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Gab
11-03-2009, 03:05 PM
:) Let me start by saying I am so glad I found this site!!!
I'm a 57 yr old woman, living with my beloved husband, 2 boxers and one cat. In my younger days I never had a weight problem, ate what I wanted when I wanted, and topped it off with drinking and smoking. In my early 30's I started having some minor problems like general fatigue, aches in my knees (which I figured was from all the high impact aerobics I did), just general "blah". So around 1982 I went macrobiotic and was strict macro for about 4 years. Went through the healing crisis thing and long story short, ended up feeling fantastic! No pains. Energy.

Then for some reason I still don't understand I went back to my old ways (even though I ended up throwing up on that first hamburger...) and sure enough over the years started 'falling apart'. Beginnings of arthritis, migraines, gaining 80lbs... I think you get the ugly picture. I now have a problem (doctors are still trying to figure out what the actual problem is) and can barely walk, even with a cane. The pain in my hip/leg is so bad I have my moments where all I can do is cry.

About 3 months ago I decided to go back macrobiotic 'cause I remembered how wonderful I felt. BUT... this time, it's just not taking me where I want to be. :confused:

Don't get me wrong, I do feel better, have a bit more energy but the pain is not being relieved.

I had heard about the raw food diet (don't recall where) and have been doing a lot of reading on the net for hours on end each day. I decided to include more raw in my diet and do feel better after only 2-3 weeks.

I'm surprised at how easily natural it is to 'slide' into this way of eating. The energy is different... the macrobiotic energy is more mellow than the raw food 'wow I feel great' energy. I like the raw food energy more.

I will admit though I am having some problems getting my head around some of the ways of eating because they so conflict with the macrobiotic way. For example - eat raw versus cook it until it's very soft so your digestive system isn't stressed; eat bananas versus no bananas because of my genetic history (people from the north eat apples, pears etc., while people from the tropics eat bananas and citrus because that's how we've evolved genetically).

I'm hoping to be able to go 100% and am thinking of doing the month challenge starting December.

I'm glad I found you all because from what I've read so far in some of the forums there's support galore.

See you around, sorry the post is long... now you know why they call me 'Gab'.

:D

Veganforlife
11-03-2009, 04:35 PM
Hi Gab! I love the gift of gab and the best gift you can give yourself if you don't have it is Alissa's book and DVDs. Welcome! You have come to the BEST healing place!

islesgirl
11-03-2009, 08:36 PM
Hi Gab, and a big welcome to you. I'm not far from you. Just a bit further west, near Hamilton. So glad you are here. I am positive you will be feeling better in no time. Looking forward to reading about your journey on raw.:)

Sue.

spicyfull
11-04-2009, 12:18 AM
I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW........Welcome to MY World.

Gab
11-04-2009, 07:13 AM
Hi Islesgirl
Thanks for the welcome... Hamilton, not far at all, I'm actually in Mississauga. How long have you been raw? I have some difficulties finding a full range of organic, there used to be an Alternatives near by in Port Credit but they went under. Any shopping suggestions?

islesgirl
11-04-2009, 09:15 AM
Hi Islesgirl
Thanks for the welcome... Hamilton, not far at all, I'm actually in Mississauga. How long have you been raw? I have some difficulties finding a full range of organic, there used to be an Alternatives near by in Port Credit but they went under. Any shopping suggestions?

Good morning Gab. I have been learning about raw for about 2 years and have struggled to eat raw off and on during that time - mostly off:o except for two months during summer of '08. That was long enough for me to realize the incredible things that raw food was doing for me. Now I am absolutely determined that I am going forward all the way with it. I am doing it for me and for my children - to see the wonderful changes it can make in their lives too.

As for shopping, you will have no trouble in Toronto I am sure. I seldom ever go there. I was always so afraid of the heavy traffic. I am 63 and my nerves are shot. But I will get better. There are 2 raw restaurants in To that I know of. And I know there are much better natural food shops there too. As for organic food, I am just beginning to pick and choose what I must buy that is organic. I also grew lots of greens this summer in my garden and froze them for my Green Smoothies. I couldn't afford to buy all organic yet I don't think. But this is a learning process and I may end up eating so simply that I buy only organic in time. Now I have invested a lot of money in equipment, and rawfood uncook books and tons of nuts, honey, coconut oil, agave, cacao. Not cheap stuff. There are rawbies here at RFT that will direct you to good shops I am sure.

I go to Janet Jacks "Goodness Me" in Hamilton on Upper Gage and I am beginning to ask the produce manager at Sobeys here to order me some things - like baby coconuts! He said he'd try. Yippee

Sue. (have a great day, Gab:))

Frugal Raw
11-14-2009, 07:07 AM
Welcome!! I wish you the best of rawesome health!!!