The August 30-Days 100% Raw Challenge 2008 Archives

[Rawkinlocs]

We're coming up on August!

If you're ready to commit to 30 days of raw eatin' for the month of August, just check in right here!


Then, when August arrives, a brand new 30-Day Challenge will commence!

Please be sure to read the rules for the challenge if you are new to the forum and/or the 30-day raw challenge. Just a quick reminder, the purpose and main goal is to eat ALL RAW for 30 days. Sometimes you may slip, sometimes you may consciously decide to incorporate a little bit of cooked food...all your personal choice BUT...we do NOT discuss cooked food, even slip ups here in the challenge threads. That is best for your journal/blog if you have one.

[StarFire]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/jump6.gif ... I'M JUMPING IN!!

August is an auspicious month!! Solar eclipse on the first... and lunar eclipse on the 16th.... yep... I'm in! time to get in shape... I'll be turning 52 soon and I want to start my 52nd year with a healthy body and mind!!

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

[srsarri]

IM IN!

flopped last month, I went on vacation for 2 weeks, 1 week in :(

I have been 100% for the past 4 days though!!

IM READY!

my goal is to blog more and participate in this discussion more then I did last month to keep me motivated!

[raw4u]

I'm in. Did great this month and can't wait to do it again:D

[MiahTay]

I'm IN! It's been a rough summer so far and it's time to refocus. I've been ramping up my raw intake over the past two weeks. I've been lurking around the July 30 day challenge (I even made the "Ritz Crackers" you all have been talking about) :D . So ... YES, YES, YES I'm in!

Blessings,
Heather

[Thick]

I'll be here=)

I'd just like to say that if you join up, don't drop out if you mess up. If you do have a slip up, it's ok, just come right back to us. True, you aren't allowed to tell us about it, just tell us what you are going to do from there on out=)

There couldn't be a better month for going raw. The farmer's markets are so bountiful, this is a great month to feast on healthy food!=)

[polkaroo]

I'll be participating in the 30 day challenge. I've been raw for about a week now but I am looking forward to the challenge of making it stick! :o

[soillover]

I am in! Been doing high raw for the last week in preparation! Looking forward to it all!
I will be turning 40 the end of September and I want to live the next 40 without the symptoms I have had for the last 40....

So here I go!.....


Kathleen in San Diego:D

[diamondscape]

I have been lurking now for 2 months. And eating high raw... I am excited about the support this thread brings!!!! I feel more ALIVE than I have in years!!!

And yes the farmers markets are a flowin' and even my back yard is full of wild berries!!!!!!

Blessings

W

[Rufassa]

I started my own challenge on the 28 of July :) in order to generate more energy to survive boxing workouts. And at 31 I knew it would be hard to go from sedentary :( to such a strenuous workout:eek:. I am blogging (http://www.bumblezee.com/blogs/rufassa)the whole experience.

Good luck to everyone

[Katalina]

Hello!

This will be my first 30 day challenge ever, and I need all the support I can get! I have attempted to go raw many times in the past, only to pull out over and over again after a week or two. There are so many reasons why I want to do this, mainly to just finish something that I started that has great importance to me. I do have Alissa's awesome book and her DVD's...but I think I'm going to keep this as simple as possible with salads and fruit, nuts...etc.

I'm looking forward to posting with you all month:)

See you all on Friday!

[prettyenough]

well, here it goes! august, here i come!! first time ever experiencing raw..im going grocery shopping today and will be getting as much raw as i can afford. i hope i have enough for the week since im dont have experience in how much food i really need to buy, etc. if i want this, ill do it! yaay to august.

[Lelê]

I know this is my second post here ( I love to lurk..), but I'm IN! I definitely need the motivation!

I started yesterday, but it makes no difference... ;)

[protea]

I did so well earlier this year and felt amazing!! I'm ready to get back on the wagon and reap the benefits of RAW!! May we all stay motivated!!:D

[sonyan]

I'm in. Having surgery on august 1st, so I'll be at home for a while and can concentrate on raw foods!

Sonya

[CANIBRAW?]

I am in for the challenge. Coming off of a 4 week detox. Want to go raw for 30 days.

[Bananna]

I am taking the bait. Have been patiently waiting for this thread so I can sign up. Have created a blog. It's all set in stone.

....I started last July, so I have been in transition for a full year, time put Both feet in.

WhooooHOOOOO!

[OneBite@aTime]

I can't wait, this will be my first month all RAW.....Yea baby!

[lodestar]

in-in-in!!:D

[SwishTN]

Okay, I am IN!

my resources are a bit limited, but I am aiming for 100% or fasting... just NO COOKED!!!

Sigh... Kinda nervous actually!!!

but tired of feeling oh so yucky, and looking worse, GASP!!

Blessings, All Y'all!!

Lauri

[gritsnla]

I'm in. Time to refocus and get with the program. May start with a little fasting then straight into raw!!

Let's hit it!!

[wiccedfae23]

Im in! I've been experimenting for the last month and i am ready! I am so excited that so many people are signing up i think that it will be great to have so much support here.. i am going camping the 1st-3rd which will be my first 100% raw days so that will be fun! great veggie stands on the way up cant wait!!!:D

[Emma-Liza]

I'm in! Can't wait!

[bellamausi]

I'm in! I have to try again! I am very uncertain though, and so afraid of failing once again! It seems to be getting harder and harder for me.

You'd think with two children 100% raw, I'd be easier ....

I'll be keeping a blog. :)

[deberaw]

I'm In! I'm In! I'm In!

[RawSinger]

Yep yep yep!!! I'm in!!! I haven't stayed 100% raw for any of the challenges I've joined so I plan on this being my first...and not my last. I start college again at the end of August so I'm hoping that my mind will be a lot clearer by that time and I'll be able to concentrate a lot better on my schoolwork. If for nothing else, I'm staying raw so that I can be the best student I can be (of course there is a myriad of other reasons to stay raw). Good luck to everyone else!!

[jewell1908]

I'm in. Can't wait.

[sweetlime]

i am ready for another month challenge! yippeee!

[RawMuthaTrucka]

Count me in! I have been about 70 percent raw for a few weeks, 100 percent for 4 days. I am ready for this!
My husband will be joining me in this challenge!

Green smoothie, anyone? :)

[rawchic]

Count me in! I can't wait to see how I feel at the end of 30 days

[sciencegal]

It's sciencegal,I'm BAAAACCCCKKK! Count me IN!!!!:D

[carolv]

I am ready and very excited to start. This will be my first time going 100% raw and I am looking forward to getting more energy and getting rid of pain in my hands. Alissa's book and DVD are great, so inspirational. Good luck to all of you.

[commoncents]

I'm sooooooooooo ready for this challenge!!!!

I've slipped in a really bad way and ready to be back at 100% RAW!!!! The benefits I've received eating 100% are so wonderful and I want them back!!!!!

I will be on vacation a couple of days of the month, but I am travelling to Atlanta, GA to take a RAW cooking class and will have lots of yummy food to eat.

LET THE CHALLENGE BEGIN!!!!!!

[Pilgrim]

I am so in!

August will be the lucky month for me!

[Rainie]

Looking forward to it!

[Rawkinlocs]

Welcome to the "Rawgust" (August) raw food challenge!

If you are not familiar with how these work, you basically just document your (RAW) intake each day (a new thread will be created by me each day), how you're feeling, etc and give and get support.

Per the rules (sticky posting) you are not to post your cooked food slip-ups here in the challenge threads - those are better suited to your journal and if you're really having a time of it and need some help with cooked food issues, please post about in the main Raw and Living Food Discussion forum area...but please, not here...thanks!

So, have fun and have a wonderful day!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Oh I love the name of your challenge this month!!! Rawgust.

GO RAWBIES... GO GO GO!!!

[fire.passion.desire]

Count me in! I'm always up for a challenge.:)
I can't wait!

[EZ rider]

I joined the "RAWgust" 30 day challenge and went all fresh raw on August 1, 07 and after completing the challenge I continued on for ten and 1/2 months. In the middle of June this year I yielded to a slight craving for a Mexi Veggie Wrap on a restaurant menu instead of a salad and WHAM I slipped off the path and down the slippery slope of cooked food and fell off a cliff. I have been struggling ever since to get back to all raw but to this day I eat some cooked food everyday. I can only say that my experience has taught me to watch out for that first mis-step as its a Doosie. I have experienced amazing changes in my physical and mental health since going raw and I am committed to staying raw and continuing to enjoy the benefits this lifestyle provides. So today the one year anniversary of my going raw I am joining the RAWgust again and committing to 30 days 100% all fresh raw. One day at a time.

[ysamson]

Count me in too!!

Im ready

[OneBite@aTime]

Good Morning Everyone!
Day 1, oh how nice it is to have a fresh start. I have visited Raw several times since May of last year. This will be my first 30 day challenge-and I'm so excited to see what the next 30 days will bring.
Cheers!

[MiahTay]

Wooo HOoooo! It's Day 1! I am so READY to do this. Between Vacation and just the laziness of summer cooked food has slipped in more and more. But as I sit her sipping my green smoothie I feel so good. I'm off to the grocery store and library this morning ... I homeschool and we also start school on Monday.

My food for today looks like:

B - walnut, clementine, banana, pineapple, cherry, kale smoothie
L - Fruit salad (possibly with chocolate sauce)
D - Large salad with marinated baby portabellas
D - Chocolate Mousse

I know it sounds like a lot of sweets, but that's how I have to get through today :D .

Blessings,
Heather

[srsarri]

Good morning everyone!

I am really excited to be here!, I have been about 90% for the past 5 days. I fell off the wagon pretty hardcore in july! But im right back on track now!, I actually got grossed out by cooked pasta yesterday! (a former favorite food). It was slimey, I had to touch it to feed my kids! HAHAHAHA! I thought it was so funny that I was ACTUALLY grossed out!

Anyway!, busy day ahead of me. I have a lot of errands to run before 9am so, green smoothie will not be possible this morning! Just ate an apple and have peaches in my bag! I am also going to the yankee game tonight! Im not too worried, even before RAW I never ate the food there anyway!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!, I am excited to get to know everyone!

Lets Have Fun With This!!

[islesgirl]

so please count me IN!! I had done pretty well eating mostly raw until about a week ago. I had even done without coffee for more than 10 days and then I had just 1 cup and that turned into another cup a few days later and off I slipped into eating cooked food again. I am another one of those who just can't afford to slip - not even once! So here I am trying to eat raw for the month of August.:D

177 - Highest weight
161 - 3rd week in July/08
115-120 - Goal weight (we'll see if it's possible or reasonable)

[bananara]

count me in guys.. Iam new to this Raw food challenge
the most I had done was a week of Raw food but this seems like a tremendous opportunity to keep motivated at being Raw.

so very excited to be with all of you

:)

[prettyenough]

well here is goes, first day of raw for 30! i havent had anything to eat yet but ill be sipping down a smoothie w.in the hour
:bananas, oranges, limes, cranberries or strawberrie, spinach (i had this yesterday after testing my first smoothie and it was awesome)

as far as lunch goes, ill have a salad of some sort with a pate that i made yesterday

and then a cocao shake for a snack or some bananas maybe..or nuts..

then for dinner, a smoothie and if i need more filling then another big salad.

i ate raw all day yesterday and was suprised to find that i was REALLY hungry the entire day and i just grazed through out the day..but on raw. i never felt gross or anything like i would eating SAD food, it was such a new feeling!

[deberaw]

Great Morning All!
I am so happy to be here! I did the Challenge sometime ago and did well...but then it's been high Raw/low Raw, on/off etc....I did a small juice feast this year too...but gained back most of the weight I lost....I love the benefits of Raw...so here I am...also, One Day at a time! We CAN do this!!!

Starting the day with a green smoothie: banana, collards,cinnamon, frozen pineapple....

Lots of fresh produce abounds...I'm taking it easy on the nuts...for now! But have flax and sunflower seeds....and other Raw goodies to play with. I also got my summer issue of 'Purely Delicious' magazine...it is AWESOME! I highly recommend this magazine...lots of great recipes too...all nut free this month and I can't wait to make some!

Make a Rawsome Day! warmly, Deb

[EZ rider]

I'm in for RAWgust.

[Bananna]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!


Binged on canteloupe so far! ......a smoothie on the horizon, and a delish salad. Going to make some chocolate truffles, so I hope they turn out!

Oh did I mention:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

[Thick]

Hello=)

I have so many groceries, its silly. Here's my plan=

B-peach
GS- parsley/apple/water
L-salad w/ *queso* dressing (yellow/orange bell peppers,jalapeno, pecans, garlic, salt)
S-watermelon
D-carrot juice (finally bought a paint strainer bag to squeeze out the juice my cheap juicer is wasting)
S-cinnamon pecan banana ice cream


My dh is out of town for the next few days. It will make this a lot easier--and I can feed my kids high raw as well. I already gave him the lecture this morning about how I am going to be 100% raw and how he is not to try to get me to take any bites, nor allowed to criticize my food in any way.

I told him that I have so many of our older family members watching me to see what raw does..and I need to be a good ambassador. I want them to see me next, glowing with health and peaceful joy. I can't make everyone eat raw, but I can make them imagine it...

I also want to be clean and glowing to visit my oldest friends in New Mexico next month.

I'm so glad you are here with me! Thank you=)>

[WendyLouWho]

I'm in again! July was difficult for me but I agree...August is an auspicious month!

[protea]

Hi everyone,

Started the they with my favorite choc/banana smoothie....
Banana for snack, avocado and fruit for lunch, and we'll see for supper...

Have a great raw day!!;)

[srsarri]

I forgot to tell everyone about my biggest challenge in the raw food challenge!

Nuts and Seeds are out for me! I have massive diverticulitis episodes even with a handful! ... Hopefully that will someday go away.

[rawchic]

I am so excited for RAWgust! I started off this morning with cherries, oranges & mango. Now I'm about to have a smoothie - strawberry, rhubarb, kiwi & chard. Lunch will be zucchini & mushrooms with raw marinara sauce. I'm not sure about dinner...my husband and I are going out to dinner for our anniversary. I guess I'll have some sort of salad.

Tomorrow we're moving into a new condo & we won't have our internet set up until sometime on Monday. So...until then, I wish everyone a fantastic first raw weekend!

[Jenifae]

Well, I have been struggling to be 100% RAW. I have maintained between 90% - 98% so, not too bad. But, I want to feel, look, and have Optimal Health.

SO, here I go. I 'm diving in and this morning I feel wiped out and kinda yucky and have for a few days.

So, today is the 1st day of my cleansing and healing.

[Jenifae]

I am hopeful that RawGust will help me Sail into the RAWFUL Sunset of Health and Vitality.

I've been slipping way to much and need/want to make a commitment not only to myself but, my wonderful new Rawbie Friends here to ground my feet, head, and energy into what my soul and body desires.

Optimal Health and Vitality and Spirtual Connectedness and Awakeness......

(are those words ;) hehehehe)

I've started w/a Banana and Tea w/Lemon - my morning ritual

I am going to lunch with a friend so, this will be my challenge since, this is where I've been slipping. My friend is supportive of my Raw Inquest so, that's helpful. Going to stick to salad only!

[RawMuthaTrucka]

Hi! I am super excited! This is my first 30 day challenge! Good Luck everyone!

Today so far:
a big 'ol bowl of cantaloupe for breakfast

Lunch
green smoothie with strawberries, bananas, and parsley

Dinner will be:
spinach salad with walnut taco meat and veggies with guacamole dressing

Great job so far everyone!

[MiahTay]

I'm back from grocery shopping and just had to share. My son is currently taking the leaves of the giant bunch of collards I bought for us to marinade to make collard rolls. And my daughter is peeling the counter full of bananas we bought that had been marked down because they were "to ripe" - not for smoothies they're not to ripe! So, into the freezer they go. I'm off to make chocolate mousse for dessert tonight. We are having friends over for dinner and my friend is making the mango cobbler from Ani Phyo's book - YUM, I can hardly wait! So, we will be doing salad bar with two desserts for 9 people tonight! What a GREAT way to start the challenge!

Have a GREAT one!

Blessings,
Heather

[babyraw]

Oh yes! I'm ready! I can't wait to log in EVERYDAY for support because I know I'm going to need it! RAW is the ONLY way to be for ME!!!

[sistaloxxs]

I look forward to interact with you all this month.
B-a banana & a grapefruit
L- a mango
D- a romaine & redpepper salad with EVOO, ACV & seasalt
not planning on snacking today since I've a decreased appetite.

Loxxs

[babyraw]

This morning started off just peachy, not literally! :)

Ended up making a green smoothie for breakfast (spinach, water, apple, banana, frozen strawberries). Pack a light lunch: some grapes and plum. I knew I would be spending time on-line looking for more raw goodies to try. Unfortunately I have a long meeting to attend tonight (5 hour brainstorming session), so a friend of mine is picking up a salad from Subway with a little vinegar & oil to top.

Thus far a great, delicious day! I grab a handful of raw slivered almonds to dash on my salad (oh what a treat!) and made some trail mix just in case I need a dessert later!

Talk to you all tomorrow!

[jewell1908]

Hi,

I am also excited to be a part of this. Good luck everyone.

B: green smoothie with spinach, banana, blueberries, and a pear

L: summer corn salad

D:green smoothie or mixed green salad

S: nuts and raisin

[RawSinger]

Yay, day 1!!! I feel in my soul that this is the month I'm going to stick with it. :D

[cher_007]

We're coming up on August!

If you're ready to commit to 30 days of raw eatin' for the month of August, just check in right here!



I think I will try it!!! Thanks:)

[lavenderandsage]

Can I start now even if i was not hundred percent raw this morning?
I just got on this site an found the challenge, and I definitely want to do it!
I'm in from right........NOW.

[lavenderandsage]

Rawgust Rawks!
I am in. Had some tomatoes, carrots and lettuce this morning with some hummus, and will have strawberry lemonade in a little while. I might have to go scrounge around for something after that....
I have been about 80 percent raw and have been wanting to go 100 percent raw, and I hope this is the catalyst that makes it happen!

[commoncents]

Well, today is kind of easy to be RAW because I'm fasting, but I'm still RAWKIN nonetheless.

Will shop tomorrow for my food for the next week and am excited to be returning to RAW.

A question if anyone might know. I'll be travelling for a few days and staying in a hotel. I can purchase salads from Whole Foods, but don't know what to do for a dressing? Please help me as I want to stay 100% for the entire month.

[commoncents]

Today, Day One, is kind of easy for me because I am fasting, but I am still RAWKIN nonetheless. I will shop for my food tomorrow and excited to be returning to 100% RAW.

I have a question if anyone might be able to help me. I'll be travelling this month and will be able to purchase salads from Whole Foods Market, but wondered what I might do for a salad dressing while I am on the road?

Any suggestions will help greatly!!!!!

[Lelê]

How exciting this challenge!

I started raw (from reg. SAD) on Tuesday, but the challenge gave me motivation to go all 30 days ( I was originally going to try for 2 weeks only)... :) Later today I'm going to the supermarket because I'm running out of raw things to eat. I have my list ready!

So far, I had:

B: Green smoothie with strawberry, banana, spinach, kale (a little bit only), flax meal and soaked chia seeds.
L: A salad with baby arugula, onions, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, some home-made raspberry dressing and a little bit of that "eggless" salad (but it was a bit rough, because I had to stop the FP, because DS was complaining of the noise... Still delicious, though!)

I plan on drinking the rest of the smoothie as snack. I'm also thinking of trying a "noodle" marinara for dinner. I made one the other day (w/ cucumber) and it was great! But I want to try with zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes...which I didn't have. I'm also ordering my dehydrator tonight! And probably Alissa's book/DVD combo! YAY!

[Emma-Liza]

Wow, what a turnout! Hi, everybody!!!

comoncents--Considering you will be at a market, and can buy a lemon, lime, orange, or avocado...I keep olive oil at my desk and juice a whole fresh lemon or lime right over the salad, then add a little oil. However, if you are in your car a lot, keeping oil might not work. Another idea is orange/lemon/or lime juice and some honey drizzled on top. Maybe add a little cayenne and salt to that one! Some people mash up an avocado on top of their salad, just right in the bowl. Whole Foods might have something raw, you could ask!

Last night D--Caesar salad: romaine, Alissa's dressing, celery, onion, crumbs from my seed cracker package as croutons :)
Water: 78 oz (goal: 96:()
Sleep: 7 hrs (goal: 7)
Today B--enormo fruit bowl: peach, pinapple, cantaloupe
L--"kitchen sink" salad from caf salad bar: spinach, strawberries, grapes, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, onion, avocado, raisins, o&v (probably not the best veg mix--raisins and avo? noooo)
D--not a clue; will report tomorrow, as usual!

Happy evening to all you night readers!

[sistaloxxs]

Count me in :)

[Thick]

I'll be travelling this month and will be able to purchase salads from Whole Foods Market, but wondered what I might do for a salad dressing while I am on the road?

Any suggestions will help greatly!!!!!


What kind of on the road are we talking about? Camping or hotel rooming or just lunching in the car? If you can pack a stick blender (the immersible kind) you can make any dressing you like--either with a hotel outlet or with one that plugs into your car lighter.

With no gadgets--

1. avacado mashed w/wt lime and salt
2. whole foods prepared pico de gallo with avacado
3. lime/lemon juice w/ olive oil

I have only recently been exploring raw salad dressings beyond avacado=) Can't wait to see what everyone says=)

Sometimes I'm so distracted with my kids/brain that I just walk away mid post, then come back later and *send* it...I promise I wasn't copying your answers Emma-Liza=)

[babyraw]

Today, Day One, is kind of easy for me because I am fasting, but I am still RAWKIN nonetheless. I will shop for my food tomorrow and excited to be returning to 100% RAW.

I have a question if anyone might be able to help me. I'll be travelling this month and will be able to purchase salads from Whole Foods Market, but wondered what I might do for a salad dressing while I am on the road?

Any suggestions will help greatly!!!!!

One suggestion: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) & Apple Cider Vinegar or EVOO & Lemon Juice. Either one of these combination may be palatable to your tongue. This is a quick and easy find and doesn't require a blender.

[EZ rider]

My raw path is on course so far. I cleaned out all of the non-raw foods in my house today as I am a firm believer in making a "commitment move" as a way to re-enforce decisions also to reduce temptation and mindless eating. I hope everyone is doing well today.

[qnjnean]

I'm in, too. I'm new here.

jeannine

[qnjnean]

First, I got up at 4 am and reorganized about half of my kitchen cupboards. I went to the grocery store when it opened at 7 am (I was in laguna beach for the month of july, just got home last night). I started my intake with lemon ginger blast drink, and a GS of banana, strawberry, rasberries, and red chard. For lunch, a lara bar, and a gnosis raw chocolate bar. for dinner, I will probably have raw raviolis.

Note: Hi to Lisa M., who made me the raviolis and got me started on this "crazy" idea!!!

[burgespj]

Hi everyone, my name is Pat, an I am starting my 30 challenge Aug 2nd.I need to lose weight and want to be healthier and feel good about myself.I will post some photos in a couple days.Im excited, wish me luck. :0)

[commoncents]

Thanks for the suggestions Emma-Lisa!

[commoncents]

What kind of on the road are we talking about? Camping or hotel rooming or just lunching in the car? If you can pack a stick blender (the immersible kind) you can make any dressing you like--either with a hotel outlet or with one that plugs into your car lighter.

With no gadgets--

1. avacado mashed w/wt lime and salt
2. whole foods prepared pico de gallo with avacado
3. lime/lemon juice w/ olive oil

I have only recently been exploring raw salad dressings beyond avacado=) Can't wait to see what everyone says=)

Sometimes I'm so distracted with my kids/brain that I just walk away mid post, then come back later and *send* it...I promise I wasn't copying your answers Emma-Liza=)

Thanks for the suggestions. I will be staying in a hotel. What is a stick blender? I've never heard of it? Do you think target carries them. I would prefer to make my dressings while on the rode if I can.

[commoncents]

One suggestion: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) & Apple Cider Vinegar or EVOO & Lemon Juice. Either one of these combination may be palatable to your tongue. This is a quick and easy find and doesn't require a blender.
Thank you BabyRaw. Your suggestion sounds YUMMY!!!

[Thick]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will be staying in a hotel. What is a stick blender? I've never heard of it? Do you think target carries them. I would prefer to make my dressings while on the rode if I can.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-0630276-0722513?ASIN=B000M3F9BU&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000M3F9BU|Oster_Immersion_Hand_Blender_Red_26 13&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000M3F9BU&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

You can stick it down into a cup or bowl.

If you are staying at a hotel, you might have a small refrigerator and be able to bring some from home--or just refrigerate the leftovers you make.

The best thing about the immersible blender is that all you have to do to clean it is run it in some hot water=)

[carolv]

Breakfast: pineapple banana smoothie
Mid-morning snack: cut up apple and sliced strawberries with juice of 1/2 lime
Lunch: salad of spinach, romaine, cucumbers, sliced red pepper and carrots, green onions, parsley, and one diced avocado with Alissa's Dressing (Yummy)
Afternoon snack: cherries, almonds
Dinner: Fettuchini Alfredo
After dinner snack: Date Nut Torte

I've noticed my hands hurt more this evening than they have in quite awhile. Is it possible that I could be detoxing already?

[babyraw]

Breakfast: pineapple banana smoothie
Mid-morning snack: cut up apple and sliced strawberries with juice of 1/2 lime
Lunch: salad of spinach, romaine, cucumbers, sliced red pepper and carrots, green onions, parsley, and one diced avocado with Alissa's Dressing (Yummy)
Afternoon snack: cherries, almonds
Dinner: Fettuchini Alfredo
After dinner snack: Date Nut Torte

I've noticed my hands hurt more this evening than they have in quite awhile. Is it possible that I could be detoxing already?

It really depends on what your diet consisted of prior to you transitioning to a raw diet. If it was mostly fast food and/or processed food, then yes, you could be detoxing. But it also could be an allergic reaction to maybe some of the nuts (almonds, the Alfredo sauce, date nut torte). Not sure if your hands hurt like a joint pain or itching like a histamine release. I hope this helps you in some way. :confused:

[islesgirl]

Feeling great about doing this challenge! Made it through the day without any problems except the terrible pain in my feet - especially my left heel. But I bought some Nattokinase and am already taking it.

Here is what I ate today:

B - leftover smoothie from yesterday - I have already forgotten what was in
it - but I put it in my blog this morning (I think:eek: ) This short-term
memory is pretty poor. Anyway the smoothie was completely raw.

L - smoothie with: garden greens, 1 whole pineapple, 1 banana, 2 pks stevia
that made 2 huge glasses

S - smoothie with: 1 whole pineapple, 2 frozen bananas and this made 2 huge
glasses

So far no caffeine withdrawal headache. I was happy all day and had lots of energy but it may be from the wrong kind of food I pigged out on yesterday - we'll see if I crash tomorrow - you know - with the "sugar blues". But today? I am so happy and excited. I told you this time I was keeping it really simple and I sure did that today, didn't I!

Sure hope all you other rawbies enjoyed the first day of our Rawgust Challenge.:) I loved reading what you all ate. Yum! Lots of ideas here.

[bellamausi]

Ok, made it through one day .... almost! The evening cravings are always the worst for me. I can go through the day being completely happy and satisfied with eating raw foods, but in the evening .... watch out! :eek:

Not sure what to do about it or if it will ever go away. I have done a 30 day raw challenge before, lasted 6 weeks even, but I still remember that the cravings were just so hard to deal with. And the binging on dried fruit does not help any either. :P

Ok, what did I eat today?
B: cantelope, dried mango
L: raw caraway crackers & hummus, fresh figs
S: smoothie w/frozen mango, banana, strawberries, chard, dandelion and spinach
D: green salad with tomatos, cukes, red bell and avocado

Now I'm munching on grapes.

I was feeling very tired today. Probably from not having nearly as much coffee as usual. Otherwise had a good day. :)

[Morn]

Ok I need to try this challenge for August as I have been a little lax on my eating lately and need to get down to my goal and stay there. It seems I have never been able to get down to my goal without fasting or by just eating raw so I need to back off the fats - so that is my goal - more fruits and veggies.

Today's food:

4 cups of watermelon
Carrot, beet, apple and spinach smoothie
3 bananas
2 oz of blueberries
Salad with tomato, mango and ½ avocado with lemon
1 cup of strawberries
2 cups of grapes

[Morn]

Hi,

I am also excited to be a part of this. Good luck everyone.

B: green smoothie with spinach, banana, blueberries, and a pear

L: summer corn salad

D:green smoothie or mixed green salad

S: nuts and raisin

love the summer corn salad recipe out of Rawvolutions book!

[Ilse W.]

Hi there,
I just joined this forum after reading EZ rider's post on another website. I want to join the 30-day RAWgust challenge. Thank goodness, August has 31 days, because it's evening and my day has not been all raw. So my official start is tomorrow. I've been eating almost 100% raw for the last month or so and can really tell the difference. I'm looking forward to posting every day. Even though it's anonymous, it still helps on the accountability front.
Cheers,
Emma

[soillover]

Ok first day 100% raw. I have been doing high raw for the last week. I already feel sooo much better, I can't wait to see what 100% offers me. I really haven't "craved" much, although smelling my kids food tonight was a little tough. I was just craving a little something sweet so I had a banana.:)

Today I ate....

Cataloupe
Green smoothie
Some nuts....(although I don't think I can keep this up)
Plums
Wonderful Veggie And Greens Salad
A Banana


The greatest thing is.I didn't have a stomach ache ALL day. So far sooo great!

Kathleen in San Diego:D

[Jenifae]

I'm finally feeling better tonight. I remained RAW all day even at my lunch date which has been difficult for me - eating out with others. I've been crappy feeling all week.

Drew Barrymore once said "If you eat crappy food you feel like crap. If you eat good food you feel good"

How simple huh?

Today, I kinda ate alot but, it was all raw.

B: Banana
S: 4 tbls of pumpkin seeds
L: Huge Salad: Spinach, red cabbage, radishes, broccoli, califlower, cucumbers, tomatoes, red & green bell peppers, garbonzo beans, kidney beans, avocado, w/ vinergarette dressing.
D/S: Huge bowl of Watermelon and a few nuts.

I want to learn more of food combining.

[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!

[MiahTay]

Good morning! Feeling good this morning. Had a great RAW night with friends and family last night, we even got to sample TWO raw desserts. It did feel like a totally decadent day. Today will be a little less elaborate.

So far it looks like:

B - Carrot juice
Mid Morning - Cantaloupe
Lunch - Green Smoothie or strawberries
Snack - strawberries if I don't eat them for lunch :D
Dinner - large salad with sunflower pate that I threw together yesterday

Not a lot on the schedule today, I'm going to take advantage of a lazy Saturday and do some reading, I got some new gardening books in the mail yesterday.

Blessings,
Heather

[ReneeH]

Hi everyone!!!

I've been MIA for a minute or two...but, I'm re-focused and back on track, a ***HUGE*** thanks to my new SUPER RAW BUDDY, our lovely LUCY!!! Our Very Own "DRINK YOUR GREEN SMOOTHIE EVERY DAY" voice in our head!!! She has been a wonderful cheerleader for me helping me behind the scenes (here is where I would put the jumping Avatar if I knew how to do that!!!! :D )!!!

[Thick]

Good morning=)

I have such a hard time coordinating when I need groceries with farmers market days. Even though I've got plenty--I'm just going to go anyway. Maybe there will be tomatoes!=)

Here's my plan=
B-orange/pineapple juice
S-papaya w/lime &cayenne (If you hate papaya and think it smells/tastes as if its in heat, you should try it with lime juice)
L-mixed greens w/ leftover queso
S-maybe some fresh, ripe, local fruit from the market
S-movies with my son
pecans
D-out to eat w/ my mom & kids-probably go to sweet tomatoes or at least somewhere with a salad


My son is so excited about me making the jalapeno burgers (no, haven't make them yet). He saw the pictures on my computer I guess. I had a bag of sundried tomatoes on the counter and he said, "Sun dried tomatoes? You can make jalapeno burgers with those can't you?" He's at my mom's house, today. I'll make them tomorrow. I'm going to pick him up and go see The Mummy.

Congradulations to everyone for making it to day 2=)!

[prettyenough]

daaay 2 ! green smoothie this morning, salad for lunch, nuts through out the day then salad and smoothie for dinner im sure :) i feel better already, i swear it !!

[Thick]

prettyenough, I really love that poem in your signature!

[MiahTay]

Hi everyone!!!

I've been MIA for a minute or two...but, I'm re-focused and back on track, a ***HUGE*** thanks to my new SUPER RAW BUDDY, our lovely LUCY!!! Our Very Own "DRINK YOUR GREEN SMOOTHIE EVERY DAY" voice in our head!!! She has been a wonderful cheerleader for me helping me behind the scenes (here is where I would put the jumping Avatar if I knew how to do that!!!! :D )!!!

Of course I remember you. Good to see you again! Glad you are joining us! It's going to be a GREAT month!

Blessings,
Heather

[deberaw]

Good Morning Everyone!!!
How fun to read thru the posts yesterday! What great energy! Had super busy day yesterday and no trouble staying Raw.....I must be evolving...less focused on making elaborate meals this time around and just enjoying the seasons bounty! {oh but I will make some fancy meals too, I do love to make and eat them!}....

Hi Heather! So fun to see you here! Your evening yesterday sounds divine...oops, you forgot to invite me...hee-hee!;) ...Tell us more about your salad bars...what a great idea...and I love how you include your kids...mine...(5 year old twins, 2 year old) enjoy some Raw...lots of fruits, veggies from the garden...smoothies....banana ice-cream...etc. They also enjoy Alissa's Grezzo's Chocolate Cake (recipe on this forum)....

Thick...just make sure you are eating more than 1 fruit in the morning...eat until you are full...you may be doing this...just wanted to make sure! I know what you mean about Farmers Mkt. and other other shopping! Hope you found the tomatoes!

So Today....my youngest son helped to make a green smoothie: 3 bananas, water, huge handful of fresh spinach, cinnamon...delish...wish you all could have seen his green mustache!

I also have tomatoes {yellow and red} in the dehydrator...along with shredded red cabbage, and walnuts with Nama Shoyu...all for a salad I'll put together to take to my in-laws tomorrow....I'll make ALissa's Honey Mustard dressing too...LOVE IT!

ALso have marinated green beans, portabello, and onion..with Olive Oil and seasoning in the dehydrator...will serve for lunch with rice for the family...and of course sans the rice for me...ohhh, If I had a cauliflower than I could rice that up!....ALso going to make the Ritz crackers too...that recipe sounded quick and divine!....okay...'nuf rambling...Have a wonderful Day my Raw friends! warmly, Deb

[WendyLouWho]

Yea, day 2!

Last night was super...got to watch the Raw for 30 days DVD and the Raw for Life DVD's. So inspired and fired up! And dh says he wants to be high raw now :eek: Bowl me over. I never thought those words would come out of his mouth. That will certainly make this month easier for me and a lot of fun doing this together.

I'm nibbling on an avocado for breakfast, got lots of goodies in the kitchen from the farmer's market and our garden, RFRW spiced pumpkin seeds in the dehydrator as well as RFRW macroons <swoon>.

Hey, Thick! We are making jalapeno burgers here as well. Hopefully this afternoon along with some type of 'bread'. We'll have to compare notes :D

Have a great day everyone!

[qnjnean]

I lost 5 pounds yesterday, wow. I'll start my day with lemongingerblast, then greensmoothie, then salad? rest of ravioilis? few grapes here and there...

[srsarri]

Yay! for dat 2!

I did great yesterday, went to the yankee game and actually didn't want anything there! Part of that reason is how great I have been feeling raw, the other part is the nutrition facts that they had to post at all food stands in the stadium due to new york law!! OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

24oz Soda (which people usually get, so they can get the cool yankee's cup!) 540 calories!

pretzel - 600 calories
fries- 300-700 calories depending on size! DONT FORGET THE CHEESE that'll up it another 200 calories!

I knew it was all bad, but seeing it is different then just thinking it!

I was SOO happy to be raw at that point! ... I felt so good just walking away!


This morning I had an apple and 2 huge green smoothies! I will have a salad for lunch! For dinner I plan on making some salsa's and guacamole to dip some chopped up veggies in!

I hope everyone has a wonderful saturday!

Rainy here in NY!

[MiahTay]

Hi Heather! So fun to see you here! Your evening yesterday sounds divine...oops, you forgot to invite me...hee-hee!;) ...Tell us more about your salad bars...what a great idea...and I love how you include your kids...mine...(5 year old twins, 2 year old) enjoy some Raw...lots of fruits, veggies from the garden...smoothies....banana ice-cream...etc. They also enjoy Alissa's Grezzo's Chocolate Cake (recipe on this forum)....



Hey Deb! I pretty much do salad bar every night, but on Friday we have our friends over and my parents and we uncook up a storm. Last night we had, romain, organic spring greens, red bell peppers, tomatoes out of my mom's garden, onions, baby carrots, radishes, etc. with two new salad dressings - a tomato basil and the sunflower seed pate I made. Then for dessert we had mango cobbler (Ani Phyo's) and Chocolate Mousse (I found it on line and tweaked a little, so easy). I had intended to make marinated portobellas but didn't get around to it. You are welcome to join us for dinner anytime! But it would be quite a drive from Michigan!

All - You have made me want to try these Jalapeno Burgers but I don't have sundried tomatoes ... do you think I could substitute something or is it an essential (I can always just pick some up next time I'm in town).

I'm enjoying the energy on this challenge!

Blessings,
Heather

[Emma-Liza]

I also have tomatoes {yellow and red} in the dehydrator...along with shredded red cabbage, and walnuts with Nama Shoyu...all for a salad I'll put together to take to my in-laws tomorrow....I'll make ALissa's Honey Mustard dressing too...LOVE IT!

ALso have marinated green beans, portabello, and onion..with Olive Oil and seasoning in the dehydrator...will serve for lunch with rice for the family...and of course sans the rice for me...ohhh, If I had a cauliflower than I could rice that up!....ALso going to make the Ritz crackers too...that recipe sounded quick and divine!....okay...'nuf rambling...Have a wonderful Day my Raw friends! warmly, Deb

Deb-- these sound great! thanks for putting how to prepare them along with the ingredients. A question about the first one, are the cabbage and walnuts and tomatoes all in the dehydrator together, in the dehydrator but separate? or is it just the tomatoes that are in the dehydrator?

thanks, the combinations really appeal to me!

[Emma-Liza]

I've made them twice in the last 3 weeks and my tips are:


Yes, you need the sundried tomatoes. I usually put a couple extra than what is called for. I can't think of any substitue for that dry winey flavor except maybe sundried olives. Which would be tasty, but I think way oily....

Salt--start with half the Nama Shoyu and half the salt OR LESS and work up. Half of each works for me, but I like things salty.

Do not fear the jalapeno. I use a whole large one, minus seeds. If you don't like hot, let it sit on the counter about 20 minutes and will be soooo much milder! It's amazing how they mellow.

Soak the nuts. I've made it both ways and I like the nuts soaked.

I skip the spices altogether. But I keep thinking a Greek herb mix would be good in them.

Stuff them into small sweet peppers, split lengthwise, and add toppings to make nachos. :)

I haven't dehydrated it yet, just because I love it as-is and start eating it immediately! I hope someone will tell me how it changes the taste/texture!

[Emma-Liza]

Last night D--salad greens, tomato, onion, lemon/olive oil dressing, last of the walnut jalapeno burger (I don't really make patties, I just use a 1/3 cup squeeze scoop.) 2 "ritz' crackers

Water: 78 oz
Sleep: 7.25 hrs

Today B--banana early, later a smoothie: banana, almond milk, cacao, agave, flax seeds, hemp seeds, drop almond extract, dash stevia

Lunch is a big question mark--I'll know it when I see it! There's loads of stuff here.
I'm sure there will be salad for dinner as we are eating out!

[lavendarJ]

Just wanted to say hey and see what everyone is eating....

Had some bananas, carob and raw cacao I got from Alissa's site in the fridge. Got a hankering for a chocoloate banana shake (not a super duper chocolate fan which is strange)... Made a chocolate banana shake
3 bananas
"milk" = used hemp seed (about 16 or 20 oz worth I think)
3 heaping tsp of cacao
a little dash of sweetner (can use agave but watch out)

Man this drink was super duper sweet and now I know why people often make this type of chocolate goodness.....still have about 2 cups left over that I put in the fridge

I know I can sell my nieces on this one...
Just wanted to say hey

[sweetlime]

chuggin' down my fave breakfast: cocao & banana smoothie! i know it's not a "green" smoothie, but sometimes i just need a sweet pick me up in the morning.

i've been really diggin' marinated greens lately. i made dressing with mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and cumin. it's really good!

or maybe i'll make soft tacos. haven't made them in a while.

i also am planning to drink lots and lots of water. i have been slacking in that department, and i am hoping it will help my skin clear up...(been stressed lately and it shows.)

oh, and i am going to ride my bike to and from rehearsal (about 6 miles!).

have a good day everyone!

[bellamausi]

prettyenough, that poem is awesome!

It's 1pm here and I'm doing well. I am not as tired as yesterday. :)

My kids and I cracked open a coconut for breakfast, my son Dillan (5) liked it, but Cora (3) not so much. I ate quite a bit, it's really good!

For the last hour or so, I have been trying to recreate www.livinspoonfuls.com caraway cracker recipe! It is soooo good! Best crackers ever! My healthfood store carries it, but they are too expensive to keep buying.

They are dehydrating as I write, so I'll let you know how they turn out. :)

[Lelê]

Hey, guys!

Dh went to the market last night and got me some basic stuff, but enough for me to play it.. ;)

This morning, B. (my son) woke up with me, making it hard to use the blender (he's scared of the noise so I use while he's sleeping). Thankfully (!), I had some smoothie from yesterday in the fridge!

Now I'm eating a big salad and I'm about to marinate some zucchini for later (have no idea what to with it yet, though..).

I think that getting a dehydrator will be awesome and give me more choices... so I'm ordering one soon.

I'm such an emotional eater, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it, but I'm really excited, inspired this time! The support here is also wonderful it's making a world of difference! <3 <3

[deberaw]

Hi everyone! Just checkin' in!!! Everybody sounds good good goood...

Heather: Thank you!:D {for the invite tee-hee}....I love the idea of salad bar...so easy...do your kids eat it too? or do you make something separate?

Emma-Liza: I just did them all separate....on different trays. I read about cabbage making a nice crisp when it is dehydrated..and that it is good in salads...so we'll see! The tomatoes were from my garden and now they are chewy with that nice condensed flavor of being dehydrated...and the nuts are a divine snack...mmmm...I kept tasting so I made some more! Then in the morning I'll prepare a big green salad with veggies and bring the toppings along with the dressing and some Ritz crackers...mmmm

The Jalepeno Burgers sound good..I'll have to look that recipe up!

AND...I am SOOO excited....Monday evening we're going out to eat and I called the restaurant ahead of time as I had heard the chef will make Raw Vegan meals with some notice...you guessed it....the chef will make me a special Raw meal! I am so excited...they just needed to know what time we're coming in!...how fun too that I don't know what it is...but it will be fine because it is Raw!.....Yay! Now off to eat a big salad with Alissa's Honey mustard dressing...yummmmm Deb

[bellamausi]

Monday evening we're going out to eat and I called the restaurant ahead of time as I had heard the chef will make Raw Vegan meals with some notice

Wow, are you lucky to have a restaurant like that near you!:)

[Ilse W.]

Hi All,
I had my first "green" smoothie this morning. Used most of 3 bananas (have to share with Max, my golden retriever), 2 tangerines, a very ripe plum, and 2 huge handsful of baby spinach. Tasted great! Just now I invented avocado and lettuce roll-ups. I mashed the avocado and mixed it with lots of asian chili sauce and granulated garlic. The lettuce came from the garden. It was sooooo good. Dinner will be a huge salad, as every day. It normally takes me a good hour to chew it all, that's how big my salads are. Am feeling fabulous. Max got his usual 30 Minute walk and got to swim in the Dungeness River. He lives for his swims. Now I'll bounce on my rebounder for 15 minutes, that should do it for today.
Cheers,
Ilse

[StarFire]

Happy RAWgust everyone! just checking in to say Howzit!!! everyone sounds like they are doing fantastic... and I love all the variety we are all eating!! I can't wait to try those walnut jalepeno burgers!! yummmm!!

Hugs to everyone!!! we're all off to a great start!

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

[Jenifae]

I"m doing good so far..............staying RAW!

I'm kinda lazy though but, feeling better. I just made the HUGEST GS I've ever made I think. Way too much. I was kinda hungry when I was making it.
I put in Apple Juice, Spinach, Kale, Banana, Frozen Strawberries, Pineapple, Goji Berries, Dates, Cacao Nibs, Flax, Raw Coconut oil w/meat & Vitameral Green. I ate some nuts with it. I'm not going to worry about nuts until I'm grounded in my Rawness.

I don't know why the Raw Artisana's Coconut oil and meat always looks like it might be old. It says it's good until 2009. Hummmmmmmm. ANyone know about this.

[sistaloxxs]

Just got back in from stocking up on goodies @ Glasser Farm.

B-2 bananas & a nectarine
L-small salad wth romaine, sunflower seeds & red pepper
snack- vanilla cashew ice cream drizzled with raw chocolate syrup (yum!)
D-if I eat dinner it will be a raw pizza.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

[prettyenough]

prettyenough, I really love that poem in your signature!

thank you so much!! i love it and loved it too, i found it online through research on raw food.

[jewell1908]

Day 2:

B:48oz. green smoothie

Went to the Fox Theater to see the Color Purple play with my sister

S: On my way home, Nuts and grapes


D: Green salad with the summer corn salad mixed

S: cashew brownies

[EZ rider]

avocado and lettuce roll-ups. I mashed the avocado and mixed it with lots of asian chili sauce and granulated garlic. The lettuce came from the garden. It was sooooo good.
After reading your post I decided to try this and I agree with you this is sooooo good ! I didn't have the garlic or the Asian chili sauce on hand so I left that out and Substituted onion for the garlic. I chopped up a half of a yellow onion and put it in a bowl and then put two avocados in the bowl and mashed them together. I put some on a romaine lettuce leaf and made a wrap. It was simple and easy to make and RAWlicious. Thanks for the idea. :)

[2BRaw]

although starting late (8/3) and scared I'm in for August!

[MiahTay]

I"m doing good so far..............staying RAW!

I'm kinda lazy though but, feeling better.

I've had a lazy day, but feeling good. I've grazed through out the day. I'm glad you're feeling better.

Blessings,
Heather

[deberaw]

Hey! Everyone sounds good...the food posted sounds delish!
Sweetlime, if you see this yet tonight...those greens with cumin etc. do sound great! I'll have to try that! Also..how tall are you? You and I are at the same weight with the same goal...I used to be there!....I am 5'1...and small boned...so that is a good, comfortable weight for me...now I have a bit of a pudgy belly etc....

[MiahTay]

Hi everyone! Just checkin' in!!! Everybody sounds good good goood...

Heather: Thank you!:D {for the invite tee-hee}....I love the idea of salad bar...so easy...do your kids eat it too? or do you make something separate?

The Jalepeno Burgers sound good..I'll have to look that recipe up!

AND...I am SOOO excited....Monday evening we're going out to eat and I called the restaurant ahead of time as I had heard the chef will make Raw Vegan meals with some notice...you guessed it....the chef will make me a special Raw meal! I am so excited...they just needed to know what time we're coming in!...how fun too that I don't know what it is...but it will be fine because it is Raw!.....Yay! Now off to eat a big salad with Alissa's Honey mustard dressing...yummmmm Deb

That is so good they will make a raw dinner for you! I still am afraid to venture out to much because the temptation is still so strong.

Our dinner time is a little odd because it is my husband and I, our two children and my parents who don't live with us but come over for dinner just about every night. Luckily I am at least working with a crowd that has some knowledge of what "healthy" is and I instituted around the end of last year that we would have salad before any cooked food for dinner, so at first I was making salad and cooking an entire dinner also ... gradually I have weaned it to salad bar and something little cooked (like last night I made muffins), so I can stop at the salad bar and I'm not killing myself making a cooked feast as well. And everyone seems happy, so to answer your question ... yes, my children eat the salad bar also and they enjoy trying new things (I've raised them vegetarian, but not raw, their whole lives) but they eat some small cooked thing after their salad. My parents aren't even vegetarian and don't complain and now I've got my mom drinking green smoothies. Gotta love it! On a typical night (not like Friday, which is like a feast), I have a big bowl of greens, then usually 5-6 toppings ... tonight was radish, green onion, baby carrot, asparagus, tomatoes, sprouts and pumpkin seeds. I usually have two homemade salad dressings on hand ... and that's about it. Nothing to exciting.

I had a GREAT raw day today I just relaxed and ate as I was hungry, I am really enjoying things this time around.

Blessings,
Heather

[Rainie]

I bought 10 pounds of peaches at the farmer's market today.
Spent a fortune but they're my FAVORITE summer treat & I can't get enough.
I think my body's working on remedying its peach deficiency. :)

[MiahTay]

Just wanted to say hey and see what everyone is eating....

Had some bananas, carob and raw cacao I got from Alissa's site in the fridge. Got a hankering for a chocoloate banana shake (not a super duper chocolate fan which is strange)... Made a chocolate banana shake
3 bananas
"milk" = used hemp seed (about 16 or 20 oz worth I think)
3 heaping tsp of cacao
a little dash of sweetner (can use agave but watch out)

Man this drink was super duper sweet and now I know why people often make this type of chocolate goodness.....still have about 2 cups left over that I put in the fridge

I know I can sell my nieces on this one...
Just wanted to say hey

Sounds YUMMY! I made a chocolate mousse yesterday that was Soooo easy and the bowl was scraped clean, the kids all went back for seconds so your nieces would probably love it as well.

Chocolate Mousse

Aprox. 1 c. ice into the Vita-Mix
Fill it up to the 4 c. line with cold water
Add about 1 1/2 c. Walnuts (NOT soaked)
3 Tablespoons Cacao powder
Add about 2 handfuls of dates

Blend until smooth. Taste it to make sure it is sweet enough then pour into a glass dish, refrigerate several hours or overnight. It ends up thick like pudding/mousse. YUMMY!

Blessings,
Heather

[carolv]

Hand pain is better today, it's in my joints.

Breakfast: pineapple banana smoothie
Snack: cut up apple and sliced strawberries with juice of ½ lemon
Lunch: Salad of spinach, romaine, cucumbers, sliced red pepper and carrots, tomato, green onions, parsley and ½ avocado diced with Alissa’ Dressing.
Snack: Lara Bar
Snack: ½ personal size watermelon and a few cherries
Dinner: Fettuccini Alfredo, Salmon Pate with alfalfa sprouts, slender asparagus marinated in Alissa’s Dressing.
Snack: Date Nut Torte

It seems like I am eating an awful lot of food but at least it is all raw. I don't want to get hungry and start eating something I shouldn't.

I need to try the green smoothies that everyone is raving about. I only have an old blender and an old food processor to work with for now. I'm going to do some research in this forum on equipment and the smoothies.

[Morn]

Today I went for a motorcyle ride with the hubby and went out for dinner and had a nice salad. Foods eaten:

Carrot, beet, apple and spinach smoothie
3 bananas
3 cups of pineapple
Kale, lemon, ginger and apple smoothie
Large Garden salad with squeezed lemon
1 cup of grape tomatoes
1 glass of red wine
1/2 ounce of raw macademia nuts
1 cup of grapes

It is good to see some veterans on here as well!

[islesgirl]

At last I have some quiet time alone in which to sum up part of my raw day. I wasn't very hungry today for some reason. And I was a bit blue off and on but it was still a good day.

Here is what I ate - I warned you it would be simple, and I really wasn't very hungry today........although most of you posted delicious menus and did get me a bit hungry but I felt lazy about food prep of any kind. Also my weight is just about out of the 160's and I am giving it a little extra push!

Mid morning: glass of orange juice

Late lunch:
Green Smoothie with 1 whole pineapple, 2 frozen bananas, 1 whole organic
cuke (skin and all),
2T flax seeds, 1T chia seeds, 1T brown unhulled
sesame seeds, 1T hemp seeds, some agave, water

This made 2 huge glasses

Supper: 2 stalks celery filled with Eggless Egg Salad. Yum.

The only pain I had all day was in the bottom of my left heel upon getting out of bed and then each time I got up from my chair. I literally can't put any weight on it for about 5 minutes - then it seems to go away again, after I've limped around a bit.

It was very encouraging to read about all you other rawbies on this challenge. 'til tomorrow....:D

CW is 161 lbs:)

[wiccedfae23]

Hi everyone!! Im so excited to start 100% raw! good luck everyone! :D
simple day because i was so busy running around but i had

a huge smoothie.. banana, strawberry, blueberry, ice and a tblspn raw almond butter ... yummy!
lots of water
flax berry almond bars i made
salad with red orange yellow and green peppers... so pretty! with evoo, acv, and sea salt as dressing

[wiccedfae23]

mmm im gonna try this one!! i just got my first packages of raw cacao and raw cacao powder so im excited to make some sweets!

[wiccedfae23]

Well day two was kind of rough i feel like i cant get enough to eat...so i ate all day lol!

rawvolution bar
banana
lg portion of cubed watermelon
flax crackers with homemade salsa
salad with portabellas, peppers, onions, tomatoes, raw corn, cukes
avocado tomato onion mushroom and sprouts topped with pesto
kind of ice cream thing i whipped up... (frzn banana, frzn strawberry raw cacao and agave in the blender)

i know i know its alot of food now that im looking at it, but i finally feel full! nothing but water till bed though!!!

How is everyone else doing? i wish u all luck!! this is my first challenge or attempt to go all raw so bare with me ;)

[lavendarJ]

Sounds YUMMY! I made a chocolate mousse yesterday that was Soooo easy and the bowl was scraped clean, the kids all went back for seconds so your nieces would probably love it as well.

Chocolate Mousse

Aprox. 1 c. ice into the Vita-Mix
Fill it up to the 4 c. line with cold water
Add about 1 1/2 c. Walnuts (NOT soaked)
3 Tablespoons Cacao powder
Add about 2 handfuls of dates

Blend until smooth. Taste it to make sure it is sweet enough then pour into a glass dish, refrigerate several hours or overnight. It ends up thick like pudding/mousse. YUMMY!

Blessings,
Heather

Thanks... my niece is a true chocoholic... she will LOVE this

[Jenifae]

So, my Food ended up being this:

B: Banana
S: A small bowl of pineapple & watermelon
L: Huge GS - 8oz of Apple Juice, A large handful of Spinach, 2 pieces of Kale, 1/4 cup of Pineapple, 1 Banana, 6 Frozen Strawberries, 1 handful of Goji Berries, 1 TBLS of Cacao Nibs, 1 TBLS of Coconut Oil/Meat, 1 Heaping TBLS of ground Flax, 2 TBLS of Vitamineral Green - It made 24 oz - I could only drink about 6oz. - and a small handful of cashews
S: Cashews
D: Larabar - Chocolate.........yummy.......
S: Bowl of Watermelon w/some cantelope & honeydew...a few pieces only.

[Sissylala88]

I'm new to the site but have been raw for over almost 2 weeks now.I'd loveto start :)

[Sissylala88]

Breakie: carrot,cucumber, grapes and some blue berries

Peach

Lunch: all fruit smoothie

Dinner:avocado, tomatoes

[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 ALL! I am up and going, today is going to be a busy one. We will be having a gathering of friends in our home (which we do every Sunday) and having a pot luck (very SAD), so today will be a challenge for me as I don't like to draw attention to the fact that I eat differently and the food is often a temptation. SO, it looks like my food for today will be:

B - Cantaloupe
Mid AM - Banana
Lunch - HUGE green smoothie that I will probably sip on through the afternoon
Dinner - Watermelon
Dessert (if I want it) Chocolate covered strawberries

Have a GREAT day and I will check in this evening!

Blessings,
Heather

[Sissylala88]

Another Day :)

Miraculously I've dropped a few pounds since I started back on the Metformin which my doctor suggest I start back on for my PCOS. ANyone else here stop medication? I stopped the Wellbutrin and Adderall, but guess I need to stay on the Metformin till I get some of this weight off me:confused:

[deberaw]

Good Morning All!

I share similar feelings about potlucks and gatherings and food, as you, Heather!....We are going to our in-laws today...they were confused when I and Hubby went vegetarian and still thought we could eat turkey burgers etc. We don't make it a big deal and always bring a dish. Today I made a huge glorious salad with the seasons bounty: greens, some red cabbage, yellow beans, tomatoes,carrots, cukes, some fresh dill...most from our garden {ah how I love this time of year! I'm also bringing some dehydrated tomatoes and the nama shoyu/dehydrated walnuts to add as toppings...I tried this combo last night and it was a nice flavor and texture.....and I'll bring dressing too for anyone that wants it....{I did taste the walnuts a lot...they are still a little heavy in my tummy...I'll go lightly today}....I'm also bringing some Ritz crackers too...yummy, but yes, more walnuts!!!!!{and of course I tasted these last night!}

Big GS today...some watermelon...and I'll have another GS before we hit the road...I do stash some Lara Bars in my car, and that helps in a pinch!!!!

Sissy....hmmm...that okay to be stopping meds? I would strongly encourage doing this under your docs. supervision and not cold turkey.....just my thoughts......Blessings....

Have a great Raw Day everyone! warmly, Deb

[soillover]

Okay...day three!
I went to BBQ yesterday and I made it through without trying one SAD thing there. They had some cut up vegetables so I munched on those. The cravings were there, but I kept reminding myself about my muscles and joint aches and my itching and I kept on track!

YEAH!!

Today so far I have had a yummie peach and a banana.

I will have a green smoothie late late morning early afternoon.

A big salad with lots of raw yummies in there...


We are having a small gathering today at our home for my DS2 third birthday. We are ordering pizza, that is a easy one for me to avoid! I will make the salad for all of us....

I may try to find some organic strawberries and make a raw strawberry pie! IF not just enjoy the berries on their own.

I am so happy to be here....feel some emotional stuff coming up...will see what unfolds.

Kathleen in San Diego

[Thick]

Hello=)

Miahtah, are you making any sort of raw entree for your potluck? Sounds dangerous. For me, if I'm heading into a dangerous situation, I always make sure that I am really full. Watermelon can do it, too..but for me I eat a handful or two of walnuts or pecans. Or avacado--something with a good amount of fat for satiety. And, its verry easy for the hostess to get away with not eating unless you have a very formal seating, as you can rush around helping people, doing things etc.. Good Luck! We'll be watching you!!

Sissylala, I've never taken any of those medications. My only advice would be to go and see a naturopath and let them help you.

Okay, here's my plan=

B-grapes
S-watermelon
L- ritz sandwich with avacado, tomato and leftover queso
S-watermelon
D-jalapeno burgers
avacado fries

As soon as I get off my butt online, I'm going to pretend I'm my own maid and clean nonstop--then pay myself. With the money I earn (lol) I'm going to hire a babysitter and go get a massage (the legal kind).

I hope you find a new door today=)

[Morn]

Hey everyone - good to see such enthusiam and careful thought to planning! I find that to be a huge factor on if someone is going to succeed or not. When we don't plan ahead of time we open ourselves up to choices that are less than best!

Today I am going to quickly exercise and then Hubby and Me are heading out on the water for a nice boating day. The weather is sunny and we haven't gotten to many days like this in Michigan lately. So I will be packing a bunch of fruit with me and heading out soon!

Oh and yesterday I made a new recipe that someone suggested from my daughters school. It was pretty good:

1/2 bunch kale, 1/2 lemon, 1 apple, and small piece of ginger

Have a great raw day everyone!:D

[Thick]

. The cravings were there, but I kept reminding myself about my muscles and joint aches and my itching and I kept on track!

I am so happy to be here....feel some emotional stuff coming up...will see what unfolds.

Kathleen in San Diego

I am so proud of you for only snacking on the raw stuff! It is so hard with the permission implied from the display of food, isn't it? Last night, I went to a Campaign for Liberty meeting where there was a basket of chips and salsa in front of me for about 2 hours. Chips and salsa have been the hardest thing for me to resist--but I did it=) I'm glad you did it too=)

So interesting about your emotional detox. That happened to me, too. It was so interesting. Like Guy Smiley playing "this is your life" inside your head=)> I dealt with the loss of a relationship that happened 11 years ago so intensely for a couple of weeks. I wasn't just thinking about it, or mourning it--I was actually reliving the physical symptoms,..I just let it come, sorted it all out and kept reminding myself that there is nothing I can do now-it's 2008 and there is nothing I have to do to make it better.

What I found at the end of that detox was that I had left my self esteem back in that place. It took some sorting through--but finally I realized that that part of my life was when I was the happiest, most self assured, most creative and happy..and my body(?) remembered--took me back there in a dream first. So, through realizing this..I am finding my way back to the Catherine I can love, an unashamed, fiercely beautiful Catherine=)>

[MiahTay]

Thick - Thanks for your concern. And you've got my M.O. nailed. I always serve myself last and busy myself so nobody really notices what I eat at all. Also, because of the time (4:00) I will drink my large smoothie through the afternoon, then at 4:00 I'll have my large bowl of watermelon, and everyone is usually gone by 6:00 at the latest so I can eat something then if I'm hungry. I typically make the main part of the meal because it's my house then everyone makes side dishes to go with it ... so, since I'm already making the main part of the meal for everyone else, I don't want to bother making something elaborate for me - to much work for one day. But I'll let you all know how I do, I'm feelin' strong at the moment, like it's not even a consideration. AND I'm really looking forward to watermelon - I've been craving it!

It will be so good to hear of everyone's victories tonight when we check in!

Blessings,
Heather

[bananara]

I had cereal made with flax+raisins + apple
some pecans,banana & cashew milk + honey
lunch: okra curry
strawberry sweet cream
Dinner:lettuce wraps
grapes
strawberry icecream

it went pretty good.. and having present here in this forum has stopped me from eating any cooked food.. I think its working..

[Jenifae]

I'm starting my Day out good.

Just had a Banana and getting ready to work out. I'm actually going to a RawFood Meetup in Temecula,Ca. Down the hill from me. I'm excited. Here's the funny part. They are meeting at a Round Table Pizza Parlor. Is that weird and funny or what? LOL!

I'll let ya know how it goes. Not worried about the pizza. Not interested. I havent' eaten cheese since, march this year.

[Thick]

They are meeting at a Round Table Pizza Parlor. Is that weird and funny or what? LOL!

I'll let ya know how it goes. Not worried about the pizza. Not interested. I havent' eaten cheese since, march this year.

Maybe they serve a raw pizza! Let us know=)>

[prettyenough]

daaaay 3! its 2pm already. today ive had a big green smoothie and some nuts. im starting to get real hungry though so im gonna have a salad of some sort i think :)

[ReneeH]

Hey everyone..

Just checkin' in... Been overdosing on Watermelon today!!! Can't get enough of it!!! Got some Pizza Bread in the dehydrator--Smells sooooo good! ...just about ready, so I'm gonna have that for dinner today! (yummy!!!) ...just moving right along!!!

[soillover]

So interesting about your emotional detox. That happened to me, too. It was so interesting. Like Guy Smiley playing "this is your life" inside your head=)> I dealt with the loss of a relationship that happened 11 years ago so intensely for a couple of weeks. I wasn't just thinking about it, or mourning it--I was actually reliving the physical symptoms,..I just let it come, sorted it all out and kept reminding myself that there is nothing I can do now-it's 2008 and there is nothing I have to do to make it better.

What I found at the end of that detox was that I had left my self esteem back in that place. It took some sorting through--but finally I realized that that part of my life was when I was the happiest, most self assured, most creative and happy..and my body(?) remembered--took me back there in a dream first. So, through realizing this..I am finding my way back to the Catherine I can love, an unashamed, fiercely beautiful Catherine=)>

Thank you thick for responding. I have a small feeling that the next month is going to be an emotional one....not all sad or angry ones, but just emotional!
I have some things to "move" through myself and it needs to be done. This first 30 days will open a amazing set of doors I just know it. I just can't chicken out and back out!!!!! I am turning 40 the end of September, so there are some "feelings" around that as well. But I know i will feel better on this birthday that I have in years past.

Thank you!
Kathleen:D

[jewell1908]

Hello Everyone,

Sorry so late checking in. Today has been a good day. After church this morning, visited my parent gravesite, to replenish the flowers, my dad's birthday is this month. Brought with me a few cherries and a bottle of water to drink. After, went to Sam's Food club to pick up a few melons, was having such a craving for melons. Got home and made a huge green soothie that has taken me about 3 hours to drink. Will have a corn salad for l/d and melon tonight. Off to work tomorrow. 1st day of school (planning this week) kids return Aug.11th.

[qnjnean]

yesterday I went to the farmers market - got some incredible organic cherries. really good fresh pineapple at the salad bar at whole foods, too. really good raw cookies at whole foods, too. so, today, I'm just snacking on all the raw things I have around.

I have found it's fairly easy for me to eat raw after having decided to. (A lot easier than intending to eat more raw, for example.) But, I am an emotional basket case. but I feel alive.

[babyraw]

Not sure how Day 2 went??? As far as raw vs. cooked, I remained raw but my appetite was quite low! I ran that morning and then crashed on the sofa. About 2-3 hours later, I made a green smoothie. For lunch I had blue corn chips & salsa along with watermelon. Later that night I went to a dinner party and packed more chips & salsa & watermelon. Ate it all along with drinking probably 4-5 bottle waters, to avoid the excess of alcohol! Can you say, "Go to the bathroom every 15 minutes!" LOL!!!!

[Emma-Liza]

After 5 weeks, I'm still finding it liberating more than confining to eat raw. It does hamper going out and thankfully, no one has invited us for dinner in this time. (We usually suggest going out so no one has to clean!) I had a great meal out last night--all 4 of us ordered salads. :)

Last night D--salad: greens, mango, avocado, onion, sesame dressing
Water: 96 oz (gooooal!)
Sleep: 8 hrs :) ahhh!
Today B--green smoothie: spinach, pineapple, peaches, almond milk, flax seeds
L--am eating carrots, don't know what else

[bellamausi]

Still here, doing good! Not much of an appetite today, but that's fine with me.

Here is the caraway cracker recipe I recreated yesterday, only version 1, since I'm planning on doing another one, with celery instead of the cucumber and less flax.

2 cups soaked or sprouted sunflower seeds
1/2 cucumber
1/2 cup flax seeds
1 tbl whole coriander seeds
1 tbl whole caraway seeds
1/2 tbl salt
1/2 tsp ground caraway seeds

Chop the sunflower seeds into small pieces (haven't found a good way to do this, since they are wet). Puree cucumber. Pulse the flax seeds, so the are partially ground and partially still whole or in pieces. Do the same with the whole spices. Pulse chop them, just so you have a bit of ground spices as well.

Mix all ingredients together, including the ground caraway seeds. I left it sitting out a bit, to have the flax seeds soak up the cucumber juice.

The original recipe calls for celery instead of cucumber, but I didnt' have any at home. I think I spread them about 1/4 in thick, and they didnt' take too long to dry.

[sistaloxxs]

Good evening 2 all, I worked today so I am just now able to post.

B-banana
L-1/2 pizza
D-chocolate/cashew shake
Water for the remainder of the day
Have a good evening.

[MiahTay]

I made it through! Everyone has left ... I drank my LARGE green smoothie before everyone arrived ... I had three smallish bowls of watermelon over the course of while everyone was here ... and I just ate a avocado with sea salt and a little pepper. I need to drink more water. I really struggle with this aspect of eating raw because I've ALWAYS enjoyed making people's favorite foods for them and unfortunately RAW is not on that menu. So, even though I didn't eat cooked SAD nastiness, I still feel a little let down if that makes sense. I'm gonna lay low the rest of the night, still have some stuff to do to start school tomorrow.

Blessings,
Heather

[Emma-Liza]

Hello=)
As soon as I get off my butt online, I'm going to pretend I'm my own maid and clean nonstop--then pay myself. With the money I earn (lol) I'm going to hire a babysitter and go get a massage (the legal kind).

thick--you are hilarious! :D :D

[Emma-Liza]

I made it through! Everyone has left ... I drank my LARGE green smoothie before everyone arrived ... I had three smallish bowls of watermelon over the course of while everyone was here ... and I just ate a avocado with sea salt and a little pepper. I need to drink more water. I really struggle with this aspect of eating raw because I've ALWAYS enjoyed making people's favorite foods for them and unfortunately RAW is not on that menu. So, even though I didn't eat cooked SAD nastiness, I still feel a little let down if that makes sense. <snip>

Heather, it makes perfect sense, I think. We give food a celebratory role in our lives and when we don't partake of it, we feel a bit out of step. You made special favorites for other people, but your special foods were not present. After we've gotten through a time like this, we can be at risk even more than before or during the event. Give yourself something special tonight--a warm drink, a bath, some trashy tv (Emma-Liza raises her hand!), light reading, just whatever seems luxurious!

[deberaw]

Hey all! Just checkin' in....was a good day at in-laws...I was the only one that ate the Ritz crackers! I was glad I brought them though...but ate a bit too many! They were tried though. My salad was a hit!

Hey Heather....I feel exactly the same way...I love to cook/bake and now un-cook...but I love preparing a great spread....it's an adjustment, and I'm learning to do it in a different way...but I can relate!

Glad to be here with all of you! Deb

[carolv]

Breakfast: peach, plum, and strawberry smoothie
Got on the treadmill for 30 minutes. YEAH!!! :D First time in several weeks.
Snack: cherries and orange
Lunch: Salad with spinach, romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, red peppers, carrots, ½ avocado, alfalfa sprouts, green onions, parsley and Alissa’s dressing.
Snack: Date Nut Torte
Dinner: Fettuccini Alfredo, spinach with salmon pate, alfalfa sprouts and Alissa’s dressing. Also, leftover asparagus marinated in Alissa’s dressing.
Snack: ½ personal watermelon

Hands and arm joints hurting quite a bit tonight, :( I’m guessing it is all part of the detox process. I was feeling really good earlier today.

[carolv]

Okay...day three!
I went to BBQ yesterday and I made it through without trying one SAD thing there. They had some cut up vegetables so I munched on those. The cravings were there, but I kept reminding myself about my muscles and joint aches and my itching and I kept on track!

YEAH!!

Kathleen in San Diego

Kathleen,

I know what you are going through, before going raw I was on a diet of no dairy, no wheat, no sugar, no soy, although chicken and fish were allowed sparingly. I went on a camping trip a few weeks ago where we went with a large group of people and had a few potluck dinners. It was tough on that diet to be around all of the SAD foods, I had to rely on what I brought and the few fresh fruits that others brought. I had to do the same as you and keep reminding myself about fibromyalgia pain that would come if I indulged, especially with sweets. Now that I am going raw, I will be challenged even more in about 2 weeks when we will have another gathering. Good luck to you and everyone else.

Carol

[Lelê]

So far today has been great. :)

B: Green Smoothie
MM: Orange
L: Baby Carrots w/ the rest of that mod'ed Eggless Egg Salad (watered down as dip)

For dinner I'm eating some zucchini noodles with a pink marinara sauce (I call it pink because I didn't have sun-dried tomatoes.. ;) )

I'm still sucking in the water dept. So hard for me to drink water. Oh, well...


Sissylala88 ~ I have both PCOS and ADD. I don't take medicine for the ADD, because I found out last year (explained so much! ) and didn't have the time to go to a specialist yet. I'm trying to see if my diet can affect (at least some of) my issues.

Great job, everybody! <3

[Ilse W.]

Hi all,
Yesterday evening's salad was waaaaay too large, so I kept about 2 cups of it in the fridge. This morning I decided to put it all in the cuisinart along with 3 bananas (less Max's share, of course). The consistency was more that of mousse than a smoothie, so I ate it with a spoon. Let's say it tasted "interesting", especially since my salad last night included a chopped jalapeno pepper with seeds (I like it hot). Probably wouldn't do this again on purpose, but I'll try anything once.
Lunch was an entire honeydew melon, eaten over an hour-and-a-half while talking to one of my sisters in Germany. Dinner will be another big salad. I bought some fresh white corn the other day, and will cut some of that into my salad. Never have eaten corn raw, but why not? Anybody who eats bananas with jalapenos...
BTW, I'll have to try the above crackers. I own an Excalibur dehydrator, but have only used it a couple of times since I bought it over 3 years ago. I also read about Ritz crackers here quite a bit, but I assume those are not THE Ritz crackers? Where do folks come up with dehyrdrator recipes?
And yet another question...someone yesterday wrote about eating hummus and raw vegetables. Isn't hummus made from cooked garbanzo beans, so not allowed on 100&#37; raw? Is there another way to make hummus?
Thanks for any enlightenment.
Cheers,
Emma

[Sissylala88]

http://www.fromsadtoraw.com/Recipes

Emma, I was curious about the Ritz crackers too and found this site with a TON of recipes.

I don't have a dehydrator but am thinking about getting one.

I had a great day today. I have noticed that my heels have been hurting lately and I"m not sure why. No one in my family is supportive of me doing this at all. Even though I have quit cigs andmost my meds while being raw *2 weeks now*

I am taking my Metformin for PCOS but quit everything else. Ihope to quit the Metformin in a month or so. I am 5'6" 255 lbs size 18 and my dad felt it would be great today to tell me that nothing I do will ever work, the docs will want to make me have gastric bypass or I will always be this fat.

It made me sooo angry. I never even starting eating this way to "lose weight" I did it to cleanse my body. I told myself I would do it for 1 week right after my grandmother's death and I decided to keep going because Ifelt so good.

Why are people such downers.

B-fruits/veggies(don't remember what kind)
L-green smoothie
D-guac in a lettuce wrap/walnuts

Welp, gonna go cut up a watermelon. See ya'll manana :) :)

[Ilse W.]

Sissy,
Don't let ANYBODY tell you that nothing will work for you. Vegan food, especially raw, is the best thing for you body. Even if you stayed the same weight (which is impossible on this way of eating), you would be sooooo much healthier. The reason we have to eat is to nourish all the trillion cells in our body, for no other reason, and what better food to nourish us than that which is the one nature chose for us. Don't listen to the nay-sayers. People who tell you things will never work do so, because things never worked for them. Stay positive, BELIEVE that you are doing the best you can for your body, and stick with it. The results will speak for themselves!
Cheers,
Emma
BTW, thanks for the link. I'll check it out before bed.

[sweetlime]

today has been a light day:

yellow watermelon
romaine lettuce and salsa
champagne grapes
date/coconut rolls

[Morn]

Today's food:

5 bananas
2 cups of pineapple
Kale, lemon, ginger and apple smoothie
Large Garden salad with lemon & pecans on top
One medium tomato
3 cups of grapes
¼ cup of raisens

[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!

[Thick]

Day 4, hmm Rawkinlocs?=)>

[Jenifae]

Well, I'm finally here. It's 11pm. Seems I'm constantly busy and it canbe so time consuming trying to read everyone's posts and blogs. So much reading.

Anyway, I went to the Raw Food Meetup at Round Table Pizza, LOL! They have it there because the conference room is free. OIC!. They did have a salad bar and I made a small amount (not to great), since I was a bit hungry because, I had to feed the horses and get everyone (my critters) taken care of before I left I only had some of the GS I made yesterday, grabbed a handful of nuts and put in a bag.

It was supposed to be on Raw Chocolate and it was but, it was a specific company that makes bars and a drink and it's a network marketing thing. They did thier spiel and then wanted to know what I would want to do meaning how to link me in and I said "Well, I really thought I was coming to a Raw Meetup" So, I was a bit disappointed. The women were really nice but, I would've liked to know in advance that it was going to be a marketing thing.

Oh did I say i was the only one that showed up. yeah, no one else came. :(

Food:

B: Banana
S: 1/4 GS
L: Crappy small salad and some raw chocolate
S: Nuts
D: Bowl of Watermelon, Bowl of Cantelope & Honeydew Melon and some sprouted raw sunflower seeds
S: Strawberry/Banana Chocolate ice cream
SS: Apple & a piece of chocolate

Yes, I made the Best Strawberry/Banana Chocolate Ice Cream ever. I took the Chocolate Banana Ice Cream that I made and did it do it right so, it Froze like an ice cube and I put some almond milk in the blender with that and some frozen Strawberries. OMG! It was Scrumptouslicious

I'm trying to not eat past 8pm .................... but, at least it was fruit. I'm going to work on that.

[Rawkinlocs]

LOL...just a little tired I guess...thanks!

[wiccedfae23]

yay day 3!! so i am fighting through the cravings!!! although i am craving even non vegan foods and i haven't craved since going vegan almost a year and a half ago... weird huh? anyway i had a simple food day

smoothie for breakfast
large container of watermelon for lunch
raw spirulina bar snack
strawberries and pinapple with ice in the blender for a snack
tomato, peppers, onion, cuke, raw pecan, baby corn salad with acv and sea salt for dinner

also i wanted to tell you all that i am so glad we are all on this raw journey. i know it will only get easier as it becomes a way of life! eat well !!

[islesgirl]

It's the middle of the night (day 3/4) and here is my late post of what I ate yesterday (day 3!)

Lunch: Green Smoothie with: papaya, my garden greens, 1 stevia, 1 banana,
2T flax seeds, 1 T unhulled brown sesame
seeds, 1T hemp seeds, 1T chia seeds, water.

Supper: Green smoothie with: papaya, my garden carrot tops (lots), banana
3 kiwis, 1 pear, small handful goji berries,
water, 2 pkgs stevia

Snack or more supper: 2 celery stalks with eggless egg salad

My mood was great all day until family problems crept back into my life - now it is 4a.m. and I can't sleep after having a bad nightmare. But I did sleep from 9 pm until around 2am. Celery late in the day isn't a good idea - I am pretty sure it is a diuretic. And the pain in the bottom of my left foot is still pretty bad when I get up after sitting or lying down. Really hoping that this Nattokinase will help and that the raw food will too.

[mmaynard]

Hi Everybody,

I have been away from the board for a while but now I'm back! :) I am planning to start posting before I head off to the gym in the morning. This is the first day 100% raw for me, and yesterday I made the kale salad and watermelon soup in Alissa's book. I really can't wait to have the watermelon soup for lunch today!

Hope you all have a great day!

[MiahTay]

Mmaynard - Welcome back! It seems we always find our way back :) .

Islegirl - do you use a chiropractor? The pain in your food could be due to misalignment. I had a friend (who didn't use a chiropractor) that had a constant pain like someone was stabbing her in her big toe. I finally convinced her to give chiropractic a try and within a week her pain was almost gone.

Jenifae - I am so sorry your raw food meetup was so stupid. We look forward to stuff like that and then when it is totally not what we expected (a maketing speil!) - UGH. But you had such a victory, after that disappointment you finished the day RAW!

Ok, I need to hurry, I need to be out the door in 3 minutes. Today is the first day of school and our PE time is first!

Food for today ... hmmmm, I don't know yet. I guess I'll have to post later.

Out of time, have a GREAT raw day!

Blessings,
Heather

[sponosuk]

I have been about 50% raw for a month or so and I have learned enough that I am ready for the commitment. Here goes! I am starting today. I will be away at a wedding next weekend so I will be looking for looking for tips to survive that! Good luck everyone!

Sarah

[deberaw]

Good Mornin'!
Blessings Jenifae and Islegirl! I hope today goes much better!

Today: A Huge green smoothie made mostly by 2 year old! He loves to help with it and then takes 2-3 cups that he wants a little in and drinks them during the morning! My 5 year olds LOVE GS with frozen bananas {thawed just a bit to blend}, spinach, vanilla, water...

I have lots of salad left over from last night...so that and an avo will be lunch...fruit and veggies for snack...and tonight is my mystery Raw vegan meal at a local restaurant! I will post later tonight to let all of you know what I ate and how it was!

Make a great Raw Day! warmly, Deb

[Thick]

Good morning=)

Here's today=
B-ritz crackers w/ avacado
L- jalapeno burgers in romaine wraps w/ burger fixins=)
S-watermelon
D-big caesar salad w/ ritz croutons

I'm glad we're all still here=)

[sistaloxxs]

Good morning,

B-a bowl of pineapple
Snack-1 glass of coconut water
L-curried okra
D-shredded cabbage salad & a mango

Have a good day.

[foxieroxie104]

Ok now I can either call this day 29 from July or day 4 for this month. But what I am saying is I have been raw for 29 days now. I am loving it and doing very good. I am finding my way around the raw world and getting used to it. Going 100% was the best thing for us (dh) and we are doing it this time. I just keep thinking I really don't want to start the count over so I don't go off. It really isn't that bad. Have a great day keeping it raw.

[raw4u]

Good morning everyone, back from a family reunion and everything went great. I actually had some family try some of my gs and flax seed granola and they loved it. Now if only I could get them to eat it all the time.
B-blueberry, mango, pineapple, banana, fresh ginger smoothie
L-salad
D- gs
S-watermelon and cashew butter candy

Hope everyone has a great day.

[islesgirl]

You rawbies are so wonderful - such great raw chefs (now that sounds better than "uncooking".) I just haven't any time at the moment to post much but I really hope you all have a healthy, happy day.

So far today I have had a "Best Ever Raw Coffee" from this board. Mmm mmm
good! It will keep me going for a few hours. I also added a banana along with the small handful of cashews. Do any of you soak your cashews before putting them in this drink? Just wondering.

xo:D..... 'later.....hopefully

[Emma-Liza]

EmmaT--I have a sister in Germany, too! She lives in Berlin.

sissylala88--don't forget to search this site for great recipes, too.

thick--Are you liking the jalapeno burgers? What spices did you use?

Last night D--My everyday salad: butter lettuce, onion, avocado, tomato, sweet pepper rings, lime juice & olive oil; 2 ritz crackers
S--Marinated mushrooms warmed in the dehydrator several hours. These were so good, I ate most of a large box of baby bellas this way!
Water: 12 c :)
Sleep: 5.75 hrs :(
Today B--fruit bowl: pineapple, strawberries, oranges
L--tabouli (recipe I posted yesterday)
S--carrots, celery, Raw Crunch Bar if I am super hungry
D--planning a taco salad

[Rufassa]

I am still in there after a rough weekend:D. I only had time to eat a few fruit from fri afternoon to sun morning but I had enough strength to make it to sun:( . I want go into details hear since I already have in my blog.

But My meals for yesterday looked like this:
Morning – Watermelon
Mid-Morning – Peach
Lunch – Jerk Okra w/Cucumber slices
Mid-Afternoon – Smoothie (Peach, Kiwi, Honey)
Dinner – Wraps (Pecan Patte, tomato paste, Basil, Beet Greens)
Late Snack - Watermelon

[jewell1908]

Hi Family,
Just checking in.
B: green smoothie, bluberries, strawberries, green apple, banana and red/purple kale and parsley, vitamineral,flaxseed.
L: bowl of melons
D: Mixed green salad
S: coconut fudge, raisins and nuts.

[soillover]

Here I am day four....I feel the callings of cooked food, but I am ignoring them.:o My son's birthday was yesterday and I made it through.....!!!! Do the cravings get lighter? Less intense? I ate high raw the week before this, but today I am feeling weak. I do feel better physically and although my little one (3yrs old) had me up in the middle of the night, I am not as tired as I should be.

I need to stand strong.....

Today so far I have had....

A banana and some grapes...I need to get my smoothie into me....I think that will help! As for the rest of the day...I know it has to involve one if not two avocados....:o .

Love,
Kathleen

[Ilse W.]

Good Morning (late morning, west coast)
So far today I've had hot lemon water and a banana, fresh plums, and baby spinach smoothie. It was thick and delicious. I prefer smoothies so thick that I have to eat them with a spoon.
For lunch I might have something with avocado, maybe a tomato/avocado/cucumber salad, and dinner as always will be a big salad with all but the kitchen sink.

Emma-Liza, I have 4 sisters and a brother in Germany. Also, my daughter's husband is a higher muckedymuck in the US Navy and they are now stationed in my hometown in Germany (Stuttgart), in fact at the same barracks where my daughter's father was stationed when I met him. The only family I have left here in the States are my son and my 19 year old granddaughter (my daughter's daughter). Both live over on the other side of the Puget Sound in/near Seattle. My father was from Berlin, I spend 2 summers there when I was 9 and 11 years old. Last year, my daughter took me to Germany and we spent a few days in Berlin. What a city! Can't wait to go back and explore some more.
Cheers,
Emma

[Sissylala88]

How cool, I'm on the West Coast too. California to be exact. I had watermelon this morning. Gosh, watermelon fills me up so fast. I brought some nuts, tomatoes and a banana to work today. Along with this GS I made with spinach, mango, orange, banana and blueberry.

Anyone have any feedback on the 100% pure fruit smoothies at Jamba Juice?

[islesgirl]

Am still feeling better and quite energetic. Just came from the store where I was able to buy 2 beautiful pineapples. I also got a big container of baby spinach which would normally cost about 5-6 dollars reduced to .99 because today was the "use before" date. It looked just fine and I promptly sealed it with my new foodsaver and froze it for my smoothies.:D

here's my lunch - What! Another smoothie?!!

Yes, but that's all I have time for.

It isn't very tasty this time but wow is it ever nourishing!

10 brussel sprouts (I read that they are "greens")
1 whole cuke from friend's garden (skin and all)
about 5 peaches (skin too)
1 banana
2 pkgs of stevia
1T coconut oil
1/2 lemon (seeds too and a little piece of the rind)

Had one big glass of it already - not too great. Just for fun I added about 1/4 tsp. basil to what was left in the vitamix. People say it adds a certain sweetness. It made no difference that I could taste. But I am not too fussy as long as I keep trying concoctions. Some of them are pretty good.

I finally made a raw salad dressing for my salad tonight. It is from this forum and is called "Rhonda's Favorite Salad Dressing". I omitted the sea salt - for now. Salt makes me puffy and I don't want that.

[MiahTay]

Wow! Today has been a GREAT day! I've gotten tons accomplished. Our first school day was FABULOUS! I love being back into a structured schedule. Summer kills my routine.

B - walnut/banana/pineapple/cherry smoothie
S - banana
L - Collard wraps with spicy walnut meat and veggies processed into a pate
S - Chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce (mmmmm... can hardly wait)
D - Salad with the rest of the spicy walnut meat and guacamole

DEB - can't wait to hear about your restaurant experience!

Blessings,
Heather

[petaltothemetal]

Need to lose some weight around the middle, think kicking it up to 100% raw might do it.

[petaltothemetal]

Oh, I'd like to know! That's what I crave now. I'm off to read the recipe board in case I find it there.

Been a very good girl, though. Lots of salads and marinated veggie dishes, got the dehydrator going, feeling optimistic, going to the gym tonight. I'm doing this in hope my belly will shrink. I promised not to weigh myself or stand in front of a mirror picking at myself for at least a week. We'll see how long that lasts!:rolleyes:

[Morn]

How cool, I'm on the West Coast too. California to be exact. I had watermelon this morning. Gosh, watermelon fills me up so fast. I brought some nuts, tomatoes and a banana to work today. Along with this GS I made with spinach, mango, orange, banana and blueberry.

Anyone have any feedback on the 100% pure fruit smoothies at Jamba Juice?

That sounds like a great smoothie! I need to go out and buy some spinach!:)

[tammay]

OK, I really want to do this - to commit to 100&#37; raw for the month of August and see what happens. I'm ashamed because I had a plan to transition to 100% raw all mapped out (i.e., 50% for June, 75% for July and 100% for Aug). But the stress of trying to find more work so I could be financially stable for a change and then finding it (thank goodness) but having to go through the stress of juggling other work plus training for the new work put that plan in the garbage real fast. Now things have settled down, I am not yet in a good financial situation but things are definitely looking for for the near future, and, darn it, I'm going on with my original plan. So I'm in for the challenge!

Tam

[Thick]

thick[/COLOR]--Are you liking the jalapeno burgers? What spices did you use?


Well, first of all I am so in love with this recipe! I dehydrated it for much longer than the recommended hour--and it was so sinfully crisy--very much like some kind of fried fritter. I did change the recipe a bit though, here's what I did-
added 2 jalapenos (some like it hot)
I didn't have enough onion so I used a yellow bell pepper, too
instead of nama shoyu I used salt
garlic powder, chipotle pepper for smokiness (I can overlook condiments, right?) and black pepper

My, it is good. It's one of those meals that makes me know I can be raw for the rest of my life. I loved hamburgers! and now I still can=) I put it (them) on a big romaine leaf with sliced ripe tomatoes, pickles and sweet yellow onions.

Thank you!

[Thick]

Anyone have any feedback on the 100% pure fruit smoothies at Jamba Juice?

I'd ask them if they were using fresh fruit or concentates. When I go I get carrot juice or ornage juice or both=)

[Thick]

Oh, I'd like to know! :

Here's a thread with a recipe.

http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29006

I like to make one with just =
almond butter
water and ice
honey
cocoa
2 maca capsules (opened and poured in)
teeny bit vanilla

=)

[commoncents]

Only Day Four and I feel so much better. I am sleeping and feeling better. This weekend it was fun to get back in the kitchen and prepare RAW entries. I am reconvinced that RAW is the only way for me. I've been eating so much food over the past four days and I continue to lose weight. I also added on a hour walk per day and alls I can say is I'M RAWKIN. Hope everyone has a great Day Four.

What I Ate Today:

Breakfast: Green Smoothie - Kale/orange/pear/grapes/bananna
Mid-Morning Snack: Blueberry Smoothie (Blueberries/Cashews/Vanilla Bean/Water
Lunch: Cabbabe Wrap
Mid-Afternoon Snack: Plum
Dinner: Rest of Cabbabe Wrap and salad w/Italian Dressing
Dessert: Pecan Pie.

If I was eating cooked food, I would be packing on the pounds, but this is the beauty of RAW!!!!!

Take Care All!!!

[commoncents]

I am still in there after a rough weekend:D. I only had time to eat a few fruit from fri afternoon to sun morning but I had enough strength to make it to sun:( . I want go into details hear since I already have in my blog.

But My meals for yesterday looked like this:
Morning – Watermelon
Mid-Morning – Peach
Lunch – Jerk Okra w/Cucumber slices
Mid-Afternoon – Smoothie (Peach, Kiwi, Honey)
Dinner – Wraps (Pecan Patte, tomato paste, Basil, Beet Greens)
Late Snack - Watermelon


Care to share the recipe for the Jerk Okra Rufassa?

[deberaw]

Greetings All!

I am still so in awe of my meal tonight! It was so awesome! The best part was having a raw meal made specially for me by a gourmet chef! Now, the place I went to isn't a vegetarian restaurant, but they do use a lot of local ingredients and I had been told that the chef will create raw vegan meals...it's not on the menu or advertised...so, if there is a nice restaurant in your town that uses a lot of fresh, in season produce...doesn't hurt to ask if the chef might prepare a Raw vegan meal! {unless you are lucky to live in a city that has Raw restaurants!

SOOOO, I had an amazing delicious 3 course meal, beautifully plated and very very tasty and satisfying...I tried to remember all of the ingredients so I could share...but I couldn't remember it all and wasn't expecting a 3 course meal! {they did ring it up as a porterhouse steak though:p }!

The first course was a lovely, light gazpacho with I think a seasoned tomato base...tomatoes, some avocado, cilantro...layers of other flavors and had a nice bite and some heat....I savored every spoonful...

Next was a brocolli cous-cous...chopped fine brocolli with some raisins, grapes, finely chopped pepper...other things...deliciously seasoned, with a dallop of cream made from almond milk....and had some walnuts too...great spices...mmmmm

and there is more!: a nice plateful of zucchini and carrot { I think} noodles,with a mock pesto and some mint...sooo good....and I did bring some home because I was getting pretty full! So I feel full, but not uncomfortably full......

After such a busy week last week...so nice to have happened upon this place! Wish I could do go there every week! and wish all of you here could have joined me!! love, Deb


The first course was lovel

[deberaw]

****please ignore my last sentence! my 2 year old jumped up on me while I was typing and I had to re-type some and didn't see that last sentence there!!!****

[deberaw]

Oh Yeah! The brocolli cous-cous was also waldorf/ also had apples and some of the almond milk cream in it {very lightly} instead of mayo.....just in case you were wondering...hee-hee.....

[Morn]

Oh Yeah! The brocolli cous-cous was also waldorf/ also had apples and some of the almond milk cream in it {very lightly} instead of mayo.....just in case you were wondering...hee-hee.....

Hey where in Michigan do you live? You are so lucky to stumble upon such a great restaurant. I live in Michigan too (SE MI in Chesterfield. What city is that restaurant in?

[Morn]

Today I worked out and ran to the fruit market to get some more produce as I was really low. Spent $43.00 in fresh produce (which is more than I have ever spent on produce in one visit) so I am pretty stocked up again (at least for awhile). I bought a few items that were things I have never tried before (a canary melon and a couple okra) and I came home and spiralized some noodles out of my zucchini and had a really nice dinner from a new recipe. It was pretty good! Foods eaten:

2 bananas,
Orange, strawberry, young coconut, lime and banana smoothie,
Anti pasta recipe (1 mango, 1 tomato, 1/2 yellow pepper & fresh basil) on top of zucchini noodles,
large garden salad with veggies, 1/2 oz of raw macademia nuts and squeezed lemon on top

It is funny that I am so full with eating so little calories. My calorie count for today was 1059. It is amazing to me how satisfied I am with so few calories and I am really full!

[islesgirl]

Supper was delicious. I have been having so many GS lately so a big salad really hit the spot.

Salad with: romaine, 1T ground up unhulled sesame seeds, cuke from friend's garden, roma tomatoes from his garden, red pepper, sweet white onion, grated carrot, and a new raw dressing from this forum. "Rhonda's Favorite Salad Dressing" (minus the sea salt, this time). Salt makes my fingers a bit puffy - just enough to make my rings tighter.

btw - although I didn't like my mid-day smoothie very much. I had no ill-effects like gas or cramps from those brussel sprouts in it. On the contrary, I haven't had such a great day in ages. I just didn't make it to the gym but I will sure try tomorrow. Are we allowed to write this much here?

I also made Alissa's Blueberry Pie and it looks so good and I am about to try a piece of it.

I walked fast this morning. I had loads of energy all day and my mood was right back up there. Isn't this the best way to care for our health?!:D All the evidence certainly points to a resounding "Yes!"

MiahTay I can't afford to see a chiropracter at the moment and am trying something else along with the raw food. The pain is strictly on the bottom of my foot - am pretty sure it is Plantar Faciitis, but you know today it eased up a bit! How about that! It is only when I get up after lying down or sitting for a while and it doesn't last more than about 5 minutes or so and I always put my Saucony sneakers on too as I need the support. It never hurts when I go to the gym or for my walks. How odd. Anyway I am trying this Nattokinase twice a day.

[carolv]

Breakfast: peach, plum, banana smoothie
Snack: chopped apple and sliced strawberries with lemon juice
Snack: almonds
Lunch: spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and alfalfa sprouts with Alissa’s dressing.
Snack: Lara Bar
Dinner: collard rolls (messy but really liked these)
Snack: banana ice cream with carob fudge sauce

Had some food cravings today but got over it rather quickly especially after eating something. Hands and arms are hurting again tonight but not as badly as yesterday. I didn’t feel sleepy on the drive home from work like I usually do. :)

[deberaw]

Hi Morn! I am in SW MI...Kalamazoo...The restaurant is 'Oakwood Bistro'...let me know if you are ever in this area!!! We could go out to eat together!!!:D

Islegirl! Thank You for the reminder of the BLueberry pie! I want to try that while they are still in season!...

[MiahTay]

Oh Deb, your dinner sounds like it was devine! It would be so nice to go somewhere and have someone else prepare a RAW meal .... I fade away imagining .... ok, I'm back, as much as my family is totally supportive and will eat just about anything I put in front of them - I'm makin' it or it ain't raw! However, my dad did bring me a gallon ziplock full of fresh figs that a co-worker of his gave him and they are delish! I'm off to bed.

Blessings All,
Heather

[mmaynard]

Islesgirl - I LOVE the blueberry pie but I usually only use 1/2 banana when I make it. Otherwise it seems to taste too much like banana to me. Last time I also made mini pies with them using a muffin tin. Hope you enjoy it!

[Morn]

Hi Morn! I am in SW MI...Kalamazoo...The restaurant is 'Oakwood Bistro'...let me know if you are ever in this area!!! We could go out to eat together!!!:D

Islegirl! Thank You for the reminder of the BLueberry pie! I want to try that while they are still in season!...

Bummer that you are so far! But If I travel that way I will keep it in mind. Alissa's blueberry pie is one of my favorite recipes out of her book. When I make it, I eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack - you name it!

[qnjnean]

today:

B: grapes
S: green smoothie
L: mock salmon pate with celery, slice of date-nut torte
S: crackers with mock salmon pate
D: marinated portabello with guac, tomatoes, and olives
S: 2 squares of gnosis chocolate bar

and i drank 4 big glasses of water, more than usual

and I walked to the pool and back, and swam laps for an hour.

[Jenifae]

Jenifae - I am so sorry your raw food meetup was so stupid. We look forward to stuff like that and then when it is totally not what we expected (a maketing speil!) - UGH. But you had such a victory, after that disappointment you finished the day RAW!

Ok, I need to hurry, I need to be out the door in 3 minutes. Today is the first day of school and our PE time is first!

Food for today ... hmmmm, I don't know yet. I guess I'll have to post later.

Out of time, have a GREAT raw day!

Blessings,
Heather

thanks Heather :)

[Jenifae]

Good Mornin'!
Blessings Jenifae and Islegirl! I hope today goes much better!

Today: A Huge green smoothie made mostly by 2 year old! He loves to help with it and then takes 2-3 cups that he wants a little in and drinks them during the morning! My 5 year olds LOVE GS with frozen bananas {thawed just a bit to blend}, spinach, vanilla, water...

I have lots of salad left over from last night...so that and an avo will be lunch...fruit and veggies for snack...and tonight is my mystery Raw vegan meal at a local restaurant! I will post later tonight to let all of you know what I ate and how it was!

Make a great Raw Day! warmly, Deb

Thanks Debe............it was a Great Raw Day, today!

[Jenifae]

Greetings All!

I am still so in awe of my meal tonight! It was so awesome! The best part was having a raw meal made specially for me by a gourmet chef! Now, the place I went to isn't a vegetarian restaurant, but they do use a lot of local ingredients and I had been told that the chef will create raw vegan meals...it's not on the menu or advertised...so, if there is a nice restaurant in your town that uses a lot of fresh, in season produce...doesn't hurt to ask if the chef might prepare a Raw vegan meal! {unless you are lucky to live in a city that has Raw restaurants!

SOOOO, I had an amazing delicious 3 course meal, beautifully plated and very very tasty and satisfying...I tried to remember all of the ingredients so I could share...but I couldn't remember it all and wasn't expecting a 3 course meal! {they did ring it up as a porterhouse steak though:p }!

The first course was a lovely, light gazpacho with I think a seasoned tomato base...tomatoes, some avocado, cilantro...layers of other flavors and had a nice bite and some heat....I savored every spoonful...

Next was a brocolli cous-cous...chopped fine brocolli with some raisins, grapes, finely chopped pepper...other things...deliciously seasoned, with a dallop of cream made from almond milk....and had some walnuts too...great spices...mmmmm

and there is more!: a nice plateful of zucchini and carrot { I think} noodles,with a mock pesto and some mint...sooo good....and I did bring some home because I was getting pretty full! So I feel full, but not uncomfortably full......

After such a busy week last week...so nice to have happened upon this place! Wish I could do go there every week! and wish all of you here could have joined me!! love, Deb


The first course was lovel

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, That's sounds like a Wonderful and Yummy Experience.
How nice :) Savor that moment.

[Jenifae]

Supper was delicious. I have been having so many GS lately so a big salad really hit the spot.

Salad with: romaine, 1T ground up unhulled sesame seeds, cuke from friend's garden, roma tomatoes from his garden, red pepper, sweet white onion, grated carrot, and a new raw dressing from this forum. "Rhonda's Favorite Salad Dressing" (minus the sea salt, this time). Salt makes my fingers a bit puffy - just enough to make my rings tighter.

btw - although I didn't like my mid-day smoothie very much. I had no ill-effects like gas or cramps from those brussel sprouts in it. On the contrary, I haven't had such a great day in ages. I just didn't make it to the gym but I will sure try tomorrow. Are we allowed to write this much here?

I also made Alissa's Blueberry Pie and it looks so good and I am about to try a piece of it.

I walked fast this morning. I had loads of energy all day and my mood was right back up there. Isn't this the best way to care for our health?!:D All the evidence certainly points to a resounding "Yes!"

MiahTay I can't afford to see a chiropracter at the moment and am trying something else along with the raw food. The pain is strictly on the bottom of my foot - am pretty sure it is Plantar Faciitis, but you know today it eased up a bit! How about that! It is only when I get up after lying down or sitting for a while and it doesn't last more than about 5 minutes or so and I always put my Saucony sneakers on too as I need the support. It never hurts when I go to the gym or for my walks. How odd. Anyway I am trying this Nattokinase twice a day.

You are doing so Great! I want a piece of Blueberry Pie, please ;)

[Jenifae]

I know I posted alot but, I just had to respond to my wonderful Rawbie friends.
I had a great day with my Best Friend from Long Beach. We've been friends for over 16yrs. Since, I married Brian and moved 100+ miles inland, we don't get to see each other much.
I stayed RAW - YAY! I'm so proud of myself. We went to a place called Panera's and it's the best Pastry place ever and I didn't have any of the bread that came with my salad. I didn get any cookies or pastries. I did buy my SDH 2 Bear Claws (his favorite) and I wasn't even tempted which is the MOST AMAZING part. I am getting my energy back and really started to feel better.
I'm hoping to get my portions under control soon and stop eating by 8pm.

Food:

B: Banana
S: A small bowl of cantelope & honeydew
L: Green Salad with Avocado
S: Couple of raw chocolate nuggets
D: Raw Nuts & 1/2 Larabar
S: Raw Pistachios' & watermelon

[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!

[mmaynard]

Good morning,

I am off to the gym but wanted to post quickly with my plan for the day. I am planning on watermelon this morning after the gym, and then I have some more of Alissa's yummy watermelon soup. If you haven't tried it, I would really recommend it. I'm having a big salad at lunch with avocado, and then onion dip and celery for a snack.

Hope everyone has a great day!

[MiahTay]

Good Morning! I can feel it happening ... I am feeling lighter (not necessarily my weight) and I can feel more energy. I woke up this morning before my alarm clock! This is a miracle for me! I got up and made juice, and we are almost ready to go out for our walk.

So, my food for today looks like:

B - Apple/collard/celery juice (just drank a glass of this liquid energy)
S - GS
L - Watermelon
S - Fresh figs or sliced tomato out of my mom's garden
D - Large Salad

Got to run ... well, not literally ... got to walk :D .

Blessings,
Heather

[bananara]

Day four went well with me being Raw.. but one question about me consuming all these nuts has been hovering around me all day.. do you think I will lose weight having nuts and seeds in my diet? can anyone tell me how many days it will take this way to lose weight?

thank you so much

[kthibeau]

I am just reading about this (raw living) for the first time and it sounds interesting and I am going to try it for one month to see if it is for me. I don't eat red meat already and I love fruits and veggies.

[ReneeH]

Hi EVERYONE!!!!

Greetings from the HURRICANE STATE!!!! :eek: It's pretty rainy here, but hopefully things will settle down and it will pass!!! Hope everyone on the coast is ALRIGHT!!!!! STAY DRY DOWN THERE!!!!!

I did really great this weekend! I had a RAW lunch for my Sister yesterday and featured Alissa's Spagetti w/Marinara Sauce, with Broccolini Salad... I had lots of munchies also and She really LOVED Alissa's Flax Crackers and I made different Pate's to dip!!! She also was totally amazed with how we can make the Banana Icecream! Next time I MUST remember to take photos!!!! :rolleyes: (...pop my head)

Hey, remember in Alisssa's video when she did the Flax Cracker Sandwich with the Avacado, Tomato, and Onion....My Sister LOVED that one!!!!! THANKS ALISSA....WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!

[Zuri]

Hi Rawbies!

I'm still around and still raw, just busy getting ready to leave for Peru in a few days. Congrats to all that finished the July challenge! Enjoy August! :D

[OneBite@aTime]

Hey-still here...
Have a great day everyone!

[raw4u]

Good morning everyone.
B-mango, raw honey,fresh ginger smoothie
L-watermelon
D-gs
S-lemonade
Looks like rain today so I will be working out inside. Have a great day.

[petaltothemetal]

So far so good as far as my taste buds are concerned. Had a good dinner (raw "burger" and sushi made the day before, but tasted yummy anyway and a salad) and breakfast (mango and kiwi smoothie with ginger). My face, though, looks like I drank a gallon of sodapop! So many pimples this morning! Uggh. I dread seeing the guy at work who's always picking at my diet because he thinks he's funny. I don't look like the model of health today. I did pack a yummy salad, some pumpkin seeds, a banana, 2 raw cookies and some raw crackers to keep me perky all day (I'm hypo thyroid and hypo glycemic... if I crash all I want is sugar and coffee so I've learned to pack a LOT of food.)

[Rufassa]

Morning – Watermelon
Mid-Morning – Peach, Lime Jicama (http://www.bumblezee.com/blogs/rufassa?e=115), blueberries
Lunch – Spicy Root Salad (http://www.bumblezee.com/blogs/rufassa?e=118&c=1)
Mid-Afternoon – Peach
Dinner – Wrap (pecans patte, tomato paste, wrapped in a beet green leaf then garnished it with fresh basil)

[islesgirl]

. Hands and arms are hurting again tonight but not as badly as yesterday. I didn’t feel sleepy on the drive home from work like I usually do. :)[/QUOTE]

Hi carolv,

Sorry to hear about the pain in your hands and arms. I have had the same experience over the past 2-3 months BUT, it seems to be lessening. So, do you feel this is part of detox? We hope so eh?

[islesgirl]

Good morning,

I am off to the gym but wanted to post quickly with my plan for the day. I am planning on watermelon this morning after the gym, and then I have some more of Alissa's yummy watermelon soup. If you haven't tried it, I would really recommend it. I'm having a big salad at lunch with avocado, and then onion dip and celery for a snack.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Hi Michelle! Thanks for your comment yesterday about using only 1/2 the banana and using muffin tins. Yes, I liked the piece I had last night but it takes getting used to. I wouldn't pig out on it anyway and that's a good thing. You rawbies must come share it with me as it won't last long as it is raw! Next time I will use soaked almonds. I really have to improve in this area - soaking and sprouting so I can get full benefit of the raw foods. Great that you are going to the gym! I still haven't gotten back there yet this week but I am going for sure. And the watermelon soup sounds good - maybe I will try it too. Have a great day.:)

[islesgirl]

Breakfast: GS with: my own greens (swiss chard or beet greens - they are
frozen, and I couldn't be sure which this time
celery with leaves
2 apples
big handful of strawberries, some green tops too
1 banana
1T ea of flax, unhulled sesame, pumpkin, chia seeds
1T coconut oil
2 pkgs Stevia
water & ice cubes

This tasted so-so - celery is always quite predominant. Does anyone know what is best to have with beet juice? I have some from my garden and am not sure what to do with them? Have a happy day all!:D

[Amy Sue]

Hey guys.....

just want to say love the site, and as I have been trying to be raw since the start of August I'd like to sign up now too, despite being late! I'm another newcomer, so will prob need lots of advice......looking forward to talking to you guys and sharing recipes etc! xxxx

[MiahTay]

Does anyone know what is best to have with beet juice? I have some from my garden and am not sure what to do with them? Have a happy day all!:D

BEETS - I like them sliced and diced on my salad - raw. I also like carrot/beet/cucumber juice or carrot/beet/celery juice. Just be careful how much beet juice you use at a time it is very cleansing and can make you sick to your stomach. A GREAT juicing book is "Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices" by Norman Walker. And it's pretty inexpensive, should be under $10. You could also just leave them in your garden for longer and harvest the greens as they grow then just dig up the beets as you want to use them.

Blessings,
Heather

[Ilse W.]

Hi,
Didn't realize I had to sign up. Anyway, I was 95&#37; raw on 8/1 before I knew about this website and forum, and have been 100% raw since. I'm loving it! Fruits and veggies are my favorite food in the world, and raw is definitely the way to go!

[Ilse W.]

Good Morning,
It's going to be another great day! I've come to the conclusion that it's no good for me to make a "food plan" ahead of time. The "truth" about food and nutrition just sort of clicked with me a few weeks ago, the realization that food is there solely to nourish our cells...not for emotional healing, not for social interactions, not for parties, etc. Which does not mean that I can't interact socially or don't like parties. It just means that I will only put into my body those things that nourish my cells. To me that includes pretty much ONLY unprocessed fruits and vegetables. Ok, so I do allow myself to cut them, blend them, juice them, and maybe even dehydrate them.
Anyway, since that's how I think about food, it makes no sense to plan anything. I eat what's around the house or garden, only when I'm hungry (not because it's noon), only as much as I want. So far today I wanted 3 bananas blended with a mini avocado, 2 ripe plums, and 1 T each of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds. Yum. It was heaven on earth. I'll see what my stomach/brain connection will come up with for my next nutrient session.
All y'all have a great RAWday!

[Thick]

Hello=)

We have a tropical storm/hurricane coming through today. Don't worry though, I'm stocked=) I might not be able to obsessively check RFT a thousand times today, though=)

B-the sweetest,softest honeydew melon ever
L-salad w/ garlic pecan dressing
S-another salad (have to use up greens jic power goes out)
D-ritz sandwich w/ avacado, tomato and jalapeno
S-dehydrated brownies (lol sounds so bad hah)--never tried this but thought i might need some extra junky food during the storm=)

The relief i feel skipping the 105 degree garden watering sessions offsets any worry I might have about a hurricane=)

[deberaw]

Greetings All!

Heather: Someday I am sure, you will be in a place where someone will prepare a Raw gourmet meal just for you....or,you can just swing on over here and have lunch with me and Morn! hee-hee!;)

Ohhhh, I would looove some fresh figs...a whole bagful? Now that is a treat!!!!

Blueberry pie is on my mind....

Morn: It sounds like you are close to Ann Arbor...I would think there must be some sort of Raw something there??!!

Soooo...I'm feeling lighter too...trying not to watch the scale too much, because I'm focusing on the health benefits of Raw, with weight loss being secondary......but important too!

Big GS for breakfast.....lunch was leftover carrot/zuke noodles with mock pesto...better today! and an avo....and my fav. snack: apple cored, with cashew butter mixed with honey and cinnamon inside. Putting only what I can in the core helps me with portion vontrol...otherwise I'd slather a lot on each slice!

Prob. salad for dinner and maybe a young coco. blended with some vanilla and ice later...I had this yesterday for lunch and it was very satisfying...got a good young coco.!

Blessings everyone!!! I wish I could respond to each and every one of you...you are so special! Make a great Raw day! We CAN do this! We ARE doing this! warmly, Deb

[islesgirl]

BEETS - I like them sliced and diced on my salad - raw. I also like carrot/beet/cucumber juice or carrot/beet/celery juice. Just be careful how much beet juice you use at a time it is very cleansing and can make you sick to your stomach. A GREAT juicing book is "Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices" by Norman Walker. And it's pretty inexpensive, should be under $10. You could also just leave them in your garden for longer and harvest the greens as they grow then just dig up the beets as you want to use them.

Blessings,
Heather

Thanks for the help Heather. I will try these combos for sure. My husband picked the beets as they were growing above ground - I'm not sure if they were really ready yet. And I definitely do use the greens already. That's mainly what I grew them for after reading Victoria Boutenko's book. I have a lot to learn though because I'm not sure how early we should pick the greens - I just did it when they looked big enough! I have been using baby spinach, swiss chard, beet greens, kale, collards, parsley, carrot tops, romaine, and red leaf lettuce. I may order the book you mentioned or look it up anyway. :)

[islesgirl]

Hi deberaw, your coco drink sounds fabulous. I have to go order some more from the little Asian store we have in town. I thought they might not be the best though when I got them before because the layer of meat in them was so thin - there wasn't much to them. But I got lots of coco water!

I know exactly what you mean about responding to everyone's entries - I too would love to but I just haven't got the time. But I am rooting for you all!:D
And I totally agree about not watching the scale. I'm not anymore - only about once a week now. I just am so motivated by the energy and good mood (er, well, usually) I have.:)

[Thick]

********Walnut Jalapeno Burger update*******

Wow, what a difference in the burgers I made today. Both ways are excellent. The main difference was the order in which I added stuff to the processor and the amount of water I used. This time, I added the tomatoes, garlic and water and blended until they were smooth--THEN added the walnuts/pecans..Wow what a textural difference.

I now see how you eat this as is--yesterdays was very, very much like raw ground beef in texture, wet, pale and pink. I added the tomatoes and the walnuts at the same time with the water yesterday. It was darn good though, after I dehydrated it..it was like a crispy warm fritter.

But this batch.. I have considered not allowingit to ake it to the dehydraor...but I will anyway in the name of gastrawnomy=)

[Jenifae]

Day four went well with me being Raw.. but one question about me consuming all these nuts has been hovering around me all day.. do you think I will lose weight having nuts and seeds in my diet? can anyone tell me how many days it will take this way to lose weight?

thank you so much

Weight loss is an individual thing. Nuts and seeds will give you the fullness feeling but, as far as weight loss not so much. They are higher in Fat....good fats we need I might add.
If you are looking to release weight I would focus and Veggies, veggies, and more veggies, maybe some Green Smoothies and Fruit and Fruit Juices.
There so much here that you can search for more indepth info.
Educate yourself on the nutrition and know your body and what it needs and go from there. Taking it slow and steady seems to work best at least for me. ;)

[Emma-Liza]

thick-- I know what you mean about the walnut jalapeno burger "authenticity!" I made mine the original way and it was still quite pink and "authentic" looking. I thought the sun-dried tomatoes were part of what gave it that singular, chewy texture. Either way, "authenticity" is not going to be appealing to some, I know! Can't wait to dehydrate a batch!

EmmaT--I adore Berlin! The former East Germany is a wonderful place to travel; it's like going back in time. And so beautiful! People are quite friendly, too, to me and my husband, with our school-book German. Not many Americans around, which I love when I'm traveling!

Last night D--romaine boats lined with spinach leaves, filled with walnut taco meat, sliced cherry tomatoes, last of a batch of Rich Cheddar Sauce; 2-banana ice cream with lg handful chopped pecans mixed in
Water: 96 oz :)
Sleep: 8.5 hrs :)

Today B--delicious green smoothie: 1/2 pineapple, 2 c spinach, flax & chia seeds, almond milk
L--salad bar salad: spinach, iceberg, tomatoes, carrots, onion, mushrooms, few raisins, sprouts, & broccoli; homemade tahini/honey/mustard dressing
S--apple and/or carrot & celery sticks

[Sissylala88]

I'm feeling great! Yesterday busted out the rollerblades and had a kick ass ride. Last week my co-worker decided to join me on this journey and it's been great having her with me. Mostly because she brings great things into the office to taste :)

I have no creativity, don't like anything that tastes too complicated and she's honed in on that and brings good yummy things for me to taste.

I am so proud of myself :)

[bellamausi]

Just wanted to check in to say I'm still going strong! I'm keeping it very simple this time, and so far it's working great! I'll be writing more in my journal. :)

[sistaloxxs]

B-bowl of pineapple
L-cashew nut milk shake
D-1 orange, 1 apple, 1 mango

Keep doing well everyone

[Morn]

Morn: It sounds like you are close to Ann Arbor...I would think there must be some sort of Raw something there??!!
Blessings everyone!!! I wish I could respond to each and every one of you...you are so special! Make a great Raw day! We CAN do this! We ARE doing this! warmly, Deb

Ann Arbor is 1 1/2 hours west of me. But you are right there is probably something there. I am about 45 minutes N.E. of Detroit

[tammay]

Hi All,
I joined a little late so this is my first day on the raw challenge. I am definitely going through raw detox (the raw "flu" but no headaches, thank goodness!) but nothing that's weighing me down. And even though I'm physically "out of it" my mood is very positive.

Got up early this morning and went for an hour long walk before it got too hot. Then made myself a big glass of ice water with a squeeze of fresh lime juice (so refreshing) and just did some writing for an hour. I've been promising myself that I would do this for months, but couldn't get my butt out of bed early enough (I work from home so I set my own schedule). It was great to do that, though, since it got me up early and I got a lot done.

Today's menu:
Morning: banana, baby carrots, 1/2 oz pecans
Mid-Morning: fruit smoothie with a little spinach thrown in (I'm still trying to ease into green smoothies) and 1/2 oz soaked almonds
Afternoon: big green salad with avocado dressing (but put some onion in it - way too overpowering), peach
Mid-Afternoon: Raw tomato and parsley soup with celery and soaked sunflower seeds
Evening: Salad with apple, celery, 1/2 oz walnuts and a few raisins on top; raw fudge (experimenting with putting soaked almonds, carob powder, and dates into a mini food processor and seeing what happens :D).

I think the biggest fear that I had was that I'd feel hungry all the time. The past several weeks I've been eating very high protein (like 75-80 gr a day!) and I know I'm probably eating only about half that amount. But I didn't feel hungry at all - not super full all the time, but a real hunger for everything.

Off to do yoga!

Tam

[jewell1908]

Good evening everyone,

I am doing just great, 5 days and counting.

B: fruit smoothie- 3 apples, 1 bananas, hand full of grapes and other good things

L: guacamole on (raw) onion bread

S: pluot
D: green smoothie with spinach, dandelion greens, parsley, mango and apple

S: coconut fudge

[wiccedfae23]

Hey everyone sounds like you are all doing great! i am still trucking on as well 100% but i am super low energy! i dont want to be the downer though:rolleyes: !! im just having a hard time detoxing i think once i get through week 1 i will feel better!! hope these hunger pains go away... i just cant fill up!! any suggestions watermelon is the only thing that seems to fill me up,but i dont want to overdue it and get sick of it! have a great day everyone!!!:D

[carolv]

Hey everyone sounds like you are all doing great! i am still trucking on as well 100% but i am super low energy! i dont want to be the downer though:rolleyes: !! im just having a hard time detoxing i think once i get through week 1 i will feel better!! hope these hunger pains go away... i just cant fill up!! any suggestions watermelon is the only thing that seems to fill me up,but i dont want to overdue it and get sick of it! have a great day everyone!!!:D

wiccedfae23,

My energy level hasn't increased yet either and I am really anxious for it to kick in. But overall I'm feeling pretty good. I also have had problems filling up, I was eating pretty light previous to starting the challenge but now find I get hungry more often and I am experiencing more food cravings. For me either munching on almonds or fresh veggies seems to do the trick.

Carol

[carolv]

Got hungry before I went to bed last night so I had a little bit of date nut torte.

Breakfast: Dates, banana, peach smoothie with some date water
Snack: chopped apples, sliced strawberries with juice of ½ lemon
Lunch: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sugar snap peas, spinach, and cherry tomatoes with Alissa’s dressing
Snack: spinach with salmon pate and alfalfa sprouts
Dinner: Pad Thai
Snack: small collard roll
Snack: cherries

Sounds like everyone is doing great!!! :D