How raw changed my life for the better

[a1icia]

I noticed a few people posting their positive improvements and just thought I would open a new thread about how raw has changed me in a short period of time.

I was really having a hard time in the beginning stages, because of detoxing and not consuming enough food, but now, since adding green smoothies to my diet, I feel like I'm really on the upswing. Thanks to the support of everyone here and the positive feedback from others about going raw, I was able to stick with this wonderful way of living.

I've been gradually going raw since the beginning of March 09. I did a three week detox, that was food based, and it allowed me to transition easier. That was not the intention but it worked out nicely. I've been 100% raw for about 3 weeks now, with the exception of experimenting with a cooked egg :eek: and having a whole grain cracker or two the first week.

Here's a list of the benefits I've received so far

No more hormonal headaches or migraines
My cycles are easier - I can wipe out my cramps with essential oils. Before, I couldn't survive without Advil
My digestion actually works now (Food in - Food out) :)
More energy and stamina
Improved vision
My hair is less oily/greasy and looks healthier than ever
Minor aches and pains have disappeared
I feel lighter
More mental clarity
Easier to wake up in the morning
Fresh breath and healthy pink tongue upon rising in the A.M.
No deodorant needed
I feel calm and collected (all month)
I still feel I'm cleansing at times, but, I have moments when I feel absolute bliss and get pretty giddy.
And, even though I had no intention to, I lost about 8 lbs.

As some have mentioned in other threads, I too, look at cooked foods like an addiction to drugs that must be avoided. I'm pretty convinced I can never go back.

How has becoming raw changed you for the better?

[Colorawdo girl]

Raw has set me free to BE. To love and enjoy food, living and energizing food.


Deeper love for our God(foremost)
More intune with it all
Vibrant health
Great skin soft and clear
Fresh breath
Healthy weight
Aches gone
Clarity of mind
Sharper mentally
Lighter
Pain free
Better sleep overall(changes at times)
Need less sleep
Rarely tired
No body odor unless detoxxing abundantly
Need no tissues for nose
Ear pain gone
No headaches
Bladder prob gone
Candida gone
backpain gone
sugar regulated
nails and hair grow great
bulging veins gone
eyes bright

Profoundly in touch with animals and the earth and all creation
Love grocery shopping
Money no matter for food
Love fixing food now
First time ever in my life know I have the right
eating plan for me
See it working
Looking younger(always have but as I age
chronologically it stands out more)
Feeling young
Being young
Energy
My love for others has increased
My sensitivities have increased
I can help others feel better and show them the way
I have a passion=career.
I paint even better and it comes super easy
I inspire others with my raw life
No doctor or medical for me
I can have picnics in the field
without taking any food w me haha
I love life
I love living raw
I feel incredibly grateful and appreciative every day every meal every moment

Greater spirituality
Loving earth and nature

May edit to add(am sure I will)

[T-Bird]

My cycles are easier - I can wipe out my cramps with essential oils.


What oils? What do you do with them?

[RawHeaven]

Congratulations Alicia!

[a1icia]

That's awesome Colorawdo Girl - I hope to edit mine in the future as well.

T-Bird - I use essential oils of clary sage (6 drops), geranium rose (6 drops) and lavender (4 drops) with jojoba oil as a carrier oil. The moment the cramps start coming, I rub these into my abdomen and lower back and within 15 to 20 minutes they're gone. If the cramps come back later in the day, i just repeat with the same amount.

Thank you RawHeaven! :)

[The French One]

I've been high raw for less than a month but here is what has already changed:

- I can run without hissing and coughing (bye bye asthma)
- lost a little weight but gained muscle
- can smell odors much better now
- feel happy
- smoother skin

and that's just the beginning!

[T-Bird]

T-Bird - I use essential oils of clary sage (6 drops), geranium rose (6 drops) and lavender (4 drops) with jojoba oil as a carrier oil. The moment the cramps start coming, I rub these into my abdomen and lower back and within 15 to 20 minutes they're gone. If the cramps come back later in the day, i just repeat with the same amount.

Thanks A1icia!

Last 2 months - I've gotten away without using advil, but it was the weekend and I spent alot of time in the hot epsom salt bath to relieve cramping. If it hits on a workday - I may be forced back on the "stuff".

Thanks for the alternative!

[rawlight]

No more hormonal headaches or migraines


I posted a few weeks ago about my migraines disappearing and I see so many others find this, too. For me, I am in awe of this, because migraines plagued me for so long.

What a benefit this (raw) could be for the greater population and the demise of Excedrin, et al on this aspect of raw alone!!!

[commoncents]

My life has changed in these ways since becoming Raw

-Losing weight
-Glowing skin
-Body shape is changing and slowly getting rid of belly fat
-Not tired after meals
-More positive and upbeat
-I feel like I am actually helping the poor animals that are tortured and killed on factory farms by being a Raw vegan and helping the environment as well
-Allowed me to be creative in the kitchen
-Given me a career where I feel that I can actually do work that I love and that helps people and the world. (I will be going to school this Summer to obtain my Chef/Teacher certification)
-Given me control over my food choices and does not leave my nutritional choices in the hands of agribusiness whose only concern is profit
-Look younger
-Gave me a passion for living
-Minimal sleep
-No hot flashes
-Look ten years younger
-Have become a resource for all the people in my life to come to about healthly eating
-Gives me a platform for Veganism.

[T-Bird]

What a benefit this (raw) could be for the greater population and the demise of Excedrin, et al on this aspect of raw alone!!!

But soooooooooooooo many are soooooooooooooo resistant. They don't want to change.....

[betty boop]

Where do I start?

Migraines and headaches gone
no tired sleepy feeling after meals
regular frequent elimination
very little body odor
nail are a little stronger, stopped peeling and ridges diminishing
little itchy bumps on scalp gone
larger bumps on forehead gone
no more sore back (arthritis)
no more sore shoulder (arthritis)
pain in hands diminished but not gone yet
Sciatic pain gone
no longer exhausted after work
feet don't hurt after work
not falling asleep in the afternoons anymore
not falling asleep on the bus coming home from work
clear headed - not foggy anymore
back of throat and tongue not coated with guck anymore
gums stopped bleeding when brushing teeth
no more runny nose
no more dry eyes
no more prescription or over the counter drugs at all
sleeping better and not tossing and turning trying to get comfortable
awaken in morning feeling rested not still tired
well rested after only 7 hours sleep instead of 8-9-10
don't salt food anymore
feel happy all the time, euphoric at times
don't get annoyed or angry anymore
saving money on grocery bill
didn't have to quit my job as planned because of arthritis issues
weight loss and many inches lost off belly
no longer crave sweets or salty carbs
no longer eat meat which is something I have always wanted to do but never ever thought I would be able to, let alone so quickly and easily!

[a1icia]

It's so great to see how raw has changed peoples lives. There isn't a drug in this world that can do ALL the things a raw food lifestyle can do. It's so simple and profound!

Colorawdo Girl, commoncents and Betty Boop, your lists are inspirational! Thank you for sharing.

You're welcome T-Bird. You'll have to let me know how it works for you.

rawlight, I'm in awe too! I thought I would be plagued with those awful headaches for life. It's really a miracle. I knew there had to be a simple solution, I just didn't think I would ever find it.

[Sygma]

When I'm raw, I feel no guilt about eating.

I feel connected to life and the universe and the creatures within it.

Little miracles have started happening: my mother can walk, I got into the University of my dreams, the boy I love finally decided to proclaim his love for me, my skin glows, I have no pain, and I continue to live each moment in bliss.

[commoncents]

What a beautful testament sygma!!!!

[Jazmyn]

I've been raw for almost a year now. Here's my list.

Haven't had a cold in ages, which is big for me.
Clear skin
More energy
Happier
No more dry eyes!!!:D I used to have horrible dry eyes.
Not tired after meals (unless I eat a bunch of nuts!:rolleyes:)
I love everything I eat:)

I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of anything else right now.

[Springtime]

I just thought about one thing the other night that i wanted to just shout out loud for the world to know...

Since I started walking on the raw path i have not had ONE negative thought about my looks, my body, or myself

This is a wonderful miracle! Those thoughts have just vanished, and i keep busy thinking about other things, like....cantaloupes! Ah, the wonders of mama nature...

Other great things:
- Feel more awake in the morning, and naturally tired in the evening
- Clearer eyes
- Hair less greasy (so i can wash my hair a LOT less, and use less shampoo, and help the environment)
- No smelly armpits (less deodorant, same as above)
- every meal is a bliss
- No hunger panics (i used to feel total panic when i hadn't eaten for a while, i guess it was blood sugar going way down. This has stopped completley)
- Better breath

And since i'm only in the beginning of this path, i swear this is a list that will extend and grow...

Peace