Just how RAW are you, really?

[stevek42]

I wanted to do something like a roll call and ask what people are doing as far as raw "percentage."

What percent raw are you? Be truthful now.
Do you ever have a non-raw meal for variety, like a once a month or even year thing?
Do you ever "cheat?"

[PeatrixPotter]

I am 100% and at 4 weeks. It is funny that you asked about the cheating because I was planning on having a cheat day after my first thirty days, but now don't even want to! I told my friends that I have decided not to eat a cooked meal and they think I am crazy! But I don't want to wreak havoc on my body--and I am an extremist, so I probably couldn't eat only one cooked meal. I don't want to make myself sick. I really do enjoy being 100% raw!

Peatrix
:D

[tglasco4]

The only non-raw things I have eaten in the last 9 months were, bulgar wheat soaked in water, olives from a can (with salads) and maybe the nutritional yeast flakes that I sometimes put in my salad. I would say I am 100% 90% of the time and 98% about 10% of the time. If that makes sense:)

Peace.

Todd

[VeganVixen]

I dont "cheat" , Im NOT raw so I can say "Im the best , Im pure ect......" ,Im raw for HEALTH reasons , I STRONGLY prefer veggies and fruit , and they are the majortity of my diet ,but if I want veggie sushi with cooked rice , or steamed veggies -on those RARE occasions I have them (and Im OK W/that) ,however If I was to eat RAW nuts my stomach would be killing me and I'd be gagging for the next half hour , so OBVIOUSLY those nuts ARENT healthy *----FOR ME----* so that in my mind would be a cheat , you just have to know your body , be mellow and choose what REALLY sounds best (consider before and after you eat it) and choose it (which will probably be raw ,vibrant yummy veggies and fruit ;)


hope this helps :)

[VeganVixen]

I had to add this:


I guess what I'm trying to say is , there shouldnt be a standard cheat, unless of course you are new to raw and have no allergies or sensitivities ,and want to be ALL raw ,meaning NO non raw vinegar ,condiments , pickles ,teas ect.....

But for some (including me) that have sensitivities (candida , IBS ,ect) and feel fine after eating steamed veggies and feel bad after eating nut/fruit dehydrated raw meals , they shouldnt feel pressured to eat something that doesnt agree with them (when they want something heavier or not fresh fruits and veggies) just to stay RAW , then its no longer about health or how this food effects the person ,its ONLY about a label.......ya know


But other than small things like miso , the ocasional vanilla extract and balsalmic vinegar-which make me MUCH happier and make it less likely to veer off raw , Ivehad non raw foods(and they were VERY wholesome vegan foods )about 5 times in the last 7 months,.....when I started raw. :)

[Rawkinlocs]

I don't think anyone is TRULY totally 100% raw UNLESS they are those who eat ONLY fresh, raw fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds with no oils, no condiments, no "questionable-as-to-temps-used" seasonings and spices, etc.

But I believe we're talking 100% in the sense that we don't eat anything that we KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt is cooked (ie. chips, pastries, soy products...stuff like that), correct?

In that case, not counting those bottled herbs and spices and other condiments (that may or may not be raw), I eat mostly raw. Don't really know how to figure on the percentage, though. I do from time to time eat some cooked things (my weakness is still chips) but I no longer consider it "cheating" because to say "cheat" means to imply that I am on a diet and I'm not. Raw, for me, is a lifestyle thing not a fad, "I'll-do-until-I-lose-weight-or-get-well" thing so when I eat something that isn't raw and I KNOW it isn't raw, then I just say I ate something contrary to my normal way of eating.

And lately, when/if I do eat something that isn't raw, it doesn't send me into that downward spiral it once did in the past. I eat it, my body whoops my butt for it, then I begin craving what is best for me...fresh, raw fruit or a salad or smoothie...then I go right back to what I know is right for me.

I eat WAAAAY more raw than I do anything else, though. But I'm not 100% raw 100% of the time....YET! But very, very, VERY close and getting closer!

[stevek42]

Thanks for the input guys. :)

I'm just struggling a bit right now, on day 10 and just NEEDING some variety! I'm tired of the same old textures and tastes, you know? The gourmet things we've made so far are great...fudge balls, chocolate cake, angel hair with marinara, enchiladas, soft serve 'ice cream', sausages, hummus...and we've ordered lots of gourmet like truffles, crackers, nori wraps, sunflower bread. Definitely a wide variety. I'm just yearning for something hot and moist...I told my wife I'd kill right now for just a bowl of heated vegetable broth. :-P

[levamssg]

I'm pretty much 100% raw I'd guess. I'm in my 12th month now. I eat pretty much fruits, veges, green salads ... occasionally dehydrate crackers & veggie burgers or make a "gourmet" recipe. I don't do any condiments that I don't make ... but I DO use dried spices in a jar when I don't have fresh (like oregano or basil) now and again, so don't know if those count or not.

I don't think it is really about how "raw" you are. It is more about meeting your personal goals and doing what works for you.

[VeganVixen]

I don't think anyone is TRULY totally 100% raw UNLESS they are those who eat ONLY fresh, raw fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds with no oils, no condiments, no "questionable-as-to-temps-used" seasonings and spices, etc.

But I believe we're talking 100% in the sense that we don't eat anything that we KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt is cooked (ie. chips, pastries, soy products...stuff like that), correct?

In that case, not counting those bottled herbs and spices and other condiments (that may or may not be raw), I eat mostly raw. Don't really know how to figure on the percentage, though. I do from time to time eat some cooked things (my weakness is still chips) but I no longer consider it "cheating" because to say "cheat" means to imply that I am on a diet and I'm not. Raw, for me, is a lifestyle thing not a fad, "I'll-do-until-I-lose-weight-or-get-well" thing so when I eat something that isn't raw and I KNOW it isn't raw, then I just say I ate something contrary to my normal way of eating.

And lately, when/if I do eat something that isn't raw, it doesn't send me into that downward spiral it once did in the past. I eat it, my body whoops my butt for it, then I begin craving what is best for me...fresh, raw fruit or a salad or smoothie...then I go right back to what I know is right for me.

I eat WAAAAY more raw than I do anything else, though. But I'm not 100% raw 100% of the time....YET! But very, very, VERY close and getting closer!


yes rawkin


I sorta like to use a quote (Im paraphrasing here,so stay with me :o :rolleyes: ) from Buddha when he was following a rigid plan ,where he fasted ALOT ,didnt wear clothes and ate bird droppings (LOL Im NOT comparing this to raw ,but hopefully my point comes across-its about having a flexable , forgiving ,"there" mind)


"These three ways of life may be compared to the the strings of different tensions on a lute. The loose string, which is like a life of indulgence, produces a poor sound when struck. The overly tight string, which is like a life of extreme asceticism, similarly produces a poor sound when struck and is moreover, likely to break at any moment. Only the middle string which is neither too loose nor too tight, and is like the Middle Path, produces a pleasant and harmonious sound when stuck."

ok , so - this ISNT about NOT being all raw ,striving for all raw -IT ISNT!!!!!-thats GREAT if you do , especially for the beginers

Its for the people ,who arent on the 30 day challenge (or more days ,whatever ) are REALLY going in it for the long term ,not a "quick fix" -although most people get hooked on raw :D ,who would want it TEMPORARILY :confused:

It really helps me to have this flexable mindset , b/c if I dont (for long term) Im likely to feel miserable , pressured , and if I mess up It will be SO much harder to get back on , Ill feel like a failure and REALLY feel snapped - Eating raw is just SO second nature (now that Ive reached this point) that I eat what I want (raw veggies and fruit) ,but I dont think about "slipping up" or having a non raw condiment - It makes raw feel like my destiny , my way of eating and not like a diet (have you noticed how DIE-T s seem to not work in America ,and alot of people "cheat" ,then go off it b/c of the "feel like an failure" syndrom).............Thats NOT raw ,its about treating your body RIGHT and not beating yourself to a bloody pulp. ya know?


I REALLY hope this comes across the right way :o

[levamssg]

Thanks for the input guys. :)

I'm just yearning for something hot and moist...I told my wife I'd kill right now for just a bowl of heated vegetable broth. :-P
=========================
Wow - I remember going through EXACTLY that when I started out. I made soups in the vitamix and put in cayenne pepper or jalapeno peppers to make them 'hot'. Didn't take the place of the actual thing, but was fun experimenting and it helped some.

You could put soup in a bowl that is warmed up, or pop it in a dehydrator for a few minutes to take the chill off.

Hang in there ... it gets better.

[calee]

I try to be as raw as I can. I'm on day 96 today. Over these last months I've eaten 3 or 4 rice paper wrappers around raw veggies. I've also eaten the dressing at the Whole Foods salad bar a few times. I consider those the occasional things that keep me raw the rest of the time.

I'm doing this for health reasons. In February my doc wanted to put me on meds because my bad cholesterol was a little high. My BP has also been borderline high for over a year. I asked him for 6 months to eat raw and exercise a lot to see what would happen. I go back for blood tests at the end of the month. I don't want to take meds for health, i want to eat foods that will give me the proper nutrition to take care of my body. I'm female, 54 years old and want to live as long as my dad did, 90.5 and be in good condition to enjoy every year of it.

I also was eating high raw in February and March, then at some point in March ate more cooked food. I had a 14 day healing crisis that was like the worst cold I'd had in over 2 decades. I have to say I'm really scared to eat cooked food so I'm using that to keep myself on track.

I think you're doing great so just keep putting one foot in front of the other!

[luvnraw]

I am new to this and had planned on only doing 75% raw, but since my detox thing was raw and I was already at 100% (not including spices I use occasionally that may be dehydrated at higher temps, I am usually using fresh instead), I figured why add anything back in?? I am half into my 6th week at 100%....not saying I may never have something cooked again or meat again but for now I am 100% raw vegan, no caffeine or wheat....I have had no cravings for cooked or sweets (since I have fruit and my new vitamix for 'icecream') and truly right now in my life I love being 100% raw!! I am doing it strictly to gain better health as I am much too young to have the issues that I do! :p

[Carlene]

Tomorrow is my 30th 100% raw day. When I started I thought I would be 80 or 90%, but by the end of day one I knew 100% was where I belonged. As it turned out I eat mostly a simple mono diet. After watching Alissa's DVD I craved different tastes and textures. I went out and bought a food processor. It's still in the box.

Yesterday and today were my first days where I actually craved something other than my fruits and veggies, but I think it has something to do with reaching the end of this first goal. I didn't give in, and am looking forward to my next 30 days.

[Veganmama]

I'ld say i'm 75-90% most of the time but am really striving to be 100% all the time. I've got heaps of emotional issues to work through and they keep leading me back to comfort foods.

[askcassyfirst]

I would say that I am +-80% raw in what I consume. Many days I eat nearly all raw, and then on other days I consume a bit more cooked. ( I am also not vegan) However, I agree with the others who say they don't count such situations as "cheats" as this is no longer about a 30 day challenge for me. I began eating this way over 2 years ago, at which time I was 100% for many months.

I can't get obsessive about raw numbers, for when I do I waiver in my dedication. (too much disipline doesn't work for me.) On the other hand, I do have a habit of obsessively tracking my food constituents, like calories, fat grams, etc. So, I suppose "labels" are all relative, aren't they?

I know what you mean about wanting something "warm" while doing the challenge. For this I always made myself a "stirfry". Try marinating some portabello mushrooms, with sweet red peppers, sweet onions, broccoli, summer squash, black sesame seeds and celtic salt. I marinate in olive oil and bit of vinegar. (not true raw I suppose) Then place this in the dehydrator till it warms and softens. I fed this to my non raw husband and he just adored it...it is quite hardy. (the portabellas do it think...) This dish is nice for those who have non raw family members, because they can just warm it on some naan bread for a nice vegetarian meal...

Cassy

[podol]

I would say 90% for the past two years. The other 10% are soaked buckwheat kasha, yougurt or kefir, a little catchup and once in a while oreo cookies ,-))))).

[swingbolder]

After being 100% for several months with a few cheating binges here and there, I've been eating a cooked meal maybe once a week now for the last month or so, with no ill effects. NO stomache aches, no headaches, no nothing. It's been very good for my spirit actually. Although I know if I ate more cooked food than that I would start to feel lousy. It allows me to enjoy stuff like tofu and brown rice occasionally with my husband, who is vegan.

[greengirl]

Here are the non-raw things I eat from time to time:

wine
sushi rolls
salad dressing from restaurants
cafe lattes (soy) from coffee shops
sprouted grain bread

[violetflame]

I started on the raw path at the end of January. I don't know how to figure out the percentage but the bulk of what I eat is raw fruits and veggies.

The non-raw things that I eat are:


sprouted whole wheat tortillas wraps (Ezekiel brand) They call them Live tortillas, but I doubt they are raw. I buy it in the frozen section of Whole Foods)
occassional vinegar
tofutti fudge popsicles
raw cheddar (otherwise vegan except for an occasional ounce here and there)
Herb tea- for warmth
Organic cereal once in a while (I did without this for months, but now I eat it for variety in the morning instead of a smoothie)




Otherwise my diet is fruits/veggies/raw almond & tahini butter/nuts/
dehydrated veggie burgers and morning muffins, banana ice cream

[sweetgoddess]

Cassy, cassy, cassy~is that you? I have missed you. Welcome back lovely lass!

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

If you are craving something hot ans moist, you can heat your soup to finger warm, which means you can heat up your soup so that it is warm to your finger, but not hot, if your finger can stand it, it isn't too hot for the enzymes.
or so Gabriel Cousins states.

I use this often when I want something warm, I also add a dash of cayenne which gives it a touch of the "heat" too.

it works really well.