Obviously missing a crucial link somewhere!

[Terilyn]

Hi guys - mind the TMI! I have no one else to ask so I thought I'd reach out:

Today marks my 30th day of being 100% vegan raw (which, I should point out, is a HUGE triumph in itself being as I live in the Masai Mara in Kenya - LITERALLY in the middle of nowhere). I read all the time and am trying to learn more about raw foodism every day and everything I've read everywhere says that after 30 days I should be looking and feeling great, losing loads of weight and "glowing."

I'll admit that I do have loads of energy and make it through my daily workouts no problem but my face is all broken out and I don't think I've dropped a pound or inch since I began. I'm eating oat groats, fruit, tons of veg, avocados, sprouts (lentil, quinoa, tried sunflower but for some reason my throat closes when I eat them), and minimal nuts, usually in the form of nut mylk (cashew or almond) with the morning oatmeal. My access to a variety of food is limited (no goji berries, acai berries, raw cacao, spirulina, hemp powder, butters, etc.,etc., to be had in this country!) Juicing where I live is almost impossible given that we have very unreliable electricity (which is also a problem for smoothie-making) and I know that juice freshness is absolutely essential. My digestion is random and some days are bloated, elimination-free days while others are...well, you know what I'm saying.

I'm on anti-depressants and have been for over two years. I'm keen to wean off them now but am wary to do so without the supervision of my doctor (who is in Canada and who I see once a year every May). Could these be causing the problem or am I just being impatient or am I missing some crucial element that will unlock the key to my body's perfect health?

Help! Any insights are greatly appreciated!

[snoops]

I haven't been at this long enough to be of much help to you but I just wanted to say congratulations on being all raw in the middle of nowhere. If you can do it...

I'm sure you'll get some wisdom from others in regards to your questions.:)

[RawLibrarian]

My access to a variety of food is limited (no goji berries, acai berries, raw cacao, spirulina, hemp powder, butters, etc.,etc., to be had in this country!)

Those are completely unnecessary to be raw. I view them as totally optional additions. I don't use any of them myself except VERY occasionally.

You're doing wonderfully well by staying raw vegan for 30 days given the challenges of where you live, sporadic electricity, etc.

No words of wisdom except that detoxing takes time, and be sure you're adequately hydrated.

Congratulations on your 30 days of raw!

[LuvMyTwins]

You are doing a wonderful job and should be proud. I, as well, am on anti-depressants for seizures (which are controlled) and raw has been a slower process weight wise. Yet, my energy is up (which is the opposite from how I used to feel) and I know that I'll be in detox much longer b/c of the toxic stuff that I have to take daily. My hope is that food becomes my medicine and I can get rid of most--if not all--of the meds.

Good luck on your journey.---LMT

[Revvell]

I have a friend who was 100% raw in the jungles of Viet Nam. She used NO electricity, far as I know. Sounds to me as though you're doing a better job than many here in America.

You say you have "loads of energy". Wouldn't that be the opposite of being depressed? So, if you wean yourself off meds, you can always go back on them if "necessary", right? It's your body, your decision.


no goji berries, acai berries, raw cacao, spirulina, hemp powder, butters, etc.,etc., to be had in this country!

You're not missing anything here. I don't use any of these myself.

As far a skin break out, your skin is a third lung/kidney. You're cleansing. Keep eating a variety of greens. Check out food-combining charts and see if eating mono or with "proper" food combining, the bloating disappears.

Often when people begin raw, their bodies aren't use to the fiber and they'll bloat for a few months.

Great journey you're on.

[marissa_al1]

One of the things that happened to me when I started to be raw is that I wanted to eat all the time, not as a physical desire, but as an intellectual desire. It still happens to me that whenever I get a new book I want to try all the new recipes and end up overeating and the worst of all: not eating enough greens. I really, truly believe that eating greens (in great quantities and varieties) is the most essential part about eating raw foods. If you have access to them, eat tons of them. They will fill you up, detox you and help you feel better in every single way. When my mom started eating more greens she felt really bad for a while (almost a month) before she started feeling better. Sometimes we take things too fast and our bodies have a hard time getting use to it.

I really admire your determination to be raw, I was just in South America for a month and had it pretty though just to be a vegetarian, I didn't even try to eat only raw.

The symptoms you are experiencing are probably part of the detox process.

How did you eat before? Did you change your eating habits slowly or fast?

Do you NEED to lose weight? Raw food helps you gravitate to your natural healthy weight, but if you are already there you probably won't lose more.

Good luck with everything and I really hope you start feeling better over there!

[contessa20]

Welcome Terilyn,

I don't have much to offer except, you're doing GREAT and just give it time. Right now you're releasing years of cruddiness through your skin so it makes sense that you are all broken out. If you're feeling great (and it sounds like you are) keep doing what you're doing and enjoy the journey.

As for the food items you mentioned, like a lot of others here I don't use any of those either and get along just fine without them.

As far as juicing or smoothie making goes, have you thought about a hand-crank or pedal-powered juicer or blender? That would probably be ideal for where you're located.

And finally, I just have to mention that I'll be visiting Masai Mara and Nairobi (Kibera) on a missions trip next summer or fall. :D Right now I'm learning Swahili in preparation for the trip.

[artgirly4]

Terrilyn,good for you on your committment to be raw. Shows what one can do if they make up their mind to it.

Nuts and heaver things present a problem for my digestion.

May find some herbs there to ease bowels a bit.

Greens, think I might find suitable ones in the wild and chew,chew,chew. Def want greens!!! Maybe be like th echimps and wrap frut in leaves and eat!!!!

For me, I see depression as a label in this world, as yet another disorder, disease to aquire. Follow me here....One can say "I am happy" and easy as they can say "I am depressed".

There are behaviour modification tecniques to learn(mind games) so as to turn every neg or sad thought into one that creates power n your life. It is a learned behaviour just as depression is. Thoughts are NOT YOU however they can run roughshod over you.

There are chemical challenges that can create an imbalance in the brain and finding out what is out of balance and resetting them with supplements is awesome.
Either way, with drugs or with natural substances, you are changing your brain chemstry. I prefer natch. How great to ease off the drugs if you can.
Many docs wont agree or support this. Sometimes one must do it by themselves. My friend is doing this. It is gong well. She is just gradually splitting her dosages little by little and it is working!!!

Hope this helps. Best to you.

[*RayRay*]

wow, way to go on being raw where you are! If I was in your situation, I would probably cut out the oatmeal (hard on digestion) and replace it with fresh fruit all morning, then do veggies in the afternoon, and light on the nuts.....
The skin is definitely detox symptoms, this means you are awakening more toxins from your body than your bowel is able to remove (it can't keep up), so if you are able to do enemas, i believe this would help your symptoms. also, as your body gets cleaner i think you will definitely be able to ween off your meds (but of course you should talk to your doc about how to do that safely) a clean body (inside) conducts energy which gives way clear thought and positive emotions! Good luck with everything!

[sprouts2go]

I tried the oat groats amn found out they had to be Whole oat groats. I eventually gave them up. Fruits and soaked nuts in a bowl is great for mornings. I don't do any of the hard to find items you mentioned either. Fresh fruits and veggies with occasional emergency nuts and seeds.
Have you tried the Kale avocado salad? It is awesome and great for fiber from kale.
Sounds like you are doing rawsome with what you have available.

[ShantiLove]

Have you thought of a manual juicer ? not nessesary, but just to give a little different "texture" to your diet from time to time ;)

Yes if you can do it ......:D