meta: i eat real foods too :)

[meta]

hey everyone, i'm Meta and i've joined a few days ago. i'm a 22 year-old woman, have usually had asthma, long anemia sufferer, and was always interested in learning about what's healthy. i've been known to be a type of "health nut" for that because i actually DO and promote what i think/know to be healthy. however, i've been quite confused about what IS healthy when it comes to food: what is a "serving," are carbs 'good' or 'bad', how much protein should i eat, etc.
despite the confusion about what "healthy food" or heathy eating is, i was able to find the peace that i was looking for in eating REAL food =) once i learned about it i dedicated myself to this lifestyle, and i thank God for that.

i'm glad there are raw food forums around and this is one that i'm happy to have joined.

i've been raw for about a month now (yay!) and i'm here to make friends with other "raw foodists" and to give to others AND to get support for keeping up this amazing life style.
i'm interested in hearing other's stories, especially on what foods give them energy as i've been feeling a bit tired lately! also if there are threads or free downloadable books around on the web that teach what variety of food to eat daily for best health, please point me toward them!

i intend to be active here. you all are so inspiring!

[Veganforlife]

Welcome!!!!

Do you have Alissa's book and DVDs? They are extremely helpful in setting the foundation for a raw journey. Worth every penny!!!

[meta]

Thanks Veganforlife! no i didn't read alissa's book, i can't purchase books now because i'm jobless :p i download free ebooks and read articles and posts!

by the way i plan to be a vegan unless it's completely organic meat (however, i don't ever want to eat chicken again!!) or doesn't work for me (that is, if i find i get sick without animal protein). my goal is to do what i think is best for MY health. in the past month of being raw, i've eaten meat just once and it was wild and cooked fish, which actually tasted really good.

but i find tha ti want to eat the meat raw if i eat meat (or eggs) at all, and that they should be organic. which is very hard to do (mostly because i can't convince myself to eat raw meat!!)
i still don't know if this is the best strategy either!

i'm not going to eat meat or eggs for now though--i'm kind of in a "studying" stage--so this plan may or may not change.

are you a vegan for other reasons? because i find that many specialists say that we need cholesterol from animal meat or eggs.

if anyone reads this, please share your thoughts =) Thanks!

[lafsalot]

First, just wanted to say welcome aboard Meta!

Re: your question/s - I'll be the first to say that whatever eating lifestyle you choose, go for it! However, you do realize that this is a raw vegan (as in no animal or animal by-products) board, don't you? Just a suggestion, you may want to check out Alissa's policies about posting here and here stickies in the Need to Know More About Raw forum.

Wishing you the very best in whichever eating program you decide to follow ~ Cathy

[Veganforlife]

Yes. Consuming of any animal or animal by-products is strictly prohibited here.

Please read:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=33779

This is a mission statement and just a basic guideline about what is and is
not accepted and expected on this board:
-----------------------------------------------------
You do not have to be 100% raw or even 50% raw, but you do need to be supportive of this lifestyle and striving towards or interested in this raw vegan diet. If you are having doubts or thinking that this is not for you that is fine but then this may not be the place for you. Just like a meat eaters board or a macrobiotic board would not be the place for a raw fooder who is just interested in forcing their thoughts upon those people. These people on this board are here for support, motivation and connection in connection with Alissa Cohen's book and DVDs Living on Live Food.
I would appreciate it if everyone would abide by this post.

Thank you,
Alissa

Extended mission statement since some people seem to need to hear more:

This is a raw food board for asking and receiving questions and answers in regards to going and staying raw. This board is for the support of the raw food lifestyle, getting and giving advice and connecting with other people who are STRIVING TO GO AND BE RAW VEGAN according to the principles in Alissa Cohen's book Living on Live Food. It is not for debating whether this diet is good or bad or for posting questions that try to debunk the raw food diet. This does not mean that people cannot ask questions and seek answers but just as a raw fooder or someone believing in the raw food diet would not go to a meat board, a macrobiotic or an Atkins board and start debating those fellow board members beliefs, questioning their approach to their personal diets and interrupting and disrupting there place of support, so is this not appropriate on this board. This board is for people wanting support and connection.

There is enough fear and mistruth and debating about diet going on in all of the places outside of this Internet circle. This is not the place for that. It is a place to come and share your same interest in the vegan raw food diet, get support and feel connected. If you need information that you feel you are not finding here or are looking for opposing views about this diet and want to discuss these view, this is not the place to do that. Search the net and you can find all you want. You are welcome to ask questions and have different opinions but please be mindful and respectful that this is a raw food board whose members are raw, striving to be raw and/or are searching for vegan raw food information.

[meta]

Cathy, Veganforlife, thank you! =)
isn't it ok to participate in the board without having to read Alissa's book?
yes i am aware this is a raw vegan lifestyle board;this is how it got my attention, but briefly forgot while writing my last post (sorry about that! too many forums haha). anyway, i'm a raw vegan, i just don't know if this will be indefinite.
good thing is i'm not looking for a debate here, just some answers or at least more clarity of the variety of foods i should eat daily! i will take this to the discussion forums though ;) i'll see more of you there!

[annavon]

Welcome. I'm sure you can participate without owning Alissa's book, but it is highly recommended. The book is full of information on the raw lifes style and includes many great recipes. The DVD is very motivational.

Also, I understand what you mean about trying to figure out what healthy eating is. I have read several books on nutrition and diet and have a couple of dozen cook books and un-cookbooks. Now, I have finally come to the conclusion that raw vegan is the only way to go. Basically, this is what my body is telling me to do. What I eat any other way, I am fatigued and have digestive problems. On raw I have a ton of energy, my digestion is better and I feel great. :D

[saxmaam]

Yes. Consuming of any animal or animal by-products is strictly prohibited here.

I think the restriction is just on discussion.

[Eva]

I think the restriction is just on discussion.

Most definitely. No raw food police here. Just forum moderators. ;)

Welcome meta -- good on you for making the choice to be healthy (and in whatever way that works for you).

Re: more "what's OK" forum info: Honey is technically not vegan, same for many supplements; HOT tea is not "really" raw, same for Bragg's liquid aminos and Nama Shoyu and a bunch of other items that many choose to use ---- BUT all of these are OK to discuss here, I've noticed. Just not anything with a face! I hope that's helpful. :)

[Veganforlife]

Cathy, Veganforlife, thank you! =)
isn't it ok to participate in the board without having to read Alissa's book?
yes i am aware this is a raw vegan lifestyle board;this is how it got my attention, but briefly forgot while writing my last post (sorry about that! too many forums haha). anyway, i'm a raw vegan, i just don't know if this will be indefinite.
good thing is i'm not looking for a debate here, just some answers or at least more clarity of the variety of foods i should eat daily! i will take this to the discussion forums though ;) i'll see more of you there!

Of course you can learn about raw foods without having purchased her book and DVDs! You will learn a lot here.

You can consume whatever you want - it's just frowned upon DISCUSSING it here. My bad...sorry...

[Frugal Raw]

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

[lafsalot]

Cathy, Veganforlife, thank you! =)
isn't it ok to participate in the board without having to read Alissa's book?
yes i am aware this is a raw vegan lifestyle board;this is how it got my attention, but briefly forgot while writing my last post (sorry about that! too many forums haha). anyway, i'm a raw vegan, i just don't know if this will be indefinite.
good thing is i'm not looking for a debate here, just some answers or at least more clarity of the variety of foods i should eat daily! i will take this to the discussion forums though ;) i'll see more of you there!

Don't need Alissa's book to post or get started (although it can definitely answer all your questions and walk you through the whole process). I didn't invest any money in books and/or supplies until after I had done extensive homework (using the internet and reading several uncook/raw vegan books on loan from the library), at least not until I was sure this was a journey I wanted to embark on.

No need to apolgize for the last post you were referring to. Wasn't looking for a debate either. I was a little confused as to what you were asking and just needed a little clarity too. For more answers to your question about protein:http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3296 If you still feel the need to incorporate raw organic meats into your program, you might want to check out the raw paleo diet.

See you in the forums ~ Cathy

[Frugal Raw]

Hey Meta - Try your local libraries for raw food books as well - you never know what you might find!! Good Luck!!

[oceanee]

Has anyone mentioned Green Smoothies ~ the best and so helpful if you have dealt with anemia....just google for enormous amounts of info.
You'll learn tons here until you can get Alissa's book.
Best of raw !
Oceanee

[spicyfull]

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

[jacsam]

I can't encourage you enough to get Alissa's book and DVD.....they REALLY are worth the money and time to watch and read them. I've watched and read mine several times. I asked for them for my birthday a couple years ago...one of the best presents I've gotten.

[Aleesha Sattva]

welcome. i agree with the green smoothies. great way to incorporate more greens into your diet while drinking a very yummy breakfast/lunch/supper or snack :)

this forum is loaded with info... and it's all free!

[Moretta]

Good luck and this forum has wealth of information to get you started and much more.

[StarFire]

Of course you can learn about raw foods without having purchased her book and DVDs! You will learn a lot here.

You can consume whatever you want - it's just frowned upon DISCUSSING it here. My bad...sorry...


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/onnoudidnt.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Flwr07.gif VeganforLife.... play nice....

[StarFire]

hehheeee... I'M KIDDING!!! I'M KIDDING http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/tomato.gif!!! meta... you will find that Veganforlife is an amazing and wise Goddess.... and check out her before and after pics... you will love what you see... Veganforlife will be the first one to support your efforts and I lovez herhttp://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Kissin1.gif...
I'll tell ya... she has been there for me many times - pointing me in the right direction and giving me cyber hugs when I need em!

sooo .. Aloha and Welcome to RFT!!! You will really enjoy exploring this forum ... and the peeps here are wonderful.. super supportive and filled with lots of info!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/welcome.gif