The August 30-Days 100% Raw Challenge 2008 Archives

[islesgirl]

A very happy 16th wedding anniversary Morn. Hope you have a lovely evening!:)

[islesgirl]

Just too tired to post much other than what I ate, though I do hope you are all feeling better and better as each day of this month passes by as raw food energizes, and cleanses you.

Early a.m. I walked and included a hill in it. That felt good.

Then I had a "Best Raw Coffee Ever" but substituted soaked pecans instead of the cashews and I also used a bit of cinnamon instead of the nutmeg. I won't do it again. Cashews are much better. I always add a banana too.

Later in the a.m. I had another smoothie with: frozen baby spinach, banana,
strawberries, kiwis, 2T flax seed, 1T coconut oil and 2 pkgs stevia. I honestly can't remember what else.

Supper was a simple salad with romaine, tomato, cuke, olives, avocado, onion and RawKnitster's Pine Nut Dressing. I also sprinkled a bit of dulse flakes on it. Couldn't even taste it.

From now on hopefully I will post what I eat as I eat it, otherwise I tend to forget as the day goes on.:)

[Thick]

Thick, I love your posts and it's hard to imagine you being depressed, ever. You put on a good front, huh?

All the time you've *known* me I have not been depressed. As soon as I started raw, I had one big detox episode freakout, then I thought my way through it and just wasn't depressed anymore--even at 50% raw plus coffee. Today, I am a little bit down, but not at all the suicidal, confused, self-hating person I was when I was eating on the mood rollercoaster. And, thank you for saying you like my posts=)>

On another note, my husband just surprised me that he bought me a vitamix on ebay!=) Homemade pecan butter here i come! I guess all that pouting worked=)>~

[StarFire]

I also made the ugliest smoothie in the entire world and I still have some of it left but couldn't make myself bring it in to work because I thought people would make fun of me!

It tastes almost ok :rolleyes: but looks like vomit:eek: so I hid the rest in the back of the refrigerator. I'm too "responsible" to not drink it all up, but I don't want to see it!



omg petaltothemetal... thanks for starting my day out with a laugh!!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/loudlaff.gif

I'm jes checkin in... sorry for all of those with the headaches... this too shall pass... make sure you're drinking lots and lots of water and that your bowels are moving .... gotta get those toxins out that your body is getting rid of!

Happy Anniversary Morn... I just recently celebrated my 16th anniversary with dh too! (course we are much older than you... but it was still fun!)

Thick... BIG HUGS to you sweetie!! and congrats on the Vitamix! You'll love it. I think many of us go thru that phase - I know I did... and for me it wasn't just the food -- it was the alcohol... it just didn't seem fair that everyone else could drink except me...
then I realized - nothing was stopping me -- I could go ahead and drink too if I really wanted to... !!! Wake up call.... I really had to go deep inside and really dissect this -- so I asked myself... "Exactly WHY do you want to poison yourself?? uhhhh cuz it's fun?? hmmmm...."

the thing is Thick... it's all a journey --- sometimes up .... sometimes down... and we may be 100% raw and on fire and doing great -- and other days - we may decide to eat something else... and that's okay too...
the most IMPORTANT thing... MOST IMPORTANT.. is that we get healthier... it doesn't matter how long it takes - Lordie ~ lordie ... it took us awhile to get where we are at -- it's gunna take some time to get healthy again... we just have to be patient... and stay the course.
If you are driving and you miss your turn .... what do you do ? You simply get back on the correct street as soon as you can... you don't fall apart and keep going in the wrong direction... you simply correct where you are headed... no big deal...
(I learned that on Dr. PHil this week! - kinda cool analogy)!!

ON this journey - we will have days when we want to whine and pout -- and days when we will stand on our soap boxes and scream and shout how awesome we feel...

it's all good...

so -- big hugs for all of us that are on this journey -- we're all doin great!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/2wps4zr.gif ... RAWk on!

[MiahTay]

Good evening all!

Morn - Happy Anniversary!

Starfire - you are always such an encouragement. Thank you.

Thick - I always look forward to your posts too. I'm glad you are here :) . The week before school starts is always a little stressful for me, that could factor into your mood. How did you convert the ritz crackers into chocolate ritz?

Today I tried an expirmental banana cream pie and it turned out OH SO GOOD! I love when something works the first time I make it.

Blessings All,
Heather

[Vaclare79]

Thick:
Yeah, got to remind myself of when eating raw we can eat a ton of raw foods and make different recipes to eat so we don't feel slighted but I always do right now since don't know how to make the recipes quite yet... Working on it though. :)

[Emma-Liza]

Very sick today--cold flu something

B--orange/grapefruit juice (I got a juicer!)
L--jalapeno burger, tomato, 1/2 avocado, red onion
S--candy made from cacao, honey, pecans & coconut
D--orange/grapefruit juice

[MiahTay]

Thick:
Yeah, got to remind myself of when eating raw we can eat a ton of raw foods and make different recipes to eat so we don't feel slighted but I always do right now since don't know how to make the recipes quite yet... Working on it though. :)

Something that helps me without overwhelming me is ... I try to make one or two new things each week and this allows me to not be in the kitchen non-stop but gradually build up my base of recipes/food. One of my favorites is Ani Phyo's Raw Mango Cobbler (you can find the recipe on line). Oh, Alissa's Indian Spinach Dip is good too ... and the eggless eggsalad recipe that is here on RFT. Also the Rich Cheddar Sauce you can find here too. These are all recipes that don't require dehydrating and are pretty easy. It does take some time, but don't be afraid to experiment. And if you think you may not like it, make a 1/2 or 1/4 of the recipe.

Blessings,
Heather

[Emma-Liza]

thick--awww, thanks for thinking about me!

Y'all, I have been so sick. I had spent all day and evening Wednesday out and about, so couldn't post. Woke up Thursday with a horrid flu cold thing. Not sure and neither is the dr. Really high fever last night.

On the upside, I have stayed almost all raw. I got a juicer and have been drinking a lot of fresh juice the last 2 days. As soon as my tummy settles down, I'll be completely back on track.

[Jenifae]

WHat another busy day for me. I had so much I wanted to do but, Hubby said I better go get my tire checked so, I worked out got the animals taken care of and set off to the tire place. Yup, I had a nail in it. I went to lunch with my friend and then I went to the store to get the ingredients for my first Raw Desert. And oh boy, I nibbled on it..........very rich. I've had too much desert stuff for me tonigt.

B: Banana
L: Big Salad (at Soup Plantation) Spinach, red cabbage, carrots, zuchinni, radishes, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, califlower, beets, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, sunflower seeds, vinergerette. I automatically started reaching for croutons and thought "oh, wait - I don't eat those" LOL!
S: Larabar
S: 1/2 RawVolution bar
S: nibbled on Knitster's Raw Caramels
S: 1/2 grapefruit

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a terrific day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[Lelê]

Thanks Rawkinlocs! <3

I know I'm sucking at checking-in, but I'm here and going strong.

From the past few days I haven't been able to use my blender. The good thing is that I'm being forced to use my imagination and enjoy more foods in their natural state. The bad thing is that not having my green smoothies is making SUCH a difference in my stamina!! Wow! I never know they were so powerful until I couldn't make them for a few days! On Monday, the blender will be in full working mode again and all it'll be back to normal.. :D

Here is what I have planned for today:
B: 1 cup of strawberries + 1/2 mashed banana w/ soaked chia seeds
L: Spinach salad with tomatoes, cucumber and corn (w/ OO and lime)
D: Some sort of zucchini pasta...
S (throughout the day): Watermelon, walnuts and marinated baby asparagus.


Good luck everyone and hope y'all have a great day!! :)

[mmaynard]

Good morning,

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday since my hubby and I went to a get together with friends after work. They just moved into a new place at the beach, so the plan was that they were buying pizza and another friend was bringing a homemade ice cream cake. I had emailed everybody and told them that I was on a special diet and would be bringing my own food, and everyone seemed to be OK with it. They checked out what I was eating but otherwise didn't comment. I was really surprised that I wasn't even tempted by anything (they ordered different kinds of pizza that I didn't like anyway), and I felt completely satisfied eating my raw ice cream while they ate the ice cream cake. After everyone was done eating, everyone was complaining HOW FULL they were and that they ATE TOO MUCH. I was smiling on the inside because I felt just find, and I was really proud of myself for sticking with this. :)

This weekend I am planning to dust off my dehydrator and give it another go at making something. I also plan to make a few new recipes tomorrow.

I don't really have a plan today - I have lots of fruits and veggies so I'm just going to try to use up what I have before grocery shopping tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a great day!

[MiahTay]

Mmaynard - You did so great! And it is so cool that your friends didn't think much of you bringing your own food. I find this is the case when I don't make a big deal out of it, usually neither do they.

Food for today:

Breakfast - I will probably have a piece of banana cream pie for breakfast ... if I don't I probably won't see another piece of it, the rest of my family has already had it for breakfast so I guess that was a hit.

Lunch - Apple with walnuts and a drizzle of coconut oil/honey

Snack - GS

Dinner - Salad

Snack - Cherries

Have a GREAT Saturday!

Blessings,
Heather

[carolv]

I had a busy day yesterday so didn't get a chance to post. I just finished reading through yesterday's posts. I just LOVE all of the great ideas I get from everyone on making different things. And there are a lot of great encouraging words that are being posted as well. You are all absolutely RAWsome!!!

Took a vacation day today and slept until 7:00am, then got on the treadmill for 30 minutes.:) Cleaned the house and went to visit the campers at my FIL and MIL's house around 1:00. Their were 8 of us that left at 3:00 to go to the Hocking Hills Canopy Tours in Rockbridge. This is something new to our area this year and has been REALLY popular. You travel on zip lines from tree to tree for a spectacular view of the woods and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I highly recommend it, it was FABULOUS!:D

This is what I had yesterday, I will post today's menu tonight.
1 TBS psyllium husk in water
Smoothie: banana, large peach, blueberries, flax seed meal, ½ lemon juice, baby spinach.
Snack: watermelon smoothie
Lunch: Salad with baby lettuce, red onion, angel hair beets, alfalfa sprouts, parsley, green pepper, and pumpkin seeds with French dressing from Alissa’s book.
Also tried some of the collard green salad, it was a bit chewy but pretty good. I think using the kale instead would definitely be better.
Snack: more of the collard green salad and some almonds
Dinner: Pot Luck with the campers (I was expecting this). Easy coleslaw (new batch), someone brought a fresh veggie tray, yeah!!: sweet pepper strips (red, orange, and green), white mushrooms, broccoli, baby carrots, celery. Someone also brought some sliced tomatoes, I also tried a tiny taste of broccoli salad (wasn’t sure exactly what was in it, delicious, need to find out who made it because I can probably modify it to make it raw), and one piece of refrigerator pickle that my MIL made. I knew she put sugar in it so I just wanted to try a little taste since I haven’t had anything with sugar for over a month. She cut back on the sugar in the recipe by half and it tasted overly sweet to me, I would say that’s a good thing for me as it shows my tastes are definitely changing.:) Also, had some cantaloupe that someone brought. The hot dogs and brats that were cooking smelled fabulous but it really didn't bother me. I have really concentrated and staying raw and the benefits of doing so.

I’ve noticed for the past 3 days there hasn’t been any pain in my hands, only a little stiffness still. This is FABULOUS!!!:D

[deberaw]

Greetings All!!!

Happy Raw Saturday!

Thick: I do believe 'Gold mine Natural Foods' on-line has kelp noodles individually...they aren't the sea tangle brand though...so I'm not sure if they have the recipe on the back that I use...but if you get them, I can share what I did....

I made ALissa's Watermelon soup last night and it is..................SOOOO GOOOD! A true to delight to taste...thick and sweet and very refreshing.......I also made the jalepeno burgers...mmmmmm and like those wrapped in romaine. My sun-dried tomatoes from Living Cusine will be done later and they are tasty...even though I ran out of flax so subsititued sunflower seeds for half the flax. Speaking of Flax....a nice evening snack/bedtime for me: ground flax with a bit of nut milk or banana milk or even just water....dash of agave, cinnamon, banana or apple...hit the spot...

also in the dehydrator are some bananas that I sliced lengthwise....I love them dehydrated...so sweet and chewy...but the chips never make it till they are done because I munch on them so!

I realized late yesterday that I didn't have any greens....I feel much better when I have greens! so today.....

Huge big GS

apple with cashew butter

all the stuff I've made and whatever Raw I have around the house......

mmmmm....I'm thinking about a Raw cheesecake too....! Deb

[deberaw]

uhhhh...those are sundried tomato crackers that I made, from Living Cuisine...just in case you were a wondering:p

[Thick]

Good morning=)

My son is coming home from camp today. I hope they taught him to stop complaining while he was gone!=)

-honeydew melon
-salad
-ritz sandwich w/ avacado & tomato, lettuce and cayenne
-freshtopia's BBQ portobello http://freshtopia.net/vlog/?p=141
-chocolate ritz cookies (just added some cocoa and lots of agave, a bit of vanilla to the regular batter-- they are good to me, but I wouldn't enter them in a recipe contest=)

Starfire, thanks for the peptalk yesterday. It really means so much coming from you. You are such a celebrity to me! And oooooh that pizza pic--I wish you would make a video of how you made that pizza. Is it straight from Alissa's book or did you make some changes? Or was it a delivered pizza?=)

post #19 http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=43130&page=2


I wish you the ability to write your own story today=)

[Thick]

I made ALissa's Watermelon soup last night and it is..................SOOOO GOOOD! A true to delight to taste...thick and sweet and very refreshing.......I also made the jalepeno burgers...mmmmmm and like those wrapped in romaine. My sun-dried tomatoes from Living Cusine will be done later and they are tasty...even though I ran out of flax so subsititued sunflower seeds for half the flax. Speaking of Flax....a nice evening snack/bedtime for me: ground flax with a bit of nut milk or banana milk or even just water....dash of agave, cinnamon, banana or apple...hit the spot...

also in the dehydrator are some bananas that I sliced lengthwise....I love them dehydrated...so sweet and chewy...but the chips never make it till they are done because I munch on them so!
.I'm thinking about a Raw cheesecake too....! Deb


Wow, your food sounds so good. I'm going to try the kelp noodles. I have never ordered food off the computer before...but I guess there's always a first time. Hmm..I'm hesitant about the watermelon soup--can anything be better that straight watermelon? What does it taste like?=)

[Jenifae]

Michelle - That's so Incredible that you weren't even tempted by the pizza and ice cream. Do you realize how HUGE that is? GO RAW GIRL! :)

Thick - Wow! Thanks for that Fabulous link. I loved it and the Reciepe ;)

Deberaw - Would love your cheesecake reciepe.

I made Knitster's Caramels last night. My first Raw Desert..........other then the jammin' Chocolate Banana/Strawberry Ice Cream I made last week. And man they were good. The topping called for Cashew Butter and I didn't have any and I just put cashews in the blender and blended them and thought maybe I should put a lil' water in there and BAM! Cashew Butter WOW! :D Hehehehe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of myself.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/Jenifae/Picture001-3.jpg

Today so far I had my

B: Lemon Water (16oz), Lemon Tea, & a Banana

For Lunch I'm going to a party that my Women's group are having and I'm bringing my Raw Caramels ............... They should have a salad so, I plan on having that. I don't really know these women to well. I know them but, I don't know them if that makes any sense and they are all really close. I live up the hill from everyone with horses and a hubby so, my life is a bit different and now RAW on top of it. So, I"m making myself go and trying to connect - feeling a bit RAW (pun intended ;)) Wish me Raw Strength.

[islesgirl]

Haven't had a spare second to read your posts yet rawbies but I will try to do it tonight. I was in bed at 8:30 last night and so didn't do it yesterday either. But I am doing well staying with raw food.

Early morning I walked and then came home for a "Best Raw Coffee Ever" which I made with cashews, water, ice, banana, cacao, Fo-Ti, 3 capsules of Maca (emptied), agave, stevia, and 1T coconut oil. Mmm...this was superb!

Mid-morning: 1 glass of orange juice

Lunch: Smoothie: frozen grapes, frozen kale, 1 whole cucumber, 1T flax seed, 2T unhulled brown sesame seeds, 1T coconut oil, stevia, water, 1 banana. Mmm........
this is also good.

Will try to post supper later. :) I send my best to you all here.

[Emma-Liza]

carolv--I think collards are pretty tough, too! You might think about substituting arugula, which is much tenderer and still has that deep green, bitter thing going on. Also, thanks for reminding me, about the lessening pain in your hands, my arthritic extremity (big toe) has not hurt in several days. I forgot to notice!

thick--gosh, you have a lot of energy! well, you and Jenifae both! I love hearing about your menus and the recipes you've tried. Go ahead and order "off the internet!" You've probably seen my product reviews on my blog....I've gotten products from Alissa's store, Raw Food World, and Living Tree. All high quality. I'm sure there are more.

Jenifae--your caramels look so pretty! I find that while there are no groups I connect to that feel 100&#37; "me," that it's not necessary at all. Each set of friends fills a need and community is necessary and fulfilling on many levels, even if none of the levels is complete. I hope that makes sense!

So far today I've had a fresh juice of 1/2 green apple, orange, and grapefruit. Sipping it and trying not to exacerbate the coughing stage of my cold. (Translation: sitting on the sofa, with my laptop, watching the teevee! ;) )

[Vaclare79]

Good Afternoon everyone.
I think I'm possibly detoxing today emotionally. Was crying earlier and feeling anger. I don't know if that's detox or just something else... I'm fine now after crying so I guess I just needed to let loose some tears. I've just been stressing out over college, job, bills, money and all the usual in addition to finding raw food on the cheap. Been scouting for better deals across town. I found out that my local organic farm is much even cheaper than Walmart on a lot of their produce which is great because organic produce is good for us anyways! I buy my organic spinach ( 1 lb. ) It was less than 5 dollars at BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB here for the 1lb.
For breakfast I had zucchini pasta again :) I am addicted to it. It's so good!
Made me a GS for lunch again the same kind as yesterday with a huge organic tomato, spinach and garlic with some sea salt. SO Yummy savory smoothies are!
I'm hoping that I can eat up to a lb. of greens today..
That'll be my goal today increasing my green intake.
I'm trying to get mainly greens in my diet right now. They seem to be more satisfying than just chopping up some fruit/vegs or salads..

[deberaw]

HI Thick! The watermelon soup tastes.....mmmm, sweet, minty, fresh gingery....has cardamon in it too...which I love. It is thick because you pureet some watermelon and mango...but then add diced mango and watermelon too it too...along with the other ingredients...gets better the longer it chills too!!!

Jenifae: I've only made cheesecake once and there are several variations of the recipe out there...but a friend gave me this one:

Raw 'Cheesecake;

3 C. cashews, soaked for 1 hour
1/2 C. fresh lemon juice
1 C. dark amber raw agave or honey
1 raw vanilla bean, insides scraped out
2 pinches sea salt

Put all in food processor or blender...blend till smooth. Put in pie crust. Chill..enjoy! Can put pretty fruit on top: berries, kiwi etc, or a chocolate sauce!

Pie Crust:

2 C. walnuts
2 C. pecans
2 C. pitted dates
1/2 tsp. sea salt.

Put all in food processor and process until it all clumps together. Put in pie pan!

Enjoy! now that I've refreshed my memory with the ingredients..they will be on my list for the next time I go to the grocery!:D

Deb

[Ilse W.]

Looks like I forgot to post yesterday. Can't really remember what I had, but I know it was all raw.
Today I started with my usual GS, and am about to have my new favorite summer lunch: zucchini spaghetti & marinara sauce. For dinner it's a salad as always. Lately I've had a lot of avocados for a snack. My weight still went down 2 more pounds this week.

[islesgirl]

We went grocery shopping across town and I picked up 4 good sized packages of ripe bananas at 49 cents per bag. They are peeled, cut up and sealed and tucked away in the freezer. I also got a big tub of spinach on sale.


Supper: A very plain salad, the same as last night - romaine, cuke, tomatoes (some of the cherry toms from our garden), avocado, onion, and RawKnitster's Pine Nut Dressing. I was hungry and it satisfied me but I am tired of my salads. I want to make Matt Amsden's Corn Salad soon. Just have to find some cilantro and some corn. I can't wait to weigh myself on Monday morning. It will have been 2 wks since weighing myself.

Snack after supper: the rest of my lunch smoothie with some watermelon added. And a bowl of watermelon. btw - this isn't a good idea at nighttime - watermelon kept me running to the bathroom for hours. But it is so yummy.

[deberaw]

Oh Islegirl! Good for you for not getting too focused on the scale..sometimes I'm up and down too much in a week...I really need to discipline myself to weigh myself every other week! ...that aside, we're excited for you too!;)

[carolv]

Just noticed I messed up my earlier post for today. Yesterday is when I took my vacation day and took the canopy tour.

This morning I slept in until 9:00 am, this is the latest I have slept in for a long time. Normally 7:00am is the latest I sleep until.

1 TBS psyllium husk in water
Breakfast:smoothie with 1 large and 1 small peach, orange, 1 TBS flax seed meal, baby spinach, 1 tsp raw honey.
Lunch: angel hair zucchini and tomato sauce
Snack: almonds
Snack: collard greens salad and cherub tomatoes
Snack: lara bar
Dinner: ate with the campers again: easy coleslaw, sweet pepper strips (red, orange, and green), white mushrooms, broccoli, baby carrots, celery, slice of tomato and two cucumber slices which had dressing on it, and red grapes.

I also do feel an increase in my energy level. I didn't feel tired at all yesterday after I went on that canopy tour. I think it would have really wiped me out prior to being raw.

[Morn]

Went to two parties today and stayed raw. Foods eaten:


Summer corn salad
2 bananas
Fruit salad
Sliced veggies

Going on vacation for the next week so I will check in when I get back. Stay raw everyone!

[Rawkinlocs]

Have an awesomely-RAWsome day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[Jenifae]

I'm exhausted. My raw almost caramels were a hit today. Yay!

B: 1 1/2 Banana

L: Broccoli, carrots, mini tomatoes, celery, guac, 3 raw desert caramels.

D: Sprouted Sunflower seeds & apple

S: Pumpkin seeds & 1/2 grapefruit

[srsarri]

Hi all! Haven't been here in a few days! VERY busy, I am a Nanny for 18 month old twins and I was on double duty this week!. Rebecca (the little girl) is HIGHLY allergic to practically everything, I realized yesterday she is a raw foodist besides the rice milk she drinks (she was adopted, mom not breast feeding) and the occasional chicken she licks and then throws on the floor! I feel like I have this super connection with her now! Not only because we eat the same way, but because most feel that she is deprived because she cannot have anything processed! (I should mention she actually does not like cooked veggies, SHE LIKES THE CRUNCH!!). I Do not feel bad for her anymore, (I mainly felt bad because she has such bad reactions when near things and not the fact that she cannot eat most SAD food) I am pretty much the only one around her that knows she is not suffering, and she feels much better then many people around her! and YES she is the HEAVIER twin!!

Now me....

I tried some new salads that I found in Alissa's book! and im addicted to the "Easy slaw" ... I have stuffed tomatoes with it, ate it with cucumbers and mango, I use it as a salad dressing! MMmMmM goood! I made a huge bowl of it the other night!

Im glad that I started out simple, just eating fruits and veggies I like in their most simplest form because even some salads are time consuming to make! However, now that I have really dug in the recipe section of the book I think I will treat myself every couple of days!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

[mmaynard]

Good morning! I have been sleeping in this weekend and didn't get up until 8 am this morning. I have some homework to do but am otherwise planning to take it easy today.



Im glad that I started out simple, just eating fruits and veggies I like in their most simplest form because even some salads are time consuming to make! However, now that I have really dug in the recipe section of the book I think I will treat myself every couple of days!

Srsarri: You certainly have your hands full taking care of twins! Like you, I also started out really simply but I am trying to make a few new things each week do I don't get bored. Today I have Matt Amsden's onion bread in the dehydrator, and I tried Alissa's Dressing yesterday on my salad. I really didn't cook much before going raw, so I find that keeping it simple helps me stay raw.

No real food plan today except that I am going to have another large salad with Alissa's Dressing and some sunflower seeds on it. I also have the rest of my watermelon soup to finish.

Have a great day!

[Vaclare79]

Hi, I woke up a little late at 10am today..
I'm making a GS either for breakfast or lunch.. I got a lime, cilantro and tomatoes so I might make some salsa to eat later. :)
Hopefully that won't be too strong for me. I will have raw spaghetti again today, so delicious!
I'm not sure what 's for dinner yet, but I'm going to try do a big GS today since didn't get it all in yesterday.
I hope with this food I'm getting enough nutrition for my body. I hate the cravings for cooked foods/SAD I'm still having. Hope it will go away soon.

[Thick]

I will have raw spaghetti again today, so delicious!

Okay Vaclare, I need your zucchini pasta recipe. The one I made was so-so...so please give me the details of your sauce. Thanks!

[Thick]

Last night I became so, so addicted to the rosetta stone language program. It is seriously fantastic! It makes me feel so smart=)! So, if you can check it out of your library or *find* it online, it comes highly recommended!

Okay, enough with the infomercial. Here's what I'm eating today=

Gs-spinach & bananen
sandwich w/ rot tomaten und zwei avacado
the bbq portobello I didn't make yesterday (thought I had sundried tomaten)
honeydew melon (cant get enough)

***alert***
Please do not bother making the aforementioned chocolate ritz crakers. I am quite sure there are better uses for the ingredients and far superior cookie recipes available. Anyone have any?


I am glad we are all "Being the change we want to see in the world" together!=)

[Ilse W.]

Thick - I have heard a lot about Rosetta Stone lately, I think I will check out the Spanish language version. I am seriously toying with the idea of moving to Costa Rica, which sounds like heaven for a raw foodist.

In the meantime, i, too, will make a GS with Spinat und Bananen, but I will also include some Aprikosen.

My lunch will again be raw spaghetti. I can't get enough of them. I make a different marinara sauce every day, since I never follow recipes and just throw in what I have in the kitchen or the garden. Yesterday I added a couple of swiss chard leaves and some crimini mushrooms to the usual tomatoes, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano. And I shouldn't forget the jalapeno, which made it almost a little too spicy.

Dinner will be whatever needs to be fixed to keep it from spoiling. The veggies at my farm store always look so delicious and I tend to buy too much.

[Vaclare79]

Okay Vaclare, I need your zucchini pasta recipe. The one I made was so-so...so please give me the details of your sauce. Thanks!

I just grind up mine with a lot garlic & tomatoes for the sauce.. I like mine simple but the garlic gives it alot of flavor without adding a lot of different things to the sauce.. You can use a bit of olive oil & maple syrup but I just grind up garlic in tomatoes...

Just add whatever herbs you really like.. I LOVE garlic ( I STINK ) & I do have cilantro, basil, and parsley but haven't used those much in anything although I might try them soon since they are sitting in the fridge so got to use them up. I think a lot of people use basil in their spaghetti recipes so maybe you could try a tiny bit if you're not used to it. I've smelled it and it smells pretty strong. Oregano smells pretty good too for pastas & rosemary. Cumin for the mexican stuff is great. :) Oh, and it does need some sea salt to bring out a little flavor too.. I put salt on mine which helps me taste the garlic better.

[Emma-Liza]

Still sick, but no fever today. I appear to have gained weight while sick, which is a downer. But I'm kind of messed up intestinally, so maybe it's nothing. Anyway, sitting on the sofa watching the olympics and feeling puny. Doing a few loads of laundry.

A happy: Mr.Liza had the eggless salad on some crackers for his supper last night and loved it. This is an egg fanatic, so that is high praise. I used Matt Amsden's recipe, with the macadamia nuts and a bit of extra celery. Before, I had made it with another recipe and cashews and didn't like it near as much.

Catching up yesterday--
L--eggless salad in romaine boats with sliced tomato
peach/banana smoothie, which I couldn't finish
D--1/4 cantaloupe (thanks for the idea, thick!)
some tangerine tea after

Today--B--fresh apple juice (made extra for later)
Probably a similar lunch and dinner to yesterday.

[Vaclare79]

Still sick, but no fever today. I appear to have gained weight while sick, which is a downer. But I'm kind of messed up intestinally, so maybe it's nothing. Anyway, sitting on the sofa watching the olympics and feeling puny. Doing a few loads of laundry.

A happy: Mr.Liza had the eggless salad on some crackers for his supper last night and loved it. This is an egg fanatic, so that is high praise. I used Matt Amsden's recipe, with the macadamia nuts and a bit of extra celery. Before, I had made it with another recipe and cashews and didn't like it near as much.

Catching up yesterday--
L--eggless salad in romaine boats with sliced tomato
peach/banana smoothie, which I couldn't finish
D--1/4 cantaloupe (thanks for the idea, thick!)
some tangerine tea after

Today--B--fresh apple juice (made extra for later)
Probably a similar lunch and dinner to yesterday.


Hope you are feeling better later!! :(
The eggless salad sounds yummy and wonderful!

[deberaw]

Hey Everybody!
...BUsy day today...Church..stuffs afterwards...etc. etc. etc...just now sitting down for a bit....

Had Huge GS smoothie

Bunch of sundried tomato crackers

rest of the watermelon soup.mmmmm....and yup..guess that would exlain why I am hungry right now! I think I'm going to make some chocolate pudding with cacao and coco butter and agave...if I can find the recipe...or maybe I'll just mix it up! Okay....gotta run...I'll have my avo snack and a big salad with Alissa's honey mustard dressing later......Deb

[islesgirl]

Hello Emma-Liza. So sorry to hear that you're not feeling great today. But it is wonderful that your husband likes the eggless egg salad and I am glad that you mentioned you prefer Matt Amsden's recipe. I will use it next time instead of the other. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you.:)

[islesgirl]

Vaclare - I see that you have lost over 40 lbs. I mean "released" hehehe!
I am glad for you. How great it feels to rid ourselves of unhealthiness with the raw food. Your meals sound fabulous and I am so looking forward to the day when I will be trying more raw recipes. That will be when I no longer feel panicky about what I eat. It is better now that I keep it very simple.

Keep up the good work!:)

[islesgirl]

My lunch was just a big bowl of yummy watermelon. Mmm it was good!

Snack I just had was a very good crispy, juicy apple.

And it will be a Greek Salad for supper. Can't wait.

Just thought I'd mention one thing I just noticed this morning. I haven't awakened with numbness, tingling or stiffness in my hands at all lately. I have been suffering from this for years. It always went away within a few minutes of getting up. But it is gone! Isn't that something?!:D

[islesgirl]

deberaw, your cheerfulness here always gives me such a boost. And your food sounds great too. Those sundried tomato crackers, watermelon soup and the cacao pudding!! I can't wait to try them some day. I did make monk's Italian Flax Crackers last week but I over dehydrated them and they are a bit too hard. But the flavor is good and I won't waste a single one. I actually waste very little even if I don't like it - thanks to my great mummy who made me eat everything she ever cooked. She taught me to try new things this way and not to fear food. Everyone in my family, bros, sis's, and my own children are all excellent cooks and food is a big thing in our family - but I was the only unhealthy, heavy one. And now, I am on the way to being the healthiest of them all! Soon, maybe one of them will join me.

[deberaw]

Cheers Islegirl!!! You are doing super! You are smart to keep it simple...when I first started...I made all sorts of recipes and threw a lot out..was discouraged and didn't try Raw for almost a year later!!! I still experiemented with Raw, but didn't give it a go until I felt more comfortable with it...which is; simple with some fun recipes here and there!!

SOOOO, for all those feeling deprived: You gotta try this! I couldn't find my pudding recipe, so just put in the food processor or blender:

{I didn'tmeasure ingred., adjust to taste}

1 avo cut up
some cacao
some agave
dash of vanilla

Blend till smooth! This is very decadent! Delish and you will not feel deprived! I did have to work it though to get the avo smooth...it was mainly smooth but tasted so good I still left some chunky...didn't feel like working it anymore! hee-hee!

[islesgirl]

deb, thank you - I am full of my Greek Salad at the moment but maybe later I'll try this or tomorrow for breakfast - sounds delicious.

[MiahTay]

Hey ALL! We have been out all day... I knew we were going to a pot luck church gathering today and we were doing breakfast instead of dinner which I found to be a much easier pot luck to stay raw at. I had a green smoothie before leaving the house and brought a large fruit salad with ground up walnuts and a dressing of honey and coconut oil. It was perfect. My resolve is fresher in the morning so the smell of the other food didn't even get me. I think I am going to suggest we do breakfast next week too!

I've got walnuts and sundried tomatoes soaked and ready to make jalapeno burgers so I'm gonna go do that and actually put them in the dehydrator for a little while this time :) . I think that will be lunch wrapped in lettuce leaves tomorrow. I am also toying with the idea of sprouting some lentils and making like a BBQ type sauce for on them (sort of like a sloppy joe). I'll probably start the lentils tonight.

Blessings,
Heather

[carolv]

I realized yesterday she is a raw foodist besides the rice milk she drinks … I feel like I have this super connection with her now! …I am pretty much the only one around her that knows she is not suffering, and she feels much better then many people around her! …

I tried some new salads that I found in Alissa's book! and im addicted to the "Easy slaw" ... I have stuffed tomatoes with it, ate it with cucumbers and mango, I use it as a salad dressing! MMmMmM goood! I made a huge bowl of it the other night!

Im glad that I started out simple, just eating fruits and veggies I like in their most simplest form because even some salads are time consuming to make! However, now that I have really dug in the recipe section of the book I think I will treat myself every couple of days!

srsarri, I’m glad you found such a great connection with this little girl. That is just wonderful!

I also love the Easy Slaw from Alissa’s book. I have made it twice it already. My DH really loves it too and I took it to a gathering where it went over well too. I don’t have very much of it left.




I hope with this food I'm getting enough nutrition for my body. I hate the cravings for cooked foods/SAD I'm still having. Hope it will go away soon.

Vaclare79, hang in there you are doing great! Those cravings will go away, just keep focusing on raw and how much good you are doing for you body.


Just thought I'd mention one thing I just noticed this morning. I haven't awakened with numbness, tingling or stiffness in my hands at all lately. I have been suffering from this for years. It always went away within a few minutes of getting up. But it is gone! Isn't that something?!:D

islesgirl, congratulations! I’m hoping to notice that same thing soon. The pain in my hands is gone but not the stiffness, but it lasts all day long and my ease up but never really goes away.

Couldn’t get to sleep right away last night and got hungry so I ate some fudge balls. Didn’t get to sleep until 12:30. I slept in until 10:00am, I can’t believe I slept for that long.

1 TBS psyllium husk in water
Breakfast: smoothie with 1 large nectarine, 1 small peach, 2 frozen bananas, 1 TBS flax seed meal, and baby spinach
Lunch: instead of cabbage rolls, I shredded my leftover red cabbage and mixed it with chopped portabella, and diced Vidalia onion with Bragg’s liquid aminos. Ate some with kim chee.
Snack: rest of the fudge balls
Dinner: collard greens salad and salad with romaine, shredded carrot and red cabbage, snow peas, broccoli, baby carrots, cherub tomatoes, and alfalfa sprouts with cider vinegar, flax seed oil, and sea salt.
Snack: walnut fudge

[Vaclare79]

Islesgirl, I did lose a lot of weight and to tell you the truth much of that weight was lost as a result of being sick and not eating much not the raw, HOWEVER I have been eating raw for the past couple months and I did release some weight and feel better!
I try with the GS and raw foods, it's not easy making up what I want to eat and buying it is expensive so that makes me a little crazy!
Carolv, I hope the cravings will go away and I will crave GREENS instead!!!!!! I made me a 40oz GS and ate it all and was satisfied BUT I want another GS and I'm thinking it's 10pm I should just make another one after I drink some water because I have been thirsty lately... Had some sunflower seeds, but the past couple days I avoided eating them because I think they're hard to digest YUCK. :eek:
It made me so mad because I LOVE sunflower seeds. They are SO good!! I guess my digestion isn't that great right now so might want to lay off on the seeds until later on.. :(
Miah: that sound great for breakfast, fruits and GS of course.
Deberaw: You are always cheerful and seem so full of energy it hard to imagine you getting frustrated with raw recipes.
Srsarri: that's cool you can get the kids to eat raw with you. i always liked my fruits/vegs raw anyways until I discovered fast food & restaurants after high school and my eating habits went to garbage literally! :eek:

Hope everyone had a great Sunday with friends & family. I spent mine at home by myself but I was fine here just making my GS and enjoying listening to music. It was nice to be alone and with the dog for company lol..

Thick, you figure out your marinara sauce yet?? I love that stuff.. it is addicting! SO GOOD!

I just like to keep GS and raw foods simple because it does frustrate people & myself especially when I try to complicate with a bunch of different ingredients, etc.
I basically just cut up or wash my fruits/vegs/greens and either make GS now or eat them simple after washing just as they are. It's much easier that way, but the recipes to combine certain things like the raw pasta/spaghetti I would never have thought was so great has ended up being DELICIOUS! I never knew I would turn into a zucchini HOG! The people at the farm shudder when they see me coming LOL. jk.. :D

[MiahTay]

Wow, I can't believe I just spent the entire evening reading Green for Life - again. I read it the first time back last December and enjoyed it so much. Now, reading it again makes me want to start drinking Green Smoothies by the gallon :rolleyes: . So, I think this week I am going to do some serious BLENDING! And I'm going to make it a point to try my first ever savory green smoothie. Well, I better get to bed, I'm the last one awake and tomorrow is a school day.

Blessings,
Heather

[Vaclare79]

Heather,
I have read that book over and over lately. Savory smoothies are so good !! A little garlic, basil, dill or cilantro with tomatoes, celery, avocado, whatever greens is so good together. Even when I make it just with spinach, tomatoes, and garlic it's just as good.

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a great day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[MiahTay]

Good Morning! Well, I have realized I am a "greens" lightweight. I always thought I was consuming so much greens in my GS. After reading Green for Life last night I decided I would start today by making 1/2 gal. of GS and then sip it throughout the day only eating something else IF I am hungry. Then eating my big salad for dinner tonight. So, I decided to weigh my greens - not even NEAR a HALF pound! I guess I will have to work on this. VACLARE - I know you've been trying to eat a pound of greens a day - I am SO impressed, that is what I'm going to work towards too. I also realize I have to go to the store today!

Have a GREAT raw day!

Blessings,
Heather

[jewell1908]

Good morning,

And, I thought I was doing so great. I am not consuming that much either. I read the book. Maybe I need to reread the book. Still raw!

[Vaclare79]

Hey y'all..
Don't mean to intimidate either of you.. That is just a goal that I set for myself :) Right now it's about a half lb. a day so I 'll increase little by little. Kind of hard when I'm still not used to eating GS. :)
I think I need more variety. Got to go shopping for another bunch of fruits now. Wondering which ones to get though.. I've been eating grapes/apples as of late because they're pretty easy to prepare with GS or eat alone besides being cheap right now nearby me:)
I can't eat bananas. Allergies so that stinks.

I'm going to have a GS for breakfast.. Same savory kind that I like.. Tomato, spinach, garlic.. so simple but good.
I still got zucchini for pasta so might have pasta for lunch.
Dinner may as well be some more GS..
Hope everyone has a good day.

[deberaw]

'Mornin' All!

....what does a 1/2 pound of greens look like? I need to get the book...but was wondering....is it like a big bagful?????!!!

I probably need more too!

BIg GS today.......

have jalepeno burger, sundried tomato crackers, fruits and veggies, cashew butter etc. to munch on......we'll see what else!

Make a Rawsome Day!!! warmly, Deb

[islesgirl]

MiahTay, I think it's time I also tried a "Savory Smoothie". I have read the book "Green for Life" too and should read it again I guess. I have referred to it several times. What do you think would be the most palatable drink to begin with? I gained 2 lbs in the past two weeks and I am now 16l.:eek: I was more than a bit disappointed with this. But this morning when I went for my walk - I actually RAN for one block! I can't even remember when I last ran. Likely when my kids were small. Anyway, I was out of breath and my heart was pounding but I didn't have a heart attack and I am so proud of myself and am going to make it a goal to keep challenging myself every week.

I am still raw and began my morning with a "Best Raw Coffee Ever". I make it with cacao, banana, 1T coconut oil, 1 stevia, agave, 1 c. water, 1 c. ice, and some nutmeg, 2 capsules of Fo-Ti (emptied), and 3 capsules Maca (emptied). This is so good.:) :) Have a super raw day dear rawbies and I will get back here tonight after a wedding shower I am going to.

[MiahTay]

Deb - you can buy 9oz bags of spinach in the grocery store ... so, yep, it would be a whole one of those :eek: . I buy the tubs of organic spinach at Sam's Club and THAT is a pound! Oh my. Anyway, I will be happy if I can get up to 1/2 lb. a day for now I think.

ALSO, I had walnuts soaking since the evening before last and was to LAZY to make my jalapeno burgers ... so I checked out my walnuts this morning expecting them to be rancid and they were fine so I made the burgers with some fresh peppers out of my mom's garden that none of us knows what kind they are and the burgers turned out PERFECT. I am dehydrating them now (me and my children ate the extra that didn't work into a patty on celery sticks). My GS is half gone.

Blessings,
Heather

[Thick]

Good morning=)

Vaclare, an excellent fruit to buy right now is melon. They are sooooo sweet and juicy. In fact, I don't have any right now and it is very uncomfortable=)>

Today the plan is=
B-ritz sandwich w/lettuce, tomato, basil and avacado
L-pizzas on romaine leaves w/ sunflower cheese, basil, tomato, red bell peppers, red onion and olives
S-spicy walnuts
D-creamy dill dip w/ celery

I have a really productive day planned, let's see if I do any of it!=)>

[Vaclare79]

Islesgirl: sometimes that weight you gain is muscle.. It's good you can run ;) I probably can't even run yet. I'm so out of shape! I need to start walking though. My legs have been numb. Also, sore from just stretching them.

I have a membership at the BJ'S and Sam's Club where I get spinach and other greens in bulk there.. I buy it in a tub by the lb., which for a lb. it was less than 5 dollars with tax here.. Not too bad.

Thick: I haven't tried melons yet this summer because I've been afraid to eat them since having an allergy (mouth itching) when I last ate them... Watermelons & cantaloupes. I'm wondering now if they'll still cause an itching now.. I am thinking about getting a pineapple because they are so good in a smoothie. Strong enough to cover the flavor.
Your meals for today sound really YUMMY. Especially the sunflower in lettuce roll.. Creamy dill dip sounds like heaven too. What does it have in it ?

I am finishing my GS I just made this morning with spinach, tomato, garlic, ACV, and sea salt. I put about a half lb. spinach in it and some water to make it like a green juice, not chunky at all..... It was more than 5/6 cups of it which drinking the last of it now. So good I could drink that all day long and not get sick of it.

Islesgirl: There is a thread here for 70 GS recipes. Just check out the one that you like best to start with. I like mine with more water, kind of thin like a drink. That's how I got mine to work for me since I hate the thickness of some of the smoothies.

I think the GS are probably going to my main thing soon because of the way I can buy one fruit and a lb. of greens for around 5 dollars.. So, 5 dollars a day for the tub of greens and then an extra dollar or so for the fruit ain't too bad. :) That solves my expensive raw food habit that I've been having a dilemma with lately..

I love this forum. I am addicted to it as well. It helps staying raw and healthy.

[MiahTay]

MiahTay, I think it's time I also tried a "Savory Smoothie". I have read the book "Green for Life" too and should read it again I guess. I have referred to it several times. What do you think would be the most palatable drink to begin with? I gained 2 lbs in the past two weeks and I am now 16l.:eek: I was more than a bit disappointed with this. But this morning when I went for my walk - I actually RAN for one block! I can't even remember when I last ran. Likely when my kids were small. Anyway, I was out of breath and my heart was pounding but I didn't have a heart attack and I am so proud of myself and am going to make it a goal to keep challenging myself every week.

I think I'm going to start off with Orion's Lemon Jalapeno Fesca on p. 164 of Green for Life. It sounds yummy. But I may start off with something with some basil in it too. I don't know. You and I are within about 3 lbs. of each other, I'm not weighing until the end of the month. I have a bit of an issue with the scale, I used to weigh several times a day - it was crazy (literally - lol).

Blessings,
Heather

[petaltothemetal]

Saturday I went to my mom's house on the coast. She's about 2 hrs from me on a non-August Saturday... about three this trip. I went shopping for her at a farmers market further up the coast, in Newport. It's a really nice market and I enjoy going. It's a lot larger than my local market. So shopping for both of us means I take two or three coolers and make several trips back to the car, but I feel victorious!!!! when I'm done!

A friend of Mom's made me cookies and to be polite I ate one. I found myself completely uninterested, which is kind of a revelation (!) since I used to love everything baked. So I announced I was on a diet and when I didn't eat any more my mom put them in the freezer. She is always on a diet. She probably didn't want to look at them, either!

I've told Mom a little about my new food and she went out and bought some kelp noodles and seaweed at the healthfood store, bless her heart. She made a lovely salad with those and the veggies I brought back from market.

I brought carrot juice and dehydrator treats with me because I get very, very sleepy driving, dangerously so... wonder how I made it to my ripe old age of 43. So I ate all the way home. And then for some reason I ate too much Sunday, too. No excuse, I was at home! I defintely overdid it because I had heartburn Sunday night and haven't had that in a couple months (since I went raw). A friend of my daughter's came over with a huge platter of cookies and I remembered the one at my mom's and didn't eat any. I made them sesame noodles with real noodles and me some kelp noodles that I got at Mom's health food store. I also washed us blueberries and peaches and made a huge salad. I don't think they ate any of the good stuff.

The girls and the dogs (who get locked up and cry when people come over) kept me up so I'm really tired today, but I didn't haul out the coffee pot I put away on Friday. I brought two enormous smoothies with me to work, some pumpkin seeds and a little left over salad. I think I'll be ok, though, because we'vwe got work to do today, so I'll be busy and won't have any time to be dreaming of coffee and cookies. Not that I even want cookies anymore, isn't that amazing???

[Vaclare79]

That IS truly amazing!!!!!!
I wonder if I'd be that way too.. Hope so. Maybe I'll see in a couple weeks if I'm interested and probably spit it out which will make me VERY happy that I don't want SAD foods anymore.

[foxieroxie104]

Good afternoon lovely ladies.
Interestingly enough I found myself in a foodfest predicament this weekend and faired very well. I was preparing food for most of the morning and night before. I made ritz cracker and mexican crackers I didn't like the lime pepper ones they didn't taste or look good to me. The corn chips came out good too. So for my mom's bday I made the coleslaw, corn, taco meat and salsa, guac, the chips and I also brought the onion dip that was so awesome so smooth and creamy it was all gone in minutes my whole family gobbled it up. I got the corn recipe from someone and it was good. I didn't have the hemp seed but it was good without. When it came time for the cake I passed and was still full for some fruit. I just didn't eat to be eating. That is what I did in the past eat to be eating but now I listen to my body and eat when I am hungry. Everyone was amazed how good I am looking and how much weight I have lost plus the foods I eat.

So sun. we had a baby shower to go to. The menu was salad and no bells and whistles there just the iceburg a few carrots and some purple cabbage you know the bagged salad they sell. Then rigatonis, sasauge and peppers, onions, chicken baked, neck bones. This was catered. Oh the only thing that I would have liked was the bread now that looked great. They had a cupcake cake that looked like a rattle with about 2" of frosting and one that looked like a turkey since the baby is due on turkey day. So I had to get some cup cakes for the kids to take home and I had the frosting all over my hand and I didn't even lick them I wiped them off. I was too good for myself. Oh I did have some taco meat on the lettuce and salsa. I was so proud of myself.

So we went to Walmart after my mom said they had pants for my dd $3 but they didn't fit her she said they were tight in the legs and big in the waist. So I did get her 6 shirts for $3 each. I got a size 16 capris and 2 shirts to match all for $9. I really wish that I would have got the 14's instead but I may go back and get them for $3 you can't beat it. My mom wanted them so I will give them to her. The 16 and mind you TOM came in today they are about a 1" in the waist big and the rest fit very comfortable. Wow am I on cloud 9. So I do need a belt with these.

Now today we are starting conditioning with my dd soccer team and I am in charge of this. So I am trying to think about what I want to do with them and make it fun. I am getting a stopwatch today after work so we can do some running exercises like that. I think if you run back and forth for 2 min it may seem easier than running around the field. We shall see. I have some ideas in my head and we will be winging it today and see how it goes.

So have a grawt day everyone. Still going strong after 43 days.

[Emma-Liza]

Still a bit under the weather. The thought of most food is pretty off-putting, still. Even green smoothies, which would be so healthful! Discouraging, a little.

Yesterday catch-up
L--banana, handful almonds
S--fresh apple juice, 2 ritz crackers
D--1/4 cantaloupe
warm water with lemon & honey

Today
B--fresh orange/grapefruit juice

[petaltothemetal]

Catching up on my lunch break... interesting theme here, it seems like a lot of us were put to the test this weekend and we did pretty well. I guess the last half of August is get-together time for everyone before school starts. We'll all get through the Labor Day barbeques just fine, I know it. No one here seems to be craving a hunk of meat! It's the desserts and breads we all want, and I hear some of us (not me yet, but I'm learning!) are smart enough to bring our own raw ice cream.

[petaltothemetal]

I forgot to mention of my weekend's assorted smoothie inventions, I really liked one:

beet/carrot/cucumer/ginger juice which I make when I have too many cucs and beets anyway

mixed with banana and blueberries and water.

Makes the blueberries... blueberrier!:D When refrigerated it thickens up and can be eaten with a spoon!

[islesgirl]

Just haven't enough time to respond to your posts, but you seem to be doing very well. Sorry though, Emma-Liza that you still aren't feeling too well. At least you're trying and sticking to raw and posting here. Good girl.:)

I made up a savory smoothie and it was just horrid so I added everything I could think of to it to sweeten it up so I wouldn't waste it. Just finished my third large and final glass of it. Wasted not a drop! Here are the ingredients and it sounds awful, I know.

2 roma tomatoes,
2 small garlic
1 whole english cuke (skin also)
1 small green pepper from our garden
1 avocado
1T hemp seed oil
water
2 stevia
grapes
1 banana
pink grapefruit

At least it was very raw and very healthy and I am satisfied. :D

[Ilse W.]

Energy really seems to be going in cycles. I don't think I'm overly toxic, because I've been colon and liver detoxes for several years now to get rid of the chemo in my system. Nevertheless, I do feel the ups and downs that comes with getting all the stuff from SAD living with lots of wine, coffee etc. out of the system. Today I have one of those days, when I didn't really want to take Max out for his walk. We only went half the distance and he didn't get to swim. It's also overcast and cool today.
I had a green smoothie this morning, bananas, apricots, homegrown lettuce. I'm not really hungry yet, but I'm thinking that today I need something warm for lunch so I will make miso soup with zucchini pasta. Maybe some shiitake mushrooms. Dinner might just be juice. I sold my Norwalk juicer last week, because I didn't really like to use it. It makes fantastic juice, but it's just too much trouble. I bought an Omega 8003 instead and can't wait. I have a 25 lb bag of carrots in the fridge and need to use them.

[MiahTay]

Hey all! I just got back from the store and I'm doin' the happy dance. They had their one pound ORGANIC baby spinach tubs on managers sale for 1.99! Yippeee! I got two of those and a bunch of kale, that should last me until I get to Sam's Club on Wednesday. Also, they had just discounted a bunch of organic bananas because they were less than perfect to .39 lb. I bought them all :D . I love it when that kind of stuff happens (I know I'm easily entertained-lol). Got to run, hubby is on his way home and it looks like a tornado went through here!

Blessings,
Heather

[deberaw]

...I so appreciate all the posts here! ....I found in my fridge a bag of beet greens that I bought because they were discounted...and some fresh mint...put them in the blender with some water...blended and then strained thru a paint strainer bag....mild tasting, slightly minty...but good for me I know!!! I drank 2 cups and have more in fridge....straining it didn't quite feel like I was really juicing....so much easier and quicker than using my Champion...I'll have to ask the juicing thread too!

also had jalepeno burger with celery and will have a big salad tonight....along with some more avo/choco pudding!

*a snack that worked well for me today....cored out apple with cashew butter packed inside! I took it when I was out and about and it was great!

xxxooo! Deb

[islesgirl]

Ah MiahTay, you sound like such a sweetie. Good for you that you got such great deals today. I got the same sort of deal the other day on overripe bananas (actually they were just perfect for the freezer for smoothies) I paid .49 per package of bananas and I think there must have been about 6 per pack. Also got a big tub of spinach for 3.99 - also a good deal.

[islesgirl]

Hello EmmaT. I hadn't realized that you underwent chemo at one point in your life. How difficult that must have been for you. I hope that tomorrow you will feel a bit better. It sounds like you live in a nice area as you can walk your Max and let him swim. I also bought an Omega juicer - exact same model and I love it. It is a cinch to clean and I simply freeze the pulp for my smoothies later. Your are doing well with your food! Sounds great.:)

[mmaynard]

Hi Ladies,

It sounds as if everyone did so great over the weekend avoiding any temptation! I had my first ever dehydrator success this morning with Matt Amsden's onion bread. I put it in on Saturday evening so it was ready this morning when I woke up. I have tried a bunch of other things that haven't come out so well, but this one is definitely a success! My plan is to pick up some pizza toppings tomorrow after work and have a mini pizza - I am really thinking about pineapple pizza so we'll see what happens!

Today I also tried some hemp protein powder in my smoothie. I didn't really notice a taste difference but felt fuller longer today. I also had two pieces of the onion bread with my salad for lunch, as well as an apple, some dates and two chocolate truffles. I haven't decided what's on the menu for tonight, but I have a zucchini, cucumber and some carrots and tomatoes left. Maybe a savory smoothie that you all have been talking about?

I know that many of you aren't weighing yourself until the end of the challenge, but I am weighing myself weekly. I am down again this week and it makes it a total of 5.5 lbs released during this challenge. I have been working out like a mad woman and sticking to this 100%, so I am really proud of myself.

Also - I noticed over the weekend that I started DREAMING again while I'm sleeping. Or at least my sleep patterns have changed so that I remember part of my dreams. I haven't remembered a dream in YEARS. Has this happened to anyone else?

Have a great night!

[petaltothemetal]

Emma, where was your cancer and how long ago was your last chemo treatment? Is cancer why you went raw? My mom had colon/liver cancer and has been out of chemo for almost two years. (I'm working on her slowly, trying to bring her over to our side. I have to get healthier first, I think.) I feel for you. Chemo is often worse than the disease itself, first for all the horrible side affects and then afterwards because you are so sensitive - to sunlight, to foods you used to eat, to getting infections, to being tired. My mom got a little dog and sometimes she doesn't want to walk him, either. Even though she knows it is good for both of them. You may be on a similar path in your healing, just you're being a lot more aggressive taking your health into your own hands by going raw. I'm impressed.

[Vaclare79]

I'm NOT looking forward to any food get togethers.. I HATE them right now. Watching people eat the foods I used to LOVE scarfing it down and without problems makes me mentally ill right now lol.. I'm dealing with craving issues so bad. I'd probably not have any cravings for cooked SAD foods if I was to taste some of it, but I have been pretty good not tasting or eating anything SAD/cooked.

[carolv]

Also - I noticed over the weekend that I started DREAMING again while I'm sleeping. Or at least my sleep patterns have changed so that I remember part of my dreams. I haven't remembered a dream in YEARS. Has this happened to anyone else?

mmaynard, I have noticed this as well lately. I may occasionally remember part of a dream but lately I have been remembering more of my dreams. I don’t know if that is a good thing or not, my dreams are usually extremely weird.


I'm NOT looking forward to any food get togethers.. I HATE them right now. Watching people eat the foods I used to LOVE scarfing it down and without problems makes me mentally ill right now lol.. I'm dealing with craving issues so bad. I'd probably not have any cravings for cooked SAD foods if I was to taste some of it, but I have been pretty good not tasting or eating anything SAD/cooked.

Vaclare79, I wonder if you need to add a couple of more decadent options to your menu to help you get over the cravings. I found that the fudge balls from Alissa’s book really hit the spot with my sweet tooth. I savor every bite of it and it really helps me focus back on raw foods instead of SAD foods. A little more variety may help you.



It sounds like everybody is doing great!

Got up at 5:00 am, got on the treadmill for 30 minutes. :D

1 TBS psyllium husk in water
Breakfast: smoothie with 3 pineapple rings and a little juice, 1 frozen banana, 1 TBS flax seed meal, and baby spinach. YUMMY! I really like it with the pineapple.
Snack: almonds
Lunch: red cabbage Portobello salad from yesterday
Snack: Lara bar
Dinner: 3 different salads:
collard greens salad
salad with romaine, shredded carrot and red cabbage, cherub tomatoes, and ½ avocado
cucumber (sliced through saladacco) and onion (chopped) salad (modified to raw from SAD recipe)
Snack: walnut fudge

I have to say I have been feeling better and better every day. The changes from being raw have been so gradual and subtle that I am just now realizing certain changes. So far, the pain is gone from my hands, it was almost constant and now it is gone. I still have a little stiffness in my hands but hopefully it will disappear one day as well. The Ragweed pollen count has been high lately and I haven't been sneezing like I usually do. My energy level has also been increasing slightly as well. Also, I feel like my stress level has decreased, I don't get aggravated as easily. :)

[Ilse W.]

Petaltothemetal: I had Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosed in May 2002 and had 12 chemo treatments, the last one in the middle of November that year. Throughout the chemo I was under my naturopath's care along with the oncologist (I insisted), took different supplements, mushrooms, etc. I started a detox program as soon as chemo was over and kept taking things to strengthen my immune system. 2-1/2 years later my oncologist claimed that they had found spots on my liver. I underwent a biopsy, which was inconclusive. By that time I was sick of modern western medicine and started reading a lot. I quit going to medical doctors, bought a Norwalk juicer, and lived on juices, did liver detox, enemas, the whole nine yards. Once I decided that I felt really good, I went to a more moderate diet, off and on vegetarian to vegan. About 9 months ago I wanted to get more energy and read about raw paleolithic diet, ate a lot of raw eggs, drank raw milk, ate raw meat...but also washed it all down with a lot of wine (I worked at Trader Joe's as their wine expert, lol, had to taste the stuff every night to know what to tell people). Extremely long story short: I ended up with uveitis in both eyes, the ophthalmologist picked Lymphoma out of a bag of at least 20 possible causes (drs are all the same, they smell money from a mile away), and I went back to taking care of things myself. I went raw at the beginning of July, and am not looking back.
Sorry for the long post. Cancer is quite involved, you have a lot of emotions about it, once you had such a diagnosis. Yes, I still run out of energy, and can't stay in the sun for more than a half hour without feeling faint.
I hope that most the people on this forum have not had cancer yet, and from everything I have read and learned over the last few years, sticking to raw as much as possible, and even when not totally raw, staying away from animal protein will be the most important thing you all can do to stay cancer free. One last thing, while I am on my soap box: It strikes me over and over that a lot of women who are raw have children who are not. Please love your children enough to do all you can to change them to raw as long as they are little and easily influenced by you. I wish I had known all I know now when my kids were little. At 38 and 35 they have their struggles and don't really listen to mom much any more. I dread to think that they may themselves end up with cancer some day, which I could have prevented had I known more.
Thank you all for your patience, if you are still reading, lol.

[MiahTay]

Emma - Thank you so much for sharing. You are a shining example of what an informed intelligent person can do - take charge of their medical condition.

Green Smoothie update - I would say that my hunger was noticeably less today. I will be drinking my 1/2 gal. green smoothie again tomorrow AND my 9 yr. old daughter wants to join me - I'm thrilled. I'm off to bed.

Blessings,
Heather

[Rawkinlocs]

Have an awesome day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[islesgirl]

Good morning rawbies. Just checking in to let you all know that I am backing out of the challenge this month. I've decided that I'm not ready to do this wholeheartedly yet......meaning 100%. But I don't mean that I won't be aiming for it. I simply have to get more used to it and find more raw recipes that I truly like. I also feel too guilty when I haven't time to offer supportive responses to others' posts. I just haven't got the time at the moment or the energy every day. However I am going to continue my blog and will keep reading various posts here at RFT. My very best wishes for success to each and every one of you who is trying hard to gain the best possible health.:D

[MiahTay]

Good morning rawbies. Just checking in to let you all know that I am backing out of the challenge this month. I've decided that I'm not ready to do this wholeheartedly yet......meaning 100%. But I don't mean that I won't be aiming for it. I simply have to get more used to it and find more raw recipes that I truly like. I also feel too guilty when I haven't time to offer supportive responses to others' posts. I just haven't got the time at the moment or the energy every day. However I am going to continue my blog and will keep reading various posts here at RFT. My very best wishes for success to each and every one of you who is trying hard to gain the best possible health.:D

Please give yourself a little time, our determination ebbs and flows and you may be having a discouraged "moment" but at 4:00 today you may have a change of heart. If you change your mind we are here. I look forward to seeing you around the boards if not here - later :) . Feel free to e-mail me if you want.

Blessings,
Heather

[jewell1908]

Good morning,

Islegirl, Rome wasn't built in a day. Give yourself the time that you need, and focus on what is it that you want from this way of life. I am still a newbie, started July 21st after going to a class. Even though it has been scary or (challenging), I just go with the flow day to day. I have tried a few recipes that I enjoy and some that I don't. That's life. I know we will hear from you again, and hopefully I will still be here for you. 100% raw.

[MiahTay]

Ok, I have 1/2 gal. of savory smoothie in my fridge - I'm not sold. I will likely drink it because I don't want to waste that much stuff but .... well, not my favorite. I did ... 1 bunch of kale, 4 tomatoes, 1 stalk of celery, a handful of basil and one tiny hot pepper and 1/2 tsp of sea salt. Maybe it will grow on me as the day goes. And by beautiful wonderful daughter is drinking her green smoothie and enjoying it!


Blessings,
Heather

[MiahTay]

HELP! Ok, I am being so stupid. Somebody PLEASE give me permission to dump this stupid smoothie. I am NOT going to drink it and then I will be too hungry AND I have to go out this afternoon shoe shopping and I will be surrounded by temptation. OK, I'm giving MYSELF permission to dump it. I'm gonna go make me a pitcher of fruity GS. Now that you all think I'm crazy - LOL!

OH, and the PERFECT jalapeno burgers I made yesterday and dehydrated to the perfect consistency somehow got WAY salty in the dehydration process. So, I will definitely be eating those with lots of veggies to cut the saltiness. I even added less salt than the recipe called for - UGH.

Ok, I'm going now, really I am, I'm REALLY going to dump that smoothie - UGH, I hate wasting food.

Blessings,
Heather

[Ilse W.]

Heather - In my experience, vegetables lend themselves beautifully to juicing. The one fruit appropriate to juice with vegetables is apple, and it does make the difference very often between loving the juice or drinking it just because I know it's good for me. Fruits are fantastic for smoothies, and leafy greens add a lot to them in the way of nutrition, but are not necessary as long as you drink veggie juices. I know what you mean about not wanting to let all the good food go to waste. I have drunk a few disgusting things in my time, because of experiments gone wrong.

It's overcast in my neck of the woods once again, which could be depressing, except today I have decided I won't let it! I will have a great day full of yardwork, dog walks, phone visits, and happy thoughts. RAW ALL THE WAY! I can feel it lighten my body. I wish all of you an excellent day!

[Ilse W.]

Heather, how about turning it into soup? Some things that are impossible to drink cold could be wonderful eaten heated up to about 105 degrees. I put mine in a bowl over a pot with boiling water and stir until heated. That might save your "experiment".

[deberaw]

'Morning my Raw friends!

Islegirl: Thank you for sharing your journey, and please know, I agree with the previous posts about a change of heart....I know for me the Challenge helps me with accountability and I've jumped in and out of Challenges before...it is really about what is best for you and there are no "Challenge Police", so if you decide later or tomorrow or the next,that you want to jump back in, please feel free...you will be welcomed back! ;)

We are going camping for the rest of the week in lovely Northern Michigan right on the lakes....It will be a fun trip but I was stressing and fretting about my food while packing up all of us and organizing food for all of us.....and decided to do the best I can...I am aiming for high raw...and plan to jump back in on Monday and ride out the rest of the week with all of you! Let me tell you, I do feel so much better on Raw and maybe it will all work out....but if not, I do not want to use that as an excuse to skip out on the rest of the month......

So, big GS this morning....will eat up all and any Raw in the house today and take with me what I can! I wish each and every one of you a wonderfully Raw week...be gentle with yourselves and know that your body is thanking you for being so good to it! warmly, Deb

[Vaclare79]

Yeah, I agree sometimes it's best eaten as "soup".. In a bowl that way as a vegetable soup.
I'm getting ready to go shopping for more spinach, vegetables and stuff I need. I bought some peaches yesterday which I'll eat when I get back from shopping.
I ate a bunch of green grapes for breakfast.
Lunch probably be some zucchini pasta again which is so addicting...
GS though coming up on menu for today though
I've got to start switching up the GS soon because I need to change the greens/fruits I use. Can't be using same tomato/spinach/garlic even though it's pretty good that way. To me at least... I used up the half lb of spinach yesterday and ate other stuff which was yummy but still need to add more to the smoothie. I'm just not brave when it comes to trying different foods right now..

[petaltothemetal]

green smoothie disasters - yup, I've had several of them that would've been a good soup with garlic and salt and pepper added to them. That was a good suggestion for next time I make something gross to hide in the back of the 'fridge. Also I found that juicing some of the stronger or more fibrous veggies rather than blending them helps. Spinach is mild and not too fibrous but a lot of other dark leafy greens are too much blended.

Deb, I like your attitude about not wasting the rest of the month if you have a hard time on your camping trip. Every day is the first day of the rest of your life. You can always start again Monday.

I made a beet green and banana smoothie last night. Will someone please smack me in the head the next time I use red (the stems) and green in the same smoothie? It tasted fine, but it looked disgusting again. I drank the rest of it this morning. I also had a small salad with kelp noodles for dinner with the smoothie.

This morning after my icky looking smoothie, I packed some peach/banana/ cinnamon/ginger smoothie and the rest of my blueberry/beet/banana/ginger smoothie from yesterday and brought them to work. I also brought another small salad with a little kelp on it and a few flax crackers. I like the crunch of the flax crackers. I had decided earlier I was going to get all my nutrition for awhile from liquid, but that lasted only one day because I like crunchy things and I was feeling sorely deprived. Flax sticks between my teeth, though, and is probably not the best thing to bring to work!

I have not weighed myself and my belly still looks huge, but I have extra room in the waist of my pants. It's been very slow, but something is happening! Isles, I wonder, does it discourage you to be on the challenge partially because others seem to be doing so great? I keep reading about people losing 10 pounds in 10 days or their energy going through the roof and if I start wondering why I'm not like them, I might start eating cookies... we're all different and sometimes it's hard to feel up when it seems like everyone else is so perfect!!

[Thick]

Islesgirl, its okay to stop the challenge if you want to. Have you decided that you don't want to be 100&#37; raw or that its too _____ right now? Because..this isn't the 100% raw winners circle, this is the challenge and it's okay to find it challenging.

You don't have to respond to everyone on this thread, really. I worry sometimes that someone will get their feelings hurt or will stop posting if I don't address them each day, but as you can tell, I've gotten over worrying about it.

Do you have other people in your life that care about your raw journey, recipes , concerns and victories? I hope so...but remember that we are here and really do care so much!=)


Here's my day=
Gs- parsley, basil, tomato, garlic, salt, water
L-creamy dill dip and celery
S-walnuts (in car)
D- salad in a restaurant or portobello pizzas at home ..or both=)>

My new inspiration is to be healthy and dynamic enough to travel to Europe and have Marco Pierre White and Till Lindeman in the same room=)>~ Hey, stranger things have happened...

Marco Pierre White--might be an aquired taste.. I wish I could aquire some=)>~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zMbWl0r6gM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBgM1R5MRRQ&feature=related


Till Lindemann-- he's the second singer in this video..the one who kisses the girl....grrr http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXsKWi9FIjY&feature=related

If you liked that one, another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfHlA3fmJG0&feature=related

Okay I know tmi today lol...=)> I'm not really a groupie type, just looking for inspiration in my daydreams..

[islesgirl]

Well you dear rawbies have just blown me away. I can't thank you enough for all your kind words. Yes, I feel badly because I just haven't the time to keep up with posting and reading about other rawbies' days and I feel guilty about that. Also I am really having a hard time without a good salad dressing and raw olives. They seem to be my downfall. Am a bit broke and hesitate to spend more on raw olives for now. But with the pressure off since I said I quit the challenge, I went surfing on the 'net for a good raw Greek Salad dressing and I think I might have found one. I will be trying it and I will post about it if I like it. I guess I just don't like any kind of competition - I never have. But if you say it is okay, then perhaps I will check in here when I can. I definitely want to stick with raw. And so far (except for one small slip - didn't say what it was, Rawkinlocs.), I have had just 1 huge Green Smoothie with lots of baby spinach, a whole pineapple, 1 banana, and 2T of flax seeds. And I feel better already and more on track. xxxooo to you all.:)

[Emma-Liza]

islegirl--do what you feel in your heart to do. we'll always welcome you here.

I couldn't say it any better than thick--it's supposed to be challenging. as it has been for me the last few days! I'm too stomach-sick to eat much of anything except a few bland, crunchy white squares which shall remain nameless, but aren't raw!

MiahTay--throw it away! food is just as much a waste in your body if it's not serving you as it is in the trashcan. More, even. I made a nice mushroom burger for lunch yesterday with avo, tomato, lettuce, etc. Took about 3 bites and couldn't finish. It was gagg-y. Later, while I was cleaning up, even the leftover ingredients (1/4 avo, tomato half, part of an onion) were kind of making me feel sick, so I threw them all away, too! Sometimes, you just have to let it go!!!

Yesterday--
L--little bit of mushroom burger, lettuce, tomato, onion, avo
D--arugula and spinach leaves with lemon and oo (had to eat it in stages, but it settled fine! :) )

Tah-day--
B--couple handfuls of trail mix--mostly seeds & raisins
L--small spinach salad with 2 tomato wedges, big scoop of grated carrot, some raisins, sunflower seeds, red onion slivers, o&v dressing
S--fruit cup from caf--melon, berries, grapes, pineapple

[petaltothemetal]

Thick, since you've got us daydreaming... um, this is totally bad, but I read on two or three raw websites that men don't need that little blue pill anymore! I'm out here in Oregon all by my lonesome so I can't say I know whether or not it's true, but... :D

[deberaw]

Thank you for your encouragement Petaltothemetal!....Yes Heather! Throw it away...but I think you have already. I enjoyed mint and greens juice yesterday, don't like much savory green juices...there is a yummy green lemonade recipe somewhere though...Oh Islegirl...I'm so glad you feel better....and please please don't feel guilty....I know what you mean about wanting to respond to everyone, but we all know that we all can't.....and it's okay, really!......I'm going to miss all of you this week! Deb

[Thick]

Thick, since you've got us daydreaming... um, this is totally bad, but I read on two or three raw websites that men don't need that little blue pill anymore! I'm out here in Oregon all by my lonesome so I can't say I know whether or not it's true, but... :D

Sounds like you need a raw food meetup group....=)>
http://rawfood.meetup.com/206/

[Jenifae]

I havent' been here for a couple of days. Life has been a whirlwind of busy-ness. I barely have time to breathe. But, I am hanging in there and doing good. Can't begin to log my food because, I cant' remember that far back. However, it is in my Blog.
I'm so content this time around. NOt stressed out about it or beating myself up trying to perform perfection. Just going with the flow and enjoying the changes that are happening within me.

Thanks everybody!

[mmaynard]

Hi Folks,

Islesgirl: I hope you decide to stay in the fight. I really think that the challenge is about progress and not perfection. Sometimes you have a slip, but the important thing is to get back on track. It's the little changes that we make in our lives that add up to big results over time. :)

I have been feeling a little sick to my stomach today. Last night I had some more of the onion bread with some lettuce and raw pickled ginger carrots on it, and I think it has been causing me problems since I ate it. The ginger carrots had a good taste, but they were fermented, and I was thinking to myself that it may not be a good combo for me. I should have just stopped eating right there! So today I have been feeling hungry but every time I think about food, I get sick to my stomach. I had a Raw Crunch bar and a Lara bar today (probably not the best choice), but don't even want to think about fruit or vegetables right now!

Hope you all have a good night - hopefully I will be back to feeling like myself tomorrow!

[islesgirl]

Hi Michelle. Thank you too for such supportive comments. I certainly hope you will be feeling better tomorrow.:)

[carolv]

Petaltothemetal: I had Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosed in May 2002 and had 12 chemo treatments, the last one in the middle of November that year.

EmmaT, thanks for sharing your story. You are truly an inspiration to those of us trying to go raw. It takes a lot of determination to get through all that you have. You have my utmost respect.



Good morning rawbies. Just checking in to let you all know that I am backing out of the challenge this month. I've decided that I'm not ready to do this wholeheartedly yet......meaning 100%. But I don't mean that I won't be aiming for it. I simply have to get more used to it and find more raw recipes that I truly like…

islesgirl, I’m sorry to hear you are dropping out of the challenge, but glad that you are still working toward a raw lifestyle. I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide to do.



Ok, I'm going now, really I am, I'm REALLY going to dump that smoothie - UGH, I hate wasting food.

MiahTay, I understand how you feel. I hate wasting food as well but sometimes you just have to do what you need to do. Just say good riddance and move on to new and hopefully better experiences. Live and Learn.




I have not weighed myself and my belly still looks huge, but I have extra room in the waist of my pants. It's been very slow, but something is happening! Isles, I wonder, does it discourage you to be on the challenge partially because others seem to be doing so great? I keep reading about people losing 10 pounds in 10 days or their energy going through the roof and if I start wondering why I'm not like them, I might start eating cookies... we're all different and sometimes it's hard to feel up when it seems like everyone else is so perfect!!

Petaltothemetal, we all have to keep in mind that we are not the same so we each will have different results at different times. I was feeling discouraged when I first started the challenge because I wasn’t noticing any changes. It just took a little more time and now I am slowly seeing results. I really had to think about what is different before starting this challenge, nothing was obvious to me.



We are going camping for the rest of the week in lovely Northern Michigan right on the lakes....It will be a fun trip but I was stressing and fretting about my food while packing up all of us and organizing food for all of us.....and decided to do the best I can...I am aiming for high raw...and plan to jump back in on Monday and ride out the rest of the week with all of you! Let me tell you, I do feel so much better on Raw and maybe it will all work out....but if not, I do not want to use that as an excuse to skip out on the rest of the month......

deberaw, enjoy your trip, I’m sure you will do the best you can while you are gone.

[carolv]

1 TBS psyllium husk in water
Breakfast: smoothie with 3 pineapple rings and a little juice, 1 frozen banana, 1 TBS flax seed meal, and baby spinach
Snack: almonds
Lunch: red cabbage and Portobello salad with kim chee and ½ avocado
Snack: Lara bar
Snack: pacific rose apple
Dinner: collard greens salad with kim chee and ½ avocado, cucumber & onion salad, rest of the easy slaw, and two tomato slices with sea salt.
Snack: banana ice cream with macadamia nuts and carob sauce

[deberaw]

Thank You Carolv! Have a great rest of the week too!:D

[Vaclare79]

Islesgirl & Thick,
DON'T QUIT!!!!!
Just keep going and TRYING!

[Jenifae]

I had a good day today. I was able to spend some much needed quality time with my horses & even do some training & some scratching ;).

Today's Food

B: Banana & some handful of walnuts.
L: Late Lunch....Huge Salad: Spinach, Dandelions, Red cabbage, broccoli, califlower, tomatoe, radish, zuchinni, sunflower seeds, broccoli sprouts.
Desert: 1/4 RawVolution bar, 4 chocolate nuggets
S: Bowl of Watermelon & pumpkin & sunflower seeds

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a terRAWfic day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[clairev]

I started raw foods a little over 2 weeks ago, and am about 98-100% raw. However, the scale won't budge! I know that I have probably been eating too much, but I think a pound or two is only fair. I have a binge eating disorder that I am trying to solve, and I guess sometimes that comes out even when I am eating raw (but a pound of nuts and 3 nectarines is better than a whole pizza right?). I know I need to start doing portion control, but I have been trying to ease into that (I don't want to fall off the wagon). It just kind of sucks because when I was a younger non- vegetarian and did Atkins (I know, I'm terrible) I would eat my weight in meat and dairy and lose. I'm just looking for some support/wisdom. Thanks!

PS I am about 20 pounds overweight (BMI 27.8) but about 40 pounds from the weight I am most comfortable at.

[Jenifae]

I started raw foods a little over 2 weeks ago, and am about 98-100% raw. However, the scale won't budge! I know that I have probably been eating too much, but I think a pound or two is only fair. I have a binge eating disorder that I am trying to solve, and I guess sometimes that comes out even when I am eating raw (but a pound of nuts and 3 nectarines is better than a whole pizza right?). I know I need to start doing portion control, but I have been trying to ease into that (I don't want to fall off the wagon). It just kind of sucks because when I was a younger non- vegetarian and did Atkins (I know, I'm terrible) I would eat my weight in meat and dairy and lose. I'm just looking for some support/wisdom. Thanks!

PS I am about 20 pounds overweight (BMI 27.8) but about 40 pounds from the weight I am most comfortable at.

No Problem.........Try not to be too focused on weight. And this is coming from a fellow ED. I'm recovering from Anorexia/Bulimia/Binge-Eating. I have learned to let go and and just focus on converting to RAW the best I can. As I do this I am building up my confidence and feeling better which is the best. The weight is fluctuating but, that is okay. Some day I just want to eat more then others and that's okay.......as long as it's RAW I feel good....Emmotionally and Physically.

Hang in there and it will get better.

[MiahTay]

Good morning!

Mmaynard - I love your thought, I'm gonna put it on my refrigerator ... "I hope you decide to stay in the fight. I really think that the challenge is about progress and not perfection. Sometimes you have a slip, but the important thing is to get back on track. It's the little changes that we make in our lives that add up to big results over time."

And I wanted to say, please NOBODY feel like they ever HAVE to respond to MY posts because I totally do not expect it. I admit, I use this board to talk to somebody other than my kids (you other homeschool moms know what I mean). I know I may post more than others and I just want everyone to know it's really for ME that I post. But I do love the sense of community here.

Thick - You WERE kidding right? You aren't quitting, right?
Islegirl - So, glad to see you still hanging around - NO PRESSURE about posting!

Food for today:
Big GS
Apple with walnuts and honey/coconut oil
Cherries
Large Salad
Maybe a dessert ... oh, I might make mango cobbler if I have time...mmmmm.

Blessings,
Heather

[MiahTay]

Oh, one more quick thought ...

I don't think I've lost ANY weight (my clothes feel the same) during this month so far however I FEEL better, I have SLIGHTLY more energy. I've started walking 30 minutes a day and I FEEL better. I have to remind myself it's about total health not just weight loss. I have less pain in my joints, less PMS symptoms and I'm sleeping better.

Blessings,
Heather

[Ilse W.]

Good for you, Heather. We should always look at the weight loss as a side bonus. Look at eating raw and being the healthiest you can be as a gift to your children.
Another day full of liquid sunshine here in the Pacific Northwest. At least I don't have to feel guilty about not doing any yardwork.
Today's food? I decide on that whenever I feel I have to eat something, but it's all going to be RAW. Definitely my GS sometime during the morning, and maybe spaghetti for lunch? I have some marinated eggplant in the dehydrator, I prefer not to call it bacon, my vegetables don't have to resemble anything with a face. VEGGIES RULE!

[Vaclare79]

Today I've got to go file a report about my neighbor threatening my father in his yard... I woke up with some feeling of dread that I haven't had in a while because I'm starting school tomorrow and having my neighbor threatening my dad isn't very helpful as far as stress goes, but I will file a report and hopefully NOTHING else will go wrong or happen, GOD FORBID.
Well, I am thinking of doing another GS of course today and spaghetti is always good for breakfast or lunch! I got a peach yesterday and it wasn't that great because they're not the juicy kind I'm used to. I bought it at FOOD LION. ew.
I also have a meeting with an advisor tomorrow in the morning for the University I go to as well to plan out my classes which start the 22nd at Old Dominion Univ. I take classes right now at both community and the university because I had a transfer degree even though I transferred with enough credits I still need a few to not have to take the university's credits for the core class requirements. So, after this semester it'll just be mainly University classes and hopefully I'll graduate this year with my bachelor's because I am a junior already. :) I can't wait to graduate and get my career going. I'm 28 so I am ready!
I'll post again later, but I hope everyone has a good RAW day!!! Keep on with it people, Islesgirl and Thick don't quit.

[petaltothemetal]

Miahtay, yes, I thought Thick meant she was quitting the challenge, too, and then I read it again and decided she meant she quitting worrying about why she wasn't losing weight fast and having boundless energy like a bunch of other people on raw food forums because it might discourage her. I hope that's what she meant. Thick, are you here????? Isles, are you still here, too? Good!

Miahtay, it took me a whole year on 50% raw to lose TEN pounds! I am more active than most people with farm/garden chores and a non-desk job. But I only work out one or two days a week. (I also am a single mother and am president AND newsletter publisher for a non-profit organization.) Occasionally I'd do weight lifting in my room for a whole two weeks... and then would stop for a couple months. I have to be a little more creative to get the exercise in. I re-read the beginning of Alissa's book and she said if you're not losing weight, try food combining. So as of this morning I'm only eating fruit in the morning. I usually eat fruit, sometimes a fruit/veggie smoothie and sometimes some nuts. Further, I'm trying to group subacids with subacids, melons with melons...

So, yeah, I'm right there with you... weight is stubbornly refusing to leave me but I definitely feel like my body is changing anyway.

I read in a book a few years back (I think it was Your Body is Your Best Doctor or maybe Food is Your Best Medicine) that when you're sick, you need extra nutrition to heal. Raw food gives us extra nutrition.

[petaltothemetal]

I forgot to post my food!

Dinner last night: a huge salad at a restaurant that had some canned-type mandarin oranges and cashews on it. I'm afraid I ate the oranges and cashews. Not raw. But I also polished off the salad and my daughter ate a big burger and fries and I didn't want any of hers. So I can't say it's a 100% victory, but it's better.

Breakfast - a big fruit-only smoothie
Snack, which I'm eating right now - a small bowl of yellow watermelon
lunch and snack later - a salad, a few carrots, a green smoothie

I AM, AM, AM, AM!!!! going to the gym tonight after work. :D

[MiahTay]

VACLARE - Wow, talk about stress. We don't really have a relationship with either of our neighbors (their choice) but have never been threatened by them. That would be horrible. I hope it all works out with out further altercation.

Pedal - I know I've had other things going on that my body is working on so I will worry about weight NEXT month :). Who knows maybe I'll loose SOMETHING this month we still have 11 days!

I made a whole gallon of GS for today for myself and the two kiddos. We are over half done with it and they've decided a GS is a good way to start each day! I love when this stuff happens. And we are trying to decide if we are going to make RAW chocolate/mint icecream or mango cobbler for dessert tonight.

Time for History.

Blessings,
Heather

[petaltothemetal]

Vaclare, what are you studying? Sorry about your neighbor. I've got a rotten one, too... and it definitely adds to the stress. Not like someone you might bump into occasionally, this person can see your HOUSE and your FAMILY when you're not even home.

Jennifae, I looked at your picture on your website and you look totally different, confident and amazing. On the picture you have posted here you look like you're obsessively cleaning your fingernails! It's funny how the picture makes people think of who you are. I love Deb's picture because again, she radiates confidence and cheer. (Of course on mine, it looks like my boyfriend dropped something on his foot and I'm grinning about it...)

[islesgirl]

Hi dear rawbies - I'm still here thanks to you sweeties.

Brunch: Smoothie with baby spinach, celery tops and stalks, blueberries, coconut oil, flax seeds, water, and banana, 2 pks stevia and 1/2 lemon with tiny piece of rind. Yum!

xxoo

[Thick]

No, I'm not quitting the challenge--sorry for the confusion. What really happened is that I forgot to edit out my initial smart-alec sarcastic response after writing something more encouraging...=)>

Gs-pinapple, spinach, jalapeno
S- creamy dill dip and celery
L- salad with lemon and olive oil
S- walnuts
D- portobello pizzas w/ pesto sunflower cheese, red onions, olives, tomatoes, and red bell peppers

I've decided I need to start exercising. I have a rebounder and I'm going to jump on it every mornng before my kids get up and watch tv of some kind. If for some reason my kids wake up with me, I'll make sure I jump at night that night. Some days I might jump in the morning and at night.

Then there's the exercise of the maniacal cleaning frenzy, need to do the loud music cleaning party more often.

I'm going to grocery shop today..I'm planning on getting about 5 of each melon. I can't get enough! Not so long ago, the grocery store emergency was avacadoes, if I didnt have them I had to shop asap--now it's melons=)

I hope you eat something really fantastic today=)

[bellamausi]

EmmaT - I think we are experiencing the same kind of liquid sunshine, lol! I personally love it, since the days prior were so hot here. Everything is fresh and clean looking again! :D

So far I've only had breakfast, which was mango and blueberries.

I have nothing else planned for the day, but I am in the progress of reading through Sergei's and Valya's new book, which is fantastic! So many recipes I want to try already!

But I think I will try my hand at a modified ritz cracker today. I will have to either omit or not grind the flax seeds, since I don't like the slimey feel they give to crackers.

[MiahTay]

I'm so glad the "gang's all here"!

I posted a PLEA on the recipe thread ... I'm looking for a raw bread recipe that is more bread like for my kids. I can get them to eat the stuff like raw nut butters and fruit or pates or spreads or dips etc. But they are really wanting these things on a sandwich NOT CELERY STICKS, so I keep letting them have cooked bread with these wonderful raw things on them and it's killing me - they are SO close. So if any of you have any suggestions or recipes for a more bread like product (you know, that doesn't fall apart when you bite into it or CRUNCH) please post your suggestions.

Thanks,
Heather

[petaltothemetal]

for bread recipes, look up Russell James www.therawchef.com. I haven't tried any yet, but according to the folks on goneraw, his bread is amazing.

[Vaclare79]

Yes, it's very uncomfortable feeling I have about the neighbors beside us here.. I feel like at least one other person has to be here on our property with the one who is at home because never know what might happen now. I hope nothing, but never know these days with the things that do happen huh. Yesterday he told my dad " It's not over... " I was like what does that mean? Then he said some stupid crap to my little brother too so it's stressed me & family out making us wonder what's next? We live in a middle-upper class neighborhood where everyone supposedly intelligent and all but this guy is a little looneY tunes..

My food processor ( mini ) gave out this morning so I'm thinking of getting a cheap mini one again. I do have a vitamix so I'm going to just get another cheapo food processor I guess..
Anyone have any luck with the Magic Bullet? I want some more sunflower seeds here.. They are delicious just by themselves with a little sea salt on them yum!!
I ate a huge zuke spaghetti with 4 zucchini/2tomatoes sauce
Lunch might just be apples and grapes again..
This way of eating is really expensive for me. I need to eat the flax, coconut oil and other stuff I bought. I haven't tried it yet but I will soon.
I love this forum.. It keeps me going on the raw food & keeps every day stresses at bay. I'm going to need to become a frugal shopper because I'm a college student on a loan & need to save my money for school lol..

Thick I'm glad you didn't quit.

[bellamausi]

I have the magic bullet, and it's already my second one. Unfortunately the first one gave out after a few years. But they are so handy with small amount of dry or wet foods. I use it almost every day for something. ;)

Ok, so I finally made some ritz crackers! First time making a recipe with walnuts, since I don't like the taste of them, but I can't even taste them! And the mixture turned out so good, the kids and I had it for lunch. The kids plain and myself spread on a Mexican flax cracker! So yummy!

I do also have to say, that I used a different kind of squash, that is growing in our garden. I supposedly bought a Halloween type pumpkin, but it sure doesn't look like it, lol. It's light green and oval, not like any squash I've ever seen in the stores. But it tastes wonderful! Very mild tasting. :)

Question about Chia Seeds:
I'm going to make crackers using chia seeds, it's my first time using chia seeds. And the recipe asks for soaked seeds, but it doesn't say to rinse them or not. I'm leaning toward not rinsing, since it seems they are kind of like soaked flax? Anybody know?

[Emma-Liza]

islesgirl--hey! good to see you!

thick--Mr.Liza loves the rebounder and even 5 mins at a time is helpful.

vaclare--sorry about your neighbor. I don't understand how people have time to get all up in someone else's business, anyway. I barely have time to attend to the people I need/want to pay attention to.

oh, I wish I liked zucchini pasta; it would be so nice to have such easy dinners! I sometimes want a dinner that doesn't crunch. Like MiahTay's kids! :D Edited to say--I mean my food is always crunchy, not the kids!

Last night D--eggless salad sandwiches on romaine with thick slices of tomato
homemade coconut pecan "fudge" :)
Sleep: 7.25 hrs
Water: 64 oz

Today--
L--same as last night's supper
S#1--handful raisins, few pecans

[petaltothemetal]

you see, i've been out here alone just a little too long and I keep coming up with references to raw food men not needing those little blue pills anymore... here's another one, posted by Chris at giveittomeraw.com:

I heard something new about sex.
So i made up a 'special' "Tex Mex"
I'll soon learn the truth,
'cause It's half maca root
and for dinner, I've invited my Ex.

Heh heh. And here's another one he wrote:

Life is great living near the Equator.
Each flat rock is my dehydrator.
I live on Raw Food,
and I'm almost always nude,
just not when I'm using my grater!

[Ilse W.]

One can only hope the grater doesn't slip...

[Emma-Liza]

thanks for the laffs, petal and EmmaT! :D

[carolv]

I started raw foods a little over 2 weeks ago, and am about 98-100% raw. However, the scale won't budge! I know that I have probably been eating too much, but I think a pound or two is only fair. I have a binge eating disorder that I am trying to solve, and I guess sometimes that comes out even when I am eating raw (but a pound of nuts and 3 nectarines is better than a whole pizza right?). I know I need to start doing portion control, but I have been trying to ease into that (I don't want to fall off the wagon). It just kind of sucks because when I was a younger non- vegetarian and did Atkins (I know, I'm terrible) I would eat my weight in meat and dairy and lose. I'm just looking for some support/wisdom. Thanks!

PS I am about 20 pounds overweight (BMI 27.8) but about 40 pounds from the weight I am most comfortable at.

clairev, Jenifae gave you some really good advice. I know how not seeing results right away can be very discouraging. Don’t give up, you have to give your body time to adjust to this new way of eating. I am wondering if you are getting enough vegetables in your diet. You need to eat a wide variety of veggies and fruits and I bet that will help get your body healed. The weight will come off if you nourish your body. Don’t give up, it will happen, wait and see.


1 TBS psyllium husk in water
Breakfast: smoothie with 5 dates and date water, 1 large peach, 1 TBS flax seed meal, and baby spinach
Snack: chopped nectarine and pacific rose apple with ½ lemon juice
Lunch: collard greens salad with kim chee
Snack: Lara bar
Snack: red grapes
Dinner: red cabbage and Portobello salad with kim chee and ½ avocado
Snack: banana ice cream with macadamia nuts and carob sauce

I went to the grocery store after work today and bought a bunch of goodies to make some new things. I made the fennel salad in Alissa's book for tomorrow, I tasted a piece of fennel, not bad. I bought a cantaloupe that I cut up and put in the refrigerator. I also made the banana papaya pudding in her book, I took a taste of that (actually two tastes) and it is wonderful. I poured it over some kiwi sliced and a couple of halved strawberries. I also cut up half a pineapple that I bought for my morning smoothies. I bought a nice looking organic zucchini which I will run through the saladacco tomorrow or Friday and try it with the summer tomato sauce in Alissa's book.

It sounds like everybody is doing well and hanging in there. :)

[mmaynard]

Hey Everybody,

I had school tonight after work so am just getting home to post. I had some unexpected dental work done today and my mouth has been real sore, so my food intake has been kind of light:

- green juice of romaine, apples and oranges
- 4 dates
- 2 bananas
- 2 tbs hemp protein powder in water (definitely tastes so much better if you mix it in a smoothie, but I'm too lazy tonight and needed something)

Heather: I'm glad my post was helpful and I'm honored to get a spot on your fridge! :)

Also - it seems a lot of you are talking about exercise today. I have a great gym partner (also my chiropractor) that I meet at the gym every week day, and I've found that exercising gives me so much energy! Since I work out first thing in the morning, I also feel like I accomplished something for myself every day. :) For those of you short on time, jumping rope is great exercise (I think it burns 100 calories in 10 minutes) and I forgot how fun it is - I used to jump rope all the time when I was a kid.

Hope you all have a great night!

[islesgirl]

petal - just loved your poems today - it was great to have a good laugh! Thank you muchly!:D

[islesgirl]

I forgot to post what I ate today. I already posted Brunch.

Mid-afternoon I finished up the brunch smoothie.

Snack was a few "Ritz" Crackers

Supper: salad with Caesar dressing

Snack: "Best Raw Coffee Ever"

[Rawkinlocs]

Three weeks down!


===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[Ilse W.]

Well, it's not a slip up, but...........

......oh, am I sick! I made my own version of jalapeno burgers today and ate ALL OF THEM this evening for dinner with some yummy cucumber/tomato/onion salad. If that wasn't enough, I mixed together coconut oil, honey, and cocoa for a lazy woman's pig-out dessert, and now I'm paying for it. Oh, my poor stomach. Thank goodness, tomorrow (yes, it's really still day 20), is a new day and I get to start all over with a blank slate.

[Jenifae]

Today was a big salad yesterday was a huge salad and ate the whole thing. BUt, then I found myself craving. Wanting to continue to eat and I nibbled on raw bars... a bite here and a bite there. It's almost like I'm PMS'g but, I completely missed July so, I dunno.
I went to my meeting and on the way home ate my nuts in the snack bag about a large handful. Got home had a 1/2 grapefruit, then I ate sunflower seeds, and started on an apple. OMG! Stop me!
I'm doing good with not obsessing and dont' want to start. I hate the way I feel when I do that. I feel crazy basically. So, I'm going to try to not eat after 8pm again and if I need to to only eat fruit.
I think I still have parasites. It's a been a month since, my last parastroy.......I did this for 3 months........but, I have a itcy bum again. I'm training my cat to stay off the counters and clean them everyday. We're getting there. I'm so freaked out about parasites. :eek:

[MiahTay]

Mornin' all!

EmmaT - my stomach hurt just reading your post. I LOVE the jalapeno burger, but I can only eat small amounts because it is so heavy. I can only imagine how your stomach felt! I hate when I do that to myself. At least it was all raw so it won't be sitting in your stomach for days!

I have a busy day today. We are getting ready to put our house on the market (yeah, I know, GREAT timing) so I'm cleaning like a crazy lady (got 1/2 done yesterday) so we can take marketing pics. Also going to Sam's Club to get some produce and taking a friend with me and she wants to stop at the bookstore so it won't be a quick trip.

Food for today:

I just ate a wonderful bowl of cherries
A cacao/banana shake is in my not so distant future
Sliced Avocado/Tomato/Jalapeno Burger
GS
Large Salad
I WILL be making mango cobbler today if it kills me (even if I don't get the laundry room clean ;) )

I'll check back in later this AM.

Blessings,
Heather

[Vaclare79]

I ate grapes for breakfast today
I've got to go out to the college for appointment today. Hoping I can get on this semester.. Get all work done and pass everything without incidences happening.
GS in the fridge for later.
I need to get more food at store. I used up spinach yesterday.
Might try kale today instead though. Getting tired of spinach.
Hope everyone stays raw today & has a good day. I'll post back later about what I ate.
:)

[petaltothemetal]

EmmaT, I ate like that on Sunday. I don't know why, just did. And had heartburn afterwords, just like with cooked food. My mom said you can gain weight on anything, even carrots, if you eat a lot of them. So I guess I learned my lesson (we hope). Part of how I gained the weight in the first place was by having seconds of everything I liked, and I'm a good cook, so of course I liked everything!!!

Last night I was totally disgusted because I bought 3 1 lb containers of organic spinach on sale at the store and I opened them up yesterday and they all smelled like rot and were gross. Felt like marching into the store and making the manager eat one of the leaves... but I didn't, mostly because the store is 20+ miles away. (I live three highway exits past the boondocks and then past a couple thousand cows and sheep, some of which have pickup truck canopies for shelters...)

So I ate a skimpy green salad from my garden, which wasn't doing so well from the heat (it's just cooled down this week) and a bunch of kelp noodles I had left over plus a huge red tomato cut and sprinkled with dulse flakes...mmmmm...

This morning I had three peaches for breakfast. I was worried previously about how much I need to eat to feel right but everyone says they eat less as they go along. I am now sipping on a peach/watermelon smoothie. Later I have more salad with kelp noodles and tomatoes, a few carrots (some of them purple, I like those!) and some pumpkin seeds.

I am wearing pants today I haven't worn since before I moved! Yeeehooo! As I said yesterday, my belly looks exactly the same but my waist is definitely smaller. Been pooping a lot. Maybe that's why! Not that anyone wants to hear that...

My headache's gradually been getting better. First I had a helmet head, then something felt like it was stuffed under my skin between my eyes and now it is still there but much better.

[petaltothemetal]

I forgot to say that tonight I have a "New Owners Clinic" I have to go to for the automotive dealership I work for. It's a wonderful thing our owner does for people - we put on a great presentation about maintenance, warranties, etc and walk people through the shop and show them new and worn car parts, safety features on new cars, etc. And he buys a good dinner by most people's standards, but we are expected to sit with the customers and eat heartily and enjoy it, of course. They usually have fruit so I'll try to just say I'm not very hungry but really thirstly and load up with water and tea to try to get through the evening while everyone around me is loading up their plates.

[Thick]

Hello everyone=)

First let me tell you that cauliflower rice is excellent! I never liked raw cauliflower florets before, so I didn't really want to try it riced--boy was I wrong.

I marinated portobello mushrooms, red onions, red bell pepper and jalapeno in tamari and olive oil, then stuck them into the dehydrator in a glass pan for a couple of hours at the most. The cauliflower I just blended up in the food processor until it was cous-cousy. I've got some leftover rice--I'm going to peruse goneraw recipes today.

B- Gs spinach and banana (the only one im into lately..)
S-walnuts
L-cauliflower rice with sauce and vegetables (not sure what yet)
S-canteloupe
D-portobello pizzas(didnt make these last night)

Everyone else is sniffling around here.and Im feeling sort of achey and sleepy..so Im going to to take it easy today and drink a lot more water than usual.

Has anyone figured out the secret to a non-foamy smoothie? Is it the bananas?

[MiahTay]

Thick - I think it's using some frozen fruit, but I could be wrong. And I've been afraid to try the "riced" cauliflower so I suppose I will have to give it a go too ... I even have a head in the fridg that I need to use and I'm heading to Sams so I'll pick up some 'bellas ... mmmm.

Got to run!

Blessings,
Heather

[Thick]

And he buys a good dinner by most people's standards, but we are expected to sit with the customers and eat heartily and enjoy it, of course. They usually have fruit so I'll try to just say I'm not very hungry but really thirstly and load up with water and tea to try to get through the evening while everyone around me is loading up their plates.

Make sure you are really satisfied before you go. Eating a few too many nuts or a big rich dessert or warmed bowl of soup or all of the above is better than eating ____ at the meeting, right?

Does he go through the part that if you want to sell your car before you are finished paying it off..you'll probably owe more than you can sell it for? (**grumbles at Jeep**)

[jewell1908]

Hi, Guys!

Still 100% today.

[petaltothemetal]

Actually, he doesnt try to sell anything or spread any negative stories or anything, although he does mention several times how wonderful our body shop is... and that they don't have to go somewhere else their insurance company recommends, so I guess that's selling!

Yeah, I think I'll hit the health food store on the way because I know I didn't bring enough to get me through the night.

[ReneeH]

[B]Hey RAWbies!!!!

Today I've had:

A few Bananas
Nuts for Snacks
Flax Crackers
Green Smoothie
Zucchini Pasta w/Marinara Sauce
w/extra Muchrooms (just LOVE Mushrooms!!!!) :)

I'm gonna have RAW Soft Taco w/Fresh Tomato Salsa!!! YUMMY!!! I'll have Alissa's Eggplant Pizza Tomorrow since I have to cook for my SAD Hubby today and make him SAD Tacos....I figure I may as well have the RAW version myself....

[saxmaam]

Hello everyone=)
Has anyone figured out the secret to a non-foamy smoothie? Is it the bananas?

Mine aren't foamy. I add a little bit of coconut oil, maybe one teaspoon.

[ReneeH]

Feeling good...

Doing Great!!!!

[foxieroxie104]

46 DAYS NOW. Still RAW and still going strong.
I have been feeling a bit crappy due to TOM but hanging in there. The weird thing I always CRAVE chocolate and well I could care less this time. Wow for me. What a break through. I am down 26 lbs but still waiting till it is all over. I hope to have the last 4 lbs gone.

I have been doing more reading on the internet and have some books on reserve for some easy recipes. Everything I have been making and eating has been good so far. I had a grawt green day today and I may tap it off that way. I am also thinking of making some ice cream too. Although I am not really hungry when I get home. I have been workingout allot with training w/dd team then doing my own class after.

Well have to get out of here have a grawt day.

[Emma-Liza]

Still kind of weird-feeling, post-cold stuff. I was feeling clammy and shaky this morning, so I took my temp, AFTER getting dressed, blow drying hair, etc. It was 96.3. Isn't that kind of low?

Last night D--fruit smoothie: mango, peach, strawberries. Gorgeous sunset color!
couple of ritz crackers
Sleep: 8 hrs
Water: 40 oz

Today (Still no breakfast. When will I want food in the morning again?)
L--salad bar salad: 2 kinds of lettuce, sprouts, lots of veggies
S#1--fruit cup: grapes, melon, berries, pineapple
S#2--trail mix

[mmaynard]

Hi Everybody,

Feeling a bit emotional today and not quite sure why. I cried on the way to work but have no clue what it was about. In general I am just feeling a bit down. Tomorrow I will be outside all day instead of in the office because my team and I are doing community service at the SPCA. It's supposed to be 87 degrees tomorrow and hopefully sunny, so I am hoping the fresh air and sunshine will have me feeling like myself by the end of the day.

It was a relatively light day for me again today:

Breakfast - Banana
Lunch - Lara bar
Snack - Plum
Snack #2 - Chocolate truffle (just one) :)
Dinner - jicama, two cherry tomatoes and some yellow pepper slices

I have some raw chocolate ice cream and I was going to have a bit tonight with some honey on it. Should be yummy!

I made Alissa's spicy fries tonight with the jicama and it's currently marinating. Anyone try this? I am going to have it tomorrow night for dinner. It's supposed to take on the look and texture of fast food fries so I'm hoping it will satisfy my cravings.

Have a great night!

Michelle

[petaltothemetal]

Still kind of weird-feeling, post-cold stuff. I was feeling clammy and shaky this morning, so I took my temp, AFTER getting dressed, blow drying hair, etc. It was 96.3. Isn't that kind of low?



Emma, a slightly lower body temp is supposed to be normal when starting a raw food diet (although I occasionally feel like I have a fever for about 15 minutes!) It's also a sign of hypothyroid. You can try adding dulse and kelp flakes, which are delicious, to your salads and smoothies and see if you feel better in a couple days. Hope it works for you. It helps me (off thyroid meds for a year+)

[Vaclare79]

Well, after experiencing anxiety all summer, I actually drove out to my college which about 20 mins away today to meet my teacher even though I met a friend along the way to go out there with me.. I hope the anxiety will go away. Today I've been really stressed because I've got loans for college, need another one that I'm waiting for since really low on money and no job right now since I'm taking a full load so I can finish sooner. I withdrew because of illness last semester and I'm hoping that I won't have any problems with my health this semester or anything bad happen. I'm just stressing a lot lately.. I will be taking 5 or 6 classes which is more than 12 credits.. I know I can handle the classes but I'm hoping I won't get sick or have anything wrong with my body this time causing me to withdraw again.
I will TRY again though I'm going to be extremely upset if I don't succeed this time.
I ate raw spaghetti at lunch again.
Some more grapes for snack/dinner
Was more tired today because I've been stressed out lately. Slept a lot today and I still feel tired so I'm just drinking some water right now.
The weather here is turning cooler although in VA the weather is a little wishy washy, changing at ANY time of the day/night during the season.
Sad that I missed out on this summer because of being sick but I guess I should look at it as I'm going to be better next summer. :)

[carolv]

mmaynard, hope you cheer up soon. I know what it feels like when your emotions run wild. I’ve been lucky that I haven’t had that problem in a long, long time.

I bought a jicama today for a pear, beet and jicama salad and I have ½ of it left (it was a big one). Unfortunately, I don’t have my dehydrator yet, just ordered it the other day, but I have been wondering what the jicama fries would taste like. Please let me know what you think of them, I’m curious.



Vaclare79, stress can really mess you up. I hope that you can find the time to really relax a little every day. Even if it is just for a small amount of time it can really help to reduce your stress level. Good luck with your classes and I hope you get your loan soon.



1 TBS psyllium husk in water
Breakfast: smoothie with 3 dates and date water, 1 small peach, pineapple, banana, 1 TBS flax seed meal, and baby spinach
Snack: pepino melon
Lunch: collard greens salad with kim chee and ½ avocado, green salad with romaine, shredded carrot and red cabbage, tomatoes, snow peas, broccoli, baby carrots, sugar snap peas, red onion, alfalfa sprouts with vinegar, flax oil, salt, and pepper.
Snack: Lara bar
Dinner: pear, beet, and jicama salad with red boston lettuce and honey mustard dressing
Snack: walnut fudge
Snack: banana papaya pudding with kiwi and strawberries (this is much better when eaten right away, I put it in the fridge overnight and it browned up and didn’t taste as good)

I keep forgetting to mention that I had been having problems with my gums hurting on the right side of my mouth when I brush. I noticed several days ago that they aren’t sensitive anymore. YEAH! :)

[Vaclare79]

Thank you carolv.
I LOVE this forum. Not only can we talk about food but EVERYTHING and anything that bothers us in our lives. It's great. :) I have found such supportive people here.

[bellamausi]

Hi everyone!
It's so awesome to see so many still around! Three weeks! :D

B: nectarines, blueberries
S: green smoothie
L: ritz crackers
S: freshly made salsa and mexican flax crackers as chips
D: leftover green smoothie powered up with carrot greens

[Jenifae]

Everyone is doing so well...............I'm doing good but, on the ege and eating starting to feel like I'm eating too much. I don't want to trip on it so, I'm trying to hold the obsession at bay.

Today:

B: Banana
L: Huge Salad (at Soup Plantation) - spinach, red cabbage, carrots, celery, bell pepper, peas, radishes, zuchinni, broccoli, califlower, cucumbers, garbonzo beans, kidney beans, sunflower seeds, balsamic dressing.
S: Larabar
S: 1/2 grapefruit & Knitsters Almost Caramels (1)

Drinking water..........trying to stop the binge.

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a wonderful day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[MiahTay]

Mmaynard - I hope being outside in the fresh air and sunshine improves your emotional state, it usually works for me.

VAClare - Stress is horrible, and I agree with the one that posted (I'm sorry I'm not in that window and I don't remember who it was) you really need to make an effort to take at least a small amount of time doing something to combat your stress, you'll be able to go farther for longer.

Well, I have officially decided I'm addicted to RFT ... my hubby was using my laptop all evening last night and it was almost killing me - LOL!

Today is grocery shopping day, I hate grocery shopping for the most part, but at least I can get out while it's not to busy. Haven't given much thought to food for today but I think it should look something like:

GS
Banana (usually in the grocery store parking lot-lol)
Mango Cobbler
Cacao/banana shake
Large Salad (I will likely make Thicks-marinated 'bellas, peppers, onions on cauliflower rice too)
Mint Chocolate Ice Cream (my kids really want to try this, I'm skeptical)

Have a GREAT raw day!

Blessings,
Heather

[Vaclare79]

Hey MiahTay
I agree.. Lately I have been riding my bike I bought recently. Trying to exercise a little :)
Today I need to order my books since haven't done it yet and check on financial aid to make sure it's coming.
I will eat grapes/apples for breakfast
Possibly raw spaghetti for lunch
dinner is probably going to be a GS
I have cauliflower and yellow squash.. I've got to eat that before it goes bad.
Hope everyone has a great day :)

[ReneeH]

Hey Everyone!!!

I am planning to have Alissa's Eggplant Pizza today, so I'm gettiing ready to put it together in the Dehydrator. I love it because it's so simple to make and I love the Eggplant Spinach combination!!!

I wish that I could pop on over to Boston and stop over at Grezzo!!!.... Well, maybe someday when I have a layover there.....

Anyway, have a RAWsome day everyone!!!

[jewell1908]

Hey Guys,

Hope everyone is doing great. Still 100% raw. Have a wonderful weekend.

[islesgirl]

Started the day with my 20 minute walk and RAN 2 blocks this time (taking a break between them to catch my breath). I am so glad I did this because I wasn't even going to take my walk this morning as I have been so tired in the mornings. Have been having trouble with my back a bit more than usual (herniated disk) and so take Tyl 1 for the pain at night and it makes me pretty groggy.

Just ate a delicious apple........more food later after shopping!:)

[Thick]

Hello=)

I'm going grocery shopping today , too. Another cauliflower is definately on my list. I hope you like the cauliflower riced MiahTay! Yesterday I made it meditteranean w/ tomatoes, basil, red onions, yellow bell pepper, italian seasoning, olive oil , olives and a clove of garlic.

Yes, the often unmentionable RFT addiction. I have it, too--but there are worse vices...

Plan A=
B-canteloupe
S-pecans
L- corn salad w/ tomatoes, scallion, cilantro, avacado, bell pepper
D-portobello pizzas w/ tomato, red onion, basil, bell pepper, olives and sunflower seed cheese
S- ritz cracker w/ avacado (if neccessary)

What do you guys do when going to a restaurant with your family? How can you handle the temptation and deprivation?=)

[islesgirl]

Thick, when do you have time to plan all these delicious meals? I know I am not nearly well organized enough. Do you plan a week in advance or the day before? Do you have to cook sad food for other family members? Mmm it sound so yummy. My husband is supposed to take a trip to visit his daughters next month for a few days. I can't sit for that long in his car as it hurts my back. So that will be a perfect time for me to do some raw food recipes - there will be no interruptions at all! Can't wait!:D

[petaltothemetal]

Hello=)

What do you guys do when going to a restaurant with your family? How can you handle the temptation and deprivation?=)

Hee hee, an answer to your question and what I did last night:

A raw foodist at a buffet
stared at her dish in dismay
She swore not to stray
She ate more garnish than buffet!

[MiahTay]

Hello=)

I'm going grocery shopping today , too. Another cauliflower is definately on my list. I hope you like the cauliflower riced MiahTay! Yesterday I made it meditteranean w/ tomatoes, basil, red onions, yellow bell pepper, italian seasoning, olive oil , olives and a clove of garlic.

Yes, the often unmentionable RFT addiction. I have it, too--but there are worse vices...

What do you guys do when going to a restaurant with your family? How can you handle the temptation and deprivation?=)

I bought the ingredients for the riced cauliflower and I'm doing similar to what you did with the mediteranian veggies, I'll let you know how mine turns out but it sounds so good.

RESTAURANT - Well, ummm ... I still have to avoid restaurants or they are my undoing. I have in the past just chose a restaurant that has salad bar, the bad thing is that usually means it's a buffet ... ummm, not good. SO, for now I avoid. I'm interested in what others do as well. I still feel to deprived if I'm sitting at a buffet eating a salad, but I think it's a mind set because all the food on the buffet is DEAD and/or DEADLY, I know I really don't want to put that in my body but the nostalgia and the smells still get me.

I just got done eating a bowl full of mango cobbler (Ani Phyo's) for lunch, I got home from the grocery store and I was STARVING but thankfully ALL I could think of was HURRY! MAKE THE MANGO COBBLER! That is ALL I wanted and it tasted OH SO GOOD!

Blessings,
Heather

[petaltothemetal]

Today: 2 peaches for breakfast
another for snack in a minute, along with a raw food bar (I'm hungry!)
some watermelon for another snack
some salad for lunch
an avocado for another snack
some carrots for another snack
and a Larabar if I'm still hungry

sheesh and I wonder why I don't lose weight fast.

[petaltothemetal]

I have in the past just chose a restaurant that has salad bar, the bad thing is that usually means it's a buffet ... ummm, not good.


I got lucky last night (with the FOOD!!!!) and the buffet was surrounded by strawberries, normal grapes and adorable little teeny grapes for decoration. It also had a boring salad, some cantaloupe, pineapple and watermelon, so those are the things I ate. The lady who was ladeling out rice and chicken and cooked veggies stared at me pointedly while I dismantled her decorations and I took wicked glee in it. :D

[MiahTay]

Petal - I LOVED your Buffet poem. And I can just see the lady (probably overweight and wearing a hairnet) GLARING at you for taking her "decoration"! I would have liked to join you in the fun.

Blessings,
Heather

[ReneeH]

Ha, ha, ha.... ME TOOOOO!!!! GOLDEN MOMENT FOR THE RAW FOOD BOOKS!!!

[Emma-Liza]

When I go to restaurants, I eat salad. Just that. I try not to look at other people's food. I people-watch and yak yak yak. If the salad isn't too good, I plan a luscious smoothie for when I get home--the worse the salad, the more luxurious the smoothie! Keeps me going!

Last night D--smoothie: pineapple, peach, banana
2 portabello mushrooms, marinated, dehydrated for an hour
S--flax cracker, 2 olives
Sleep: who knows? sleepless part of the night
Water: 64 oz

Today B--handful almonds
L--spinach salad: spinach, strawberries, red onion, carrots, sunflower seeds, balsamic & oil
S--bought a mixed fruit cup and I have some more almonds

Dinner is a "potluck" party. I'm bringing a huge bowl of melons, berries, and pineapple. My stepmother is bringing a huge green salad with veggies and dried fruit. So those will be my dinner! I'm not worried about navigating around the inevitable desserts, but the savory things will be difficult.

I really miss savory things! It seems I've always got choices for sweet things, but not so much savory things....think I'll try thick's cauliflower rice with some of my marinated mushrooms. :)

[Vaclare79]

I haven't varied my diet much this month going raw.. Pretty much eating the same things. I need some more variety, but afraid to eat something different because lately I have had some changes with not being able to eat certain things and kind of made me afraid/anxious to try different things..
:(
I've been invited to a party tonight for a friend's birthday and I know they'll be eating and drinking... I'm going to be driving about an hour to get there or so. I don't really want to drive out there and even worse be away from home watching people eat makes me crazy when I'm eating RAW. I might still go.. I'm going to take a nap or lay down for a little while since I've been kind of tired and it's cloudy today. Hopefully I'll feel like going and have a good time tonight.
So far I ate grapes for breakfast
Lunch was raw pasta it's SO addicting!!
Dinner is cucumbers with some ACV

I kept reading that unless food is chewed up REALLY good or blended that it isn't digested well and having had digestive issues I'm really hung up and obsessed over what gets digested etc... I'm becoming obsessed with things that most people wouldn't think twice about and it's starting to drive me crazy that I'm crazy lol..

[Ilse W.]

This morning I had to go to the eye doctor early, so I took Max along and we went for a nice walk through the woods afterwards. I bought 2 whole chickens which I now have to take apart. It's not something I like to do, specially since it's not just chicken parts....I can't deprive my pets of the things that are natural for them, though. Kodie, 15 year old former champion siamese, has been eating baked turkey for the last year. Yes, I would buy organic turkey and baked it and take it apart and freeze it in baggies for the little picky eater. Now I realize that baked is not any better for animals than for humans, therefore.....Maxwell Smartiepants has been eating raw for a while, but at least I can buy his food already prepackaged and frozen.
On to more enjoyable things -
Had a nice smoothie after we got back home, pineapple/banana/assorted greens. Now I feel like having soup, probably tomato/basil with shiitake mushrooms. For dinner it's going to be a salad or spaghetti, I'll see what I feel like having when the time comes.

[MiahTay]

EmmaT - Hats off to you, I don't know if I could do raw meat for my pets. I luckily have a raw vegan pet :D . He eats and loves everything we eat.

I'm working on a little bit of a headache I think I might need to eat a little something. I'm still working on processing produce and getting stuff put away from my trip to the grocery store and need to get my stuff for dinner into a marinade. So, off I go back to the kitchen .... hmmmm, maybe a chocolate shake :rolleyes: .

Blessings,
Heather

[mmaynard]

Hey Ladies,

I feel so much better today from the sunshine and hard work! I went to the gym this morning as normal, and then headed to the SPCA for my team's volunteer work. We were responsible for moving and putting up some new chain link fencing to create an area for their goats in the horse pasture, and then a few areas that people can socialize outside with their dogs. It was just what I needed today - I didn't have to think about anything except what I was doing, and it was nice to see it all accomplished! It was a lot of hard work carrying the fence but I'm happy I did it.

Carolv - The spicy jicama fries that I made yesterday aren't dehydrated - they are just marinated in honey, olive oil, lemon juice, cayenne and chili pepper. They aren't bad but I think I need to stop making food that "reminds" me of cooked food that I like, because inevitably it doesn't taste exactly the same. I'm finding that with the exception of the zucchini pasta, watermelon soup and onion dip, I'd really just prefer to eat whole fruits and veggies right now.

After we left the SPCA, we all went to lunch at a Mexican place down the road. Usually when I eat out, it is Mexican, so I know that I will have a large salad with guacamole on top. This time they had fresh pineapple salsa as well, so I had some of that with it. But besides going for Mexican food, I don't really enjoy the salads at the other places we go. I always feel like I could be having something so much better at home! I find that we are going out to eat less and less (which is nice for the wallet!), and my husband will occasionally go to Grezzo with me (though he struggles finding something that HE will eat). :)

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[MiahTay]

Oh Mmaynard, I am SO jealous that you live close enough to Grezzo to actually go there. I totally live in the land of FRIED FOOD and WHITE flour EVERYTHING. Juice bar ... WHAT'S THAT? HF store ... hmmm, well, not so good. I literally have to order by mail or drive an hour (or more depending on traffic) to get anything you can't find at a regular grocery store! For pete's sake I have to drive 45 minutes just to get to Sam's Club! OK, I'm done now. The up side is that we were able to afford to buy 6 acres and I'll be able to grow a lot of our food ... that is if we ever get a house built on it. Ok, I'm really done now. No really Mmaynard, I am so happy for you that is SO COOL that you live close enough to go there. Enjoy it for those of us that can't!

I've got Portobellas/Onions/Red Peppers with a tomato/basil/garlic marinade in the dehydrator for a couple of hours ... my house is starting to smell devine! I'm tired tonight but have gotten a lot done. I think as I start trying new recipes, I am going to begin taking pictures of them so I can remember what it is that I've done.

I suppose that's about all for now.

Blessings,
Heather

[MiahTay]

I haven't varied my diet much this month going raw.. Pretty much eating the same things. I need some more variety, but afraid to eat something different because lately I have had some changes with not being able to eat certain things and kind of made me afraid/anxious to try different things..
:(

You could always just try one new thing a week and gradually build up your options. And that way if it doesn't work for you it's just ONE thing.

Blessings,
Heather

[islesgirl]

Well, today I have had hardly anything to eat as I've been running around a lot but I wasn't all that hungry anyway. So far all I have had is a yummy apple and a delicious black plum and a great nectarine! Now I am sipping on some water and tonight we are having another Greek Salad.

MiahTay Would it be possible for you to tell me exactly how to make the marinade for the bellas? and also how long to dehydrate them? Please?

[MiahTay]

Well, today I have had hardly anything to eat as I've been running around a lot but I wasn't all that hungry anyway. So far all I have had is a yummy apple and a delicious black plum and a great nectarine! Now I am sipping on some water and tonight we are having another Greek Salad.

MiahTay Would it be possible for you to tell me exactly how to make the marinade for the bellas? and also how long to dehydrate them? Please?

Since it's the first time I've ever done this I will fill you in on all the details after dinner (read - after I taste it :) ). But so far it looks and smells good. Maybe Thick can tell you exactly how she did hers? I will say as I'm making this, if it turns out as good as it seems like it is ... I see a curried version coming in my future.

Man, my headache isn't letting up ... I did say I was going to go eat something and didn't so maybe I should have.

Blessings,
Heather

[Thick]

Would it be possible for you to tell me exactly how to make the marinade for the bellas? and also how long to dehydrate them? Please?


Is it so versatile. You can just add soem nama shoyu/tamari to olive oil and put it on the mushrooms and eat it just like that--very good.

You can also add othedr stuff to the marinade like herbs, pepper or garlic. All up to you Islesgirl.

Or you can take the additional step of putting them in the dehydrator. They don't take very long. I don't time them, just put them in "for a spell"=)> Today I made some for pizzas and put them in before I left and took them out when I got home..they don't get dry and yucky (at least I haven't seen that yet) theres so much oil in the marinade..they just get "cooked" and meaty.

We should definately post pictures of our food. Thats a great idea!=) I'll show you mine if you show me yours..

[islesgirl]

MiahTay, I sure hope your headache gets better soon. And I look forward to hearing about your bellas.

Thanks Thick - I just have to try these but I will wait until MiahTay eats hers and maybe she will be able to tell me a bit more. I would just love to use them for pizzas - those flavors are so good. I am so afraid to do it "to taste". No confidence here. But then if I did it and liked it - wouldn't that be wonderful?!:)

[carolv]

I’ve been fortunate enough to NOT have been to any restaurants since I started the challenge. However, I have been to 2 pot lucks with one more coming up tomorrow. It is hard to smell the aroma of the cooked food and look at the foods I love (which is pretty much everything LOL). Luckily, I DO LOVE the foods on the raw diet too, so I just focus on them and remind myself that I can eat as much of and even more of it and not have to worry about gaining weight, feeling tired or bloated, and damaging my body. I think I’ll bring a variety of raw veggies and maybe a bowl of fruit too.

By the way, I still flip over to the Food Network occasionally and caught an episode of 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray. She made this wonderful celery and Portobello salad that is raw (with the exception of shaved parm that she put on top). I think I will make it tomorrow, maybe I’ll even take that to the pot luck.

Breakfast: smoothie with 3 dates and date water, pineapple, banana, 1 TBS flax seed meal, alfalfa sprouts and baby spinach (this is the first time I’ve tried it with sprouts which gave it a different taste, not bad, kind of refreshing)
Snack: chopped red apples and ½ chopped large peach with ½ lemon juice
Lunch: pear, beet, and jicama salad with red boston lettuce and honey mustard dressing and alfalfa sprouts. Also had 3 sliced tomatoes with sea salt
Snack: Almonds
Dinner: angel hair zucchini with summer tomato sauce, fennel salad, and cucumber onion salad
Snack: banana ice cream with macadamia nuts and carob sauce
Snack: canteloupe

[MiahTay]

MiahTay, I sure hope your headache gets better soon. And I look forward to hearing about your bellas.

Thanks Thick - I just have to try these but I will wait until MiahTay eats hers and maybe she will be able to tell me a bit more. I would just love to use them for pizzas - those flavors are so good. I am so afraid to do it "to taste". No confidence here. But then if I did it and liked it - wouldn't that be wonderful?!:)

WELL ... I'm in love with the THEORY of this but my marinade left something to be desired. This is what I did and maybe you can improve ...

I sliced my bellas thin then I added thinly sliced onion and red bell pepper.
For my marinade I used:
2 med. tomatoes
1/2 package of basil (you know the small packages you get at the grocery store)
1 clove garlic
2 oz apple cider vinegar
3 oz EVOO
2 tsp sea salt

I blended all the ingredients in the vita mix until smooth, poured this over my bellas/peppers/onions, then put it in the dehydrator for 2 hours. The consistency of the mushrooms was like they were cooked. If I were to change this exact recipe I would greatly reduce the amount of Apple Cider Vinegar or leave it out all together. So ... what I would RECOMMEND is making a marinade that you like and doing it with your marinade. I think I will try this again probably with some curry in the mix. Sorry this isn't much help, it was edible but I won't make the marinade exactly the same next time.

Blessings,
Heather

[Thick]

WELL ... I'm in love with the THEORY of this but my marinade left something to be desired.
Sorry this isn't much help, it was edible but I won't make the marinade exactly the same next time.

Blessings,
Heather


Ahh, the acv doesn't sound very yummy..im sorry you didn't like it. I just use nama shoyu/tamari and olive oil for the marinade and let the vegetables be the flavor. Did you like the texture of the cauliflower rice?

[mmaynard]

MiahTay - I'm sorry you don't have a raw food restaurant near you! If you are ever in this area, I really recommend the papaya steak at Grezzo. They filet the papaya so it looks like a salmon steak, and then they have a teriyaki glaze over it that is DIVINE. I always have to get another one to take home for lunch the next day since it is so good! They also have an awesome brownie sundae. YUM! Makes me want to go there again. :)

Have a great night!

Michelle

[MiahTay]

My "rice" turned out more like "couscous" but it was good. And like I said I will be doing this again, I think I'll make it with a curry sauce.

Then I topped off my meal with a serving of Mango Cobbler! Mmmm.

It's been a good day, tomorrow we are off to the Exotic Bird Fair in Chattanooga in the morning and I'm going to check out a Birkenstock store while I'm up there. I will be soaking another batch of walnuts for more jalapeno burgers. Mmmmm.

I'm heading to bed.

Blessings,
Heather

[Vaclare79]

Hey, I did eat some brocolli and cauliflower in addition to the raw spaghetti, apple/grapes and cucumbers with some ACV today.. I got invited to a party for one of my friend's bday, but I just stayed home even after I got ready & pretty.
I didn't eat a GS or salad today so that is what I need to eat tomorrow!!


Is French's MUSTARD allowed on raw diets?

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a great day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[jewell1908]

Good morning Family,

Hope all is well. Remaining 100%. Have a fantastic weekend!

[Ilse W.]

Yesterday, I made some rye bread with my leftovers from making rejuvelac. Turned out darned good, the recipe was my own invention (that's how I have always cooked as well). It came out of the dehydrator this morning. Thought I'd make something to put on it to taste test it. Checked Alissa's book and tried the swiss cheese. Well, I won't do that again. I guess my thing is to stick as close to nature as possible. I really have to stay away from stuff that's supposed to resemble SAD food. It just never comes close. I added chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper, some spices, and now have a spread that's somewhat edible. Throwing food away is not an option in my book. So for breakfast I had 2 slices of rye bread with my spread and sliced cucumber. I'll see how I do without my regular morning GS. I might have one of those for lunch and end the day with zucchini pasta and marinara or maybe mushroom gravy.
Today is a NO EXCUSES day. I have not mowed my yard in over a month. It resembles the prairie it once was. I shouldn't let it go that long, but lately with the price of fuel I just didn't feel like riding the beast of a lawnmower. It's bad enough that I have to drive the puppy to the river or the woods to walk every morning. I could go to the beach (if you can call it that in Washington, more like gravel at the water's edge), it's only a block from my house, but then he gets all salty and needs a bath after.
Have a great raw day, everybody!

[Thick]

Hi everyone=)

Today I have an extra 11 year old and we're going to a kids circus, the beach and "The candy factory" an old fashioned, pick out your homemade junk place. I'll be fine, don't worry. I let the kids pick out $1.00 worth of whatever they want..they feel like big kids and feel like Christmas morning--but with today's prices, one dollar isn't much.

My plan=
Gs- spinach and banana
S- can't elope
L-Ritz cracker pizza w/ sunflower pesto cheese and toppings
S-plums (so sweet and juicy right now!)
S-pecans
S-truffles (to bring out at candy factory)
D- indian spinach dip (Alissa's) with cauliflower rice, err couscous

( I know, I know I eat like a hobbit don't I? lol)

I'm proud of you for having a no excuses day, Emma!=) I need more of those, too...
And Jewel I'm glad you are staying 100% --I just wish I could indulge my nosiness with your menus!=)

[Emma-Liza]

EmmaT--Our yard is so shady, we almost don't have grass. Hee. Mr.Liza thinks this is embarrassing, but neither of us is the mowing type. We've been contemplating a moss garden.

thick--I marinate my veggies in oil and nama shoyu, too. sometimes a bit of black pepper. I'm going to get some cauliflower today to try the couscous/rice.

All I've eaten so far today is a large bowl of fresh fruit--can't elope, honey do, pie nipple, what a melon, green-gray ps.

How'd I do, thick?

[mjenglish1]

Hello,
I am new to this and have been toying with raw for some time. I am FINALLY ready to get serious and stay serious! I thought a 30 day challenge just may be what I need to stay motivtated and focused. Any thoughts??

[Jenifae]

My puter been on the Fritz so, I"m on hubby's.

I've done good just seem to be consuming larger amounts of food then normal. I am kinda on a binge with RAW.

Yesterday I ate:

B: BAnana
L: 1/2 salad at Pick-up-stix
D: Large Salad at Soup Plantation w/all the veggies I love - spinach, cabbage, carrots, celery, zuchinni, broccoli, califlower, tomatoe, vingerette
S/D: This is the OMG part...........3 - 1/2 raw bars and 2 almost caramel
S: apple

Today so far

B: 1 1/2 bananas
S: small handful of nuts and 1/2 grapefruit
L: 4 baby carrots & 1/2 avocado

Tonight we're supposed to go to Soup Plantation again to meet friends. I hope I can keep it small ;)

[MiahTay]

Hey all! We got up this morning and went to the Bird Fair, had a great morning. Came home and my dd and I did pedicures and now we are watching a movie (BTW - Scorpion King 2 is a BOMB). Headache still here, I think I need to go to the chiropractor.

Food for today:

Banana
Lara Bar
Pineapple and Watermelon
GS
Mango Cobbler

Tomorrow is our pot luck day here. I will be making a veggie tray with jalapeno burger and Rich Cheddar Sauce for my raw option.

Blessings,
Heather

[MiahTay]

Hello,
I am new to this and have been toying with raw for some time. I am FINALLY ready to get serious and stay serious! I thought a 30 day challenge just may be what I need to stay motivtated and focused. Any thoughts??

YES! It's a great way to stay motivated and focused. WELCOME!

Heather

[Thick]

thick[/COLOR]?]

Ooooooh Pie nipples...grrrr

Yes, I know of the romantic tragedy of the pleading Honey do and the always refusing Cant elope..so sad.

Don't forget seize-her dressing, or seize her salad.=)

[Thick]

I've done good just seem to be consuming larger amounts of food then normal. I am kinda on a binge with RAW.


Jenifae, I don't have all of my eating issues worked out yet, but it seems to me that unless there are things you've eaten and not reported..it doesn't seem like you should be too worried about overeating.

I know this is a really touchy subject, but I care about you and want you to be happy.=)

[Vaclare79]

I haven't eaten much today.

Green grapes,

raw spaghetti *tomatoes/zucchini/garlic*

cucumbers
That's about it for today.. I'm tired & getting frustrated with myself with a lot lately.. Including not eating more variety here even though I'm enjoying what I'm eating..

[carolv]

Checked Alissa's book and tried the swiss cheese. Well, I won't do that again. I guess my thing is to stick as close to nature as possible. I really have to stay away from stuff that's supposed to resemble SAD food. It just never comes close.

EmmaT, I have to agree with you. I’ve tried the onion dip and the fettuccini alfredo, and didn’t care for either one.


Hello,
I am new to this and have been toying with raw for some time. I am FINALLY ready to get serious and stay serious! I thought a 30 day challenge just may be what I need to stay motivtated and focused. Any thoughts??

mjenglish1, the 30 day challenge has really helped me. I don’t think I could have stayed raw for this long without the support provided here. It’s a great way to get serious about being raw.



I've done good just seem to be consuming larger amounts of food then normal. I am kinda on a binge with RAW.

Jenifae, I've been eating more raw too but at least it's healthier than eating that large of an amount cooked.


Breakfast: cantaloupe and smoothie with pineapple, banana, 1 TBS Flax seed, orange juice, and baby spinach
Snack: ½ avocado with Bragg’s Liquid Amino
Lunch: baby carrots, broccoli, sliced green pepper, mushrooms with onion dip and red pepper dip (didn’t really care for either of the dips) Also had celery and Portobello salad, 2 slices tomato, cantaloupe and watermelon
Dinner: pear, beet, and jicama salad with red boston lettuce and apple cider vinegar, baby carrots, broccoli, cherry tomatoes
Snack: banana ice cream with macadamia nuts and carob sauce
Snack: lara bar

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a RAWesome day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[Vaclare79]

Good day people. I'm planning on eating the rest of the grapes/apples I have.. Along with the zucchini/tomatoes & getting some sunflower seeds too. I've been craving them lately.
I will make me a GS with spinach/tomatoes/garlic maybe some carrots celery

[Thick]

Sunday=
B-Gs w/ tomato, garlic and spinach (hereforth known as the Vaclare)
S- papaya w/ lime and cayenne
L-ritz cracker sandwich w/ avacado, lettuce and tomato & fresh basil leaves
S- strawberry shortcake http://www.rawfreedomcommunity.info/forum/showthread.php?t=1846
D- an old favorite, avacado and pico de gallo w/ greenleaf lettuce

Just gotta go get the lecithin in the morning. They had better have it because I need that cake!=)>

I thought I was going to lose about 50 pounds this summer..all my fault that I didn't..still the summer coming to an end makes me feel a bit sad.But, I am not depressed anymore, havent strangled anyone, don't yell at drive thru window people,my back doesn't hurt, my children are eating a lot of raw alongside me, I often feel the universe surrounding me with love and warmth and have come close to tears of joy in the grocery store from gratitude of being allowed in the Garden of Eden....

Now, to channel that "going to do all my homework and make straight A's" September girl inside me=)

[Jenifae]

Jenifae, I don't have all of my eating issues worked out yet, but it seems to me that unless there are things you've eaten and not reported..it doesn't seem like you should be too worried about overeating.

I know this is a really touchy subject, but I care about you and want you to be happy.=)

Thick you are so thoughtful. I am reporting it but, maybe not the size. However, I used to eat smaller amounts then I am now but, I also ate bread, sugar, junk, etc.
You are so thoughtful. THank you for your support :)
Carolv Thatnks for sharing. It's nice to not feel alone.

[Jenifae]

Well, we went out to dinner with our friends at Soup Plantation. I ate almost a full plate of salad. What I consider a Huge Salad of all my normal veggies. I'm stuffed.

[mmaynard]

Good morning,

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday but stayed raw. I was cranky again yesterday and nothing seemed appealing to eat - I really had a lot of SAD cravings. I had chocolate ice cream and then a chocolate truffle afterwards and it at least kept me on track.

Today I started off with some watermelon and I'm not sure about the rest of the day. I really want to try the cheesy chips but need to find the nutritional yeast at the store.

Have a great day!

Michelle

[Vaclare79]

lol Thick the vaclare huh. Yeah, it's pretty good smoothie though I've got to try others because one smoothie ain't going to cut it. AM just afraid to try new ones because of the money I might waste you know. Hate wasting money especially when I don't have much at all right now.
Well, am going to get my books for school today ( some of them ).. I got to wait on the credit card for the other books.. Since don't have my loan yet. Stinks having loans/credit cards to pay off when I get out of school, but am hopefully going to have a good job then!
Have a great raw day. I'll check back later.

[MiahTay]

Just want to check in quick before my day gets away from me. We are having pot luck here at the house today. I have a nice big veggie tray planned with jalapeno burger (served as pate) and Rich Cheddar Sauce (that doesn't taste like CHEDDAR SAUCE, but is good anyway). I have REALLY noticed a difference in my cravings as long as I start my day with a nice big GS. It is really remarkable, the difference. So, I will check back in tonight. Hope you all have a GREAT raw day!

Food for today:

GS
Mango Cobbler
Assorted Veggies with dip/pate
Nice BIG Chocolate Smoothie
Maybe more veggies if I'm still hungry

Blessings,
Heather

[bellamausi]

I have to strongly agree with MiahTay! Green Smoothies rock! I think that might be the difference I am feeling between last time's horrible cravings and this time much easier cravings!

I have to share a wonderful Barley salad I came across.
1 cup barley, soaked overnight and then processed into small pieces
1/3 cucumber, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
2 - 3 green onions
salt
1 tbl agave nectar
1 - 2 tbl olive oil

Just mix together. In my opinion it got better the longer you let it sit. The barley softened even more.

The best discovery about this recipe was, that I ended up chopping up the barley! What a difference it makes, instead of having the kernels to chew on!

The barley is so mild flavored, I am thinking of experimenting with it a lot!
Barley with taco spices in a wrap?
Barley with maybe some sunflower seeds ground as the paste in Nori? :D

Oh, and so far, I've had blueberries this morning! :)

[bellamausi]

Oh and thick - your strawberry recipe looks soooo delicious! I want to try it too! It reminded me of a recipe I found a while back, and have never tried, because it is quite involved
http://www.rawguru.com/recipe36.html

It has whipped cream with no lecithin needed.

[Ilse W.]

Yesterday, I bought celery and cut the stalks up and dried them. I know that celery is very high in sodium, so I ground the dried celery and made it into celery salt. It is soooo good. That's what I'm going to use in my salads in place of sea salt from now on. I also dried left over zucchini and crimini mushrooms, and some almonds I had soaked a few days ago. Don't want anything to go to waste. I am going to Dallas tomorrow to Southwest Airlines Parent Day where I will learn how to use my flight privileges. It will be nice to get away from here for a couple of days, but it's weird having to plan what to take from home to supplement what I might be able to find to eat. My son booked me into the Embassy Suites hotel and I understand they have breakfast buffet. I'm sure I'll find lots of fruit there. I made some fruit/nut bars a few days ago, which I will take along, plus some dried apricots, the almonds and zucchini chips, and maybe some of my mini avocados. I should be able to cut those with a plastic knife and eat with a plastic spoon. What I don't like about taking food on a plane with me is the fact that it goes through the x-ray machine at security. I'm not sure what that does to food.

We once again have our liquid sunshine in the Pacific NW. I'm tempted to put some wood in the stove and make a cozy fire.

Food so far today: GS with bananas/clementines/spring salad mix. I'll make some more zucchini pasta w/marinara for lunch. Like Vaclare I'm addicted to the stuff. Dinner will probably be a sandwich. I sure like the rye bread I made the other day.
Sorry about the long post. It's kind of nice to "communicate" with somebody besides Max the golden boy and Kodie the spoiled brat cat. Have a peaceful Sunday everybody.:)

[Emma-Liza]

bellamausi--what a not-coincidence that you posted about barley. I have my first-ever raw barley soaking as we speak. Err, as I speak, anyway! I had thought to make some kind of salad with it.

MiahTay--good luck with your potluck! I was not very strict with myself at the one I attended Friday and I was sorry later. There were lots of all-veggie dishes, but they were (mostly) cooked. :( Even the salads had cooked veggies in them!

thick--summer's end is making me feel sad, too! even though I like the fall and fall and winter in the south are not a hardship! I'm sorry for the abundant local produce to go away and I'm feeling a little afraid that I won't be able to stay raw when the weather gets cold. As to weight loss goals, I am afraid to set any, because I'm sure I'll be disappointed. How's that for a positive outlook?! ;)

Anyway.

Last night D--salad bar from WF: spinach, red and green cabbage, cukes, tomato, green onion. Forget what else, very loaded box of stuff, though!
S--Ritz cracker
Sleep: 9 hrs
Water: 96 oz

Today B--fresh juice: grapefruit, oranges, green grapes
L--soup and sandwich and Bubbie's pickle

Soup and sandwich recipe reviews on my blog!
Have a great rest of the day, y'all!

[mikedowd]

sounds about right:rolleyes:

[Vaclare79]

Hello,
Hope everyone had a great raw day.. I went to pick up my books and they weren't in yet so I just have to wait on that..

I ate zucchini/tomatoes/garlic raw spaghetti
grapes, apple
cucumbers
I'm not eating much variety today.. I just don't feel like making anything. Kind of lazy today. I am just overwhelmed with everything although I did fill out an application for the city I live in to become a sub teacher at the school nearby me. I'm just overloaded with things from all directions right now. I'm just hoping that I'll be able to do what I have to do and stay raw without problems.. I didn't eat a GS the past couple days but hopefully tomorrow I will :)

[carolv]

Thick, you are so funny. I really do need to try a savory smoothie sometime (in honor of Vaclare):D . The strawberry shortcake looks and sounds yummy, let us know how it turns out.

mmaynard, glad to hear you are able to stay on track. Raise your arm up, bend it behind your head, and pat yourself on the back. Consider that a proud pat on the back from me. Good Job! :D

I’ve seen nutritional yeast at a health food store and in the organic section of the grocery store. I hope you can find it easily.

bellamausi, thanks for sharing the barley salad recipe. I haven’t tried any more sprouting since the first week of the challenge when I made mung bean sprouts. I think I have some barley so maybe I’ll try this next weekend.

EmmaT, celery salt, what a great idea! I never would of thought of that. I have some celery in the frig, so I’ll have to try that once I get my dehydrator.


Breakfast: cantaloupe, smoothie with pineapple, banana, orange juice, 1 TBS Flax seed, and baby spinach
Lunch: celery and Portobello salad with chopped avocado and Braggs
Snack: almonds
Dinner: summer corn salad, and pear, beet, and jicama salad with red boston lettuce and apple cider vinegar, baby carrots, broccoli, and sugar snap peas
Snack: watermelon smoothie

[Thick]

The strawberry shortcake was good. My 10 year old son loved it! He said, "Mom, on a scale of 1 to 10, how healthy is this?" I said 10. He said, "Can I have another piece, then?" My littlest dd licked the "icing" off, my 4 year old dd wouldn't even taste it (though she helped make it!)

I used the psyllium flakes instead of lethicin (leftover from my constipated SAD life-its basicaly metamucil). If you do make it, use plenty of strawberries. Time invested in making it pretty definately makes it taste better!=)

I retried nori rolls tonight, and was amazed that I liked them. This is a big deal for me! I always thought them too fishy and yucky, before. If wasabi isn't raw, don't tell me=)>

Another big deal today was that my stepmother called and told me she was going to *try* to go raw and wanted to ask me some questions. Wooohooo! Her computer isn't working right now, she says..So I'm going to take her some goodies and print out a few recipes and give her a copy of a couple of books (she will read them, definately)..What should I make her? She's got a fp and a blender. She actually bought me my dehydrator for Christmas, but she doesnt have one (yet).

Oh, bellamusi--that cheesecake link looks fantastic..unlike some of their other recipes lol!

Vaclare--We have to do something about your variety issues. There isn't anything wrong with going through a spell of eating the same stuff--but if you are getting bored, that's not good. What sad foods did you like? What have you made that you didn't like and why didn't you like it? Have you looked here= http://goneraw.com/recipes I know you din't want to waste money on something you won't like. It's nice to see a picture while reading the recipe to get more of a feel of the way it will taste.

Emma-Liza-- We had joy,we had fun, we had seasons in the sun, but the berries and the squash like the season is all gone...

I think we'll do well in fall and winter, too. I am looking apprehensively forward to thanksgiving, already..(mostly what will I bring and will I be the raw ambassador to my family I want to be yet?) But remember there will be fresh ripe soft persimmons, pumpkin pie(haven't made it yet, no), pecan pie (it is so good), lots of greens, cornbread stuffing, caramel apples, and a ton of warmed soups we haven't tried yet.

Michelle-- Let me know your honest opinion of the cheesy chips. I have some sweet potatoes that were headed toward a pie, but if the chips are good.. Also, I'm so proud of you for reaching for the chocolate ice cream and truffles (where else could we say that?) I'm glad you have a few tricks up your sleeve=)

Emma--is the celery saly actually salty? How much did one head make?

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a terrific day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[Jenifae]

I copied this from my blog. I didn't want to rewrite it all. Sorry to those who read my blog.

I just made the best Mexican Salsa Ever! I can't believe it. I've never made Salsa before. Well, one time I put it in the Food Processor and it made it into soup so, that was no good.

Let's see if I can remember how I made it:

8 Medium Tomatoes
1 Large White Onion
1 Jalepeno'
1 Clove of Garlic
A Bunch of Cilantro
Tbls of Sea Salt
Tbls of Lemon Pepper
Tbls of Cumin
1/4 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar

It is so yummy............I'm so proud of myself. So, I'm wondering if I can Freeze some of it. It's too much to eat it all up before it spoils. Does anyone know?
__________________

Well, my day went well..................I stayed All RAW! Yay! However, I am still eating alot. I really want to cut my portions down. If I focus too much on it though I could sabatoge myself and eat even more. So, I'm trying to just go with my flow. I would really love to do a GS fast/feast for at least a couple of days. Maybe, I can do that tomorrow. I'll see. I'm not going to pressure myself because, that will just guarantee failure for me.

So, my Food today was:

B: Banana
L: Huge Salad at Soup Plantation again. But, not as HUGE as yesterday so, that's good. I met with a friend. All the same stuff that I usually poor into into. (spinach, red cabbage, celery, carrots, radishes, zuchinni, broccoli, califlower, tomatoes, peas, beans (garbonzo, kidney, black), vinergerette. I didn't have any chocolate stuff...........Yay!
Desert: Except for I brought a raw chocolate bar and ate that after we left in the car to get my chocolate fix.
S: 6-10 Strawberries, 1 goraw cacao nugget, couple bites of apple.
S: Tasted a few bites of my Best Salsa Ever! with spinach chips.
S: 1/2 grapefruit
S: 1/2 apple

So, I had dropped about 5 pounds and I've gained 3 of it back. :( Oh well, if I stay on track again I'll get there again. I've also noticed that my eyes aren't as clear as they were a week ago. Hummmmmmmmmm. Interesting isn't it?

Thanks for all you guys support.

[Thick]

.
S: Tasted a few bites of my Best Salsa Ever! with spinach chips.


Oh, please tell me about your spinach chips!

[Jenifae]

HI Thick

Well, I don't make them because, I don't have a dehydrator just yet. I buy them from my local Organic market......they are organic spinach/corn chips.....I'm not sure if they are Raw but, I was under the impression that they were so, I'll have to go read the bag. I haven't been eating them since, working on 100&#37; because I wasn't sure but, I just had to taste my salsa ;)

I'll get back with ya

[Vaclare79]

Apple & grapes for breakfast.
zucchini/tomatoes with garlic for lunch again
GS for dinner hopefully

I've been worrying that since I don't eat much a variety that I might not get enough nutrition.. My diet is probably better than before, it's just the same thing everyday.. I hope that is ok though to eat the same fruits/veg/greens every day.
I'm stressing over how expensive this raw food is and I don't have my student loan yet. Stressing out over everything lately because I need to graduate with the loans I've got to pay off which I hope I will do ok this semester with the classes I'm taking. I'm irritated with everything that is going on right now.
I did apply for a sub teacher position in the school district I live in & went to school. I don't know if I'll get it or not, but at least I'll be able to make some money to eat raw if I do! Hope I get it. It sounds to me like a great job.

Hope everyone has a great day staying raw :)

[deberaw]

Great Mornin' All!

I've skimmed the posts...a lot to catch up on! This is the last stretch for the month.....GO GO GO! You CAN do it!!!...when I've done challenges in the past...this last week was the hardest it seemed, for me, getting antsy....important to make new recipes and keep those green smoothies and greens going in!

We had a wonderful family time camping in a beautiful State park with walking distance to a private beach on Lake Michigan......nice clean park, great playground and clean bathrooms.....BUT very hard to stay 100%...and let me tell ya...my body sure wished I had prepared better...I thought about how I could have been, and it is possible, with better thought and energy put into it......I was constipated for a few days and my tummy hurt even from not that much other food....I longed to be eating better! That is huge for me. And, I thought maybe my body hadn't changed that much, but my suit and shorts fit so much better than last summer...I really noticed that. Don't dare step on the scale today......next week when I start another challenge!

So I'm back at it again, hope it is okay to jump back in like this, but if I don't....it will be hard to get back on track...so here I am, getting back on track, and looking forward to riding out the week with all of you....and jumping on board to next months challenge....here's to our health! Deb

[deberaw]

Hey Valclare! Yeah, it sounds to me like you aren't getting enough and that could certainly affect your mood and not be very healthy....when our budget is tight {and we are on 1 income with 3 boys so it often is!}, I use sunflower seeds over nuts, my hfs makes nut butters and the cashew is the cheapest, or I make almond butter...with nuts from Walmart...they have the best price...but I don't think they are truly Raw, but unroasted. I don't sweat the small stuff, but look at the big picture. I make RP Brownies for a quick fix: 1 Cup walnuts, 1 Cup dates, 1/4 cup cacao...all in the food processor until it comes together. There is a frosting that goes with it, but I've never made it. I search the ethnic markets in town for best deals on avos and bananas......use a lot of in season produce. You might have checked out in the discussion section how to make Raw more affordable...but yes,it can be pricey too. But, without all the junk as staples, we've been doing pretty good as a high Raw family...with me the only one focusing on 100%...as much as possible....hope this helps! Deb

[MiahTay]

DEB! So glad you had a great weekend. So nice to see your smiling face!

VAClare - I was going to say something yesterday but figured I'd give it another day ... Like Deb said, you don't seem to be eating enough, I'm not saying count calories but the few foods you are eating are VERY low cal foods. And the fact you are consistently eating such low cal foods will affect your mood and other things.

Thick - I SO HAVE TO TRY THAT STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE RECIPE! Let me know how yours turned out. It looks heavenly, I will likely be making it for this Friday.

Having a good day so far.

Food for today looks like:
GS
Last of Mango Cobbler
Veggies with jalapeno burger
BIG Salad

PS - Tonight is date night and I think we might just stay in and snuggle on the sofa and watch a movie (unless HE comes up with a better idea).

Blessings,
Heather

[Vaclare79]

It seems like I am eating very low calorie foods. I guess I need to add back the seeds I was eating. They were so yummy!!

[Jenifae]

VaClare,

I would agree with everyone else that you might not be eating enough. Are you hungry inbetween? What about ADDing in some greens?

I am practicing Intuitive Eating; which is listening to what my body is hungry for and when my Head is hungry for SAD I am trying to figure out what is the replacement of RAW that it needs. It is usually Cacao/Chocolate. I am a chocolate junkie :D.

I am also learning (even though I already knew it but, I guess I still need to learn it) my body will send hungry signals when it is thirsty. I have been drinking alot more water.

Yesterday, I had a good day. I know I'm eating more then normal but, with those couple of slips I've thrown my body off and it's craving and I've noticed I overcompensate with more RAW when that is going on and just practicing going with it and drinking more and lots of water ;).

Today I ate my morning Banana - actually 1 1/2 ...........
I would like to do Green Smoothie today...........but, if my body craves more bulk I will just eat a salad at home. And then just Fruit at night. I'm going to practice not eating after 8pm again.

HOME SWEET HOME is where I do best and it looks like I can just eat here for a few days at least. :)

[petaltothemetal]

Didn't post all weekend because my computer at home makes me angry... and can't afford to replace it. But I made some GOOD food over the weekend and wanted to tell you about it!

I keep reading all these COMPLICATED key lime pie recipes and decided they didn't need to be that hard. Vaclare, the pudding version isn't even that expensive and is so smooth, luxurious and creamy, it will make you feel spoiled rotten like a queen! I think we all need to feel spoiled sometimes, right?

Key Lime Pudding
2 Haas avocados
2 almost ripe mangos
juice of 2 limes + zest one half of one

Put in a blender and process until smooth. Resist eating out of blender with your spoon and contaminating it for everyone else! :D

Variations: add a teaspoon of ginger

Pie: Make pie crust with ground up nuts and just enough agave to hold it together. Add 1/4 c coconut oil to the pudding mix, then refrigerate to thicken.

I also made Alissa's corn tortillas, which were yummy and filled them with a mixture of jalapeno burger that I snazz up with extra spices and mushrooms. I also put in diced onions and bell peppers and topped it with the Rich Cheddar Sauce from Gone Raw but I think I'm (like others here) not impressed with fake cheese. So a variation on Alissa's enchiladas.

Spent the weekend doing farm chores. We have a million baby Muscovy ducklings oozing out of cracks in the barns and tempting chickens and hawks to kill them so I was running around collecting ducklings and putting them somewhere safe. They are adorable but they squeak like mice non-stop and somehow that makes every other animal in the world want to kill them. I watered all the fruit trees and gardens thoroughly since it's been so dry and sure enough, that night it started to rain... just like last weekend. But if I didn't water, it wouldn't rain. I both am very excited about and dread next weekend because I should have literally thousands of plums ready to process... and possibly thousands of pears, although they may wait for the following week. I talked to the man who owned the place before me and he told me the apple trees were no good, which is sad, because I've been nursing the trees along. Last summer they only bore seven or eight corky awful apples a piece and this year one of the trees is laden down with apples I hope are good. I've been putting the birds' food and water under the trees so they'd eat bugs, too. And when I dump out the water it usually has duck poop in it (fertilizer) plus the trees have poop all around them and I've been putting down oyster shell and dolomite lime (lack of calcium is one cause of corky, unsweet fruit). When I was in Virginia I used to can. This year I'm going to process it ALL raw. Either I'll puree it, freeze it whole or dehydrate it. It'll be interesting, because this year it'll just be me doing the work.

I get up at 5 in the morning and drink a smoothie these days. No coffee anymore. Then my belly's always complaining by 8 and I've usually eaten my lunch by 9 or ten and have to make snacks last me until I go home or to the gym. I actually do better if I bring two big smoothies (20-24 oz in a mason jar) and some raw veggies. If I bring anything that resembles normal food, like the enchilada I brought today, it is HISTORY!

I also nibble too much when I am cooking/uncooking. So I still have some eating patterns to get under control. The long time raw foodists say it will happen...

[petaltothemetal]

Oh, and I got Brian Au's Raw in Ten Minutes . Boy, does he ever need an editor. The writing is TERRIBLE! But he promises everything is 10 minutes, $10 or less and most of his foods are family size, so Vaclare, you could make yourself lunches for a week off of two or three of his recipes. I'm not impressed with his breads at all, just looking at the recipes, but I have dog eared a number of other recipes to try. Some of them look really good.

[Thick]

OOh Pedaltothemedal, it sounds like you live in the Garden of eden! You are so lucky to have mature fruit trees. I'll bring my dehydrator to the uncanning festival!=)> For the key lime pudding, do you use 2 small mangoes or 2 large ones?

Jenifae-- I have also come to conclusion that I do best when I am at home. Though, my kitchen is filled with junk as well from dh, its still easier to choose from all my at home goodies than to feel deprived with a restaurant salad. I hope I can learn how to bring stuff with me to restaurants...without feeling jipped that I might as well have eaten at home.

Vaclare--in yesterdays thread I asked you some questions about how we can help you solve your variety issues. You can go to the food bank in your town you know. They do have produce that grocery stores donate before it goes bad. Also, ask your produce person at your grocery store what they do with their reduced produce and see if you can get some deals that way.

Deberaw--Im glad you're back! For that constipated feeling, I highly recommend eating a whole papaya with lime juice. Or a lot of melon. I'm glad you've learned to get right back up on the horse, because after all its your horse, ride it=)

Heather--what does Miahtay mean?=) I posted in yesterday's thread last night about the strawberry shortcake. The main thing is to take your time making it look gorgeous. Please tell us about the mango cobbler--do you serve it with ice cream?

[Thick]

Oops, forgot my menu=)

B-gs- a spicy Vaclare (added a jalapeno)
L- Ritz sandwich w/ sunflower seed *mayo*, tomato, romaine, red onion, basil
S-red plums
D-out to eat with my mom&kids I think.. huge salad with guacamole and fresh salsa --I am going to ask them to bring my salad out first so that I can use the thicker pieces of romaine to dip into the guacamole and salsa (I'll also ask for my own private bowl) (victory in the planning)
S-If i'm hungry tonight Ill have honeydew melon

Are you guys planning on doing Lucy's recipe challenge? There areso many recipes in Alissa's book..I'm sure there are some good ones I haven't tried.

[Emma-Liza]

I had a lot of focus yesterday and cleaned out the fridge, tried new recipes. Today I'm back to feeling not so perky. Just finished lunch and for some reason, even though I was starving, it didn't taste very good. I still ate it, though. :rolleyes:

Last night D--strawberry/almond milk smoothie
1/4 avocado, mashed, with some flax crackers
Sleep: 5 1/2 hrs
Water: 96 oz

Today B--banana
L--spinach, tomatoes, marinated portabello mushroom, 1/2 avocado, red onion, olives, sunflower seeds, lime juice & olive oil
few bites of almond pate

For later, I have another banana to eat with almond butter, or an apple and a raw crunch bar

My weight has been stalled for about a week, so I'm trying to make myself eat and sleep enough! I have that wake up at 3:30 am type insomnia. Still don't have a lot of appetite since being sick, but when I am hungry, it's usually for something SAD. I don't give in, but I'm tired of dealing with it!!

[MiahTay]

Thick -

MiahTay - It is my two children's nicknames squished together short for Jeremiah and Taylor.

Mango Cobbler - I've never served it with ice cream but it would be wonderful, I just love it so much as is. I've made it enough times that the page has come loose from the book (Any Phyo's, and the recipe is on line .. I put the link in one of my previous posts if you don't have it I can get it again).

Recipe Challenge - I WAS seriously considering it ... I figure if I am doing THIS challenge again next month (which I will), I might as well do a recipe challenge, because I like trying a new recipe a week anyway.

Blessings,
Heather

[petaltothemetal]

I'm going to do both challenges.. the recipe and the September raw. I am starting to see my waist slim down and want to keep going. Also I love cooking/uncooking so I think the recipe challenge will be fun.

[bellamausi]

Thick - I am really curious to hear, how you liked the strawberry shortcake recipe? You said it was 'good', and that to me sounds like it could have been better? I want to make it sometime, and love to hear, what you would have changed maybe. Would you make it again?

Last night I had my miso mushrooms, which didn't turn out too good. I used to much lemon juice in the marinade. Edible, but I don't think I'll make them again. I was looking for a more gravy like mushroom sauce, to put over my barley. :p

Today I had
blueberries
yellow watermelon
barley with miso mushrooms over it :o

[petaltothemetal]

OOh Pedaltothemedal, it sounds like you live in the Garden of eden! You are so lucky to have mature fruit trees. I'll bring my dehydrator to the uncanning festival!=)> For the key lime pudding, do you use 2 small mangoes or 2 large ones?



It's petal to the metal, and I know that's spelled wrong if you're thinking about cars, but I grow flowers, too. Trying to be cute...! The plums are all the same, a typical blue European type so I bought some fancy French spotted ones - if you EVER see are mirabelle plum, you have to try it... mmmmm. Also planted peach, pawpaw, papaya, cherry and more apple trees, plus blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, a Himalayian honeysuckle that makes huge blueberry like fruit... I planted a LOT. But they are all just baby plants, and this has been a really tough year weather wise. We've had massive swings between hot and cold weather and the plants are suffering badly.

About the pie, the mangos were about 5" long, mostly green with just a little blush on them. At this stage they are sweet/tart.

[deberaw]

Heather! I love how 'Miahtay' came about! I had wondered about that too....;)

AND, have you all checked out Aleesha's before and afters? I know she didn't post her befores, but she has them posted somewheres....her pictures are a thousand words in and of themselves.....if you haven't already, check them out for why to stick to Raw! {of course there are many other before afters that are inspiring too, but I came across these recently and know how far she's come...truly inspiring!}....It's in the before/after forum...1 year anniversary.......

[carolv]

deberaw, Welcome Back! Glad to see you jumping back into the challenge.

Thick, I’ve already started posting in the recipe challenge. I guess I got a little too excited and starting posting too soon, since she said she was doing it for September. But I’ve really enjoyed trying the different recipes in Alissa’s book, I have always liked experimenting with different recipes and foods.

Emma-Liza, This is just my opinion based on what seems to work for me, but I really think you might do better to just have some of your favorite raw foods around and just indulge in them whenever you feel like it. I found a few decadent raw foods (fudge balls for sweet and collard rolls for savory) that I really liked and had at ‘em when I was feeling really hungry or had terrible cravings for cooked. I concentrated on every bite of those ‘good for you’ foods and it was a tremendous help to me. Don’t worry so much about how much of it you’re eating. I believe thinking about it too much just stresses you out and causes your body to do the opposite of what you want. Plus, different things I’ve read really encourage you to eat throughout the day (grazing) to keep your body fueled to help you burn calories. I can be a pretty big eater so if I feel I need to eat a lot to fill up, I don't worry about it and just go for it. Eating a LOT of raw is sooo much better for you than a lot of cooked. I hope you find what works for you.


Breakfast: smoothie with ½ large frozen peach, 2 bananas, orange juice, 1 TBS flax seed, and baby spinach
Snack: chopped apples and ½ chopped mango with lemon juice
Lunch: cucumber, onion, and fennel salad
Lunch: summer corn salad
Snack: Lara bar
Snack: almonds
Dinner: angel hair zucchini with summer tomato sauce and pumpkin seeds
Snack: celery with almond butter and honey

[mmaynard]

Hi Everybody,

I found nutritional yeast at the health food store today (thanks Carolv) and I have my cheesy chips in the D. I tried one (OK, a few) before they went in and I think they are pretty good. My hubby tried the nutritional yeast and thinks it has a cheesy flavor, so I'm hopeful that I will have some great chips tomorrow! I am never sure if I am leaving them in long enough even though I follow the directions - when you make chips, do they get crispy? Mine get somewhat hard but they don't have the same crunch as a regular potato chip. Maybe my expectations are too high? ;)

Carolv: What do you put in your watermelon smoothie? I can't get enough watermelon lately and am hoping for something new to try.

Thick: I will give you my verdict on the cheesy chips when I check in tomorrow night.

Emma-Liza: I had some problems at one point waking up between 3:00 - 3:30 every morning and I would feel a little jittery, like my heart was racing and my adrenaline pumping from suddenly waking up. I talked to my doctor about it, and he said that it sounded like adrenal fatigue and recommended that I get up, have a glass of orange juice and then go back to bed. I ended up actually just eating the orange and it worked for me. Not sure if it is similar with you but just thought I would share incase it's helpful to you or someone else here. :)

Deb: We're glad you're back! I checked out Aleesha's pictures and they are AMAZING!

I'm in on the recipe challenge - I definitely like the idea of trying something new every week! Also - I keep reading about the jalapeno burgers you are all making. What recipe are you using?

Today I had:
- coconut water
- watermelon
- Raw Revolution bar
- part of an apple (the other part was bad) :mad:
- chocolate truffle
- spinach salad with peppers, onions and guacamole

Tomorrow I plan to get more greens in my diet. I was too lazy to make my smoothie before the gym and I know it affects how satisfied I feel during the day.

Have a great day - I'll be dreaming of cheesy chips tonight! :D

[Vaclare79]

Ok all.. Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't feel very hungry today just thirsty...
I ate mostly the same as usual though I did buy some sunflower seeds at the HFS today. I'm going to soak them tonight and make a pate tomorrow with the new grinder I have. I bought a new one several days ago and then broke it in the dishwasher trying to pull it out of it.. blah!
I'm ok, just stressing a little about school lately. I'm going to my 1st class tomorrow morning, one of the University classes I signed up for. I'm excited and hope I can make it through the rest of the year at school & raw through it too. I'm going to check out about the produce at the grocery store though, that is a good idea. That way don't have to spend so much on it. :)
Hope everyone had a great raw day.

[Emma-Liza]

carolv and michelle--thanks for the advice.

I did snack more today and played in the kitchen tonight a bit. I made up a cooked recipe for Mr.Liza that he said tasted like it came from a restaurant (yeah, that's a compliment! :)). I also created a raw pea soup and made some trail mix for myself!

I wonder if the lingering sinus stuff is just affecting my taste buds...could be why I'm still a little off my feed. ;)

[Thick]

posted in the wrong day=)>

[Thick]

I know, I wasn't singing about how great the strawberry shortcake tastes..but it tastes wonderful--like I said before though, 1/2 the taste is in the preparation and making it look layered and pretty. It is all gone now..so that's a good sign=) Make sure you use a lot of strawberries .

I used raisins in the crust because I have found that I don't really like dates in recipes very much. It was even better tonight finshed off as a midnight snack. I will definately make it again.

Nothing makes food taste better than when your picky kids love it, right? And, sadly, sometimes the opposite is true too. (imagining husbands "squash" face as he looks into my bowl)

I'm (blush) not sure how to post pics, yet. But it's gone anyway..can't we just pretend it looked like Carmella's?=)

[Jenifae]

Thick For some reason DH's food doesnt' temp me. I think its because, it's not stuff I liked before RAW. Never been a pasta/noodle person. Always been more into veggies. I am learning/practicing to listen to my body for what it's hungry for........just need to get the full feeling down :)
I've been making your Strawberry Shortcake tonight. What a process. I had to work at grinding the almonds down but, finally did it and didn't break my blender. (Vita-Mix getting a new cover) I'll tell ya how it turns out. I did taste while making (of course *blush*) Yummmmmmm.
Emma You seem to be doing well. Hope you get over the sickies.
Heather-MiahTay That is so cute about your name.

[Rawkinlocs]

Have an awesomely-RAWsome day!

===============
Please remember, no mention of slip-ups (not that you're gonna have any) - just focus on raw and staying positive and most of, have FUN and enjoy yourselves!

[mmaynard]

Good morning,

Just a quick post because I am running late for the gym. I took the cheesy chips out of the D this morning and they were WONDERFUL! I love them. :D I left some for my hubby so I'll give you his verdict tonight.

Just a note... I always use nama shoyu instead of Bragg's so that's the only thing I changed in the recipe.

Have a great day everybody! :)

[petaltothemetal]

Hello!
I started some of Alissa's burger buns and had a bunch of sprouted buckwheat left over and it occurred to me it smelled like garbanzos a little, so I made hummus! And guess what, it tastes like the real thing with NO GAS OR TUMMY UPSET! Buckwheat sprouts, olive oil, tahini, garlic, paprika, salt, za'atar blended until really smooth. I'm very pleased with myself!

Also ate a salad and a slice of my key lime pie. Never could have had real key lime pie before bed and woken up feeling fine before! No wonder they call it sad food. My pie is happy food!

Today, two more pieces of key lime pie for breakfast. Packed a salad, an enchilada, some hummus and some carrot and celery sticks. Going to the gym tonight, wanted some filling food.

My daughter's all grumpy. "There's NO FOOD IN THE HOUSE!" Ha ha. The fridge is loaded with food. She just has to try it.

[Vaclare79]

I only ate an apple so far today. I'm a little bit stressed out again today. I am just worrying about my school & the work I'm going to need to do. I finally got my financial aid which is great. I'm glad things are moving along.

I'm going to make a salad in the blender sometime today.. I thought about it last night and realized I can make a veg soup, why didn't I think of it before?
I'll post later what I eat. I did soak some sunflower seeds. Those should be really good!!

[jewell1908]

Hey Gang,
100% raw.

[Rufassa]

Been a while since I posted. I have been busy trying to keep up my blog posts. I am really pleased as to how it came out. Instead of just stating my day to day experiences I pick something or some theme of each day and write a essay about some topic surrounding the whole topic of health and well-being as it relates to raw foods.

Meals:
Ø Morning – Watermelon
Ø Mid-Morning – Scuppernong
Ø Lunch – Flax Crackers
Ø Mid-Afternoon –Nori wraps (guacamole, cabbage sprouts, tomatoes, shoyu)
Ø Dinner – Mock Spanish rice (seasoned jicama with tomatoes, corn, and other ingredients), Pesto with Flax Crackers, cookies
Ø Late Night Snack - Watermelon

_____________
My Blog: www.bumblezee.com/blogs/rufassa (http://www.bumblezee.com/blogs/rufassa)

[Jenifae]

I"m going strong here and feeling pretty good for the lack of sleep. Had a scare with my baby horse being sick. It's always unnerving when the aren't well. They are so big yet so sensitive physically............can ya relate ;) He's doing better this am so, I'm relieved.

I made Thick's reciepe for Strawberry Shortcake..............It took me all evening and then put the frosting on this am. It's Beautiful if I do say so myself.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/Jenifae/nikon3004.jpg

So far today.........Banana

[deberaw]

What a beautiful Strawberry Cake Jenifae! I'm going to have to try it!

Everyone sounds so good! I must admit it is harder to get back on the horse, but all of your energy motivates me! I'm still unpacking etc., from our trip, so getting organized and etc....Had a big GS, some tomatoe flax crackers, some cashew butter and banana....have a wonderful tomatos and cukes in the garden and yummy basil...will have a wonderful salad for sure! Gotta get some supplies and recipes etc.....ohhh that Strawberry cake is on my mind! Deb