Sick of the same food!!!

[orangeflame]

I have been raw for 4 months or so...and up until now I have had very little trouble staying the course..cooked foods have been minimally tempting to me. But all of a sudden, this weekend, it occurred to me that I am COMPLETELY sick of eating the same damn thing all the time!!!

I took a trip to Whole Foods tpday to buy a few new goodies, but after a lovely prepared jicama salad and some new lara bars and raw dried fruits, nothing is satisfying me. The thought of my favorite cooked foods are getting more and more tempting the less I enjoy my raw stuff.

Has anyone had this happen to them? What do I do to get over this hump??? I am finally starting to see many encouraging results on this diet...I am NOT going back now...HELP!!!

[ViolinCyndee]

Make Alissa's pizza!! mmmmmmm!!

[EZ rider]

Has anyone had this happen to them?
Yep, I hit a wall in June at 10 1/2 months all fresh raw. It was like you say where I just wanted to eat something different. I ate something vegan but cooked and immediately the cravings for more not raw foods started and were hard to resist. I did get back to all fresh raw again but it was a "white knuckle" experience that I don't want to go through again. For awhile I thought I might wind up back where I started and thats what kept me trying and trying to get back on course. I am doing OK now but I don't let my guard down anymore. The thing that has helped me the most in getting back to all fresh raw again and staying on course is that I make sure I have plenty of the fresh raw foods stocked in my kitchen that I like and I do all of my eating through my kitchen. That means taking a meal with me or eating something before leaving home. I love the way raw feels physically and mentally and I love the taste of raw foods I just have to make sure that I am prepared each day.

[Thick]

Try perusing http://goneraw.com/recipes most of the recipes have pictures and you might find something you like=)

What is it you are craving? Spicy? salty? greasy? curry? sweet? crunchy? Take a minute to analyze what you are craving and make something that will satisfy you.

Maybe its time to make some autumny foods like soup and cornbread or caramel apples.

If you can afford it, it might be a good idea to have some raw entrees or desserts or both delivered to you?
http://www.purerawcafe.com/asccustompages/categories.asp
http://www.rawvolution.com/
http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/directories/dir_rawmailorder.html

Do you attend raw food meetups? You can sample a lot of dishes and meet enlightened people you are bound to have thinsg in common with.

http://rawfood.meetup.com/12/

[Tea]

I have been raw for 4 months or so...and up until now I have had very little trouble staying the course..cooked foods have been minimally tempting to me. But all of a sudden, this weekend, it occurred to me that I am COMPLETELY sick of eating the same damn thing all the time!!!

I took a trip to Whole Foods tpday to buy a few new goodies, but after a lovely prepared jicama salad and some new lara bars and raw dried fruits, nothing is satisfying me. The thought of my favorite cooked foods are getting more and more tempting the less I enjoy my raw stuff.

Has anyone had this happen to them? What do I do to get over this hump??? I am finally starting to see many encouraging results on this diet...I am NOT going back now...HELP!!!

When I was high raw I really overdid it on some foods. It has been like 2 yrs now since I was high raw and I still can't eat raw tomatoes.
Anyway I've found sweet things such as the lara bar and dried fruit you mentioned, frequently don't satisfy. You need dinner foods. Maybe something with grains. How about some dehydrated foods?

[Vaclare79]

I'm getting sick of the same foods too lately..

[roseyonnex]

Make sure you try a new recipe about twice a week, or at least once a week. There are so many good ones out there!

Creating a cookbook for yourself can be helpful. That way you have a stockpile of good recipes to turn to and to rotate from.

I created a simple three-ring binder with tabs and plastic pockets that fit a standard 8x11 sheet printed from my printer.

[DST_DIVA33]

I have felt the same way recently! I am trying to force myself to stay raw and not fall into a trap that I can't get out of.

[Veganforlife]

Join us in the Recipe Challenge thread starting in September. We're all gonna try at least once a week (more if you'd like), but at LEAST once a week a new Alissa's recipe - from her book. Then we'll discuss it. NOT posting the recipe, but sharing how good it is, how we had to tweak it, etc...

[Eva]

There are so many recipes out there. Are you having the same ones over and over?

I've got the un-chicken fingers and pizza crust in the D right now, along with some sliced carrots. Lunch was nori rolls with avocado, red pepper, corn, ground flax and herbamare in the middle. I used a wasabi powder mixed with sesame oil and ACV as my dip. Mmmm. And I used the spiral slicer to make pretty cucumber salad with spicy paprika, salt, ACV and sunflower seed oil on it. Yum and pretty. But I can't have that again for a while. I had it just a few days ago and think my body is happy enough with those foods. Watermelon doesn't taste good anymore (just this week or so) because my body's had enough.

Do you pick out something different from the supermarket or farm every time you go? (For example, have some blueberries if it's been awhile, then some raspberries, whatever you haven't been eating much of that seems appealing)

Another thought is that it might be a good time for a juice feast to get cleaned out and take a break for a day or few.

I'll tell you though -- you'll come out of it better if you don't give in. Cooked food, alcohol, processed stuff... it's all like the Sirens' song in Greek mythology. And you know what happens to the men out on the water that listen to the Sirens?!? BAD things! Just close your ears and eyes and stumble around until you get past this tough spot. You can do it!

[mongodelight]

I have been raw for 4 months or so...and up until now I have had very little trouble staying the course..cooked foods have been minimally tempting to me. But all of a sudden, this weekend, it occurred to me that I am COMPLETELY sick of eating the same damn thing all the time!!!

I took a trip to Whole Foods tpday to buy a few new goodies, but after a lovely prepared jicama salad and some new lara bars and raw dried fruits, nothing is satisfying me. The thought of my favorite cooked foods are getting more and more tempting the less I enjoy my raw stuff.

Has anyone had this happen to them? What do I do to get over this hump??? I am finally starting to see many encouraging results on this diet...I am NOT going back now...HELP!!!

You may read my comment on the topic "fear of failure". Its about this problem. Its not that you re less enjoying the raw stuff, its you re psychic addiction that gets stronger.

[ShelShel]

I believe we all need variety. In everything in life. Variety in movies...who watches heavy dramas or cheezy comedies all the time? Who drives a constant 35 miles per hour everywhere? Is every room of your house the same color? I think not!
:p We are creative, beautiful beings. We love to eat! That's why God gave us taste buds. So we could enjoy what we are eating.
I bet you anything...we bored in these moments because we have stuck with the same flavors and textures for too long without shaking things up and getting some variety in there!

And by that I mean...sometimes I want creamy. That's when I whip up a pineapple cream or all fruit smoothie with raw milk.
Sometimes I want crunchy and sweet...perhaps a little salty thrown in there. I mix up coconut oil, agave, chocolate powder and raw walnuts. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and you have a chocolate bar of sorts..with no guilt.
If I want bread...I order it off line. Try as I might...my homemade stuff never comes out right.
I try to stick to easy things that aren't too many items combined. Too many items at once make my tummy sick.
I also try to stay away from mock stuff. When it turns out to not taste anything like the actual item...I get very determined to have the real thing. :rolleyes:

I think I'm writing all this to say...think of what texture...taste or full feeling you are missing. Perhaps you just need to add something specific that you haven't found yet.
Keep trying. Once you fall off...it can be a bare getting back too it. I know...this is my upteenth time trying. But I will keep at it. Like the other post...I never want to be what I was before.

[fruitandveggies]

I feel you, orangeflame! I've been really wanting dry, crispy and salty (like potato chips). I also get in a danger zone when I really want something hot. I don't like tea or hot liquids much, so I'm not sure how to cope with this one yet...

[ShelShel]

Try making a smooth soup...and cayenne pepper...put it in the dehydrator to warm and thicken a bit...Might help with wanting something warm.:rolleyes:
Now when I want potato chips...I just make them in the dehydrator.
Use the spiral slicer (sold at Alissa's Store to the left) and slice one potato thin. Mixing on a paper plate to dip potato slices in: nutritional yeast, sea salt & pepper (for a kick you could also add chili powder or cayenne pepper).
After each slice is covered...dehydrate! Yummmm. I love these cheese raw potato chips. They are just what I am looking for when every one else is eating pop corn during a movie.

Get inventive! Don't fall off the wagon! Try something new.;) Good luck!

[Vaclare79]

Try making a smooth soup...and cayenne pepper...put it in the dehydrator to warm and thicken a bit...Might help with wanting something warm.:rolleyes:
Now when I want potato chips...I just make them in the dehydrator.
Use the spiral slicer (sold at Alissa's Store to the left) and slice one potato thin. Mixing on a paper plate to dip potato slices in: nutritional yeast, sea salt & pepper (for a kick you could also add chili powder or cayenne pepper).
After each slice is covered...dehydrate! Yummmm. I love these cheese raw potato chips. They are just what I am looking for when every one else is eating pop corn during a movie.

Get inventive! Don't fall off the wagon! Try something new.;) Good luck!

What kind of potatoes?? Regular white russet or the sweet potatoes? I thought we weren't supposed to eat potatoes (white) ones on raw diets..?

[Vaclare79]

There are so many recipes out there. Are you having the same ones over and over?

I've got the un-chicken fingers and pizza crust in the D right now, along with some sliced carrots. Lunch was nori rolls with avocado, red pepper, corn, ground flax and herbamare in the middle. I used a wasabi powder mixed with sesame oil and ACV as my dip. Mmmm. And I used the spiral slicer to make pretty cucumber salad with spicy paprika, salt, ACV and sunflower seed oil on it. Yum and pretty. But I can't have that again for a while. I had it just a few days ago and think my body is happy enough with those foods. Watermelon doesn't taste good anymore (just this week or so) because my body's had enough.

Do you pick out something different from the supermarket or farm every time you go? (For example, have some blueberries if it's been awhile, then some raspberries, whatever you haven't been eating much of that seems appealing)

Another thought is that it might be a good time for a juice feast to get cleaned out and take a break for a day or few.

I'll tell you though -- you'll come out of it better if you don't give in. Cooked food, alcohol, processed stuff... it's all like the Sirens' song in Greek mythology. And you know what happens to the men out on the water that listen to the Sirens?!? BAD things! Just close your ears and eyes and stumble around until you get past this tough spot. You can do it!

What is Herbamare??

[rawstrength]

Spices, spices, spices and herbs are your friends :) .

[orangeflame]

Thick, Tea, Eva, EVERYONE..thanks for the thoughtful responses.

Sometimes I get too lazy to uncook, but today I knew I had to bite the bullet and 'just do it.' So I got started and now I am in full-blown-bionic-woman-status-uncooking mode..

In my dehydrator right now I am waiting on: yam chips, cheddar cheese slices, flax and red bell pepper bread, and live gardenburgers.

I also made almond milk, and cabbage salad, and tomorrow I am tackling blueberry muffins, herbed parsnip cheese and crackers, marinated collard grnz, and jicama french fries with ketchup.

Eventually this week I want to devise my own hazelnut chocolate bar recipe. I am an Italian girl at heart and I miss my Baci chocolates!! (I figure I can vaccum seal and save most of the dehydrated stuff for the next time this happens).

By the way, I forgot who, but someone mentioned savory foods hitting the spot for this craving as oppossed to sweet..well, you hit the nail on the head.



I know I'm not the only one toughing it out right now, so if anyone wants to know how any of the above came out, or get a hold of the recipe, shout me out. Wish me luck!

[cara4art]

"By the way, I forgot who, but someone mentioned savory foods hitting the spot for this craving as oppossed to sweet..well, you hit the nail on the head." - orangeflame

Yes, you need those things! Vegetables including lots of dark greens, and raw seeds/nuts have minerals and proteins that the fruits don't have as much of, plus the change of flavors, even with simple recipes, will leave you more satisfied, making it easier for you to stay raw(or as raw as you can today anyway!)The fruits have a lot of potent vitamins though. I read some time back in an Ayurvedic book or something that a meal is more likely to be satisfying if one had a little bit of the six flavors in it(sweet, tart, bitter, oily, salty, hot-spicy). Of course, the Ayurvedic approach deals more with cooked foods, but some of those principles can be applied to raw food prep. Any good raw recipe book, including of course Alissa's book has a variety of savory recipes, as the trend now is to include a variety of foods and not just eat fruit and sweet things all the time. The fruit and sweet things are delicious though and have a good place in a well-balanced raw food diet IMO. Personally I eat plenty of fruit, especially now as so many fruits are in season. Later, when there is less of a selection, more vegetables and savory things will evident. Try green smoothies too - personally I can attest to these wonderful and powerful elixirs - back in February they were the gateway that got me into the raw food lifestyle this time around, after being interested and trying sometimes for 15 years. Along with your new goodies that you're waiting on right now, have plenty of dark greens on hand to accompany them and you'll have filling, satisfying meals! Be sure to have flavoring agents on hand that reflect the flavors, like agave, lemons+limes, hot peppers, some fat sources(like avocados, raw nut butters, coconut oil, etc.), some kind of good salt source, etc. Hope this helps!

[Eva]

What is Herbamare??

It's like a salt substitute (but has sea salt in it) that has a lot of herbs mixed in. Alissa uses it a lot in her recipes, and you can usually get it at health food stores or more health-conscious large grocery stores.

[Eva]

Thick, Tea, Eva, EVERYONE..thanks for the thoughtful responses.

Sometimes I get too lazy to uncook, but today I knew I had to bite the bullet and 'just do it.' So I got started and now I am in full-blown-bionic-woman-status-uncooking mode..

In my dehydrator right now I am waiting on: yam chips, cheddar cheese slices, flax and red bell pepper bread, and live gardenburgers.

I also made almond milk, and cabbage salad, and tomorrow I am tackling blueberry muffins, herbed parsnip cheese and crackers, marinated collard grnz, and jicama french fries with ketchup.

Eventually this week I want to devise my own hazelnut chocolate bar recipe. I am an Italian girl at heart and I miss my Baci chocolates!! (I figure I can vaccum seal and save most of the dehydrated stuff for the next time this happens).

By the way, I forgot who, but someone mentioned savory foods hitting the spot for this craving as oppossed to sweet..well, you hit the nail on the head.



I know I'm not the only one toughing it out right now, so if anyone wants to know how any of the above came out, or get a hold of the recipe, shout me out. Wish me luck!

YAY! You're making all sorts of good stuff! :)

[fruitandveggies]

What kind of potatoes?? Regular white russet or the sweet potatoes? I thought we weren't supposed to eat potatoes (white) ones on raw diets..?

Yes, I heard raw potatoes were toxic! Is that true? If not, I'm SO making those chips!

[Vaclare79]

I don't know. That's what I heard was the white potatoes were toxic.....:confused:

[kaybee]

fruitandveggies--

if you have a dehydrator, try kale chips. coat kale (or chard or whatever) with olive oil, add salt, curry powder, dehydrate, YUM.

[iamacranberry]

Yes, raw potatoes are mildly toxic and at the very least a stomach irritant. I wouldn't recommend it.

[funkygrl]

To break up the boredom mix it up a little! Try some fruit or vegetable you've never tried. If I have a craving for something like pizza I try to figure out a way to satisfy those cravings such as making a raw pizza.

If I feel like a burger I usually make raw falafels on kale. To die for.
If I'm craving something warm/hot I blend up a nice soup (seems to be tomato right now) and kick it up a notch with cayenne.

I have to agree with some of the other posts. Experimenting with spices helps a lot. Keep an open mind when making your food. Experiment, experiment, experiment. You'll get a lot of satisfaction out of creating new things and you'll find a lot more diversity in your eating over time.

[iamacranberry]

Only thing is all those recipes seem to use nuts. Raw nuts are not only expensive but hard to obtain in truly raw state. Any other suggestions?

[SheLovesToEat]

my dad eats raw potatoes all the time( not even dehydrated!) i dont think they are toxic because he never feels bad or has any reactions.
maybe they dont agree with some people...as everybody is different but i do know others that eat raw potatoes and dont get ill from it.

so ... i think its an individual thing and raw potato chips are SOOO delish !
i have a raw chef friend that makes them for her raw parties and they are a big hit!

so if you want them... try making them.

[Marco]

Yes, raw potatoes are mildly toxic and at the very least a stomach irritant. I wouldn't recommend it.

Indeed the potato plant is toxic. It contains an alkaloid named solanine that appears in all the external parts of the plant (leaves, stems , flowers and fruits) and also in the tender buds of the tubers when they germinate. The ingestion of the plant produces gastrointestinal, hepatic and heart damages that can be , in case that the ingestion is high, deathly.

It is one the vegetables that contains more starch, a product with emollient properties, soothing the skin. This property makes that the potato or its juice can be used in external use to combat the stomach problems, since it has antacid properties.( Just peel several potatoes and mash them. Filter the juice with a cloth and take half cup twice a day) The same preparation is considered appropriate to combat the hepatic problems. Equally, in external use, the same liquid can be applied as an ointment on the areas of the aching body to combat the pain, to reduce the inflammations or to heal the wounds, being interesting in cases of blows, twists, bladders, burns, included sunburns, etc. Also apply the slices of peeled potato on the part of the affected body. Very habitual homemade remedies are the placement of a slice of peeled fresh potato on a solar burn or on the tired or aching eyes to alleviate them. In a same way this treatment ca be applied on the aching articulations affected by rheumatism in order to calm the pain.

[Dimond]

Only thing is all those recipes seem to use nuts. Raw nuts are not only expensive but hard to obtain in truly raw state.

Buying in bulk (usually on-line) helps alleviate the cost some. Substituting part of nuts with sunflower seeds can work too. There are many soups that can be made without nuts. Walnuts are usually the easiest, less expensive raw nut that can be used for most nut meals.

Ideas from another thread: Besides avocado, substitute some or all nuts w/white mushrooms or cauliflower, depending on the overall taste & texture. It lightens up dishes w/little change in flavor. For creamy sauces, dips, soups, etc., mushrooms can help add bulk & substance, & will absorb whatever flavors they're blended with. Cauliflower has a high moisture level & you may need to use less or no water. Zucchini is another option.

Buying some ready-made meals and snacks allows you to have some variety without having to buy large amounts of bulk ingredients. Sometimes just having a few gourmet meals can be satisfying enough to keep you on track.

[Blossom]

When i was a child I loved eating raw potato my mum use to tell me they would give me worms, wonder where that came from?

[RawHeaven]

Juice fast. :)

[Riiiya]

you know..that happens to me too sometimes- sick of the same foods.. OR MAYBE it's same textures!?!?

so the other day i made a curry dressing (with avocados- verrry creamy) added lots of garlic to it (usually it really satisfies) and mixed it all with SPROUTS ... the different texture it created was SO great, it was like eating spaghetti hahaha

i'm making that tonight again! mmm drooling:p

[Riiiya]

I don't know. That's what I heard was the white potatoes were toxic.....:confused:


I'm from Ukraine and raw potato juice is considered one of the most amazing health elixirs! i can't explain why and how come..but raw potato juice is super-truper-amazing... i don' know, maybe a whole raw potato IS toxic??

[annavon]

OK here is the thing about raw potatoes. The potatoes them selves are not toxic, but their sprouts are. Also, if their skin turns green, they may have become toxic (they are about to sprout). I belive in this case that only the green part is toxic, but I don't think I would take the chance eating them.

[RawRose]

I went raw and then began craving winter foods to warm me..soups and such. SO, I made some raw tomato soup and crackers and that was so filling for me.

Getting sick of the same things, too. However, I don't feel like taking days to prepare for a raw food dinner, like sprouting, ect. It just seems like such the production!!!

[cherrypie]

you def need to change your foods, get down to your next library and check out some raw food books. I recently got this book from this girl in New York, Sarma M something (pure foods and wine, one lucky duck), although most of the foods are not for your everyday "cooking" I found it very inspiring and I introduced new flavors to my kitchen, yummi. a

[Dimond]

However, I don't feel like taking days to prepare for a raw food dinner, like sprouting, ect. It just seems like such the production!!!

It should never be a production unless you enjoy it. All the meals I make take 5 minutes or less. You can find recipes on here or other websites. My motto is keep it simple. :)

[ltcartwright]

I was struggling with this also and let me tell you what I found out. I was 1/2 day fasting and having a GS for lunch and/or dinner. For 2 weeks, this was fine and I began to crave GS as the week progressed, so much so that I was on the couch and thought about a GS and my mouth began to water, I got up made one and was doing fine and very proud that I was maintaining my RAW.

Then the following week for some strange reason I ate cooked food. I was SO HUNGRY after eating cooked that I began searching through the house for something else to eat. After consuming what ever I could find (raw and cooked) it seemed like a black hole was in my stomach. Finally around 9pm I made a GS. Low and behold my hunger stopped immediately after drinking the last dredge of liquid about 32oz! I gave a mighty burp and my body said to me, "Well, silly what took you so long to drink the green smoothie, that's what I was asking you for all the while!!!" Well, needless to say, I'm turning to the GS before I look for anything else! After 1 and 1/2 weeks, I'm doing pretty good, 1-2 day Juice fasts, 1/2 banana or avocado pieces if I feel really awful during it, water with raw apple cider vinegar first thing in the mornings or GS if nothing else seems to be working. Green smoothies are amazing!