7th Time Attempting Raw - Buffalo, NY

[Carly]

Yes, you read that right! 7 times in 6 years! I probably have no reason to think I'll actually stick to it this time, but I'm trying again anyway. I'm a 25 y/o, single, and really wanting to do this for good this time. I obviously haven't figured out what it takes yet; the longest I've ever been 100% raw was for 2.5 months (lost 32 lbs in that time too) in the Summer of 2003, 6 years ago! Since then it's been 6 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 month, etc. One time I did go for abut 4 months, but that was spliced up every 2 weeks or so into 1-2 day binges (and I mean BINGES!). The last time was for a month in November; I felt so good and had some amazing things happen, I don't even know why I went off. I've thought about trying 80% raw, but it seems like soon enough it's 70%, 50%, 5%, etc. The good thing is that at least I already have probably 30+ raw books and all the kitchen gadgets.

So why am I trying this again? Unlike other times, it's not about desperation to lose weight. I would like to lose 20-30 lbs, but I've already lost over 60 lbs on Weight Watchers, so the desperation isn't there anymore. I just don't feel as healthy or vibrant as I think I could feel. The 'diet' foods I've been eating are not the best choices. There are a lot of little things I'm hoping to address/fix with Raw. I'm sick of feeling like a slave to food, truly an addict who binges constantly. I didn't feel like that on Raw. Spiritually I feel drawn to this way of eating; I wonder if eating raw might be able to get me to the next level.

Just a few days ago I found a raw food Meetup group group that meets locally for raw potlucks twice per month, and sometimes more. I'm hoping this well help some of the social and motivation issues I have with the diet.

I'm committing to a 100 day experiment, 100%, starting 8/1. My mom has committed to doing it with me! I'm not planning to deviate from the 100%, but if I do I'll just go back to raw immediately and not stress about it. Then I'll evaluate after 100 days and hopefully want to continue. I have to tell myself "Just 100 days!" because otherwise the thought of 'forever' is too overwhelming. I actually have a big family party on the day I plan to start, which I just found out about, but I committed to starting 8/1 so that's still the plan.

Though I've never blogged before, I'm planning on starting one here (where I can get ever more long winded! :D), in the hope that it will keep me more accountable and motivated. I'll join the 30 day challenge too.

I look foward to getting to know you all,

Carly :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

and here you are... ready to join the 30 day challenge and here we are with open arms welcoming you and offering our support!!! (((hugs)))

[Carly]

Thanks so much Aleesha! I've never posted on a Raw Food forum before, maybe it will help me stay motivated and not feel like I'm the only one doing this! I see you've been very successful! What's your secret?

[Aleesha Sattva]

i take every single meal on it's own. i didn't tell myself "i can never eat ______ again" instead i told myself "in this meal... i choose to eat _____"

kinda like an alcoholic... "just for today" except i broke it down to each thing i put into my mouth.

i also didn't allow myself to feel guilt when i did choose something cooked. a promise i made to myself was... "if i choose to eat something cooked... then i will eat something raw in the next meal". that always made it much better, because i wasn't beating the crap outta myself all the time. instead i was focusing on the positives!

[Carly]

Thank you so much Aleesha! You are right, I just have to take it one day, one meal at a time, because what else can I do? There is no point in me worrying about the future, worrying if I can stay raw long term (and what it will mean if I do), because I can't deal with that until the time comes. I'm just struggling a bit with not trusting myself because it has been so long and so many failed attempts. I feel like everyone else here's about the the raw food diet and goes 100% raw or close to it overnight, or at least within a year. Not me!

But I'm excited about this and I'm ready to be raw again! :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

it's not a competition... who cares what anyone else does or what their process is. this is YOUR process... and you can do this if you choose to.

(((hugs))) one meal at a time. just one.

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW..........Welcome to MY World.

[buffalogal]

Hey Carly!! I'm in Springville and it's great to have another "buffalogal" on board!! Best of luck on your 7th attempt at raw. Believe me, we are all a "work in progress"! I can't even remember how many attempts I have made, but I just keep plugging along doing the best I can. Some days I am all raw, some days not...on the days I'm not, I just "pick myself up, brush myself off and start all over again". (There used to be a song with those words in it, but I'm sure you're way too young to remember it!!:)) It's great to know that you have found out about a few raw pot lucks. Are they the ones at the Crossroads church (Lori Bosch's) and the one on Main Street in Clarence? (I think someone named Donna who works at the Williamsville Feel Rite started it.) Those are the only two I know about. If you know of others, please let me know!!! I've been to the one at Crossroads a few times when it was on Friday nights.....since they've changed it to Sundays, I haven't been able to get there. The Main Street, Clarence one is also on Sundays and I've never gotten to that one. (Clarence is a bit of a hike from Springville!) I wrote a post awhile back about all that Buffalo has to offer for raw fooders. If you click on the line under my name (buffalogal), then go to statistics, then go to find all posts by buffalogal, all my posts will come up. I think it was on page 5 - the date was 1/2/08. Welcome aboard this wonderful raw food forum!! It's great to have you!:D

[kitlynne]

I thought I'd given up things like Pad Thai forever.......... ehh I was wrong.. very very wrong. Sometimes the food is daunting, but with some creativity you can make anything and it'll taste like and have the same consistency of your favorite foods!

I even found a recipe for hot dogs out there.... =)

Chin up, good luck and have *FUN* with your first 30 days!

[jacsam]

Have you read Alissa's book and watched her DVD's? It took her awhile to figure it all out and then once she did, she's been sharing it with everyone ever since. I'm sure you've learned something with each try. I can tell you know enough to know that it is what you want for yourself and with knowing that, you WILL get there. It's great to have you here.

[Moretta]

Welcome and good luck on your RAWNESS journey.

[Finn]

I like Aleesha's advice of taking this one meal (or one bite) at a time. That's how I've approached my transition to raw, and its worked out great! I use the same approach with going to the gym...I take each day at a time, and if I choose not to go, I make sure to go the next day.

I've been raw for only 2 weeks now, and the other night I allowed myself my first cooked meal. A veggie burger with ketchup! It was tasty, but I really noticed the change in my body after wards. I felt bloated for the next day and tired. It was such a contrast from how I was feeling on my strict raw diet, and reminded me of why I went raw....I dont want to feel like that anymore!

I think its important to allow yourself those "slip ups" to reinforce why we are eating this way. Eating one cooked meal has renewed my momentum to stay raw.

So dont beat yourself up if you slip, and good luck on your new journey!

[Carly]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

Buffalogal - I actually live in Hamburg, so not too far from you. My grandma and aunt live on the North Collins-Concord line. I know that the people who put on the raw food festivals from '02-'04 (I went in '03, did you go?) used to live in Springville. I went to their house to buy wheatgrass from them once. They broke up and she lives in Buffalo now I think, and I just saw her at the potluck. The potlucks you mentioned are the same ones I found, but they also have additional things going on. Like in 8/15 (I think), they're having a potluck in Darien/Corfu, at a new holistic center that is going to have a raw cafe! It's kind of far, even for me, but a lot closer than Toronto, where usually you'd have to go for a raw restaurant. At the West Falls Waldorf school they are having Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes-Monarch giving a lecture on I believe 8/12, for $15. I've been to the Crossroads potluck a few years ago, when it was on Fridays. I just went to the Main Street one, and it's actually in Snyder and not Clarence. It only took me 25 minutes from Hamburg because there was no traffic and I live close to the 90. I met Donna and she's very nice. About 30-35 people were there and they said Crossroads is even bigger! I'll check out your posts for sure.

http://www.meetup.com/TBLFMG/ - the Buffalo living foods Meetup group
For some reason not all the potlucks/events show up on the calender, but they should be on the message board or you'll hear about them if you go to the potlucks.

Jacsam - I've got so many raw books but not Alissa's for some reason, though I don't know why. I'll have to check it out, I like the idea of having a DVD to keep me motivated.

Finn - I like the one meal at a time idea. I do think that the pack 6 years of back and forth has made it even more clear that raw works the best for me, and how addicted I am to junk food.

[buffalogal]

Hi Carly - Thanks for the heads up! I'm definitely going to have to find out about the Waldorf school event. That's not far from here and I would love to hear and see Matt and Angela. I also found out that Rev. George Malkmus, the man who started the Hallelujah Diet and Hallelujah Acres (www.hacres.com) is speaking on September 23 at the Crossroads church. I'm hoping to get to that also. I did hear him speak there a few years back. Unfortunately, these two events are on Wednesdays.......I usually go to bed by 8:30PM because I get up at 3:30AM (start work at 4:45AM), so maybe I'll just have to take a nap on those dates!! Maybe we'll meet at one of these events!! Take care and I wish you the best of luck on your raw journey!!;)

[Frugal Raw]

Welcome!! I wish you the best of rawesome health!!!

[Thick]

I try to remember that no matter how much I want that first bite of _____, it's nothing like the possessed cravings I'll feel after one bite. This is just me, though.

Also, the self esteem that comes from the loving act of not eating the ____ makes me feel good all day, unlike giving in which makes me feel like crap--and eat more crap.

I think the most important thing for me is to keep yummy foods made and ready--like pizza crusts ready to go or sandwich crackers/breads or anything that strikes my fancy on a photo thread or www.goneraw.com .

I don't keep much junk food in the house. It's easier to say no once in the store than having to say no 1,000 times everytime you open the cabinet.

I plan my family's meals and only normal portions so that I won't be tempted by the leftovers (big garbage disposal probelm in the past). I also try to serve earlyish dinners so I can have dinner working before my husband suggests we go out.

I'm glad you are back! I understand not fully trusting yourself to keep your promises. Listen to your inner voices when you are tempted this round. What is it that you are really wanting:
-- If you are avoiding something--give yourself permission to not do it (if possible)
--If you are feeling lazy and not wanting to do the prep--order a week of food from an online source--still cheaper in many ways than going off, or go eat in a raw restaurant if you have one near you
--there are a limited amount of tastes and textures we can really experince--which do you want--crunchy, spicy, salty, creamy, cold, sweet, warm, thick, sour, chewy---find a way to appease it with raw

I'm looking forward to getting to know you!=)>

[leeleelocs]

Green smoothies always stop me from binging. The body needs mor nutrients the green smoothis is the ticket!! I keep spirlinia and frozen bananas on hand for quick smooties.

[Carly]

Buffalogal - That Rev. George Malkmus lecture sounds great; I plan to be there if I can. Are you going to the next Crossroads potluck? I'll be the 5'10 blond, maybe with the name tag that says 'Carly.' :D Should I hold up a sign that says 'BUFFALOGAL' like they do at the airport?

Leeleelocs - I just got into green smothies the last time I went raw and I do like them a lot!

Thick - Good advice all around, thanks!

[rawlee]

Hey Carly & Buffalogal!
I am one of the owners of the "holistic center" going up in Darien. It's actually a raw food hotel and restaurant with spa services. And it takes me 45 minutes to get to the McKinley Mall....so that's not so far. :)
A raw food picnic is being planned for Sat, August 15 at my home in Bennington at 1 PM. The hotel is a 5 minute walk and I'm planning on giving a walk about. We are still under construction, but it's taking shape nicely. Please consider coming!

[sport]

Hey Carly & Buffalogal!
I am one of the owners of the "holistic center" going up in Darien. !

I am the other owner but will not make the picnic so look forward to meeting you both at a later date.

[buffalogal]

That's great!! Would love to come and so far, I don't have any plans for that date!! (Although my two sisters-in-law are going to be in from Denver August 8-21, so something might pop up.:( - that's also my husband's birthday.) I'll really try to make it though. Do you have a website that I could get the information from? And Carly - I have Alissa's dvds and book, so you're welcome to borrow them. Hopefully, we'll meet up sometime soon. I probably won't be going to the next Crossroads pot luck - Sundays are just too busy for me. But one thing I'm planning to do next week is go to the Erie County Fair and get a Vita Mix!!! They are having a demonstration booth there and I've been wanting one for a long time. I do have a Jack Lalanne Healthmaster, but I have been hearing so many bad things about it lately (I actually think they stopped making them!) that I expect it to konk out on me any day now, so I've decided to splurge and get the Vita Mix.....I hear you can get an awesome deal when they have live demonstrations. Do you have one? Then maybe I'll just take my Healthmaster to my daughter's in South Carolina so I can use it when I'm visiting her. Hey - have a great day!:D

[Carly]

Buffalogal - Thanks for your kind offer re: Alissa's DVD and book. I don't have a Vita mix, I just have a Cuisinart food processor. I'm not really sure what the difference is?

Rawlee/Sport - Are you both from Ireland? How did you pick Darien for your center? What do you mean by 'raw hotel'? I'm very excited for a raw restaurant in Darien; that's so much closer than Toronto! 45 minutes isn't too far at all; you don't happen to need a massage therapist or help in the kitchen or anywhere else? For some reason I'm a much better raw chef than a cooked chef (maybe that isn't saying too much though :D). I have a BA degree with honors from University at Buffalo but I got laid off from my last job :( It would be great to work somewhere with a raw food focus.

Is the picnic also a potluck? My mom and I are planning on coming.

[sport]

Buffalogal -

Rawlee/Sport - Are you both from Ireland? How did you pick Darien for your center? What do you mean by 'raw hotel'? I'm very excited for a raw restaurant in Darien; that's so much closer than Toronto! 45 minutes isn't too far at all; you don't happen to need a massage therapist or help in the kitchen or anywhere else? For some reason I'm a much better raw chef than a cooked chef (maybe that isn't saying too much though :D). I have a BA degree with honors from University at Buffalo but I got laid off from my last job :( It would be great to work somewhere with a raw food focus.

Is the picnic also a potluck? My mom and I are planning on coming.

I am from Ireland but Rawlee (Linda) is a local. We met when we both attended one of Alissa's training courses in Maine and this is what it ended up as.
When we talk of a Raw Hotel, that is what we mean. A hotel that serves raw food.
Yes we will need help so have a chat with Linda when you get there.

[rawlee]

Carly & Buffalogal,
I just received an email from the Buffalo Raw Food Meetup and they are looking to change the picnic to mid Sept. If you still want to take a ride out anyway or any other time to see what we're doing, just let me know. It's very exciting and the facility is beautiful. We definitely will be wanting to work with like-minded raw foodists!!

[4forme]

I just wanted to drop by and say Hi! I am in Skaneateles, which is about 3 hrs from you guys. Still kindof far, but close in one sense.

Carly, I am also a multi starter with raw. It's been a journey, starting about 2 yrs. ago. I learn something new every time I try again. This time I feel so relaxed and free about it. No guilt and blame, major committments and huge plans. Just takin it one day at a time and I fel GREAT!!! Not 100%, more like 80 right now, but I will get there, and I can't wait.

Best of luck to you and see ya round.

[RawTruth]

Sport!!! Finally! I knew there was a reason to drop in every year or so. Congratulations on making it happen. Woohoo.

Carly --

You've received some great advice. Here's mine, very briefly and some may be duplicated but it's what's worked for me for six solid years and also for the people I've coached and taught:



Get Alissa's book/DVD ASAP. They're the best out there -- simple, encouraging, and filled with facts presented in a way that won't make your eyes crossed. Her personality comes through which is exactly what you need.



Always be prepared. Always be prepared. Always be prepared. Have plenty of raw food at home: fresh ripe fruits, veggies, seeds & nuts. Never leave home without a purse full of bananas, apples, an avocado, Lara Bars, carob balls, crackers, whatever. Even if you're just dashing to the post office. You never know where you'll get diverted and when hunger will strike.



Find a partner on rawfoodtalk who you can "talk" to and "listen" to. Sharing your ups and downs, temptations and successes, great meals and disgusting failures will make all the difference in the world. It works best if they're in a similar situation as you so you can identify with each others struggles right now.



Understand that you will possibly have an emotional detox. We all eat emotionally and use food to stuff feelings to one extent or another. Your craving for cooked food may not be actually for that food. Tend to your feelings. Feel them. Meditate, jog, do yoga, go to meetings, do whatever it takes to deal with what's underlying your fear of succeeding.



Know that raw food is not all there is to health.



Plan, plan, plan. Don't start the week without a stocked fridge/counter/pantry. On Sunday, make a yummy salad dressing, a pate or two, a soup, crackers, breads, sweets. Make sure you have ingredients for wraps, sandwiches, etc.



Green it up always. Start each day with a green juice or green smoothie. Eat as much of a variety of dark green leaves as possible. Try dandelion greens in your smoothie, eat kale salads, find some lambsquarter, purslane, other wild edibles. You're eating sunshine, life, and light when you eat greens - think photosynthesis.



Keep it simple. You don't need superfoods. Yikes! Did I actually say that in cyberspace where I can get my raw butt kicked? Yep. After being all raw longer than almost everyone I know, I can say that. And again: you don't need superfoods. Try your best to stay away from cacao; it's toxic, addictive, suppresses your adrenals, and keeps you hooked on SAD-tasting foods.

Wow!! Not so brief. Sorry.


Most, of all, it's your journey. Not mine, not anyone else's. When you stick with eating whole raw foods, move your body vigorously every day, tend to your spirit, etc., you will begin to be able to trust your body to know what it needs. Some days you may want only greens; others you may want only fruit, but mostly you will end up eating a variety of simple foods eventually. Don't push it. It will happen naturally ... if you do what I wrote above ("When you stick with ...").

The best advice is, as my friend (Revvell, I think) says: have fun playing with your food!

[Carly]

Rawlee and Sport - That's so cool how you met by chance in Maine that went into business together, almost serendipitous. Oh, that's too bad about postponing the picnic. :( I bet they want to do it because there is another potluck and Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes are coming the same week. When are you open for a tour? Also, when are you planning on opening? Are you already in the process of hiring employees? Do you know yet what kind of positions your hiring for? I have a degree in Philosophy, so if you have any positions open for master philosophers, that would be great! :D I guess I should probably drive out there to see how far it is (especially in our wonderful Winters!) before I go any further with this!

4forme - Thank you for the encouragement. I feel different about it this time too. Every time I go raw I always learn new recipes. I'm hoping that the new potlucks, this board, and the 100 day challenge rather than just an indefinite time limit, which was overwhelming, will help. Do you have potlucks where you live? If not, feel free to drive the 3 hrs to come see us; we're worth it! :p

RawTruth - Wow, thanks for all your advice! I definitely want to get Alissa's book/DVD. First I just need to go through the mountain I already have though! It will be a relief to hear from someone who is more 'forgiving' regarding not cutting out nuts, or not doing this or that. It did really help me to bring my own food along to a party the other day. I notice that lately I'm always preparing food, but those foods are really helping me stay raw. I'm lucky because my mom is doing raw with me, for the 100 days and hopefully longer. The emotional detox is not fun, and I know that I eat for emotional reasons; cooked foods tend to 'numb me out' which I guess I crave. I've added green smoothies (usually dandelion and kale) this time and the last time I went raw. I think that's helping with the cravings because I didn't have many last time and none in the past 3 days. I'm glad to hear that I don't need superfoods, they're kind of overwhelming to me. So how long have you been raw for? Have you noticed any amazing changes? Thanks again!

[RawTruth]

So how long have you been raw for? Have you noticed any amazing changes? Thanks again!

Beginning my 6th year all raw. Yep, changed my entire life.

[sport]

[QUOTE=RawTruth;547309]Sport!!! Finally! I knew there was a reason to drop in every year or so. Congratulations on making it happen. Woohoo.

Thank You

[buffalogal]

September will probably work out better for me (depending on the weekend). The August 15 weekend was beginning to look too busy to make the drive. Do you have a website that I can check out occasionally? Right now, I am planning to attend the Matt Monarch/Angela Stokes-Monarch thing at the Waldorf school. Are any of you attending? I hope to meet all of you sometime soon!!:)

[rawlee]

Bufalogal- I am going to the Monarch's talk. Matt and Angela have tentative plans to visit our construction.
Carly-:D ....no formal tour....just let me know when you would like to come out.

[Carly]

I'm planning on going to the Monarch's talk too! I'll see you all there! I'll be the one holding the big sign that says "RAWLEE AND BUFFALO GAL"! :D

[buffalogal]

Carly - I will try to remember to bring the book and DVDs to the Waldorf School event on August 12. See y'all then!:D

[Carly]

Oh, thanks so much buffalogal; you are too kind! Honestly, that is a really sweet gesture! If I like it I'll probably get my own copy eventually. When can I get it back to you? Are you going to any other potlucks? Maybe I can drop it of at your house or work sometime?

[buffalogal]

Oh - we'll figure that out after you're done reading (and enjoying!) the book and watching the dvds!:)

[rawlee]

I am looking forward to meeting you both! :)

[splendorintheraw]

hi Carly!! Hurrah for you and your mom- you have the right attitude, their should be no guilt involved with raw food. Again remember to keep the mindset, this is NOT A DIET THIS IS A LIFESTYLE. Diets dont work for the longrun. Keep up the great work.

ps- you are doing the right thing by finding support here. Thats one of the keys to success.