Just starting today...

[Snoozin]

Well, my lifelong friend Weezie ("Weezieworks") emailed me a picture of herself, and I said, "Sign me up for whatever you are doing!" I've been trying to eat healthier for a long time now, so I don't think the transition to raw will be as hard as it might have been had I not already developed the habit of eating a lot of raw fruits, veggies and nuts. Still... never eating cheesecake or pizza... I am going to have to learn how to make some of this raw food I've been reading about quickly! It's a little overwhelming. My DH is overseas for a year, though, and I meet him in Paris in August. I would LOVE to be looking good and feeling good by that time! I am ready to do this! I just need to learn how!

DH and I have four kids-- two boys, two girls. They range in age from 18 to 11. Having less junk on hand will definitely be good for them. I hope I can learn to make some raw foods and treats that they'll like, too. McDonald's has contributed far too much to the caloric intake in their young lives--! They are all pretty thin (unlike me at the moment) but good health is more than thinness.

A question: Can eating raw help with sleep problems? My oldest, my youngest and I all have a hard time with falling asleep and/or getting good sleep.

Thanks.

Snoozin:)

[Theogirl]

I'm in my third month raw and definitely a work in progress as far as 100% goes. But I LOVE this way of eating. It's so easy, so light and tasty. Like the Garden of Eden for your tastebuds!
My honey and my kids (ages 2 & 4) have not embraced raw, but just with the big salad at most suppers (along with his other stuff) my DH has lost 10-15 pounds already! He is starting to quietly make healthier choices on his own and actually reminds me of the good things I should be eating when I'm slipping! He fell in love with a vegan restaurant the other day of all things! My kids still ask for McD's and suchlike but are easily redirected most of the time. :rolleyes: They love fruit and flax crackers and sliced veggies and nutty treats.
What an exciting opportunity for you to improve your whole family's health! May I suggest that you get one of your kids to take a full length and a closeup photo of you today as you begin. It is so motivating to be able to compare later! I found photos from a few months before raw and had no idea my face had been so puffy!
Have fun on the raw journey! Don't give up even if you are not absolutely perfect right away! (This is also a reminder to SELF!):p You will love the changes you make.

[Frugal Raw]

Welcome!! I wish you and yours the best of rawesome health! As for the sleep problems, I think that will be different for both of you - depending on what is causing the sleep issue. I have lost 80+ pounds since last June, and I sleep much better than I did at that higher weight. You may also experience the need for less sleep and have more energy being raw...

[tanishamarshall]

Well this might not help much but I had a problem waking up.. I also had a problem sleeping but that had to do with not being able to breath.

I know raw can help with sleep problems because I have problems waking up since I was a child. My uncle would have to beat me with a pillow and then my husband had to constantly wake me until I found raw food. It literally changed my life in just the first 4 days.

[Zaphirah]

First of all WELCOME!! I am so GLAD you are here!

I was an incurable insomniac. Raw has cured me 95% of that. I was even at the point, prior to raw, that I took that dreaded Ambien, and wouldntcha know, I was one of those sleep-eating people. One morning, about 1-2 weeks after taking it, I woke up with a terrible stomach ache. It felt like last nights dinner was not digesting-I felt totally OVER STUFFED when I woke up. Later, when I went to make the bed I found an empty pringles container and drained 2 LITER of ROOTBEER!!!! Can you believe it? I had NO memory what so ever of the event. I quit taking Ambien and was then awake for 38 hours while I "detoxed" it. Scary stuff.

Now, raw might seem scary and overwhelming at first, but it can't HURT ya, right? LOL!

[1bigfamily]

Welcome!! I wish you the best on your new raw journey!

[spicyfull]

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

[jacsam]

Ani Phyo has the BEST cheesecake....I mean it's really good. It's probably the one that floats around this forum. By the way....WELCOME!!!!

[Snoozin]

What great support! Thanks! I'll definitely have to check out the cheesecake. I ordered Alissa's book and DVD and a bunch of food today, as well as a VitaMix--can't wait for them to arrive!

I have to admit right now I am most excited about the hemp brownies I ordered and the crunch bars. Mmm... I can eat those things??? Yesterday I just had nuts, carrots and fruit. I'm sure that was good for me, but it would be hard to sustain. I am so looking forward to learning how to eat in this new, exciting and nutrient-rich way!

Thanks, Docsharp, Zaphirah, and Frugal Raw for the feedback about sleep. That gives me hope. I already feel like I slept better last night, and my kids woke ME up this morning instead of me waking up hours before them still craving sleep but stone-cold awake. Of course, that could be the placebo effect. Or maybe it was a result of not eating heavily before bed.

Theogirl, I am going to start putting a big salad on the table each night like you do. What an excellent idea.

Again, thanks!

[Theogirl]

I'm so glad to hear you had a good sleep! With two kids aged 2 and 4, I have had no problems with sleep except there not being enough of it! But since eating healthier, I find I'm much more able to relax and let go. So I think I sleep deeper and benefit more. Not to mention having tons more energy during the day! I was up at 6 a.m. this morning digging out rosebushes in our community garden! :)

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome to RFT!!! YIPPEEEE!!!! You ordered Alissa book and the DVD... you won't be disappointed! AND A VITAMIX... OMG!!! you hit the jackpot!!! http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/stampincanada/Occassionals/Smileys%20and%20Stuff/wootsmiley.gif

I had great difficulty falling asleep... and when I did sleep... apparently I snored like a stuffed up rhinosarus (according to my husband! :eek: ) shortly after i went raw.. the snoring completely stopped .... and over time I have been able to get more restful sleep than I can remember having in years! A time or two - I've even OVERSLEPT!!! UNHEARD OF!!! normally my eyes would pop open between 2:30AM to (at the latest 5:00AM)....

I can't tell you how lovely it is to actually get sleep.... http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/stampincanada/Occassionals/Smileys%20and%20Stuff/GoodNight.gif

I'm so glad you have joined us!! blessings on your journey and...

RAWk on!!

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