Aloha...

[LizH2O]

Hi I'm Elizabeth...
I decided to start my raw food journey one week ago today... It started out well, I generally felt better and had more energy.... My senses improved... But a week in and things seem to have taken a turn for the worse.... I am having a hard time because:
1. No support from friends and family.... They all think I am going to extreme.
2. It seems to cost more to go raw, crazy.
3. I don't have a juicer.
4. I feel fatter and eat way more than normal.
5. I have gotten 2 migraines in the past week, crazy indigestion (my roommate says that is why cows have two stomachs, because it is harder to digest raw food).
6. Now I am getting the flu or something.
Whats going on? Should I have detoxed first? Are these things normal... Please someone motivate me to stay raw, I broke down and ate a bowl of raviolis last night... organic spinach ones of course, but cooked just the same...
Please someone motivate me... Any Hawaiians out there? :confused:

[shashibala]

Dear Elizabeth, Hang in there! You are in transition and your body is getting used to a new way of eating. If you know certain foods are very hard to digest, limit or leave them out for a while. At first I got a bloated stomach from eating cauliflower or kale raw. Now they're fine for me. There is a tendency to eat a lot of food when you begin raw. It seems that the body is trying to gobble up the quantity of calories it was used to on cooked. With raw foods we need less calories to get the nutrients we need. This usually evens out after a bit of time. It might help to eat more filling raw foods like nuts, nut spreads, bananas, or, avocados to help yourself feel satisfied. It might also help to eat smaller amounts of food, but more frequently. With less food at a time you might digest it better, and eating more often will keep you from getting too hungry.
It is really journey of finding out what feels best and works for you. What worked for me might not be the trick you need. Try to let your body lead.
I don't think eating healthy raw fruits and vegetables is extreme! Oh, I believe cows have 4 stomach chambers to digest grasses.Best wishes to you!!!

[shashibala]

Check out Starfire's blog! She is a very inspiring Hawaiian!!!!! http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/blogs/blog-11800/

[Frugal Raw]

(((((HUGS))))) - You're going through a detox - and when you get through with it - WOW!!! You'll be amazed - I promise!!!

As for the family - they are reacting because what you are doing is unorthodox, but it is the HEALTHIEST thing you can do for your body!!! Try to tone them out until the begin to see all of the beautiful, magical, healthy changes in you.

I don't have a juicer, either. You don't have to juice - got a blender? You can do smoothies! Just don't put anything into it that it can't handle. StarFire started her raw catering biz with just a regular blender. She's been raw 1 year with only a regular blender.

That feeling of fatness is probably bloating. What are you eating? Post it in the food forum and you'll get tons of responses!

Raw doesn't have to be expensive. I made the mistake that raw = raw gourmet when I first started - and yes, if you do it that way it's horrendously expensive!! That's why I wrote my book, using the lowest cost ingredients possible and I priced it cheaply.

Please stick around! I wish you the best of rawesome health!!!

[StarFire]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/hidot.gif ... Aloha no kakou!! Welcome to RFT!!!

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


It's great to see another Hawaiian here! I'm on the Big Island and I am a Certified Living on Live Foods Chef and Instructor/Teacehr. I just recieved my certification through Alissa Cohen's program in Maine!

I know it can be hard when you have no support from family and friends, and especially when they don't understand what you are doing and why. Our culture does a lot of gatherings around the food -- so I can completely understand why you may be having to deal with people thinking you have become some kind of radical wierdo!!

The cost of raw can add up ... it depends on what your meals are consisting of. Personally - I don't always eat everything organic because it's just too expensive. And I know that here on the Big Island -- we have more access to organic - home grown foods -- since the majority of hawaiian crops are grown on this island. But it can still be out of reach for me financially. So.. I eat as much organic as I can find... and I buy things from grocery stores when I have to... I don't stress a lot of the 'little things' because this LIFEstyle has to be 'do'able' for me. so long as I am making wise choices.... and eating healthier than I was before I decided to transition to the RAW LIFEstyle... then I'm happy.

Now... feeling fatter - may be due to the fact that your body is trying to rid itself of toxins and you may be experienceing some edema (swelling)... The migraines are more than likely -- detox.

as far as cows having two stomachs ... so they can digest raw foods... Gorillas are pure muscle... no fat!! and they only have one stomach... and eat completely RAW foods too! (but that is a cute thing for them to say... !!)

Flu symptoms -- again ... more than likely detox... this would be very VERY common -- and a very good sign that your body is working hard to get the toxins out of you!!

(or you may be coming down with the flu... but my bet is -- detox!)

NOW.... if I were to give anyone advice on how to transition to this LIFEstyle... I would tell them... GET THE LIVING ON LIVE FOODS BOOK and DVD by Alissa.

having these two tools when I first went raw made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in my ability to transition and stay RAW for a year now. SERIOUSLY. Alissa's book answers so many questions... not to mention... the recipes are AMAZING... and believe me -- even my SAD CARNIVORE (SAD = STANDARD AMERICAN DIET) friends have REQUESTED some of the recipes I've made out of Alissa's book -- they are THAT good!

My first month - I followed the 30 day plan in Alissa's book -- it was simple to follow -- the recipes were easy to fix... and super delicious. She made the transition so easy --- there's even a shopping list to follow. Personally -- I would have never been able to stay on it without Alissa's book... it was so inspirational ... and answered so many questions....

I jumped in 100% raw - and followed the plan. (You don't have to follow her plan of course) but I just had no idea what I was doing so it was super helpful for me to have that to refer to. So - it's not necessary to do a detox program before transitioning to raw. Through the foods your body will begin to detox naturally. But it is SUPER -- SUPER important that you are drinking enough water... this is MAJOR IMPORTANT!!... drink water and make sure that your bowels are moving... this will help get those toxins out. Otherwise... your body is trying to get rid of all these poisons and if they can't get out -- you will swell up and feel horrible and get migraines... it's like a pipe backing up and the poisons having no where to go.

and...
It's okay that yu had those raviolis last night -- no big deal.. just pick up and keep on goin. The benefits are so worth the effort ... I promise!

btw -- I do not have a juicer either. I have a blender that works (occasionally!) I got a food processor from WalMart for $50, and a coffee grinder (to grind nuts and seeds) from WalMart for $20.

My big expense was saving up for a dehydrator... WHICH i highly recommend ... this is another tool that has enabled me to stay raw... cuz I can make some things like raw breads, and crackers and the occasional gourmet raw meal when I want something a little more substantial ...

In the long run ... having the dehydrator has saved me money - by making my own raw breads and things like that. Those things can be super expensive to buy.

Liz... please feel free to email me through my profile... I am more than willing to help you out in any way I can! It's great to have another local girl on the site!!

blessings on your journey.... and know that there is ALWAYS help here when you need it -- okay?!!

a hui ho!!

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

whoops ... sorry to write such a long post !!!

and thank you Shashibala for your sweet words!! Mahalo!

[Maui Girl]

Hi Elizabeth!
Don't quit already girl! You are making an excellent choice by going raw. In time your body will adjust. My body automatically detoxed during this diet. I too had headaches. I had stomach aches and I was cranky. In time my body adjusted. Eventually all that old food will be out of your body and you will be filled with nutritious food. Then you will feel and see the difference. The leaf shakes (organic spinach leaves, fresh o.j. or water, a banana) helped so much in the transition because they kept me full and helps get all the cooked food out of you. Costco or Sam's here is great for the bulk stuff.

Eat smaller meals at a time. I eat about six times a day! Eventually you can get yourself a citrus juicer from Kmart or Walmart and a blender too to make leaf shakes. Ask around and see if anyone has one that they are not using.

You can probably order Alissa's book from Borders. That book is what got me started and well worth every penny.

I totally understand about friends. I just used to nod and smile as I listened to them. They could not understand even if I tried to explain. I take my own lunch box with me everywhere. The funny thing is now that everyone has seen the change they are asking questions.

If you are not exercising, start. Go for a walk or a jog everyday. It does not have to be far but it will help keep things positive for you.

I am excited for you. Stay positive and do lots of research!
By the way there is a raw food chef at the Dole Cannery (Costco side). It is a pre-order and take out. She has some food prepared that you can just stop in for but call first 536-9680. Lasagnas the best . Tell her Regina sent you.

[LizH2O]

Thank you all so much for your motivating responses.... Wow, your words rejuvenated my spirits in an incredible way! I am so glad I found this message board.... I will end my day in a much happier state than I began thanks to you all! Today was a big day for me... It is the first day of my raw food experience that I do not feel like I overate, my friend gave me his old juicer (another sign that I am on the right path), and thanks to your advice I went to Costco, and now affordably have a refrigerator full of yummy raw foods that should last a while. I feel bad about not buying all organic because I love supporting the organic farmers out there, but for a struggling college student, it just isn't always possible to do that and thanks for making me feel okay about that. I am going to stick with it for sure. Thanks again and I look forward to checking out your links and recommendations! Mahalo!!!!

[hawaiigal]

Aloha Elizabeth!!

Welcome to RFT. This is a great place to gain knowledge and inspiration about the raw foods lifestyle. It is absolutely a journey that can have its ups and downs but is worth every minute of sticking to it.

Hang in there and Enjoy the process ;-)

I am in Kona and there is a growing awareness here although no raw food groups ~ Maui has the best raw foods awareness it seems. I was in Honolulu last week and did not find a vegetarian let alone Raw place to eat. So if you have internet access that is your best bet for finding inspiration and knowledge regarding Raw Foods. Starfire has a great blog spot here on RFT.

As far as Hawaii is concerned ..I see this as a prospect rather than disapointing....great place to be on the ground floor of this revolution with our climate and access to local produce!:D :D

[Maui Girl]

hawaiigal,

There is a new raw food takeout on Oahu.
Dole Cannery (across from Costco)
650 Ilwilei Road, #170
Honolulu
I live on Oahu on the weekends. You order on Monday and she has 3 to 6 meal bags ready for pick up on Friday. She also has a refrigerator stocked with ready to go items. It is best to call her to see what she has on hand and maybe hold for you. It goes fast. 536-9680 I do not know if her site is up yet. Check it out. http://www.e-liciousdishes.com/about.html

The food is amazing!
Regina

[spicyfull]

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

[Pansy]

Welcome Elizabeth! You have alot of friends here!

Enjoy!

[Betsy]

Hello and welcome, Lizzy!! I have visited Hawaii before.

[hawaiigal]

hawaiigal,

There is a new raw food takeout on Oahu.
Dole Cannery (across from Costco)
650 Ilwilei Road, #170
Honolulu
I live on Oahu on the weekends. You order on Monday and she has 3 to 6 meal bags ready for pick up on Friday. She also has a refrigerator stocked with ready to go items. It is best to call her to see what she has on hand and maybe hold for you. It goes fast. 536-9680 I do not know if her site is up yet. Check it out. http://www.e-liciousdishes.com/about.html

The food is amazing!
Regina

Thanks Maui Girl! I wish I had known earlier! Her menus look amazing. Awesome

[AlexaRae]

Hi, Elizabeth!
I live at V-land, just down the road from you!
My name is Alexa. I have been interested in/moving towards raw food for a number of years now. I hear you on the support factor. My one year old daughter and I are not raw, but we try to eat as much raw as we can manage and I have stopped trying to explain to family/friends because they just don't get it.
We live with my husband and mother in law. They are texas born and they eat like it. Potatoes, bacon, beef, heavy heavy heavy. Don't get me wrong my mother in law loves her veggies and smoothies, but she doesn't have the same ideas as me about what healthy is and I often get the "your crazy" looks.
Are you still at sunset? Are you still on your raw journey? <3 Let me know!