New in New Orleans....

[SmartyPants]

:o

I hate to start off with a barrage of questions, but I wanted to try the raw food diet because:

(1) I am grossly overweight--and I always have been.

(2) I just turned forty and I'd like to increase my lifespan.

(3) I am finishing my PhD this year and I'd like to live long enough to enjoy it.

(4) I never have any energy and EVERYONE who I know who does raw RAVES about the increased energy.

The problem is that I do not have a clue where to begin???

HELP???

[yogashmoga]

Hi Dr. Smarty Pants :D

Sounds like you're familiar with study, so I recommend reading as many books as you can get your hands on. I started with Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens, which attracted me because he is an MD and studied at colombia med. I admire MD's who prefer to drop their pharmacology training :).

I also really like Dr. Robert Young's Sick and Tired, though it is not a "raw food" book. It does highlight important principles of acidic vs. alkaline pH. Even on a raw food diet, which includes sugar in the form of fruits, I feel that maintaing an alkaline environment is essential.

Alissa Cohen is another great resource, of course! Honestly, no ONE book convinced me of the importance of raw foods. I have read many. The testimonials and before/after pics on this site speak pretty loudly. Try to incorporate raw greens (in salads, smoothies, etc.) as you study...and go from there. Best of luck to you. The members of this site are pretty passionate about helping others. You're in a great place to get started!

[spicyfull]

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

[Frugal Raw]

Welcome!! I wish you the best of rawesome health!

[Veganforlife]

Welcome! Read, read, read all you can. And search this forum (using the search key above) - TONS of information!
Enjoy!

[tanishamarshall]

I highly suggest getting Alissa's book, it really helped me a lot in the beginning and you might also consider taking a raw food class, that can be most helpful because you can see the food being made.

The forum is also a great place for info...

Look forward to seeing you around.

I know raw has helped me lose weight, have tons of energy and more, I can tell you that Green smoothies played a huge role in my success thus far.

[gingincal]

Welcome, Smartypants! :)

Alissa's book is a terrific reference. Read the whole thing. I go back to that book often. Enjoy yourself.