The December 2008 100% Raw Challenge Archives

[Rawkinlocs]

We're coming up on December!

If you're ready to commit to a full month of raw eatin' during December, make your declaration known right here!


Then once December 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.

[ReneeH]

Hi!!! I'm committing to a RAW December!!!

[Raspberry4]

How exciting this is! Welcome to a Raw December! :)

[inny]

Hey, im happy to be here. Im with you all december:)

[shine72]

I'll be there! :D

[sarahrjm]

I am in - I WANT to do this :)

[honeycombs]

I'm in! I spent the month of November trying out new foods and recipes so I'm ready to give 100%. I've been doing about 75% raw during the last few weeks so I'm ready to step it up. :)

[Green_Woman]

I'm giddy as a schoolgirl!!!! :D

Wait... I am a schoolgirl! :D

I tried some fantastic new recipes over the Thinks-giving Holiday and am ready to try even MORE new 100% recipes now!!!

:D:D

I love raw!!!

[oceanee]

I'm in and so happy to be all raw again. Down with food addiction and up with freedom, healing, cleansing and living raw !
Oceanee

[deberaw]

Count me in!

[tvillemom]

I'm defiinitely in! I'm going to give myself the best Christmas present ever!! Feeling great, clean, happy, joyous because of eating 100% raw between now and the end of the month!!

I'm IN, oh yeah baby!!

[mjenglish1]

I'm in! Yay!!

[Sweet lips]

I am on board and ready to do this.

[Nimisha]

I am in too :)
welcome to everyone who is planning to do the December challenge. I look forward to knowing all of you and your experiences. I will try my best to post for all the days so that it encourages others too. I hope others would do the same, since the November thread really dint have many posts, I hope we can make the December challenge more exciting :)

[texasgirl]

Count me in too, I have strayed lately and I am ready for health again.

[raw journey]

Yes, I am definitely in, so excited to be on my second month raw, so grateful for the experience. Thank you to all of you who share your experiences and offer your support.

Lots of love and light

[Allie]

Count me in too, good luck tomorrow! :)

[*green*faery*]

I'm in;) Looking forward to it!

[Rawkinlocs]

Have an awesome day!

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

[Raspberry4]

Good morning everyone! Hears wishing everyone a wonderfully rawlicious day :)

Menu plan:
Green smoothie
Cereal with brasil nut milk
Soup and salad with ranch dressing
Possibly lettuce wrap with pecan nut pate and 'cheese' sauce
Dessert - something chocolate perhaps? Or, Alissa's icecream. Ooh the possibilities!

Enjoy your day! :)

[tvillemom]

Good morning everyone! I'm so excited to start the challenge. I really don't have a food plan today. I'm not sure what foods I have on hand. Here's what I know I have:
chia seeds for chia pudding this morning
avocados.....I'll have some quacamole on Mediterranean Almond bread for lunch!!

Then I'm going to the grocery store. :D

[shine72]

Today is "Juicy Monday" for me! :D

I'm thinking of having some grapefruit juice with green powder, chlorella, and stevia mixed in to start! :D

Hope everyone has a GREAT first day of their challenge! :D

[deberaw]

Hellooo Everyone!
I am so glad we are all here...for our personal pursuits of Raw....and to keep Shine company so she doesn't have to talk to herself :D hee-hee!

I 've had a blenderful of GS: spinach and banana

I have avos on hand, kale, fruits, veggies, Alissa's salad dressing etc....I am still unpacking and organizing from THanksgiving out of state....did have my GS everyday, but it was hard to be as Raw as I can be...so I am glad to be organizing.....will figure out what menus to try later in the week...I do have a craving for onion bread...I think I have enough ingredients on hand to at least make a small batch......

Have a great Day! Deb

[zenmama73]

Hello!

I'm in for December!!

[zenmama73]

I'm going to start with a spinach. mango smoothie
I have no idea what else to eat for the day!

[Trouble]

I'm in! I have only tried raw once and it only lasted for 3 days. I felt great doing it but as I work in a large kitchen I found it hard not to eat foods made for me. This time I will stick with it (even through christmas), I have my vegan daughter onboard to help me this time.

[rawviveyourself]

I'm in! Looking forward to creating some fun raw party food for the various things I have to attend....

[tvillemom]

Breakfast and Lunch DONE!!

I had everything just like I planned:
chia pudding
tea
3 8 oz. cups of water so far
guacamole on Mediterannean Almond bread (this was soooo tastey, I'd forgotten how yummy the almond bread was!!)

Dinner: DH is asking for a salad with dinner! Yay, so dinner for me will be a great salad w/ carrots, baby greens, olives, maybe some red pepper if they have it at the store?? Whatever else I can come up with.....

Had a headache today....it's to be expected with all the junk from Thanksgiving. I still feel hungry after lunch and no more guacamole.....wonder if I have the ingredients for a cheezy spread, I could have that with some sliced olives?? I'm off to the kitchen for some more grub....maybe even some more water.


Looking forward to the rest of the month with ya'll!

[Raene]

Good afternoon! I started my day with apple and pear slices.

For lunch I had a small jar of soaked almonds, cucumber and red pepper slices, and a cheese dipping sauce (the Cheddar Bomb recipe that's going around the board).

For snack I will have a salad and for dinner we're going to do our raw family dinner. DH and DD do raw dinners twice a week and we all help in making the meal. Tonight it'll be spaghetti and meatballs from Jennifer Cornbleet's book (I hope they're good...never tried em before). And of course a salad. :)

[Trouble]

I have no meal plan today. So far I've had a grapefruit, a mixed green salad and a handfull of peanuts. I might have a banana smoothie later on.

[rawviveyourself]

i almost never make a meal plan for the day, but for some reason, i know what i am having today!

raspberry, banana, bok choy gs for breakfast
ginger kombucha with chlorella for snack
wild mushroom soup with tomatoes and veggie bread for lunch
caesar salad with veggies for dinner
orange for a snack

[oai]

i will drink some water after i go to the loo. :)

just finished off a problem that was stressing me out all weekend! :mad: i thought it was almost hopeless. now that it's solved. smooth sailing for health, baby!

keep it going, everyone! :D

[Allie]

Hello ladies, I'm sort or of new to these 30 day challenges so wish me luck! I'm starting off with a green smoothie of blueberries, peaches, bananas, spinach and tsp of spirulina with a dash of hemp and flax seed oils.

Hope everyone is having a great day one ! :)

[rawchic]

Hi Everyone! Glad to hear everyone is off to a great start today :)
So far today I have had:
smoothie (spinach, 1/2 mango, 1/2 banana)
4 "cutie" oranges
1 kiwi

I'm going to the gym now and then I have 2 apples to eat after I get back. Tonight I am going out to dinner with a friend. I don't know where we are going yet, but I'm sure I will end up getting a salad of some sort.

[Nimisha]

It feels so exciting to start of the first day :)

So far i had lots of water
lunch was green smoothie (1 banana, 5 strawberries, 5 chunks frozen mango, 5 chunks frozen pineapple, handful spinach and wheat grass powder)

yum this is my all time favorite smoothie and i pretty much have the same almost everyday and still don't get tired of it. Its a big hit with my non raw friends too. Folks ask me to get some for them too :)

I packed Orange Juice and 2C red grapes for having at a later time.

and Dinner would be my special Spicy Salad (which is also a big hit with my non raw friends at work) yum yum

Have a great raw day :)

[inny]

Im so glad that i started raw food again, because i feel very energetic,and i know this food is the best for my body. It is december and i'm not worried about all good food that will come with christmas and NY:D i will eat my own desert:)

[rawlaw06]

I've been away for a while, but I'm back, and I'm in!

[shine72]

Hellooo Everyone!
I am so glad we are all here...for our personal pursuits of Raw....and to keep Shine company so she doesn't have to talk to herself :D hee-hee!

Have a great Day! Deb

Thanks Deb! :D

One of the things that I think will help people who are here because they are struggling and feel they need the extra push of being here, I have a couple of suggestions:

1. If you don't have Alissa's book, get it. If you do, re-read it! Also, watch the dvd again. :)

2. Go to YouTube and watch videos of the raw foodists that inspire you the most. There are a LOT of these videos on there, and it helps to keep you stoked, and maybe even reminds you of some of the reasons you wanted to be raw in the first place.

3. KNOW YOUR WHY! Why did you go raw? There could be one reason, there could be a hundred. Write them down and keep them with you always and read them often, so you can remind yourself.

4. If you've been raw for a while, your original why has most likely changed. If this is the case, now would be a good time to redefine your why. This would be the why as to why you want/feel the need to stay raw. Finding your NEW why is, I think, particularly crucial to STAYING successful on raw.

Okay, that's my tips/soapbox for the day. ;)

Hope ya'll have a BEAUTIFUL raw day!

[shine72]

Hello ladies, I'm sort or of new to these 30 day challenges so wish me luck! I'm starting off with a green smoothie of blueberries, peaches, bananas, spinach and tsp of spirulina with a dash of hemp and flax seed oils.

Hope everyone is having a great day one ! :)

Good luck Allie! :D

[Raspberry4]

Raene - let us know how the spaghetti went - I have Jennifer's book and I have loved everything I have made. I really like her ranch dressing which I had on my greens today - yummy!!

Keep going everyone - we can do this!

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr350/ZiggyZool/cheerleader.gif

[oceanee]

Yeah for December 1st ! Looks like a great group and I already feel better having the camaraderie of "fellow raw foodies".I always do better on this thread.
Green juice - romaine, spinach,carrots
Kombucha ( just about a cup....not too keen on it but I keep trying)
a few raw nuts
apple
tomato/cuke/onion salad
and now I am either going to make a raw soup or I will have a salad....I'll know in a few minutes when I get into the kitchen.

I made some zuke hummus for lunch tomorrow...yum! Oh and I have macaroons in the dehydrator that are awesome.
This IS it !

Shine~Thanks for the pep talk list!

To a great month together:) .
Oceanee

[deberaw]

Thank You Shine for your wonderful words of wisdom! I will keep that message!:)

....just had a huge salad and my bananas in the dehydrator smell so yummy.....I bought a ton of them at discount today...froze most, but have 4 trays of banana chips going....I think I'm going to make a batch of apple flax bread too.....I just love the banana chips....they are better after a few days in the dehydrator, but I don't know if mine will last that long in there!............

[dread head vegan]

i'm in :D good luck everyone!!!!

[Raene]

Raene - let us know how the spaghetti went - I have Jennifer's book and I have loved everything I have made. I really like her ranch dressing which I had on my greens today - yummy!!

Keep going everyone - we can do this!

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr350/ZiggyZool/cheerleader.gif

I'm so glad you asked because up until this moment I have actually made fun of this book. I mean, come on, grapefruit juice= take a grapefruit and juice it? Some of these recipes are SOOO simple. But let me just tell you, this spaghetti and meatballs recipe was FABULOUS! My family LOVED it. Well, my 4 yr old said the sauce was a bit too spicy, but aside from that, wow! The meatballs had a very meatball-like texture to them and the sauce was the best I've had. We went ahead and made the marinara sauce and not the pesto. Do try it!!

[Vaclare79]

I'm in for this ride too.. :)

[sarahrjm]

Day 1!


I drank 3 green smoothies!! I didnt feel much like eating today, 120oz of green smoothie sounded better! My stomach has been weird! I had an allergic reaction to something in the pie I ate on Thanksgiving!

So 3 40oz smoothies for me!!

Good Job everyone!!!

We can do this!

[Vaclare79]

Hello!!!! Yay, it's a new month of being raw. :) I haven't had a lot of energy lately and I think I need eat more greens plus being a little stressed over the semester was exhausting! I'm almost done with this semester. I think I've failed two classes already but I don't know for sure yet. It stinks. Well, I ate cucumbers, apples, and I'm getting ready to get some spinach for dinner (salad).. Going grocery shopping is a pain and I get stupid questions from people all the time that check me out in line.. The clerks know I'm buying fruit/veg, greens and same old stuff most time so they'll make comments about my food. Oh, well.. What they don't know. I 've lost more than 60lbs eating just raw foods. :P

[shine72]

Day 1!


I drank 3 green smoothies!! I didnt feel much like eating today, 120oz of green smoothie sounded better! My stomach has been weird! I had an allergic reaction to something in the pie I ate on Thanksgiving!

So 3 40oz smoothies for me!!

Good Job everyone!!!

We can do this!


Nothing wrong with that! I have "Juicy Mondays" now (I think I explained it last week in November's challenge). So nothing to say you can't have a smoothie day here and there, eh?;)

[sarahrjm]

mMmMmM thats awesome Shine!!! Smoothie days are so yummy!!!!!!!! How many juices do you drink on juice day? Just curious! I might try! Had a hungry day today, but glad I kept it lite!

[*green*faery*]

Hi everyone:) Today was a good day, I did have a walnut binge this evening though. I am nursing a 6mo, so maybe that's just what my body needed!

I ate-

8oz green juice (celery, cucumber, apple, cilantro)
sprouted buckwheat cereal
almond mylk
1 banana

8oz same green juice
1/2c lemon dill saurkraut
veggie sticks (carrot, bellpepper, celery)
tahini sauce

dates
walnuts

lg. green salad
tahini
1/2 avocado

'real toast'
almond butter
cranberry 'jam'

2 raw coconut hatstacks

LOTS of walnuts
tea

I tend to stay up late, so I'm just going to have tea the rest of the night-

I am going to try some new recipes this week & am starting the soaking part tonight:)

Have a beautiful night-

[Green_Woman]

Hooray for Day One!!!

I rode my bicycle to college today and home again, and just had some GS to wrap up my RAW DAY! :D

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a terRAWfic day!

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

[Raspberry4]

Have a great day everyone!

Woke up with another bad headache from yesterday but I expect that when I start. I know my body is working hard at getting rid of the junk.

Menu plan - I am keeping it somewhat similar (simple) for now just because I am the type of person who needs some structure at first. So...

Green smoothie
Cereal with brazil nut milk (yum!!)
Salad greens with ranch dressing (yum again!)
Dinner - this will be the meal I 'experiment' with and dessert to follow.

My goal is to eventually get in some type of exercise/movement (yesterday I was honestly too tired - I have fibromyalgia and I want to put less stress on myself this time by getting the food plan down and then gradually move into movement).

Enjoy your day :)

[sarahrjm]

I am going to do things a little differently today!, Im going to do all green smoothies again, but I am going to eat low sugar foods, green beans and stuff throughout the day!

I believe the higher sugar foods are causing me to eat more, even when not hungry!

I Love experimenting!!!!!!

Have a great day everyone!!:)

[tvillemom]

Hey all! I went back and read everyone's posts from yesterday! You all are doing so great!!

I did EXTREMELY WELL yesterday! For dinner I had a green salad with cucumber slices....that's it. I also snacked on some cashews and olives in the afternoon.....oops. I forgot I also had some BANANA ICE CREAM with pecans and alittle maple syrup. It was so yummy, and none of the guilt!!

I'm working on (today) cutting down on some of the carbs, low-glycemic more than anything. I think I had too much fat yesterday and too many sweets, but it was the first raw day after a bad weekend (not to mention Thanksgiving). I'm so glad to be here.

Doing well today, so far:
one 20 oz. GS with 5 cups of spinach, hemp powder, blueberries, bananas (just a 1/2 cup each of the fruit) and some water and stevia. Feel great!! No headache today YAY!

SHINE: Glad you are here!! You are so great....
Deberaw: I just love seeing your shining face! I feel like I've been alittle disconnected from RFT because I've been visiting another great raw site...but I really miss the challenges here, and all my friends! I'm just trying to cut down on my computer time (it's so hard!!!) I'm gonna stay here though, for the challenge, so look for me everyday, and if I don't show up, someone send the RAW police after me!!

Everyone have a great, fantastic raw day!!

[rawviveyourself]

as i suspected, laying out a menu for the day didn't work for me, even though it sounded really good. i just felt like different things, so ended up with an entirely different but still really good raw day. even got to the gym!

day two.....here's my guess at where this day is going -- but who knows!

lots of water to start
orange
banana
cauliflower-avo veggie bread sandwich
big salad
kale chips
cacao-cranberry cookies

[Trouble]

I don't think I'll ever be able to have a menu plan as my plans seem to change by the hour. Last night I got called in for a dinner shift but thankfully the meal didn't appeal to me at all! Today I have eaten a bowl of blueberries and a bowl of applesauce, later I will have a big green salad and if I need something more I will have some nuts (which I have hidden in my purse in case I get called in again today). I am telling myself that the rest of the week should be easier as I'll be in the catering room making fruit and veggie platters (all good and safe to eat) the only real temptation is the dessert platters. Hope everyone has a great day!

[deberaw]

Hi Everyone!
...awww, Thank You Wendi! It is fun seeing you here again too.....we CAN do this! One day at a time!......HOoRaY!!!!

TOday: I had a huge GS: banana and kale...been craving dark greens lately...
busy on errands this morning and now I'm getting ready for lunch...I am really hungry...so I think I'll make another GS while I'm preparing other things.....or maybe I'll have an avo too.....will prepare a big salad for dinner and see what else I can make with what I have here......

Okay! I'll try to check in later! Make a great Raw Day! Your body will thank you!:D Deb

[rawchic]

good morning! I'm feeling really good this morning - my motivation is always high at the beginning of the week :)

Last night I went out to dinner at the Macaroni Grill (a chain Italian restaurant) and I figured they would have a decent salad. Um, nope. They probably had 8 different salads on their menu, but they were all basically lettuce with some sort of meat & cheese. Usually I can pick a salad and just hold the meat & cheese, but none of their salads had veggies! It was the strangest thing...so I had to get creative.

They have a sheet where you can build your own pasta dish, so I took one of those sheets and marked off veggies and asked the waitress that they make me a salad with those only those veggies and nothing else. She was totally confused that I didn't want any pasta, but they went ahead and did it for me.

So my salad had spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, red onion, and broccoli. Nothing spectacular, but it was okay. The only problem was that they put steamed broccoli on it instead of raw broccoli. I was a little confused by why they would do that, but I didn't say anything. It was easy enough to eat around.

This morning I had 4 cutie oranges and a persimmon. yum!
Now I'm having a mango/spinach smoothie. I'm going to the gym in a little bit and then I have 2 apples to eat afterward. Basically the same food as I had yesterday during the day.

Not sure what will be for dinner tonight...I'm thinking I'll make some lettuce wraps. I have some brussel sprouts, sunchokes, and leeks that I can chop up and wrap in romaine leaves with some tahini.

Have a great day 2!

[ohiogirl]

Hey guys do you have any good nut free recipes.

[ohiogirl]

I am fasting during the day until 6pm and eating after 6pm.

I am doing the lemonade diet, but I am using agave nectar instead of maple syrup.

Dinner:
Salad
Marinated coleslaw mix (in left over beet juice) and raisins
Cucumber hummus
Nori rolls
vegetables

I will be trying my hand at some flax seed crackers for tomorrow and I am also thinking about making a raw pizza

Questions any recipes for pizza crust without nuts?

[shine72]

rawchic - I've actually eaten at quite a few of them. The way I've always done it, is to look at the menu, figure out what I want, then order an entree size salad done the way I ask for it. I've gotten BEAUTIFUL salad creations both there and at other restaurants that way. :)

I'm here. A bit behind today. I haven't even had anything solid yet!:eek: I made a raw, red zinger tea that my favorite raw restaurant told me about (they have it there, and I asked how they made it). So I've been having that all morning.

I'm thinking later will be a big sprout-based salad w/dressing. Made sprout-sushi last night, and hubby and my oldest were just over the moon for them. This mama did alright! :D

Have a GREAT day everyone! It's great to see so many people here. Let's keep up the momentum okay? (Ya'll don't wanna have me talking to myself again, do ya?)

[rawchic]

I'm in! A little late to the sign up sheet...but I already started tracking my food in the day 1 and day 2 threads.

[oceanee]

Gosh ~ I can't believe I am saying this but I am really getting into the mantra "one day at a time". I believe this time around with raw will put into motion the spiritual push I feel I have needed.Igniting all the senses!
I slept so well....and I always do when I am 100% raw but it amazes me that it is an instant affirmation.
Today:
GS-kale,banana,fresh OJ
Zuke hummus & veggies
tangerine
apple
tonight - salad, avocado and a lemony evoo dressing
Happy day all ~
Oceanee

[Nayeli_Raw]

I always manage to start a day or two behind everyone else!! Oh well. At least I am starting at all!!!

[Green_Woman]

Slurped a few sips of GS this morning (kale, banana, honey, cucumber, and I can't remember what else... oh, yes, APPLE and a handful of cashews)

I haven't had anything since. :eek:

I'm going, going, going and can't stop to eat! So, I'm gonna run to Wholefoods and buy some dried mangos to keep myself from collapsing :eek: ;) later today until I can get a big salad or something!!!

I LOVE RAW!!!

And raw cauliflower "mashed potatoes" and mushroom gravy are the BEST DINNER EVER!!!

[ganesha]

I decided to try 1 month raw and was just feeling some major cravings so I googled day 2 raw, hoping to gain some inspiration- GOLD MINE!

[Nimisha]

woohoo day2 is here.

oceanee - i am with you on the one day at a time mantra :)

I had lots of water till afternoon
lunch was a big glass of Green smoothie (banana, spinach, berries)
mid afternoon snack i just had a banana.

I loved seeing all the creative recipes everyone is preparing for lunch/ dinner. i need to make some too. So far my lunches/ dinners has been fruits or green smoothie :o

Maybe today evening i will have the Spicy Salad with olives
And late night snack would be another 2C of grapes.

I am trying to be a little far from dehydrated or heavy nut based recipes but will probably do it if i feel a craving, until then i need to get creative for checking recipes that are low on nuts and no dehydration.

Avocado is my king when it comes to fats :D

[ganesha]

I've been doing all GS smoothies for simplicity.
Last night Guac smoothie:
Kale
lime
Cilantro
.5 avacado
tomato
garlic
ice & Water
---sooo good, soo green.
This morning:
Kale
Dandelion
banana
peach
tablespoon raw almond butter
raw milk + ice

saw the first sprouts beginning on my sprout jar this morning. yay!

[Nayeli_Raw]

Im here, late but here!

[RawSunflowerPrincess]

I'm a day late posting, but I'm in! :)

[RawSunflowerPrincess]

Today I had a fruit salad that I made out of golden delicious apples, banana, papaya and grapes for breakfast.

Almond milk throughout the day.

Dinner was a green salad w/guacamole on top.

Easy as pie!

[RawSunflowerPrincess]

Fruit Salad that I made for breakfast

Almond milk blended w/banana, cinnamin and vanilla

green salad w/guac. on top

three bananas eaten w/raw almond butter

[zenmama73]

Well I'm def no good at planning my meals!
My tastes vary thruout the day!
So this morning I had a smoothie :) Mixed berries with spinach and a banana
For lunch I had a mango banana smoothie that my 9 mo old drank!! And for dinner i'm not sure yet... maybe another mango smoothie with spinach and maybe sum walnuts
I didn't drink nearly enough water. I also had a raging headache probably from missing my morning Chai tea :(

Oh I also didn;t work out today either. I do daycare in my home and Tuesdays I start at 6:30 plus I get up with the baby at night so maybe I will jump on the treadmill this evening and try and walk for 3 miles....

Here's to day 3!!

[tvillemom]

Well, here's how day 2 went down for me....100% raw!!

Breakfast:
large GS w/ spinach, blueberries, hemp powder, banana, stevia, water
tea w/ stevia
lunch: banana with fresh pineapple (really yummy, I was really craving the pineapple like I never have before!) about 1/2 cup of pecans
dinner: walnut taco "meat", guacamole w/ tomatoes chopped in on top of Med. Almond bread
MORE PINEAPPLE!! I've never craved it like this....??? must be a detox thing!
snacked on about 5 mac. nuts! Those were yummy too!
Here's to day 2 being a huge success :D

[tvillemom]

Shine: if you read this, what it "red zinger tea" and how do you make it raw? I love herbal teas....anything I can do to improve my "rawness" would be great!

[shine72]

Wendi - It's by Celestial Seasonings. I put the whole box of tea bags, plus ~ 2.5 - 3 gallons of cold, filtered water in a 20 qt. stock pot. That steeped overnight (about 14 hours). I then squeezed out the tea bags, added the juice of two organic limes, and agave to taste. Then I had to find enough containers to store it all! ;)

HTH! I LOVE this tea. It's very light, refreshing, and is just wonderful. Hope this helps! :D

p.s. It looks and smells like kool-aid. I LOVE it! :D

[SimplyRawesome]

I'm starting 3 days late, but count me in nonetheless! http://luvmychief.googlepages.com/carrot-dancing.gif Can't wait to get back to where I was.

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a wonderful day!

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

[sarahrjm]

I was unable to post yesterday, My internet has been wacky!!!

I had a good day! Lots of green smoothies and apples!

Due to my allergies I have to eat simply.....Pretty much just fruits and veggies.

I am going to make myself a HUGE salad for lunch today! I got some awesome looking avocados! Yummo!

I hope everyone has a great day!

[ohiogirl]

Good Morning Everyone!

Well I am going to K.I.S. (Keep It Simple). I do have one question, where is a good place to learn how to sprout. I am so scared and I know nothing about how to get started.

Well have a beautiful day!!!

[Raspberry4]

Good morning everyone! Happy Day number 3 already!

ohiogirl - about sprouting - you can do a google search on it. Also, there are plenty of books available on it by Steve Meyerowitz. It is not hard to do, just have to remember to rinse sprouts, after the initial soaking, twice a day. Good luck on it.

I put some brownies in the dehyrdrator and am looking forward to that dessert after dinner. Today will be a hectic day, but plan on keeping it raw and delicious anyway :)

Have a great day. Keep going....

[tvillemom]

Good morning all! Hope everyone is doing great!! I am doing really good, and feeling slimmer already! I was doing really good before Thanksgiving...and then put on a few unwanted lbs....so they seem to be melting off. I've decided to only weigh myself on Monday so I don't let myself obsess about it.

Today's food plan:
herbal tea I'm going to steep some fruit tea I bought (it's been in the cabinet waiting) and try Shine's method, only with stevia instead of agave....I also have some "reused" kombucha glass jars that I can carry with me to have something to drink besides always water....even though I am drinking alot of water!

GS: I think I'll try spinach, banana, pineapple...really craving more pineapple, I'm glad hubby gets paid tomorrow so I can buy some more!!

Lunch??? I'm thinking of making some of Tropigal's toona and rolling it up in NORI!! Yay seaweed!

So far, that's all I've come up with!!:D

[Nayeli_Raw]

Good Morning! I am getting ready to make my green smoothie! I know I am going to be snacking on apple chips and clementines today, but that is as far as I have planned. Probably a salad for lunch and then off to the store to buy some avocados and zucchinis!

[Mirthful]

I've been gone for a long time and now i'm back. YAYAY.

This morning i went to the produce store and got some celery to munch on this morning. It sounded soooooo good. and it IS!

Going to go to a meditation session at work today...to learn how to be calmer.

Rawk on all!

[rawviveyourself]

Hi everyone - happy day three!

Definitely feeling the changes since I've been back to raw for almost a month now.

Started out the morning with a big purple smoothie:

coconut, banana, spinach, blueberries, purple kale

I knew things they are a changin' when it tasted waaaay too sweet for me....it was good, but I wished I had just made a cucumber lemon juice. Oh well - next meal! Also made a fantastic caesar dressing for a salad last night, but again, felt as though it was a bit too much. I'm really starting to crave the simpler versions of things.

[shine72]

Wendi - it'll be great with stevia as well, I was low on it and had enough agave, so that's why I went with that. :) And I put some of mine in kombucha bottles I had saved as well! :D

So far today I've had:
1 shot of Gold Rush
1 kombucha bottle worth of my red zinger cold-brewed tea

I am currently working on a wine goblet of the tea as well. In about an hour or so, I'll be making some almond mylk, so I'll probably have a superfood shake then. :)

Have a RAWSOME day everyone! :D

[rawchic]

Good morning! Last night I ended up making lettuce wraps with beet/apple/carrot filling. It was good, but I ate too much. I got to the point where there wasn't enough to save for leftovers, and I didn't want to throw it away, so I just finished it. Grr - I wish I could stop doing that.

Oh - and in the afternoon when I got home from work I had two sunchokes and some beet greens as a snack.

This morning I used up the last of my spinach in a spinach/mango smoothie. I don't get my CSA box until tomorrow night, so I won't have a smoothie tomorrow morning.

My plan is to have all fruit again at work today. That is what I have done the last two days and I've been feeling good. Then I have veggies in the evening. I don't think I will do this every day, but it's working for now.

[Raspberry4]

Shine - do you kinow if that red zinger tea comes in decaf, or is it already a decaf tea? Sounds good. I just don't do well with caffeine if it is in there.

[shine72]

Shine - do you kinow if that red zinger tea comes in decaf, or is it already a decaf tea? Sounds good. I just don't do well with caffeine if it is in there.

It's already caffeine free! :D Great huh?;)

[Raspberry4]

Sounds really good, especially if it tastes like 'cool aid'. Yummy! Thanks :)

[tvillemom]

YAY! Thanks for sharing SHINE! I just had my breakfast/lunch smoothie. I ate breakfast really late because I had to go to the pharmacy and pick up my prescription first.

Deciding that I really don't like the hemp powder in my smoothies. I was just trying to add alittle extra protein in there....oh well.

[Nimisha]

hello good morning every one.

Another new day :)

I was able to sleep much better yesterday night. and my BM's are moving YAY that's good too, Since i have been suffering with constipation, and most of the lifestyle symptoms that i have revolve around my digestive system. So i will be focusing more on it. I am glad i am noticing improvement. Also the pain in my abdomen is reducing another YAY :)

(although its day 3 i have kinda started doing around 75% raw 5 days prior to it, So now is when i am seeing some improvement)

So far today i had lemonade 12z
lots of water and Green smoothie 24z
Lunch would probably be Salad or a big glass of Juice
Afternoon snack is red grapes
evening would be another glass of Juice (Strawberry- Apple)

[Raspberry4]

Wendi - I know what you mean. I bought a container of hemp powder for the protein too and wouldn't you know it I don't like the taste either! I will keep trying - maybe something will mask it eventually. :rolleyes:

[deberaw]

Hello All!
Busy day here...but a I had my huge GS: kale and banana....which my 2 year old shared:)

snacked on dried banana chips {soooo much better than those icky fried ones in the health food store}, and walnuts.....going to go make a nice salad with greens and avo and shredded carrots......will have fruit in the later afternoon and likely another salad for dinner....I love a light snack before bed...and like to mix up some ground flax, water, agave, nuts and maybe some banana too.....ummmmm...okay...gotta go eat! Make a great Day! Deb

[oceanee]

Here were are mid week already. Having a crazy long day 8am-10pm but it's the world of work overtime....anyway. Slept great again last night but had some unsettling dreams which I cannot recall now but I can feel the feeling.
Oh yea baby let it all go !:D
Hungry today but I know it's emotional/stress so I am drinking water to try and over come!

GS:collards,parsley,banana,pine
Zuke hummus, cuke & sprouts
raw bar ( didn't make a dent in that darn stress hunger)
later - raw veggies, apple, tangerine

Later rawbies !
Oceanee
Oh yeah...here I chant...one day at a time....life is GOOD & I am grateful !!!

[Allie]

Hello ladies glad to see everyone is having a great day 3. I started off with a huge green smoothie and a salad for lunch. I'll probably have a salad for dinner too. :D

[tvillemom]

I had a great day today!

Dinner tonight was Mediterranean Almond bread with cashew cheese (I mixed this up by grinding my cashews, olive oil, nutritional yeast, a couple drops of hot sauce, and some water to get it all smooth) and topped it all off with sliced roma tomatoes and sea salt and pepper!! YUMMY!!!

What a fantastic 3rd day!!:D

[shine72]

Just had the simplest, yummiest salad! :D

sandwich mix sprouts
red clover sprouts
alfalfa sprouts
mung bean sprouts
chopped bell pepper
Alissa's ginger vinagrette
sesame seeds

YUMMY! :D Light, yet satisfying. Then I had some grape tomatoes as well! :D

Day three has me feeling fine, satisfied, and OVERLY joyed! :D

[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!

[tvillemom]

Good morning all you Happy Challengers! I woke up extra early (for me) and wanted to jump in and get some time on the computer done before the kids get up!

I have no idea what I'm going to eat today. It's grocery store day and I guess I'll figure it out when I get there!

I tried Shine's version of kool-aid last night (with stevia) and I loved it. I think I'll try it in my GS instead of just water!

Breakfast will be a GS with spinach, banana, chia seeds, blueberries, berry tea. This sounds great and I think I'll leave out the hemp seeds.

Ya'll have a great day!

[sarahrjm]

Tvillemom - After reading yesterday's discussion about some not liking the hemp powder I decided to try the kind I got, and YUCK. It made my smoothie taste awful!

However, I BELIEVE it may be the only seed im not allergic to? hmm Go figure!

I am not sure what today is going to bring. I got bored yesterday, actually im really bored still. I am limited to fruits and vegetables (sever allergies), and im running out of ways to make this interesting! - Im sure ill adjust!

GS for now
Ill probably munch on fruit at work all day!

have a wonderful day!

[Raspberry4]

sarahrjm - do you have any 'uncook' books that might help make your meals more interesting? Are you able to make different kinds of salads and dressings or raw soups? Can you add spices and herbs to your foods for extra flavor? I wonder if any uncookbooks might be able to give you some good ideas for meals to make out of the foods you can eat, instead of just fruits and veges plain. Good luck to you.

Happy Thursday, Day number 4 everyone! Have a great rawonderful day :)

[shine72]

I'm up!

Wendi - So glad you're enjoying the tea! :D

I had my shot of Gold Rush this morning, and some granola. Going to go jump on the rebounder for a while before I "officially" start my day! :D

Keep it raw and real people! You're all doing GREAT! :D

[sarahrjm]

Raspberry - I do have a couple of uncook books, I am really dying to find a recipe for dip besides guacamole. All of the dressings I find usaully include some kind of nut or seed. Im trying really hard!!! - I actually need to experiment with raw soups, and savory green smoothies, Im kind of scared, it doesnt seem to apetizing to me! ANY favorites? Thanks for the suggestions!

So far I have had a green smoothie
2 apples
2 bananas

I didnt think this would be too hard, considering my diet was so limited because of my allergies. I did not realize how important a heavy bowl of rice was to me!

Crazy, but, I actually dont crave rice anymore. WEIRD. and the other weird thing is, I HATE BEING full now. I get so uncomfy if I get too full. Im actually having a lot of trouble with this right now. Its as if the line between satiated and too full is REALLY thin....

[rawchic]

It's a beautiful sunny morning in Seattle. I'm soaking up the sun through my office window and smiling :)
I wish that vitamin D went through windows...but oh well.
Does anyone take a vitamin D supplement? I take a multi-vitamin that has some vitamin D, but I was thinking about adding a supplement for the winter.

Last night I had yam pasta for dinner. I spiralized a yam into noodles (I LOVE my spiralizer!), and then topped with a sauce of sun dried tomatoes, garlic, leeks and raw olives. Then I crumbled some Dr. Cow's nut cheese on top. Has anyone had Dr. Cow's? It is SO good! Try it if you get a chance :)

This morning I had 2 persimmons and then 4 cutie oranges. Now I'm drinking some raw Kombucha (the gingerade flavor). I don't have it very often because it's expensive and I'm not sure how often you should have it anyway. It was on sale though, so I bought a couple.

Cheers to another great day! :D

[sarahrjm]

Im at work and I felt like having another green smoothie (im a nanny/personal assistant, Freedom in the kitchen:))

My boss was psyched that I was making a smoothie, and I asked her if she wanted 1! She said yes, and then I asked if she wanted spinach in hers! LOL she was like "WHAT?" - hahaha She opted out all together. I didn't try and force her! Her reaction was funny though!! I like getting funny reactions. I like being weird, so the funny reactions just make this better! LOL

I have a good personality for this!

[rawviveyourself]

Today was a new day for me....I had to go to a work breakfast and they had a whole big table of breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches, pastries, bagels, etc. that I not only didn't even look at, I didn't even care. Not even a mental wince about how yummy they looked. Just loaded up a big fruit plate and oj - neither which I even finished - which is also new for me!

Came home and felt like hot chocolate so I whipped up this warm smoothie:

purple kale, banana, coconut, raw cacao, maca

Couldn't finish that either, so I threw some macadamias in with the leftovers and have a chocolate frosting for some dessert yet to be created later today.

Loving lots of romaine and tomatoes these days - although I never really know what I'm going to have. Muching on the rest of my dulse right now...

[sarahrjm]

Rawvive - I CANNOT WAIT to get to that point where I am not finishing things! I am like a human garbage can! The poor kids I nanny for never get to eat the fruit I chop up for them! I look down to give em more and its gone!!! my little rebecca looked at me today and said "rahrah, my yummy!" LOL

[rawviveyourself]

Rawvive - I CANNOT WAIT to get to that point where I am not finishing things! I am like a human garbage can! The poor kids I nanny for never get to eat the fruit I chop up for them! I look down to give em more and its gone!!! my little rebecca looked at me today and said "rahrah, my yummy!" LOL

Oh darlin' you are too funny. I'm picturing this little hand outstretched with the big eyes saying "Heeeeyyy! My fruit!" :D

I NEVER and I mean never could even imagine this place. In fact, I was on a great raw path and when I fell off it for 6 months, I thought I was done with raw for good --- even though I knew how good I felt --- for some reason I couldn't seem to pull myself back into it. But this time around - it is like skiing downhill with my eyes closed and loving the wind in my hair (that was a weird description, considering I don't ski. At least not yet, I guess!):)

So you will definitely get there!

[sarahrjm]

Rawvive - She is just turning 2, and I think its rather funny that she gets mad at me for eating her fruit! lol poor thing. I need to stop!

Oh, and skiing is SOO much fun, you should try it! I did, I was a total disaster! but I had the best time! I had no control, I plowed my instructor down and we fell into a hole behind the ski lodge!!! hahahaha I had a big silver jacket on! they were callin me the silver bullet! lmao!

[oceanee]

Gorgeous and warm and oh so lovely where I live.

AM~Juiced:spinach,romaine,carrots,beet ( about 11 ounces of greens)
Lunch~last of the zuke hummus and cut up veggies
Snak~ a few nuts & tangerine
PM~ Mixed salad with avocado, and whatever I can toss in. lemony vinegrette

I am trying to get a minimum of 1 lb. of greens in daily to work up to 2 lbs. Anyone else?

Oceanee

OH ~ tell me more about Dr. Cow's "cheese".....what is it and where is it?

[rawchic]

Here is the site for Dr. Cows
http://www.dr-cow.com/products/

The site has a link to where you can buy it. I found it at Raw Vegan Source which is a store nearby me.

I have had:
Cashew nut cream cheese
Aged cashew & hemp seeds cheese (my favorite of the three)
and Aged macadamia nut cheese

It's not cheap, but it's worth it! I only use a little bit at a time, so one ball lasts me about a month. If I were to divide it out, it would definitely be less money that I used to spend on cheese before I was vegan.

[*green*faery*]

I haven't been online for a couple days, but I'm still at it! I made a huge batch of green juice last night to last a couple days. I'll post tonight what I ate today-


I see people keep mentioning chia seed, I've never had it/seen it? Do they have it at regular HFS? Is it good?

[rawviveyourself]

I see people keep mentioning chia seed, I've never had it/seen it? Do they have it at regular HFS? Is it good?

I love chia seeds - they are supposed to be good for endurance, stamina, and blood sugar.

I asked my HFS to order them, and now they carry them.

I use them in many desserts, because they gel up nicely. Also great in smoothies and they provide bulk without a texture, so they are filling.

Still can't get that image out my head from my youth of the "ch-ch-ch-chia" head plant. I think that was just after the pet rock craze.....

[shine72]

So let's see, today was:

Gold Rush
granola
cold-brewed red zinger tea
more granola
banana-split choc. shake
salad
Russell James' Wilted Kale Salad w/Creamy Chipotle Dressing
water

I am one satisfied HAPPY raw foodie! :D

[Green_Woman]

Whipping up some yummy cream of mushroom soup in my Vitamix, now!!! :D

I LOVE RAW!!!

[Bela]

I am jumping in for the December challenge. I ate totally raw for 2 months and for the last month have been at about 75-80% which is fine in theory but in reality I don't make great non-raw food decisions. Instead of healthy cooked I go for anything with whip cream or frosting. Since I cannot be trusted around refined sugar (and it gives me neck aches and anxiety) I am back!!!! Which I am totally excited about anyways.

I am almost finished my finals so I am looking forward to spending some time exploring some new recipes. I am getting a little bored by the 4 that I know well enough to shop for without a grocery list:)

Today:
B-GS
Snack-apple with cacao powder and drizzle of maple syrup, orange
L-Apple, sprouts with tomato sauce, salad with sunflower seeds and olive oil
D-Harvest burger, possibly

Happy to be here, and wishing you all a lovely raw evening...

[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!

[Raspberry4]

Happy Day number 5 everyone! Wishing everyone a fabulous day :)

[tvillemom]

I can't believe it's day 5 already!

I'm getting ready to have warm tea and then a GS with chia soaked in the fruit tea, spinach, blueberries, maybe 2 TBS. hemp, but maybe not, I think I'll taste it before I add it and if it tastes really good without the hemp (because I'm not going to use bananas today) I think I'll leave out the hemp.

I'm so glad I had a GS before I left the house yesterday!! I was starving before I got to eat again, but stuck to my challenge and came home and had a simple salad with greens, cucumber, lemon sqeeze, and a couple almonds. I didn't want to overdo it and give myself a tummy ache, and I was fine.....

Later in the evening I snacked on a large apple!! It was yummy!

Ya'll have a great day!

[ohiogirl]

I everyone I am new to this and I am not use to journaling. I am open to suggestions, comments and etc.

Question: I feel like most recipes have nuts in them and I am consuming to many nuts. In the last five days I have eaten 16 ozs of sunflower seeds. I have fallen in love with this sweet concoction that I have managed to throw together. It may already be a recipe, but i love it because it satisfies my sweet tooth. Is there a such thing as to many nuts?

I am not 100% raw, but everyday is a possiblity!!!!!

[Vaclare79]

When you eat nuts raw is that not considered to be 100% raw? Just wondering..
Today so far ate 3 apples. I 'm not sure what going to eat later because I 've got to get some food. :)

[shine72]

Good morning everyone!

At the beginning, I wouldn't worry so much about the nuts. Eat what works for you, what helps you feel satisfied, what keeps you raw, and you can tweak it later if you feel the need to. :)

So far today I've had:

Shot of Gold Rush
1 granola bar (homemade, raw)
water

Gonna get to my day now. I'll post the rest of what I eat today later!

Have a great RAWTACULAR day! :D

[ohiogirl]

I still have frozen vegetables in my freezer and canned veggies that I need to get rid uf. I have a little of those until my freezer and frig are empty.

Everyday is a new day!!!! Striving to be 100% raw.

So far ginger tea and 2 bananas and 1 pear.

[rawchic]

Sunshine, what is Gold Rush?

Last night I went to a raw restaurant and had hazelnut/oat porridge with raisins and appricots. It was good, but a little on the sweet side, so I think it must have had agave too. Then I had a piece of their pumpkin pie - yum!

Tomorrow night, I'm going to a holiday party at a friend's house. While I was at the raw restaurant last night, I ordered one of their raw brownies in a to-go box that I can take with me to the party tomorrow. That way I won't be tempted by the other holiday goodies that are there. Or really, I shouldn't call them "goodies" or "treats," as they are more like "nasties" or "punishments."

Anyway, today I stopped and got a green juice from the juice bar that is on my way to work. Normally I don't stop there because it opens at 7, and that's what time I'm supposed to be to work. (Plus it's expensive, $6) Since it's Friday, I figured I could be a little late to the office and treat myself. Now that's a real "treat!"

After that I had a few cutie oranges, and then I had an apple with hemp seeds and cinnamon sprinkled on it. I have one more apple and a mango for later. Not sure what I'll have for dinner. I have some brussel sprouts that need to be eaten, but I'm not sure how I'm going to have them. Anyone have a suggestion for how they like raw brussel sprouts?

Oh, I almost forgot - I made some beet "chips" in the dehydrator over night. This is my first time trying to make them, so hopefully they turned out okay. I didn't feel like having one this morning when I pulled them out of the dehydrator, so they are sitting on the counter waiting for me to get home.

Happy Friday :)

[deberaw]

Hi everyone!
I sat down to post yesterday and go busy with other computer stuffs and then had to get dinner etc!!!!
The afternoons are challenging for me....so today I made a delicious cauliflower couscous that I just had a big bowl of....yummmy....Had a big GS this morning....and will make some onion bread also......have kale and greens cravings...so I'm indulging with smoothies and salads......my skin looks better and I'm sleeping well...I love the deep sleep I get on Raw.......Hooray! Have a great Day! Deb

[Raspberry4]

deberaw - that is so cool to have 'greens cravings'. I feel like that for fruit every so often. Good for you!

Rawchic - I have never eaten raw brussels sprouts - but could you pour some olive oil, lemon and sea salt on them? If they need to soften up (I am uncertain of the hardness of them) could you put them in the dehydrator for a while? Just wondering.....:rolleyes:

[sarahrjm]

I am having a rough time today - Still 100% but.. I made myself rice and threw it away twice!!:eek:

I feel like im going crazy! :(

[Raspberry4]

Sarahrjm - it sounds like you need something with a little more substance to eat. What have you been eating? Is there any foods you are allergic to or unable to eat? Perhaps we can offer you suggestion if you need something different/with some substance to it? ;)

[shine72]

rawchic - It's basically gold suspended in pure distilled water. If you click the last link in my signature, you can read about it on there. :) I LOVE how it's making me feel! :D

[sarahrjm]

Raspberry - I am pretty much allergic to everything in a raw food diet besides the fruits and veggies! im allergic to all nuts and seeds! except for hemp apparently, and it makes me gag!

[islesgirl]

Better late than never and so here I am joining you for the December Raw challenge. I have been goofing off with sad food for about 2 months (it seems that long anyway), and I've been reading a lot about nutrition and trying to put 2+ 2 together and I am coming up with RAW. I'm on my second day of eating mostly raw.

Breakfast: Green Smoothie with big bunch kale, 1/2 cucumber, ground flax and brown sesame seeds, coconut oil, stevia, 2 oranges, and water.

Mid afternoon: The rest of the Smoothie with a banana added and the other 1/2 of the cucumber and another pkg of stevia.
And I ate some raw sunflower seeds and a kiwi.

And I am feeling wonderful today. Hope I get time tonight to read your posts.

Sue.:)

[tvillemom]

I am feeling so great today! Andy, the kids and I just returned from "deerland" (this is what Andy and Austin have named the land they go hunting on :eek::rolleyes: Anyway....we kinda snacked through lunch and that was an apple and some almonds and fresh dehydrated pineapple that I am in love with!! So today's food is:

GS (spinach, blueberries, chia seeds soaked in berry tea, stevia, alittle extra berry tea instead of adding water) This GS sustained me all day and I had lots of energy.
"lunch" was an apple, some almonds, and some YUMMY dehydrated pineapple
Dinner will be a LARGE SALAD!!

Peace to all!

[oceanee]

Hey everyone ~
Great day. Love the raw energy and that is the best feeling to hold onto. I am going strong and this work week has been minimum 10 hour days, no breaks. Yeah for raw power !
GS-collards,banana,pineapple,coconut water..
Cut up veggies
water
Big salad with avocado and sunflower seeds and olives any minute...YUM, can't wait.

deberaw~I know what you mean about the lovely deep sleeps. They are heavenly!:)
Rawchic~How were the beet chips?
Sarahrym~ Can you eat avocados? Maybe the fat from them would help...olives? Hang in there ~ play with your food ~ one day at a time ~ Green smoothies for sure always help me. I miss them when I don't .

Later gators ~
Oceanee

[sarahrjm]

Oceanee - I probably have not been eating enough avocados, maybe 1 every other day..... I am currently drowning myself in green smoothies to stay sane. errr, I am having such a hard time! its all 100% mental too!... blahhh

[shine72]

Oceanee - I probably have not been eating enough avocados, maybe 1 every other day..... I am currently drowning myself in green smoothies to stay sane. errr, I am having such a hard time! its all 100% mental too!... blahhh

Girl, UP THOSE AVOCADOS!:) You know you're limited in other areas of food, so don't hold back on what you can have. If you can have olives and avocados, start adding them in to help you feel satisfied! You CAN do this! :D I truly believe that.

[islesgirl]

Supper: 1/2 of a huge salad (saved the rest for tomorrow)

In it - grape tomatoes, butter lettuce, iceberg lettuce, romaine, cucumber, sweet onion, small handful each hazelnuts and brazil nuts and an avocado. On this I generously poured RawKnitster's "House Dressing". This was very tasty.

Sue.

[sarahrjm]

I CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!! thanks Shine!!! and everyone else who offered up suggestions...

I am going to bed, tomorrow is a new day! :) we'll see what it brings! I am hopeful!

[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!

[tvillemom]

Good morning everyone! Andy (dh) and Austin (my oldest who is 13) got up to go hunting this morning...so I have been awake since about 3:30. I am waiting for them to call me and let me know they arrived at "deerland", which is an hour away. I'm looking forward to the day. Not sure of all I will eat, but I'm in the mood for a "savory" smoothie (or blended salad) this morning. I know I have a ripe avo....so 1/2 of that can go in the blender....or maybe I'll just make a LARGE smoothie to have the other 1/2 later today. I have some tomatoes....alittle garlic and warm spices, and of course spinach. I need some more greens (some kale and different flavors)

SARAHRJM: Are you limiting all other fats? Avocados are really good for you and help me with all kinds of cravings! I even seem to crave chocolate less when I have some avo (even a whole one everyday! Since you can't have nuts, I would definitely eat EVERYTHING else. Are you also allergic to the hemp SEED....it sounds like you are having the powder, but it actually comes in a little seed. Can you have other seeds? I'm not quite sure if you are allergic to SEEDS and NUTS or just nuts. (I can't remember what you posted). I'm sure others will chime in....but definitely get those avos. You can even make a great chocolate pudding with avos!! (the recipe is here somewhere, just use the search function) I used to hate avos, and could not understand why everyone else thought they were so great. Once I realized that by just adding alittle sea salt and some spices......really changed the flavor, and now the little avo is my favorite raw food!:D

I'll try to post later. Today will be very busy. I have a Christmas party to go to tonight and there will be ALL cooked...very SAD food there. I am planning on taking myself a salad. I was thinking of making a "slaw" type salad with a raw dressing already on it and sharing. If anyone has a GREAT, FOOLPROOF recipe, I'd love to hear it!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY 6!

[deberaw]

'Morning All!
My body is feeling better every day! especially my belly and digestive system....I really need will power to push thru around 4-8 pm and them I am fine...it really helped yesterday to make something different and be full on that {cauliflower couscous, from 'Rawvolution', it is really good}.....I also have onion bread in the dehdrator that I am trying to leave alone since it won't be ready till tomorrow morning! I am lovin the dehydrated banana chips I made....I left most of them alone in the dehydrator for several days and then put them in the fridge as recommended on this board (I think by Rawkinlocs!}....it really helps me to make a few new recipes each week and then just keep it simple the other days.....

I am ready for my GS! and then will have fruit, couscous, salads, more fruit etc.

Sarahrjm: ...I agree with all said about the avos, especially since you aren't taking in nuts....I know it is a nut, so this might be a silly question, but can you have coconut? There is a lot you can do with it and that might help too....hmmmm....also make sure you are using olive oils in dressings etc.....You will find what works for you!

Make a great Raw day everyone! Deb

[deberaw]

oh darn!!! I just tasted my onion bread, it is really good! I don't know if I can leave it alone until I flip it later and then it is supposed to be really done tomorrow! sigh...I guess I'll have to put another batch in!.....

[ohiogirl]

Good Morning everyone,

For breakfast this morning I threw some sunflower seeds, a banana, a apple and raisins w/ flaxseeds in the blender and made sort of a porridge.

Question: I buy organic raisins are they considered to be raw?

[rawviveyourself]

hi everyone!
gs for breakfast and then hit a point where i wanted a different sort of taste today, so here is my experiment recipe for lunch:

zuccini with peeler to make long ribbon noodles - dehydrate a few minutes to soften and warm
vitamix sauce:
tomato sauce (i keep a batch of a tomato-sundried tomato in the fridge to make savory dishes a little richer - it is all seasoned and ready to go)
almond butter
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 jalapeno
1/2 tsp. miso
1/2 tsp. maca
1 slice onion
tamari/nama shoyu


Very yummy - sort of like a peanut sauce, but richer.


Off to work soon, and tomorrow I am hoping to have a day of dehydrating mania, as my staples (breads, crackers, cookies) have ust run out and if I don't stay one step ahead of myself....well, let's just say I'm GOING to stay one step ahead of myself! :)

[sarahrjm]

Hi everyone! I woke up with a better attitude this morning! Drank lots of water, and had some fruit - I think today is going better then yesterday!

I Love Avocado's I plan on eating 2 today. I am not fond of olive oil, but I will try to include more in my diet. Its a texture thing for me.. but im going to have some on my salad today! I have never had coconut, but I can have it. It was one of the things I was allergy tested for!

I canot do any nuts or seeds. I have never had whole hemp seeds! I will try and get some!! The powder is GROSS!!!!!!!!!!! ick.

Thanks Tvillemom and Deberaw!!

I will post tonight with what I eat today!

[oceanee]

Hi everyone ~
Crazy week it has been for me and only indicative of those to come ...I am trying to not stress over how much I can accomplish on a day off (tomorrow) plus do something for ME...One day at a time - eh?
Raw kicks though ~ I feel sooooooooooooooo much better in so many ways. I truly plan on this time being it !
GS- Banana,coconut water,pomegranate, pineapple and kale.
Lunch- More zuke hummus and crudite
Snak....banana or tangerine
Tonight-Salad,avocado etc....
Have a wonderful Saturday ~ we can ALL do this !!!
Oceanee

[Nimisha]

woohoo its day 6 and a weekend :)

My BM's are improving, less constipation, my skin is feeling better and I received my first compliment yesterday at work A coworker mentioned that my face looks bright and fresh and not tired
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Canadiangirllynn/smileys/rolling.gif I am glad that its showing out :D

Today's intake:
10:00 - Lemonade 24z
Lunch - Green Smoothie 30z

The rest i am planning for Grapes for afternoon snack and either carrot/ Orange Juice in the evening. dinner would be a Salad.

[Raspberry4]

Good day everyone! :)

I put cocoa powder and a little maca in my smoothie with a banana and greens and it was really good - almost like dessert for me! That is weird, I know, but for me that is big to be satisfied by something so simple like that. It was great!

I hope everyone has a wonderful raw day. It looks like a winter wonderland outside my window.

Have a great evening.

[rawchic]

Glad everyone had a good day! Normally I post earlier in the day, but we have been out of the house the entire day.

Last night I diced up some brussel sprouts with mushrooms & leeks and then poured a sauce of tahini mixed with a little braggs and water over it. It was simple, but tasty.

This morning I had 3 bananas and 2 persimmons. Then a big salad for lunch and a bunch of dried fruit (apples, pears, and plums). I hadn't had any dried fruit for a while - it did a number on my tummy. Does dried fruit make any of you gassy? I don't know if that's a usual thing, or if it's just me, but it definitely made me bloated and uncomfortable. Sad, because it tastes so good!

This evening I went to a party at a friend's house. I had salad & a raw brownie that I brought with me. I was so proud of myself for not having any of the other stuff there. There was grilled asparagus, portabella mushrooms & red peppers, and mashed sweet potatoes. I didn't have any of it - I just stuck with my salad. I feel so good now and I will feel great tomorrow. Definitely worth it!

Oh, and I stayed away from all the desserts: brownies, pumpkin pie, lemon merange pie, pumkin creamcheese loaf, and smores bars. Why there needs to be that many desserts, I will never understand. Oh - AND at lunch today, I stayed away from blackberry cobbler and an assortment of cookies.

So - my mission for tomorrow is just to continue as normal. In the past, I've gotten through an event, and then the next day I go on a total binge of crappy food. Not this time though - there is nothing about tomorrow that is out of the ordinary - I am going to treat it just like any other day.

[Rawkinlocs]

One week down!

Have an awesomely-RAWsome day!

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

[Raspberry4]

Good morning to everyone! This week flew by...

Rawchic - you did so fantastic at the party and you have such a great attitude!

I made lettuce wraps for supper last night. I really enjoy that as a simple quick meal with alot of diced veges in it.

Have a great day everyone!

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr298/irfaniayuwidya/fruit.jpg

(yummy!:) - I would like Santa to bring me this for Christmas)

[oceanee]

Good day to all ~
It's gorgeous out and I've gone for a walk, doing a little cleaning and have a potebello/walnut/carrot meatloaf in the dehydrator(recipe raved about here). Made raw catsup to go on top and later I may make Alissa's pecan pie.
It's going to me a yummy dinner! I need to make up some other things too for the week .....red cabbage slaw, carrot or beet salad....easy to be raedy to add to my dinner salad or take to work.
GS - small one
Green juice- carrot/spinach/parsley/romaine
friut for lunch
dinner - the "meatloat"....never ate meatloaf back in the day so if I like this I will be making up a better name !
Happy Sunday !
Oceanee

[tvillemom]

Hi all! I feel great today. I have a family Christmas dinner to go to today. I dread going because of all the food that will be there. I am thinking of throwing together a pecan pie (I think I have enough supplies)

Anyway. I plan on having a GS for breakfast (with tomato, spinach, hemp powder, garlic, jalepeno) I have NO sea salt, I'm really bummed because I usually add that with the tomato/avocado .....OH, wait, I have dulse! What a great way to add a salty flavor AND get my seaweed!!

I'm going to make a double size smoothie so I can have 1/2 of it before I go to the Christmas party! I think I'll make MYSELF a pecan pie...and just leave it here for later! Then I don't have to listen to any negative comments.....??? I've never made pecan pie before, so I'm not sure how it will turn out, and not sure I want to take the chance on something not coming out just right.

I hope everyone has a great day. I'll try to post later!

[deberaw]

Sounds like a good plan Wendi!

My onion bread is so yummy and I ate a bunch last night and this morning...now I really need to get some fruit...I think I will have several clementines and then a bit later make my GS...then later I'll finish up my couscous and think about the week...

Pecan pie is now on my mind...I'm going to go see if I have the ingredients! Make a great Raw Day! warmly, Deb

[sarahrjm]

Im having a MUCH better day today then the past 2

So far:

GS
Banana
guacamole and carrots

I really want another GS but the kids are napping and I dont want to turn the blender on! so ill do that when they get up!

[rawchic]

That fruit basket looks so delicious - I am literally salivating!

This morning I had a banana and a coconut. For lunch I'm going to have zucchini "pasta" with mushrooms and a sundried tomato sauce. Not sure about dinner...depends on if there is anything left over from lunch.

good luck at your party today tvillemom! pecan pie sounds yummy! Let us know how it turns out.

Have a great day seven everyone :)

[sarahrjm]

I have decided that I am going to do a green smoothie feast until december 20th. I did it last weekend and felt great! ...so im going to try a longer 1! I am starting tomorrow, although today I drank MANY.

Game plan:

40oz GS in the morning

I am going to bring a 40oz bottle of GS to work

I will make one at work

and I will have another large one for dinner.

I am doing this because I am not liking the feelin I am getting from getting too full on fruits and veggies. It reminds me of the SAD full feeling and it is spiking really bad cravings! - Just a test!

I guess I should go get some greens!

Im also glad to hear everyone is having a good day!!

[deberaw]

Sounds like a good plan sarahrjm! I am so glad you are feeling better and it sounds like you are finding your Raw groove! Yay! .....I might just do a few days in a row of GS too, sounds like a good idea....

I did make the frosting for the Grezzo cake ...just half a batch, added a bit more agave and some dried coconut and froze it! I had a craving for a chocolate bar and this was yummy...now I just break off a piece as needed:D

[Nimisha]

I went to the grocery store yesterday and now i have tons of supplies.
I am planning to make snowdrops Ranch dressing and Cilantro-dill pesto by Carmella
I got some cabbage and planning to make coleslaw don't know what to add in it.
I dint do great with my nuts intake so i haven't lost a lot of weight. I am currently 116 and planning to come down to 110 by the end of this challenge so i can fit into my lovely new years dress

Today's Intake:
morning - water
11:30 - Green Juice 24z [half lettuce, 3 kale stalks, 2 Apples, half lemon, ginger]
1:30 - Green Smoothie 16z
2:30 - the remaining Green smoothie 16z
5:30 - flax and guacamole

will probable have carrot Juice for Dinner, and if i am still hungry then some grapes

[Rawkinlocs]

Have an awesome day!

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

[Raspberry4]

Good morning everyone! Best wishes for a great day 8! :)

[sarahrjm]

Good Morning! I feel great today! Day 1 of green smoothie feast! I already had my first!!!! Just a simple banana strawberry one! Wayyyy more greens then fruit though!

I made the same type for lunch!

Today is going to be rough! I am a nanny and I worked all weekend (overnight), and now I have a full 50hr week ahead of me! I really dont feel like going today - blahhhhhhh

Have a GREAT day everyone!!!

[shine72]

Good morning everyone! :D

Crazy, CRAZY weekend! But all is well. :D

Today is juicy Monday for me! About to head downstairs and have some grapefruit juice! :D YUMMY!

Hope ya'll are having a GREAT day 8! :D

[rawchic]

Happy day 8 to everyone!
Yesterday I ended up eating all of the zucchini/mushroom for lunch. It really filled me up, so I didn't have much else the rest of the day. Mid-afternoon I made banana ice cream with 1 fresh banana, 1 frozen banana, 1 tsp cacao, blended and then topped with cashews. Then later around dinner time I had one apple and one orange.

Today I am starting a 3 day water fast. I did my first 3-day fast about a month ago and I am ready for another. I feel like since that was my first time, I was kind of just figuring it out and trying to make it through. This time, I know I can make it through, so I will be able to reflect more on what I am experiencing.

[shine72]

Okay, make that I'm gonna have a juicy Tuesday instead. ;)

About to eat a salad. There's too much food that has to be made/used today and too much tasting needing to be done for me to make today juicy. So tomorrow it is! :D

[deberaw]

Hi All!
Everyone sounds focused into their groove! Hooray!

Had a big GS of kale, banana, water this morning...then lotsa running around....had a banana with cashew butter just now, and a bit of onion bread...

Later I will finish off my couscous and have salad...

Later...fruit....boo-hoo I'm outta banana chips! Make a great day! Deb

[islesgirl]

So far I've made 2 different kinds of Green Smoothies" today.

1st. - 1 whole cuke, bunch cilantro, flax & sesame seeds, banana, 1 lemon, and water.
This tasted awful. I have only liked cilantro in guacamole, so far. But I drank every bit.

2nd. - bunch spinach, 2 celery (leaves too), 4 apples. You know what? I have already forgotten what else went into this. It tastes okay though and I will drink all of it too.

This is crazy stressful for me to be trying to do this challenge as I am already short on time. I simply can't remember by the end of the day all that I've eaten. I'd forgotten that I also ate a kiwi this morning.

I'm sticking to doing the simple "Blog".

[tvillemom]

Hi everyone! Today has been a GS day! So far I've had:
tea
GS (tomato, cucumber, avo, spinach, baby greens, avo, sea salt, jalapeno, a dash of hot sauce) YUMMY! I made enough to have this twice......

Not sure what will be for dinner!

Peace.

[rawviveyourself]

Hi everyone!
Had a big prep day yesterday so I am well stocked with goodies for the week.
Made two different christmas cookies and some raw cacao icing for fruit fondue.
Needed a comfort lunch today, so I did a portobello-veg burger on sprout-veg bread and although I made jicama chili lime fries, I really wanted raw mashed potatoes, so I made those.
Off to a meeting and then home to my purple kale-papaya-lime smoovie for dins!

[islesgirl]

Hi everyone! Today has been a GS day! So far I've had:
tea
GS (tomato, cucumber, avo, spinach, baby greens, avo, sea salt, jalapeno, a dash of hot sauce) YUMMY! I made enough to have this twice......

Not sure what will be for dinner!

Peace.

This sounds great! :) I know nothing about using peppers (hot ones) so I am wondering if you use a whole jalapeno or do you take the seeds out first?

Sue.

[tvillemom]

This sounds great! :) I know nothing about using peppers (hot ones) so I am wondering if you use a whole jalapeno or do you take the seeds out first?

Sue.



I took the seeds out!!! I don't like too much heat, and this was just warm with that smokey flavor I think jalepenos have!! Very yummy!

[Vaclare79]

I haven't posted much this month.
I ate so far 4 apples today
cucumbers & broccoli

[islesgirl]

Vaclare - your post made me feel a lot better. I've hardly posted at all. Your doing well with that food though - very healthy.:)

tvillemom- thanks for telling me about the seeds.

[oceanee]

You know I think many of us are stretched to the limit and reading prior posts I am happy to have company. For me I feel that getting through stress by staying raw will be my healer.
Today I am exhausted. Well I felt great till mid day the realized enough was enough. AND all I want to do is eat. But I have stayed all raw and have a fridge filled to the gills with greens,greens and more greens and oh some fruit too !
Here's my piggy day...
Juiced-spinach,collards,parsley,carrots
2 apples
Zuke hummus, parsley tabouli sort of mixture ( I can't get enough parsley?)
raw macs
raw cashews
raw fudge
red pepper,onion,tomato, corn salad
olives
strawberries
hmmmmmmmmmm....maybe I'm finished for the day?
ONe day at a time ~ release toxins and send them packing !
Have a good night all ~
Oceanee

[Raspberry4]

Those of you who are eating strawberries - if they are fresh and not frozen I am just drooling over the word. I can't get a good strawberry where I live in Ohio even when they are in season!

Had a taste for tomatoe soup so blended a tomatoe, avocado, ginger, wheat free tamari, one garlic clove, and some dried herbs and added parsley too. Smelled so great and tastes good too. I did not think I had enough tomatoe at first and was bummed. But it all worked out.

Have a great night everyone!

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/brendagoodmum/good%20night/gn0-2.gif

[jurence]

I'm here 8 days late, but I'm starting (slightly on a whim). I have enough fruits/veggies to last through tomorrow, but to bonies we go tomorrow evening!

It seems all women here. Any men? I guess I am the only one, and I'm gay!

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a terRAWfic day!

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

[shine72]

Good morning everyone! :D

Today may or may not be juicy. It may be more soupy. As in SUPER-STRONG miso soup. Been doing cayenne gargle/drinks since last night (sore, inflamed throat, don't think it's strep, but treating like it is just in case).

Hope ya'll have a WONDERFUL raw day! Eat some yummies just for me! :D (Well, and for YOU too of course!) ;)

[sarahrjm]

HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SHINE!!

I have a busy day today - The ids have Christmas Pictures with Santa today!

Im making 3 green smoothies to take with me..

I did eat some grapes yesterday .... yummo!

Have a great day everyone!!!!!

[jurence]

I'm going to harry's in abotu 10 minutes to get some vege's/fruits for my first whole day. I'm nomming on an apple at the moment. Have a good day everyone!

[deberaw]

...Hope you feel better SHine!...

I'm beginning to feel the stress of the season, but staying organized and on top of things, so that helps, just veeerrry busy! Whew! I almost caved to emotional eating yesterday, but my raw chocolate bar in my freezer helped.....will make a very green day as in smoothies and salads, I know that will help balance me out....Have a great Day! Deb

[rawviveyourself]

Feel better, Shine! Get some lemon in there, too!

Good start to today....2 quarts of papaya, cucumber, green grape smoothie.

Made some raw bacon, and also some raw disco fries!! (For those of you not from Jersey - the SAD version is fries covered in gravy AND cheese!)

I don't think I ate this much "junk food" when I was SAD. :) But it's so much fun when it is raw.

Happy day, everyone!

[Vaclare79]

Hello,
So far ate sunflower seeds today...

Where do people get your raw chocolate from??

[rawviveyourself]

Where do people get your raw chocolate from??

My local health food store carries raw cacao. There are lots of online sources - check out Alissa's store.

[Vaclare79]

Thanks.. I'm going to check out mine. I hope that it's good quality like David Wolfe's is said to be.

[tvillemom]

Good morning!! Everyone seems to be doing so great!! This morning I am having some warm tea and a GS! I can't wait. I am feeling so much better. My thoughts are clear and my mood is level!

I want to make something new, just not sure what! I think I'll look through all the posts and find something yummy!

GSs are really helping me with cravings! DH bought me some more coconut oil yesterday, so I know I am going to be using this also. I think today's GS will be: mixed baby greens, blueberries, coconut oil, stevia, hmmm....I think that's all (I'll check if there is anything else I want to put in.)

Hope everyone has a great RAW day!!

[rawviveyourself]

Thanks.. I'm going to check out mine. I hope that it's good quality like David Wolfe's is said to be.

Whenever my HFS does not carry something, I just ask them to order it for me, and they usually end up carrying it. Sometimes they give a discount, depending on how much I want. If you are lucky enough to have other raw foodists in your area, you can even order in bulk through the store and split them amongst yourselves and save some $$$.

[inny]

Im still here, just have a bussy week. I feel every day more energy, happynes, just my weight doesn't go anywhere:mad:. I'm sure it will drop of one day. :D

[rawchic]

water, water, and more water.

Today is day 2 of my 3 day water fast. Today has been more challenging than yesterday, but I'm hanging in there.

I went to the Asian market and bought a durian. This will be my first time trying one, so I'm a little nervous. The thing was massive - over 5 lbs! Hopefully I like it because that will be a lot to waste if I don't. I guess if I don't like it on it's own, I could put it into a smoothie or something. We'll see how it goes...I probably won't have it until this weekend.

have a great day 9 :)

[oceanee]

Wow , day 9 already. Crazy day for me and have not eaten enough as no time. No time for water even and I must change that. I must I must ! Cuz this is not good....
GS-banana, strawberry & spinach
Carrot sticks
Soon ~ when I get home a big salad and I am going to try the "raw meatloaf" again. Somehow I just never care for the heavy dehydrated things with nuts. I'd rather eat the veggies....
Hang in there all you beautiful people !
Oceanee

[Raspberry4]

Rawchic - wondering how the durian was? Never had one. I doubt I would ever see one in Ohio. That would be something!

Happy day 9 everyone! Have a great night. :)

[jurence]

So I hopped on the bandwagon a day late, but today was my first WHOLE day as raw.

Breakfast: Apple
Lunch: Banana/Orange
Dinner:
-Dates
-Bana
-Cob of corn
-Nuts (Pistachios, and assorted)
-More dates
-Uncooked green beans
- Baby Carrots

I'm hungry now, I ate at about 5 and its 9 now. I think im going to have some celery with the new fresh black bean hummus I bought at harrie's.

[Rawkinlocs]

Have a wonderful day!

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

[jurence]

You too!

Breakfast: Large green apple, banana

Packed my lunch:
-Baby carrots
-Celery with raw black bean hummus
-Some foreign pear
-2 Dates
-Pistachios

[oceanee]

Good Morning everyone !!!
GS-pineapple,spinach,strawberries and pomegranate
Lunch- tomato dill salad
Dinner- big salad with avocado
Snak-apple, tangerine
Water - must take the time and inhale more water:)
Happy day and stay sane !
Oceanee

[rawviveyourself]

Morning!!

GS: purple kale, spinach, banana, pineapple

The rest of the day......I have red peppers, zucchini, onions, carrots, and greens to play with, so whatever inspires!

Have a great day everyone!:D

[tvillemom]

Good morning all! Today is a weird day. I've had a tsp. of coconut oil (reading lots about coconut oil and thyroid function).

Not sure what else I'm going to have. I am almost out of greens, but I think I have enough for a GS....so today's GS will be: baby greens, blueberries, a small amount of banana, coconut oil, stevia (if needed) and that's about it, maybe some hemp powder)

I have some zukes in the fridge and I need to use them up, so I've got to come up with something....maybe just add them to a salad.

Have a great day!

[Raspberry4]

Hello to everyone! Hope you are all feeling well.

Today is a crazy day for me, but plan to treat myself well with good nutrition to get me through it.

Hope you all have a great day :)

[Raspberry4]

Wendi - do you have make 'pasta' out of the zucchini and then add a marinara sauce (blended tomatoes with soaked dried tomatoes and herbs added) or a pesto sauce? Sounds yummy!

[rawchic]

This is my last day of water fasting. I am SO looking forward to tomorrow.

[kissum]

I haven't posted here in ages- but I ate 2 1/2 bananas this morning, because I was totally craving them. I just finished some baby carrots and now sitting here enjoying a tiny plate of just pine nuts. Mmmmm.

[shine72]

Still here....

Still drinking the cayenne gargle/drink to help w/my throat. And other liquids as well. Did have a salad and a piece of granola earlier.

Hope ya'll are doing GREAT! :D

[sarahrjm]

today was another HUGE struggle.

I think my problem is that I am not planning ahead, I dont think I am at the point yet where I can just leave for work and hope that there is enough produce at my job to eat. There is sometimes, but not all the time, like today... and It was too hard for me.

I need to start packing food, and decide what I am going to eat ahead of time. I am still 100% but this is totally killing me!!

I ate all day, I have no idea what..

3 or 4 bananas
3 green smoothies
4 or 5 apples ...........

:o

[kissum]

My almost 3 year old and I made sushi rolls with soaked quinoa instead of rice for dinner. We did sprouts, avo, cucumber, and green onion. It was fabulous, and a fun activity to make with my little one :)

I hope everyone had a good day!

[Rawkinlocs]

Have an 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!

[jurence]

Breakfast:
1/2 Kiwi
Banana

For lunch today:
Mandarin orange
Baby carrots
Date
Mixed seeds/nuts
Green apple
Some foreign pear

[tvillemom]

Good morning all!! My kids and I are going to have a really busy day. I am hoping to get to the grocery store. I need more greens and veggies. This morning I am having a GS and probably a snack for lunch.....maybe some dates and nuts, and a big ole gala apple!!!

Ya'll have a great day!

[Vaclare79]

Today I'm going to have apples, cucumbers, broccoli and I don't know what else.. I have to go out to the store to pick up some more stuff. :) Also, Sunflower seeds which are so good.

[sarahrjm]

Today my day will be full of:
Bananas
Apples
Oranges
Avocado
Carrot
tomato
strawberries
grapes

probably more!

GS feast didnt work - I got too hungry, and decided risking eating something SAD because I got wayyy to hungry, wasnt worth it!

Im alright with that - I Love experimenting with myself!

Have a yummo day everyone!

[kissum]

The little one and I are sharing a fruit salad (oranges, bananas, pomegranite) and I have some dehyrdated squash seeds that just finished for snack later. I'm packing a green salad and our left over sushi for work, and dinner will depend on what we feel like at the time. I hope everyone is having a great day!

[rawchic]

Woo hoo! my fast is over :)
I released 5 lbs so my pants are fitting a whole lot better today!

I broke my fast this morning with a nice big green smoothie - spinach, 1 apple, 1 banana, and 1 tsp of chia seeds.

I have another apple & a grapefruit with me to munch on later.

Then I'll have a big salad with romaine, cauliflower, tomatoes, carrots, and maybe some avocado.

I can't believe we are almost half way through the month!!!

[inny]

still here feeling good:D Today i was exercising, hate winter because i can't run in the dark:( but anywhay i have to do more exercises if i want to loose some weight. My supper is teribble couse i eat too much nuts:mad:

[deberaw]

Hi all my Raw friends!
Yesterday got away from me...but I am still lovin' dark greens: kale and even dandelion, spinach......really am feeling good about wanting to keep it simple with smoothies and salads and such...and I will be making some more onion bread...it was soo good! ...just went for a run...a bit icy, but clear out...Make a great Day! warmly, Deb

[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!

[jurence]

RArrrWWWWWWW!!!

Breakfast: Half of my green smoothie i made last night

Lunch: A date, banana, tangerine, orange, banana, pistachios

NOM NOM NOM!

[sarahrjm]

hmm, I dont think I posted yesterday! Kind Ironic because I actually had a day off! My day off ended up being more busy then my usual 12hr work day! HAH! ill just work next time!

WAIT WAIT - I THINK I DID POST YESTERDAY? oh nuts - I cant remember anything!!

Anyway today I have had a GS so far - having lunch at my bosses sisters house today - that should be interesting - I think there will be a salad.

Dinner - Im not sure, im going to wing it!

Have a LOVELY day everyone!

[Raspberry4]

Happy Friday everyone ! :)

Have a good day.

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr257/pep_patty/Days%20of%20the%20Week/Happy_Friday2.gif

[kissum]

So far today I've had a handful of grapes, 1/2 a larabar, and I'm drinking a green smoothie right now :)
I'm going to grab some fruit for lunch, and dinner will be decided later! Have a great day!

[rawchic]

Happy Friday!!!

This morning I had a green smoothie with spinach, 1 apple, 1 banana and 1 tsp of chia seeds (same as yesterday). It was yummy!

I also had 2 grapefruits and I don't know why, but they were seriously the best grapefruits I've ever had. I wish I had more! They came in my CSA box last week, so I'm hoping they will send them again soon.

I have another 1/2 of a smoothie for this afternoon and some asian pears.

Tonight we're going out to dinner w/ some friends. We're going to a Thai restaurant and I already have my salad picked out: it has mixed greens, mango, apple, lemongrass, lime leaves, and tomato - and then I will have them hold the chicken and the dressing and add bean sprouts. Yum!

[inny]

Today i had fast for one day. I can't belive it's day 20 already :D

[tvillemom]

RAWCHIC: Your salad sounds wonderful! I would love that! Today has been super busy but my food has been:

GS with spinach, banana, chia seeds, blueberries, and fruit tea (with stevia)

Lunch: a few almonds, and apple, an orange

Dinner: large green salad

Everyone have a great day!

[rawviveyourself]

Having a rawsome day!

several clementines for breakfast between massages
larabar
big green salad
and now.....
some rawkin' chocolate mousse (omg it is so good)
back to work and then i will finish with a big green smoovie......

[shine72]

Hey ya'll!

I'm feeling a bit better now. At least my energy is up! :D

I've had today:
1 Apple/Cinnamon Pure Bar
Cold brewed tea

And right now, I'm waiting just a wee bit longer for my crepes to be ready! YUMMY! I'm SO hungry! Was gone all day, so I'm SO ready for these. :)

Hope everyone has had a great day 12! :D

[kissum]

I had the most fabulous blondie from our local grocery store today- it was DIVINE, and totally raw. $5 for a tiny piece, but worth it. I've got "popcorn" in the dehydrator ( cauliflower with sea salt on top) and I've been munching on peace berries. YUM!

[Raspberry4]

shine - how do you make the crepes and are they pliable enough to put something like cashew creme in and roll it up? (with fruit on top - yummy!)

[Vaclare79]

Today ate some apples, cucumbers, tomatoes.. Broccoli with garlic, EVOO, salt.

[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!

[Raspberry4]

Happy new day everyone!

Has anyone tried goji beries and/or maca and if so, has it helped with energy issues at all?

[tvillemom]

Good morning all!!

Enjoying some warm herbal tea....looking forward to a GS later!

Dinner we will be eating out, so I will take some almonds and a homemade raw dressing with me to "decorate" a plain salad!

RASBERRY4: I've tried maca before. I did feel like it helped with my mood staying more level, and my energy seemed even. I will warn you that it tastes pretty bad (to me) and if you look, alot of the recipes using it mask the flavor with cacao.....I have considered ordering another bag of it (my first bag went bad before I could use it all). I really didn't like the flavor, and now that I can look back and see that I really DID feel better the weeks that I used it, it's worth the money (and the bad taste)!! Good luck.

We are almost 1/2 way through the month already!! I can't believe it. This month has been easy for me.

The hardest part has been the cold mornings. I really want something warm for breakfast. (like warm oatmeal) I'm thinking of getting some groats and soaking them....then using warm water in the morning to "warm" them up and add chopped apples, dates, sweetner. HAS ANYBODY TRIED THIS??

:D:DTake care, have a great, fantastic, RAWLICIOUS day!:D

[kissum]

Happy Saturday!

My toddler and I are having a raw buffet while watching Harry Potter- grapes, peace berries, goji berries, cauliflower "popcorn" and kale chips are all sitting out to be munched on. Oh, and I forgot- some carrot/onion muffins that I dehydrated just long enough so they hold shape. :)

[oceanee]

Yikes ~ I think I missed a few days. My life is like that and so I am not trying to worry about it. Just can't do everything in a day ~ I'll go back when I and read how everyone is doing tomorrow as I hope to just stay put and stay home !

GS:banana,spinach,pineapple
Lunch: mixed salad w/ lemon dressing
Tonight: Tomato/avocado salad and "fudge"

Rasp4:I love Alissa's maca and find that it gives me a stamina in the energy department. I mix in GS and never seem bothered by the taste.

Tville:I've had Alissa's raw oats and very yummy when soaked and goodies added. I need to get more as I used it all for cookies which were really good !

Kissum:Awwwww ~ what a fun raw feast with your little one. Good for you to make those foods special .

Enjoy the weekend everyone !
Oceanee

[shine72]

Good day everyone!

I'm noshing on a HUGE salad right now! :D

Raspberry - I find (and so does hubby) that maca really helps me sustain energy throughout the day. I've used it in chocolate AND in green smoothies and superfood shakes! :)

Wendi - sorry, nope, not tried it yet. BUT, am SO happy to see you doing so well! :D

I've also had today:
A HUGE banana-split choc. shake
some cold brewed tea
a couple of homemade granola bars

Hope everyone is having a GREAT day! :D

[Raspberry4]

Thank you everyone for responding regarding the maca. I am just feeling so tired and run down and would like to try it in the smoothies. I am also looking into acai, camu, and pomegranate power for building the immune system/energy, etc.

Wendi - I have used Alissas oats and soaked overnight, then blend with banana, and almond butter and add cinnamon when done blending. I really like that as a heavier breakfast on the days I need something more than a smoothie. Enjoy!!!!!!

Have a great night everyone. Stay warm. :)

[Rawkinlocs]

Two weeks down!

Have an awesomely-RAWsome day!

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

[Thick]

Hi=)

Is this seat taken?

I had back surgery recently and the self pity/loss of motivating pain derailed me. I'm fine, now, but desperately need to break my last supper syndrome with fresh vows and some accountability.

Maybe one day I can have one bite of something cooked without it giving me "permission" to make bad choices all day--maybe after a lot of self introspection and analysis, maybe...or maybe it is like smoking..you can just never have one cigarette again. Today, I need to stay raw and if I want something really "good" I can peruse recipes online and make something extravagant.

I promise to show myself more attention in non-food ways and to give myself food presents with elaborate delicious recipes instead of clogging, pasty, unfood garbage. I am an amazing machine who deserves the best food. I deserve the super premium fuel.



Today/tomorrow my plan is--

-watermelon smoothie
-frozen grapes (have you tried these?!!)
-bubbies pickles
-sunflower seed cheese/parsley pesto on store bought italian flax crackers with tomatoes
-perhaps brownies
-perhaps salty "roasted" pistachios
-some freezedried "berry green" mix in water (was lured into buying it by wf salesman dipped in pheremones)


Thanks for being here=)>

[tvillemom]

Hi Thick! Welcome to the challenge!! Sounds like you've been to the same town I've been to! (you know the one with all the sad food binges!) Just jump right in, better now than later!

Today's food choices:
Breakfast: tea, chia pudding
Lunch: green smoothie with spinach, banana, chia seeds soaked in fruit tea, blueberries, stevia (if needed)
Dinner: green juice

I love putting my plan down here first, just to take all the guess work out...

I think I'll make some type of brownie with powdered nuts (in the coffee grinder) dates, raw cacao....all in the FP.

My church is having a Christmas party where there will be alot of SAD food...this is why I am going to juice. I've decided to have juice at least 1 meal a day (maybe even breakfast and dinner...with a GS in the middle) I'm going to try is and see how it goes. I think I'm heading for a fast, but don't want to get too strict as the Christmas day will be too hard, so I am going to have a GS everyday for the fiber and wonderful flavors I'm loving right now.

Hope everyone has a great day.

By the way, I would have juice for breakfast, but my DAD borrowed mine to give it a try. (I'm getting it back today at church) He has been juicing 1 meal a day for about 3 weeks (doing this 5-6 days a week) and ended up buying a Jack Lalane juicer. I'm proud of him. I think he is even giving up the soy protein shake he's been having for YEARS for breakfast. He was convinced he needed all that extra protein....now he's seeing that the green vegetable juices give him energy too!! We both suffer from hypothyroid and I told him about how soy inhibits your thyroid function....I can't believe he listened to me!!

I feel great today and look forward to finishing out the month just as strong as I started!!

Check in later!

[tvillemom]

By the way THICK, all your foods sound great! I wish I could find raw pistachios!! I love pistachios! AND bubbies pickles...never had them, but I know I would love them! YUM YUM!!

[shine72]

Thick - I think Alissa says "don't indulge the thought" in her book for a reason. I know for ME, cooked is like that Lay's chip commercial. I can't eat just one. ;)

Wendi! So glad to see you doing so well! :D And look at you! :D Your father is so blessed to have you to help him with this!

As for me, I was up until the weeeeeeeee hours this morning! (Like 4am)

I'm about to head down and have some Island Fire and some Gold Rush. Then I'm going to make an absolutely YUMMY superfood shake! Cheers! :D

[sarahrjm]

BUSY weekend! my grandmother, mom and sister are moving into a new apartment on the 29th! what a time to move!! Im kinda sad because Christmas is going to he weird, we usually have it at their house, but this year its going to be out of my aunts. Im weirded out because its so out of tradition.. blah. I have been helping them move 50yrs worth of stuff! im relaxing today.

A banana so far

I went to BJ's and bought $160 worth of organic produce! A lot of which I will be chopping and freezing for smoothies! but Im looking forward to a nice salad for lunch, with lots of greens!

Have a good day guys!!

WELCOME THICK!!

[deberaw]

Oh THick! I am so glad to see you here....I love how you worded it all...very powerful....I think you should print that and post it on your fridge!.....I really almost caved yesterday, and instead of eating my kids pasta...quick made a huge GS...instantly helped me a lot....if I fall off the raw wagon...I do limit it to vegan and that helps me to keep from sliding further.....most of the time........I can very much relate to the 'giving self permission...once cooked hits the mouth thing'......I do LOVE avos, coconut oil and butter, all the Raw fats...and I tell myself that I can't indulge in those if I fall off Raw! I've found this month that Raw is really help keep me grounded with all the Holiday busy-ness...I sleep better and feel better and that certainly helps with my mood...

I just love your energy and wisdoms Shine and Wendi!!! You both are so inspiring and supportive...Thank You!

Just had a huge GS, and will have salads and smoothies and onion bread the rest of the day...fruit and veggies and nuts to snack in between....I'm needing to keep it super simple with all the busy-ness around me...but that is okay...for now! HUGS! love, Deb

[oceanee]

Great posts by everyone today ~ I'm with you Shine, I can't just have one. I think I can for a few days and then before you know it I am in shame land. Being gentle and forgiving and re-learning emotional needs and truly paying attention to the physical helps with the addiction.
I think I'll re-read Alissa's book this week.
GS~banana,spinach,pineapple,maca
Juice ~ carrot,spinach,romaine,beet
Salad w/avocado & sunflower seeds
Shine ~4AM yikes ~ you always seem so pleasant and perky no matter what time of day !
Oceanee

[shine72]

LMBO! Deberaw, I had to go back and look at what I posted to see why you would say that! ;) Can we just blame it on lack of sleep? :p

Oceanee, you know what, when I first read your comment, I was like, "surely she jests!" But then I thought about it for a moment, and you know what, the majority of the time, that statement is correct. :) It's all about CHOOSING to be happy/perky/energized and have the most wonderful day possible each and every day, regardless of your circumstances (and trust me, I've been dealing with a whole slew of doozies lately). So try it! Consciously, each morning when you wake up, tell yourself you have so much energy. Consciously tell yourself how happy you are this morning. Consciously tell yourself that you're going to have the most wonderful day, no matter what "circumstances" come your way that day. Try it for a few weeks. If you like it, keep it, if you don't, you can always stop. And please, let me know what you think as you continue to do it! :D

That superfood shake was RAWKIN'! Later I'm gonna make Key Lime Mousse for me and T. J has his sweet potato fries, and his other stuff that he eats already done or available to him. Tonight I'm going to make Russell James' Wilted Kale Salad w/Creamy Chipotle Dressing, subbing spinach for the kale (kale is wicked expensive here for some stupid reason!).

If I get hungry in between, we have granola bars I made for snacking!

Have a GREAT day everyone!

[sarahrjm]

Did really well today!! finally a day without struggle!

Dinner was a big bowl of everything in my fridge! chopped Mango, carrots, avocado, cucumber!

I suppose I should have more in my fridge! lol eeeek.

For some reason, I am not doing good with raw food shopping. I walk into the store, get REALLY excited looking at all the diff things available, and I seem to always just get the same few things! the easy stuff that requires no work! I need to work on that!

[Rawkinlocs]

Have an awesome day!

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

[Raspberry4]

Happy raw Monday everyone!

This month is really going fast.

Enjoy your day :)

[Vaclare79]

I was at a birthday party last night for my boyfriend and the hostess actually got a couple veg trays for me, BUT it was SO hard because of the fact all the junk/SAD foods sitting out and homemade birthday cake mint chocolate I wanted so bad uggh.. I got to get some cacao.

[oceanee]

Whoa it's the 15th ~ It's a good day, just came back from a walk in the rain with my umbrella and picked up some coconuts along the way. One is perfect so I am going to get my hammer out and see what kind of damage I can do !
Drinking GS ~ spinach,mango,banana,pineapple & maca
Lunch and dinner are undecided. I have the day off ~ yeah! so must create some salads for the week...cole slaw, broc & cauli marinated and I might try a new cracker recipe.
Not into the nut "entrees" like meatloaf,jalapeno burgies, etc. Anyone else not care for them ?
Shine~You've got that right about waking each day with positive words. I am doing a morning and evening mantra to myself which is helping. Everyone has their own challenges and it is how you turn it around in your daily life isn't it? Your picture shows just how full of positive life you are !
Have a great day everyone !
Oceanee

[shine72]

oceanee - You should join us on the daily appreciations thread down in Personal Growth. There are some days where it's literally been my emotional/positivity/perspective life-line! I will forever be grateful to Revvell for inviting me to join it! :D

I just finished my superfood shake! Today will be a light day food wise for me (kinda, shake, smoothie, and then a salad) and instead of a juicy Monday this week, it's gonna be a juicy Thursday or Friday me thinks! ;) But there WILL be one day this week of just juice! :)

We are 1/2 way through ya'll! WHERE has this month gone?! It's literally flying through the month here!

Yesterday I ate like a raw pig! ;) I had my smoothie, I had salad, I had key lime mousse, I had wilted kale salad w/creamy chipotle dressing (Russell James style) only I subbed spinach for kale, I had crackers with tapenade. I was SO full by the end of the night! But I worked my tail off too, so I wasn't worried about it.

Have a GREAT day ya'll!

[tvillemom]

I'm really excited about today! Half way there! I'm looking forward to today's food!

I had some work done on my heating unit and while worrying over someone coming by the house (picking up) and getting school work started with the kids...I kinda missed breakfast....so now it's "brunch"!!! I think I'll have a great big ole GS with spinach, banana, blueberries, coconut oil, and stevia (I probably won't need it!) Oh yeah, and chia seeds soaked in fruit tea!!

Yummy....

Later today I think I'm finally going to make some brownies!!!

Peace to everyone! Have a RAWlicious day!!:D