Based on what we call NEW START. Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunshine, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in Divine Power (Faith). I hope to begin sometime in 2005.

corky

10-21-2004, 08:38 PM

Hi Todd,
With my 7 day fast i felt the same way--i just did OJ though as i was following the garden diet's 14 day OJ fast. I will try it sometime--what source did you use to guide you for the 30 days? Would OJ suffice for that long? Your health center sounds wonderful. I would love to work/coach at a place like that.

Thanks Helen for the websites i will try it out. I haven't tried any green juices either as i don't have a juicer yet. I was going to buy Jack Lalannes new one he has out as it takes big pieces of fr. and veg.

tglasco4

10-22-2004, 09:19 AM

Hi Corky,

I did the OJ fast for 14 days at the beginning of my raw journey last May. I was a great jumpstart. I do believe one could do 30 days of OJ but I have never tried it. I got alot of great information for my juice fast from www.juicefasting.org I bought the ebook. But there is enough free information on the site to help one do a 30 day juice fast. But I let God speak to me through my body. That was the greatest guide. I really tuned in to what my body was telling me. Of course, I am still learning, but as I stated earlier, that was a life changing experience. I definitely plan on doing another 30 day juice fast sometime in the next 6 months.

Peace.

Hi Todd,
With my 7 day fast i felt the same way--i just did OJ though as i was following the garden diet's 14 day OJ fast. I will try it sometime--what source did you use to guide you for the 30 days? Would OJ suffice for that long? Your health center sounds wonderful. I would love to work/coach at a place like that.

Thanks Helen for the websites i will try it out. I haven't tried any green juices either as i don't have a juicer yet. I was going to buy Jack Lalannes new one he has out as it takes big pieces of fr. and veg.

Rawkinlocs

10-22-2004, 09:31 AM

Corky,

You asked a few posts upwards "is raw oatmeal bad"?

Nope! Not if it's the good kind. I mean, don't go out and buy Quaker oats and think it's gonna be the same...even before you cook it it's cooked (the oats).

What I do is get some oat groats (steel cut is what I prefer) and soak them overnight. Then, the next morning I'll put them into a blender with some water, a banana (optional), some dates and raisins, cinnamon and a dash of sea salt and BOY is it good! My 2 year old LOVES it! He begs for more. My daughter even liked it. I used to not like cooked oatmeal, but I love this stuff! Just be sure to soak first!

OH...and you can also add a little soaked flax seed (golden) before blending it.