Redefining raw freedom-what is it????

[Colorawdo girl]

There seems to be nothing attractive about beating oneself up.Picture that in your mind. A person out in the street giving themselves a beating!!!! Not a pretty sight. We might even go see if we can assist them to stop it?

So stop beating on you!

We live in a world where beating oneself up, especially around the area of food, is very common.

Getting out of your head, and into your heart is where it is at. Overanalyzing and looking for rules is ridiculous. Doing something because someone says this is how it is done is nonsense. Reading here and taking words as carved -in -stone- gotta- do- it -this- way, is a mistake.

Where did YOU go? The unique person that YOU are, who knows what YOU want and need for YOUR life. Have we become a carbon copy of someone else and do as they do and what they say is right for YOU?

Raw is about creating a new way of viewing food, one without guilt.We had all that before right?
We do not have that here.This is a shift. Eating without guilt.Otherwise we have merely transferred from one pathology into another. One neurosis ,one sickness substituted for another.

If we beat ourselves up over food are we doing better than the person we were on sad food and feeling guilty??? Its all in the same vein. The same kind of thinking gets same. Using the same thinking that got bad results and expecting new results is the definition of insanity. Feeling bad while eating the best possible food we can eat? How crazy is that??? If we were guilty on sad food, we will feel guilty on raw and living foods, unless we alter our mindset.

There is no more suffering in getting well. There is only joy. Joy joy joy! Bring to life the joy and laughter(even in the worst sickness) and you will get well.


Removing the thinking thinking thinking and getting into your heart song. What do you want? Have it!!! Have what tastes good and feels good for you. This is your walk. No one else's. You choose.

Lets rid fear. That keeps people reactive . Lets rid guilt. Let go of fear of failure. Let go of fear of success.


So what if you eat some cooked food.So what? Harmonize with your body to digest that food. If your mind is resisting that food with guilt and shame, your body will not digest it well.

So, if you want mashed potatoes and gravy, have it. Eat all the living food you can and have your mash potatoes and gravy too. Do not deprive yourself. Add living foods freely. And have what you want. After a while, you will find yourself very sick of it and done with it. You will ease into a whole living food life. No struggle, no guilt.

If you want bread, have it. If you want coffee, have it. Having what you want removes the "I -am- depriving -myself- cannot- have- it -mentality."
And , like the child who is told yes he can have it , he no longer wants it. A child told no will want that until he gets it.

Add living foods and all else will simply drop away in time. It is ok to eat what you want...without guilt.

Embracing YOU in all your facets, loving yourself and going in the flow of your living food life will be the easiest way of feeding your body. And all life will open up for you.Your eating plan will look just like you want it to if you let it look just like you want it to.

We make life all hard. All we need is right in front of us. Its not hidden or something only a few possess or can find or have access to. It is right in front of each one of us. It is simple. Eat as much living food as you can. Whole living food.Eat what you want. All you want. No guilt, no fear, no rules, and freedom.

If ones who want raw see the real freedom this is, you would be blown away by how profound this raw life is. Set yourself free.

It will be interesting to see the posts here in reaction to this thread, this life of freedom....ones who resist letting go of guilt. Sticking to the rules/guilt/fear. Ones who cannot let themselves be free to be. That is a life of imprisonment. Open the bars and let yourself out! Stop the beatings. Let go.

Only then, you will see and experience the whole picture of raw life!
I will add, it is ok exactly where you are. Really hear that sentence. Hear it AND feel it. GET what that means. p.s. notice I have given up others impositions and views that my threads and post be in perfect spelling and editing...woohooo free to be is so great! Love and gratitude to all!

[commoncents]

Thank you so much for your post. It was wonderfully written. I really needed to hear this today. I have beaten myself up since becoming Raw last year because I have not been able to maintain Raw 100%, but no more. I am putting your wise words into practice.

I will always eat Raw because well, I simply love it, but if, down the line, I want my favorite drink from Starbucks, YES, I CAN HAVE IT ALL!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Colorawdo girl]

Here here to Starbux and letting go. You will see this will be your freedom. See? You had commonsense all along and knew it...it was right in front of you the whole time. Rawk on livin n loving the freedom of raw life!!!

[betty boop]

very nice post - someone should sticky it

[RawHeaven]

Your posts are always beautiful Colorawdo Girl.

With regard to the emotions and what you've written, right on. I was listening to a natural health healer on the radio last week and experienced a shift in my paradigm. The critical piece that is often missing is Joy, laughter, peace, happiness. When you experience emotional well being you experience good health. This makes so much sense because it drives your hypothalamus, the queen or king of the endocrine system which regulates the entire body.

I'm starting to see the reason we see the exceptions, the smokers, the non-vegan eaters etc living a long time (in what appears to be good health) is because these folks are generally Happy people. I mean the ones who are the exceptions. On the flip side you can have a health enthusiast frequently ill because they are not happy or stressed out despite anything positive they may be doing for themselves with their food choices, etc. This is when the bell started going off for me when I was listening to this program. And it made me think about the times when I've met anyone with longevity, vibrancy and good health. No matter what their age they always had this common denominator ~ a positive outlook, didn't take everything seriously, frequently smiled and where in possession of hardy, contagious laughter. :)

Raw foods are not enough and neither is anything else you may be Doing. However Being Joyful, staying positive and ensuring your thoughts are vibrating on a high level is the core piece that drives your health. Combine this with eating raw foods? WOW!

[Colorawdo girl]

Oh raw heaven...I love it. You are onto something grand. Yes yes yes.

I notice how I feel reading others "confessions" and make wrong and guilt trips and beatings. It just seems self fulfilling and going on same path with different food attempts? And rules. Rules of raw? What?

Attitude is everything. Perception. Did you see the movie "Life is Beautiful" ?
Life and what happens to us is always what we make of it.

We can make raw a joyous and peaceful way or more of the same. woohoooo

I have been experiencing lately the biggest, belly busting laughter and boy does it feel good!!!

Livin laughin and lovin! Creating something different for me! That is what I want.

[commoncents]

I'm starting to see the reason we see the exceptions, the smokers, the non-vegan eaters etc living a long time (in what appears to be good health) is because these folks are generally Happy people. I mean the ones who are the exceptions. On the flip side you can have a health enthusiast frequently ill because they are not happy or stressed out despite anything positive they may be doing for themselves with their food choices, etc. This is when the bell started going off for me when I was listening to this program. And it made me think about the times when I've met anyone with longevity, vibrancy and good health. No matter what their age they always had this common denominator ~ a positive outlook, didn't take everything seriously, frequently smiled and where in possession of hardy, contagious laughter. :)




This is so true. I was always baffled when I would meet smokers and others who had lifestyles I found "objectionable". But many just let go of these preconceived notions of health and doing what was right for their body. Many acted like they did not have a care in his wold.

With, this in mind, I am striking out to find all the Joy I can handle today!!!!! Thank you for your thought provoking post.

[commoncents]

Oh raw heaven...I love it. You are onto something grand. Yes yes yes.

I notice how I feel reading others "confessions" and make wrong and guilt trips and beatings. It just seems self fulfilling and going on same path with different food attempts? And rules. Rules of raw? What?

Attitude is everything. Perception. Did you see the movie "Life is Beautiful" ?
Life and what happens to us is always what we make of it.

We can make raw a joyous and peaceful way or more of the same. woohoooo

I have been experiencing lately the biggest, belly busting laughter and boy does it feel good!!!

Livin laughin and lovin! Creating something different for me! That is what I want.

CG: I love your spirit!!! Will you come to California and be my personal coach?

[Colorawdo girl]

Okay, yes I will. Hooooray...heehee...gotta finish what I started here first.
All kidding aside(were we?) I am seeking new rawkers to assist!!! But then again sweet, you are already there..hoooray!!

[RawHeaven]

Thank you so much for your post. It was wonderfully written. I really needed to hear this today. I have beaten myself up since becoming Raw last year because I have not been able to maintain Raw 100%, but no more. I am putting your wise words into practice.

I will always eat Raw because well, I simply love it, but if, down the line, I want my favorite drink from Starbucks, YES, I CAN HAVE IT ALL!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.


You ladies are so fun to hang out with. :D Yes, you can. I will just add we have a choice. And I'm still relatively vain, lol. If I even go near any of my former foods like unsalted pretzels or non-raw nuts my face breaks out and I get huge puckering hives as well. But I know that it's going to happen and it's still a choice. I know the consequences and I know my body will fight hard to rid itself of what it may deem as poison. I think this is the difference rather than beating yourself up and then getting judging yourself. You can just let go and let it be. Start a new day making different or the same choices. It's all up to you and there the rules don't apply. The rules exacerbate in my opinion. Change comes from within.

[Moretta]

Nicely done.

Thank you.

[RawHeaven]

This is so true. I was always baffled when I would meet smokers and others who had lifestyles I found "objectionable". But many just let go of these preconceived notions of health and doing what was right for their body. Many acted like they did not have a care in his wold.

With, this in mind, I am striking out to find all the Joy I can handle today!!!!! Thank you for your thought provoking post.


Me too. I've also been thinking of family members who fall in this category. One of my great aunts is 99 years old and she eats the unmentionables every day. I like that "the unmentionables". lol. But she's always been a firecracker, full of joy and the light for my family during hard times. She's one of those people that always says, it's going to be alright!

You're welcome and may you receive tons of Joy and bask in it. I plan to do the same! :)



Oh raw heaven...I love it. You are onto something grand. Yes yes yes.

I notice how I feel reading others "confessions" and make wrong and guilt trips and beatings. It just seems self fulfilling and going on same path with different food attempts? And rules. Rules of raw? What?

Attitude is everything. Perception. Did you see the movie "Life is Beautiful" ?
Life and what happens to us is always what we make of it.

We can make raw a joyous and peaceful way or more of the same. woohoooo

I have been experiencing lately the biggest, belly busting laughter and boy does it feel good!!!

Livin laughin and lovin! Creating something different for me! That is what I want.


I've been having similar awakenings which is why it's so great to share with others, even when you disagree or it pushes buttons. I welcome the growth. I even laugh when I log on and threads disappear. hahaa! I know the reasons and it's all good.

I did see that movie a few years ago if it's the same one I'm thinking about. I enjoyed it.

Laughter is wonderful, so glad you've experienced the great big belly laughs. We should create a laughter thread. Keep it light. Woot.

Have a beautiful day/weekend.

[Springtime]

Beautiful topic! These are the things i think everyone starting raw should be introdced to first - no physical health without a peacful, joyful mind!

When i talked to my mom about going raw she got quite upset, and i asked her, why?
Because i don't want you to become one of those hard, obsessed, never-smiling people who only talk about wht they eat, she said.

So i tried to explain to her how a raw lifestyl is about being in love with your body, taking care of yourself with respect and joy, create a beautiful home for your soul. And she gave a sigh of relief.

But i too have that mental image of health concious people being rigid, stiff, anti social and self depriving. Like when i read a book about yoga, an old book that i found in a bookshelf somewhere when i was a kid. The guy in the picture looked as if his sister had just died or something, he never smiled. He talked about the improtance of cleansing, removing, getting rid of and taming the body, as if it was an enemy.

You have to agree that there are loads of people seeming like that who preach health, but talk about the body as if it was just some monster incidentaly attached to their healthful brains.

No! I say. Stop! Health = smiles! Health = playing! Health = pure love!

Later i came across a better book on yoga, where the yogi said that when you're gonna choose which yoga teacher you want to take a class with, choose the one who smiles the most. And that is what health is about!

The body and the self are not two separate things! I am my body, my body is me. Even the scentence "my body" is strange, because it is all the same. Unite body and soul, bacome one with your body, and you have come a long way towards health.

Peace

[Colorawdo girl]

But she's always been a firecracker, full of joy and the light for my family during hard times. She's one of those people that always says, it's going to be alright!

You're welcome and may you receive tons of Joy and bask in it. I plan to do the same!


so there is something to be said for the jolly ,overweight, always laughing, aunt that leaves everyone in stitches, after all.
No promotion of that eating plan for sure yet promoting the style, the attitude.

Raw joy, raw happiness, raw peace, raw laughter, raw love, raw bliss. Raw rawks.Tons of joy to you too!!!!!

[Raediance]

Thank You for this! This really hits the mark and will be a source of inspiration for many.

[Colorawdo girl]

Your candle flame is inspirational for me!! Enjoy!

[commoncents]

You ladies are so fun to hang out with. :D Yes, you can. I will just add we have a choice. And I'm still relatively vain, lol. If I even go near any of my former foods like unsalted pretzels or non-raw nuts my face breaks out and I get huge puckering hives as well. But I know that it's going to happen and it's still a choice. I know the consequences and I know my body will fight hard to rid itself of what it may deem as poison. I think this is the difference rather than beating yourself up and then getting judging yourself. You can just let go and let it be. Start a new day making different or the same choices. It's all up to you and there the rules don't apply. The rules exacerbate in my opinion. Change comes from within.

I plan to stay away from cooked foods because after a year of Raw, I know that eating just a little cooked foods keeps me from my beloved Raw. I don't want to do it out of a guilt trip any longer or beat myself up if I do eat cooked.

So, saying that, I want to consume Raw With Joy!!!! That is my new motto.

[commoncents]

Beautiful topic! These are the things i think everyone starting raw should be introdced to first - no physical health without a peacful, joyful mind!

When i talked to my mom about going raw she got quite upset, and i asked her, why?
Because i don't want you to become one of those hard, obsessed, never-smiling people who only talk about wht they eat, she said.

So i tried to explain to her how a raw lifestyl is about being in love with your body, taking care of yourself with respect and joy, create a beautiful home for your soul. And she gave a sigh of relief.

But i too have that mental image of health concious people being rigid, stiff, anti social and self depriving. Like when i read a book about yoga, an old book that i found in a bookshelf somewhere when i was a kid. The guy in the picture looked as if his sister had just died or something, he never smiled. He talked about the improtance of cleansing, removing, getting rid of and taming the body, as if it was an enemy.

You have to agree that there are loads of people seeming like that who preach health, but talk about the body as if it was just some monster incidentaly attached to their healthful brains.

No! I say. Stop! Health = smiles! Health = playing! Health = pure love!

Later i came across a better book on yoga, where the yogi said that when you're gonna choose which yoga teacher you want to take a class with, choose the one who smiles the most. And that is what health is about!

The body and the self are not two separate things! I am my body, my body is me. Even the scentence "my body" is strange, because it is all the same. Unite body and soul, bacome one with your body, and you have come a long way towards health.

Peace

Springtime: Your post cracked me up because I have a new roommate and out of courtesy, I have offered her some of my Raw food and she always gets a funny look on her face, but declines. I did not know why she got that look and then I realized after reading your post that she probably feels like I'm going to try to indoctrinate her into Raw. I have no intention of doing that. Live and let live is my motto. She has alot of weight to release and we have been talking about it lately and I've had to hold myself back from saing: IF YOU JUST EAT 100% RAW YOU CAN RELEASE THAT WEIGHT. Instead, I prepare my food daily, the frig. is stocked with healthly food, my weight is decreasing and my energy level through the roof. That is the type of Raw Foodist I want to be. Lead by example.

I'm going on vacation in two weeks and it is going to be very difficult for me because I am seeing alot of old friends and they will want to eat out. So, I'm trying to formulate my plan so that I can maintain my 100% Rawness, yet not come across as preachy. I'm doing the thirty day challenge and don't want to break.

[Colorawdo girl]

Wooooohhoooooo on your graduation(into the next part of your journey..haha)...hahaha. Good for you. I love your new motto and commitment to raw!

[commoncents]

Oh CG: It feels so good to be here!!!!!! After a year of back and forth with Raw, I'm finally at 100% and loving it!!!!!!!! No cravings, weight releasing, energy through the roof, skin is beautiful. Never thought I would see this day!!!!!

Raw With Joy!!!!!!!

[Colorawdo girl]

OH MY...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You can be so very proud of YOU!

You inspire me to be all I can be and more! Keep Rawkin it!

[hannah.isabel]

colorawdo, your post was beautiful and completely inspiring, especially to someone who has struggled with eating disorders and disordered eating for the past six years.
it is really lovely to hear these truths coming from someone else, and with all the praise and support of others on here, because for me whenever i think those types of freeing, epiphany-like thoughts, my old guilt/shame/controlling mindset will knock them down right away as me being "crazy".
so thank you a million times for this post! :D

[commoncents]

OH MY...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You can be so very proud of YOU!

You inspire me to be all I can be and more! Keep Rawkin it!

Thank you CG: I will continue to Rawkin on!!!!!!

[Colorawdo girl]

beautiful and completely inspiring, especially to someone who has struggled with eating disorders and disordered eating for the past six years.

Hannah isabel, It is interesting you said that. I actually was thinking about some folks on here that have struggled with ED in the past and are concerned that they might throw themselves back in somehow.

The part about doing the same things, in the same thinking that we got results we did not want, will produce the same results again. If we transfer our challenges with food over to a new kind of food yet have same thoughts of guilt, shame, fear, beatings, that is what we will get. Particularly helpful for folks with former or current eating disorders. I am sure it helps for emotional eaters as well.

Glad you enjoyed it. I learned and pass it on.