Struggling to become a raw foodist

[paperoceans]

Hello everyone,

I have been struggling to become a vegan for years in my adolescence, I had the will-power to do so, but my mother did not agree with that kind of lifestyle. My mother grew up in South Carolina in the 1960's and believes that I need meat to stay "healthy". Despite the fact that I have a horrible immune system and meat makes me feel physically ill :D

From my understanding, I know that humans are not meant to consume dairy products after such-and-such years. Milk is for infants and humans are the only animals on this planet who continue to consume milk even after we no longer need it. Strangely enough for me, I have never liked milk either. I kind of refused to drink it as an infant and onward. My main problem is that I'm in love with cheese, but lately we haven't been meshing well. And over the past years, meat has begun to make me feel physically ill as well. I never liked the taste of meat, but lately I just cannot eat it at all. So, I feel like easing into raw foodism would be the best thing for me.

I just turned twenty yesterday and I feel like I still need to make some major changes in my life. I will succeed! I'm sick of feeling sick and tired!

[Veganforlife]

Awwwww paperoceans (LOVE that name!)
Happy Birthday!
Do you live at home w/your Mom? How about if you and your Mom do a 30-day challenge and see how well you BOTH feel after that? Of course you will need Alissa's book and the DVDs are a must (like being there w/her watching her prepare meals). Would your Mom commit to that?
It does NOT have to be a struggle. It's fun!

[Dimond]

Welcome. :) Raw vegan cheese and nut milks are delicious and many are easy to make.

Happy belated Birthday. Raw is a great way to enjoy the new birth year.

[spicyfull]

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

[rawrawks]

ooooooooo if i call rawfood a struggle....it will be

[EZ rider]

Raw food preparation can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.
Years ago I was struggling with poor health and I didn't understand why. I read a book (probably out of print by now) called "Fit for Life". It was about the effects of eating a SAD diet and part of the book was about problems resulting from eating dairy products. I was very congested and the book indicated that dairy maybe causing it. I decided to eliminate dairy as an experiment for a month. By the end of the month I had my answer to my congestion problem. I decided to try some of the other things they talked about in the book like food combining etc. Many more of my health problems disappeared. That was the start of a health journey that I am still on today and intend to stay on. The rewards of good health speak for themselves. Good luck.

[tiggerbounce]

I sooooooooo wish that I had discovered raw when I was your age. I was far more head strong and determined at your age. Just think of how many years of health I casually tossed out the window?!:eek:

I think it is positively wonderful that you already understand and are taking the steps to a better and more vibrant life. Good for you! :D

If you struggle to help those around you understand it is important to be armed with plenty of factual knowledge.

If you are living with someone who tries to force their choices on you, just gently let them know that you understand and respect their choices and to please do the same for you. There is no need to be argumentative about it, but at the same time , if you are not being true to what you are really passionate about and about what is right for you, then you are losing a small piece of who you are. When you regularly bend to what makes others more happy and you often find yourself at your wits end....try again by making choices from your heart and for yourself.

This is true for me.....in my life, any time that I did something that others thought I should do becasue it would be the better choice....it ALWAYS turned out to be a disaster. ALWAYS. Any time that I made choices and did the right thing for me, it always was ok. This is likely because I consciously make choices that fit my personality and skills, and others just think they know those things. Now whenever I hear someone say....."you should try this..." , I just say, "sounds like a great idea, why don't YOU try it?" Works like a charm.

Sorry, rambling tigger's are never a pretty thing! heh.

Welcome and congrats on your amazing choice!:D

[paperoceans]

I sooooooooo wish that I had discovered raw when I was your age. I was far more head strong and determined at your age. Just think of how many years of health I casually tossed out the window?!:eek:

I think it is positively wonderful that you already understand and are taking the steps to a better and more vibrant life. Good for you! :D

If you struggle to help those around you understand it is important to be armed with plenty of factual knowledge.

If you are living with someone who tries to force their choices on you, just gently let them know that you understand and respect their choices and to please do the same for you. There is no need to be argumentative about it, but at the same time , if you are not being true to what you are really passionate about and about what is right for you, then you are losing a small piece of who you are. When you regularly bend to what makes others more happy and you often find yourself at your wits end....try again by making choices from your heart and for yourself.

This is true for me.....in my life, any time that I did something that others thought I should do becasue it would be the better choice....it ALWAYS turned out to be a disaster. ALWAYS. Any time that I made choices and did the right thing for me, it always was ok. This is likely because I consciously make choices that fit my personality and skills, and others just think they know those things. Now whenever I hear someone say....."you should try this..." , I just say, "sounds like a great idea, why don't YOU try it?" Works like a charm.

Sorry, rambling tigger's are never a pretty thing! heh.

Welcome and congrats on your amazing choice!:D

Thanks! That was insightful :D

[Emmanuelle]

Hi paperoceans,

Welcome to the forum :)

Good job going vegan on your own, so young! If you can do that, while being raised in a family that doesn't support this, you can definitely go raw, too!
You will find plenty of the support you might need here.

Enjoy!