Raw in Boston

[mattshor]

I'm back to 100% raw after a couple of years of being far less raw. I'm really excited to be back on it. My biggest challenge before was not being around other people that were raw and feeling left out and making things too complicated for myself. This time around I am really working on keeping it simpler and hopefully this board will help with some of feeling isolated.

The big impetus for me now is that after years of not really caring I have been overweight and begun to have some chronic issues. I see people in my family that are having problems with diabetes and other metabolic disorders and I don't want to be there.

I have spent the past few years focusing on different skills and aspects of my personal development and growth--spiritual health, emotional and mental health, intellectual development. This year I am going to make my physical health my number one priority.

I am curious to hear if there are other Shabbat observant Jews that are doing the raw thing. My biggest question, what do you do about challot on shabbat? Baking challot and making them for my family has been a big part of my spiritual fulfillment and I want to find a way to keep the same effect while keeping it raw.

[Eva]

Hi Matt, On a positive note, I think it most (if not all) raw foods are kosher since there is not meat or dairy involved!

I do not celebrate the traditions you do, so I don't know much about the taste of this bread. If you could tell us about it, perhaps we can suggest a raw vegan substitute. I eat bread and crackers regularly, just make them using a dehydrator.

There is a pretty good raw community in the Boston area, particularly in Waltham but all over the place. There are also two raw restaurants, as well as a traditional Italian restaurant that will make AMAZING raw dishes if you call in advance.

So, welcome! I hope we can answer many of the questions you have. :)

[Eva]

Ah, and I have attempted many fasts recently for emotional reasons. They just didn't stick. I am currently on a fast for spiritual reasons. I felt really led this weekend to start it. Because of the nature of this particular fast, I have preferred not to discuss this one on the fasting thread but have had no problem sticking with it (yay!). If you are led to do it mixed in with the raw food, fasting is an amazing way to bring you even closer to the physical and spiritual growth you are looking for.

Just thought I would throw that out there!

[freshlight]

Hi and welcome :) Enjoy this new magic path.
Cheers from Eva

[mattshor]

Hi Eva! Thanks for the encouragement. Do please share details of the raw community in Boston and the restaurants that you know about. It's a bit nice saving some money by not eating out, but having a variety of places to choose from is always a good way to stave off any boredom.

Good luck on the fast! Fasting has always been a very meaningful celebration for me, and Orthodox Judaism has a whole series of daylight and 24-hour fasts that I have always found to be among the most accessible spiritual activities.

For some reason I am always hesitant to make raw bread...I have a hard time believing that it could be anything like "real" bread. Challah is a braided loaf, on the dense but fluffy side of things (if pumpernickel is fudge and baguettes are meringue, then challah is mousse). It's a fairly basic bread, flour yeast water oil and some egg. If people want to suggest some alternatives, that would be great. Also, ideally it should be primarily wheat, barley, oat spelt or rye.

[Dimond]

Welcome Mattshor. Making a lot of on-line friends through here and other communities can help with the isolation, including having some email or chat buddies.

[Eva]

There is Grezzo in the North End (all raw, a little pricey but very yummy and well worth it). www.grezzorestaurant.com

Chianti is in Beverly. You can get there by commuter rail or car. It's an Italian place that has raw food if you call them. The owner is raw. It's across the street from Organic Garden Cafe. www.organicgardencafe.com That place has pizza crusts for sale and good raw vegan food.

I will have to look through my email for the bulk mailer I still get from the New England Raw Community for more. It's always full of events though!

[spicyfull]

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

[Frugal Raw]

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

[glamazon]

Hiya Matt

I'm a newbie...struggling but still keepin' on :D how has your journey been progressing?? Did you ever get over to Grezzo? I heard it's a yummy good time. I may have to venture that way someday

Ok well happy travels on your RAW path. Be blessed and be HEALTHY