i feel lost

[Bad_Bananas]

i was doing so well.... i was eating mostly raw...then i feel back into old ways because of money trouble....i don't have any money to buy any equipment...all i have is a blender...
and on top of that...all my friends and family think this raw food thing is a joke and they keep giving me crap about it....they did that when i went vegan too...so i'm not really surprised...
any advice?

[Moretta]

How about sticking to simply veggies, fruit and green smoothies for now until you get some money for equipment. Salads you can make all kinds of them and throw different veggies and fruits to make a tasty salad. Green smoothies you can make in your blender for now. You can always incorporate nuts into your diet, you don't need equipment for those unless you are making some kind of dessert etc.

My family used to give me slack about the way I eat, and they have given up now. If they do. I just carry on with whatever I'm eating at that moment they are saying negative things.

You family/friends will soon enough stop making comments to you because they will see the difference in you.

Good luck on your RAWNESS journey.

[freshlight]

you'll be fine,take a deep breath and relax. It takes time to become 100% raw. Be kind to yourself and read lots of raw books in order to increase your belief in raw magic :)


What your friends and family do is their problem. Let them talk and enjoy your beautiful way of life. Equipment is not that important, you can enjoy the food just the way it is: it still is rawliciouis ;) Take care, Eva

[Raw Angel Mom]

You can get a very economical food processor for about 30-40 dollars.

You don't need a dehydrator truly. With you blender, you can have green smoothie. You can grow your own sprouts for pennies. If you live in a sunny place right now, you can go pick up your food for free (check for eatable weeds in your area).

Maybe before you commit again, you can try to do this and make room for your greens and fresh fruits in the mornings etc....

I have bought so much greens and goodies from our local farmers for only $12. What is expensive is to make those raw gourmet meal sometime. But you can make soup, sauce, and buy sunflower seed, they are very econimal also.

If you make room still for the good stuff, this is already a great accomplishment.

I pray for you to find the perfect solution for you!

[Bad_Bananas]

thanks everyone for your support! i feel more confident now:D

[Dimond]

You should be able to make most items with a blender. Eventually you may want a more high-powered one, but other than that there's nothing else you should need.

[Nayeli_Raw]

i was doing so well.... i was eating mostly raw...then i feel back into old ways because of money trouble....i don't have any money to buy any equipment...all i have is a blender...
and on top of that...all my friends and family think this raw food thing is a joke and they keep giving me crap about it....they did that when i went vegan too...so i'm not really surprised...
any advice?

Christmas is coming up.. Can you ask for some of the equipment you really want as gifts? Of course don't tell them why because they will never get you a spiral cutter if they know its because you want it to make raw spaghetti.

Anyway I use my magic bullet (a mini blender) all the time, and a knife. Those are my top used tools. Everything else is for the more complicated stuff. I think it is possible to dehydrate in the oven, but I am not sure so I would ask some more experience rawists before doing it.

[Bananna]

Let them think it's a joke...don't go on about your diet at all ...and then one day they will just transform their mockery into jealousy effortlessly :D

[curlygirl82]

And remember -- eating raw is primarily about eating closer to nature, things closer to their natural state. So we really don't NEED all kinds of special equipment, and you don't NEED to make it more expensive. Do it if you want to and can, but it's not a prerequisite. Best of luck to you! Stay focused on the positive!

[Marin Mom]

Why don't you try www.freecycle.org and post your request. You may be lucky and find some one with some equipment you could use. Good luck.

[RawHeaven]

Great tip Marin Mom. I'm going to save this site myself.

Bad Bananas, when I first went raw I bought a dehydrator, juicer and blender. The dehydrator and juicer are pretty much collecting dust. I primarily use my blender now and if I want juice I strain it in a nut milk bag. You can buy a paint straining bag at Lowe's or Home Depot for less than $2.00 - probably cheaper.

I make salads, eat whole foods (vegetables & fruits), nuts, seeds occassionally. But pretty much I drink all of my meals by making green smoothies and eat salads.

You can totally be raw with only a blender.

As far as family, as it's been said already just do your thing. Live your life for yourself.

Good luck.

[ShantiLove]

I agree that you dont need a lot of equipment for being raw. I have all of it but only use my handblender with a mixing attachment and my knife. Im to lazy to use the other stuff. All the celaning and 100 parts, sigh, not for me, specialy not when I comes home late from work. Ex. if I fell like zuccini pasta I cut a zuccinni into slices and then into sticks, It takes ony a few minutes and no difficould spirralslizer to wash ;) tastes just as good ;-)
Most nut cheeses/butters you can make in a blender, and if you cant afford nuts; seeds are a great and cheap replacement. Sunflower seeds, sesameseeds, flax are all cheap. You can either gring them up in the blender and sprinkle over your food or ad water, lemon juice and some spice and get at great chesse :D
I mosly eat fruit and salads, easy and no equipment needed. And like others surgested green smoothies :D

And when it comes to your family; dont care what they say. Dont even tell them anything. Just do your thing and let them do theirs. And if you are invitet out, just bring your own food. I have found that the less explanation the better (and no need to defend yourself). It prevents a lot of conflicts and comments. So just do what you feel is bedst for you and only share it if you think you will get support and positive reactions. It has worked for me :-)

[ArcturusXIV]

Just eat as much raw as possible. Don't announce you are a raw foodist. If you can't find a good support group, surround yourself in books that encourage raw foodism, and the people on this forum.

[oai]

i only have a blender, too. it does great! i'd say use the same techniques you used to go vegan. they should work for you going raw vegan, too.

tune out the naysayers. sometimes they have no idea what they're talking about. :p the #1 person you should be listening to is yourself. she's the only one who is looking out for you 100%! if you're surrounded by people who don't support you & belittle you for your choices, lose them! they don't deserve to be in your presence. :D

feel better, ok? you'll do great. work on what you have and your strong points.

[rawchic]

what a cool link - thanks Marin Mom!

[oceanee]

Don't be hard on yourself. Becoming raw is a process and different for everyone. Yet do remember your choices are your own and they need not be explained to everyone(or anyone).
For me I am better keeping my choices to myself. When I feel totally confident and I have been raw for at least 6 months straight I may indulge those that ask.But for now I shall continue gathering help and support from this raw site.
I am thinking maybe you could change your name to Good Banana !
Good luck ~
Oceanee

[jacsam]

In Alissa's DVD and in her book she tells you that you don't need anything fancy to be raw. In the DVD she is using a 30.00 food processor and a blender that isn't expensive either. You can do it....the nice equipment is nice but not necessary.