February Raw Challenge 2009 Archives

[bowie]

welcome to the raw food challenge for February!

[missberry]

I'm in for February! In January I tried to transition more to raw foods and have been successful overall with a few slip-ups eating cooked foods. I'm "off" agave and nutritional yeast and liquid aminos and I'm ready to rawk this month!:p

My goals are just to eat healthy, whole foods and to experience vibrant health. It would be nice to shed a few pounds of excess weight, but that isn't priority with me. I have a bad addiction to sugars - even dried fruits and dates are bad news for me - so another goal is to heal that addiction.

Looking forward to reading everyone else's progress posts and joining this awesome support system!:)

[Reesh]

I started at the very end of January, so I guess count me in for this February!

I love love love how fresh my food is. For now I've been keeping it simple. I don't have a food processor and my blender is a good standard sucker, but not a Vita-Mix or anything. With the variety of fruits and vegetables out there though, I think I'll be fine for a while!

[Veganspirit]

Count me in for February! I am well aware of the benefits of raw and am thrilled to be doing this for myself again. I think what I am looking forward to the most is the mental clarity that raw always delivers. Good luck to everyone, may it be a wonderful experience for us all.

JR

[Deenasmiles]

Good morning guys! I'm also in the February challenge!
My last post was in Feb. '07, so it's been a while since I've been on the board. LOL
I started the raw cleanse on Friday night, so I'm already feeling light and energized.
Also, I bought a food processor and dehydrator from Walmart and began making some treats last night. Thanks for the support. It's a great help to do this with people.

[MiahTay]

I'm in for the month of February! Looking forward to it!

Blessings,
Heather

[rawlight]

I believe I'm ready to go all the way-lol I actually started yesterday.

I have been gradually going higher and higher raw for several years now, with periods that are higher :) and some lower :( So my goal in this challenge is to really begin to come to terms with myself as a raw foodie. Not a sometimes raw when it's convenient, but to learn how to cope and deal with the struggle with cooked. That will be a big step up for me.

Yesterday was 100%, although I am still dealing with caffeine and had about 1/2 a cup. But even that I count as a victory.

Good luck to all the February Challengers...Blessings for a great month!!

My food for the day:

GS: water, banana, kale, blueberries, ground flax, coconut oil, spirulina, cacao, cinnamon.

brazil nuts, raisins, pistachio nuts

salad: microgreens, kale, tomatoes, parsley, celery, falafel, kalamata olives, carrot

spinach/apple/avo soup and plate of celery, apple, falafel, crackers

date

Yikes...lots o' food!

[contessa20]

Day 35 for me and continuing on through February!

This morning I felt a bit heavy from the raw corn chips I had later last night. I usually try not to eat heavy foods in the evening but I was making them for today's Super Bowl dinner and I just couldn't resist giving them a try.

So far today I've had 3 raw pancakes with agave, a bowl of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries and a big Mexican salad. Tonight I'm having the loaded raw nachos. Yummm!

Have a great day everyone!

[mamabird1953]

Hi there, my manbear and I are joining in. We were 100% for months and just one little slipup (Starbucks!) messed up our dreams of a perfectly healthy lifestyle. I gained 10 lbs and arthrits pain back, he gained 30 back and Woodys diabetes is in full swing again. His military doctor supports this lifestyle and she advised him to get back to raw. We are ready.

[janetc]

I'm in too! We went to Natural Grocers, bought $1 bags of spring mix, red winter wheat, barley (cheap cheap!) parsley (I love eating parsley - don't know why) and other munchies.

My strongest incentives are my parents - very poor health and I don't want to end up like them.

[mamabird1953]

Im starting my day out with a bowl of raw muesli mixed with some apple and banana, coverd with almond sunflower seed milk. I have to work today so I'll snack on fruit samples we always have out.

[tvillemom]

Hi all! I'm going to do my absolute best to post my food everyday!

Today's foods so far:
water
herbal tea
tossed salad from restaurant for lunch

Tonight at the superbowl:
guacamole....no chips...oops, I have flax crackers so I will probably take them (going to a friend's house for superbowl.)

Have a great night ya'll!

[MelissaO]

I am in too! Here is what I have had so far today:


Juice lady's Popeye's power (beet, spinach, carrot, celery, apple)

1 banana mashed with spirulina and chia seeds

My morning snack was blueberries
Afternoon snack carrots



I have kale chips going in the D for later. Dinner will most likely be a salad of some kind as I have a fridge full of greens.


Hope everyone is having a great day!

[green jeanie]

I'm in!

I like everyone posting their foods. So today so far I have only had cranberry and lemon juice

think I am going to start with a one day fast.......

so excited!!! good luck everyone!

[Kalimelle]

i'm on a personal "100 days" challenge that i started on day one of our new president's term. i felt like with all the energy in my city around change and renewal (i'm in washington DC) this was the perfect time to stage my personal health revolution as well.

i've been very high raw since then, which is my goal. i'm not trying to go 100% and I don't plan to, as i think that spices, teas, and even the occasional cooked veggie meal will always be a part of my life. on a day-to-day basis though my default mode is raw all the way, as i really need the energy and healing in order to accomplish my very ambitious goals over the next 6 months or so.

so far today i've had

a banana, an orange and a pear (breakfast)
2 handfuls of raw pistascios (sp!)
a huge romaine salad with sliced grape tomatoes and homemade raw dressing made of 1 avo, 3 limes, cumin, 2 cloves garlic, water, and sea salt
a few bites of nutella fudge made with soaked raw hazelnuts, raw cacao nibs (ground in vitamix) and maple syrup ( i know, not raw, but something i'm still including in my diet as it tastes better/contains more minerals than agave...which i don't believe is usually raw anyway.)

tonight we're heading to a friend's house where i don't want my eating to become an issue. i'm going to bring either the nutella fudge or some mango ice cream whipped up in my vitamix to share, and do my best to avoid any comments over me not eating whatever cooked stuff is around (probably cheese and crakers, salsa and chips.....maybe she'll have some grapes....)

my big challenge this month is to make everything about LOVE-----love for myself first of all!

[miabella]

I'm joining in. I will try and post everyday. So far I have just eaten watermelon. My other focus is to keep my level of water intake continuous and high.

I'm lookin forward to a green smothie later with celery, beans and spinach and a vegetable salad- I'm thinking cabbage, radish, carrot, celery, onion and avocado. Yum!

[MiahTay]

I'm mentally doing well today. My kids and mom are doing high raw this month as well! So for food today I've had:

banana and pineapple
flax cracker with chunky guacamole (that my dd made)
Large salad
Some cheezy kale chips
I'm gonna make some banana ice cream later ... mmmm.

I also like it when we post what we eat, it gives us more ideas of what to eat.

Blessings,
Heather

[DharmaGirl]

Hi everyone!

This is Day 7 of eating raw for me (again!) and want to stay on track, so count me in.... I'm counting on all the love and support that I'm sure I will find here to help get me through the month and beyond ;) Also here to give much of the same to you all!!!

Just had my second GS of the day:
kale
banana
cranberries
carrot
mango
agave
sprinkle of cardomom

YUMMY

Raw and Green Blessings to All :D

[Anderale]

I just made my very first green smoothie and am excited to do this challenge. Here's to getting rid of asthma and allergies!!

[Anderale]

I also like it when we post what we eat, it gives us more ideas of what to eat.

Blessings,
Heather

That's a great idea. My first green smoothie ever was:
green kale
spinach
avocado
garlic
tomato
water

I am feeling really dehydrated from allergy problems so I am also trying to keep my water intake really high.

I am borrowing a blender and I can see why people love the vitamix. I will have to start saving for one.

[green jeanie]

hi anderale,

welcome to february and welcome to raw
just want to point you over to the blood type thread....there's some stuff on allergies there!

end of day 1!!:D

[leeleelocs]

Hi I have been high raw for a few years. Just don't wnat to give up coffe, wine, & seafood:confused:. I have a new resolve now. first time I was 100 % raw I went from 220 lbs to 160 lbs in 3 months. I felt good, joint pain all gone and had lots of energy. Went off all my meds. I am still off meds:).

top weight: 220 lbs
current 194 lbs
goal weight: 135lbs

[squawkers7]

I'm here too~
I weighed in yesterday at 168. By the end of Feb. I would like to be 10 pounds lighter

[Anderale]

I am so glad you posted top weight, etc. I didn't know what those abbreviations stood for and hadn't found it yet. hee! Glad this is working for you!

[TanjaJo]

Hi raw friends! Day # 32 here now, I believe. Had a lot of that wonderful Waldorf salad. I just haven't been that hungry lately. A friend came over, and I fed her raw...not hard to convince her when I made the raw chocolate "ice cream" (frozen bananas, cacao and some water in the Vitamix). She could be a believer after that. She took home some raw literature I had printed out. I hope it makes an impact on her.

Mmmmmmm....looking forward to a whole new month raw. Good to see everyone!

[bowie]

welcome to day 2!

[Everchanging]

Wow, I was magically brought to this sight on February 1st after thinking about trying raw for almost a month. I see this as an open door and I will see where this path takes me. I am hoping and praying that eating raw will clear up my skin. I'm 27 and still break out, seems to be related to grains and dairy, but I just know that raw foods can help. My weight is fine (thanks to not eating grains or dairy :)) but I would love to getting the glowing vibrant complexion of a raw foodist. I am also doing a 30-day exercise challenge, everyday at 6pm I will go to our gym, it's right here in the apartment building and very nice but haven't been there much and now I am ready to live in the present and make my dreams come true! Let's do it!

[polycute]

I'm in for February! I'm on Day 32.

Enjoyed the Super Bowl today at a vegan potluck. I took a raw chili which was really great but labor intensive. I was chopping vegetables for two hours! There's an informercial on TV for a food chopper someone was telling me about at the party. Stop And Chop? Chop Stop? I forget. Anyway, I would not go through all that time and trouble to make the raw chili just for myself - but to take as a potluck dish, it was well-worth the effort.

I also took chia pudding (didn't turn out too tasty - I may add something to it tomorrow to try to "fix" it - not sure what? fruit? more raw cacao nibs? raisins?) and guacamole which was a hit. There were FOUR other guacamole dishes there and mine was completely gone and it arrived to the party LAST. The other three were barely touched. A true testament to raw foods. In full disclosure, one was store bought from Whole Foods and unopened but on the potluck table. One guacamole had already browned, ewww. Another was really bland (I tried it) and the other just...really not good at all - the avocados were bad or inferior or something. Mine was truly great and really alive with flavor!

Tomorrow, I have another potluck - this time a themed "tamale" party so I'm attempting the raw tamales from Raw Food, Real World book. I'll also use the rest of my vegan chili for lunch and as a the base for the filling of the tamales. I may add some more mushrooms to give it a creamier texture.
I'm also taking nopales - cactus fajitas and salsa and sour kream. So it should be great!

Oh, one more thing - yesterday was my birthday and the universe rewarded me with a mini-raw cooking demo at my local raw cafe (there are two here in Las Vegas!). My boyfriend and I stopped in to lunch as a birthday treat to myself and sure enough, they held a very special raw foods demo with instructions on seed cheese, cacao pudding and collard wraps! Basic recipes but stuff I could use and need to reinforce. Right as we walked in, they started! It's as if I timed it that way and I truly didn't!!

Anyway, it's February, I'm here and happy. I'm officially 6.5 lbs down on the last day of the January challenge after a fast. I hope to release more weight and continue to feel the amazing energy and vibrancy of raw foods through February. We can definitely do this. It's a short month, after all!

[contessa20]

Day 36 here! Good morning raw foodies, hope everyone has a delicious day!

Yesterday I made a bowl of the loaded nachos in the early afternoon. I had planned to eat them during the Superbowl but since it's a kind of heavy dish I thought better of it. That turned out to be a wise decision. My (very, very, very S.A.D. carnivorous) DH tried some though and loved it. He even asked if I made enough for him to have more. :eek:

Today I'm hoping to get the house cleaned up after last night and get an hour of exercising in. I have no idea what I'll eat since I'm not in the least bit hungry at the moment but I'll be back to post it later on.

[chrissi1981]

Hi

I want to really try this for a month but I always have tons of committments with friends and family and they already think my diet patterns are pretty strange so i'll have to disguise this somehow !!

For me my goal is to cure my winters itch and mild case of acne ...

Today so far I have had

100% pure cocoa smoothie with almond milk
Carrot Juice
Carrot, apple and celery juice
Avocado, spinach and garlic green juice

it's only 2 pm and i am doing well not at all hungry which is great ...

next month though I will religiously try the 30 days and i'll make no committments ... i'll prewarn people !

x

[tvillemom]

Good morning everyone! Last night I did great with simple guacamole and flax crackers! I've lost 2.5 lbs. over the weekend and I know it's because of drinking more water and not gorging on even raw foods. I've eaten a VARIETY of foods and not just grazed on nuts and granola all day.

Today's food plan:
juice
tea
GS w/ spinach, bananas, blueberries, coconut oil (1 TBS), stevia.

That's all I can think of right now.

Have a great RAW day!

[IamLoved]

Hello everyone!

I have not been posting here much because I am fasting but I am still doing the challenge. Last month I lost 26 pounds. So excitied to see what happens this month!

Contessa, could you please post your nacho recipe or let me know where you got it? The whole family was eating nachoes last night and they looked so good. I would love to be able to create a raw version of them for once I am done fasting.

I hope you all have a great day! :)

[Sarah80]

Hi, all, I've been slowly transitioning to raw foods over the last couple of months and I'm excited to start this challenge. I want to lose five lbs or so and get healthy. I'm hoping raw foods will prevent alot of my allergies from acting up too badly. Its so dry in the city this winter and my eczema is wreaking havoc.

Today I've had...

pineapple juice
an apple
an orange
a dried pear
sunflower seeds.

lunch will probably be a spinach salad with seeds and vegetables

then a snack of fruit or dried fruit and salad for dinner.

[contessa20]

Hello everyone!

Contessa, could you please post your nacho recipe or let me know where you got it? The whole family was eating nachoes last night and they looked so good. I would love to be able to create a raw version of them for once I am done fasting.


Sure thing. I'll post them on my blog a little later.

[DharmaGirl]

Hi Everyone :)

Day 8 for me today and am looking forward to another RAWsome day!!! So far today, I've had a juicy clementine and am getting ready to make a great big GREEN LEMONADE!!! Here's what I plan to put in it: (but s/times other things make their way in)!!

Head of romaine
1 lemon
2 apples
2 celery stalks
1 cucumber

OMG, I'm drooling already :eek:

Have a FANtastic RAW day and will check back later!!!

Green Blessings...............

[polycute]

Day 33 of Raw for me and Day 2 of the February challenge.

Everything going well for me. Plan on a GS for breakfast, leftover raw chili for lunch and raw tamales for dinner. Snacks - raw veggies (probably celery/carrots since it's easy) and fresh fruit (bananas, oranges).

I gained a pound overnight - probably because I didn't drink enough water yesterday. I did NOT indulge. I did eat guacamole, celery, carrot, raw chili and a bit of my chia pudding (not much since I didn't think it turned out this time) but other than that, it was a GS and some fruit.

So I'll definitely drink more water today!!

[Bananna]

HEy you guys!
I am on day...26!!! This is the longest I have made it so far.

Right now I am having a bowl of Thai soup, but it's not that great actually, lol.
aaah, ya win some you lose some.

I would love to try out those nachos too!

[gritsnla]

I'm here - just a day late (and a dollar short, as they say). Committing to the challenge so that I can get back with the raw goodness I knew of last year.

GS for breakfast - spinach, water and 2 lg. banana
Lunch - cukes with sun.seed pate
Supper - zucchini pasta w/sauce

If I need a snack, some homemade raw granola or some fresh fruit. Will be upping the water intake also. Need to do much better on that as well.

Have good one!

[rawwannabie]

Okay, I'm finally joining the challenge. I posted all of my newbie info in the "who are you" section about a week ago. But, I'm finding it hard to stick to all raw, so I'm hoping having some accountability will help.

Today:
breakfast - green smoothie w/spinach, bananas, mango, berries, coconut oil
snack - canteloupe
lunch - another smoothie, same as above
dinner - no idea, but most likely a salad.
fruit and nuts in between for snacking.
lots of water!!

Thanks!
:)

[Anderale]

I had no idea how fun it would be to come up with smoothie combinations. So far I had a smoothie (kale, spinach, banana, lime, avocado, tomato, water) and a tiny handful of almonds and cashews. I thought I'd still be hungry and would make another smoothie, but I feel pleasantly full. Hooray!

[mamabird1953]

Good Morning ladies!
This morning I'm eating a huge grapefriut and going to make some onion bread and throw in the dehydrator. It should be done by tonight. It's really good with avocado, tomatoes and anything else I can think of. I usually make a nut spread to go with the veggies in my sandwich. Then I leave some of the bread in the dehydrater and let them turn into crackers. I cut them into squares before they get too crispy. Beyond Wonderful!
I'm a cashier at Whole Foods so I get 20% off. We've been getting in lots of raw food snacks this past year and it's great getting free samples. I usually walk around the store and fill up on all the raw goodies and fruits.

[mattshor]

yesterday my fiance took me to grezzo, Alyssa's restaurant in Boston, as a surprise to celebrate our one year anniversary. It was amazing and I felt so good afterwards that after a few months of going sort of halfway, I have decided to give it a 30 day go. So far I feel pretty good. I'm having some headaches, especially in my temples. Last night it was really bad and I was having a hard time falling asleep. That being said, my brain just feels clearer. Even though my head hurts, I feel like it isn't such a big deal, not so overwhelming. Hopefully in a couple of days I'll be left with the clarity and lose the uckiness.

Looking forward to more good times, I hope to be checking in more or less daily from here on out.

[rawlight]

I had a great day yesterday. I am really happy with my spinach/apple soup. It's becoming easier and more fun to live this way the more I do recipes. I, uh, have to watch the amount of garlic though...I forget that uncooked garlic is potent :eek:

I usually walk for an hour in the morning and this morning's walk was so nice. It's actually my third day and I felt pretty jaunty walking through the park!

I am starting the morning off with my usual GS: banana, blueberry, kale cacao, cinnmon, spirulina, flaxseed mix. And it tastes wonderful.

salad: baby greens, celery, avo, tomatoes, kalamata olives, falafel, onion. (the avo is perfect!!)



Have a great day all!

[rawchic]

mattshor - I'm jealous that you got to go to Grezzon, lucky you!

I'm posting for yesterday & today.
Yesterday I was finishing a 3-day juice fast and we had a family gathering at my husband's aunt's house. I don't have a juicer, so I was planning on buying one on our way to her house. However, in talking to her the night before, I found out she has a juicer! So she said to bring whatever produce I wanted, and I could use her juicer.

I made two juices, both were yummy and I even got some of his family to try some....and they liked it!
first juice: apple, pear, fennel, ginger, mint & lemon
second juice: carrots, apple, pear, ginger, lemon

Today I'm starting a 3 day smoothie fast (I did 3 days of water, then 3 days of juice, now 3 of smoothies). I had a green smoothie this morning with coconut, mint, lime & spinach. I told my husband, all it needed was some rum and it would be a tasty cocktail :)

Hope everyone has a great day!

[rawlight]

HEy you guys!
I am on day...26!!! This is the longest I have made it so far.

This is fantastic! Keep it up


Right now I am having a bowl of Thai soup, but it's not that great actually, lol. aaah, ya win some you lose some.

Isn't that frustrating? Oh well, you'll know how to tweak it and make it better the next time. At least that's what I tell myself!

[DharmaGirl]

Hey All :p

OMG, I just discoverd I have a new BF and I'm so thrilled.... ROMAINE LEAVES!!!

This am while making my Green Lemonade (it was yummy!!), my vibes were really resonating with the romaine leaves, so I took a couple small ones (while juicing, mind you) and wrapped some cucumber in it and chewed on that while feeding my juicer. I then decided I could NOT part with all those big beautiful ROMAINE LEAVES, so I put a couple aside for my lunch..... I just ate them - here's what I did:
I spread some DELISH sunflower seed pate on them, some cut up avo, and some cut up tomato..... then, I sprinkled a little celtic sea salt, and a sesame seed mix I have - basically seeds, nori and shoyu leaves..... OMG :eek: ....... these were RAW-some!!! I've made collard wraps in the past, but didn't realize what a GREAT wrap Romaine leaves make!!! Can't wait to try more combo's ;)


Happy Raw Daze to All :D

[MiahTay]

Hey All! Day two is going smoothly so far. Like Freshlight I need to remember that raw garlic is potent stuff! I made a wilted spinach salad for lunch for me and the kiddos ... I crushed 4 cloves of garlic into it (at least they weren't huge cloves!) - wow! But it was still tasty but the whole house smelled like garlic! Luckily my kids LOVE garlic. Food for today:

Apple/spinach/celery juice
Wilted Spinach salad with tomatoes
A few chunks of pineapple as I was cutting it up
1/2 of a flax cracker with cacao/walnut butter/honey spread on it
Salad with broccoli mash that my mom is making

Have a GREAT raw day!

Blessings,
Heather

[Bananna]

Isn't that frustrating? Oh well, you'll know how to tweak it and make it better the next time. At least that's what I tell myself![/QUOTE]

I read about your garlic problem as well, I keep falling in that same trap too. I had a thought that sprinkling them with some olive oil and maybe some salt or acv and dehydrating them might create a roasted garlic, which could then be used in recipes! I read it somewhere recently...can't remember exactly what was done though.

This Thai soup is beyond tweaking, ever...I have since found another one I am willing to try. I have just decided to bank on hating half of everything I make....then I'm never truly disappointed, lol. :cool:

....and the successes make the failures SOO worth it!

[green jeanie]

morning all, strength and love to those that need it! stay raw, you deserve it!!

breakfast:
2 bananas, blueberries, a red bell pepp and 1/4 cup of hemp seeds

though I am really trying to get of the super sweet fruits like bananas for awhile

the rest of the day I am going for the weird blends I made last night.....some sort of collard concoction and a tomato / cilantro yummy salsa

last night i made an awesome drink:

dino kale
celery
hemp seeds
cranberries

who'd of thunk it!!

[carlee]

Hello all,

I am embarking on a 30-day raw challenge. I am starting today through March 2nd. I am giving it an honest go, and then I will evaluate after 30 days. I have a feeling I wil love it, and will not be able to justify going back to my old ways! :D :D :D

I love this site, and am glad I finally have the gumption to attempt raw!

-carlee

[czpinky]

I've only been raw for about 3 weeks, so i guess i'm in the february challenge! anyways...today i had a GS for breakfast which consisted of kale, banana, lemon juice, and chia seeds (my fave). later I had some raw walnuts too. then for lunch i had a tiny bit of salad w/ tomatoes, carrots, and germinated sesame seeds...o yeah, and an apple. after school i had a banana and an orange, and i have no clue what i'll have for dinner...maybe a smoothie or something simple like that. love love love! (:

[Reesh]

Today is really my Day 4!

Breakfast:
Banana, pecan and almond milk smoothie
1 Red bell pepper
1 celery stalk
2 tbsp fresh raw pesto! yum

Lunch
1 banana
1 apple
1 enormous spinach salad with cauliflower, grape tomatoes etc.

[janicejourney]

I will be lurking more then posting this month. I had a rocky firt 3 days but am back on track now. I will be joining you more in spirit this month. Great to see all the new faces :)

[janicejourney]

I am reposting this because I accidentally posted it on yesterday instead of today.

I will be lurking more then posting this month. I had a rocky first 3 days but am back on track now. I will be joining you more in spirit this month. Great to see all the new faces :)

[rawlight]

I had a green smoothie this morning with coconut, mint, lime & spinach. I told my husband, all it needed was some rum and it would be a tasty cocktail :)

hahahaha!!

[MelissaO]

I had a wonderfully raw day today.


Breakfast:

2 tablespoons Chia seeds soaked in banana water with cinnamon and raisins added made a nice ceral type dish that was really super filling.


Snack:
1 juicy navel orange
1 raw truffle

Lunch:
Raw tomato veggie soup (two tablespoons of raw tomato concentrate powder, some olive oil, some water, a few soaked sun dried tomatoes, some nama---- blend in the Vitamix) I cut up some celery, tomato, and a little bit of onion to add into the blended mix and it made a pretty good chuncky sou.


Dinner:

Salad of 1 large romaine lettuce/ 1 small boston red leaf head, 2 baby cukes, 1 roma tomato. Made a dressing of ACV, onion, nama, celery seed, dry mustard, olive oil, paprika, ginger, little bit of honey that was pretty good :D

[Amy Bass]

I was not 100% raw today, I guess you could say I am in transition to a 100% raw diet.

I keep my diet progress on WeightLossBeforeAfter.org (http://www.weightlossbeforeafter.org/) and document everything I eat there.

I plan to get pregnant soon and really want to have a raw pregnancy.

[JDog]

I just found this site this evening and I felt this would be a great way for me to track my progress, find answers and inspiration to sticking to the raw food way of life.

I met my wife almost 9 years ago and as our marriage progressed in life we finally were introduced to raw foods through our own discoveries and studies.

This change in lifestyle has always been one we have both wanted to take but seem to either find excuses or not stay on it for very long. Times have changed and we are both a tad bit older now feeling the aches, pains and discomforts of a S.A.D.

I am currently 32 years old with 4 children and have the typical fatigue, some chronic chest pains during and after physical exertion, low self esteem, no mental clarity and just a overall feeling of dissatisfaction with the way I am living my life.

Currently I would say I am about 75% raw considering the fact that I am a big fan of Victoria Boutenko and her Green Smoothies.

I would like to go 100% raw and experience results that others have had and feel that "raw high". Hope to get to know others here and share some knowledge and insight.

[TanjaJo]

Hi everyone! This is so great to see everyone on here...old and new. I think this is day # 33 for me raw. I enjoyed a green smoothie this morning that I tried to pass as a chocolate shake, because I added raw cacao. It was okay.

Tonight I just finished a whole zucchini with marinara sauce. Mmmmmm...and the garlic thing, wow...me, too. I put some (i think two cloves) in the marinara sauce and it is HOT spicy! But I love it...it's had a few days to mellow.

Ran 5 miles tonight on the treadmill, and did a quarter mile cool-down. Wish I wasn't out of epsom salts. Probably going to hurt tomorrow.

Again, lovely to see everyone. And Cris, looking forward to seeing that recipe as well!

Good night - T.

[Everchanging]

I know this is really my month to start raw, it really feels right and I feel prepared. I spent last night getting things into the dehydrator, and I "cooked" all day today, too. Everything was so good!
I had a green shake with spinach, bananas, strawberries, hemp, evoo, raw rice protein powder (might start leaving that out), & blue green algae. VERY filling!
Cucumbers with beanless hummus on onion bread (yum!!!)
Sampled the giant apricot filled cookies I found out about in the posts (amazing, like an Italian pastry)
Lettuce with Kiwi, a piece of apple, a little more of the cookie
I feel great, jogged today (very new for me). BUT, I am really bloated and have other related issues...I am having senna tea tonight :o
Tomorrow I really want to make Alissa's mock salmon pate, and roll it up in lettuce. Delicious.

[bowie]

welcome to day 3

[Deenasmiles]

Whoops...it's late, but I'm checking in.
This is actually day 3 for me and I'm going through horrible detox. I haven't been able to keep anything down today, except for liquids.
So today, I drank water, herbal tea and green smoothies all day.
Cheers everyone!

[mattshor]

So starting on Sunday I was having the most awful headaches and this bizarre feeling that I needed food, but the thought of putting anything in my stomach was so unpleasant that it was a bit of a chore. Last night I came back from my ASL class and usually I am ravenous when I get home, but somehow, I just wasn't. Only around midnight did I decide that what I wanted was one of the almond, blueberry, apricot, cacao cookies that I made about a week and a half ago. Ate it, and headache gone! Fell asleep with no trouble. This morning I woke up without the usual fog and lethargy... The alarm went off, and I remember thinking, oh yeah, I'm awake. I still hit the snooze three times, but that was mostly because I just wanted to keep cuddling with my fiance.

Today's breakfast was...interesting. I don't have a juicer, but I liked the idea of a lemonade type beverage. Made my green smoothie with spinach, lime, dates, an apple...next time I am going to juice the lime before I throw it in. The rind was so strong that in overpowered the rest of the drink. Unfortunately, by the time I realized that I was already on the way to work. Fortunately today is a half day at the school, so I'll be able to make up for the minimal breakfast with a real feast at lunch.

[tvillemom]

Hi all! Yesterday was a great day:
I didn't have juice (like I planned) but I had:
some raw granola
lunch was a GS with: spinach, banana, blueberries, cherries
dinner: 2 avos :eek: I chopped one and put it in a bowl...salt, cumin, lemon, and finished it and then said, "would it be piggish if I ate another?" DH said, "I don't think 2 avocados will hurt you" (he and the kids were eating "breakfast" of lots of SAD foods, so he was being kinda be sarcastic, but funny) It was funny, and I still weighed this morning and released .5 lbs. YAY!! That's a total of 3 lbs. since Friday!!!

Today's plan:
granola and tea (already had that)
GS for lunch.....spinach, banana, blueberries, cherries...stevia if needed
Dinner plan is baby herb salad with avo, cucumber, tomato, celery!!

Love to all during this "LOVE MONTH"!! Love yourself the most by giving it LOTS of fresh, living foods!:D

[rawchic]

TanjaJo - sounds like your endurance is building! Way to go :) Do you have any local running events that you can participate in? Like a 5K or 10K charity run?

Today is day 2 of 3 for my smoothie fast. I'm having a spinach, coconut, mango smoothie this morning. It is so rich and creamy - yum!

[mamabird1953]

Good Morning everybody!
Its nice to have a guy here. My Woodybear is doing this with me. Raw nearly cured his diabetes. He was almost off high doses of insulin shots when he blew it by having a Starbucks one day, which lasted months of binging and gaining back 30 lbs. But now he is back on track and the numbers are going down.
A women who shops at Whole Foods where I work had stage 4 ovarian cancer. She went 100% raw and decided to get off chemo. She also went to the Ann Wigmore Institute to detox and take classes. She's now completely cured. This week she got her great news confirmed. Her doctor is amazed and thought she was absolutly nuts when she quit chemo. One year of raw did this!
Today is a no brainer day...just smoothies and salads. Tomorrow is my weekend so I will uncook some things for a nice variety.
Alissas book and DVD are worth the investment.

[MelissaO]

Yesterday was great and I am looking forward to another great day today. I have to use up the produce in my fridge before I go and purchase anything else so today I am thinking the menu will be the following:

Breakfast was:
2 tablespoons of chia seeds soaked in banana water with cinnamon and spirulina.

Snack:
green juice of some kind (I have some celery, maybe an apple, a bit of lemon and some ginger)

lunch:
some kind of raw soup (I could do tomato, miso, or something with avo - not sure yet)

Dinner:
salad (I have romaine heads, cucumber, tomato, avo).



I hope everyone is having a wonderful day !

[contessa20]

Day 37!

I'm feeling pretty miserable today. My stomach is just not in the best of moods. Clearly I ate something that it didn't approve of. Bleh! It's noon right about now and so far I've just had water with a squeeze of lime. The very thought of anything beyond that makes me want to hurl. Here's hoping for a better tomorrow.

[Sarah80]

Hey all,
Any idea how many calories we should be aiming for in a day? Also, is olive oil raw? And are all dried fruits raw? And whats the take on wine?
Thanks!
ps- Went out with a bunch of guy friends to a german place last night and I was scared there'd be nothing to eat but they had the most delicious salad of bibb lettuce, raw pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil. Go figure.

[Veganspirit]

Having a wonderful, peaceful day today. I am off from work and watching the snow fall. Enjoyed a yummy breakfast of a banana smoothie and wasn't hungry enough to eat more then fresh cut veggies for lunch. Love that.

Hope everyone is doing well on Day Three.

JR

[leeleelocs]

today I ate raw granola-sproted buck wheat, sunflower seeds, raisin, cranberys, banana, apples and water to make it milky.

lunch- salad, cutcumber, portabella, tomato, onion, spring greens, avocato, lemon juice.
snack-GS of spinach, dandlion greens, lime juice, agava,
dinner-salad as above unless I get home after 7pm then I will drink a GS.
Snack- Kale chip

I woke up this am and I did not crave coffee and milk:DThat is a big step for me. I have not had any headache either. I give credit to the GS I had last night.

[carlee]

Day 2 for me, and it is going well!

Yesterday I had:

B- banana
S- apple
L- Avocado, spinach
D- avocado, spinach
S- cacao

Today:

B- nuts
S- banana
l- veggie & fruit salad
d- avocado salad
s- cacao

carlee

[islesgirl]

Even though I am a couple of days late, I feel up to this challenge now and want to share my experience with sticking with raw food only with others. So I will try to share as much information as I have time for regarding what I eat from day to day.

Breakfast was a "Best Ever Raw Coffee" Yum.

A very late meal -

The Super Fat Burner with my brand new Breville Fountain Elite juicer! It tastes rawsome! So much better than when done in the vitamix. I'll get my fiber with my green smoothies later. (and all the other fabulous raw stuff).

I was so encouraged by a "one week raw free download" I read about here somewhere yesterday. She included wonderful photos and recipes. I'll have to re-check her name and where she put it.

I've stocked up my fridge with plenty of raw goods for the month.

Have a great day everyone.:)

Sue.

[Anderale]

Today's GS tastes like the yard. :P hahah. I added some pear to make it less yardy.

Clover sprouts
red chard
spinach
lime
avocado
pear

The salad I made is good though!
jicama
granny smith apple
honey crisp apple
cucumber
lime juice and cilantro for the dressing

I think I should add some more red next time. Either more apple or tomatoes.

I'm still snotty as all get out. I hope that goes away after the first week. I've had such severe allergies my whole life and I just want to wake up without having to dive for the tissue box before I have a mess.

[mattshor]

Anderale, I've heard that fenugreek really helps your body pull mucus out. It may make the runny nose worse at first but then it really cleans you out. It's an herb that you can get at any health food store. May be worth giving it a try.

[mv2zg]

I'm psyched that I just found this forum through Alissa's site - I just made the commitment to go raw on Sunday, Feb. 1st. So far, so good, except for the headaches the last few days from I'm assuming the coffee detox - maybe this is an elementary question but why do I have to give up coffee to go raw? It's just a bean, right? No? Anyway, I have no great insight just alot of unknowns - but will say that I've been trying some great recipes from the back of 12 Steps to Raw Foods by Victoria Boutenko. Day 3 and I feel really good about my decision and am glad I found this site!

[polycute]

We're three days old! Well, actually I'm...34 days raw.

Yesterday, I went to a Mexican Candelaria party. On January 6th (Three Wise Men's Day), my friend brought a cake with charms inside of it from Mexico. Everyone took a slice (I took a slice but did not eat it, just cut into it with a knife to see if I had charm inside my slice) and looked for a baby Jesus charm. Then whoever gets the baby Jesus has to host a tamale party on February 2nd - yesterday.

So my friend hosted the tamale party and everyone brought Mexican dishes to compliment the tamales. I was worried there wouldn't be much for me there so I went to work yesterday (all day) chopping and preparing raw Mexican dishes.

I made:

raw tamales (from the Raw Food, Real World Book) - I adapted some of the recipe, they turned out great and were a big hit. They were "fork" tamales, in other words, you really had to use silverware to eat them since the tamale "masa" was a nut/seed/corn/lime pate and the filling was described by someone at the party as a Mexican ratatouille!! I took that as a high compliment. I took 12 and 10 were gone by carnivores and vegetarians alike!!

Aztec superfood raw carob chia pudding - not a hit. At all. The comments around the room were disappointing. Most people said it tasted too healthy or that they could taste the avocado in it, someone else said it tasted like vitamins and still someone else said it was too gritty. Waah. I was a little hurt by the rude comments. A couple people genuinely liked it (myself included) and they were actually the healthier eaters in the crowd, the hikers and the vegetarians. To be fair, it was the only dessert up against a super decadent tres leches drench cake with frosting and all manner of sugar and craziness. So, it had some tough competition. I even added some cinnamon to jazz it up a bit but it still couldn't convince some. Most preferred the cake which was fine, in the end, because it meant more for me to take home and enjoy over the next couple days.

Raw cactus tacos - these were a big hit. Basically nopales, marinated forever until softened and heated over warm for hours so as not to destroy their valuable nutrient, tossed in lime juice with spices (oregano, achiote, pepper, cumin, coriander, cardamom, thyme, basil, everything!) and served with collard wraps, raw corn tortillas, cucumber slices, sour kream, guacamole, fresh salsa made with tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro. Everyone demolished these. Some were ruining them with cheese and real sour cream someone else brought but I was happy they were eating the cactus nonetheless!

All in all, a successful potluck experiment amongst non-raw foodists. There was a large variety of fresh fruit and vegetables (squash, cucumber, star cut papaya, pineapple, grapes, melon, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, etc.) and a gorgeous green salad made by a very lovely British woman who was smart enough to allow everyone to add their own dressing or lime wedge (I opted for lime juice obviously).

The trick to potlucks: bring plenty of dishes you can eat and supplement with fruit, vegetable trays and non-drenched salads.

See you all on day 4!

[gritsnla]

Poly - wish I was at your potluck. Everything you made sounds luscious!

And Anderale - you made me chuckle with the yard comment.

Today - another good one. Breakfast was 2 - one inch thick pinwheels of the cinnamon rolls. No sauce or frosting of any kind of them. So Gooooood! Also had a banana with this because wasn't sure when lunch woud be.

Sure enough - 7 hrs later - I ate another banana in the car. Glad I brought it.

Supper will be Contessa's fajita mix. Either by itself or I may use a nori sheet and wrap it up.

[Anderale]

Anderale, I've heard that fenugreek really helps your body pull mucus out. It may make the runny nose worse at first but then it really cleans you out. It's an herb that you can get at any health food store. May be worth giving it a try.
Thanks, I have some dried, but am not sure what to do with it. I shall google! :)

[MelissaO]

I tried a raw nori roll today and was physically sick for about an hour after ingesting only a few pieces of my roll. Once my body starts the evacuation process that is it for any more food for the rest of the day so I will be skipping dinner tonight.

I can not get that fishy taste from out of my mouth and nose either :(


So far for eating sea veggies I can handle dulse in small amounts, I also take chlorella and spirulina, those all have a strong taste but for some reason Nori was just like eating pond (pond going in was awefull enough, but pond on it's way out was even more horrible)


Tomorrow I am staying far far away from anything from the sea.

[green jeanie]

a good day

yummmmy breakfast trying to get my protein up

pumpkin seeds
hemp seeds
strawberries
lettuce
spirulina

yummmmmmy lunch

yellow and green summer squash in 2 collard greens
blueberries .....lots and lots of blueberries
2 dates

celery sticks on the line for a snack later


I am tired and lazy and i want my work out pep back:o

[Deenasmiles]

Day 4:

Clementines (several)
Big Green smoothie (big one...4 handfuls of baby spinach and strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries)
1 salad w/ romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, carrots and tomatoes (dressing made of olive oil, lemon, sea salt and pepper)

herbal tea and water.
Not very hungry cuz I'm on my monthly, but I'm eating what I can.

[Judy Glasco]

Today for breakfast my daughter made a raw strawberry shortcake. My hubby cut up some melons. I feasted on the melons and 2 bananas.

Lunch: I had a delicious salad with sprigs, spinach and all the garden veggies. My topping was a vegan ranch dressing made from raw cashews and a little sprinkle of my homemade italian dressing. What a combo! I attempted to make a pizza today, but it was yuck yuck yuck. I am trying to be creative with my dinner entrees since my two daughters are eating raw with me. I had some bulgar wheat as a back up...just in case the pizza didnt go too well. I know bulgar is not completely raw, but at least I dont have to put fire to it. I seasoned it mexican style with tomatoes, fresh cilantro, scallions, olives and a lil bit of olive oil with salt to taste. Not bad! We ate that with an avocado.

Tonight: I will have some grapes and oranges. My daughter just informed me that she made some banana ice cream....Oh man....this is going to end up a yumsies day after all. God bless!

[islesgirl]

Actually Day 1 for me as I just wasn't ready until now.

Current HW 177lbs
Goal W - much much less!
Also want to normalize my blood pressure.

All went really well. I started off the day with a SWF - just had to as I have been "backing up" for a long time - actually ever since I stopped doing all raw at the end of the summer. After that was all over and done with I started my raw day.

Breakfast (late) was a delicious "Best Ever Raw Coffee" but without the nuts as none of mine have been soaked yet and besides I like to stick with having only fruit and greens in the morning.

Late afternoon: The Super Fat Burner drink posted here on RFT made with 1cup
freshly juiced cranberries, 2 grapefruits, 1 freshly juiced lemon, 1 tsp kelp, 1 Tbsp evo, about 1/4tsp cayenne. I didn't think of adding any water. This was just fine. I could drink a few of these a day if I wanted to. I used my brand new Breville Juice Fountain Elite for the first time to do this drink. Love this machine - just love it! Solid stainless steel, very powerful, a cinch to clean, and quiet! It also has a very large feeding tube. Sounds like I'm advertising - no I'm not, I am just so excited about it. It makes raw so much easier for me. But I know I will still be using my vitamix every day for GS.

Supper: A large salad which contained: romaine, tomato, red onion, shrooms, broccoli, red pepper, 1/2 avocado, english cuke, celery - all tossed
with "Alissa's Dressing" page 475 in her book.

I have a caffeine withdrawal headache but it is just lurking for the time being. I am feeling a bit lighter already - not much yet of course - but I already feel happier and am so looking forward to continuing on this way. I just love raw and have been trying to do this for a little under a year and want to succeed this time for sure. I really took it easy today and tried to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. I read lots of raw recipes. As usual there are still things I forgot to buy, so I still can't make my crackers or guacamole. Tomorrow I will go shopping again. I'm going to the $ store to find those colanders which are supposed to be great for sprouting because they allow the air to circulate. Enough of my rambling.

But I just made a snack for before bed. I threw together about 4 dates, 2 T raisins, 1T almond butter, and 2T walnuts and mixed it up in a tiny food chopper I have and then made 4 walnut sized balls which I rolled in raw coconut. YUM! After I've done my dishes, I'll eat them as I watch Alissa's DVD again.

See you all tomorrow.

Sue.

[TanjaJo]

HI friends!

Rawchic, the run idea is a great one. I do have such aspirations!!

Melissa, I am sort of the same way about the fishy tasting stuff. I don't know why that is. I have munched on a tiny bit of dulse at a time, but I can't do it in huge quantities.

Cris, I sure do hope you feel better soon. And others that are going through the withdrawal or healing crisis, or detox...I hope I never go through those days that I had at the beginning in January...at least not that bad. I could take some kind of withdrawal, but that was bad.

Sarah80...the way I understand it, there is raw olive oil, and not raw olive oil. I don't know about wine, unless it's some kind of home-made raw fermented wine. I totally gave that up on the raw.

Anderdale...the YARD! :D TOO FUNNY

Polycute, I am so glad I don't have to be in a situation like your potluck. That sounds tough. I know the feeling when people don't like your treasured recipes. I think a lot of people don't have the acquired tastes like we do when we go off the SAD diet. It's harder for them to appreciate.

Deenasmiles - clementines have been a staple for me. I never knew I could love something so much!

Today I had a salad for breakfast. Also had the last of the raw marinara and last zucchini tonight after my run. Plus 2 oranges and a clementine somewhere in between there.

Ran 2.5 miles, and did a .5 mile cool down, for a 3 mile total. Not a big night but I don't feel I ate enough to warrant much more. Just not hungry.

So good to see everyone on here and read your comments! Have a lovely evening. And a great raw day tomorrow.

[Anderale]

So far for eating sea veggies I can handle dulse in small amounts, I also take chlorella and spirulina, those all have a strong taste but for some reason Nori was just like eating pond (pond going in was awefull enough, but pond on it's way out was even more horrible)


Damn. You had pond and I had yard...who had sky?

[MelissaO]

Damn. You had pond and I had yard...who had sky?

LOL - too funny. I looked at your yard ingredients ...pear was a good idea, banana also works pretty good to get rid of the grassy taste of greens. :)

For mucus adding lemon to my water is a good mucus breaker uper. Apple cider vinegar also does wonders (if you are ok with the strong taste of it ) I normally add 1 tablespoon to 8 ounces of water.

Hope you feel better soon. Tomorrow will be a better day.

[Everchanging]

Everything is going really well, tummy is a bit better but I think I need to watch the food combining. Tonight I got home from work at 9 and was tempted by the routine of post-work pig out, and at least did it raw and it wasn't too bad, just unwise combining.
B-Green smoothie of kale, banana, apple, hemp, blue green algae, pumpkin pie spice(also brought some to sip on at work), apricot almond hazelnut cookie
L-Lettuce wraps with mock salmon pate and hummus
D- (after work) apple with almond butter and raisins, kiwi, carrots, sunflower "cheese sticks"
Tummy is a bit big from that last one. Tomorrow I will decrease the nut and seed intake, or at least try and see if I still feel satisfied. All in all I am still totally dedicated to this exciting journey.

[bbcc33]

i'm gonna join the challenge right now i'm on day 28 from my own little trial and am pretty committed. I bought a few things that aren't raw and thought were at the time but i'm too cheap to throw away so i'm gonna continue using them until their gone. My agave nectar says its raw but i dunno:confused: and my tahini is definitely not raw but it helps make good non dehydrated falafel balls. i also have nama shoyu which i've heard isn't raw but it tastes so good i'm sad it isn't.

One question are all sunflower seed kernels labeled raw really raw? i got them from trader joes if that makes any difference. When i eat them i feel kinda weird after i dunno if its cause of them or if its just me. Those sunflower seeds are definitely helping me right now, though.

edit: golly gee wiz i just saw that this is a 100% raw challenge. Maybe next month cause i have to get rid of these non raw products. Talk ta y'll later.

[bowie]

welcome to day 4

[mattshor]

today feels good. I had a much more succesful lime-ade smoothie this morning. It was spinach, juice from two limes, some honey, and a couple of sprigs of mint. Really light and really refreshing.

Today I'm having raw pad thai for lunch, I made it for dinner last night and it was amazing. I like it better than the regular stuff, I think.

Had a hard time waking up, or at least getting out of bed, once I was out of bed I felt all sorts of energy. My bf wanted to know what got into me, I was walking around the bedroom as I got dressed singing to the cat.

[contessa20]

Day 38!

Feeling MUCH better this morning! Yesterday was just awful. After a warm bath with epsom salt, nothing but lime water and 2 bananas and bed at 8pm yesterday I'm feeling pretty good. I'm going to eat pretty lightly today because I don't want to upset my stomach again. It really was just not a happy camper the last 2 days.

So far today I'm working on a big glass of carrot, celery and cucumber juice. I'll probably stick with juices, smoothies and maybe some melon for the rest of the day.

According to the scale this morning I hit my first goal weight, 170, however, I'm not *officially* counting it until tomorrow since it was brought on by not eating.

Today's food
carrot, cuke, celery juice
1/2 watermelon
1/2 chopped apple, 1/2 chopped banana, sprinkle of coconut & sunflower meal covered in sweetened sunflower mylk
mixed berries w/sweetened sunflower mylk

[scorpio1027]

Hi there
I have been a vegan for little over a year and I feel great - I have lost about 90 pounds and I am looking forward to losing my last 20 going raw .... and staying RAW.

I bought Allison's new book and it truly inpired me to try it.

Wish me luck!:)

[MelissaO]

I am not sure what will be on the menu today.

so far what has come into mind is a green lemonade (2 apples, head of romaine, and ginger). Have to see how my stomach is doing today.

[DharmaGirl]

Hello All :D

Day 10 for me and feeling pretty good!

Contessa - KUDOS on the first "unofficial" weight loss goal!!! I'm sure it feels great despite your criteria!

Mattshor - that Limeade sounds DELISHisss...mmmmm... I'll have to try it soon :D You made me chuckle when you said you're walking around singing to the cat!! RAW food gives us true joy in our hearts!! You've got me going, too with the mention of PAD THAI.... I made it once and I think it's about time to check it out again, cuz you're right, it's better than the cooked ;)

Today so far for me:

Grapefruit juice
GS w/kale, chard, dandelion, chlorella, strawberries, banana, agave

Today is gonna be the BEST DAY EVER!!!!
RAW and GREEN Blessings to All!!!

[mattshor]

incidentally, re: the pad thai, when I made it I forgot to add the honey for the sauce and it still tasted amazing. Didn't even bother adding it when I realized.

My fiancé complained that the limeade was really sour, so maybe use one lime, taste it and then add more if you want. I thought it was exactly what I needed though. Maybe I'll make another when I get home.

[polycute]

Day 4! Ok, just when I thought I was totally out of anything to make today, I discovered frozen blueberries and cranberries (they were fresh, I stuck them in the freezer).

Breakfast: frozen blueberries and cranberries with flaxseed, two dates mixed in the food chopper and then once I put it in a bowl, I added a drizzle of raw agave nectar. Yummy!

Lunch will be: celery boats (or celery sticks) filled with raw corn masa mash (which is really tasty on it own: corn, cilantro, lime, pepitas, sunflower seeds, sea salt) and grate carrot topped with fresh guacamole (avocado, tomato, cilantro, lemon, jalapeno and sea salt - I'm out of onion for now). Sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Dinner: no clue. Should probably have a green smoothie to get my greens in.

I'm 4 lbs up from my end-of-fast weight but I think I'm gonna ease up about it. I didn't gain this weight overnight and apparently, I'm not going to lose it overnight either.

[rawchic]

last night I made a blended soup for dinner with fennel, red pepper, carrots, greens and some garlic. I have some left over for lunch today.

I also have a banana/orange green smoothie for breakfast.

Have a great day!

[Reesh]

I can't wait for spring rolls tonight! :D

I had a glass of coconut water for breakfast, one large white grape fruit and one banana.

I'm also starting to sprout my quinoa :)

Down 5.5 lbs in six days. Farewell water weight!

[Deenasmiles]

Day 5. Woke up with a lot of mucous. Gonna be drinking green smoothies today. I'm not really craving anything else!

[DharmaGirl]

OMG, I just made the most amazing cream of celery soup in VM...... first time I make it....w/celery, lemon juice, evoo, avocado, cayenne, sea salt, and water..... i cut up small pieces of avo and red pepper and put in bottom of soup crock, poured the yummy soup in the crock, topped with sprouts and seaweed gomasio! Ate w/lydia's green crackers...... Mmmmm.... heavenly :D

[MiahTay]

Sorry I didn't get around to posting yesterday it was a CRAZY day. Our house is for sale and Monday night when we got home at 9 pm there was a message on the answering machine that someone wanted to see it between 10:30-11:30 the next morning, which wouldn't have been a problem if the house was CLEAN! :eek: So, we got up at 6:30 to get all in order to be out the door by 10:00. So, I left the house after working since 6:30 with nothing to eat AND with the rest of my family ... NORMALLY we would have gone out to eat, and I must say the temptation was there but I knew that if we did that we would regret it, so instead we did a little shopping, my dd and I shared a Lara Bar, and we came back home for lunch! This was a HUGE VICTORY. Stress + hungry for me = binge! And I didn't do it! And my kids didn't even complain. We just all came home and ate raw lunch!

My poor son has a detox headache from no sugar for three days, I feel terrible for him but it's not as bad as it was yesterday so hopefully by tomorrow he will be good. Both of my kids are loving RAW!

I've spent a bit of time in the kitchen today making a RAW Eclair Dessert (actually 2 to put in the freezer). It's my new favorite.

Food for today:
Apple/celery/lemon juice
Sliced Avocado/sliced tomato/Ani Phyo's Brazil Nut Broccoli Mash
An organic Golden Delish Apple
Large Salad

I did go back and read everyone's post from yesterday - LOVED the yard comment! (I hate when that happens)

Blessings,
Heather

[carlee]

day 3 for me!

it is going well. i am a little headache-y, and was really tired this morning. but, okay! having a delicious salad now...

b- fruit
s- banana
l- veggie salad
d- avocado, spinach salad

[Sarah80]

Not sure what's up but I feel like my blood pressure has dropped and I'm cold and feel a little sick. Might be detoxing.

Had the most delicious breakfast salad of an apple, two oranges, dried cherries, sunflower seeds and half an avocado. It was a large breakfast, but I was hungry.

Lunch was an orange, an apple, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries.

Dinner will hopefully be a large salad though I'm meeting a friend so we'll see what they have.

But seriously, try the avocado, orange, seed combination. It's amazing.

[Anderale]

last night I made a blended soup for dinner with fennel, red pepper, carrots, greens and some garlic. I have some left over for lunch today.

I also have a banana/orange green smoothie for breakfast.

Have a great day!
Oh I have some fennel I didn't know what to do with...maybe I'll try this. I don't have a vitamix, though, do you think it would work in a regular blender?

[Anderale]

I felt like crap today. Super stuffed up and all I wanted to do was take an allergy pill. I refrained and bought some ecualyptus oil to inhale and made myself a "tea" from chopped ginger, garlic and lemon. I am feeling a little better. This first week has been pretty rough!

I made my GS today with collard greens, two radishes, avocado (I can't seem to make one with out it), bananna, tomato, one clove of garlic and lemon juice. It's way better than the yard GS I had yesterday!

I don't know what I'll make for dinner, but I'm salivating reading some of the recipes I've found and what you all have posted that you're eating! nOm!

[green jeanie]

day 4.....checking in!

protein pudding for breakfast!!
pumpkin seens, hemp seeds, spirulina and strawberries in the blender

went to spin class

came out to blueberries and 2 colllard wraps with yellow squash and spinach/tomato dressing

need to water up!!!

I am so happy to be on this thread, the only shift for me has been to cut out yogurt/kefir and I am also trying so slow down on high glycemic fruit but it is cool to keep tabs with y'all

best to everyone!:D

[czpinky]

feelin' crappy right now...not physically really, but emotionally. taking this hormone medication is screwin' with me a bit. but i am going to stop taking it, i just have to talk to my dad about it. i'm just having so many cravings for all foods of any kind and i'm almost too tired to exercise too. we had a snow day today, but they're always a little weird for me...lying around all day makes me feel lazy and lonely. anyways, here's what i ate today so far:

B- green smoothie (1 banana, kale, lemon juice)
S-dates and almonds...then i ate 2 oranges and 2 apples (crazy pms appetite)
L-carrots+salad+sunflower pate
D-will probably be just a green smoothie...i will control my eating!!

I promise i will not stuff myself with dates even though i have like 15 lbs of them in the house right now...

[MelissaO]

So far today:

Breakfast:
Green lemonade (2 apples, 1 head romaine lettuce, 1 organic lemon peel and all and a good inch of ginger)

Lunch: Drank a coconut (tummy was still not feeling too great)

Snacked on apple juice, also had 2 small clementines (had a craving for them)

Dinner was veggie juice (1 head of celery and lots of carrots with a some sea salt - I am craving salty today)


Lots of water and no sea veggies today.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[Vaclare79]

Sorry haven't posted at all this week so far..
Today I had tahini with (i think) 7 stalks of celery..
An apple
some strawberries
:)
KALE salad with EVOO/ACV sea salt SO very delicious... I LOVE kale.

[DharmaGirl]

Hey all.....

Just finished dinner.... in a bowl, I combined:

1/2 juicy papaya w/some of its seeds
cacao nibs
shredded coconut

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......... DELISH!!!!!

Another beautiful RAW day!!!! Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful, raw foods as much as I am!!! ........

.........Til Tomorrow - Raw Blessings, ;)

[islesgirl]

This will be brief and rushed as I'm so tired. This is due to withdrawal from caffeine and sugar.

Early a.m. 1 orange

A bit later: Big GS with banana, pineapple, 1/2 english cuke (skin too), 1 lemon, 1T coconut oil, 2T ea brown sesame, hemp & flax seeds, 1 pkg stevia and 1 cup water. This was pretty good - a little on the thick side, but nice and lemony.

It made so much that I didn't need to eat a thing again until late afternoon and then I just had the leftover salad from last night's supper.

Then I didn't feel hungry and was too tired from making husband's supper and shopping, so I merely made some more yummy pecan, almond butter, raisin, and date balls rolled in raw coconut. YUM! Made 5 of them. Watched Alissa's DVD some more. She sure has me keen on trying her recipes. I was just too tired today though. I had a slight headache all day and my mood was in my boots for the most part - sugar blues!:(

And I am still very blocked up (the old innards are just not working). I spent a good deal of time here reading up on what rawbies do for constipation. One thing I did was to drink more water. One thing I forgot to mention is that something was definitely going on in my brain today and I don't think I can even begin to describe it. It was the oddest feeling and now because I'm so tired, I guess, I can't really remember what it felt like. Maybe it will come back tomorrow. I know this sounds odd, but the feeling was very real - like something was definitely going on in there - not a physical sensation but a strange thought process. I also had a great night's sleep last night and actually woke myself up once laughing.

See you all tomorrow.:)

[Everchanging]

It's only day 3 for me? I guess it seems like longer because I've been PLANNING on doing this for so long!

B: shake with blueberries, hemp, raw rice protein, flax seeds, bluegreen algae, enzymes
L: lettuce wraps with walnut "salmon" pate, cucumbers with beanless hummus
D: onion"bread" with marinara and avocado, sunflower seed "cheese sticks", very lightly steamed broccoli (if you can still touch without it being too hot it is it "raw"? I like it bright green and a little soft)
movie snack: 2 kiwi, apple, almond butter, raisins, cinnamon, agave

I've been working on the food combining and it really does help alot. I get a sweet tooth after dinner but I try to wait as long as possible before having some fruit. Tonight I feel just fine. Tomorrow I need to jog before work, because I come home famished and then eat, then I can't work out right before bed! Step by step I will get the hang of a healthy routine. I love beautiful vegetables and fruits, they are all amazing and I am so happy that they are the center of my diet/health/being/body/life.:rolleyes:

Other positive changes: no coffee, much less tv, more journaling and meditating

[gritsnla]

Late but logging in. Breakfast again was the cinnamon roll with a banana. Running errands and had an apple and a Raw Organic Cinnamon Raisin bar. A couple of homemade granola cookies. And had to have Countessa's fajita mix with guac again for supper. A really good day! See ya'll tomorrow!

[leeleelocs]

I woke up feeling really tired and did not get any real pep until lunch time.
I think I am with drawning from coffee.
b-apple, rawnolia, banana, herb tea
L-salad of spring greens, mushroom, asphargus, tomatoe, cucumber, raw nut balls(taste like meat balls). fresh cherries
s-kale chips, fresh cherries
d-green smoothies-dandalions greens, spirilina, lime, agava, banana, maca
desert- raw fudge
herb tea

[TanjaJo]

Better late than never. I don't know why I'm always so late. Islesgirl...I think I know what you mean about that weird feeling. I had it in my first week, and the dreamy state of things. It was definitely strange.:confused:

I hope those suffering detox and headaches get it over soon. My detox didn't start until around 4-5 days in to things, I think it was. It was nasty. My son actually asked if I wanted to go to the hospital (dry heaves). (I'm on day # 35 now?)

Enjoying raw very much. Got my order of nuts today from the food co-op my MIL belongs to. 5# each of raw brazil nuts, cashews, and walnuts. Also made a trip to the health food store and grocery store. And will be going to a health food store in a bigger city with my mom tomorrow. Should be great fun! :D

Today ate two salads, and my raw "ice cream" treat tonight. That's pretty much it. And took a break from the treadmill so I could write a few letters.

See you all tomorrow....;)

[bowie]

welcome to day 5

[DharmaGirl]

Happy RAW day to All :p

I'm about to indulge in my first RF intake... mmmm.... let's see!!! Of course, it'll be my AM Green Smoothie..... gotta go see what's in the fridge now!!!

Raw Blessings!!

[mattshor]

For dinner last night I had a portobello mushroom cap stuffed with mock salmon pâté and an avocado stuffed with pesto. So delicious and filling.

For breakfast I made a very simple GS: spinach, fresh ripe peach, and banana. I've been having GS for several months now in the morning and I am starting to find now that while I used to want them with all sorts of things in them, I now tend to prefer them on the simpler side of things. One green, one fruit and I am pretty much good to go. BF is a little disappointed, he is used to the richer flavors I think. Oh! Almost forgot, threw some homemade kombucha in the blender with the smoothie. It was amazing.

Today is my second food prep day of the week, I'll be making collard wraps and fettuccine alfredo. Yum!

[czpinky]

well so far today has been good, but it's still only the morning. i had a GS for breakfast w/ 2 bananas, a bunch of baby romaine, lemon juice, and flax seed oil. i'm not sure what lunch will be, but i'll probably have another green smoothie for dinner. hopefully, if the roads allow, i'll be able to get to the store for some produce today...

[MelissaO]

Good morning everyone!

I woke up today to sunshine! I live in the midwest and winters are often pretty gloomy but not today :)

So far the day is starting off really good.

Breakfast I had chia seeds soaked in blueberry water- I also ate some blueberries ...yum yummy

I have clementines for snacks today.

Lunch I think will be a smoothie - I have young coconut meat from a very creamy coconut yesterday that I would like to use today. I also have frozen pineapple ....humm that sounds like it is a done deal.


Dinner:

I have half an avocado I need to finish so I am debating on making a carrot/curry soup or having salad. The carrot soup requires me to clean the juicer after I am done ......so still debating on that one.


:D

[Bananna]

Still hanging in there...today is my 4 week anniversary! So far I have ate desserts and onion crackers ...to celebrate I guess, lol. Whatever, right??

...guess I'll get some GS's in later to compensate a bit, lol. Surprised at how much I'm starting to like them!

[polycute]

Day 5. I'm up another 1/2 pound. This is 4.5 lbs up from my start weight. Not sure what I am doing wrong. I definitely have a thyroid issue. I avoid peaches, spinach, broccolli, cauliflower, etc. Anyone else have thyroid problems? What do you do to breakthrough? I know that carrying around an extra 50 pounds of weight can't be good for me. I need a breakthrough. I haven't purchased any nuts this time around.

Sunday, I have a potluck to attend with mostly vegetarians/vegans. I plan to take some Persian raw dishes like pomegranate and walnut sauce
over jicama and yellow squash "rice", del which is mushrooms, carrot and onion with parsley, tarragon, dill, mint, salt, pepper and olive oil and halwa which is crushed pistachio and almond with rose water (will have to make my own!), agave nectar, raw honey, olive oil, saffron and cinnamon.

Those are my three dishes to make a raw contribution to the rest of the vegan and vegetarian Persian fare.

It should be fun!

And it looks like I'll have to buy some nuts after all for the halwa.

[mamabird1953]

Morning...I need to make those meatballs today. How long do I leave them in the dehydrator? And do I run all ingrediants through the food processor till pretty fine?

I'm doing well but my manbear is struggling with cravings. I think he needs to eat a whole lot more. He's 6'3" and big boned so its been a major challange feeding him raw the last year. He always wants elaborate meals and I dont always have the time or the "want to". So, he gives in to those unhealthy desires. He needs to stuff his face with fruit. It's filling and detoxing. No excuses.

[BeFree2009]

Polycute...I'm a personal trainer/group fitness instructor so I feel I have a bit of backing to respond to your question. Just from what you've stated as dishes/recipes that alot of nuts may be a part of your daily raw diet, or even "gourmet"-ish raw dishes?

You may wish to keep things more simple, perhaps a fasting of GS's for a while, or at least definitely making GREENS 60% of your daily intake. Also, how active are you? Yoga is a wonderful accompaniment to raw food 'diet' as it releases blockages in the body, in your energy, etc.,

Just "food" for thought....

Best wishes.

[MiahTay]

Day 5! YES! I'm feeling pretty good. My children eating the same things as me this time around is making such a HUGE difference, before I would start fresh in the morning and by the time I was done cooking their lunch (I'm not going to list it but YOU know the stuff!) I was HISTORY.

I am attending my first RAW potluck this Saturday and it is so outside my character ... I could just about never leave my house and be happy. But my children AND husband have agreed to go with me (ought to make for an interesting experience). I just really felt led to make the effort to go.

Anyway ... food for today:

Breakfast: Banana / dehydrated buckwheat / walnut and banana milk
Lunch: Pineapple/grapes/2 clementines and a scoop of chocolate walnut butter
Dinner: Large Salad
Snack: Apple (maybe with some of that chocolate walnut butter ... Mmmm)

Blessings,
Heather

[shine72]

Day 5! YES! I'm feeling pretty good. My children eating the same things as me this time around is making such a HUGE difference, before I would start fresh in the morning and by the time I was done cooking their lunch (I'm not going to list it but YOU know the stuff!) I was HISTORY.

I am attending my first RAW potluck this Saturday and it is so outside my character ... I could just about never leave my house and be happy. But my children AND husband have agreed to go with me (ought to make for an interesting experience). I just really felt led to make the effort to go.

Anyway ... food for today:

Breakfast: Banana / dehydrated buckwheat / walnut and banana milk
Lunch: Pineapple/grapes/2 clementines and a scoop of chocolate walnut butter
Dinner: Large Salad
Snack: Apple (maybe with some of that chocolate walnut butter ... Mmmm)

Blessings,
Heather

Go check the event love. I had to reschedule due to sickies. :( Let me know if you can make it for the new date, and I am SO sorry. :(

[MiahTay]

I'm doing well but my manbear is struggling with cravings. I think he needs to eat a whole lot more. He's 6'3" and big boned so its been a major challange feeding him raw the last year. He always wants elaborate meals and I dont always have the time or the "want to". So, he gives in to those unhealthy desires. He needs to stuff his face with fruit. It's filling and detoxing. No excuses.

Sounds like you need to have some EASY recipes that are filling on hand for hubby. Something that mine enjoyed that I tried this past week is Ani Phyo's Brazil Nut Broccoli Mash ... he took it in his lunch today with flax crackers and a half of avocado. The recipe is VERY easy and filling and my whole family loves it, if you don't have the book and want the recipe feel free to e-mail me. As I come across things that work for my hubby I'll try to remember to share. Oh, also I have found having cacao/walnut butter/honey spread in the fridge that he can put on stuff helps with the cravings and again REALLY easy and filling and it keeps well in the fridge.

Blessings,
Heather

[MiahTay]

Go check the event love. I had to reschedule due to sickies. :( Let me know if you can make it for the new date, and I am SO sorry. :(

Thanks and so sorry you're sick.

Blessings,
Heather

[islesgirl]

Have to post this before I forget....which I tend to do all the time.

Started the day with 1 qt. water and it worked! I will always try to get my water down early in the day from now on and lots of it.

Then I made "Best Raw Coffee Ever" by Ginger and added 2T brown sesame seeds, as I don't use nuts early in the day yet. I just used the banana. Mmm - tasted the same as usual but had that extra bit of goodness in it. Gotta get it in wherever I can eh?

I've just finished making Mattye Lee's "Pizza Chips" page 100 in her book "Frugal Raw". They are supposed to take 24 hrs. Can't wait to try them. I tried to make the pecan meal for the recipe in my coffee grinder and almost made pecan butter! I guess I used too many nuts at a time. They are oily! Don't know what else I will have today yet. I'll try to post tonight. Hope you are all doing well and having a happy, healthy day. I am happier today and have energy again. Yippee!:)

Sue.

[MiahTay]

Day 5. I'm up another 1/2 pound. This is 4.5 lbs up from my start weight. Not sure what I am doing wrong. I definitely have a thyroid issue. I avoid peaches, spinach, broccolli, cauliflower, etc. Anyone else have thyroid problems? What do you do to breakthrough? I know that carrying around an extra 50 pounds of weight can't be good for me. I need a breakthrough. I haven't purchased any nuts this time around.


Up from your start weight of a month ago or this month? Because you were fasting the end of last month ... right? It is normal and to be expected to regain 4-6 lbs. when you stop fasting as you start eating solid food again. I agree with the suggestion of focusing more on simpler foods. My mouth waters when I read your posts of all the lovely foods you create (I wouldn't mind that tamale recipe). And don't forget to move (I can't talk, but it does help). Have you been diagnosed with a thyroid issue or are just assuming you do from your symptoms?

Blessings,
Heather

[Deenasmiles]

Yay! I've made it to day 6!
I'm feeling much better as well.
So far I've just had 2 Clementines, a banana and a nice cup of caffeine-free ginger peach tea. For the rest of the day, I'll be drinking several green smoothies. You won't believe the amount of greens I've been consuming! It's awesome you guys!!!

[rawchic]

So yesterday at work I knocked over my entire green smoothie onto my computer keyboard. Bummer! not only was it a mess to clean up...and I had to go to our IT department and ask for a new keyboard because it was literally ruined...I was most sad about not getting to drink my smoothie :(

Pretty funny though
so instead I had 4 kiwis and 2 grapefruits

this morning I had two bananas with a bunch of greens...opted against the smoothie for obvious reasons. Then I had two small apples sprinkled with flax & hemp seeds.

now I'm off to yoga. then for lunch I'll have a salad with lots of greens, red pepper, cherry tomatoes, and carrots.

Then I have a grapefruit for later if I need a snack.

Have a great day!

[Veganspirit]

Hi All,
So far so good. Had the greatest salad last night that was made while chatting with a wonderful friend from college. Yummy fresh lettuce and perfectly sliced and diced veggies. I was so full from all the fresh ingredients I couldn't even finish it.

A quick trip to the grocer today and I am excited for fresh red grapes, mmmm, and the reddest red peppers. I am loving being back on raw and my skin hasn't been this clear in months! Loving it.

[gritsnla]

Breakfast was 2 bananas. Lunch was a Raw Organic Cinnamon Raisin bar running around. Zucchini "pasta" w/dressing a liitle later. Maybe something later if hungry. Doing good, feeling good.

[green jeanie]

hi day fivers....a high five to all of you:D

breakfast: 2 bananas, 2 cups of blueberries and 1/4 c of hemp seeds

Lunch : raisins and broccoli "finger food"

i love raw!!!

[MelissaO]

Today was the perfect raw day for me.

Breafast was the chia seeds soaked in blueberry water.

Snack was fresh orange juice with MSM added to it

Lunch:
green smoothie (meat of my young coconut from yesterday, water, 2 large handfulls organic baby spinach, frozen pineapple and 2 spoonfulls of Alissa's green food powder)

Snack:
baby carrots and then later a handfull of raw cashews- oh I also had a rawreo cookie - not all too thrilled with those.

Dinner:
carrot soup from goneraw.com and omg - it is spicey for me liking but I like it! I even used less garlic then was noted and I always do only a small batch first just in case I totally hate it then I have not wasted as much. It has a nice after kick to it that makes it very warming. I would make it again. Here is the instructions incase anyone is interested in trying it:


Servings: Serves 4
Easy curried carrot soup. Although this soup is served room temperature, it feels quite warm.

Ingredients:
6 carrots, chopped
1½ avocado
2 cup water
3 clove garlic
1 teaspoon powdered ginger (I did not have this - so I used small sliver of fresh)
1 small lemon, juiced
2 teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon cumin
pinch cayenne pepper
celtic sea salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:
Toss all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. For a pretty finish, sprinkle with curry powder.





******************

I feel like I am glowing from inside out today and even had a chance to work out for an hour.


I hope everyone else had a wonderful day :D

[Ravani]

Always so great to see all the posts! I'm happy to be starting my second month of raw. Today was a little difficult. I work in a SAD food cafe, and some of the food called me. But I didn't eat any. I came home and ate a lot of raw food. I'm not really working on losing weight, although a 10-pound loss wouldn't kill me. So, I just let it be ok to eat from some hunger other than appetite.

Tomorrow is another day and I've stayed raw. Alleluia!

Goodnight.

[green jeanie]

day 5....

today i switched from 2 days a week with my trainer to 3......time to get physical

[islesgirl]

Sounds like you all did quite well today. Lots of healthy raw food in your tummies. Rawchic - ooh, I'm so glad that wasn't your own personal computer! My daughter did exactly the same thing to her home computer.

The day went very well. I went to the flea market and found 2 colanders with small enough holes, I think, to sprout some things. I am anxiously awaiting some little tails on my buckwheat. I also have some Pizza Chips in the dehydrator until around noon tomorrow. The house smells good. I live in a basement but I don't think the buckwheat needs light to sprout though - just at the end of the sprouting. Hope artificial light will do for that. Our windows are tiny and few but we have loads of the phoney lights.

I made the "Fettucine Alfredo" from Alissa's book for my supper and was disappointed in it. So many had raved about this recipe and I won't be making it again. Oh well, I only made half the recipe and ate more than half of it. And I know it was good for me! I felt wonderful all day. Mood was up all day - a switch. This alone is such a great testament to the value of raw food. I also had lots of energy.

For a snack tonight I made those balls made with walnuts, dates, almond butter, raisins all rolled into balls and rolled in raw coconut. Had the usual amount - about 5. Tomorrow I am going to make guacamole for sure - I found the recipe I used last time and I liked it so much.

'til tomorrow rawbies!
xxoo

Sue.

[Everchanging]

Wow I really need to stop reading this at night, it makes me so hungry! That curry soup, and the idea of yellow squash "rice", and I still need to try this coffee concoction, and pizza crackers? MMMMMM....

Breakfast GS:
Raisins, almond butter, shredded coconut
Kale, blueberries, strawberries, raw rice protein, hemp, evoo, bluegreen algae...
Snacks:
Pineapple
Pea sprouts and a couple olives
Lunch: Mock salmon on lettuce (3 days in a row and its Still tasty)
Snack: prunes
Dinner: Onion "bread" with marinara, broccoli and mushrooms

2nd day with out coffee and no headache or anything. I've been clumsy, knocking things over a lot. Felt slightly more energetic at works this evening. Stomach is still big and bloated even with improved food combining. It still seems like I eat more than other people here, but I really feel I need too. I'm going to do abdominal massage and drink more water tomorrow. I took the day off of work so I could experiment with some more recipes, have a good workout, and meditate. That will help me stay on this new path. I do feel a little body buzz after my meals, it's nice and relaxing. I'm taking some enzymes, I don't know if they are good ones, anyone else taking enzymes? Maybe it will help my tummy.

[contessa20]

I made the "Fettucine Alfredo" from Alissa's book for my supper and was disappointed in it. So many had raved about this recipe and I won't be making it again.

I didn't love the alfredo either. In fact, just thinking about it right now turns my stomach. The first couple of bites were good but then I couldn't eat anymore. The next day was the same way. I ended up throwing more than half of the batch away. It's one I won't be making again either.

[bowie]

welcome to day 6

[contessa20]

Day 39!

I forgot to post yesterday but I ate well and had a great day. It was a work day at school and I got a LOT of walking in. I should really wear a pedometer.

Breakfast
mixed berries w/sunny mylk
about 1/2 of my carrot/cuke/celery juice

Lunch
a little Mexican salad
3 cashew stuffed dates

Dinner
2 bananas
4 clementines
a few baby carrots dipped in raw ranch dressing

[contessa20]

Day 40 for me!

Today is DS9's appointment with the specialist at the Children's Hospital. We'll be leaving here to travel up there around 9am. I'm confident that everything will go well.

Afterwards, we'll drop DS9 off at a friend's house to play for a few hours while we come home and watch a movie, clean the kitch or whatever else we can find to do. :rolleyes:

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a chopped banana with sunny mylk for breakfast and a salad with raw ranch for lunch. Don't know about dinner yet. We'll see.

I weighed again this morning and I'm still sitting at 170 so the fasting weight loss has stuck. I'm happy about that. Now, onward and downward!

[missberry]

Hi all!

I'm still in the challenge though I haven't been very good about posting. I'll try to be better about it :o

I've been eating a lot of fruit and raw fajitas, some zucchini pasta with miso-orange-curry sauce, and veggies. Nothing too exciting. But today I plan on splurging on a jar of raw almond butter and making a Thai style coleslaw.:p
Hopefully it turns out as yummy as I imagine!

I've lost a couple of pounds since starting the challenge and my tummy is noticeably slimmer and more firm. My mood has significantly improved as well, which is wonderful. It's amazing how treating oneself well through a raw lifestyle and exercise can turn your whole perspective and attitude around.

You all are inspiring me so much! Thank you!:)

[mattshor]

Wow! Today I woke up before my alarm! I haven't done that in years. Of course, it was the coldest day this week, so I once again dreaded the idea of getting out of bed, but still, if this keeps up then once it gets warm then starting my days is going to be a piece of cake!
Last night I made the Collard Wraps from Alissa's book. I was very skeptical at first, how tasty could it be? Well the marinated onions and mushrooms were sublime. The collard leaves were slightly bitter by themselves, but combined with everything else, they actually were a little bit sweet. I was having them for dinner and the rest of the family was having a lentil stew. Y. looked at me, and asked if he could taste the wrap and ended up finishing it. Good thing that they are huge and very filling. Later he said that at dinner time from now on he is going to have the raw with me and let the rest of the fam eat cooked. Sweet!

[DharmaGirl]

Heeellllllloooooooo!!!

Right now, I'm eating a juicy papaya w/shredded coconut meat and nibs with a sprinkling of agave.... MMMMMMMMMMM..... watta way to start the raw day :D Also had a green powder drink earlier.

Miss Berry - "Nothing TOO exciting" ARE YOU KIDDING????? Would love the recipe for the miso orange curry sauce.... sounds intriguing!!!

Raw Blessings to all!!

[Everchanging]

Last night I decided that I needed to post early in on the or I start getting hungry reading everyones' posts before bed, so here I am :). I'm starting to feel better in general, brighter, thinking more clearly about what I want/need to do and becoming more organized about it, also wanting to exercise. This is the direction I am headed in, which is awesome, and I will keep striving to make these manifest in my life.
I am going to have a banana, then head to a yoga class, come home and have a GS. I'm going to look through recipes and make some new ones for the next few days.
I bought some zucchini so I will use my marinara with that for past, and put some mushrooms in there. As some point I will have cucumber, apple, parsley juice.
Not sure about dinner yet, I will find something good though in my books! Rawk on, people! This is exciting! Change is happening...

[islesgirl]

Yes, this really is exciting. Many of us are experiencing similar "symptoms" of better health - and quickly! Better moods, waking up more easily, wanting to exercise, smiling at the scale. It's a fabulous adventure and I can't for the life of me imagine why I'd ever want to go back to food that is unhealthy. Hopefully this time I am going to make the change stick. I'm just finishing up my "Best Ever Raw Coffee" after having had my quart of water. Am definitely going to make guacamole today and a salad and have my "Pizza Chips" that will be done by noon. Not sure what else I'll make today as I have to clean the house, shop and make my husband a big sad meal. One thing for sure, I'm going to have a big green smoothie as I missed that yesterday. Have a great Friday everyone and don't give up!

Sue.

[gritsnla]

Morning! A little late in posting as I had to make some more cinnamon rolls. Yummy. So had a little piece of that for breakfast. Will have a GS with some kombucha in it, love it all fizzy that way. May have zucchinni pasta with dressing again, unless I find something else or just feel like salad, or I have a big cauliflower to "rice" up. Decisions, decisions......

[polycute]

Day Six, already?! This all seems too easy anymore although there are hard days and easy days - today seems easy. Woke up a little lighter. Only about 3 pounds up from my end-of-fast weight.

I realize weight fluctuates greatly from day to day even if you're not trying to lose, so I truly need to chill about it.

Breakfast: green smoothie
Lunch: planning on a salad
Dinner: soup of some kind (not sure what I've got in the crisper - will dig through?)

BeFree2009 - thank you SO MUCH for the advice! I truly appreciate it. I do plan to make adjustments to my diet starting today and adding more greens. I already had a green smoothie for breakfast and plan to have a salad for lunch. You're right - it should be about 60% green if I am trying to lose weight (and I am, these extra 50 pounds are killing me!). Oh, forgot to mention that I only use about 1/4 cup of nuts in recipes to add fat and flavor and texture - not as the base of the dish. And I only make the recipes with nuts for potluck dishes, not for myself but it does seem like I have one potluck to attend now on a weekly basis for one reason or another.
I still think it's better to take two or three dishes I can enjoy and supplement on fruit and veggie trays (there's been a fruit and veggie tray at every potluck I've attended so far this year!) than succumbing to SAD foods. Also, I've noticed most people at potlucks go crazy and dogpile their plate. I don't even though I am eating raw.

Have a great Day Six everyone!

[rawchic]

yesterday was the grand opening of a new yoga studio that has raw food. I'm so excited!!! It's just a few blocks from my office and where I live. I didn't have time to do yoga there yesterday, but I stopped in on my way home just to check it out. I met a few of the women working there and they were very friendly. They gave me a tour of the space - they are also going to have a spa (it's not going to be finished until next month).

Anyway - while I was there, I bought a raw parfait. It had raw grawnola, fresh berries, and nut creme. Yummy!!! I can't wait to go back.

For dinner I made collard wraps with parsnips, carrots, asparagus, and yellow pepper. They were too good...I ate what was supposed to be leftovers for tonight. Oops!

This morning I had 2 bananas wrapped in greens. I also have an apple & a grapefruit for later. Then for lunch I'll have a salad with greens, red pepper, cherry tomatoes, and carrots.

Not sure what dinner will be since I'll have to make something now. Maybe I'll just have another salad. I have a couple of pears that need to be eaten...so maybe greens with pear and something else.

[mattshor]

I am so glad that I had my chocolate banana pudding with my lunch today. One of the teachers brought a big bucket of brownie bites, and when I saw them this morning I felt that tiniest regret that I was missing out. But by the time that lunch rolled around I was so full on fettucine alfredo and vinegar and sea salt chips, that snacking on my pudding so hit the spot. It was pretty easy to just say no thanks.

[missberry]

Heeellllllloooooooo!!!

Right now, I'm eating a juicy papaya w/shredded coconut meat and nibs with a sprinkling of agave.... MMMMMMMMMMM..... watta way to start the raw day :D Also had a green powder drink earlier.

Miss Berry - "Nothing TOO exciting" ARE YOU KIDDING????? Would love the recipe for the miso orange curry sauce.... sounds intriguing!!!

Raw Blessings to all!!

It's really just all of those ingredients listed: a spoonful of white miso, juice from an orange (usually half of one or to reach desired consistency) and then about a tablespoon of curry powder. Mix that all together until the miso is dissolved and the sauce looks kind of creamy then pour over "noodles" or "rice". It's something I threw together trying to use what I had on hand one day and it's now kind of a staple sauce - a little sweet, salty and spicy:p

Rawchic: That sounds so awesome! A yoga studio with raw food, that would be a dream come true!

I already made the Thai slaw I talked about earlier and it is DELICIOUS!

[mamabird1953]

Hello everybody, Im working today so I know it will be hard for my bear. I have to make sure I have enough snacks and dip around because he wont prepare anything. I feel this will be his only hope for healing from diabetes. He was almost there then he blew it big time. But he knows what it feels like now to be healthy so I think my guy will succeed.

I'm going to make Alissas pecan burgers and more onion bread before I have to take off. I also really love cashew cheese with everything so I will make that too. Yesterday I ate raw almond butter spread lightly on crispy romain leaves. It was sooo good! Try it!

[MelissaO]

Hi everyone! So far today has been great.

For breakfast I went out with my dad (our once a week thing) and we tried a new restaurant that I picked out this time and I ordered a great fruit plate that had 2 large slices of honey dew, 2 large slices of cantelope, several large rip strawberries, a whole banana, and 3 large slices of pineapple :)

For lunch I had payaya, a banana, and blueberries.

Later I think I will drink another young coconut (I need to do an ab work out today so maybe after that)

Dinner:

Red kale salad marinated and warmed a little in the dehydrator sounds good. My dinner plans change from time to time depending on what I am craving at the end of the day.


Have a great day everyone!

[MiahTay]

I love reading what everyone is eating, it is so inspiring! I've had a busy day it was grocery shopping/library day. So, I planned ahead and made some chia pudding last night for breakfast this morning (my kids thought I was the best, because they got to eat "dessert" for breakfast). And I remembered to make sure I had a LaraBar (and the kids too) for when we got hungry between stores. Worked like a charm. Then I came home and did some uncooking ... I've got pizza crackers and chocolate chewies in the dehydrator. I still have salad dressing and Rich Cheddar Sauce on my list but I figured I would sit down for a few minutes and check in.

Food for today:
Chia Pudding
LaraBar
2/3 of a stalk of celery with cheesy dressing
I'm sipping on a GS of clementine/collard greens/banana/pineapple and ginger
Large Salad for dinner
Then DESSERT (I'm only officially making dessert once a week) I've got chocolate eclair dessert thawing in the fridge (I made it earlier this week).

I suppose that's all for now. I hope you all have a lovely RAW day!

Blessings,
Heather

[mattshor]

This afternoon I was feeling awful. headaches, bad mood, stomach ache. I felt plugged up is the only way to describe it. Threw about an inch of ginger, juice from half a lime, some honey, fresh mint and water into the blender and let it spin. I don't feel perfect but feel much much better.

[czpinky]

today i ate...
B= GS (kale, banana, & pineapple)
S= dates
L= 2 oranges, 1 banana, & germinated almonds
S= 2 apples
D= sunflower pate on romaine/sprout salad
Desert= frozen banana w/ carob sauce and walnuts

a bit much, i know, but i just felt like eating alot today...maybe i am growing...?

[contessa20]

I've got chocolate eclair dessert thawing in the fridge (I made it earlier this week).

I'm so going to need that recipe, Heather! Pretty please! :D

[contessa20]

Today has gone well. We got good news from the specialist, the lump is nothing to be concerned about and does not need to be biopsied at this time. WOOHOO!!!!!

I had a banana with sunny mylk for breakfast and a huge salad with a little raw ranch and a kiwi for lunch. For dinner DH wanted to get Chinese. I *heart* vegetables w/garlic sauce and veggie fried rice. Seriously, it took every bit of courage in my body to tell him, "no, I can't eat Chinese." I asked him instead to pick me up a few things from the grocery store so I could make my own. I'm freaking proud of myself. It was on the tip of my tongue to say, "go ahead and get my usual, tomorrow's a new day" but I didn't. I'll feel better in the morning knowing that I made a conscious choice rather than a rash one.

[islesgirl]

Actually in spite of the relentless fatigue I kept doing things - just taking small breaks in between. Either I'm tired from detox or it's still caffeine withdrawal. Whatever it is it doesn't really matter - tomorrow perhaps I'll have a ton of energy like yesterday.
Started with a quart of water.
Breakfast: Best Raw Coffee Ever with banana, (no nuts) and 2T hemp seeds today. This drink is always so good. I put a bit less cacao in it. I sure hope it isn't harmful like caffeine is.

Snacked on pumpkin seeds while making my GS.
Somewhere in here I had another 2 pts. of water too.

Lunch: GS with bunch froz. greens - either red swiss chard or beet greens, I'm not sure as I didn't label them properly. Added to this also was a bunch parsley, 1/2 lemon with small piece of rind (somewhere I read that it's good for us), 1T coconut oil, 2T brown sesame seeds, 2T flax seeds, 1 pkg stevia, water and frozen pineapple. This was nice and fresh and lemony.

Supper was a big salad: romaine, iceberg, 2 kinds tomatoes, sweet onion and english cuke and some oil-cured olives which are way too salty and I have no idea if they are raw or not - the ingredients listed are simply salt (oops, it's not sea salt), olive oil and olives. I'm soaking them in water and will rinse them a few times and maybe that will get rid of some of the saltiness. I still need to find some raw olives but am not that fussy at this point. I also had Mattye Lee's "Pizza Chips" with my guacamole. The chips are not the greatest but the guacamole is just fabulous and I even forgot the cilantro and changed the lemon to a lime. Wow, I just love this stuff. But I am going to keep trying to find a cracker recipe I like better. But, together, they were still good. I am also soaking my cacao nibs in water to make a chocolate drink tomorrow. Someone posted this today - sorry, I've forgotten who it was but it's on the "Recipe" section.

Almost forgot to add that I had a drink from the juicer made of l huge carrot, 2 celery and an apple. This was just delicious! I was quite hungry today - more than yesterday. Now I am having 3 more pizza chip crackers with guac. That will be enough for the day.

I'm so sleepy that I can't think straight. Went for a short, fast walk today! Yea! Haven't done that for a while. I think I am going on too long here and should be doing this in my blog. Sorry rawbies. See you tomorrow. Had a very satisfying raw day and I hope you all did too.

Sue.

[green jeanie]

hi everyone....

day 6!!:


Breakfast 3!!! bananas , 2 in a smoothie with celery, spirulina and hemp seeds

Lunch: 6!!!!! dates, and 2 little yummy yellow zukes

S: tonssssss of celery sticks

S: 1/2 cup of hazelnuts

dinner: an hour of cardio!! and probably more garlic....i've been doing MASSIVE AMOUNTS of garlic when i get home from work every night.

I leave it on the heater vent in evoo all day to soften the bite and infuse the oil...yum

[TanjaJo]

Hi raw friends...today had green smoothie for breakfast, a big salad for lunch and tonight will have the banana ice cream.

Did go shopping this week, and got a lot of great stuff. I've got banana leather dehydrating so I can try to make the boys th crepes from Alissa's book. I might to have to make the raw brownies yet tonight so I have something yummy to get me through work tomorrow. Also have nuts soaking to make the raw cheez-its. One of Vern's favorites.

Congrats everyone on doing so well!

[RaeVynn]

Ooops... wrong thread.

[MelissaO]

Ok a few updates from this morning.

Breakfast was breakfast with Dad - I had fruit plate----it was yummy.

Lunch:
papaya and blueberries.

Snacks:
2 raw cookies, 3 clementines with my MSM, 1 cup of carrots

Dinner was a salad with romaine lettuce, lamb lettuce, cucumbers and chia seeds.



Today was a good day for me to add Apple cider vinegar to water - I feel a cold coming on.

[bowie]

welcome to day 7 (one week)!

[Everchanging]

Hmmm, I need to write this all out...I know I need to eat alot and I don't have any weight loss goals (just skin care goals and energy level)
2 bananas
(yoga)
pineapple
GS: kale, blueberries, strawberries, hemp, flax, BGA
pistachio lara bar
raisins and almond butter
zucchini pasta with marinara & mushrooms and sunflower cheese stick crumbles
(some work)
teechino with macadamia milk "cream"
warm miso soup with shitake, cilantro, green onion
1 lettuce wrap with little leftover walnut pate
juice: cucumber, 1/2 apple, beet, parsley
2 kiwi

I guess it has been a long day. That is alot of food compared to other people posting, but not compared to what regular people eat if you see it calorie wise. Probably more fat then advisable if you are counting that. I had the day off and was home and I just ate alot and cooked alot, which is really fun, but I am wondering if I am feeling a little off because of too many nuts, getting some phlegm or something. I might just be getting tired. I was watching MSNBC and kept zoning out and being like, wait, what is he talking about? This is how I felt a couple weeks ago when I did a few days raw. The mild sore throat and everything. I want to eat enough so that I don't end up falling of the plan. I need to feel safe and not panic and go out for Thai food. Cooking alot and thinking about fun meal ideas keeps me interested. I think it is time to trust the food and focus on non-food related activities. I need to go to sleep, work in the morning, complicated patient coming later in the day, need to still be with it when I see him. Nightee nite!

[Deenasmiles]

Day 7 for me! 1 full week raw! Woot! Felt great!
I had bananas, clementines, 2 bowls of salad, banana-chocolate smoothie and a green smoothie!

[MiahTay]

Contessa - Here is the link to the Chocolate Eclair Dessert Recipe, it looks a bit intimidating but OH SO worth the effort and I found it helpful to freeze the whole thing before frosting otherwise it's too soft to spread the frosting on top. http://www.welikeitraw.com/rawfood/2008/02/better-than-sex.html

Well, today is my down day so I just finished up my few things around the house and I think I'll veg here for awhile and maybe watch a movie this afternoon. Funny, I'm not feeling hungry today, so I just had a glass of juice for breakfast and will eat something when hunger hits. My pizza crackers are almost done in the dehydrator and the whole house smells wonderful.

Food for today:
Apple lemon juice
Apple with raisins and walnuts
Couple of pizza crackers
Large Salad
Maybe another piece of Eclair Dessert

Hope you all have a GREAT raw day!

Blessings,
Heather

[mattshor]

Everchanging, don't judge yourself against anyone else. Some people eat more than others some people eat less. Eventually as your body adjusts to the diet and as you learn to understand what your body is seeking you will find the balance of how much you need to eat. Right now, the important part is to not feel like you are starving yourself or denying yourself. The way I look at it, I used to not blink an eye over taking a huge handful of Doritos, and then another. Now I'm going to worry about too many walnuts? please. :-)

[mattshor]

Woke up today feeling a lot better than I did when I went to bed last night. Woke up and I really just want to get on the treadmill and walk for twenty minutes! What? Where did that come from? Really thirsty though so having my Green Smoothie first, baby spinach with juice of two oranges and a bunch of grapes. So amazingly delicious. I am totally in love with it.

Also, despite the fact that I have still got weight to lose, last night I started looking at myself and thinking, you know what? I really like my body.

[mamabird1953]

Morning to you all, I don't feel well. Getting a head cold and Whole Foods won't let me call in with out a doctors note since its a weekend. That struck me funny. But then I realized when I was younger I hated working on weekends and loved to be sick just to be off or out of school. Now I'm an almost old bag and weekends arent that important. Everyday is important really.

So this morning I'm making curry soup that was posted here a few days ago. The curry seems like it would warm me up a bit. And later pecan burgers with curry sauce from Alissas book. They're very good. Fruit throught the day. I'm trying to get my bear to eat more fruit. Thats a hard one for him. But it would sure be easier on me!

[winsomehill]

So, today is my fourth day. I'm doing a little transitioning still. I've ordered a juicer, and a dehydrator. I'm stumbling a little, not really knowing what to eat.
So far I've been eating fruits, almonds, salads, carrot juice (from the grocer, so not completely raw), and larabars (the cashew/date ones).
This is my second day without any of my morning tea (with caffeine). So, I have a bit of a headache. I've also had some loose bm's. (Sorry if that's too much info). I'm hoping that will go away soon!
I'm here because I've heard stories from other folks here and there about feeling fantastic on an all raw food diet. They've had some surprising healthy side effects.....not needing much sleep, reducing medications for chronic ailments, and weightloss.
The hardest thing seems fitting it in to a culture that is so based around cooked food. What do you do when you're visiting others or on trips away?
I'm looking forward to hearing all of your experiences.
~Heather

[contessa20]

Contessa - Here is the link to the Chocolate Eclair Dessert Recipe, it looks a bit intimidating but OH SO worth the effort and I found it helpful to freeze the whole thing before frosting otherwise it's too soft to spread the frosting on top. http://www.welikeitraw.com/rawfood/2008/02/better-than-sex.html

Blessings,
Heather

Oh that looks DELICIOUS!!! Thanks so much, Heather. I'm totally making that.

[freshlight]

Hey&welcome :) It only SEEMS hard at the beginning but actually it's extremely simple: you can find raw food everywhere and as soon as you get used to it you can survive and feel great with only apples, carrots, pears&bananas if there is nothing else for couple of days. But usually it's not necessary because you can always take your goodies with ya,-so, ENJOY! :D

[contessa20]

Day 41!

Oh my gosh, it's such a gorgeous day out right now! This morning I went to the farmer's market to stock up on produce. To be honest, I didn't need a whole lot since I didn't eat as much as usual last week. I managed a few really good deals the best of which were, a dozen slightly overripe mangoes for $2 and almost a dozen asian pears for $1. I already had pears and mangoes in my cart anyway (which would have been close to $10) so I just put those back and got these for a mere $3. I go through the produce so quickly anyway, it's perfectly fine to get the slightly overripe kind.

So far today I've only eaten 2 bananas but I'm getting ready to have one of those mangoes and a bowl of leftover "Chinese."

[Everchanging]

Mamabird, I love those curry pecan burgers and have all the ingredients to make them. Even my BF who hates mushrooms loves them (I didn't tell ;))

I feel awesome today. Brought a GS to work and sipped on it all day (spinach, blueberries, banana, 1/2 avocado, flax, raw rice protein, enzymes), then had the apple pie larabar and some kombucha. Had a headache, which disappeared when I got home and ate lunch-Alissa's falafel on lettuce with pea sprouts, tomato, cucumber, lemon, cilantro, and hummus for a dressing. SO GOOD!!!! Now I need to get outside because it is a gorgeous day in the high fifties (and it was only 20 a couple days ago, so this is huge).
My head is clearer, it is easier to connect and communicate with others, and I have energy!!!!!!!! That's a new one. Still craving coffee for some reason but coffee's gotta go. Legal speed, that's what that is. I can't wait for my shipment of ingredients for best coffee ever.

Have a beautiful Saturday everyone!

[MelissaO]

Hi everyone.

Today I have been pretty busy running around most of the day but here is what I have had so far:


Breakfast:
2 banana's and a clementine

Snacked on:
raw cashews (half a cup or so)


Lunch:
about 75% of a Pomelo and 1 clementine (and MSM)




I have also begun sprouting! I am so excited my alfalfa seeds already have tiny little tales - can't wait to eat them up.

[Anderale]

I'm back after a couple of off days.

I haven't had a smoothie today, but had some regular guacamole, awesomesauce guacamole (thanks to Green_Woman!!) and a handful of raw pumpkin seeds. I'm also having a Kombucha. nom! I really do love raw food and if I can get over a couple of bad addictions (french fries, for one) I will be 100% raw in no time. I don't even WANT coffee anymore, which is so crazy. It almost immediately stopped tasting good.

For the smoothie, I think I'll do collard greens, mango, banana and a couple of strawberries. I started just throwing them in whole, tops and all. I am going to eventually switch away from the sweet fruits and go with just non-sweet fruits and veggies...but for now, I have a mango. :D

[Deenasmiles]

Day 8 for me!!!
I felt very energetic today.
*Consumed 32 ounces of green smoothie - spinach, strawberries, blueberries, coconut flakes and agave nectar.
*Had many clementines (not sure how many...lol...is that bad? lol)
*1 banana
*1 tsp of ACV diluted in a glass of water
*a huge mixed greens and tomato salad with homemade dressing
*about 2 cups of chopped walnuts

...and I will be having a cup of tea before bed! Day 9, here I come! See ya!

p.s.
My Youtube raw video journal: http://www.youtube.com/user/DeenasmilesRAW

[Anderale]

Day 8 for me!!!
I felt very energetic today.
*Consumed 32 ounces of green smoothie - spinach, strawberries, blueberries, coconut flakes and agave nectar.


OHHH! Coconut sounds so good in it. I'm glad everyone is posting what they're eating so I can get ideas for different ingredients like this. Yay!

[bowie]

welcome to day 8

[missberry]

Yesterday was another delicious day:) Green smoothie for breakfast, small apple for snack, portabella mushroom cap "pizza" with caramelized onions (onions in date, vinegar, herb sauce dehydrated), then some salad with almond butter dressing and grapes for dinner.

So far today I've had blueberries and grapes in almond milk with some ground flax and a banana. Maybe it's because of the almond butter, but I've been feeling a bit heavier and more mucousy. I really like it but I don't think I'll buy it very often after this jar is done.

Hope everyone has a rawsome Sunday!:D

[gritsnla]

Missed yesterday so from start to finish ..2 - 1inch cinnamon rolls, 1 cranana cookie, 1 Cinnamon Raisin Raw Organic bar, 2 bibb lettuce leaves with variety of sprouts and dressing, 1 banana, veggie fajita mix w/ gauc, handful of raisins.

Today: breakfast - 2 cranana cookies w/ banana
Lunch - GS w/komucha, 2 frozen banana and spinach and extra water
Supper - coleslaw - one with avo-mayo dressing and made another with a more apple cider vinegar dressing. May mix them together to really get all those flavors of creamy and sweet and sour.
Snack - raisins and maybe som kiwi

Have a good one!

P.S. I have released 4 lbs. yay!

[mattshor]

Woke up with more energy. Had a collard wrap--super delicious. Only thing, today everything has a bitter aftertaste that I can't seem to get rid of.

Lots of pep, looking forward to the day.

[mamabird1953]

I made the pecan burgers for today. I left them in the dehydrater too long so they kinda look like little turds...can I say that? But actually they are quite good! I'll cover them with the curry sauce and my bear won't care or even know. :p I don't feel well, called in sick with a cold. So I think I'll just have smoothies all day. What evers' easiest.

[green jeanie]

hi I am still in........i am again so grateful for this thread because i am not sure i would not be fixed to finish otherwise

it is not the raw part,,,,,,,,it is the vegan part


i am tired!!!! i want a protein high

i am doing it all, spirulina, hemp seeds, pumpkin, greens,,,,,,,,some nuts but too many is a point i have already passed in raw

holdin tight. gj:(

[mamabird1953]

Cinnamon Rolls?! Where do I find the recipe?

[rawchic]

yesterday for breakfast I mashed up two bananas with chia seeds, flax seeds, parsley and mint - and then spooned that into lettuce leaves and made wraps. I was just making something up, and it turned out really yummy.

For lunch I had some kelp noodles with asparagus, yellow peppers, snow peas and cauliflower - I made a dressing out of miso & curry.

Then I went to yoga at that new studio - it felt so good! I had an apple right after and I swear it was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted.

When I got home I made a salad with greens, cucumber & tomato. Then I was meeting some friends at a raw restaurant. Since I had already eaten a salad at home, I just have a big glass of coconut water and some cacao pudding. It really hit the spot!

This morning I got up and went for a nice long run on the treadmill - it felt so good that I just kept running longer than I normally do. Then I sat in the sauna for a half hour.

For breakfast I made a citrus salad with greens, and orange and a grapefruit - and then I squeezed a lime over it. It was so refreshing!

For lunch I think I'll have the same thing as I did yesterday...not sure about dinner...actually, probably also the same as yesterday because I still have half the cucumber left.

Have a great day!

[Deenasmiles]

Day 9! :) :)

So far I've had a few clementines, a banana and a 16 oz green smoothie (spinach, strawberries, coconut flakes and agave nectar).

ETA: Later I had a humongous mixed green salad with bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onion, lemon, olive oil, a bit of sea salt and black pepper.
I also had 2 cups of chopped walnuts and more clementines.

[czpinky]

hmmm let's see...so far today i've had:
B= GS (kale, 1 cup-ish chopped pineapple, 2 bananas, and 1/4 cup soaked chia seeds)
S= 2 apples
L= sprout salad w/ avocado, tomato, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices. + a frozen banana w/ carob sauce...yum
D= not sure yet...something with walnuts i think.
have an awesome day!!

[contessa20]

Day 42!

Oh, it's gorgeous out again today! This afternoon after church DS and I went for a short bike ride followed by a short walk. It felt so invigorating. As my treat for meeting my first goal weight I decided to sit on the porch in my rocking chair and read straight through the raw vegan magazine I just got in the mail. I. LOVE. IT. I felt so relaxed and at ease. I want to go back out but I'm thinking I'd also like to take a nap and because my hammock is packed away until summer, I'm stuck sleeping inside. Oh well.

So far today I've had 2 mangoes and a HUGE Asian salad (carrots, parsnip, bean sprouts, snap peas, mushrooms etc. marinated in Asian dressing and eaten over a heap of spinach and baby tomatoes. Can I just tell you how HEAVENLY that tasted?

Oh, and I've released another pound! It's been a really, really good day. :D

[MelissaO]

Another great day today :)

Breakfast I made a smoothie out of one fine young coconut (meat and milk), 1 small nanner and 2 large spoonfulls of Alissa's green food powder.

Lunch:
I finished the rest of the very large Pumelo (I have 2 more of these to eat later this week - they were 4 for around $6.00 at Costco and I gave one to my dad to try)

Later I had a few ambrosia apples (OMG- never had them or seen them before but they are delish!) and some blueberries.


Dinner:
Salad with romaine leaves, lamb lettuce, cucumbers, grape tomatoe, with an avocado dressing

I snacked on a raw nut mix and then later some carrots.




My sprouts should be ready for some eating tomorrow- I am so thrilled with my first sprouting experience I have even take a few pictures of my first little sproutie. They smell so good - much different then the sprouts in the store. I am just lovin it:D

[Anderale]

What do you put in your collar wraps? That sound good.

[Anderale]

Today is cold and nasty. I had snow on my car, which offends me because I live in SOUTHERN Arizona.

I made tomato soup with tomato (duh!), a small piece of orange bell pepper, one clove of garlic, a wee splash of olive oil. I added some rosemary, but should have done that pre-blending as it seems like I have little sticks in my soup. I guess that goes with the yard smoothie I had not long ago.

I don't have a Vitamix to warm it, so I did put it on the stove for just about one minute. It's just barely warm, but I need something warm today!

I also made a smoothie of banana, pear and raw carob powder. yum, but it's too cold for that!

[Soka]

Is it too late to start the challenge?

[Anderale]

Is it too late to start the challenge?

I don't think it's ever too late! :)

[Soka]

I shall start tomorrow then and join the challenge. So 100% raw till the end of February. Hopefully longer then that though. :)

[MiahTay]

It was a beautiful day today in the mid 60's! This afternoon we went over to our friends house and rode their horse then sat and chatted on their porch for an hour. It was a good day.

Food for today:
Apple/lemon juice
Large GS
Fruit salad of apple/pineapple/grapes

Blessings,
Heather

[mattshor]

Just an idea for those days where you feel like you cannot get warm. Take a good thick blanket (I have a big fleece one that is perfect), and then get one more big blanket. Throw the first one in the dryer, on high, for about 5 min. When it comes out, run to bed with it, climb under it and then pull the other blanket on top of the first one. That way you keep all the delicious warmth in. I have done it most nights before bed and am sound asleep before the blanket cools off.

[Everchanging]

Ok, on to week 2. I had my first inner turmoil about wanting cooked foods, but I was groggy and hungry after a nap and was totally satisfied by my salad. However, I need to avoid the raw garlic. It makes me bloated and gassy (sorry but it's a warning to others!) for the rest of the day. Not cool! I had a larabar, which I usually love, but they are becoming too sweet tasting for me. I am working on continuing to cut down my nut and dried fruit intake. My skin is really looking nice (I have a ways to go with redness and scarring), and my energy level is up. Jogging is becoming easier every time I do it. Exercise is really important for my mood and now I have the energy to run, which is huge for me! Only 2 miles total with warm up and cool down, but it feels great. I've lost weight, so I think I should add some weight training and/or more intense yoga. I also ordered that Humaworm stuff that I learned about on here. I definitely feel like I am on the right track.

[bowie]

welcome to day 9

[mattshor]

Good morning! Didn't get quite as much sleep as I would have liked, and the bedroom was cooold this morning. Ergo, didn't get out of bed until the last minute. Even so, I feel great this morning. First morning waking up without all sorts of crusty nasties in my eyes.

For breakfast I had a banana. For lunch I'll be having a 'mock' tuna sandwich and I expect a big salad for dinner.

[Everchanging]

This morning I had a really intense dream with my grandmother in it, and I woke up with these raw emotions. I think I was feeling every element of love: bittersweet, longing, determination.
Today I will do various green shakes, try a fruit one, then a vegetable one with sweeter veggies like red peppers and cucumbers and some form of fat, then maybe one with the raw rice protein? Seperate out the food groups a bit. We'll see how that last one tastes, I don't know.

[winsomehill]

So, I soaked bulgur, almonds, and figs overnight and blended it up with a banana, ate it for breakfast only to find out bulgur isn't raw at all.
This is so challenging! I'm having a bit of a bumpy beginning. I can't wait for my juicer to get here, I'm hoping there will be many more options available to me then.
I have lost some initial weight, the scale reads about 4 and a half pounds. I fit into my skinny jeans, which is lovely. I don't have much weight to lose, it's more of a pursuit of health.
I guess I just need to keep trying new recipees.
I made a yummy banana/coconut/pineapple with raw cocoa nibs ice cream thing that was devine!
I just have to keep experimenting in the kitchen 'til I get it down.
I've got some quinoa sprouting, so I'm looking forward to playing with those.
~Heather

[Ravani]

Good Morning! I'm always so happy to read everyone's posts. :) I'm very grateful for this forum. I've been finding some recipes I like. I did a lot with coconut yesterday, and had a most divine coconut pudding for breakfast! (Shameful!)

Today is day 49 and I've had my share of raw emotions coupled with a mid-life "blessing". It's all good in the end.

I'm shooting for a puttering, do-nothing sort of day. I can't remember the last time I just chilled or did things only for myself. (The blessing and curse of being a parent.) So, this week I'm taking some downtime. Maybe I'll be a daily post-er so I can become something more than a seed!

I wish you all the most wonderful day!

Ravani

[rawchic]

I also didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked. My husband is sick, so he kept waking up during the night. Unfortunately I'm a light sleeper, so it woke me up too. I stayed in bed an extra half hour this morning and was rushing out the door to get to work.

This morning I'm going to have another citrus salad for breakfast. I really liked it yesterday. Unfortunately I'm out of oranges, so it's just going to be greens & grapefruit. I do have some mint leaves though, so I'm thinking about adding those. That might be tasty.

For lunch I'm going to have a salad w/ greens, tomato, cucumber & carrots. Dinner will be nori rolls with parsnip "rice," yellow pepper, and avocado.

Last night I made a delicious raw sorbet. I just blended frozen blueberries, raspberries, banana & peaches with enough water to get the blender going. It was so good, I think I'll make it again tonight.

[Soka]

So far today I have eaten the following:

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1 handful radishes, 1 apple.

Lunch: Planning on 1 banana, 1 mango, and a small salad.

[contessa20]

Day 43!

While yesterday was the absolute most perfect day ever, I feel just awful today. My head is all cloudy, my neck hurts, my throat is sore and I feel totally run-down. Not sure what that's about but I guess I'm taking it easy today. The plan is to get a little house cleaning done and then rest while watching a movie and playing Wii with DS9.

So far today I've eaten a banana, mango and 2 clementines.

[gritsnla]

Monday after a great weekend and kept it raw! Today's plan is finishing off the last 2 cra-nana cookies with a banana. a GS for lunch. Taking some homemade granola cookies out with me for work. Supper will be veg fajitas w/guac.

Have a good one!

[mattshor]

Today someone brought m&m cookies and left them in the teachers' room. I wanted one so bad, but I made myself eat my lunch and then went for a walk outside instead. The cool air and sun really helped. It was a hard decision but I'm really proud of myself.

[Deenasmiles]

DAY TEN!!!!
I'm into double digits now! Woot!

Today's going okay. I haven't eaten much...cuz I haven't been hungry.
It's already after 4pm and I've only eaten 3 clementines. I intend to make guacamole for the first time tonight. And I will have a banana-chocolate smoothie after I'm done posting.
More than likely I'll have a green smoothie and some nuts later on this evening. Ciao!

[MiahTay]

So, I soaked bulgur, almonds, and figs overnight and blended it up with a banana, ate it for breakfast only to find out bulgur isn't raw at all.
This is so challenging! I'm having a bit of a bumpy beginning. I can't wait for my juicer to get here, I'm hoping there will be many more options available to me then.
~Heather

I remember when I was first introduced to raw and found out many of the things I thought were raw AREN'T. Don't beat yourself up about it, it is a learning process and a journey. There are some "oatmeal" recipes floating around on this site, if you do a banana search and put in oatmeal you will likely find some good raw options. Remember to breathe and you're doing great!

Blessings,
Heather

[missberry]

Sounds like a lot of us are feeling under the weather and/or sleep-deprived today:( I fall into the sleep-deprived category.

I ate A LOT of grapes and blueberries this morning and a banana. Had some Medjool dates for snack. For lunch I had a salad of baby romaine, grape tomatoes, red clover sprouts, marinated mushroom, with a spicy avocado dressing. Right now I'm so stuffed I don't want to even think about food for the rest of the day!

Mattshor: Good job resisting those cookies! It's worth it staying raw, most importantly though staying healthy! To think of all those nasty artificial dyes in the candies, and all of that over-processed food can really make one shudder after awhile of only putting nourishing foods in your body.

Rawchic: I may be joining you in a citrus salad tomorrow morning as oranges and grapefruit are all I have left in the way of fruits now. How do you prepare your salad?

[MiahTay]

I don't know why but I am having a hard day today. The vegetarian chili (not raw) that I made for my hubby has been calling my name all day. But I have successfully ignored it but have eaten a boatload of raw in the process. But I am finally full and satisfied.

Food for today:
Pear
a tiny bit of my son's chocolate banana smoothie (it didn't fit in his glass;))
4 chocolate chewies
2 Pizza crackers with cheesy sauce
Large salad with 4 more pizza crackers and a dressing of cheesy sauce and sundried tomato/herb dressing.
16 oz. glass of walnut/banana/cacao milk

My kids are doing GREAT! They go over to my mom's house on Monday's to spend some time with her and my dd (9) packed a snack for both of them she made walnut/banana milk, packed chocolate chewies and grapes. I'm so proud of them. And not a single complaint, they seem to really be enjoying this. In all fairness I did raise them vegetarian (with no cheese) since birth so it's not as huge of a jump as a typical SAD eater. I suppose that's all for me today.

Blessings,
Heather

[MiahTay]

Today someone brought m&m cookies and left them in the teachers' room. I wanted one so bad, but I made myself eat my lunch and then went for a walk outside instead. The cool air and sun really helped. It was a hard decision but I'm really proud of myself.

*clap, clap, clap* I'm proud of you too! What a victory! Congrats! And instead of doing something bad for you, you chose to go out in the sun and get a dose of vitamin D, which most of us don't get enough of this time of year.

Blessings,
Heather

[green jeanie]

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1 handful radishes, 1 apple.


I forget who's breakfast this is but Soku?? I LOVE IT. there is someone else in the world who is in my stratosphere with the great grazing of raw whetevers!

I had simple basic raw weekend of lots of blueberries and red bell peppers
with greens and hemp and worked on successfully getting out of my date/ banana sugar frenzy

Today I started with a big workout and then romaine leaves with walnuts and cilantro and some dino kale with spirulina and lemon

celery sticks for a mid day snack

best to you all:D

thanks for keeping engaged here...it is really helping

[mattshor]

Thanks for the support everyone. I'm giving myself a treat today: I'm skipping night school (I just need a break today) and Y. and I are going out for a raw treat. Yum!

[Judy Glasco]

Amazingly I am doing well. The key, for me is not to binge between meals and come to dinner time huuuungry!....lol

For breakfast I had a durian (Stinkingly delish), a melon, a banana, and a tangerine. My husband, Todd is going durian crazy. He ate all of his and was threatening to eat mine...crazy man!

For Lunch/Dinner: I had zuchinni spaghetti with a gravy sauce made with cashews, braggs and onion powder. Put that over my zuchinni, then garnished the dish with Brushetta made with fresh basil.....Mama Mia....that was amazingly good. I also had some onion crackers with avocado. Olive Garden -- u don't stand a chance!... at least not today... aaamen!

[Judy Glasco]

lol....happy to hear about ur little "sproutie". Isn't it cool to grow ur own. I got a few "sprouties" of my own. Its sooo cheap too. Ur post made me smile. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine". Thanks for the chuckle.

[MelissaO]

Today I have been pigging out on my home grown sprouts!

Breakfast:
1 young coconut, chia seeds, alissa's green food powder - it was really good.

Lunch;
Sprouts, apple, carrot salad

Snacked on sprouts.

Dinner:
More sprouts in a salad of baby spinach, romaine, grape tomato, baby cucumbers.


OMG- fresh sprouts are much more tasty than anything I have had store bought.



Overall a great food day!

[MelissaO]

lol....happy to hear about ur little "sproutie". Isn't it cool to grow ur own. I got a few "sprouties" of my own. Its sooo cheap too. Ur post made me smile. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine". Thanks for the chuckle.

I am loving my little sprouts - I have eaten so many today .....piggin out on sprouts is super awesome!

[bowie]

welcome to day 10

[mattshor]

breakfast this morning was a spinach, mint, lemon and coconut smoothie with a dash of honey. It is so fresh and light, it is such an amazing way to wake up in the morning.

Weighed myself this morning, I've released 4lbs. I am delighted about that. I was starting to get nervous that somehow I was going to be the one person that cannot lose weight on a raw diet and that has to rely on some special diet to do it, but then overnight the scale plunged. It was hard for me to believe it at first, truth be told.

Y. is feeling pretty sick this morning--two days ago he started complaining of achey joints and headaches. Today he woke up with a fever and slight sore throat. Wish I could stay home to pump him full of green smoothies, but the realities of life sometimes interfere alas.

[MiahTay]

Well, my head is back in the game today. But I made it through yesterday with raw chocolate :D.

Food for today:
GS - clementine/spinach/banana/grape
2 chocolate chewies
Stuffed cucumbers
Pizza Crackers
Large Salad
Chocolate/walnut/banana milk

Have a great RAW day!

Blessings,
Heather

[gritsnla]

Matt - Congrats on leaving 4 lbs behind! You are doing great!

Heather - been seeing choc.chewies - could you share the recipe? Anything chocolate and chewy has got to be good.

Started the day with a little Turbo Jam and liter of water. Breakfast will be a cinnamon roll and a banana. GS for lunch. Zucchini pasta with dressing for supper. Probably snack on kiwi and a raw granola cookie or two, and always a handful of raisins as the last sweet snack of the evening.

Have a good one!

[MelissaO]

Today I started my day with pumelo mixed in with baby spinach - sort of like Rawchic's citrus salad. It was good but I am growing a little tired of pumelo. Next time I will think twice about buying them at Costco. They are very large ...like 4 grapefruits to 1 pumelo and at Costco they come 4 to a package. The first one I peeled lasted me two days. I still have one left - and may juice that one instead of eating it.

Today maybe a smoothie rest of the day - I don't really have a craving for anything right at the moment. Looking through my raw uncooked books may change that plan......I will check back in later.

Have a great day eveyone!

[rawchic]

I completely overate last night - boo. It was all raw, but still just too much.

I made three nori wraps which were really yummy. I just put parsnips in the food processor with some sesame seeds, miso, salt & pepper. Then I spread that on the nori and topped with diced yellow pepper, greens, and apple.

Then I went with my husband to the grocery store. That's where it all unraveled because I wanted more food as soon as he started eating dinner. So I split a pear with him, then I had an apple, then a raw bar, a raw cookie, some flax crackers, some dried mango, and then another raw bar. Geez - why was I so hungry? I was obviously feeding my mind, not my body. I did nothing yesterday that expended enough energy to justify all that food.

Oh well - whatever it was, I'm over it today. Back to normal. The scale went up a pound today, no surprise there.

[MiahTay]

Heather - been seeing choc.chewies - could you share the recipe? Anything chocolate and chewy has got to be good.


Here is the link to the Chocolate Chewies, just scroll down a bit ... there is lemon then chocolate:

http://thesunnyrawkitchen.blogspot.com/2007/02/in-sandys-sunny-kitchen-part-4.html

There are tons of lovely raw recipes on her site!

Blessings,
Heather

[contessa20]

Day 44!

Happy Tuesday, peeps!

Yesterday was just awful. I felt completely beaten up and run-down all day long. If I didn't know better I would have said I had been hit by a truck. By the end of the day I felt like I had eaten a TON even though what I wanted to do was a juice/water fast to kill whatever it was that was wrong with me. I'm thinking my body must have needed the nutrients to do some healing though because I was just so ravenous. When I woke up this morning I felt worlds better and had released another pound. I didn't do a single thing to lose that pound either so my body must have used up all those calories patching me up. I'm going ahead with the juice/water/smoothie fast today though; it just feels right.

DH, on the other hand, woke up feeling just as crummy yesterday and immediately went to the doctor. The doctor, in turn, prescribed him some antibiotics. This morning, not only did he wake up with a bunch of drugs in his system but also feeling worse than he did yesterday first from the bug and then from the side-effects from the drugs on top of it.


Food today:
carrot, cucumber, celery, ginger juice
pineapple, thai coconut water, collard green smoothie

[Raw Angel Mom]

Congratulations everyone! You are doing awsome

MATT here is your proof 4 lb drop, nothing is impossible with raw food.Continue the great work and enjoy every miracles on this great journey!

[green jeanie]

today:

breakfast was a spoonful of the walnuts and pumpkin seeds i left soaking last night, a couple of nappa cabbage leaves

2 identical versions of lunch a few hours apart: the breakfast mix was pureed into a hummus type of dressing with loads of parsley, celery, bok choy, cumin lemon and cayenne and spread on more cabbage and collards with some red bell pepp.


because of the nuts and seeds I didn't pack any other food and now I'm a little bummed because i've got about 6 more hours here with no break

a good time to hydrate i guess.

i am taking my self of off the sweet fruit for awhile. i handle it way better than i did when i first started raw but it is still not ideal and it does keep me stuck at my high weight. 138. one day of no sugar yesterday and my body is already grateful!!

i am hoping to get down to 125 again soon!

[Everchanging]

Today was ok, woke up so lethargic and tired, it reminded me of how I felt before going raw, (that was only 10 days ago!). I was trying to figure out what it was that was causing me to feel like that (of course I think "I'm not getting enough protein and calories") and then it hit me-I had a SMALL glass of organic red wine last night. Could that horrible dragging feeling I had this morning have been a hangover from a little wine? Was my life before raw a constant hangover from my diet, because that was the feeling I had many many days. And before going raw, I ate a really good diet according to many people, no dairy, no grains, low sugar, low fruit intake in general, and anti-candida type diet. I guess it was mostly various meats or beans with mostly cooked vegetables.
Anyway, I am starting a food and mood journal to keep track of which meals make me feel energized and which make me sluggish. So far, I know that my afterwork late dinner of 2 kiwi, a green apple, and some almond butter made me feel very happy, buzzing, smiley, and overall pleasant. 2 hours later, I still feel good, and am going to bed.

[Deenasmiles]

Day 11!
I noticed I'm not as hungry as I was in earlier days.
Today I just had a 16 oz green smoothie with 5 handfuls of spinach, dates, coconut flakes, blueberries and agave nectar. I've also eaten clementines here and there and drank ginger peach tea when needed.

[bowie]

welcome to day 11

[mattshor]

Pâtés are the love of my life. I was always so very skeptical of them and never made them before, but they are so yummy, so full of goodness and such an excellent way to get more seeds and nuts. Made the Sunny Pâté last night from Alissa's book. Having it for lunch today spread on some celery sticks, with a slice of blueberry pie and some sushi (cauliflower instead of rice!)

Was in a nasty mood last night, still a bit anxious about what will happen when this school year ends and what I'll be doing if I haven't gotten into law school, will I have a job otherwise? Just taking it one day at a time and taking the steps that I need to in order to ensure success.

[LuvMyTwins]

Would it be alright to begin the challenge in the middle of the month:o? Thanks--LMT

[mattshor]

For sure! By all means join us.

[rawchic]

last night we were supposed to go to a surprise b-day party for a friend, but my husband is sick so we didn't go. That left me dinner-less so I stopped at the new raw-yoga studio. They have raw food that you can pre-order...which I had not done, but I lucked out because they had one meal leftover! It was really good - zucchini/eggplant lasagna, a huge salad w/ avo & pistachios, a couple of dried bananas (which I hadn't tried before...yum!), and a raw bar. All that for $12.50 - what a deal!

this morning I had an apple and now I'm going to make a green smoothie w/ banana, mango & goji berries. lunch will be salad w/ tomato, cucumber & yellow peppers. Tonight I have a work meeting at a restaurant...I'll have to check the menu before I go. I'm sure I'll end up with some sort of salad.

[gritsnla]

One-third of the way and doing great! Breakfast again, (and this week to finish) was a banana and raw cinnamon roll. GS for lunch, have been making them with kombucha, chia, spinach and frozen two bananas. Smooth and creamy! Supper will be veggie fajitas. Snacking on my homemade granola cookies and raisins.

Have a good one!

[MiahTay]

I got up this morning and the children and I made Alissa's Eggplant Pizzas, they are in the dehydrator now and should be ready for dinner. Today is an all raw day for our whole household, my parents aren't coming for dinner and my hubby agreed to an all raw dinner so it's so exciting.

Food for today:
GS - clementine/spinach/banana/grapes
Lunch - ??? Haven't decided yet ... maybe I'll go cut up the pineapple on the counter.
Snack - Chocolate Shake
Dinner - Large Salad with Eggplant Pizza

Blessings,
Heather

[MiahTay]

Ok, I'm better now that I ate something. I ended up having pineapple, one chocolate chewie and one pizza cracker for lunch (interesting combo).

And I wanted to say welcome luvmytwins!

Blessings,
Heather

[muddskipper]

Hi, I'm a 30 yr. old female (5'3", 135lbs.) and I am on day 2 of my Raw Challenge . I've attempted this diet once before, but it didn't stick. The first time I made it two whole weeks before giving into peer pressure and eating cooked food. It was downhill from there. However, I remember how AMAZING I felt in such little time and my best friend commented on how great I looked. That was 3 years ago I believe.

I'm a habitual coffee drinker (but just the morning cup) and ate just about anything up until Sunday. I have had intestinal issues for many months (maybe even years, more subtly) and last week I was in a lot of pain, developed a fever and, with no diagnosis whatsoever, ended up on antibiotics "just in case" and was ordered to have a CT scan (which produced nothing). I decided to stop taking the antibiotics Sunday as I thought of all of the toxins floating around inside me and felt this was really the time to go Raw. I can honestly say that after just 1 day of going raw, symptoms began to fade and I finally had some relief. The 2nd day was even better.

Today is rough. Last night I began getting headaches and feeling lethargic, today I've had a headache on and off, but it's faded a bit. I've had some nausea on and off. So, I'm just wondering, is it possible for me to be detoxing so early? I haven't been juicing yet. I eat all fruit and nuts until around noon (banana, clementines, apples) and then have a large salad, sometimes with Avocado, sometimes w/o. At night I'm making some of Alissa's recommended dishes for the first week. I guess I'm just wondering if I'm doing this right or if this is all part of the process. I'm drinking lots of water and going to the bathroom a LOT!

Sorry for the looong post : ) I'm a total newbie to these forums and to the Raw lifestyle as well I guess. I'm really trying everything I can to stay on board and really let my body do its thing. I'm hoping that with talking with others who have gone through this, I can get through it myself. Thanks for any thoughts : )

[Deenasmiles]

Hey all! Day 12 for me!
I have so much energy, it's amazing!!!
Today I've had a huge green smoothie - half a container of baby spinach, 6 oz of blueberries and 2 bananas. I've also had my fave, Clementines and I'm eating a handful and a half of chopped walnuts as I type. I plan to have a huge mixed greens salad with my homemade dressing around supper time.

I've lost some weight, my bowel movements have returned to normal, my skin flare-ups are reducing, I feel lighter and I have more energy. I'm so excited about this raw journey!!!

[muddskipper]

That's really great news. I look forward to my day 12 : )

[MiahTay]

Hi, I'm a 30 yr. old female (5'3", 135lbs.) and I am on day 2 of my Raw Challenge . I've attempted this diet once before, but it didn't stick. The first time I made it two whole weeks before giving into peer pressure and eating cooked food. It was downhill from there. However, I remember how AMAZING I felt in such little time and my best friend commented on how great I looked. That was 3 years ago I believe.

I'm a habitual coffee drinker (but just the morning cup) and ate just about anything up until Sunday. I have had intestinal issues for many months (maybe even years, more subtly) and last week I was in a lot of pain, developed a fever and, with no diagnosis whatsoever, ended up on antibiotics "just in case" and was ordered to have a CT scan (which produced nothing). I decided to stop taking the antibiotics Sunday as I thought of all of the toxins floating around inside me and felt this was really the time to go Raw. I can honestly say that after just 1 day of going raw, symptoms began to fade and I finally had some relief. The 2nd day was even better.

Today is rough. Last night I began getting headaches and feeling lethargic, today I've had a headache on and off, but it's faded a bit. I've had some nausea on and off. So, I'm just wondering, is it possible for me to be detoxing so early? I haven't been juicing yet. I eat all fruit and nuts until around noon (banana, clementines, apples) and then have a large salad, sometimes with Avocado, sometimes w/o. At night I'm making some of Alissa's recommended dishes for the first week. I guess I'm just wondering if I'm doing this right or if this is all part of the process. I'm drinking lots of water and going to the bathroom a LOT!

Sorry for the looong post : ) I'm a total newbie to these forums and to the Raw lifestyle as well I guess. I'm really trying everything I can to stay on board and really let my body do its thing. I'm hoping that with talking with others who have gone through this, I can get through it myself. Thanks for any thoughts : )

Welcome! And oh yes, you can be detoxing already. It typically takes me until day three (yes, I've done this a few times) and then whamo ... a headache from either sugar or caffeine. You're doing good by drinking lots of water. Rest and be kind to yourself.

Blessings,
Heather

[contessa20]

Day 45 for me!

Today was a beautiful and wonderful day in every possible way. Around midnight I was awakened with a horrible stuffy nose, clogged ears and a sore throat courtesy of DH's humidifier. I went downstairs to sleep on the couch but didn't sleep well at all. You would think after all that I would have been in a horrible mood and, to be honest, I fully expected to be. Instead though, I woke up with loads of energy and have literally been dancing the day away.

I was called in to work early, early but decided that I just wasn't going to go. Some things are just more important than money. Instead I danced barefoot in the driveway while waiting for DS9's bus, then did about 45 min. of the NYC Ballet workout, danced around the house while cleaning walked/jogged/danced while watching tv for about 30 min. and then played basketball/football and rode bikes with DS9 for about an hour when he got home.

Tonight I think I'm just going to chill on the couch and watch tv with DH even though what I would really like to do is go for a walk in the crisp evening air.

It felt like I ate a ton today but I'm thinking it's probably just because I was so active. I had:

banana
mango
spinach w/tomatoes, onions & spices
stuffed apple
3 oatmeal raisin cookies
big hunk of a HUGE asian pear

[MelissaO]

I am soooo tired today. I did not sleep well last night:( I tried a sample of a raw powdered shake mix that you add water and fruit to that made me hyper for most of yesterday- it also made me smell like skunk...so not loving it!



Today my morning was spent running around with my Dad then doing housework. Here is what I had so far today:

Breakfast:
A few banana's

Snacks:
3 clementines and MSM powder. Later had some chia seeds.

Lunch:
Apple, carrot, beet juice


Dinner:

I have some kale chips in the D that I think I will eat...not so much hungry more tired than anything.

Hope everyone had a great one!