New Here

[rusmiley99]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the Raw Way of Life. Have not eaten meat for years, as Alissa stated in her book...I thought I was ''healthy' but always flutuate with weight gain (about 10lbs) and just want to regain energy, weightloss, and feel good-I have tried WW, SBD I ate so much cheese and nuts (no meats) and well that left me feeling bloated and unhappy.

SO here are some questions so i succeed and know what I am doing here:
1) What does everyone drink? Water and smoothies? I know no caffinee...
2) do you add spices or molly mcbutter or salsa to foods?
3) by eating nuts and avacado, which i don't consume now, how do you NOT gain weight?
4) Do you need a dehyradator? Is it the same as purchasinf dried foods at the store?
5) ANyone take vitamins?
6) how often do you eat? And is baby food OK? (sometimes I admit I eat baby food ie: organic banana with splenda to kill my sweet tooth)

I apologize for all the questions...I am skeptical, as I love veggies and fruits but just don't want to THINK I understand this way of life and end up gaining 20 lbs because I had too many nuts or somthing lol.

Also, any advice on quick meals would be great. And any brand names...or where to buy such foods. I am at Trader Joes and WHole Foods often reading labels and such.

Thanks in advance :)

Wish me luck...I am looking into dehyradtors as we speak :)

[Veganforlife]

Hey! Welcome!

Let me try and answer some of these:

1) What does everyone drink? Water and smoothies? I know no caffinee...me personally? I drink ONLY smoothies, fresh juiced juices, and water. That's it. Others drink tea (water warm enough it doesn't burn your finger), or sun teas. If during transitioning to 100% raw, this might help.2) do you add spices or molly mcbutter or salsa to foods? Molly McButter - ewwww! No! That's a processed something or other. Salsa - sure - but made fresh.
3) by eating nuts and avacado, which i don't consume now, how do you NOT gain weight? On a raw diet one does not gain weight by eating nuts and avos because these are the GOOD fats. Your body will use this fat. Not like the SAD/CRAP diet where you are eating, eating, and eating and your body is constantly hungry and it's processed junk. AND if you were to eat nuts and avos PLUS all that crud - yes you'd gain weight.
4) Do you need a dehyradator? Is it the same as purchasinf dried foods at the store? No, you don't NEED a dehydrator, but it's a nice addition if one can afford it. I tend to use it more in the cooler/colder months. During the summer I eat locally. Be cautious of the dried foods at the store. Many contain sulfur and are heat dried. Heating destorys the enzymes and then we have to tap into our bodies' enzymes to help digest the foods when our body's supply could be used to heal us.
5) ANyone take vitamins?I personally don't. I feel I get what I need from the foods I'm consuming.
6) how often do you eat? And is baby food OK? (sometimes I admit I eat baby food ie: organic banana with splenda to kill my sweet tooth) I eat however often I'm hungry. Could be "grazing" all day, could be one smoothie and some fruit for the day and that's it. I listen to my body. As far as organic baby food? It's processed - heat treated to be packed into the jar. And splenda is crap.

Do you have Alissa's book and DVD? If not, instead of a dehydrator right now, you should purchase that. It will answer a ton of these questions.

Basically, rule of thumb is anything bottled or canned is (most of the time) not raw, unless it states raw and even then sometimes that's questionable. You are better off to eat fresh, WHOLE foods and greens and sprouts and seeds and nuts.

Green smoothies are THE best way to get a ton of greens in at once. And they are already assimilated so your body can use them the minute they hit your tongue.

Hope this helps some...

[rusmiley99]

Yes I have the book, and am READING it as we speak. It is interesting, but I have my doubts...because I am me

I appreciate all your inisite. I do not have the dvd...at the time I ordered the book --I was not able to afford the DVD.

Can I ask: is canned or frozed food ok. I know in one of the chapters she said do not buy frozen berries but freeze your own. I assume this is the same with veggies.

Is there anything that can make this an easy transition? Like what is a mock menu for someone who has an hour commute to work both directions, and works an 8 hr day.

Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[LoveIsGood]

Here's a great, fast and wonderful raw recipe. It's from Brigitte Mars' Rawsome!

Curried Cauliflower Soup

You will need:

1 medium head of cauliflower, finely chopped
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1 1/2 cup of water
1 clove of garlic
1/4 cup of lemon juice
4 tablespoons of tahini
2 tablespoons of curry
1/2 teaspoon of tumeric
2 tablespoons of Nama Shoyu
2 tablespoons of white or yellow miso

Divide the chopped cauliflower between 3-4 soup bowls. Then, toss everything else in a food processor and puree. Pour the puree over the chopped cauliflower & enjoy!

[Care4raw]

Welcome and good luck rusmiley99!!

[Jfish]

I love this diet, Its expensive so I sometimes have to have soy milk and hummus, other then that im raw.
I just bought a dehydrator and its great. Seriously!

I eat sooo much, burn on average 1500-3000kcal during workouts so Im eating 3000-4000 calories I eat alot of bananas, Strawberries, Black berries, baby cucumbers, flax, almonds, walnuts.

Just jump in and try it. Once I got away from all the sugar I started to want fruits and veggies. Now Im very limited sugar (chocolate - carob)

Hope you enjoy it.

[rusmiley99]

thank you for advice, tips and recipes.

i'm grateful you reached out and are willing to help.

I would love other links or tips or recipes...if you have any (anymore) please feel free to send, always a listening ear.

PS--how much is a serving?