Questions for the more experienced ...

[VeganWannaBe]

Hello everyone!
So, today is day 3 of the challenge for me and I can hardly wait to make the most out of it!
I do have a couple of questions that I would really appreciate the answers to ... simply for my own sanity:
* This morning w/o the aide of the alarm clock I awoke about an hour earlier than usual and felt like I could take on the world! Is this a side effect of the dietary change? ... b/c if it is, I want to keep it happening every day!
* Also, this morning's urine was quite cloudy and tannish in color. Is this something I should be concerned about or something I should "welcome"?
Thanks in advance for all your help ~

[Mary Anne]

VeganWannaBe,

I don't know how "experienced" I am. I've only been raw 14 months, so I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn.

But I will share with you what happened to me and maybe that will help. :)

* Yes, isn't it wonderful to jump out of bed in the morning and feel like you can conquer the world? I'm totally loving my life since I've been raw. I'm no longer depressed. Problem solving is easier. So many happy days.

And it's so wonderful because the good feelings go in so many phases: energetic, euphoric, peaceful and calm, excitment. I never know what I'm going to get. Sometimes I'll just be in a blissful state of mind, then all of a sudden, the lust for life energy kicks in and I want to listen to music and jump around.

So, that's the raw life -- get used to it! xoxooxox

* Did you eat asparagus? Mine gets a little cloudy when I eat asparagus. Or it could be some sort of detox. When I was detoxing all sorts of crazy things happened to me that didn't make sense: I had metallic tastes in my mouth, my right eyebrow twitched for a few days, rashes on my face, one eye would tear every night for a few weeks, and the most annoying -- my leg would twitch and shake before I feel asleep. I'm glad all that madness is over.

Just trust that you're doing the right thing. Eat a large variety of foods. Don't get mad at yourself if you screw up, just move forward, it takes time. Listen to your body. Read as much as you can about raw foods. Find supportive, positive people to be around (sounds like you already have that!)

Also, don't expect raw foods to solve all your problems -- just accept the blessings that do come with raw foods. I've been doing this over a year, my bladder infections, migraines, depression and sinus problems are gone, but I still have little varicose veins and sensitive teeth. I'd like to believe the best is yet to come :)

Much love,
Mary Anne

[VeganWannaBe]

Thank you so much Mary Anne!
I was hoping that the urine thing was somewhat of an effect of getting rid of the built up garbage in me, but my mind just "had" to have an answer ... btw> no asparagus yet.
Also, I really appreciate you sharing the early days of your transformation to raw. It helps alot. Now I know a little of what to expect as I transistion. It's also nice to know that ... this too shall pass!
I have found a palethera of support here and I am so anxious to achieve the results that you are now enjoying ... quoting you ... And it's so wonderful because the good feelings go in so many phases: energetic, euphoric, peaceful and calm, excitment. I never know what I'm going to get. Sometimes I'll just be in a blissful state of mind, then all of a sudden, the lust for life energy kicks in and I want to listen to music and jump around.
... I can hardly wait! I will do whatever it takes as I have had enough of the migraines, bad complexion, lots of extra weight, lethargy, etc. Add a bit of euphoria to that and all will be right in Tamara's world , LOL!
Thanks again Mary Anne ~

[dstar]

I have been doing this for three weeks and I stopped taking Prevacid and switched to enzymes and acidophilus. I noticed the metallic taste in the back of my throat and I would drink water thinking that it might help. It helped for now. I think that it's definitely detox.

The changes I noticed when I started raw were lethargy, headaches, irritability, feeling weak, dizzy. Then when I broke through that first layer I became really energetic, especially when I was having more greens and not having 1/2 of an avocado everyday. I feel the best when I juice or make a smoothie for breakfast and lunch and then have a salad for dinner with little snacks in between.

Around the second week I slipped and had some cheese and sweets and I noticed that metallic feeling plus depression and lethargy. I haven't eaten sweets or cheese since. If I try to eat raw gourmet stuff it makes me feel nauseous now whereas when I was SAD it wouldn't have. Keeping it simple has worked very well.

The one food that is not raw that is still scattered around my diet is organic white corn tortilla chips. I figure if that's the only non-raw thing that I eat considering that I used to have cake, cookies (like 5 everyday!!), it's not so bad and I am consciously trying to wean myself off of them. New Year's Resolution.

Just stay in the moment and focus on one meal at a time and discovering new and different fruits! It's a fun journey!