How do I start

[Sheilarao]

Hi Everyone:

I live in CT. I think I have become sensitive to all foods and I only feel good when I eat raw food. I' m overwhelmed by starting this. I need help. where should I start? Do I have to buy a whole bunch of equipment?

Thanks,


Sheila

[rawstrength]

You don't need any equipment to eat raw, but some sharp knives and a blender are highly recommended :) .
To start, just simply start eating meals based on raw produce! In CT, not much produce is in season now, sadly. But you can still get lots of produce that's imported from other places. I'm in CT/MA, and I just had some strawberries that were really good. Avocados are coming into season in Florida now, and Florida is the closest place to CT where there are avocados, so be sure to pick some up while they're at their best.
When you have the time, try to get to the whole foods market in West Hartford, CT. Pick up some raw nuts and seeds from the bulk section, some wheat and buckwheat for sprouting. Buy a huge jar of locally produced honey. Get some extra virgin coconut oil, for making desserts, and some extra virgin organic olive oil for salad dressings. Pick up a bag of raw cacao powder for delicious chocolatey creations.
There are tons of recipes on this forum, if you just look around. I got started by eating raw produce from my normal supermarket, then I got to eat some really good stuff once I made it out to wholefoods to pick up more fancy raw stuff. I buy huge amounts of raw nuts, seeds and grains and freeze them until I need them.
Anyway, that way of starting worked for me. But so many people start in so many different ways. Some go cold turkey, like me, while others transition more gradually. Since cooked food seems to be causing you so much pain, you might want to start eating 100% raw, RIGHT NOW.
Best luck to you!

[Revvell]

First thing you need do is pick up Alissa's book and dvd's. So many questions are answered in her book and her dvd's show how easy it is to create luscious food.

You can listen to this as well: http://rawkinradio.com/2007/03/.

Welcome. Play and enjoy your stay,

Revvell

[maui_butterfly]

welcome sheila! congratulations on listening to your body, and taking radical self-responsibility for your health and well-being.

i got by for 4 months with my cheapie $40 oster blender. but you don't even need THAT much equipment to eat raw foods! there are so many recipes and helpful information online for free, your local library probably has a bunch of books on the raw lifestyle, etc. its truly not any harder than eating as many fresh fruits and vegetables and nuts and seeds as you find makes you feel great. of course, it can be as complex and interesting as you want to take it from there. you'll learn so much on the journey, just soak it all in, check it all out, experiment, dismiss what conflicts with your experience. your body will do the rest, and you'll find that QUICKLY you will be more tapped in to what your body needs and wants. when you're running on raw foods, that feedback mechanism kicks in big time. its such a wonderful gift.

now i have a vitamix to replace my old oster, and i love it and use it every day. but if i didn't have it, i would still eat raw. and if someone took away my kitchen knives and my cutting board, i would still eat raw. all the accoutrements are "nice to haves", and can be fun toys, but by no means necessary.

good luck, and i look forward to seeing you around the boards!

[spicyfull]

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

[Frugal Raw]

Welcome!!! Raw living doesn't have to take you to the poorhouse:D Best of Health to you!

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome!! RAW FOODS BABY.... it truly is the gift of life!

I second Revvell's suggestion... Alissa's book and DVD are the first things I would get! So many questions are answered in her book - PLUS... Alissa even has a 30 day plan you can follow - she lists the day to day meals and even provides you with a shopping list! I'll tell ya - that really helped me when I first went raw... I was so clueless! and now -- here I am almost 1 year later .... all thanks to Alissas LIVING on Live foods book and the support from this forum.

blessings on your journey --!!

RAWk on!

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