Okay, I have had enough! This my reason try and be 100% raw.

[SekhemNefer]

I am high raw and I mostly make my slips when I am too lazy to bring my foods when I have social events with friends like go see a movie or be invited to a friend's house to eat their foods.

This is what happened to me from not eating raw for 2 days.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs112.snc1/4824_1167528714069_1403482805_30445186_1489046_n.j pg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs112.snc1/4824_1167528674068_1403482805_30445185_3686289_n.j pg

On day one, I went to see a movie with a friend. My only meal for that day was a Potbelly's turkey sandwhich and cream soda. And a small box of movie theater popcorn.

Next day, another friend invited me to a BBQ party. I asked him before I came, "Should I bring anything" as in bring my own food. And he says with confidence, "Oh, no....I HAVE EVERYTHING. No need." So when I arrived at his home, there was no salad. Not even cooked veggies. Just tons of meat and chips and beer. Just barbqe chicken, Korean beef, turkey burgers, bratswursts, hot dogs, hamburgers....meat, meat, meat.

Now I am not oppose to eating meat, but damn....how is ONLY having meat at a dinner is considered having EVERYTHING?! And he sauced it up with lord knows what. All I heard him talk about was his "special marinade" and "special sauce".

I wrote to everyone I socialize on a regular basis on Facebook and showed them photos of my feet. I told them that don't be offended but I just can't eat outside my home unless I am allowed to bring my own food.

I really didn't eat a lot while out, so I don't know what is making my feet bloat so badly. It could be a combination of high sodium hidden in the foods and lord knows what.

Seriously it is a huge discomfort to walk. It feels as if my calves of my legs are hard with lead and skin of my feet (top and soles) are being stretch and shredded apart due to the excesses edema (bloating).

I am just not having it anymore. SAD food just ain't worth it.

[SekhemNefer]

Oh, yes, can someone tell me some natural raw ways, like foods that will help the bloating go down? I will need to detox for a few days.

I heard that celery is a diuretic. You think I should put celery stalks in a blender with purified water and just drink it for a few days in order to urinate the extra water?

I know after this, I will just have to consume smoothies, because it is only with smoothies that I do not add salt in my meals. If I make a salad, I use salt to flavor the veggies. And right now, I don't have the taste buds to live without salt in regards to vegetables. However, with smoothies, it is mostly green leafies veggies with ample fruit. No need to add salt in a shake like drink.

[iluvmangos]

Next day, another friend invited me to a BBQ party. I asked him before I came, "Should I bring anything" as in bring my own food. And he says with confidence, "Oh, no....I HAVE EVERYTHING. No need." So when I arrived at his home, there was no salad. Not even cooked veggies. Just tons of meat and chips and beer. Just barbqe chicken, Korean beef, turkey burgers, bratswursts, hot dogs, hamburgers....meat, meat, meat.

Does your friend know that you're trying to eat raw? Man, that's crazy if he knew you were trying to eat raw and said you didn't need to bring anything. I always bring my own food and enough to share. That way I don't cave to cooked. Most people probably won't care if you bring your own food. If they do then they're just jerks. They can't expect you to swell up like a balloon for them. I wouldn't.

[iluvmangos]

Also, you don't necessarily have to give up salt. Celtic sea salt doesn't promote water retention like table salt does. I use RealSalt. You can find it at health food stores or online.

If you do want to give up all salt anyway, you don't necessarily have to just drink smoothies. You may not want to eat veggies without salt, but you could still eat fruits. You don't necessarily have to put them all in smoothies. I don't think I could do all smoothies all the time. I need something to chew, man. But, if you can live on smoothies, more power to you.

[Veronica01]

Go on fruit meals, salads and green smoothies. Make sure to get lots of greens as the chlorophyl is so close to heme (blood) that it will cleanse faster for you. Stay away from heavy foods that bog down your digestion, and definitely omit salt!

[EatRaw]

That is edema...IMHO.....and if it is, there are 2 kinds...pitted and non pitted. Can you press on it with your finger for a few seconds and let go...and the impression stay? Or does it go away quickly? That is how you can tell which one it is.

I had pitted ademia...I was mostly raw the first 3 months of this year...In April I signed up for the 30 day challenge and was Extremly High Raw....some would say 100%...I did have some honey, tamari, AVC though...but not very much the whole month I used some celtic sea salt as well but VERY sparingly and not everyday by any means, just when I would make a dressing...I ate really simply most of the time...but did make a few fancy :D meals.

My pitted edema is gone! It left that month and has never returned!

I beleive it was salt that is in EVERYTHING on SAD!

You can read about it here... http://www.medicinenet.com/edema/article.htm

If you only have it when you eat SAD then my opinion is its salt. Just my opinion.

Wishing you the best!

dave

[jane b]

Well, you're obviously highly salt sensitive!!! You poor thing, I really feel for you because I have some of the same issues. I'm even more sensitive now that I've quit using cooked foods.

I'm off the diabetes meds, but still have to take my HP ones for now, and that includes a "wizz" pill. But I can tell you from personal experience that watermelon makes me go more than any diuretic.

Good for you for showing folks exactly how you suffered. Lessons learned all around.

[katchmoleen]

Watermelon and cucumbers are very good natural diuretics. Eat just that for one day and you will see that awful edema go way down. that must be very uncomfortable. I know recently I had a long day of flying with no layovers, and when I got home I was horrified to see that I had no ankles whatsoever. I had never had that happen before. It was so uncomfortable too, so I feel for you.

[jacsam]

I've just had the thought of your friend coming over to your house and eating only raw vegan foods......he too may be suffering with this or that and thinking all that raw food made him sick. Of course we know that it's simply because his body just isn't used to raw food and over time it would adjust and thrive on it. Lucky you, now you have a very valid excuse to throw an avacado and some fruit into your purse when you go to a BBQ....if they don't have any options there, you can just pull what you brought out and tell them meat makes you swell up but that you came for the fun company more than anything else. Good luck and I hope your legs feel better quickly.

[something beautiful]

Next day, another friend invited me to a BBQ party. I asked him before I came, "Should I bring anything" as in bring my own food. And he says with confidence, "Oh, no....I HAVE EVERYTHING. No need."

Your friend probably misunderstood, and thought you just meant could you bring something for the table, not "should I bring my own food". Sounds like a failure to communicate ;) Don't give over the power to anyone or anything else - always make sure you have food for yourself!

I too had edema, and raw cleared it up within a week of going 100%. I was resigned to wearing flip-flops all summer and Uggs all winter, not being able to find any other footwear that fit. And the cankles! Don't get me started ;)

[RawHeaven]

yes, that's edema. i had it for a year or so after i broke my leg and after each operation. i don't need to add much to the advice, but will simply say drink plenty of water, celery juice, cucumber juice and lemon juice combined or separate. it cleared up for me eating raw foods also. in terms of detox, please include the lemon juice! also consider acupuncture. it works wonders.

i always take food with me...i don't rely on other people to know what i eat and how to prepare what i eat. especially when we (raw people) are still a tiny microcosm of the status quo. ;) if i can be blunt, you're giving your friends too much power over your choices. what helped me was to focus on the other areas of my relationship with my friends and kind of keep my food business to myself! lol. Good luck SekhemNefer....edema sucks and is somewhat painful, but you will get through it.

[SekhemNefer]

Does your friend know that you're trying to eat raw? Man, that's crazy if he knew you were trying to eat raw and said you didn't need to bring anything. I always bring my own food and enough to share. That way I don't cave to cooked. Most people probably won't care if you bring your own food. If they do then they're just jerks. They can't expect you to swell up like a balloon for them. I wouldn't.

He should know, because I made an announcement months ago on Facebook that I was going RAW. It was something I kept to myself, but I decided to let everyone know so they could be aware of my eating habits so I wouldn't have to keep explaining why I can't eat here, or there when we hang out. Plus I am obese and is trying to lose all this weight.

He said he had EVERYTHING, because his girlfriend fixed a SMALL bowl of fresh salsa and guacamole. It was so small compared to all the meat that when I got there, it was all gone. And the rest of the party was all meat for hours on end.

That was his EVERYTHING!

And what is funny, he is trying to lose weight as well. And except for a few people at the party, all his friends are big fatties. Just like me. But some are way fatter with me with triple chins like a pot belly pig.

Here is my friend...just saying. He talks about losing weight but I don't see how with all that meat he served up. And he told me that he and his neighbors BBQ once or twice a week.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs115.snc1/4841_1162840916877_1403482805_30428960_2631429_n.j pg

[SekhemNefer]

Also, you don't necessarily have to give up salt. Celtic sea salt doesn't promote water retention like table salt does. I use RealSalt. You can find it at health food stores or online.

If you do want to give up all salt anyway, you don't necessarily have to just drink smoothies. You may not want to eat veggies without salt, but you could still eat fruits. You don't necessarily have to put them all in smoothies. I don't think I could do all smoothies all the time. I need something to chew, man. But, if you can live on smoothies, more power to you.

Okay, I have and use sea salt, so maybe it was my body ingesting regular table (iodine) salt when I am out. People use that type of salt the most than sea salt.

[Veronica01]

Salt is still salt. Table salt is worse. But i think it would do wonders for you if you stopped using celtic or sea salt.

I have huge adverse reactions to salt now after going raw and omitting it from my diet. My body clearly swells up and does not like it. Maybe you should try that.

Here's some info from Natural Hygeine on Salt http://www.rawfoodexplained.com/condiments/salt.html Although it does not specify sea salt versus table salt, i have tested myself on both, and both give me instant migraines, my lymphs in my neck swell and i almost have cold like symptoms for a week.

"Sea salt is advocated by the macrobiotic school. However, scientific fact is that all salt in inorganic form, which sea salt and rock salt both are, is poisonous and is responsible for many diseases and health problems. This is why soy sauces and miso, both containing salt, are very harmful foods." - from http://www.rawfoodexplained.com/acid-and-alkaline-substances/questions-answers.html

[something beautiful]

Honestly, I think you're blaming your friend too much. You sound very angry. Let it go. As long as I'm getting on your good side here (lol) I also have to add that it's really unnecessary to post someone's photo here without his consent so.....why? So we can all see how fat he is?

You asked "Can I bring anything" and expected him to discern what you meant. Everyone who gets invited to a BBQ asks if they can bring something. You expected him to discern a different meaning from your "Can I bring something" and he didn't. Please accept that this is just much your error as his, and move on.

So, lessons learned:

Bring your own food. Even if they say they have food, bring something else anyway. Share your delicious bounty with others!

Don't expect everyone to remember everything you post on your facebook. :)

[Veronica01]

I went to my sis' medical school grad bbq and she told me not to bring anything (i did anyways) and i stayed for a bit and then said i was leaving to make some dinner at home. Same thing, they had burgers, buns, chips, and were going to make a small iceberg salad with tomatoes. I just no i'm ok, thanks but i'm a little bit more hungry than a small salad.

When it's your health on the line, don't expect other people to have the slightest incling how to cater to you. Maybe a lot of guys are simpler, meat, beer and chips seems to be very common for what they need.

When i was on SAD i refused to eat lunch meat or sausage/hot dogs of any kind. People always forgot and said they had everything, and it'd turn out it was some kind of sausage theyd have at a barbecue. I went without until i started bringing my own food.

[SekhemNefer]

Honestly, I think you're blaming your friend too much. You sound very angry. Let it go. As long as I'm getting on your good side here (lol) I also have to add that it's really unnecessary to post someone's photo here without his consent so.....why? So we can all see how fat he is?

You asked "Can I bring anything" and expected him to discern what you meant. Everyone who gets invited to a BBQ asks if they can bring something. You expected him to discern a different meaning from your "Can I bring something" and he didn't. Please accept that this is just much your error as his, and move on.

So, lessons learned:

Bring your own food. Even if they say they have food, bring something else anyway. Share your delicious bounty with others!

Don't expect everyone to remember everything you post on your facebook. :)


I wasn't blaming him. Because most people know I am on Raw and I told everyone if I could just have some salad that they I would be happy.

I always ask people before I come to their party if I should bring anything in order to remind them if they have something for me or not.

When I asked him, he said he had everything and the the only thing I should bring was my own alcohol, if I was interested, because his party was BYOB since he is beer person and he had no intentions catering to the wine people.

What I need to realize is, that some people just do not eat vegetables and fruit properly. Some people will have parties with a whole lot of food options. While others thinks that a tiny bit veggies makes a meal healthy when eating a whole lot of meat.

It is like, "I am eating 5lbs of meat all by myself, but I got a cup of salad...ah, that is a decent amount of vegetables. What a great healthy dinner!"

Some people just don't get it. I mean, I used to be a Muslim and told people that I don't eat pork. They would cook foods with pork in it and tell me that I can still eat the food, because they took the pork meat out before they served it to me. They think I still got me a Muslim/Islamic meal I can eat. And I am like "No, you big idiot...no pork means that it can be near, or cooked in, with, or on pork either. Taking the pork meat out doesn't get rid of the pork broth, gravy or flavoring!"

Some people are just that stupid. Or just don't care. And now I know I can't depend on them for anything.

I mean, I am not totally blaming him. I recognize it was partly my fault for depending on others to cater to my needs that means much more to ME than them.

Although I do have a few friends who are healthy conscious but not raw or vegan that would understand and care enough. But these people who don't eat healthy at all....stupid of me to expect that would truly give a damn.

I have learned my lesson!

[something beautiful]

Thank you for taking what I said in the spirit it was intended, I appreciate that. I hope that your friend wises up and follows you down the raw road someday in the future.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I make myself a priority and treat myself like i would for my daughter and stand my ground.

Don't ask on the next invitation and bring food. Victoria Butenko and many raw foodist do that and the people at the barbecue end up loving the food they bring. You are WORTH THE WORK.

When i go to restaurant with friends, i order salad if absolutely nothing for me, i will order and entree for my friends and stick with water. The last restaurant i went, i was doing a fast and i prepared my friends about this and asked them if it was ok that i don't eat anything. But i will always order something for them for many reasons, first you are using the establishment space, so this is at least you can do to buy something. They think you are buying the entree for you anyway and the waiter get to have his tip from you. The friends will even love that more because they get extra free food, lol....

These were great lessons that you went through and what matter is that you learn from them and now know what could happen to your body.

Don't worry, what matter is that you don't give up on raw food and makes room for the good stuff.

OH ALWAYS eat before going to party or RESTAURANT. I always bring my own dressing.

My first Christmas with both our family, it went very well they all loved our raw gourmet food (egg nug, nut ball, cranberry sauce, deserts, icecream, even our green smoothie). Have fun with your food and continue to get educated with raw food. Because as you know you get these questions often:" Where do you get your protein", lol..... I typically keep it simple when someone ask me about raw food. I simply say i eat the same as you do except that i prepare my food in a different way to preserve more nutrients or the nice natural flavor. If they find out that i am vegan, i explain that i simply don't like meat and i know you can do well without them, for the reason of vegan, i explain that i cannot digest any dairy and if it come to more questions, i will say that this is a myth that we need animal food to get the protein etc.... and if someone like their meat, just eat it, and for the one that don't like it they shouldn't feel pressure to eat it. As long people feels your respect their choice and don't try to change them, they will be ok. I have strong ground about raw food and i know this is what works for me.


Congratulations for sticking to raw food.
You are phenomenal.

p.s MAY i strongly suggest to get the book 12 steps to raw food, she is great to give great tips how to deal with our friends and family.