PDA

View Full Version : Raw in the Midwest



sak12344
02-21-2009, 09:00 AM
Hi, I'm Susan. I've been lurking on your forums for a few weeks now and have learned a lot.

I switched to an 80% raw diet on Feb. 6th. In that short time, I've noticed:
- increased energy
- improvement in environmental allergies
- less sinus drainage and congestion
- decreased inflammation in lymph nodes (an allergy symptom for me)
- improved lung function when exercising
- sharper memory / concentration
- sharper vision
- softer skin / hair
- increased flexibility when stretching and doing yoga
- drastically improve sleep quality on fewer hours
- decreased PMS symptoms
and best of all...
- a lifting of the clinical depression that I've suffered under for the past three years... without the use of antidepressants. :D

I've absorbed a lot of information over the past few weeks about raw food. Thus far, I've been eating intuitively for the most part... smoothies made from: water, banana, strawberry, pineapple... water, banana, blueberry... water, banana, apple... or some such combination. I'm also putting a scoop of "super green food powder" in my smoothies (I've tried adding greens and it just wrecks the smoothie for me - lol). Lunches include whole foods like: banana, oranges, apple, avocado, mango, cauliflower, or salads. And suppers are: a baked red potato with salsa, cauliflower, broccoli, tomato, or salad... maybe twice a week I still have baked salmon or skinless chicken. I have yet to eat any pre-packaged "raw / vegan food". And I'm not much into "recipes", as I find it more convenient to pull something out of the fridge, peel it, and eat it (or make a smoothie) right away.

I "celebrated" the end of my first full raw week by eating a frozen cheese pizza... and was promptly rewarded with two hours worth of severe stomach cramps/pain while my body did it's best to digest it. Wow, if that wasn't motivation to stay raw, I don't know what it. lol

Lets see what else about me (thinking).... I'm 38 years old, single mom to three male rescued shelter cats. I started going gray at 26 and adamantly refuse to color my hair to hide it. :) I'm 5'6" and 158 lbs. as of this morning (have weighed as much as 170), and wear a size 14 in jeans. I'd love to see "135 lbs." on my scale... that's what I weighed back in high school (my gosh, has it been 20 years?). :cool: I've lifted weights, swung kettlebells, and walked on and off for the past 10 years, so I'm well aware that muscle weighs more than fat while taking up less space. About 8 years ago, I was lifting on a much more consistent basis, still weighed 158, yet was wearing a baggy size 12 in jeans. Proof positive that muscle takes up much less space.

Nice to meet you all, great place you have here. :)

Susan
SW: 170
CW: 158
GW: 135

Frugal Raw
02-21-2009, 09:52 AM
Welcome!!! I wish you the best of rawesome health!!!

Dimond
02-21-2009, 12:05 PM
Welcome Susan. You're doing great! :) Try some raw pizza, yummy.

sak12344
02-21-2009, 12:37 PM
How does one make "raw pizza"...?


Also, I just bumped into this quote on another website... any truth to it? Personally, based on my recent frozen pizza experience, I find it hard to believe that live food enzymes don't make it past the stomach.


One of the main reasons given as to why we should be consuming our food uncooked is that raw food contains "live" enzymes which are suggested to help the body with its task of digestion..... In reality, enzymes are denatured (inactivated) by the very acidic environment of the stomach so that the enzymes in raw food never really make it past the stomach.

spicyfull
02-22-2009, 05:09 AM
I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW.............Welcome to MY World.

freshlight
02-22-2009, 10:27 AM
Hey Susan, welcome to the forum :)
Cheers from Eva

Colorawdo girl
02-22-2009, 11:19 AM
Hi Susan...a big welcome to you.Enjoy! and best of health to you.

sak12344
02-22-2009, 05:47 PM
Hi everyone... thank you for the kind welcome. I'm looking forward to learning more. And, I've spent some time in the "before & after" section of your website... wow, I'm stunned at the changes that raw food has made for you.

I'm just back from visiting my parents (both in their late 60's). And guess what...??? I took my blender with me. :) I made them a smoothie from banana, strawberries, and pineapple chunks... they liked it ! Rural farmer country folk in their 60's, meat and potato types... I didn't expect them to like it at all. But, they said they just might have fruit smoothies for breakfast once in a while. Whoot-whoo. I think it be so good for them. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they actually follow through.

I stayed for dinner... mashed potatoes, broccoli, and chicken. Uff-duh... the chicken is still sitting in my tummy, causing pain and bloat (doesn't help that today is day one of my monthly cycle either). :) Made another smoothie as soon as I got home, hoping that helps to move things through my system.