Observations from a newbie

[MelanieC]

I just had to comment that from a newbie perspective that learning to be raw is hard when everyone has different views and ideas about what is good for you and what isn't. There is so much conflicting info out there that it's a wonder that most people looking into raw don't get food disorders worrying about what is safe and not safe to eat.

One minute raw cocoa is the next best thing, the next it's not. Same for Agave, then you have to be careful because there are those who think you shouldn't eat a lot of fat or only eat fruit or ........you get the idea.

I personally think there is no right or wrong way to do it - you can eat one raw food a week and hey - its better than none, or always eat 100% raw. No variance in between is wrong in my book because it's a personal journey.

I'm learning and reading as much as I can. Buying as many books as I can and even if I don't end up 100% raw I know I will get tons of use out of my new Vita mix (use my blender to death anyway) and also will get tons of use of the dehydrator I plan on buying. I'm so excited to make my own crackers, tortillas and things like that. I know I'll make raw desserts as my only choice of desserts for the rest of my life because I've been looking for desserts with these kinds of ingredients anyway. It's how I eat everyday now anyway - except that I use milk prodcuts too. Even if I continue to eat meat and dairy I know I will add more raw foods to my diet because I believe in a lot of things I've read about. My hope is that I can work on giving up dairy first and going to nut milks and nut cheeses.

I just wish it wasn't so conflicting and as wide of a debate on what to eat and not eat. I also wish it wasn't so hard to find or figure out what is raw.

I eat organic dark chocolate anway - what is different about raw cocoa powder that people shouldn't eat it. I personally don't think I'd want to live in a world with no chocolate, especially since I give up so much anway.

[snoops]

especially since I give up so much anway.

Don't look at it as giving up stuff. Yeah you're giving up SAD food but you are gaining so much more in health and well being.

But you are right - any steps no matter how small are still steps in the right direction. As a newbie don't try to dissect things. Just eat raw - as much as you can.

[Veronica01]

All you can do is experiment, get informed and decide for yourself. You will find a "guru" or teacher of raw food that promotes something different in every raw food diet.

You might ask yourself some questions when it comes to deciphering information on what to eat:

Do I like eating what they reccommend?
Are they selling something?
Is it packaged or bottled?
Can I afford it?
Do I enjoy preparing it?
Do I feel better after eating it?
Am I noticibly healthier eating it?
Is it a natural food?
Would another mammal eat it?
Is it fresh?
Does the person giving me this information have health that I wish to aspire to have for myself?


You have to filter through information on everything in life. Most things that we do as humans are either positive or negative to our mental, emotional, or physical health. You will realize there are many different raw diets, "Eat anything as long as it's raw", "Eat mostly superfoods" "Eat mostly Juices/Smoothies" "Eat mostly fruit and greens". It's all a learning process. I use myself to experiment with different versions of the diet until I am happy with how I feel about myself, and my overall health level. Nothing has to be complicated and you can more than "get by" eating organic, local (as much as possible) whole raw foods. Foods that are in a natural diet. Anything you put in your body is up to you and no one else.

Would you rather only have one channel of information and never be exposed to different opinions?

[Dimond]

That's why my motto and recommendation is to keep it simple and pay attention to how you feel. Too much information sometimes isn't a good thing. There is no one way to do pretty much anything. Just do your best and enjoy the process. :)

[Silveretta]

Veronica is right.

Feel free to pick and choose bits that you like from each "guru"

Also, your body will soon let you know if something doesn't agree with you.

At first I read about amazing people who ate 6 avocados a day and a pound of nuts for days if they felt like it, lost weight while doing it, build muscle and were happy. My body did not like it, it just doesn't work FOR ME, not because they are wrong, because it just is the way it is.

Baby steps...just start eating raw you will figure it along the way- GOOD LUCK :D

[PeachyLove]

I personally feel balance is the key to my journey.

What’s most important to me is that I feed my body the fuel that it needs (veggies & fruits) accented with some agave, acv, buckwheat, nuts & seeds (not crazy about), herbs etc to create what I wish for the day.

I listen to what others have to say, take what I can use and leave the rest.

I have notice that most extremist seem unhappy, rude and very controlling. If not eating garlic, agave, acv and what ever else in on the raw Humans Were Not Meant To Eat List, is going to have me behave like that, I will just include those wonderful foods in my diet.

I know for a fact that its better than the over cooked, over processed, chemical laden food I used to eat when I was SAD.

[Aleesha Sattva]

everything in life is full of conflicting information. let's face it. some people believe you should only eat lean meat, other's believe only organic... while others feel that if it isn't dipped in fat before consumption that it's not a real meal LOL

same thing with religion, fashion, how to decorate your home, where to live... etc etc etc

so why would anyone expect raw food lifestyle to be any different? if there was only ONE right way to do things in this life then wouldn't we all be doing it? there are many right ways to do everything. the most wonderful part of life is our ability to choose... so pick and choose what you like, what you don't like, what works for you, what doesn't.

i like to live by the saying "take what you like and leave the rest" but first research research research.

welcome to a new step in your life!!!

[PeachyLove]

everything in life is full of conflicting information. let's face it. some people believe you should only eat lean meat, other's believe only organic... while others feel that if it isn't dipped in fat before consumption that it's not a real meal LOL

same thing with religion, fashion, how to decorate your home, where to live... etc etc etc

so why would anyone expect raw food lifestyle to be any different? if there was only ONE right way to do things in this life then wouldn't we all be doing it? there are many right ways to do everything. the most wonderful part of life is our ability to choose... so pick and choose what you like, what you don't like, what works for you, what doesn't.

i like to live by the saying "take what you like and leave the rest" but first research research research.

welcome to a new step in your life!!!

Amen Sister