Overwhelmed!

[lisamarieraw]

Hey everyone! I do have a tendency to get overwhelmed and go to extremes… just want to put that out there. I seem, however, to be particularly overwhelmed with the raw food movement. I just know it is what I want and need. But there is so much to learn! Every recipe I see has ingredients I have never heard of, let alone know what to do with. I have been learning about raw for about a year and a half. However, I seem to only be able to practice it when eating salads, fruits, and juicing. I'm confused about the gadgets; there are just so many! I’m confused about buying organic. I'm confused about conflicting raw food theories. I'm even confused about guidance or coaching! There are MANY sites that offer help and it's like which one is right?
I think I am really looking for answers to all of this that I will not find. And when I don't find them I just get annoyed with the whole thing. The more I seem to be experimenting, engaging in, and interacting with the raw food community the main theme that stands out is the individuality of this lifestyle. It seems like the best way to get into it is to JUST GET INTO IT. Make whatever mistakes you will, and adjust. Then just continue this transition journey until you are where you want to be. For some reason I find it hard to accept this. I want to know this is what you do, this way is the best, and here are the steps! I guess I crave that security and maybe I'm also a bit lazy at not wanting to go through the effort on my own. But I guess we are all so unique that is the only option? Since I have discovered this is what I want for my life I it has not been easy to feel happy/satisfied until I am able to fully do it. I picture the ideal me living this lifestyle with all of the other ripple effects I desire in my life and I am impatient to be THAT me.

Have other people gone through this while transitioning? Is it maybe a form of resistance? I really need some guidance on how to be kind to myself and enjoy the process. Thanks for any thoughts :-)

[iluvmangos]

However, I seem to only be able to practice it when eating salads, fruits, and juicing.

Nothing wrong with that. Lots of people do it that way.


I'm confused about the gadgets; there are just so many!

I hardly use my gadgets anymore except my blender. If you wanna get into gourmet, you'll probably want a dehydrator. Just make sure it's one with an adjustable thermostat like an Exaclibur or Good4U so you can control the temp so it doesn't cook your food. If you want to make zucchini pasta, you'll need a spiralizer. I think Alissa sells one on this site.

If you're gonna make smoothies on a fairly regular basis, I suggest you get a Vita-Mix. I burned out 3 regular blenders in my first year of raw.

[lisamarieraw]

Lol… I was just re-reading my post and it all of a sudden was glaringly obvious to me how silly my 'perfectionist' attitude is…ESPECIALLY because it keeps me from achieving many of my goals. I am so not Type A at all (in behavior) BUT in thought and what I SHOULD be doing I am. The resounding feeling here is "if it can't be perfectly perfect, why bother". I end up not trying at all. This obviously leads me to feeling very unhappy with myself and my circumstances.
I have to just experience this process and then when I finally arrive at the perfect me that I envision, it will be worth it! If I was just "there" without having to go through the process or feel the full experience it would not be as sweat. I would not learn whatever I needed to.

I guess I'm just looking for some validation here; lol! :-P

Thanks for the practical tip iluvmangoes! Green smoothies! Another thing I'm confused on…green smoothies or juice?? Lol I'm kinda kidding…kinda…

I'm sure I could technically survive on salads/fruits/juice but I get bored after a while and I CRAVE all those luscious raw food treats! I read somewhere on here that people use the gourmet meals more to transition. I thought just the opposite. I thought I would stick to simplicity until I was able to get all the gadgets and acquire all the info to use them and the ingredients (and save money for it all!)
besos!!

[EZ rider]

The simpler you do raw the better it works.

[Dimond]

I'm with EZ rider. I attribute my years of raw success to keeping it simple. I won't bother with recipes that have more than 8 ingredients (usually way less), and take around 5 minutes to make. You don't need all kinds of gadgets for gourmet. My Vitamix has been the main appliance I need and use. I've been able to make all kinds of simple, delicious food. Then if I want to treat myself to something more, I buy pre-made food/snacks either on-line or at a store/restaurant. I've always had plenty of variety so I never get bored or ever want anything but raw. The good news is the longer you're raw the more simple it becomes and the less food and variety you require.

It's important to narrow down the methods & professionals you listen to. Otherwise you can go crazy. Find what you resonate with the most. Also stick with one way of doing things at a time. You can test out one way and then modify it later if necessary.

Just keep encouraging yourself and find encouragement from others like us. :)

[klomasius]

People stuff up, they make mistakes, they get disheartened, they 'fail' (actually, nobody fails, they just take a break from succeeding), but in the end they do find out the way they want to do it.

You will too, just go down the path you instinctively feel is the best, read up on other's experiences, compare, experience, etc.

It really is fun, you just have to relax a little!

[rawrawks]

Simple raw and eat what your body wants. It is easy, we only make it hard.

[lisamarieraw]

Thanks guys for all the great, down to earth responses :-) I hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend!

[Tsurugi_Oni]

It's highly individual because most of us have taken separate roads to get to a point of un-health. It takes a little fine tuning to get back to health.

Sadly we're born into cultures where what we "know" doesn't serve our highest purpose. Food guide pyramids and modern medicine prop us up with a false sense of knowing and security.

You've found these forums for a reason. You got people here to help and. The rewards are immeasurable.

[freshlight]

Simple worked really well for me too. Enjoy

[anniez]

I really understand what you are saying. Do you have Alissa's book? If so, follow her 30-day plan. Renee is doing a great thread on her 30 days of following it. I really believe it will clarify a lot of things for you.

If you don't have Alissa's book, run, don't walk to wherever you can get it the quickest. It is full of sensible information written for real people. It is not just a recipe book, although it does have awesome recipes.

I wish you well. You CAN do this!

Annie