Advice for beginning 30-day challenge

[rawlaw06]

Hi, all,

I have hopes of joining the April 30-day raw challenge, and I am looking for advice on how to prepare for the change. I am a SAD eater with a husband who doesn't understand my desire to try this lifestyle. He thinks that it is harmful...that there is no way eating cooked food (esp. meat) can be bad. I've convinced him to let me give it a shot and see how I feel.

I'm just interested in knowing what I can expect in the challenge and what are the best foods to begin the transition.

Thanks in advance!

[Liserpiece]

Hi, all,

I have hopes of joining the April 30-day raw challenge, and I am looking for advice on how to prepare for the change. I am a SAD eater with a husband who doesn't understand my desire to try this lifestyle. He thinks that it is harmful...that there is no way eating cooked food (esp. meat) can be bad. I've convinced him to let me give it a shot and see how I feel.

I'm just interested in knowing what I can expect in the challenge and what are the best foods to begin the transition.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, and welcome!!! First, order Alissa's book!! She provides every bit of information you would need to go raw. You might even have your husband read a few chapters, it might change his mind about cooked foods! :) In one of the testimonials there is even a pretty detailed transition plan to prepare for going 100%.

You can start simply, fresh fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds or you can swing on over to the recipe and food prep section and get some awesome ideas.

Most rawbies have a blender, food processor and some of us have a food dehydrator. You would need these to make some of the more detailed recipes. (The ones that are most reminiscent of cooked foods.)

There is a whole lot of info here and so many people willing to help and offer support!! You can ask just about any question and get great answers!

Best of luck!

[Carlsbad]

Yes, definitely get Alissa's book. It's a lifesaver! And it has a four week menu plan to get you through your first month.

Other than that, here are some of my favorite tips:

1. Eat a lot. This will be counter intuitive, but it takes a while for your body to adjust to feeling satisfied instead of stuffed after a meal. Eat as much as you want as long as it's raw, and don't worry, your body will even out your food intake eventually.

2. Plan, prepare, and plan some more! Make sure you always have enough raw food in the house, make sure you always have raw food with you, make sure you always have a plan. SAD food is available everywhere, and you don't want to be stuck somewhere starving with no raw food. After a while, you won't even think about it, but in the beginning, you'll really have to plan a lot more than you do now.

3. Stick with it for 30 days. Some days it will be a complete breeze, and some days it will be tough. Stick it out and you'll be glad you did. And check in on this board a lot! It really helps!!

Look forward to seeing you in the April challenge!!

[aliciamatheson]

My tip is to take stock of your raw supplies. I like to be sure I have dates soaking to whip up a desert and maybe sundried tomatos for marinara.

Also, ask yourself what are your SAD food cravings and have the raw version on hand. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure the fudge balls (from Alissa's book) are ready for you. If you like spicy, have salsa around.

The camraderie and support on the 30 Day Challenge is great. I was too busy to participate daily this month but am thinking of signing up for April, so maybe I'll see you there!

[StarFire]

I followed the 30 day plan in Alissa's book. She made it so easy PLUS... the recipes were delicious -- easy to prepare and didn't require a lot of fancy kitchen equipment either!

My dh is a SAD eater --- and what changed his mind and put him in a position of fully supporting what I was doing was.... he walked in while I was watching Alissa's DVD.... (my dh is not much of a reader so for him to sit there and be able to hear Alissa made all the difference in the world). After watching the DVD - he realized - this was about my health - and he became very excited for me .... he realized this wasn't another 'fad DIEit'... it wasn't another DIE'it pill.... or cabbage soup thing... and he even wanted to join me on this journey.....

and he did ... uhhh for about 2 days!! but that's okay -- cuz he still supported me and what I was doing!! ....

everyone's journey is different - but like it was posted above... there will be good days and bad days.. and we will be here with you thru it all!!

RAWk on -- blessings and goodluck!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/tha857f08c.gif

[lori ann]

Hello,

I totally second what carlsbad-prepare-plan-prepare and eat a lot of raw food! Good luck to you.