Greenie + Friends.... SECOND 90-Day 100% Raw and Living Food Challenge!!!

[Green_Woman]

Here it is!!! Take TWO. :D For newbies, check out the first thread that started it all. (http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=54100)

Then, jump on board here!


Post your Specific Goals for the next 90-Days (EXAMPLES: Weight Loss in lbs., Skin health, Detox, Heal yourself of xxxx, Reduce Pain from xxxx, etc., etc.!)
Post photos of your progress -- especially photos of RAW FOOD!!! Yummm....



Challenge YourSELF... branch out, leave behind whatever HINDERS your forward motion... advance your Dreams, Focus on your Goals, and LIVE INTENTIONALLY.... welcome to the Challenge!

Bumping this to first post so newbies don't miss it.

Greenie's Rules for the 90-Day 100% Raw and Living Foods Challenge


Rule #1: You are NOT ALLOWED to DROP OUT of this Challenge!!! Under no circumstances are you allowed to GIVE UP, GIVE IN, or GIVE OUT. ;) What the heck do I mean? Simply this: A habit is formed by persistent and consistent behavior. If you allow yourself to throw in the towel and walk away because you miss a day, or three days, or a week, then you are forming the habit of GIVING UP. However, if you consistently bring yourself back to a place of Commitment, Dedication to your original Goals, and DETERMINATION to succeed in YOUR goals... then you are forming a Habit of SUCCESS.

So don't give up! If you do give up, what you're really giving up is not a Challenge, but the ability to give your Body something GOOD at least a few more times than you would have if you HADN'T attempted this. Does that make sense?

I like every last one of you and want you to be with me in 90 Days as awesomely as you are with me TODAY. Deal?

Rule #2: You don't talk about fight clu-...err... I mean... don't talk about SAD food. ;) This one's actually kind of tricky because when we DO slip up, we want to "confess" because of this sad misconception that we call GUILT. Don't nurse Guilt by indulging in the need to "confess"... you may pour out your soul for encouragement and advise in any other arena, but when it comes to "slip ups" we other Rawbies DON'T CARE if you slipped up and had Sushi and Macaroni (oops, I broke Rule #2) on Sunday...and we are not here to condemn you for your priceless, precious Humanity, either! I personally love Humans. I am one, too. *wink*


NOTE: Thoughts become things -- consciously and INTENTIONALLY focus daily on what you want, to keep your thoughts aligned with your original Goals and your Vision for what YOU want from this Challenge. Focus on what you WANT, not on what you don't want.

Rule #3: We are here to follow the guidelines of the Raw and Living Foods Diet as outlined and beautifully instructed in Alissa Cohen's book LIVING ON LIVE FOODS. If you don't have a copy, definitely read the information Alissa has posted all over this site to give you an idea of just how FREE, EASY and RAWESOME her "diet plan" really is! Then get a copy of the book. ;)

Rule #4: LET'S ROLL!!!!!!!!!

[kathy8429]

My goals
Lose 30 lbs (maybe more) :)
By the end of 3 months I want to be exercising 45 minutes 6 days a week
Plus the goals as specified by the group.

I'm ready to roll!!!!

[GoodCat]

First a little about me.. I'm 39 yr.old female. I'm married to a wonderful man who supports everything I do. We have 6 beautiful children (3-13) who eat an all vegan diet. We are working on being high raw for them (or all raw :)). I homeschool them and love doing it :).

I've been vegan for over 10 years, but would have times of slipping up and going back to SAD and then coming back. This has caused some health issues. So over last year (2009), I started learning and reading about being all raw. I've tried a few times and its getting easier. I have been about 95% raw for the past few months. So now I'm wanting to be all raw to help get my health back.

My goals....

Loose 10 lbs.
Reverse adrenal fatigue, hyper-thyroid, cronic bladder infection, elivated liver enzymes, candida, and a shot immune system.
Have more energy
Grow deeper in my walk with the Lord.

Thanks for listening and thanks for starting this challenge.

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[Beth]

Hi everyone,
Thank you Green_Woman for leading us in another 90 days of raw vegan food!

Here are my goals for the next 90 days:
1--lose 10 more pounds to reach my goal weight of 124 lbs
2--do yoga on a consistent basis to develop strength and flexibility
3--walk for at least 30 minutes every day
4--I would love to have some of my wrinkles softened! That would be awesome!
5--become Level 1 certified by an Alissa Cohen certified raw food chef instructor in my area. I have contacted someone about this and am aiming for her Feb 20, 2010 class.
6--be able to purchase an excalibur dehydrator

So glad to be here and I look forward to sharing the next 90 days with you!

[stiggs]

Hello Greenie and friends
Can't believe I'm doing this. Hope I will be able. 90 days :eek:

My goals are

tone up and get really fit
get into a good routine- getting up early everyday
make everyday count with my college work
do resistance training 3 times per week (or more)
go to every football training session
learn to swim:) (it's been a looong time)
try and become more religious (pray x2 /day)
try and think positively as much as possible
eat/drink only raw food:p


hmm thats all I can think of right now.
Im male, 26 years old by the ways. Im sure you'll learn more as we go along.

oh I will have to start tomorrow (11/01/10) as I missed today.

[GoodCat]

I forgot to add to my goals...

exercise at least 5 times a day
continue to write a raw food book ( my husband wants me to do this :))

Cathy :)

[stiggs]

five times a day, Goodcat you are gonna be one fit feline:p

[GoodCat]

Ooops :p;) How funny... That would be amazing!!

Okay... how about 5 times a week.. I think I can handle that :rolleyes:

Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

*bumped to first post*

[Green_Woman]

P.S. I'm just plain EXCITED to have all of you joining me in the next 90 Daze... er... Days! ;) It's going to be a RAWSOME start to the new decade!!!

P.P.S. Don't panic over the rules. I'm mostly kidding. Mostly. ;)

[GoodCat]

Good Morning Friends... I like the Rules... They help give boundaries ;)
And I'm excited to be doing this with all of you guys too.

Yesterday was a good day.

Exercise: Cardio DVD 40 min.

I drank 1 1/2 qrt. of green smoothie
2 cups of carrot/celery juice
3 servings of green juice

and for dinner I had Alissa's Marinara w/ zuc. noodles ... YUMMY!!

How is everyone else doing?

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[Beth]

Good morning! I like the rules too, especially about not nursing guilt!

Cathy--I love Alissa's marinara with zucchini pasta--it's one of my favorites.
I plan to make it this week.

I am happy to say I didn't get sick! Green_Woman you were right on! I felt really bad for a few hours but this morning I am doing well!

I began my day with a green juice. I juiced carrots, spinach, rainbow chard, celery, cucumber, lemon, and ginger. It tasted pretty good. It was a suggestion from my brother who has been juicing for quite a few years.

It's 21/2 hours later and I am now enjoy some honeydew melon.
Then later it will be bananas, and later an orange. When I get home I am going to resume having green smoothies!

It is going to be a great raw day!:D

[Green_Woman]

Today is my 100% Raw/Living Foods Day 93...

:D :D :D

I haven't given much thought to my own personal goals for the next 90 Days... I honestly have so many OTHER goals that my raw goal really boils down to one thing:


Stay 100% RAW for another 90 days!!!!

[stiggs]

Thank you Greenie. Very encouraging posts you make.
today:
almond milk for the first time ever (about 1 pint)
1 banana
1 honeydew
carrots, celery, ginger, 1pink lady, cucumber juiced (about 2 pints)

[Green_Woman]

Stiggs -- Always remember NEVER to try, just DO.

So glad to have you rawkin' along with us all this time! It's great fun to be sharing the journey with such a variety of people... we'll have to share pointers on staying Raw in College, eh? :D

[joyce09]

It is great to have such a crowd.

[QUOTE=Green_Woman;584645][I][SIZE="3"]
[B]Rule #1: You are NOT ALLOWED to DROP OUT of this Challenge!!! Under no circumstances are you allowed to GIVE UP, GIVE IN, or GIVE OUT.



Greenie, That is a good rule. I hope everyone takes that to heart.;)

I know RAW is the best for my body. So I want to settle into the RAW lifestyle. My main goal in this 90-day challenge is that I will find a way of living RAW that does not burden me. I mean I want to be able to make delicious raw foods that are not too time-comsuming, too-money-consuming, too energy-consuming, etc.. I am just starting to learn how to make raw dishes other than smoothies and I am thankful for those generous souls who have shared their favorite recipes on this website.

[Green_Woman]

My main goal in this 90-day challenge is that I will find a way of living RAW that does not burden me.

Joyce, I'm glad you are here! I was wondering if you'd join me again or not. It was good learning with/from you the last 90 days... I'm excited you're back!!!

Believe it or not, I haven't forgotten about my 90-Day results Report.... but I'm re-painting my house right now so time is rare and rather spotty. I'm taking little 10 minute breaks here and there, but in order to do justice to that type of essay, I need a block of several hours to just sit, relax, and think on paper.

It's coming! I promise... and soon! ;)

But I have to finish painting before 9am Wednesday (when Classes start), so here I go... back to the brush!!!!

[Beth]

Stiggs--I love raw almond milk--I made some for the first time just a few weeks ago. Enjoy!!
Also--never got to say--that was funny about putting papework in the blender to shred--I had an image of putting it in a giant vita-mix...

Joyce--so glad to see you! I know what you mean. I feel the same way.

Happy painting Green_Woman!

[stiggs]

Stiggs -- Always remember NEVER to try, just DO.

So glad to have you rawkin' along with us all this time! It's great fun to be sharing the journey with such a variety of people... we'll have to share pointers on staying Raw in College, eh? :D

:)
yes, i got a thermos up with me for bringing juices to college. I want to order a blendtec too as the blender I got here wont make proper green smoothies. I would love to hear ideas about what you do. I normally wash grapes and bring them in the next day and maybe an apple- but I dont like making a racket eating a crunchy apple in the library. Thanks Green Lady, you really are sayin' what I need to hear!

[Green_Woman]

Beth: :D :D

Stiggs: Suggestions for getting those apples in without the crunch...

*
Pre-slice the apple in wafer-thin slices (eliminates the noise factor!) and bring an almond butter/honey dip or some cashew creme to turn it into a filling lunch.

* Make applesauce in your blender! Bring a spoon, voila! Silent deliciousness.

* Crunch away and whenever classmates glare, give them your BEST Johnny Appleseed-imitation grin. ;)


Because my programme keeps me in Classes generally from 8am/9am - 3pm/4pm everyday with only occasional respites, I do the following:


* Pre-pack lunches of Guac + Salsa + Crackers (generally all prepared on the weekend)

* Bring sliced Veggies marinated in Oil + Salt... quick eating, filling!

* Bring sliced Avocados in case I start feeling a little "fat-starved" throughout the day

* Bring GREEN SMOOTHIE in a stainless steel jug

* Bring Raw Olives or a half cup of Nuts in a small container (also very fatty and filling, quick snacks)


If I am unable to prepare my lunches the night before or don't make time in the morning, I will sometimes go to the Mexican Food restaurant or the Salad Bar on campus. At Mexican restaurants on/off a Campus, you can usually get them to prepare you the following meal:


Pico de Gallo Salsa (fresh, uncooked)
Guacamole (make sure you ask for the dairy-FREE kind)
Chopped, Washed Mushrooms (meaty and filling)
Sliced Cucumber or Bell Pepper (either make great chips!)


Be careful ordering any REGULAR salsa from a Restaurant, as I learned that no matter how fresh-made it is, it's still probably cooked unless it's the Pico de Gallo variety (trial, error, and a bit of indigestion last week).

I hope these ideas help you out!

Oh, and I also usually bring a bottle of Kombucha on my really long days since it's a great appetite-curber for me (with evening Performances or Rehearsals in this programme, I can sometimes be on Campus until 10pm).

[GoodCat]

Greenie... I love painting.. I hope you get it all done in time. It can be time consuming. I also think its great how you've gotten a habit of taking food with you and finding what works. Very encouraging.

As for almond milk... we love it. We make our own and its so very simple and affordable. My children don't even know what cow's milk tastes like :).

Yesterday...

Exercised.. Treadmill 45 min.

I had my 2 glasses of carrot/celery juice
Barley Green
1 1/2 qrts. of Green Smoothie (spinach, lemon juice, almond milk/water, pear, and an apple)
Left over zuc. pasta w/ marinara sauce
Big salad w/ guac. and pico salsa on top. Yummy..

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[Beth]

Green_Woman--these are GREAT ideas for people who are sitting at a desk in an office or cubicle all day with other people around. I have the apple crunch concern too! I never thought of doing that. I am finding that I have to plan a bit better and bring more food to work. I am there from 7 AM to 4:30 plus 2 hours of total commuting time.

Yesterday I was so hungry I had to eat an orange in the afternoon and the scent was all over the office. I apologized but one of my coworkers was nice and said she liked the smell, it just made her hungry.

I am also going to get a stainless steel jug so I can bring a green smoothie to work. That would really help to keep me from getting hungry during the day.

Thanks!

[Green_Woman]

Yesterday I was so hungry I had to eat an orange in the afternoon and the scent was all over the office.

The absolute BEST natural air deodorizer is a freshly peeled orange!!! You should do that more often!

I'll bet as you bring more and more unique, delicious raw and living meals with you to Work, your coworkers/friends are going to start wanting to taste what you have. ;) It happens to me now on a daily basis.... in the past, my schoolmates would just mock me and laugh at my raw lunches - now, everyone wants a bite and the word is out that "Greenie makes some AWESOME weird food!!!"

:D


I am also going to get a stainless steel jug so I can bring a green smoothie to work. That would really help to keep me from getting hungry during the day.

If your stainless steel jug is insulated, you should be fine keeping it under your desk. Otherwise, pop it in the fridge at Work so that your Green Smoothie doesn't reach room temp! Green Smoothies begin to break down at room temp.


Greenie... I love painting.. I hope you get it all done in time. It can be time consuming.

Thanks, Cathy! (Catherine is my Birthmum's name, btw. Mum's a teensy 5' tall spitfire redhead -- I call her a little Irish Pixie all the time even though she's Scottish, and I always get in trouble for it. Hee hee!)

I won't finish the whole house before School starts tomorrow morning because today I have other plans, however I did finish the Living Room (which I've renamed The Yoga Studio) and most of the Kitchen, as well as a wall in my Bedroom. My whole house is only 500 sq ft (perfect, PERFECT size) so the real reason it's taking me so long is because of all the windows, cupboards, corners, and having to move stuff from one wall to the next.

I'm selling half my furniture to make room for ROOM, though, so that will help considerably. I'm embracing a sense of tasteful, sparse usefulness in EACH room.... it's really lovely and I'm excited to see how it all turns out. (It looks fantastic in my head. ;))

Yesterday's Food

Mushroom Tikka Masala (ate waaaayyyy too much...)
Green Smoothie!!!
Sundried Herb Olives
Handful of cashews
2 avocados (I was having a fatty day!)
Kombucha
2 bananas
Water, water, water!

Today's Food Plan

I'm doing a Green Smoothie FEAST with a couple folks on the 30-Day GS Challenge. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dauntless-Diva/198812144024?ref=ts)

[DRiz]

I'm in for the 90-day challenge too. I've been raw since around mid-November. Stayed raw through all the holidays, and stayed 90% raw on a road trip in late December.

I start off with a green smoothie every morning. I joined your 30-day green smoothie challenge in December, but don't remember where to post about it.

Goals: to feel better and get more energy. Also, to hopefully lose 5 to 10 pesky lbs that want to hang on forever.

When I went raw in November, I quit coffee cold turkey. I've only had one or two clear-headed days since then. Most of the time, I feel like my head is in a cloud. I'm getting plenty of sleep and exercise, so I don't know what the problem is. But, at least I'm not getting the highs and lows from the caffeine that I had each day.

Today:

Went to fitness camp at 6am and worked out for an hour.

Breakfast: Green smoothie made with spinach, one leaf kale, some papaya, some mango, two bananas and a splash of almond milk.

Lunch: Salad with spinach, romaine, sweet onion, avo, tomato, mushrooms with lemon/olive oil dressing.

Snack: 3 dates

[Green_Woman]

I joined your 30-day green smoothie challenge in December, but don't remember where to post about it.

Right here! (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dauntless-Diva/198812144024?ref=ts) :D

I'm not sure about the cloudy-headedness you're experiencing... I was that way when I was eating SAD or even cooked vegan -- I would post it as a query on the main forum and list specifics (daily diet, lifestyle clues that might be affecting it, etc.) and see what happens.

I will say one thing! I supplement (2-3x's week) with B-12 (raw vegan variety called VITAMIN CODE) because when I first went back on Raw in 2009, I was already suffering from a B-12 deficiency. My first month of 100% Raw, I did notice a general fatigue that cleared up almost IMMEDIATELY when I started taking B-12.

I don't recommend supplements in general, but if you know you have a specific problem, herbs and supplements can be helpful for bringing you back into a place of balance.

[stiggs]

thanks for the suggestions GreenLady.
Only thing is I wont eat apples that have turned brown or avocados on their own-im pretty fussy:p. apple sauce sounds good though, I wanna try it!
Yes I definitley wanna make them dips - at christmas my sister made spicy red hummous with peppers and it was great! (i dont normally eat anything that aint fruit - i juice the veg) of course I will make raw salsa or guac! Never had a raw olive, was looking to buy some but can't find them anywhere.
Today I didnt eat too much, made a huge smoothie with pineapple, mango and almond milk+1xlime juiced. After about 1.5 big cupfuls I had to run it through the juicer cos it was so stringy (must of be a not so ripe pineapple) with an apple.
I just had celery, cucumber, carrot, ginger juice -just over 1000ml.
I need to get some shopping done, I really wanna make Alissa courgette and marina sauce tomorrow - it looks great!

oh and i dont have a dehydrater yet:)

[Green_Woman]

i dont normally eat anything that aint fruit - i juice the veg

You could always benefit from fiber. ;)

Whereabouts do you live, Stiggs (country? state?) I'm extremely fortunate to live in a very raw-friendly City (for the first time in my 3.5 yrs of raw!)....

[stiggs]

You could always benefit from fiber. ;)

Whereabouts do you live, Stiggs (country? state?) I'm extremely fortunate to live in a very raw-friendly City (for the first time in my 3.5 yrs of raw!)....

Well i do love raw peppers, onions etc but need to eat more indeed. Hopefully will get a blender soon for green smoothies for added fiber.
Im from Ireland.

[mommyliz]

Hi! I don't spend much time posting, but lots of time reading. I would love to join everyone in this challenge! Thank you for starting this challenge, Green Woman :) I absolutely love your pic.

I have been into raw foods for about six years, and having two kids and nursing almost that entire time (still nursing my 2.5 year old) has given me a huge appetite and huge cravings. add to that the major stress in my family life lately, and the fact that i'm an emotional eater, staying raw can be difficult at times. I'm getting better and better at it though, and am pretty determined.

I did 100 days 100% from may to august (which was my goal - yay! success!), and found myself in a restuarant with my family when i happened to realize that it was day 101 for me. so i had some of my kids sweet potato fries, and well, it's been a struggle getting back to 100% ever since. it's unbelievable the difference between raw vs. cooked on my body. my body just doesn't process cooked food well at all. i just did 100% raw for almost 4 weeks, right through the holidays, then messed up for two days (huge family stress) but yesterday and today have been great! when i saw this thread yesterday, it made my mind up to go back to 100%, cause it's so great to be part of a challenge like this with other people. 90 days is great, and i love the idea of continually doing 90 day challenges. that's my kind of challenge! so thanks again, greenie!

my main focus lately is lots of green smoothie every day (minimum 1 litre, but often 2 or more litres), and food combining properly, cause otherwise my blood sugar level gets really bad, and my tummy gets bloated too. i can eat heavier foods at night, but only fruit and greens during the day (no particular time)

today i had: 1.5 litres green smoothie, apples, figs, bananas, apples, broccoli, date/seed/goji bars, collard wraps stuffed with spinach herb dip......mmmmm.......the deliciousness!

thanks for listening. good job everyone!

p.s. i LOVE LOVE rule #1. it's the BEST ever. pure wisdom, i say :)

[mommyliz]

oh yeah! i ordered alissa's book and dvd just after christmas with some christmas money, and i can't wait to get them. i've been wanting them for a looooooooong time :) so excited!

[Green_Woman]

MommyLiz: Welcome, welcome, welcome!!! I love your energy. I LOVE your declaration of determination.

Declare your Life, and Declare it OUT LOUD -- because determination spoken out loud to an audience is a powerful variety of determination! :D

I know what you mean about cooked food not working for your body... my Body is much the same. She just can't digest/process or get much use out of ANYTHING cooked, not even "healthy cooked vegan" foods!

I would get about as much nutritional value out of a pile of Steamed Spinach as I would from a bowl of Chicken-Fried Twinkies... in other words, 0% usability!!! ;) :D


Stick to the Raw and LIVING Foods... and experience the Raw and Living CHANGE!

And congratulations on getting a copy of Alissa's book + DVD's! Her materials are TOP NOTCH! I'm taking my Alissa book to Kinkos this week to get it ring bound. :D

[mommyliz]

Green_Woman - thanks so much for the warm welcome!

I agree with you, and most of my friends and relatives know very well about my determination to eat 100% raw, and are usually very supportive. it makes it so much easier, to not have to explain the things i can eat, but the BIGGEST benefit is that it keeps me accountable, and striving to eat the best i can. i also don't want to be preaching to the people i know, but would like to be a good example of health, because a lot of my family/friends have health issues, and the healthier i get, the more and more questions and interest and support i get. it's great! i really would like to teach others, so i need to be able to get it to work for myself, first!

i think i'm the same with the usability of cooked foods. it's llke it just sits in my body. i recently just lost 9 lbs in 5 days by going from mostly raw to 100%. and that's pretty standard for me. in the two days this weekend that i ate some cooked vegan food, i gained 5 lbs :) . people can't believe it when they hear it, but i just say my body just doesn't process cooked food anymore. it's like it's saying "nope...you ate way too healthy for too long. you can't eat that anymore, and i'll make sure you know it!".

one of the problems can sometimes be me eating differently than my family (they do eat pretty high raw though), but i think that the more that i make it an easy, and "normal" way for me, and not focus on it too much, then it becomes less stressful for them that i'm eating this way. they're very supportive, though.

it's the same with getting them to eat more raw, too. if i just don't make a big deal about it, and feed them simple raw foods, then they usually gobble it up. this morning my husband was running late, so i packed his breakfast and lunch. i packed four apples, four clementines, one pear, two bananas and some dried apricots. he didn't complain one bit. i even offered him crackers (non-raw) but he said no. yay!

well, my son is off to school, but my little girl just woke up, so it's smoothies and fruit time, and off to playgroup! getting out of the house actually makes it much easier for me eating wise, cause i just take a green smoothie ( usually in my litre size steel canteen) and fill my purse with lots of fruit, some dried figs, and some herbal tea bags and honey just in case! couldn't be easier!

sorry for the long shpeil (sp?) i haven't written much in ages!

liz

have a great day everyone!

[mommyliz]

oops. forgot to say...Green_Woman - thanks SO MUCH for the encouragement!

good luck with your classes today. university is hard work!!!

[GoodCat]

Welcome liz.. Its great having so many friends doing this. Its very encouraging.

Yesterday...

Cardio/strenght DVD 40 min.

Two glasses of carrot juice
Three servings of barley green
Califlower w/ guac. and Coleslaw
1 1/2 qrts. green smoothie
Chili (from G.Cousens) very yummy!!
Big salad w/ onion bread

I was feeling a little extra hungry yesterday for some reason, and I was feeling a little detox. Not to bad though ;)

Oh... and I'm like you guys too... when ever I would try to eat healthy vegan cooked foods, my body would just rebel against it. I didn't understand this because I was able to eat that way for a long time. Then I realized that my body was trying to tell me something and I could listen to her or not. I choose to listen :).

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

I'm so excited to have so many inspired individuals doing this with me! :D

Today's food is:

GREEN SMOOTHIES!!!!
Occasional bananas or avocados

I'm doing a "Green Smoothie FEAST" and keeping things as simple as possible. :D

I LOVE RAW!!!

And I'm sending love out to each one of you doing this Challenge with me, today! (Maybe tomorrow too. ;))

[Beth]

Welcome Mommyliz!--so glad you are joining in!

Today's food is orange, bananas, dates, green smoothie, walnuts/raisin mix.

I have a lot of energy today--it's kind of funny but good. I even suggested to a co-worker that she might benefit from having a green smoothie--oh no--my enthusiasm is leaking out....:D

Have a great raw day everyone!

[Green_Woman]

Hee hee, Beth, you seem like you're probably a very gentle, gracious woman in person so I can imagine your coworker was standing there gape-mouthed after that statement from you. :D :D

Good for you!!!!!! Tomorrow, try bringing her a mug full and tell her it's an early Birthday Present. ;) ;)

[Beth]

Hee hee, Beth, you seem like you're probably a very gentle, gracious woman in person so I can imagine your coworker was standing there gape-mouthed after that statement from you. :D :D

Good for you!!!!!! Tomorrow, try bringing her a mug full and tell her it's an early Birthday Present. ;) ;)

Ha, ha Green_Woman--you've got me pegged! Actually I WAS a bit out of character today. I usually sit quietly working while they go on and on about their health issues--and then talk about all the unhealthy food they ate last night. Today I just couldn't help myself and jumped up and made my suggestion. They were surprised, and one person said, what's that? with wide eyes when I mentioned green smoothie. It was funny. I said if she'd like to know more for her to feel free to come and talk with me. I don't know what she'd do if I actually brought her one! What a thought! I love it!

[Green_Woman]

Do it. :D :D

If you're presenting it as a gift to satisfy her curiosity, rather than a "Drink this because then you won't be such a pudgy slob of health issues", then I doubt she could be offended. ;)

[appifanie]

Hi all! I've been debating joining this thread, but I've been food journaling to attempt to discover the source of some of my issues (headaches, sinus issues, exhaustion, etc) and after eating raw all morning I had some cooked food (but vegan, always vegan) and I would feel somehow ill, or at least less good than before. We're a little low on funds right now and my stash of produce is a bit low, but I think I have enough to get through for a few days before I can get more.

I am still holding on to 26lbs of baby weight (my daughter is 3!!!) and lately I just look tired and older, and I've always looked much younger than my age. I have sinus problems I'd like to clear up and I need more energy to keep up with the kiddo.

[Green_Woman]

The secret to YOUR success lies in your acknowledgment that you actually DO have the power to change your life.

Join us, and challenge yourself to find out just how much is possible!

[stiggs]

Just back from carrying two HUGE bags of raw food all the way back to my apartment, talk about a heavy job -lucky i got the guns for it:D
I bought some some Deri and medjool dates for the first time ever and tried 1 medjool date (then2-3-4 :p) and they were unbelievably good. how did these go as a secret all my life!
Im gonna make Alissa raw pasta now so will let ye know how it goes for me.

Yesterday I only had a honeydew melon (my favourite fruit) and some water. I was off so slept in all day and didnt have any food here - didnt feel hungry luckily;)

just had the courgette and marinara sauce. I already put half of the ingredients into the blender before I checked alissas recipe - oops. I put too much sundried tomatoes in but it was still nice, i used 2 garlic cloves-im glad I didnt use the full amount -my tastebud still need some tuning:)

[appifanie]

The secret to YOUR success lies in your acknowledgment that you actually DO have the power to change your life.

Join us, and challenge yourself to find out just how much is possible!

i am quite fond of your quotes :)

[GoodCat]

When I go shopping we pack the back of our SUV full of fruits and veggies. It takes all 8 of us to unload it ;) Good thing my kiddos are strong :)

Yesterday...

Exercised - treadmill

2 servings of carrot/celery juice
3 servings of barley green
1 1/2 qrts. of green smoothie
grapefruit
Raw chili (left overs) w/ a big salad
orange

It was a good day.
Blessings to you all,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

lucky i got the guns for it

POIDH, my friend, P.O.I.D.H.


(Pictures... Or It Didn't Happen ;))



i am quite fond of your quotes

Thank you! :) I probably unintentionally hack half of them from various authors I read in my teens. :D


Cathy: If you come across a particularly yummy recipe, and it's from Alissa's book or you have permission from the original author, DO please share!!! Or at least share pics and tell us where you got the recipe. :D

That goes for us all. It's PICTURE time!!!!! *says the woman whose camera is tucked away right now as she rushes through "Panic Week" at the University, again*

[stiggs]

POIDH, my friend, P.O.I.D.H.


(Pictures... Or It Didn't Happen ;))


LOL, maybe after the 90 day challenge if your lucky;)

[Beth]

Checking in--today's food:
AM green juice (beets, spinach, ginger, carrots), banana, salad with romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, green smoothie when I get home after work.

Yesterday I went to a farmer's market and got some amazing organic beets and red leaf lettuce--great stuff:)

One more day of work and then 4 days off! I'm going to do a 5 day juice/green smoothie feast/fast during my time off.

Best wishes to everyone, hope it was a great raw day.

[Green_Woman]

I had the most fascinating day, today. It was a constant experiment in pushing my limits!

I woke up groggy and ill. Couldn't sleep last night. Today was Day #3 of a MIGRAINE that refused to give up, though whenever I shower/drink Green Smoothie/do Yoga it relaxes for a bit.

And then finally I discovered why I've had a Migraine and been feeling a wee bit beat up the last few days...

After 35 pain-free, symptom-free days... the Endometriosis decided to pop back in for a Visit!

I am blissed out, first, that I had THIRTY-FIVE DAYS OFF. Wow... you guys have no idea. :D I used to literally "be" in constant pain. (Now I am in CONSTANT BLISS because I have chosen to learn to reverse my thought patterns about the whole thing... which works, oh, believe me - it WORKS!)

I started, at first, to repeat OLD habits today of complaining, feeling sorry for myself, and seeking pity from friends... I started that with a text message to my Sweetie, then another to my best friend.

Then I suddenly remembered how STUPID it was to dwell on pain -- that just makes the pain ten fold more intense! Especially something as emotionally-entwined with the rest of my life as Endometriosis!


So, I KICKED my whining to the curb, and I focused on Smiling, on Giving and on BEING. I came home between Classes and took a hot bath. I drank LOTS of water all day long, I ate avocados (which for some reason relieves pain for me) and I just decided that whenever the old habits, old thought-patterns started to creep back in, I'd RE-SET, RE-CHARGE and head in the NEW Direction.


It's 6pm here in the balmy Southwest, and I'm propped up in bed BEING quite content.


Life is what you Choose to Make for yourself. MY LIFE IS RAWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beth]

Wow Green_Woman--that is incredible awareness and growth! I hope this episode of pain is over quickly for you and that you have many more pain free symptom free days!

Its a balmy night up here too. I hope you can have a restful night.

[joyce09]

It is very encouraging to have so many enthusiastic friends joining this raw journey.

The last time we did this 90-raw-day challenge (I joined only mid-way), I felt I had to write a report everyday in order to continue on this journey. Now I still check in every day by reading others' posts, but I don't feel a need to write my own daily reports in order to stay raw. It seems I can eat raw without too much effort now. So there is a progress for me. I still appreciate very much the accountability this thread provides though.

I wish every one a smooth ride on this Raw journey.

[GoodCat]

Wow greenie... keep up the positive thinking. You are definately going in the right direction. You are very encouraging to the rest of us.

I will definately try to post the recipes if the dishes turn out good. Pictures are hard for me. I'm not to computer literate :confused:

The raw chili I made that was sooooo good, is from Gabriel Cousens Rainbow Green Live. I think you said you have made this??

Off to bed for me...

Cathy :)

[GoodCat]

Good Morning....

Feeling good today. Still a little detox, but good :)

Yesterday.. I didn't exercise because of some hip pain, but they are feeling better today and I just got a new rebounder w/video. So I'm going to try that out today. I'll let you know how I like it;)

What I ate...
3 servings of barley green
2 servings of carrot/celery juice
1 1/2 qrts. of green smoothie w/ kale .. Yummy
Raw tomato soup which is a favorite for our whole family
Big salad w/ a coconut lime dressing

Here is the recipe for the soup..
Raw Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
6 roma tomatoes, quartered
¼ red onion, quartered
1 clove of garlic
1 red bell pepper
1 tsp. dried basil
½ tsp. dried dill
2 Tbl, lemon juice
2 Tbl, olive oil
2 Tbl. Raisins (opt.)
1 tsp. Celtic salt

Add-ins…
Avocado, cubed.. ½ c. fresh corn.. Red bell pepper, diced.. ½ of a carrot, shredded.

Instructions:
Blend all the ingredients in your blender until smooth. Then you can add the add-ins if you like. Pick and choose which ones you would like. Sometimes I don’t put any in and just eat it plain.

I hope you all like it. Its really very yummy :)

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[beauty.aroundme]

Sounds great, good cat! I will try your recipe this week.
I myself had a nice, big juice in the morning (apple, celery, ginger, mint) and salad (with hot chili) as the main meal. I also add dried spices though I'm not sure if this is really considered raw. Anyone?
Two local spices that really spice up salads are Za'atar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Za%27atar) and Sumac (http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices/powdered-sumac). Something new for the taste buds perhaps.

[mommyliz]

hi everyone! thanks for the warm welcomes. good work everyone! i really like your positive thinking, greenie. am trying to incorporate it more myself.

i've been doing well food-wise. i've been enjoying some really delicious stuff.

yesterday's food: lots of fruit, some figs, peppers and tomatoes stuffed with cucumber dill dip and broccoli slaw for dinner, and i threw together some superfood brownies for desert that turned out realllllly yummy.

the day before, i had lots of fruit (pears, apples, bananas), green smoothie, "stewed" rhubarb and strawberries, and salad for dinner with avocado and spinach dip, and too many dates with almond butter for dessert.

the rhubarb was amazing. i'm definitely going to make it again. i cut up and froze the rhubarb several months ago, and finally decided to use it. i put it in a dish to thaw, and when it had thawed, the rhubarb was pretty soft, and sitting in a lot of liquid (don't drain it!). i asked my husband if he wanted me to make him some real "stewed" rhubarb, and he said "why cook it?" tee hee. so i added lots of honey and some chopped strawberries, and man was it good. i especially loved the liquid in it - it was very refreshing. i tried it both room temperature and warmed in the dehydrator, and both were good. it was super yummy over banana ice cream, too.

have a great day everyone!

liz

[Green_Woman]

I also add dried spices though I'm not sure if this is really considered raw. Anyone?

Some are, some are not. I would not be too concerned with it! Spices and "questionable" items such as cashews, Nutritional Yeast, Bragg's Liq Aminos are exceptions in this Challenge. ;)

It's LIVING and Raw foods, so don't worry!! :D

[Green_Woman]

so i added lots of honey and some chopped strawberries, and man was it good. i especially loved the liquid in it - it was very refreshing. i tried it both room temperature and warmed in the dehydrator, and both were good.

I have never in my life enjoyed rhubarb, but I also haven't tried it since going Raw. I used to hate celery, and I LOVE it now, so maybe I need to try me some rhubarb!?

:D

[Green_Woman]

I had Nori Cheddar Chips from Choc-A-La-Tree in Sedona, AZ, today. I confess -- I overate!!!!!!

But oh my GOSH, oh MY GOSH... they were uuuhhh-mazing! I'm making my own batch THIS WEEKEND. That's it! :D

Three day weekend down here in the Southwest... what about where you guys live?

[GoodCat]

No 3 day weekend for us, but we did just come off a 3 week break over the holidays ;) We are having some warm weather though and are enjoying it very much. Its been below 30 deg. and now its between 45-50 deg. :rolleyes: At least my kiddos can go outside on the trampolin and not freeze to death :)

Those chips sound great, I'm just not sure I can do nori. I've never liked anything fishy and the last time I tried nori it wasn't good. You never know though :rolleyes:

Blessings,
Cathy

[mommyliz]

greenie - the rhubarb was really good. the only thing is that it's sour, but you just add enough honey till it tastes good to you. then, it's sweet and sour. the mixture didn't come out thick, like in a strawberry rhubarb pie. because of all of the liquid it was quite refreshing. you'd have to be tolerant of some sourness, though. my 2 y.o. daughter liked it! the strawberries are optional. if you want it softer, or warmer, just put it in the dehydrator for a while, with the lid on. let me know if you try it.

pleeeease, can you tell me how to make nori cheddar chips? i love nori.

[mommyliz]

i just watched alissa's dvd for the first time tonight, and man, oh man. thank you alissa. you have changed my life. then i filled up my dehydrator with banana crepes, carrot pecan burgers, and cheesy (sweet potato) chips. yum yum. i am so lucky.

i have no desire to eat cooked food again. i've been dealing with cravings for so many years now, and all i needed was alissa's book and dvd! watching her make the recipes makes it so much easier, and now i have her whole book full of recipes to try. yay me.

:) sorry. i am very tired. must get to bed! nighty night. tomorrow's going to be a great day.

[mommyliz]

i just watched alissa's dvd for the first time tonight, and man, oh man. thank you alissa. you have changed my life. then i filled up my dehydrator with banana crepes, carrot pecan burgers, and cheesy (sweet potato) chips. yum yum. i am so lucky.

i have no desire to eat cooked food again. i've been dealing with cravings for so many years now, and all i needed was alissa's book and dvd! watching her make the recipes makes it so much easier, and now i have her whole book full of recipes to try. yay me.

:) sorry. i am very tired. must get to bed! nighty night. tomorrow's going to be a great day.

[Beth]

That's so great Mommyliz. Enjoy!

Goodcat--that tomato soup looks delicious, definitely one I will try.

Green_Woman--I've got to get up to Sedona and go to that restaurant!

I'm enjoying all kind of fresh juices while I do a juice feast. I'm on my second day and it is going well. This morning I juiced 4 apples and and a half a lemon--it's very refreshing and tastes great.

Have a great weekend!

[Green_Woman]

Beth: You seriously do... they have a huge menu AND an endless array of raw gourmet chocolate. They also have unbelievable fermented fruit juices that taste incredibly similar to my previous 'favorite' alcoholic beverages so I was pretty okay with that. ;)


i've been dealing with cravings for so many years now, and all i needed was alissa's book and dvd!

Now THERE'S a good testimonial!!!! And it's SO TRUE. :D


pleeeease, can you tell me how to make nori cheddar chips?

I will definitely post whatever recipe I figure out, promise! I have no recipe for this variety because I purchased them, but I'm usually pretty good at recreating recipes I find in raw markets/restaurants, so cross your fingers that I can get this one close. ;)

Btw, those nori chips were downright CHEATING -- I think Doritos needs to pack its bags and go home for LIFE.... those things were... wow.

Cathy: Do you like Kale Chips? Those are another cheezy option that are UH-MAZING.


Well, today the Mr. Sweetie is in town (another long weekend for Him of sorting out legal matters re: the woman he is guardian for --prayers for a smoother journey, free of turmoil and complication, most DEFINITELY cheerfully accepted) so I have to figure out something creative! He loves the gourmet raw meals for dinners and Smoothies for breakfast, lunch, mid-day snack, etc.

My kinda' man!!!!!

[GoodCat]

I do like kale... I've never made kale chips. I can't have any nutritional yeast right now do to candida, but I want to try those as soon as I can. They sound so yummy.

yesterday..

Rebounder

3 servings barley green
2 servings carrot/celery juice
1 1/2 qrts. green smoothie w/kale
zuc. pasta w/ raw marinara sauce (this is my favorite dinner)
big salad w/ coconut dressing

My menu plan is mostly the same for the next few weeks because I'm dealing with some health issues and need to be a little more simple (which is actually good most of the time), but I really can't wait to have some things like kale chips, desserts, yummy fruit smoothies, etc. ;)

Blessings,
Cathy

greenie.. you and your sweetie will be in my thoughts :)

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi all, I'm attaching a photo from my lunch yesterday. It was a variation on Ani Phyo's nori rolls. I blended soaked almonds, garlic, ginger, and a full lemon for the filling (AMAZING!), and then wrapped it in a salad leaf together with spinach. Yummie!!
In other news, I went jogging for an hour (with breaks) at the beach yesterday, and today I did yoga at the beach. Bliss. You wonder why you don't do it every day... Maybe it's a way to start. On the downside, detox is really starting and I had a headache yesterday and my skin is getting rid of all kinds of toxins, it seems. Not very attractive looking right now, I feel, but I'm glad to push through this and come out on the other side radiant and rawsome!! :-) A happy day to you all!!

[appifanie]

i've flubbed a bit to be sure, but totally have improved over my usual performance. and i've lost 4 lbs in just a few days! <3

drinking a variation on ani phyo's pear frosty. salad for lunch w/ cafe gratitude's recipe for caesar dressing. not sure what else is up for today, but i have another raw avocado waiting for me! mmmm, avocadoes!

here's a thought i had about raw - a bunch of the foods that feel like splurges for me are fruits and nice veggies and stuff - and if you're raw, then it's not splurging, it's normal. sorry, i'm feeling scattered. but maybe i make sense to someone :D

[Green_Woman]

I'm attaching a photo from my lunch yesterday. It was a variation on Ani Phyo's nori rolls. I blended soaked almonds, garlic, ginger, and a full lemon for the filling (AMAZING!), and then wrapped it in a salad leaf together with spinach.

MMmmmmmmyum!!! That looks way too good. Thank you so much for the photo evidence! :D New recipe to try... I'm glad I finally ordered Ani's book. I've been using her Youtube vids to concoct recipes. She's loads of fun!


here's a thought i had about raw - a bunch of the foods that feel like splurges for me are fruits and nice veggies and stuff - and if you're raw, then it's not splurging, it's normal.


I get it. I THINK I totally get it. I used to think things like pears and mangoes were special treats, too... and now, if I want, I can eat ten a day. ;) :D


I LOVE RAW!!!

[appifanie]

I get it. I THINK I totally get it. I used to think things like pears and mangoes were special treats, too... and now, if I want, I can eat ten a day. ;) :D


exactly! an avocado, a pineapple, a pricey red pepper - these are things that I have thought of as special treats - 1 at a time, at a certain sale price only - and now, as many as I want!

[appifanie]

i didn't eat enough yesterday - not on purpose, the day just kinda got away from me and i was uninspired. but i was a good raw girl! :)

today i started with an apple and now i'm on my 500 cal green smoothie - 2 bananas, 2 1/2 cups spinach, 1 cup blueberries, 1 cup strawberries, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds. yummy!

i'm really sad because every store near me has really sad, lousy, limp kale. and i <3 kale smoothies.

[GoodCat]

Good Morning..

Yesterday I didn't exercise because of the issues with my hips, but I'm going to try today and see how they feel..

I've been doing good. Staying on the path ;)

For food..
3 servings of barley green
2 servings of carrot/celery juice
1 1/2 qrts. of green smoothie
cauliflower w/ guac. one of my favorites
raw soup w/ a big salad and sunflower thyme dressing (by Ani)

Thats about it. Things get a little busy around here since I homeschool, but we are having a good time :p

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi all, today is a great day, because it's the day fresh produce comes to my organic food store. Mondays and Thursdays are the days where it's delivered, and these are happy days indeed! Such a difference to when I lived in L.A.... :-)
Today I started with a blended juice (apple, celery, salad, lemon). For lunch I had a big salad with red bell pepper, onion, green salad , mangold, sunflower seeds.
For dinner, just now, I made a raw tahini sauce with dill (made out of sesame seeds and lemon) and ate it with another simple salad. Now I'm nibbling on dried coconut, because I'm craving the sweets.
Also, I've been reading an really amazing book "The Yoga of Eating" by Charles Eisenstein. He used to be a raw foodist, but is not anymore. His book takes my breath, though some views he describes are really quite radical for some, I guess. But he actually always balances this and typically asks to be moderate. One of his strongest points is that we should forego all "self-discipline" in our eating and instead listen to ours bodies needs and desires. His argument is long, so I can't repeat it all here, but to me it makes perfect sense.
And that's it for today. Happy day you all! :cool:

[Green_Woman]

One of his strongest points is that we should forego all "self-discipline" in our eating and instead listen to ours bodies needs and desires.

A beautiful sentiment. "Listen to YOUR Body" is also Alissa Cohen's main point in her book LIVING ON LIVE FOOD.

It's my #1 recommended resource for new rawbies AND old rawbies, alike.

I've been reading voraciously lately, too. "Dining from an Empty Bowl" by Jeremy Saffron is my favorite thus far of what I've read.... then "Raw Vegan Success" by Matt Monarch is pretty fun, too!

[Green_Woman]

P.S. Today is my Day #100!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I'm starting my day out with Juice fresh-made in my brand new BREVILLE Juicer!!!!!!!!!

[beauty.aroundme]

great! thanks for sharing your reading tips. I find when I'm raw I read different, more attentive, deeper. Isn't it fun what we're doing?!

[GoodCat]

Congrats on the juicer greenie !!! How fun!!

Cathy :)

[Beth]

I have a Breville Green_Woman. I love it! Enjoy!!!
And congrats on Day 100!:D

[Green_Woman]

Sorry I wasn't posting much today folks... been preoccupied.

First, my step-Dad texted me early this morning. Mum was hospitalized yesterday for a stroke, they believe. She is home today, and she is well. Prayers for her if you feel so moved are WARMLY welcomed. (I have two sets of parents. These are my "step" parents in their 70's and eat SAD... Stepdad tolerates my Raw lifestyle but seems unconvinced that food has anything real to do with his health. It is what it is - I love him and leave him to his Otherness. :D)

Second, my darling Sweetheart has been here all weekend and we've been traveling (dealing with more issues for his disabled friend) and when home, we've been doing lots of yard work and house work as I continue to gradually transform my beautiful new home into a Haven of Rest and Raw Wellness!

And of course School has started. :eek: I have a singing competition in just 18 days and a huge role performance directly after that... so much to do to prepare for it!!!

Life is GOOD. I am ABUNDANTLY grateful for my Life today, and excited about what each Tomorrow brings.

I LOVE RAW!!!

:D

[Beth]

My thoughts are with you Green_Woman. :)

[GoodCat]

My thoughts are with you too greenie.. Keep being positve:)

Yesterday I was able to work out on the rebounder and my hips didn't bother me!! I was very happy. I miss working out. I always feel so much better.

Food I ate..

2 servings of carrot/celery juice
3 servings of barley green
1 1/2 qrts. green smoothie

and for dinner I made yummy raw tostadas. I used dehydrated veggie chips with pico salsa, guac., olives, lettuce, and a cashew "sour cream". It was really good.

Here's the pico recipe for those that want to try it..
Pico Alive
Ingredients:

½ red onion, diced
4 large tomatoes, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bunch of cilantro
4 Tbl, lime juice
1 tsp. sea salt

Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and let set for at least 30 minutes.

Blessings to you all,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

Thank you for your thoughts, everyone! Mum#2 seems to be recovering quickly - she updated her Facebook. :D I am GRATEFUL... and so blessed to have her in my Life!

Cathy, I LOVE that you are posting recipes.

Where's Stiggs? Someone go hit that boy with a carrot and drag him back into our gleeful melee.

[appifanie]

best wishes w/ everything greenie!

bunny spice smoothie
green smoothie
salad w/ mock salmon pate & french dressing
raw key lime cheesecake (raw model's recipe, but w/ lemon)

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi Greenie, best wishes to your mom #2. I'm glad she is better.

I've been taking the "getting moving" part of my goals more serious. I try to go running every 2 (to 3) days, and do yoga on the alternating days. Yesterday, after being on 100% raw for almost a week, I noticed that I had much less energy running than just 3 days earlier (when I was on 70% raw). The first time I went running last week, I ran more than 3 miles; yesterday I hardly managed 2 (I'm running on the sand at the beach).
I remember the same thing happened to me last time when I went raw: I was practicing Ashtanga yoga, and - though I didn't expect it nor do I believe that you need meat to have energy - after a week or so 100% raw my strength *really* left me. It took some months to work through this, and the KIND of strength in my body that I developed afterwards felt different.
Do any of you have similar experiences? I'd love to hear about and discuss these.
In other news, I'm still going full throttle and am really excited about the effects I feel even after these few days. Happy day to you ladies!

[GoodCat]

Good Morning Friends...

beauty.aroundme... I wish I could help. I have adrenal problems (I'm very low on cortisol) and so I am always fatigued. People keep telling me that I need animal products to really heal my adrenals, but I don't believe that. So I'm continuing to eating all raw and drinking lots of green juices and pray that my body will come around. Hopefully sooner then later ;).

Yesterday I was able to exercise on the rebounder again with no hip cramping!! I'm happy that it seems like that issue is healing up.

Food I ate...

2 servings of carrot/celery juice
3 servings of barley green
1 1/2 qrt. green smoothie
banana fruit leathers (ate way to many of these)
raw tomato soup
big salad with sunflower thyme dressing (w/olive oil)
onion bread (ate to much of this too)
raw almond milk w/ cinnamon and vanilla

Although I ate all raw, I ate too many things with sweet or oily in it. My body is not happy with that today. So I'm going to try to keep it more simple and lite today.

Blessings to you all,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

Do any of you have similar experiences? I'd love to hear about and discuss these.

I find that on 100% RAW, my energy is more consistent and steady throughout the full day. And sometimes, that means 20 hrs of activity, 4 hrs of sleep (fairly common over here).

On less than 100% RAW, my energy comes and goes, and I fluctuate between totally exhausted and completely hyper. It's NOT useful and it's very hard on me emotionally to be fluctuating so broadly.

I prefer 100% RAW energy!!!

I do Yoga every night, btw. Currently it's never more than 10 minute clips, but it's helping greatly with my need for movement! I can't wait to up the anty for February (30 min nightly goal).

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi Goodcat, I think you're doing exactly the right thing in drinking more juices and eating raw. I can't imagine how meat is supposed to help you. What is the deficiency that causes your symptoms?
Greenie. I agree with you that my energy - even after this short while - is way up, I feel clear and energetic, and I don't crash as easily. But the strength issue really remains. I think it may be because I haven't worked out a lot the last two months and I am kind of athletic/ used to being able to have a high physical performance. So maybe the detox, change of diet, and my break from sports are coming together here. I'll see how it develops.
I also think yoga and raw go together amazingly, particularly on the mental and spiritual plane. Happy yoga and moving the energy through your bodies today, ladies.

[GoodCat]

Well... I really don't know what I'm deficient in. I went to a natural doctor to do testing to find out what was happening in my body. Unforetunately, she really doesn't make any connections between food and health. I know most of my symptoms started about 3 years ago after having 6 mercury fillings taken out of my mouth. The dentist was not careful and I ended up swallowing a lot of them. So now, I just ordered a product called NDF for heavy metal detox. I'm hoping this will help me body start healing. We'll see.

I do know that I'm low cortisol, hyper-thyroid, high liver enzymes, and a shot immune system. My female hormones are also messed up :confused:

Blessings,
Cathy

[Green_Woman]

I know most of my symptoms started about 3 years ago after having 6 mercury fillings taken out of my mouth. The dentist was not careful and I ended up swallowing a lot of them.

Oh... my... God.
:eek:

That is horrible... what a terrible excuse for a Dentist. That stuff can KILL you!!! I would be guessing that since that incident coincided with the beginning of your symptoms, what you're experiencing is mercury poisoning.

Raw and Living foods diet WILL help you. Eating contaminated animal proteins will NOT.



I do know that I'm low cortisol, hyper-thyroid, high liver enzymes, and a shot immune system. My female hormones are also messed up

Hang in there, Cathy. You're on the right path for healing, but you have a wild, sometimes rough ride ahead of you. My female hormones have been all kinds of insane since I was in my late teens. They're slowly, slowly getting better, easier to deal with, and more stable on RAW. It's slow, but it IS working. I AM healing!

Also, living foods (especially Green Smoothies, juices, mono-foods, "super"foods, the really nutrient rich pure stuff) will help you with the fatigue... and everything else.

Let's face it: our Bodies are MIRACLE MACHINES. They can heal of ANYTHING when given the right tools!!!

[GoodCat]

Thanks so much greenie for the encouragement. I do believe I'm on the right path. Its just hard being patient. I want to feel better now, not later;). But I think I will add mono-meals. I think my body is wanting simpler. And I was thinking mercury poisoning too... thats why I bought the NDF detox. I'm hoping that will help.

Thanks again.... It helps having a place to come to talk things out and have accountablity... I hope I can return the favor :)

Blessings,
Cathy

[Green_Woman]

Keep on keeping on, Cathy. It really IS worth it. :D

Also, keep reading! I've been reading LOTS of books and watching LOTS of documentaries lately on modern food, health, raw foods, vegan health, accomplishing longevity on raw, etc., etc.

It's SO good to have so much access to information. My little home library has billowed to twice it's previous size and I'm reading more than I have in years.

Take advantage of every resource, compare notes -- you will find what works for you. Above all: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!! She will show you step by step the path you need to heal.

[Green_Woman]

I have been detoxing FURIOUSLY the last few days... I feel alternately INCREDIBLE and then an hour later, like CRAP. :D

I can't believe this but I'm actually grateful for Detox symptoms. I LOVE knowing that this crap is getting flushed, washed, shed and pimpled out of my system for GOOD!!!

I'm eager to be done, but I'm also focusing on relaxing about it and letting my Body take her course... tonight I soaked in a looong, hot bath and just rested, and my headache seemed to ease off. Then I did my evening Yoga session and now the headache is back but not the same as before -- much lighter and I'm less conscious of it.

Detox has been fairly easy on me the last 100+ days... I am so grateful I've been 98% functional throughout this journey. :D In fact, I would say I've been 198% more functional than normal... I mean, I never actually wrote a 99% complete Novel (http://dauntlessdiva.com/2009/12/01/nanowrimo-2009-official-winner/) before (yet I did my second month into this Challenge, and "won" a Challenge, too).

Things like that I used to struggle and struggle with before -- now, Life just feels FLUID... SIMPLIFIED.... RAW'IFIED.


I LOVE my Raw Life!!!!

[beauty.aroundme]

Goodcat, if you think it's the mercury... there's an amazing book with the horrible title of "The Ultramind Solution" by Mark Hyman, MD. He himself suffered mercury poisoning when he was younger, and in this book (among many other super interesting things) he also discusses ways to rid your body of mercury. It's not the focus of the book, but it comes up many times as it is connected to many problems and solutions he discusses. I love the book, so does my mother.

My day: I went running at the beach again, and it went slightly better than last time (yeah). I beat the rain which has been pouring down on this grey day ever since. I was very productive working on a book proposal, and in a little while will go to have a potluck dinner with some friends. I'm not worried about all the non-raw foods, because I'm feeling so great right now that nothing can tempt me. I will bring a big salad and some wraps.

Wishing you all a beautiful day!

[GoodCat]

Good Morning Friends... Yes... today is a NEW day. Each day is a gift and I will welcome it and enjoy it. I feel very encouraged by you all and I have a new focus this morning. I will keep on keeping on and trust that my body will respond in time. I will also look for that book. I find that really I need to educate myself and not depend on doctors (natural or not).

Yesterday.. I didn't exercise, but I did today ;)

Food I ate..

1 serving of carrot/celery juice
2 servings of barley green
1 1/2 qrts. green smoothie
guac. w/ raw veggie chips and califlower
big salad w/ sunflower thyme dressing and more guac. w/ califlower

I ate too much fat yesterday, but I think I was comfort eating. I'll do better today :)

Blessings,
Cathy

p.s. I wish I lived by the water and could run through the sand!! How very fun!!

[Green_Woman]

Today I made a discovery... I've been trying to mentally figure out a 'sleep schedule' for myself and have just hit a wall wondering WHAT to do.

Well, last night I forced myself to go to bed at 10:30pm (extremely early for me) and by 11pm, I was sound asleep.

I woke up at 3:45am, refreshed and READY.

Wow....

[Green_Woman]

It's 10:17pm... I'm preparing to crash early again and have set my alarm for 5:30am (unless of course I naturally wake up, ready to go, earlier)...

Today was pretty incredible. I felt like I had steady, even energy all day long. And it was a LONG day! Classes started at 8am, didn't let out until 3pm, and then of course I had my afternoon/evening full of Rehearsal, Home chores, Food prep, Yoga, etc.

P.S. Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE my Life???

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi all, it's Friday afternoon and the city is shutting down as every week. I have some cha(lle)nges to tell you about. Yesterday the euphoria of the first week was suddenly replaced by a need to be alone and also the feeling of being quite vulnerable when interacting with strangers. I ended up not going to the potluck with friends yesterday, because it seemed just too much. I was full of energy and awake, but my body and heart were revolting against the idea. What can you do? :-)
My food:
I had banana-mush with pieces of kiwi which I ate with celery sticks for dinner because I wasn't hungry. Too light as it turned out as I was starving later that night and had to eat avocado soup really late (11 pm).
I work from home right now (which makes it easier to be raw), and today I had a big salad and some more nori&salad wraps for late late lunch (at 4 pm).
I wanted to attach pictures of my BIG lunch and my cat Shiri who always looks disgusted when I opt to make food for myself instead of taking care of her... :-), but somehow it's not working this time. Will try again later.
Wishing you all a happy weekend!

[appifanie]

Copying from the monthly challenge forum :)

This is good - I started at like 90% and hovered around there for a few days and now I'm at 99% w/ no obvious detox thus far (knock on wood). (My 1% is the evil morning beverage of which I had 1/2 cup)

This morning I craved . . . clementines! And then I went hours without eating or even feeling the need to eat, which is amazing for me. Then, I HAD to have a green smoothie and so here I am with my smoothie.

Made flax crackers yesterday. I see a dinner with crackers and avocado and other stuff - not sure how yet.

Bought a bunch of produce today. Hurray!

[appifanie]

i remembered my main detox symptom - exhaustion! *YAWN* and of course my 3 year old doesn't do naps anymore.

[GoodCat]

Well.. yesterday was a good day!! I do love my life too.... thank you greenie.. I need to remember how very blessed I am. My hips are getting better every day it seems and although I'm very tired (from my medical issues), I am in good spirits. It will get better.

Yesterday... I rebounded and did stretches

I ate...

barley green 3 servings
carrot/celery juice 2 servings
1 1/2 qrt. green smoothie
a very yummy grapefruit
For dinner I made Orinetal tacos... it basically marinaded veggies served on a nampa cabbage leaf. On the side I made an oriental "rice" from califlower. Very yummy!!

Oriental “Rice”

Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower
2 c. peas (fresh or frozen, thawed)
¼ c. red onion, diced
1 bunch of green onions, sliced thin
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 Tbl, seasame oil (cold pressed)
1 Tbl, rice vinegar (can use apple cider vinegar)
1 tsp. Celtic sea salt

Instructions:
Pulse the cauliflower in the process until it resembles rice. Place into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well blended.

I hope you all enjoy it. Let me know if you try it.

Blessings,
Cathy

[Green_Woman]

Yummmmm.... the rice dish sounds delicious. :D

I'm a little terrified of cauliflower right now: it tends to give me gas and bloating... but I'll try it in a few weeks and see what my Body does with it then!

Today I've eaten:

Apple slices and Almond butter (*I'm a little depressed about the almond butter after reading a thread about "FAKE" raw almond butter the other day, but I don't seem to react negatively to this questionable-at-best variety, so I'll finish this jar and then see about getting some guaranTEED raw almond butter! :D )

Yoga Bars - 2 (100% raw/living white chocolate... little energy boosters for when I'm rushing around between Classes)

GREEN SMOOTHIE galore!!! I had a full Vitamix so far today. :eek:

Bubbies Sauerkraut... yummmmm... making my own two jars now and can't wait to see if they turn out!


Today I'm Appreciating:


The rain, the NON-STOP rain!!! Ah, this thirsty desert is VERY happy and so am I! My poor little wet puppies are not so happy though. *cuddles the wet fur babies*

School!!! Exhausting, long, stressful week - SO full of discovery and I'm SO ready for more!!!

Sleep....

Sudoku! I discovered these puzzles again last night and whipped through one (in about 45 minutes, which for me, is fast... *laughing*) and I think they might be a great way to wrap up long days with a little mental relaxation!

[appifanie]

Down 2 lbs this week!! Headaches improved, allergies improved.


Almond butter (*I'm a little depressed about the almond butter after reading a thread about "FAKE" raw almond butter the other day, but I don't seem to react negatively to this questionable-at-best variety, so I'll finish this jar and then see about getting some guaranTEED raw almond butter! :D )


I have a jar and a half of the "fake" stuff myself. I've had some of the raw Artisana a.b. and it's AWESOME, but a tiny jar of that was $15 and the "fake" stuff is like $5/jar. I so can't afford the Artisana or any other really raw one, so I'm contemplating retrying making my own, but I can't afford truly raw almonds either, so . . .

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi all, I woke up today feeling very groggy and congested. I think I haven't been drinking enough water the last two days. But after I got up I felt very clear and full of energy. I had a blended shake and then I went for a long walk (yes, at the beach). For lunch I had soup made of kombu, and a small salad, and some fruit (persimmon, fresh fig). I did a thorough house cleaning. I think my cleansing feelings are radiating out and taking over my home... that's very welcome, because I tend to have a lot of clutter around me. Now everything is really clean and no clutter around. Beautiful. I finally managed to upload a picture, which I just took of me and my cat relaxing on this Saturday afternoon. :-) Happy weekend everybody!

[GoodCat]

Good Morning...

beauty.aroundme.... I love your picture and your cat;) Its nice putting a face to a name.. I wish I could figure out how to put on a picture. I'll have to work on that :rolleyes:

Yesterday was good.. actually every day is good if I let it be. Yes,,, I have health issues and I struggle, but my day is for me and I can still enjoy it and be thankful for it. So I'm choosing to be thankful for all the days I have and I look forward to a day when my health starts getting better!

Yesterday I ate...

barley green
carrot/celery juice
1 1/2 qrts. green smoothie
and for dinner I had rawviolies w/ a big salad
a mango for dessert --so yummy

These rawviolies are so good... If you have a dehydrator, you must try them. A friend gave me the recipe, so I'm not sure where they're from..

Tomato Raviolies

Ingredients:
10 Roma tomotes, sliced
½ c. olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp. Celtic sea salt

“Cheese Sauce”
1 c. pine nuts
1 Tbl, dried basil
2 cloves of garlic
1 tsp. Celtic sea salt
¾ c. water

Instructions:
Slice your tomatoes and marinate them in the olive oil, garlic, and salt for at least 15 min.

Place the pine nuts, basil, garlic, salt, and water into a blender and blend until smooth.

Place a slice of tomato onto a dehydrator tray and put a spoonful of the “cheese” sauce on top. Then place another slice of tomato on top of the “cheese”. Like a sandwich. Continue to do this until all the tomatoes are used up. You may want to put a Teflon sheet under the tray to catch any dripping olive oil.
Dehydrate at 105 deg., for at least 8 hours, but could take up to 24 hours depending on how “cooked” you want them ;)

Blessings to you all... and as greenie says.... I LOVE MY LIFE!!
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

So I'm choosing to be thankful for all the days I have and I look forward to a day when my health starts getting better!

With that affirmation, Cathy, your health just started to get better. ;) In fact, I'm guessing your body is healing more rapidly than you can keep up mentally... it definitely happened/is happening to me!

For instance, when I first went 100% RAW in 2006 (6 month stint), the first thing to go were the daily severe headaches alternating with migraines. I had suffered from them at that point for over ten years.

And yet, here's how short my memory was: within 2 wks, NO MORE HEADACHES... and I just completely forgot what it was like to spend every night crippled up in bed crying from pain. Just like that, my Body healed... and it took my Mind a few more weeks to figure out what had happened. :D

The only time the DAILY Headaches/Migraines have returned is when I've strayed from 100% RAW... even if I'm 90%, it's still not enough for my Body to stay cleansed and cleansing.

I DO love my Life. :D


I think my cleansing feelings are radiating out and taking over my home... that's very welcome, because I tend to have a lot of clutter around me. Now everything is really clean and no clutter around. Beautiful.

Now THAT is beautiful!! Also, YOU are quite beautiful! You look completely blissed out in that photo... I like!!!


Down 2 lbs this week!! Headaches improved, allergies improved.

Whoa! NICE!!! And I know whatcha mean about the really raw butters being.... rather expensive. Tahini and Cocoa Butters I don't mind paying $13.99/jar since I use them so infrequently... but here in Tucson, AZ - raw Almond butter is anywhere from $19-30/jar... TINY jars, too. I was so ecstatic to find "raw almond butter" for $4.99/jar at Trader Joes.

But apparently they steam the almonds, though the buttering-process IS under 115 deg F. It's rather confusing to me. I know that I don't react negatively to it, and I rarely eat it, but I'm still rather... uh... disappointed!

[gillyronald]

Hi Its all fun being together..

its always been a good feel to meet people like you buddies..
As a veggie you need not compromise that its healthier than any other.. Being a veggie I'm proud to be with you frenz...

Lets make it big..!!

With love,
Ronald..

[mommyliz]

hi everyone! sorry it's been so long since i've posted. i have managed to read all of the posts, but something always comes up as soon as i'm ready to write a post. well, hopefully i'll have time to finish writing this time!

i'm having no problem staying 100% ever since i watched alissa's dvd and got her book. THANK YOU ALISSA!!!! it's amazing how much of a difference it's made. and yes, i have several other raw books, ebooks, and a couple dvds. but i've been working at staying raw for the past 6 years, and now i finally feel like i can keep at it, and be HAPPY about it! and have yummy (and easy) recipes that i can make for others too, that they'll really like!

the carrot pecan burgers (i've been making them with walnuts, cause that's what i have) have been a lifesaver. topped with a slice of tomato, and some curry sauce, they've made my day several times this week. alissa's almond butter berry pie (can't remember the exact name) is amazing and beautiful. my husband says he could eat it every day for the rest of his life! he he.

my back and neck and muscles are all still sore all of the time, my skin has been a bit rashy, but not too bad, and my seborrhea dermatitis (the doctor told me it was eczema when i was a kid, but i finally figured out what it was) is is still with me. it's definitely better that it used to be, but it's still all over my scalp, and at spots on my back and sometimes my face. i would LOVE for this to go away with raw.

my major problem right now though, seems to be my elimination system. i think i need a colonic, but i reeeeeaally don't want one. i would fast or take senna tea or something, but can't fast when i'm breastfeeding. i'm not sure about the senna tea when breastfeeding. i'll try some psyllium and see if that helps or makes it worse. my stomach has been huge for a while now. some days it looks like i'm several months pregnant. size five jeans with a huge belly. my stomach muscles are completely separated down the centre from being pregnant twice, so my stomach expands effortlessly! i know there's all this stuff inside me and it's not leaving like it's supposed to. i think the toxins are recirculating into my bloodstream, which would explain why my brain hasn't been working very well for a long time, and i've been unmotivated. i'm just starting to figure this out. must fix this problem!

sorry if that's tmi!

have a great day everyone,

liz

[GoodCat]

Well.. I figured out how to use the avatar ;) Now I just need a better picture :p

liz.. I have some of the same issues. I don't want those toxins staying in me and I really don't want to do colonic either. So I take FiberBlend. Its a natural fiber substance designed to cleanse the colon. I really like it. You only take in for 3 months and then only 1-2 times a year after that. Just a thought.

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

i think i need a colonic, but i reeeeeaally don't want one.

GET ONE!!! They are so easy, so relieving... I've had several, and not a single one was painful or even uncomfortable. Find a trusted practitioner in your area who a friend can recommend, and GO GET ONE.

In fact, I'm going to get a much-needed Colonic myself later this month! You can do alternate cleanses or the at-home kits, but NOTHING is going to clean you out as well as an actual Colonic. :)

Realise also that health issues, especially the stuff you listed, are connected to the amount of toxins built up in your system. Imagine releasing those toxins -- imagine the results!!

Do a little research on them in order to feel comfortable with the process, definitely. Jeremy Safron's THE FASTING HANDBOOK: DINING ON AN EMPTY BOWL has a lovely little section on Colonics. Good read, btw.



i would LOVE for this to go away with raw.

It will. Give it time. Just remember the old RFT adage: "You didn't get this way overnight, so don't expect to get rid of it all overnight, either."

I'm still working to heal the Endometriosis, which I've suffered from for eleven of my 24 years. It will be healed, it IS being Healed. I AM Healed. :D

[mommyliz]

thanks so much for the encouragement, gals! maybe i will get a colonic. i've only found one person around here that does them, but will keep looking. it's always nice to be able to compare before you choose a practitioner.

my eyes are closing. i think it's time to get off the computer. i want to make some flax crackers and crepe filling before i go to bed. will see what i get done before i fall asleep :)

liz

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi all! It was a good day here. First day of the week in Israel, so I had to work. I woke up very hungry and had my usual blended shake. Lunch was very light (a wrap and a small salad), and then I was very hungry for dinner, but after I made a truly delicious FAKE TUNA SALAD, I could eat only a cup or so. It was too heavy for me- and I made enough of this salad to feed Goodcat's whole family.. :-) (The recipe was intended for a family, I am guessing, not for a single women with non-vegetarian cat).
Anyways, because the recipe is delicious, I am posting it here for you all. Enjoy (but if you're the only one eating, divide by 8, I would suggest)!

Cindy's Mock Tuna Salad
4 cups almonds 
5 stalks celery, diced 
6 green onions, sliced thin 
2 tbs. parsley 
5 tbs. lemon juice 
2 dashes cayenne 
1 medium clove garlic, crushed
1 1/2 - 2 tsp. Celtic sea salt (if available - otherwise you can use table salt). 
1 sheet nori seaweed, soaked briefly, then chopped (or 1/3 cup favorite soaked seaweed).

Puree Almonds in a food processor until fine. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and half of the Avocado Mayo. Add more Mayo as needed. Enjoy atop a piece of Romaine or Napa cabbage, and a slice of tomato.*

Avocado Mayo: Blend until creamy
1 cup pine nuts 
1 large avocado 
1 tbs. lemon juice 
2 tbs. apple cider vinegar 
1 tsp. Celtic sea salt
6 medium pitted dates (3 packed tbs.) 
1/2 clove garlic

To change the topic slightly: Mommyliz, have you considered an enema? It's half as bad as it sounds and you can do it at home in about 15 minutes: http://www.healthandyoga.com/HTML/clean/enema.html
In Germany they are done quite commonly among people who do fasts. I grew up with my mother doing them, and I do them from time to time, ESPECIALLY when I wake up in the morning with detox-headaches. They work like magic for me.

[GoodCat]

beauty.aroundme... you are too funny :) That recipe sounds really good. Although, none of us like nori :eek: We'll see.

Yesterday was okay... I didn't do as well as I would have liked, but I did get lots of yummy raw food and juices in me. A friend also loaned me a book on adrenal fatigue and its amazing. Its helping see more of what I can do to help. And the good thing is, as I was reading I was able to see lots of raw food that I can do... yeah!!

I didn't do any exercising yesterday, but I will today. Keep on keeping on... right?? ;)

Blessings to you all,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

Beauty - You can save that tuna. I've found that letting my raw tuna salads sit in the fridge for a day or so makes them TASTIER. The seasonings have time to marinate. :D

Cathy- I didn't get home last night until 12:30am, and I was going to skip my Yoga routine and then thought to myself, "I won't be able to sleep if I do."

So I did it, then I regretted doing it cuz I was wide awake for another couple hours. :D

[Jehote]

I would LOVE to be in a challenge! im in a great green smothie one on Fb...:)
any chance i can jump in here? or is one starting soon?
thanks! Jehote

[joyce09]

Good evening to all raw-lovers. We have so many faithful ones this 2rd 90-day challenge around.

I have been very busy lately so I did not report here daily. But I am still with you all in learning to do all raw. I actually have gotten used to being all raw now. With fruits, smoothies, and raw breads I am pretty content to be all raw.

But I am not seeing obvious health benefits after almost 2 months of all raw. (Granted, I have no big health problems.) So I am planning to do a more strict version from tomorrow on. I plan to do a green smoothie fast for some days and see if I will reap obvious health benefits.

[Green_Woman]

Joyce - What specifically are you looking for in the way of "obvious health benefits"?

If you're already a healthy person, chances are a long-term raw diet will simply make you healthier... and though the changes may NOT be obvious (weight loss, skin issues cleared, diseases cured, etc.) like they are for some, but it's like cleaning a house that's kept tidy but hasn't been DEEP-CLEANED in a long time... though you may not see the difference on the OUTSIDE, there has indeed been some major changes. And it's ultimately the changes occurring INSIDE that matter the most in the long run!!!!

Green Smoothie Feasts ARE very fun, though... and great relaxation for your insides!!!

I'm glad you're with me on this journey. I do very much appreciate your insights!!!

Jehote: Of course you're welcome to dive in!

[beauty.aroundme]

Goodcat: I first made the recipe without nori, and it was actually really tasty, maybe better than with.
BUT- I have to say that this salad didn't sit well with me. I was feeling almost nauseous at night. Too much fat (pine nuts, avocado, almonds). I have been eating a lot of nuts and I think my body is oversaturated with fats and needs some lighter food now. So I would make this salad only if you feel you're really craving and needing fats. That said, it tastes great.

[Green_Woman]

Beauty - I vary between eating a few nutty treats, and then the next day all I'll have are salads and smoothies! I've noticed that I do better with less fats, but sometimes my Body demands more fats, so she gets it!


This is why I love the FREEDOM of my Raw Life. There's no counting, measuring, stressing or "dieting" in this household - just pure intuitive freedom and blessings, healing, bliss!

I LOVE RAW!!!!

:D

[Jehote]

Lunch was a baby greens / green apple / and tomato salad. Tart with the apple and a little lemon juice squeezed on. Good stuff!!
J

[joyce09]

Good evening raw-fooders. I hope everyone is getting more and more used to living raw.

Greenie, Thanks for your encouraging words. And what you said is very sensible indeed. I will keep on doing raw and hopefully I will have some definite benefits to report in a couple of months, such as energy improvement, improved skin, weight loss (I am 15 pounds overweight), glowing complexion, etc. Anyway, there is no other option, since eating raw indeed is the most healthful diet. And I do feel thankful that I have no serious health problems to fix.

[ithl]

Well I know everyone has started already, but I would like to join if that is okay.

If so...Hi everyone my name is Lamont, I'm 27, and ready to start my journey to becoming a 100% high rawfoodist.

I've been vegan/vegetarian for about six or seven years, and I've known about the raw lifestyle for a few years...I think lifestyle sounds better than "diet," because though I do want to lose weight. I don't want to look at it that way, I want to think of it just as something good that I'm doing for myself.

As for the 90 day challenge my goals are:

- To lose some weight (I know I should be giving a number, but I just want to let nature take it's course without worrying about numbers and what I should be doing and what I should be losing)

- Exercise more regularly (hopefully upwards of 1 hour a day)

- and basically just to feel better and eat more simply

With that said, my food intake for the day:

1 Honey Crisp Apple
1 Banana
Nori Rolls (Avocado, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, red pepper, zucchini, Braggs liquid Aminos)
Onion Garlic Flax Crackers (a few too many of these, lol)
2 Mangoes

[mstrish]

Hi Everyone,
I want to do this 90 days with everyone. I started back to 100% today. Been 80-90% over the holidays but ready to step it up. I do better with support from others. I will take the 30 day challenge in Feb too.

[Green_Woman]

Warmest Welcome to both of you!

This journey is ongoing for me, so I'm very happy to welcome new folks/friends along the way!!!

[GoodCat]

I just wanted to say "Welcome" to you all. It is nice having the support and encouragement from this forum. Jump on in and have fun and enjoy life.

Blessings,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

Note to New Challengers: be sure to read the "Rules" posted in the very first post... I JUST revised it and bumped them up there now...they had been pretty buried and I don't know if half our new challengers even knew we had "Rules" yet.... ;)

Don't worry. The rules aren't nearly as scary as normal rules. ;)

[Green_Woman]

I revised my latest Divalog article (http://dauntlessdiva.com/2010/01/18/curing-the-incurable/)... I want to share this. Some pretty powerful comments have been filtering down to me via the site and women are responding with hope!!!

It's important that we be encouraged - CONTINUALLY - to recognize that there is NO incurable disease.

Give your body the TOOLS to HEAL (Raw and Living Foods!!!), and s/he will surprise you every time!!!! :D

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi Greenie, I read your article. You tell an intense story, and there's a lot of hope and energy to attract healing in the end. I'm glad for you. I agree that this will make healing possible.
It would be interesting to learn more about how the 100% raw food diet is affecting you symptoms and pain.
I myself have a small fibroid that I am also intent on dissolving through the power of living whole and healthy. A balanced mind-body heals naturally, that's what I firmly believe.

I had a couple of weird days. Things were not sitting too well with me, mainly a bit sad and feeling reclusive. Today I'm taking the day off to take back life. I'm on my way out now, to run errands, and walk in the sun and air. And in the evening I hope I will still feel up to going to trying a dance lesson open house. I've been thinking of starting dance lessons for a long time. I used to dance a lot, whenever I could, samba at home with myself, and it all gave to being responsible and adhering to the rules of an adult life. I guess, my biggest change that is connected to 100% raw is that I want to get back to what I want to do and live how I feel, instead of adhering to adult life requirements.
Oh, and I think I'll do a blended juice fast for some days. I think I need to detox more, I feel stuck. (Unfortunately, I don't have a juicer. But blended juices will do...)
Happy day to you all!

[Amarynth]

I've been recuperating the past couple of weeks after having knee surgery, but I want to join in on the challenge if it isn't too late? My goals are:

*Continue exploring raw, with a goal of becoming 80%-90% raw with the expectations of one day becoming 100% raw!
*Lose at least 20 pounds within the next three months.
*Commune more with nature.
*Love life more and don't let the little things get to me. :)
*Take yoga classes to improve my health and flexibility.
*Lower my cholesterol and get OFF MEDS!

I think that's all for now, and I am starting right now, at this very moment! Thanks Greenie for the support!

[Green_Woman]

*Continue exploring raw, with a goal of becoming 80%-90% raw with the expectations of one day becoming 100% raw!

This is a good goal, and I don't intend to discourage ANYONE who wants to become Raw but I do want to just remind everyone: old challengers and new alike, that this Challenge is for 100% Raw and Living Foods commitment, only.

Slip ups are one thing, but intentionally deciding NOT to pursue 100% for this time is fine... just not here, please. I really want this to stay focused on encouraging 100%, all-the-way, CHANGE your LIFE Raw!! :D

With that in mind, if 90 days seems like a hefty chunk to commit to, chop it down into bite-sized time spans... like 10 days, then 20... then 50, then... so on and so on! FYI, my original goal was only 10 days, and after that, I just kept going. :D


I would be interesting to learn more about how the 100% raw food diet is affecting you symptoms and pain.

I will definitely continue writing about this as I experience increased healing on Raw. Right now, I'm still in Detox much of the time, so there's nothing too glorious to report yet. ;)

Currently, slightly reduced pain during my cycle and longer spans of time between cycles/Fibro episodes is what I've noticed. It's a hugely encouraging start to this process!!!


Things were not sitting too well with me, mainly a bit sad and feeling reclusive.

Sounds like raw emotions to me. Ride with it... the Body isn't the only thing cleansing when you go 100% Raw and Living... your Spirit starts to Detox, too. Your whole Life is changing... it's exciting, thrilling, even terrifying. Above all, it's SO worth the ride...

[joyce09]

Amarynth, In my expereince it is easier to aim at 100% raw than to plan 80-90% raw. The latter path is full of temptations, "slips", unsatisfied craving, and regrets. Why not try 100% raw for a month and see how you feel? The first couple of weeks may feel uncomfortable. But if you spend your time trying out new raw dishes (this website is full of wonderful tasty recipes), you won't have much time left thinking about cooked foods.

Besides, Greenie is truly a spirited cheerleader and she is also very responsive to fellow travellers along this journey. Don't pass this opportunity to become raw fast.

[Amarynth]

Ah, I don't even know why I missed that this is supposed to be 100% raw, which actually on my first day, I've accomplished already. I started out with a smoothie, an apple with some almond butter; then a huge salad for lunch and a salad for dinner. I'm not hungry at all and feel pretty great, so yes, I would like to revise my goal to include 100% raw! :)

[Jstmee46]

I have been doing raw food for a couple of years (60-80%) I truly think going a 100% is the way to go. I have struggle with my choice to go raw ,I finally realized I was worried about having to explain my choices over and over to people that just don't get it. So I had one foot in the sad trench to make friends and family feel good ( I felt like C@#P) I then realized the proof will be in the pudding (banana). And the other reason I am excited to jump on board is the support from all you great people ... They say if you want to succeed in something to hang out with people that are succeeding. I closed the door to sad diet for good.. so today will be my 4th day of 100% raw.. I am not enjoying the coffee head ache but i am reminding my self that the pain i am feeling is because that stuff is so toxic... the coffee was always the drug that took me back to the sad diet.. so I am not leaving that door open at all it is close for good.. so in the morning i put a whole lemon (jucie only) in the vita mix large cup of water and warm it up so it is just luke warm . I am now looking forward to that every morning... OK I have rambled enough.. jstmee46

[joyce09]

Jstmee, do you have access to a steam room or a sauna? Profuse sweating really helps with getting rid of toxins.

http://www.fastingconnection.com/Detox-Toxin-Prevention/Toxins-removal/active-fasting.html

[beauty.aroundme]

Go, Amarynth!

[ithl]

Missed posting yesterday, but here I am, lol.

Food Intake:

Mango
Banana
2 Apples
Nori Rolls
Flax Crackers

[Green_Woman]

I'm not hungry at all and feel pretty great, so yes, I would like to revise my goal to include 100% raw!

:D :D

Shoot for the Stars... the worst you can do is land on the Moon!!! ;)

[GoodCat]

Good Morning Everyone..

I've been busy the last few days making some yummy raw food. I made some veggie crackers, onion bread, pizza dough, buck-wheaties, Alissa's calazones (these are actually in the dehydrater for dinner tonight;)), and I made some yummy RAWnola (it triple berry granola made with buckwheat).

So I actually over ate all this yummy stuff, so I need to watch that. Too much of a good thing can be bad too :rolleyes:

Blessings to you all,
Cathy :)

[Amarynth]

I wasn't too hungry when I woke up today, but had two bananas for breakfast and some fresh squeezed OJ. I SO need to get a juicer, it isn't easy getting juice out of those oranges but it was definitely worth it. I'm drinking more water, that's another personal goal as I am not much of a water drinker. Actually, I really don't drink much at all..and have no idea how I've survived for so long. So yes, fluid intake (water) is increasing.

I was really hungry for lunch but didn't want a salad. So...I took some avocado and mixed it with chopped tomato, garlic and some lime. I then sliced red pepper, cucumber and topped a couple of huge romaine leaves with the avocado mixture and veggies. OMG..it was delicious. For dinner I might have a salad with lots of veggies and perhaps some more fruit. I'd love to try some banana ice cream, as I do have some frozen banana I can use.

Is there such a thing as eating too many bananas? I love them! Oh, and are pictures allowed? Here's the wraps I made!


http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx203/Amarynthsphotos/AvocadoWrap.jpg

[Green_Woman]

Oh yum yummmmYUMMMMM... I love pictures. :D

Thanks for sharing!!!

[Green_Woman]

I just want to say that it's really exciting to be a part of a charged, motivated group of folks sticking to RAW!!! WE RAWK!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Today is my Day #110, I think... it might be later or earlier by a day - I'm losing track, honestly. :eek:

I'm focused on "survival" right now at School... it always gets pretty intense the first few weeks and the last few weeks of any new Term, so this is normal.

I'm doing Yoga nightly and will be starting a Taoist Tai Chi class next week, as well, for relaxation and exercise. I'm enjoying the Yoga unbelievably much. I'm not sure how I survived so long without it. :D

Food wise, things are pretty slim right now. Well, I'm pretty slim, that is. *laughing* I haven't had time to prepare anything fancy, so I'm sticking to Smoothies, Salads, and fruit on the go right now. It works just fine for short spurts, then I need something exciting to spice up life again. But during the week, I'm good with "simple Raw" -- weekends are for prepping gourmet.


I LOVE LIFE!!!

I LOVE RAW!!!


I LOVE MY RAW LIFE!!!!!!!!!!

[Beth]

Hi everyone,
Is it OK if I jump back in after a 12 day juice fast? I've been transitioning back with juice, fresh fruit and smoothies. The juice fast was a wonderful experience which I plan to do one or two days a week, but I am looking forward to getting back to fruit and salads. :)

Simple raw sounds good Green_Woman. I know that school survival mode.

Great photo Amaranth!

[Green_Woman]

Beth, juice fasts are 100% raw. ;) Welcome back!! Missed your posts. I hope the juice fast was rewarding.

[Beth]

Thanks Green_Woman :D The juice fast was a remarkable experience. The people on that thread are so great and Aleesha is so supportive. They are quite an incredible group of fasters! I was just a beginner but I learned a lot about myself, both physically and emotionally.

[Amarynth]

Thanks! I'm so glad you liked the pic. I'm sure I'll have more to show since I figured out I could take pictures with my blackberry and email them to myself. My oldest broke my digital and I haven't replaced it yet.

So shortly after I posted the picture of my wraps, I felt like making that banana ice cream. I took some frozen banana, some dates and blended it with a little water to a nice smooth consistency. I folded in some raw almonds and boy was that GOOD. I didn't take a picture because I was too busy devouring the ice cream. I ended up being a bit chilly afterward, so had to snuggle with a blanket for a while. Not much for dinner..just a small salad and an apple. I wasn't very hungry. :)

I'm still healing from my knee surgery, so yoga is not an option at the moment, but soon. I'm doing PT to increase the mobility in my knee and hope to start taking yoga in a few weeks.

It snowed today, and rather than look upon it as another disappointing winter day, I reveled in the beauty outside my window. I do long for spring however. The clouds seemed to have rolled away and there is a beautiful moon out tonight.

Life is good....

[Green_Woman]

I finally wrote my review of the Blue Nile (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-32486-Tucson-Raw-Food-Examiner~y2010m1d28-Arizonas-Best-Kept-Secret-for-Raw-Vegans). That was the extent of my raw brilliance for the day!

In other news, I'm REALLY appreciating Revvell's Daily Appreciations thread (http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=34741)! :D It deserves 5-stars again! Someone go over there and rate it 5 stars!!!

[Jstmee46]

jstmee, do you have access to a steam room or a sauna? Profuse sweating really helps with getting rid of toxins.

http://www.fastingconnection.com/detox-toxin-prevention/toxins-removal/active-fasting.html
i do not.. I only have a spa... Yes the toxins are hang out , but i will win this fight..thanks for the tip
jstmee

[Jstmee46]

I had a great day lots of good energy.. The toxins are trying to win by breaking me down with the body aches.. Not happening... My energy level has bee great and my focus is amazing.. I just wish my spelling was better lol ...i ahve been trying to get my 8 year old to go more raw ... He has a genetic disorder called fragil x .he has a very set taste buds.. So i am taking baby steps in the morning he was a egg and bread kind of kid.. So i have been giving him a any type of fruit he wants.. He has been eating 2 apples, 1 banana , 1/2 avocado. What he has causes a lot of sensory issues . So for lunch i give him lots of fruit choices ( his aid lets him pick ) then i still send his favorites like 1 stick of chesse and tortelii pasta(5)they are about the size of a small cherry. A few crackers whole wheat fishes ..he has been coming home with great spirets .his teacher call me today and ask me what we were doing different . I told her that i was slowly removing all sad foods.. She also asked me if i could send more cut up apple because that has been his reward of choice and they only have cherrios ,skittles , fishies, pretzels, so on and so on.. I was so happy with that... The other thing is he comes home from school now asking me for apple of banana or avocado.. I want to get some watermelon and canalope this weekend he loves that , i have to drive about a hour to get that organic...

My food today:
Am: 2 oranges 1 banana
lunch yum my raw tacos
1- kombuci
a very large green smottie..
Ok i think its time to sigh of good nite:) jstmee

[Green_Woman]

Jstmee46 -- I wonder if more greens in your son's diet would make an impact? I know they WOULD help him heal, but I know nothing about his specific condition. I would recommend posting a thread asking for info on this condition -- perhaps someone out there has a child with it and has some pointers for you!!!

I think it's GREAT that he's eating more and more fresh foods.

I finally watched FOOD MATTERS, the documentary, tonight. Wow... very well done!!!

Also, be patient with your Body... I'm 110 days 100% raw now, and I'm still occasionally dealing with detox symptoms. Sometimes, it's detox... other times, it's your body sending you a message to up the greens or lower the fats or add in sea veggies or take a supplement for awhile to boost whatever mineral/vitamin the SAD drained you of before, etc.

You are healing -- it's a process. Just like getting to the state of UNhealth was a process, so is getting to a state of Health. :)

*hugs*

[Jstmee46]

Greenie,
that is a good idea... Getting greens in him is going to be the real callange... He will eat some greens as long as they are cooked in a italian fritta ..that is a good idea .. Gets with fragil x have a lot of simular food likes.. There very very picky eaters..its all about smell and texture.
I will start having more green smothies . I have been adding the sea kelp in to my smothies, what other minerals and suppliments do you recomend?? Thanks for the tips grennie

cheers!
Jestmee


THE PICTURE IS OF MY SON IN LAKE TAHOE !

[Jstmee46]

I have a ? how do you post a thread..
jstmee46

[Green_Woman]

I have been adding the sea kelp in to my smothies, what other minerals and suppliments do you recomend??

Actually, I use alot of fresh, leafy greens in my smoothies such as Spinach, Romaine, Parsley, etc.

A recipe that even the staunchest anti-greens eaters seem to enjoy is this:

Green Woman's Favorite Green Smoothie ;)

2-3 c. fresh baby Spinach
1 orange (peeled)
2 bananas (peeled)
1-2 T. honey or agave nectar
2-3 c. water (more for texture if it's too thick for you)

Blend until creamy and smooth, serve immediately while fresh and delicious!

Voila! :D

[Amarynth]

Oh..if I may...

My favorite green smoothie is this:

A couple handfuls of kale (the more the better!!!)
1-2 bananas
A few slices of mango
Strawberries
About a cup of water (more or less as desired)

Blend it up and devour!

I love this, something about the kale and the banana; the taste is just...exquisite.

Love and blessings!
Amarynth

[Jstmee46]

Ok I learned how to post pictures pretty easy..

The corn tortillas is made from Alissa I add cilantro, jalapeno, and lemon and pink himalayin sea salt.

The beans are made from sunflower seed (soaked 4 hrs) rehydrated tomatoes (soaked 4 hrs) garlic ,green onions, cilantro, serrono pepper ( I love hot food)

avocado

sour cream is made with soaked cashews (8hours) lemon and pink himalayin sea salt.. and yum.. Today was a good day. I put my self back on the schedule for a bike ride , and it was so nice. I ate 100% raw and no craving for sad food .. I don,t even miss it. I think the difference this time is I get it.. I really get it. I am having a aha moment .
day 5 yeah.. Jstmee46:)

[Amarynth]

Oh gosh! That looks absolutely divine! I'm drooling over here...

I have been out of work due to knee surgery, so my finances are a bit tight as I'm only getting paid for regular hours and not my usual overtime; so needless to say I haven't been able to get Alissa's book yet. I think this week I can finally order it though. Are a lot of her recipes in need of a dehydrator? That's something I'm needing to get soon as well.

I had a pretty good day today...started the morning off not so hungry, but that's usual for me. So I ate a banana and had a glass of water. Lunch was a huge salad and dinner was a veggie 'sammich' wrapped in romaine. I was looking for something sweet afterwards, so had a few dates and now I'm fine. Not hungry, but I am a bit tired. It was and still is SO cold here in NY, and I had to go to the store...I think I walked a bit too fast for my healing knee and have suffered for it the rest of the evening. So I've been babying myself...which is always nice.

Have a great night! Love and blessings...
Amarynth

[beauty.aroundme]

Here is what I drink every morning since last spring. Love it, don't grow tired of the taste. I blend the fruits and vegetables, but I'm sure juicing works just as well. The ginger is important to give it a bit of edge.

2 stalks of celery
a handful of spinach or other deep green leaves
1 small cucumber (1/3 of a regular cucumber)
1 red apple
a big piece of ginger
flaxseed oil
sometimes agave nectar to taste

I drink a whole pitcher of it every day and it sustains me until around about 1 pm. Great for energy, great for detox.

[beauty.aroundme]

Jestmee: I've been doing research on this this last year. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is a tricky issue. A general multivitamin (without iron) is generally good for anybody. It gets more difficult if you decide to just supplement one or several particular vitamins/minerals. This is because the production of these is connected to the ones that are already around. If you have a lot/too much of one particular v/m then this might lead to an underproduction of another, and if you have to little of that one, this might lead to the underproduction of yet another. The best thing would be to get a blood check and then have your v/m and other deficiencies checked. Then you know for sure what to supplement. If you don't want to pay for this, then a general multivitamin without iron would be the best.
If you suspect a particular deficiency, check out this list: http://www.health-science-spirit.com/deficiency.html
But again, I would supplement carefully.
On a related note: One thing really important is your fat intake. This means nuts & seeds, but also omega 3 fats. Most commonly people take flaxseed oil, fish oil, or an omega-3-supplement.

Two more relevant links (which I just stumbled across on rft, it was posted by carlitos1980 - I only took a brief look at the sites -):
1.http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php - website where you can search each food and it will breakdown how much of each vitamin and mineral it contains and much more!
- A similar site that I use is www.nutritiondata.com -
2. www.fitday.com - You can sign up for a free account and input everything you eat during the day and it will breakdown the vitamins and minerals you are getting and not getting. Also great fro tracking calories and weight loss if thats your thing...

My day was good. I started with a three mile run/walk at the beach. Then I had a big smoothie (the usual), and just now for early dinner I had a big salad with dark green leaves, cucumber, ginger, onions, garlic, chili pepper, lemon, olive oil, sumach and zaatar. Also "my usual". I have tried experimenting with more fancy and "processed" raw foods (remember: my tuna salad debacle, and a couple of days ago I tried "fake meat loaf"), but these foods tend to not do me good (they're too heavy!!) and are also not as tasty to me as fresh salad. The nut-based processed foods for me are best as extras (avocado dip, tahini, etc.) or as dessert. For now.
Wishing you all a very good weekend!

[Green_Woman]

On a related note: One thing really important is your fat intake. This means nuts & seeds, but also omega 3 fats. Most commonly people take flaxseed oil, fish oil, or an omega-3-supplement

While I agree that fat intake is important and that flax seeds (in whole form, try it!!!) are handy, I just want to gently note that this is a Raw VEGAN forum, so we don't encourage consumption of fish products here. :)

Here are some excellent articles (http://rawfoodtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17) to help you figure out the nitty-gritty behind topics like fats, protein, etc.

To those who are new to Raw Foods.... don't WORRY so much!!! No, really, I said STOP worrying. ;)

To the SAD eaters gone Raw: When you were stuffin' yourself with fried chicken and hot dogs and greasy sandwiches before, were you constantly concerned about vitamins and minerals? No! Because your Society told you that you were "normal"! Ha! And yet my generation has been given one of the shortest life span expectancies in a few generations, because of the SAD diet!!!

To the Vegetarians gone Raw: When you were slipping Tofu and soy burgers into every meal, did you think about what the processed soy was doing to your Body? No! Because even THAT was considered more "normal" than Raw! And yet if you look at the track record of processed soy veggie products... oooh, la la, I wouldn't want that stuff anywhere near me.

Drink a Green Smoothie packed with dark, leafy greens...voila! Vitamins and minerals injected straight into your Body in the purest, most bio-available of forms...

Read Alissa's BOOK... watch her DVD's... Relax, eat Raw and Live!!!

[Green_Woman]

Are a lot of her recipes in need of a dehydrator?

Some are, some aren't.. she has alot of blender/juicer recipes, food-processor recipes and a few that are just simple no-machine-needed recipes, too. It's a fantastic variety of recipes compared to the other raw books I've read (numerous), and also I've never met an Alissa recipe I didn't like.


i do not.. I only have a spa... Yes the toxins are hang out , but i will win this fight..

Turn your spa into a sauna.

Run a Hot, HOT bath, as hot as you can stand. Shut all the doors in your bathroom and if you have a heater unit in the room, turn that on as well. When the mirrors get misty, you have a sauna. ;)

Just don't soak in it too long! It's not recommended to cook your Raw self in your own bath. ;)

[Revvell]

Good golly folks! With raw you are receiving MORE nutrients, fiber, life force than you ever have in your life!!! With gs''s, even more!

You WILL go through detox! You will get through it! My suggestion, make yourself a couple of containers full a day and go for it! If you're still hungry, eat more greens, more cukes, more bell peppers (of varying colors), more greens, more apples, more greens, more grapes, more greens... and, go 'bout your day and enjoy life!

To answer the dehydrator question ~ you don't need one! Making burgers? Roll 'em up in some greens and eat! Making cookies? This is NOT like your SAD cookie dough stuffs. Eat it right out of the bowl. Making loaves? use less fluid, wrap in a green something ~ eat it!

One of the hardest things for me to remember when I began about 14 years ago that this is RAW FOOD! It is meant to be eaten RAW! Even when it's ground up and made into burgers, cookies, loaves, it can be eaten RAW! (meaning no dehydration) Just eat it! (now, crackers with a lot of flax? :confused: )




To those who are new to Raw Foods.... don't WORRY so much!!! No, really, I said STOP worrying. ;)

To the SAD eaters gone Raw: When you were stuffin' yourself with fried chicken and hot dogs and greasy sandwiches before, were you constantly concerned about vitamins and minerals? No! Because your Society told you that you were "normal"! Ha! And yet my generation has been given one of the shortest life span expectancies in a few generations, because of the SAD diet!!!

To the Vegetarians gone Raw: When you were slipping Tofu and soy burgers into every meal, did you think about what the processed soy was doing to your Body? No! Because even THAT was considered more "normal" than Raw! And yet if you look at the track record of processed soy veggie products... oooh, la la, I wouldn't want that stuff anywhere near me.

Drink a Green Smoothie packed with dark, leafy greens...voila! Vitamins and minerals injected straight into your Body in the purest, most bio-available of forms...

Read Alissa's BOOK... watch her DVD's... Relax, eat Raw and Live!!!

[Green_Woman]

Sometimes I'm too hungry for crackers to wait for them to get all dehydrated and crispy and I just eat the limp, soggy versions. :D

[Revvell]

*looks @ G_W and wrinkles nose* ;)


Sometimes I'm too hungry for crackers to wait for them to get all dehydrated and crispy and I just eat the limp, soggy versions. :D

[joyce09]

You WILL go through detox! You will get through it! My suggestion, make yourself a couple of containers full a day and go for it! If you're still hungry, eat more greens, more cukes, more bell peppers (of varying colors), more greens, more apples, more greens, more grapes, more greens... and, go 'bout your day and enjoy life!

To answer the dehydrator question ~ you don't need one! Making burgers? Roll 'em up in some greens and eat! Making cookies? This is NOT like your SAD cookie dough stuffs. Eat it right out of the bowl. Making loaves? use less fluid, wrap in a green something ~ eat it!

But dehydration makes a lot of raw foods taste so much better. I don't think I can stay raw without a dehydrator to make those raw foods which taste as good as cooked cookies, breads, crackers, pizzas, etc..

I still don't see any obvious health benefit on me. I don't even have a detox after more than 2 months of staying almost all raw. But I am not complaining. I am quite satisfied that now I am quite satisfied with all raw.



I have been doing 80% green smoothies these days. I cannot stay 100% gs because the other raw dishes I am makiing for my husband are so tempting and so I just have to sample them. I am surprised that my husband is not complaining as I am serving all raw foods.

I have found that if I just drink smoothies which contains little fat I grow hungry very soon. But if I add avocado or if I drink wheatgrass juice, I stay full for a long time.

By the way, I think wheatgrass juice blended with pineapples tastes quite good.

[Aleesha Sattva]

joyce if you need to dehydrate, then dehydrate. everyone is different. find what works for you and go for it.

and just because you are not aware of your detoxing... doesn't mean you aren't! ;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

Jestmee: I've been doing research on this this last year. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is a tricky issue.

and if you eat a variety of raw live foods... you probably won't need any!!!

supplements are pretty much dead food anyway so why would anyone want to add that to their body when they just grab something raw?

[Amarynth]

I love this thread! So much great advice and encouraging words. Well, actually the entire forum is wonderful. Just to clarify though, if I don't need to get a dehydrator then great! I was just concerned with getting the book and finding out that a good portion of the recipes require dehydration. It's funny that I didn't even realize that yes...I can eat even those types of foods raw. I'll be the first to say that's the old way of thinking, but now on with the new!

I had a great day...made a smoothie for breakfast: banana, strawberry, spinach and water. Yum! A banana for snack during the midmorning. I also made up a version of that avocado thing I made the other day, only this one I chopped up all the veggies and mixed it with the avocado, then ate it on Romaine leaves. Delicious. Dinner was a large salad with that leftover avocado mixture on top, some Olive oil and apple cider vinegar.

Oh yes..I was craving something sweet, so I took four dates, cut them open and stuffed them with almond butter. OMG..it was like eating candy. I can't remember where I saw that idea, but it is definitely a keeper!

So I think this is day three of being completely, totally 100% RAW! I'm so proud of myself and am so pleasantly surprised to find that I'm not hungry. I'm feeling less sluggish already and actually feel like I've lost some weight. I'm curious to weigh myself but promised myself I would not for at least a month.

Go raw! :)

[joyce09]

and just because you are not aware of your detoxing... doesn't mean you aren't! ;)

Thanks. Even though I have known this, hearing this again from an experienced raw-fooder is encouraging.

[Green_Woman]

It's funny that I didn't even realize that yes...I can eat even those types of foods raw.

Eh, don't feel funny! It took me a couple years of on-off Raw to figure it out. :D In fact, I've been meddling with Raw for almost 4 years now and I still know maybe 1% of what there is to know about this fabulous life... Make that... 1/10%... heehee.



Oh yes..I was craving something sweet, so I took four dates, cut them open and stuffed them with almond butter. OMG..it was like eating candy. I can't remember where I saw that idea, but it is definitely a keeper!

Oh my goodness, that sounds reeeeally goood.... if I have a sweet tooth tonight, I'm gonna try one of those!


I have been doing 80% green smoothies these days. I cannot stay 100% gs because the other raw dishes I am makiing for my husband are so tempting and so I just have to sample them. I am surprised that my husband is not complaining as I am serving all raw foods.

That is AWESOME that both of you are doing Raw right now. :D I know when the Mr. is staying with me or I'm staying with him (we live in two different houses, two different cities) we are both 100% Raw and he doesn't mind at all... in fact, he says he really loves eating all-raw, because he just feels better. When I'm not there, he cheats sometimes. ;) But having me there to prepare meals makes it easy for him to stay Raw.

I'll bet Hubby is not complaining because a) the food you're preparing is DELICIOUS!!! and b) why WOULD he complain? You're doing all the work, he just gets to relax and rawk. :D

[beauty.aroundme]

Re: Vitamins & Minerals - I agree with what the others (Greenie, Revvell, Alisha) said - that's why we do raw foods. Thanks for emphasizing this again. It was in my thoughts but I didn't make it clear enough perhaps. I have one caveat though: sometimes people DO have serious deficiencies that are not caused only by malnutrition but by exposure to toxins or even by genetic predisposition. I also advocate raw food, but I don't want to close my eyes to the possibility that something else may be going on in some cases. That's why I think having this checked out if someone is concerned or has reason to believe they have a serious deficiency is legitimate. In my view there is a perfect synergy between raw foods and Western medicine if you use it right. ;)

In other news, no big news. Another day, another shake, another salad. Today I made a blended fruit juice as a snack treat that consisted of persimmon, coconut oil and bit of coconut. Too good to be true. :-) Later I'll have a soup made of apples, lemon, and mint. Will report on it tomorrow.
The good thing today is that I started the day with a meditation, then a bit of yoga to warm up for the day, and then I found the time to write some "morning pages" (Julia Cameron). By the time my day started officially I already felt accomplished and content. :) A good day. I wish the same to you.

[Green_Woman]

Ah, starting your day with Yoga does sound blissful..........

A note about the deficiencies. I developed a B-12 deficiency on SAD and when I initially went 100% RAW in October 2009 (the beginning of the original challenge here for me), I took a B-12 supplement daily for a few weeks.

Now, I take a B-12 supplement (raw, vegan variety) once a week at the most and my Body is doing amazing things healing in that area. I also used to take Elderberry daily to support my immune system, and now I take it maybe once every 2-3 wks.


RAW heals, RAW works... give it time, find your path, find the balance for YOUR body, and above all else: listen to YOUR Body. If YOUR Body is telling you there's something Wrong, figure out what it is and fix it, and meanwhile, RELAX, Eat Raw and Live. ;) If YOUR Body is telling you all is well, relax... eat Raw, and Live!

[Beth]

Hi Everyone,
Checking in. This is a busy packing weekend. I packed up most of the kitchen but eating raw you hardly need anything--except my trusty vita-mix. I made some fresh almond milk yesterday so I can have my "comfort" food--banana carob shake with almond milk. And then I have several bananas, oranges, grapefruit, avocado and some lettuce in the refrigerator to make avocadao wraps. No silverware needed. :D

This coming weekend I bring a few things to the new place and the next weekend it's the movers. It's going to be so easy staying raw during the moving process.

Have a great day everyone!

[joyce09]

I'll bet Hubby is not complaining because a) the food you're preparing is DELICIOUS!!! and b) why WOULD he complain? You're doing all the work, he just gets to relax and rawk. :D

I never care too much about money. But now occasionally I dream that I were a rich person and could hire a cook to cook fabulous raw meals for me every day.:p

Let us continue the mission of sharing RAW news with others. Maybe one day so many people realize that RAW is the best medicine and so affordable prepared raw food counters (just like organic produce departments) will rise up in cities.

[Amarynth]

Hi there! I had a rather late 'breakfast' consisting of a banana and a mango, (although I must say I butchered the mango as I always do-any advice on how best to cut it up and eat it? I seem to waste more than I eat. :/ )

Lunch will most likely be a combination dinner/lunch (drunch! lol), probably a salad and some sliced veggies dipped in almond butter.

Am I eating enough? I just don't seem to be very hungry.

Have a great day!

Oh yes! I just ordered Alissa's book too! Can't wait to get it.

[skier2]

Hi there! I had a rather late 'breakfast' consisting of a banana and a mango, (although I must say I butchered the mango as I always do-any advice on how best to cut it up and eat it? I seem to waste more than I eat. :/ ).

Cut the "cheeks" off of the mango, then peel them with a sharp knife and cut them up. I find that if I try to do that thing where I cross-hatch the cheeks, then invert them and try to cut out the chunks, I invariably lose half of the mango.

[Green_Woman]

Amaranyth: If you don't feel like eating more, than you're eating enough. :D Raw is super simple that way. Somedays I literally want nothing but a Green Smoothie and a couple bananas and I'm full! Other days, I eat half the house. :D Just remember to keep listening to your body -- you're doing fine!!!

[Jstmee46]

Had a great raw food day .. I had a fruit smoothie for am
and then i went for a 35 mile bike ride. Came back ate a apple and made a mock taco salad with avocados , baby spinach, baby greens, and tomatoes . No dressing.. Dinner i had a qaurt of green smoothies mm so good . Just greens parsley, celery, cucumber, shallot, serrono pepper , tomatoes, garlic , avocado pit from lunch. Water pink himilayen sea salt.. Sooo good. Then me and my son went and played at are local park . He loves to run up and down this very steep hill so we did that several times and walked bak home .. Also reorganized my raw food kitchen.

The picture i am posting below is of my bike ride today cows having a stare down and of yesterday. I was racing the sun , got home in the dark but so worth it..well i will have to down load cows on monday my son loves playing all the videos on my blackberry ... Any way all is good ..till monday
jstmee46

[Jstmee46]

had a great raw food day .. I had a fruit smoothie for am
and then i went for a 35 mile bike ride. Came back ate a apple and made a mock taco salad with avocados , baby spinach, baby greens, and tomatoes . No dressing.. Dinner i had a qaurt of green smoothies mm so good . Just greens parsley, celery, cucumber, shallot, serrono pepper , tomatoes, garlic , avocado pit from lunch. Water pink himilayen sea salt.. Sooo good. Then me and my son went and played at are local park . He loves to run up and down this very steep hill so we did that several times and walked bak home .. Also reorganized my raw food kitchen.

The picture i am posting below is of my bike ride today cows having a stare down and of yesterday. I was racing the sun , got home in the dark but so worth it..well i will have to down load cows on monday my son loves playing all the videos on my blackberry ... Any way all is good ..till monday
jstmee46 forgot to add my picture

[ithl]

Just checking in. I feel so bad, because I joined this challenge late and I've already missed days of posting. lol

I've kept it raw though, no slip-ups. I've been craving and eating LOTS of mangoes lately. I dont know what that is about, lol.

I'm loving it though, I feel like I'm in this for the long haul, which is wonderful.

I'm thinking about juice fasting, which is obviously still raw...I don't know if that fits into the whole 90 day raw challenge. Either way, we'll see what happens.

[GoodCat]

Good Morning Friends and Happy Monday :)

I've had some good days and some not so good days (with my health), but I'm learning so much about my body and what works and what definately does not work. Food is an amazing thing and I feel like I'm on a journy and will be so much more aware and health at the end.

Yesterday I was able to do the rebounder. I've actually have been able to do it for about a week with out days off. I do a video with the rebounder and so it really kicks my behind ;), but I love it.

I ate my usual...
carrot/celery juice
barley green
a fiber source drink
a power smoothie w/ maca, mesquite powder, etc.
some raw onion bread and raw, dehydrated nuts
for dinner was zuc. pasta w/ raw marinara sauce (I love this stuff)
I also found out that if I mix my marinara sauce w/ my oil & vinegar dressing, it makes a sun-dried tomato dressing... soooooo yummy.

It sounds like everyone is doing so well... I love coming on here and reading all the great stories and seeing all the great encouragement.

Blessings to you all,
Cathy :)

[Rawzula]

my goals
1. lose 60 lbs to reach my 1st goal weight of 222 lbs.
2. exercise for 1 hour a day by the end of 3 months
3. Become a Level 2 Living on Live Food Instructor
4. purchase an excalibur dehydrator and Vita-Mix
5. switch to all natural, eco-friendly personal care products

I'm definitely in!

[Amarynth]

Good evening everyone! Another great day on Raw!

I woke up, had a green smoothie. Yum! Some banana...and then got rather busy as I had to help out my brother with some car issues. I got home late for lunch and wasn't really hungry but munched on some red bell pepper, carrots and raw almonds. Dinner was a huge salad and some grapes.

I'm feeling great...went to PT today and was able to gain even more ROM in my knee than last week. Do you think my new style of eating has anything to do with such a speedy recovery after surgery? I do! :) That has only encouraged me to continue on.

Oh...I have some tahini in the refridge. I found it at the local produce shop. Any ideas on what to do with it? I'm sure that probably Alissa's book might have some ideas in it. I'm anxiously awaiting my book!

Have a great night everyone. :)

[Green_Woman]

Do you think my new style of eating has anything to do with such a speedy recovery after surgery?

ABSOLUTELY!!!

Staying consistent on Raw has healed most of my inflammation issues, so I'm biased in FAVOR of your TOTAL HEALING. *wink*


Any ideas on what to do with it?

Do a search on here for tahini and it should pull up Morn's Cheese Sauce, the BEST cheese recipe I've yet used... that uses tahini. :D Also, Raw Halva uses tahini.


my goals
1. lose 60 lbs to reach my 1st goal weight of 222 lbs.
2. exercise for 1 hour a day by the end of 3 months
3. Become a Level 2 Living on Live Food Instructor
4. purchase an excalibur dehydrator and Vita-Mix
5. switch to all natural, eco-friendly personal care products

I'm definitely in!

I think I can speak for everyone here when I say: "WELCOME, WELCOME ABOARD!! This is a crazy wonderful Raw Ship full of motivated people who are changing our lives every day with our choices on Raw! Now you're one of our Crew! If you fall overboard, we'll throw you a line. If you just wanna' climb to the top of the mast and sing into the wind, chances are you won't be alone up there!"

I'm feeling only moderately silly and happy today. Can you all tell?

*laughing*



Food is an amazing thing and I feel like I'm on a journy and will be so much more aware and healthy at the end.

Cathy, I am right there with you, beautiful lady.

Learning to 'catch and release' is part of this journey... catch hold of Hope, Inspiration, Healing... release Anxiety, Self-Imposed Timelines, Self-Judgment and Restriction. You are sufficient for every task, and you have been given the GREATEST tool for self-healing and wholeness: YOUR BODY... YOU are the tool. Raw is part of your journey. Listen to your Body, let Her step lightly down the path of Healing... it IS happening, it IS complete, and you ARE healed.


I've kept it raw though, no slip-ups. I've been craving and eating LOTS of mangoes lately. I dont know what that is about, lol.

Way to keep it Raw! :D Don't feel bad if you don't post for a few days.... come here when you can, make staying Raw your top priority in this Challenge. We (the group) are here to make that easier for you, really!


I'm thinking about juice fasting, which is obviously still raw...I don't know if that fits into the whole 90 day raw challenge.

It doesn't break any rules. ;) I've fasted a few times during the first 90-Day Challenge and will likely fast again during THIS 90-Days... juice fasting is incredibly healing, too, and will likely speed up your Detox.


I had a fruit smoothie for am
and then i went for a 35 mile bike ride.


:eek:

Wow! I thought my ten minute Yoga sessions every night was impressive until now. *giggles* Way to GO on the exercise!!!


Green Woman's Awesome Day

I got to share my raw-recovery story with my new Editor today and her jaw just dropped the whole time. She and her husband eat High Raw but occasionally still do dairy/fish. However, I could tell she was looking at me throughout our entire conversation and her gears were turning... 100% RAW is UNBEATABLE!!!! Oh my GOSH, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!


Then, guess what my Editor decided to assign me for my next big feature??

A PROFILE article on Gabriel Cousens!!!

Y'all... life is GOOD down here in the balmy Southwest on this first amazing day of February...

Share YOUR raw gratitude (http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?p=589330#post589330)with the rest of this community... gratitude is a POWERFUL antidote to any ailment.

[Jehote]

In addition to my normal smoothies, and 6-8 bananas, i had a baby greens salad with 2 BIG tomatos! just felt like going tomato loco tonight!
Matthew

[ithl]

Well I already posted my food intake in the 30 day challenge thread, but I'm going to post it here too, as I'm also apart of the 90 day challenge, lol

Food Intake:
3 Bananas
Kale Salad
Orange
Dates
Walnuts

[beauty.aroundme]

Yesterday was a sunny day. I started with running and stretching at the beach (it was hard, and I barely managed two miles). Then I had my usual shake for breakfast (celery, cucumber, ginger, kale, apple, flaxseed). I had meetings during the day but wasn't even tempted to eat a salad out because it tastes so much less good than my own organic abundant salads. So I came home starving around 5 and had a big big salad with cucumber and home-made tahini.
BTW, since tahini came up. In my view the best tahini (and cheapest!) is home-made: either take fresh or dried sesame seed (these you should soak), put them in the blender with water, garlic, and lemon, - and you have the authentic tahini base. Then you can add chopped parsley, or dill. The consistency is supposed to be liquidy (it's not humus)> It's a dish from heaven and you can eat it with salads (dressing) or as side/sauce to other dishes. I have it several times a week.

In the evening some cashews, cranberries, and dates as a treat. And that was another day. I also joined the February fitness thread (her on rft). I'm really looking forward to feeling my absolute best this February. Along with you ladies and gentlemen. Great!! :)

[Green_Woman]

In my view the best tahini (and cheapest!) is home-made: either take fresh or dried sesame seed (these you should soak), put them in the blender with water, garlic, and lemon, - and you have the authentic tahini base. Then you can add chopped parsley, or dill. The consistency is supposed to be liquidy (it's not humus)> It's a dish from heaven and you can eat it with salads (dressing) or as side/sauce to other dishes. I have it several times a week.

Thank you for sharing this!!!

[Rawzula]

here's my food intake for the day:

4 bananas
Avocado-Romaine Spring Salad
2 cups of fresh cucumber/apple/carrot juice
green smoothie for dinner

[Green_Woman]

Munchin' on mango, sippin' some Kombucha... started my day off with a Romaine/Banana green smoothie, but sadly most of it ended up on the center console of my car. :D

Have I said lately that I LOVE my LIFE??

Tonight is the Tai Chi class and the pre-competition Concert, preparation for the statewide voice competition this Saturday. I'll be opening with my best aria, Ah, non giunge...! by Bellini, and following up with Mozart's Alleluia, Gluck's O, del mio dolce ardor... and Beach's Take, oh Take those lips away...


HUZZAH FOR RAW SINGING!! :D

[ithl]

Good day, tried a new recipe and it was pretty good (I'm know for messing up recipes), made one little adjustment.

4 bananas
Cabbage Salad (Cabbage, carrots, garlic powder, basil, olive oil, avocado)
1 Mango

[Jstmee46]

Going strong..
Had two days of Doctors appointments ..
Monday to Monteray to the Dentist it took me my husband and the Dentist to hold my son for his check up..I ate great under all the stress..
Have no cravings for sad diet foods..

Today i had to take my son to UC davis 3 hrs up and 3 hrs back. My son has a amazing Doctor there that specilizes in fragilex , so worth the trip..

My diet today was great i had a banana and a green smoothie for am .. had to run out the door at 11 am to pick my son up from his class.. I grabbed about 10m small apples and a orange ,water . I ate apples up and back. when i got home tonite i had a hand full off almonds and raisins.. I am still full ..
feel great , hope to get out for a long long bike ride ...

jstmee

[Green_Woman]

Sad me. Tai Chi class is being held in a third-story room with very old, very allergenic carpet. I will not be able to take this one.

I think it's the Universe sending me a sign, though, because trying to get everything done today AND make it to this new evening class on time was so hectic that I felt totally frazzled by the time the evening came around... NOT healthy! I used to live like that all the time, but my NEW CHOICES reflect health, abundance, and PEACEFULNESS.

Returning to my much-beloved evening Yoga video and letting that be enough for now.

[beauty.aroundme]

Hey Greenie, it's great that you take the positive out of this. And I think Tai Chi will come along again your path when it will be the perfect time. :)

[Green_Woman]

I agree, Beauty. Excellent point.

I woke up feeling "hungover" this morning... it's remarkable, and a little frustrating, how much I am affected by things like chemicals and synthetic fibers.

The last time this happened, I was out for a few days though, so I feel pretty happy that I merely feel funky and not SICK-sick this time around.

Please pray that my voice comes back in time for my vocal competition this Saturday at noon. I am setting my intention and guzzling Green Smoothie. :D

[Amarynth]

Hey Greenie, good luck on Saturday. I am sure you will be fine. :)

Yesterday was a busy day, but I ate well: fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch and dinner. Simple but good and I wasn't hungry or craving anything. I have noticed that I am developing some sensitvity along the sides of my tongue, like little irritations that normally have happened only if I ate too much chocolate and junk food. I've not been doing that (only good has been going into my body) so I am wondering if this is a form of detox?

The world is blanketed in beautifully glittering snow, so the kids had a two hour delay this morning. We slept in for a little bit and so I started my day off with a late breakfast consisting of a green smoothie. I wanted to vary my greens as I've been on a romaine kick lately, so I put parsley, kale and cucumber with some banana and strawberries. It was very, very good. I devoured two full glasses and am now so full I don't think I'll be hungry for lunch at all. :)

I'm anxiously awaiting Alissa's book, as I'm eager to see what other recipes I can try. I'm pondering trying the zucchini pasta thing I've seen many people rave about. I don't know...maybe getting tired of salads.

Everyone have a great day!

Goddess bless!

[beauty.aroundme]

Today was rainy, but I had a super productive day. I was incredibly focused and my energy just didn't run out. Not only did I have a major break-through with my ideas for my book proposal, I also extended my recent cleaning activities and organized the heaps of bills that had accumulated in my drawer. Yesterday I had the same amazing energy flow: I was able to still study late in the evening - something unheard of. yeah yeah yeah!! I think I know where that is coming from....
Today I had a shake for breakfast, a big super-spicy [I mean Super-burn-your mouth spicy!] salad with lots of ginger, chili, and garlic for late lunch. I was snacking on nuts and dried fruit during the day, and just now had a beet salad that I invented out of what I have in my fridge. It's really good: beet, parsley, lemon juice and scallions. Salt and pepper to taste.
Now I'm still full of energy, but I have to call it a day because tomorrow I'll be going on a day trip to the desert with some friends. We're visiting a Bedouin women's weaving collective. I have some concerns about the raw aspect of this travel. I don't feel bad about eating something non-raw for the ideology of it, but I know that if I eat the cooked food I will feel it the day after (the "hung over" feeling that Greenie described). Still weighing my options: is it ok in this forum to publicly contemplate to break you diet? Or my concerns about this? Maybe I should just bring a lot of fruit and nuts and eat a salad there. hm hm hm...

[Green_Woman]

Still weighing my options: is it ok in this forum to publicly contemplate to break you diet? Or my concerns about this?

Well, as this is a 90-Day 100% Raw/Living challenge, I would personally prefer that you NOT discuss eating other food... our goal is to stay 100% RAW for the whole 90 Days, disregarding the accidental non-raw moments that sometimes happen (like non-raw oil at a Restaurant, for instance...).

If you don't HAVE to eat cooked or SAD food, then don't. When you know about a trip before hand, PLAN AHEAD. Bring dehydrated food, bring fresh fruit, bring an insulated jug of Green Smoothie, or even just water fast for a day. These are all simple ideas to help you contemplate the ease of STAYING 100% RAW while on a trip.

Yes, I've used all these methods successfully in the last amazing 115 days... and I've had to use them quite frequently, actually, as I spend much of my weekends traveling!!!

[Jehote]

I have such a bad cold today...I actually called in sick. Its been a YEAR since i been sick! i had bronchitis a year ago in Feb. so i have been in great health since then.
today, starting at 9:00am i have been drinking a spinich, 2 orange, banana, and either blue berries or pineapple smoothie. im on my 3rd. so 6 oranges today.
just finished my 3rd. im going to do only smoohties today.
Matt

[beauty.aroundme]

That was a fast response. In the meantime I had myself resolved to stay 100% raw also on this trip. I feel good about it and in control. Yeah for raw!

[Rawzula]

my food intake for the day:

4 cups of cucumber/carrot/apple juice
more avocado salad (i love it)
1 bowl of grapes
1 tomato

I spent the day at home, only going out once to buy some cucumbers my local supermarket.

[ithl]

I ate waaay to much today, but it was all raw :)


2 bananas
Dates (probably about 10)
Raw Spaghetti
4 mangoes

[Green_Woman]

Ithl... I fail to see how that little pile of food was "WAAAAY too much"??? Holy cow, honey, I think I eat four times that every six hours. :D :D :D

[Green_Woman]

For instance, today I had:

2 bananas
1/3 c. raw olives
2 c. soaked sea veggies
1 c. dried mango
3 avocados
1 quart Green Smoothie
2 c. pineapple juice
1 white chocolate Yoga bar (100% raw)



And that's just what I can remember off the top of my head! :D

If that's all your Body wanted to eat, run with it. However, if you're thinking you need to follow someone's "rulebook" for amounts right now, you DON'T... eat what YOU want, when you want it, as long as it's Raw and Living foods... eventually your Body will balance out and get you on a more stable, sustainable diet.

But while transitioning, RELAX - EAT RAW (lots and lots and LOTS of it, if you want!!!) and Live. :D

[Amarynth]

Ohhhhhh raw olives? Where can I get those? And the white chocolate yoga bar? That sounds wonderful. Also, what about sea veggies, they sound interesting. Exactly what are they?

Thanks in advance!

Small breakfast this morning, but I was in a hurry to get out of the house for PT and I wasn't hungry at all. So...1 banana. I just know I'm losing weight. I can feel it, I just don't know how much! :)

Now I'm hungry, so I'm going to go find something to eat. :)

[GoodCat]

Hello Friends...

I'm starting to feel better with my adrenal issues. I'm also more excited about being all raw. It just feels so much better being all raw then when I would eat so much cooked food. I'm so thankful for raw food.

I've continued to eat my barley green, veggie juices, 1 1/2 qrts. of green smoohtie, raw crackers, and usually a raw soup or raw spaghetti. I'm thinking I want to try some different things over the next few weeks. We'll see.

It sounds like everyone is doing so well. What a blessing.

Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

Ohhhhhh raw olives? Where can I get those? And the white chocolate yoga bar? That sounds wonderful. Also, what about sea veggies, they sound interesting. Exactly what are they?


Well.... ummmm... Google? :D I hope that doesn't make you grumpy. ;)

Raw olives are non-heat processed olives... do a search for Raw Food store in your area and see if you have any stores that stock raw products! Here in Tucson, AZ we have nearly a dozen such stores... I am very, very fortunate. :D

Sea veggies = arame, kombu, dulce, etc., etc.... dried sea weeds and vegetables, essentially. Fun to eat, filling, and packed with good nutrients.

"Yoga bars" are a brand! See if your local stores carry 100% raw Yoga bars.. I hope they do for your sake cuz they are YUMMMMM...

[Revvell]

Seems to me like some of y'all need to start eating some food. You may think you're not hungry yet, when you are starving and someone puts that pizza in front of you, you're going to be scarfing it down like nobody's business. EAT!!!

[Green_Woman]

I love eating. :D :D :D

[Revvell]

Nod,nod,nod. Food good!!! Oh! Just got cherries. Gonna go get some while waiting for someone to call. :D


I love eating. :D :D :D

[Green_Woman]

I hear a siiiign.... was that a sign?

*zzziiiippp*

Oh, gone again!


I'm gonna go get some sea veggies for lunch #45 of the day. *giggles*

[Amarynth]

Thanks for the info! I did a search and found the Yoga bars. They look delicious and I can mail order them. I did also find some stores, but very little in my area. Looks like I'm going to have to move out west. lol I can always mail order stuff that I can't find in my area.

Alissa's book finally came today! My it is large!

Aside from a delicious green smoothie with cucumber, kale, broccoli, banana and mango, I had some cucumber slices and almond butter and a large salad for dinner. I also made some more of that banana almond ice cream, without the almonds. :) I omitted them because shortly after I drank the smoothie, which was really a lot for me, a quart or so, I was experiencing this empty feeling in my stomach. I couldn't really define it as hunger because it wasn't what I normally feel when I'm hungry...but I guess I was hungry. :)

So..I had some dates, raisins and about ten almonds. To make a long story short, I didn't want to overdo the almonds.

I'm waiting for my avocados to ripen so I can make some guacamole to eat with veggies. Hopefully tomorrow they'll be ready.

Have a great evening!

[Green_Woman]

Alissa's book finally came today! My it is large!

It's a B-B-B. (Big Beautiful Book.)

;)

You're gonna LOVE it...

[Jstmee46]

Yeah with rain comes snow higher up. driving up to lake tahoe, well my husbands driving me and my son are enjoying the rain. Hoping there will be some fresh snow. So I am well armed for this weekend made 3 diffrent kinds of nut pates.. One called not tuna salad.. 3/4 cup soak sunflower seeds 1/4 cup soak almonds ,minced 2 TBL minced onion , 2 TBL spoons celery , 1/2 celtic sea salt, 1TBL lemon juice Yum roll it up in a romaine leaf so good.. The other one is a herb pate. Soaked sunflower seeds , garlic, dill, red onion, lemon , cyenne pepper , celtic sea salt Pink Himalyin. very could on flax crackers.. or just rolled in a kale leaf or on a stick of celery. The other one is no beans pate .. soak sunflower seeds, dehydrated tomatoes , rehydrated .garlic , fresh cilantro , serrano pepper , chile powder, cumin, himalayen pink sea salt. lemon juice , green onions , so yum rolled in a romain leaf with salsa , and avocado, ok I am hungry and it is in the ice chest. But I packed a bag of goodies . Everyone in my car is eating apples and , bananas for dinner , so happy..

Ok so I have been blending my carrot greens and radish greens in my smoothies is that ok? or will I start turning in to a carrot or a radish. I hope they wont hurt me. They just look so good and well I have not noticed any bad side effects. So any info on this would be great.

I feel amazing being 100% Raw
Cheers!
jstmee46

[Green_Woman]

I have been blending my carrot greens and radish greens in my smoothies is that ok? or will I start turning in to a carrot or a radish. I hope they wont hurt me. They just look so good and well I have not noticed any bad side effects.

One of my friends loves blending carrot greens in his green smoothies... I don't know the first thing about radish greens, though.

I would suggest hunting around Green for Life (http://www.greenforlife.com) to see if there's info on it.

[Rawzula]

I finished off the last of my avocado salad for dinner and made myself a big helping of cucumber/apple juice. that's all i had to eat yesterday.

[Green_Woman]

Heavens, honey... well.... if that's all you WANTED, by all means, eat lightly.

But please, please, PLEASE don't intentionally eat less to achieve your goals. For instance, if weight loss is a priority, eat LOTS of fresh, living foods and you will lose more weight, more quickly than if you "starve" yourself.


For any of the new Challengers, if you haven't gotten a copy of Alissa's book LIVING ON LIVE FOODS, yet... go get a copy today!!! Check your local health stores - many sell copies. :D Or order it from Alissa online!


I read my copy and use its recipes so often that I'm taking it to Kinko's to get it ring-bound and laminated. ;)

[Rawzula]

I wasn't trying to intentionally not eat less. I am not trying to "starve" myself. I simply wasn't very hungry yesterday. I have a good appetite, but somedays I don't feel very hungry.

[Amarynth]

I was up late last night skimming through Alissa's book. I love it already! Now...I will start from beginning to end and read the entire thing thoroughly! I just couldn't wait to get it in my greedy little fingers so just had to preview it before immersing myself. :) I can't wait to try the pate's and some of those delicious looking desserts. I imagine one can eat a dessert for a meal too, since they are made of healthy living foods! Not that I'd make a habit of it, of course. Now I just need to find a variety of raw nuts...so far in the Mother Earth Store I've only found raw almonds and sunflower seeds.

I'm up early today, but not yet hungry. I'm sure I will be soon though...that seems to be my natural schedule. I must say, I am not normally a morning person. I hate getting up and I always feel tired and blah...not so the past two mornings! Aside from some initial grogginess upon awakening, I'm feeling chipper and ready to go!

I think I'm going to start a blog. :)

Have a great day everyone.

[Green_Woman]

I wasn't trying to intentionally not eat less. I am not trying to "starve" myself. I simply wasn't very hungry yesterday. I have a good appetite, but somedays I don't feel very hungry.

Oh good! *big sigh of relief*

I'm sorry if you felt "attacked" there... I wasn't meaning to come at you with a big stick! :eek:

I would just be sad if ANYONE in this thread started feeling like they're "eating too much"... because Raw is about ABUNDANCE! And an Abundant helping of whole, living foods every day is going to get you to your goals so much faster than counting calories or most any other restrictive method.... :D :D

However, I've had many days where I don't feel like eating much, either... and the fact that you're listening to your Body is awesome.


Keep it up!!!

[Jstmee46]

Ok all I miss is a good glass of organic , no sulfates red wine. That is all I miss . My diet was great today am oranges (2 ) banana (1) Lunch a amazing tropical green smoothie . dinner 2cups of pea sprouts not tuna pate, right straight out of fridge . not bean pate, on top avocado and cashew sour cream.
Went for long walk in the spooky forest that is what my son called it (so cute).
Lost my phone so it turned in to a 2 hour walk . Good news is the phone was black and we spotted in the snow..

Jstmee46

[Amarynth]

Good day! I returned from PT starving, so I ate 3 oranges and 2 bananas. For some reason I was craving oranges, so I think my body was telling me that it needed some Vit C. I don't think oranges had ever tasted so good. :)

I then had a delicious and very large salad with romaine, tomato and shredded carrot topped with a bangin' avocado dressing that I made. I took a picture with the blackberry but didn't yet load it onto the computer. I'll do that tomorrow and share..it was sooo pretty. Almost a shame to eat it!

Toward mid afternoon I was looking for something sweet. A few dates and handful of raisins did the trick. Dinner was some sliced veggies dipped in Alissa's French Dressing. OMG...to die for.

I love my new book!

Life is good on RAW!

[Rawzula]

yesterday, i ate 3 oranges, a huge bowl of salad and a grapefruit. Again, one of those days where I wasn't very hungry. Next week, I'll go food shopping and try eating different things.

[beauty.aroundme]

I haven't posted in a couple of days. Mainly because all of my days are pretty similar. My usual shake in the morning, in the early afternoon a big big grean leaf salad (usually with ginger and chili, sometimes with avocado and garlic). Yesterday I added cauliflower to the salad. And I ate lots of garlic in all my dishes yesterday. In the afternoon nuts & fruits, in the evening usually another salad or a wrap.
I'll need to do some recipes again. I just like those recipes that are lighter (easy on the nut pates) much better, but they tend to be less "special"? I'm really content with salads with different seasonings and varying green leaves. Well, any suggestions are welcome.
Today I got a very late start (my cat decided to terrorize us tonight...), then I went for a long run at the beach and meditated. Now I feel very good, relaxed and content just to be. But I have some work to do, which I will get back to now... Have a good weekend!

[Jstmee46]

Was a really good weekend with hubby and my son.. Went thrift shopping with my sister as well.. We were going to go cross country skiing , but it was raining more then snowing and my sister was coming down with a cold . So we bonded in the thrift stores , so much fun. I love finding deals .. My diet was great . I went this weekend prepared . Had all my food ready for every day I was there.. I also was very proud of my self . I really thought that this weekend was going to be hard for me but it was so easy. I only had one really strong craving and that was not having wine. Wine is one of the things me and my sister always have when i am up there visiting . So instead we drank tea.. It worked and it was a nice replacement .

I also had a ? I have been doing the master cleanse every three months for the last 2years , I am coming up on my next cleanse at the end of the month. I really enjoy doing this just wondering if I am over doing it.. Any thoughts on this would be great.
Hope everything is going well for everyone else

Jstmee46

[Rawzula]

Today I ate:

3 apples
1 small bag of carrots
2 cucumbers
3 bananas
1 grapefruit


I eat only when hungry and my appetite has changed since going raw. Somedays I eat a lot and somedays I don't.

I spent the day at home surfing the internet, blogging and writing short stories.

[Green_Woman]

Long weekend, had vocal competition, rehearsals, etc.

Exhausted, drained, and ready for bed. :)

Raw is good. Life is good. I'm ready for a break from Music, though. ;)

[Amarynth]

Today I ate:

3 apples
1 small bag of carrots
2 cucumbers
3 bananas
1 grapefruit


I eat only when hungry and my appetite has changed since going raw. Somedays I eat a lot and somedays I don't.

I spent the day at home surfing the internet, blogging and writing short stories.


I think I'm like you. Since starting 100% raw, my appetite has certainly changed...for the better, I think. I'm not craving any of those things that are bad for my body and I only eat when I'm hungry, not because I'm bored or feeling like stuffing something in my face just to do it. :)

Had a great weekend. Low key and quiet. The kids were gone most of the weekend...sleepovers, snowboarding, etc..so I had some time to sit and read. I finished Alissa's entire book in one day, now I'm back to Stephen King's "Under The Dome". It's a very large book but an excellent read.

Just as a side note: This might be silly, but I noticed that the Family Circle magazine has a fiction contest going on. I think I am going to enter. I'm a writer, you see; writing is a passion of mine that I think I have let flounder for a bit too long. I've always had that dream of writing a bestselling novel and I think now is the time to really plunge myself into my work and create something fantastic!

Food this weekend was 100% raw: fruit, salads, some nuts and raisins. I'm going to get more produce today, even though it is frigid outside...and I want to try Alissa's pasta (the zuchinni with sauce)

Mmmmm....

[Green_Woman]

Today is my Day #120 of Raw and Living Foods...!!

*happy dance*

[Jstmee46]

You Go Girl!

[joyce09]

Today is my Day #120 of Raw and Living Foods...!!

*happy dance*

Dance and Sing, Greenie!

Thanks to our first 90-day challenge and to the good Lord who helps me always, now I have settled down to eating Raw without thinking about cooked foods. I did not expect the change to be so fast and so complete. I am not counting days, according to your advice. But it really does not matter, since we will be Raw the rest of our life.:p

[Revvell]

CELEBRATION TIME! Any reason to dance works for me! *happy dances along* :D



Today is my Day #120 of Raw and Living Foods...!!


*happy dance*

[Amarynth]

Woo! I'm happy dancing right there with you! Congrats!

[Green_Woman]

Thanks everyone! I'll take any reason to celebrate right now, too. I love dancing. :D


I have settled down to eating Raw without thinking

Me too! It's just my life. Like Yoga every night....! I never realised establishing a new, healthy habit was really that basic - repetition, daily adjusting your mindset to be in alignment with your new goals/desires, and determination. I literally had to do yoga on a motel room floor this weekend, using hand towels for my knees and hands. :D I didn't care - I just knew I wouldn't be able to sleep until I streeeetched out and breeeathed out my day! :D

I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

*repeats to self seven times fast*

;)

[Green_Woman]

NOTE TO SELF: "Don't ever.... EVER attempt a long day without first drinking your Green Smoothie. Ever. GOT THAT!?!?"

*whimper*

"Yes, ma'am."

[joyce09]

NOTE TO SELF: "Don't ever.... EVER attempt a long day without first drinking your Green Smoothie. Ever. GOT THAT!?!?"

*whimper*

"Yes, ma'am."

I will take that too. ;)

[Amarynth]

I had to go back and look for my first post, because I really did not keep track on exactly when I began my journey of being 100% RAW. Well..here it is....

Today marks my fourteenth day of being completely 100% RAW!!!!!

I am SO happy! I feel great and I'm losing weight, I'm sure of it. I just don't know how much as I haven't even stepped on a scale, which is an accomplishment because I tend to be obsessed with the scale. I can definitely feel the weight loss in my pants though. I'm waking up at 6am, feeling perky and energetic...VERY unusual for me!

Anyway, just thought I'd share. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

[Green_Woman]

Today marks my fourteenth day of being completely 100% RAW!!!!!


WHOOOhOOOOoooooo!!!!!!

Those first two weeks for me were always the "hump" - after another two weeks, it'll be a habit. ;) :D


Way to RAWK!!!!


I LOVE Raw. :D

[GoodCat]

I've struggled a little, but I'm still here. I started eating way to many nuts (I really love nuts), but they make me too acidic. I am feeling better concerning my adrenal issues. I think in a few months I'll be a new person ;)

I agree with the smoothie thing... I've only missed maybe 2 days without a green smoohtie, and I hated those days. I really love my smoothies!!

I'm still exercising on the rebounder and drinking my juices and my green smoothies. I'm just trying to stay the course and learn what my body needs.

Blessings to you all,
Cathy :)

[Green_Woman]

Cathy - I know what you mean about nuts!!!

I recently used to eat lots of nutty dishes, but my Body gradually began to reject the heavier foods. Now I eat nuts at the most once every few days... that may change in the future. I'm good with the daily journey.

:D

I'm glad you're here.

I hope you will continue to heal, inside out!

I'm watching this (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4444193) right now - it's a Ustream show by Revvell on releasing pain. I hope it helps you out some, too!!!


Back to my tapping now... I'm ecstatic tonight because I made deadline on a huge feature article for the Green Times. *whew* :D I get to party for an hour, at least, before starting the next feature. *laughs*

[Jstmee46]

It is amazing how easy much easier it is to be 100% raw... Before I was always fighting with myself to become raw . Feeling so bad for my wrong food choices , but when I turned it all over to becoming 100% it just freed me of all the fighting I did with my self. I am here day 17 and it is so easy that now I giggle inside when someone asks me how could you give up cooked food. I think How did I eat cooked food .. I have so much more time . I just made it easy on my self . On wednesdays and saturdays Prepare any all my vegetables ( clean) any nut pates and crackers.. I spend about 5 hours total time.. Then I have everything right there waiting for me all clean and ready to throw in my vita mix..So easy. :D

Life is good......

Jstmee46

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi all, I'm also still around. But I rarely have anything new to tell, so I don't post as much, though I enjoy reading your posts and feeling that I'm not alone on this road.
One development I've noticed is that I'm eating less. For the last year I've been the opposite of those who are not hungry on raw. Since March 2009, when I went raw, I eat HUGE salads (I'm talking big family bowls) twice a day, and in the morning a full pitcher of blended vegetables and juice, and a lot of nut pastes (fake humus and desserts), and nuts and dates in between. But for the last couple of weeks I am noticing that I am content to eat a bit less. My salads are now probably half the size they used to be. I think I'm not as afraid anymore to get really hungry if I don't eat enough. Finding balance. Also, my life is very easy for eating raw right now because it's warm where I live and because I get to work from home (I'm a writer and researcher). Well, that's all I had to share.

[beauty.aroundme]

Greenwoman: THANK YOU for the great link to Revvell's videos!!! They are coming just in time for me.

[Green_Woman]

when I turned it all over to becoming 100% it just freed me of all the fighting I did with my self.

So true!!! I agree.


Also, my life is very easy for eating raw right now because it's warm where I live and because I get to work from home (I'm a writer and researcher).

Ooooh, FUN!!! It's supposed to be warm where I live (southwestern desert of U.S.A.) but it's been cold as Alaska lately. :D

I'm also a writer, and finally realizing an old dream of earning an income with it! I LOVE writing. In what field are you a researcher, may I ask? :)


P.S. I'm very glad the Revvell video is touching lives... it's certainly touching mine. Or...tapping. ;) :D

[GoodCat]

Hello all....

Greenie... I too am enjoying the video. Thank you for posting it. And thankyou for the encouragement!!! It means alot :)

I made a wonderful raw "alfredo" sauce for dinner last night and all my children liked it.. Thats always good. I think I'll tweek it a little, but it was a good start. I'm needing to find something to take the place of the nuts. I like to snack and since I homeschool, I'm at home alot. I'm thinking veggies, but we'll see. Maybe even some dehydrated veggies, like chips.

Blessings to you all,
Cathy :D

[Green_Woman]

Working through a tough bout of Endo this week. Seems like I literally just dealt with this.... I'm actually gonna look through the posts here and find out when this happened last because I know it wasn't a month ago.

Hmmm...

I finally read Jeremy Safron excellent study on fasting, DINING FROM AN EMPTY BOWL, and I'm following Philip McCluskey's progress through his juice/smoothie/P90X fast and Aleesha's journey... something clicked in me today.

I believe it's time for me to embrace what Revvell calls "upper limits". It's time for me to push past this place where I'm "fine" 27 days a month and in agony the other 4, because I no longer accept this pain for myself and my life.

I recognise that I increase these pain levels in order to get more attention, and that this is a VERY old pattern that started with my first migraine at age ten. Yes, my migraine was very real (I had food allergies to most of the foods we ate then but I didn't learn this for another ten years...) but the emotional trauma I put myself through during and after it, and for over a decade to follow with numerous other health issues was literally "in my head".

I recognise that my Endometriosis sprang partly from a) self-hatred of my reproductive organs due to the childhood abuse and molestation/assaults I experienced in my young adult/early 20's... and b) guilt over these occurrences.

Yep, the Endo is genetic alright: genetic FEAR, genetic spiritual ANGER, genetic SELF-CONDEMNATION, genetic SELF-SABOTAGE! :D

I'm pursuing the next step, the next level, the next stage of healing, and the next leg of my journey... in this moment, I choose to step forward.

[beauty.aroundme]

Hi Greenie, the most important is taht you are good to yourself now (you know best how to). I'm wishing you the best for this.

I have been struggling a bit with making a couple of small exceptions, but I've been paying the price. It doesn't feel good at all. So today I'm back to no exceptions.

Greenie: I am an educational researcher and study minority youth development (Turkish and Arab youth in Germany). Right now I am transitioning out though. I'm writing a book (proposal) about learning and nutrition and some stories. :-)

Wishing you all a great weekend!

[joyce09]

Greenie, I pray you will find your way to be made whole in every aspect of your life.

[mommyliz]

greenie...i just read an article on shazzie's website. she had very severe pain during her period every month since she was 11. i know it's not endometriosis, but anyway...she started taking megadoses of vegan dha (3-5 g daily) and doesn't get the pain anymore. i know, it's not endo, but it seemed related? thought it might be worth a try. seems like megadoses of dha can help with a lot of things.

liz

[Green_Woman]

Mommyliz: I will look into that, thank you for sharing!

Beauty: I know what you mean about exceptions. Can't handle 'um, intentional or accidental. I did 3 years of varying between "90% RAW with a few little exceptions" and "Mostly-RAW with a whole LOTTA' exceptions" and it was way more stress than a few taste-bud teasers were worth! :D

Joyce: Thank you, friend. :)

***

Yesterday I was in the Yoga Expo from 9am-6pm and WOW -- all-day Yoga is strenuous and WONDERFUL!!! If I could move this morning I'd get up and do some more. *laughing*

Yoga DEFINITELY helps with relieving pain and stress more than any other one exercise/activity I've discovered to date. I am SO grateful I "discovered" it a couple months ago and established a daily habit.

My goal with the Endometriosis, as with anything that I need to address in my Life/Body/Mind, ultimately is not to mask the symptoms with ANY type of pain-killer or dampener, but to address the root issue. Yoga is helping me Heal from the inside out...


I LOVE RAW + YOGA!!! ;)

Yesterday was also my Day #125 in this Challenge!!! I did a photo shoot in my Valentine's Day outfit with the new mineral, hypo-allergenic makeup I discovered at Walgreens of all places. :eek: Pretty stunning stuff... and doesn't cause me to swell up and sneeze, either. *giggles*

[Green_Woman]

Green_Woman, aka "The Diva" photo-shoot by Annesley Photo (http://www.annesleyphoto.com).... Day #125 of 100% Raw and Living Foods the Alissa Cohen intuitive-eating way!!! :D

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/th_rose6.jpg (http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/GreenWoman/?action=view&current=rose6.jpg)

The Stats

The Diva is currently 5'5" and weighs in at 113-119 lbs any given day...
This photo-shoot taken on Day #2 of her historically horrific monthly cycle (notice: She is clearly a PAIN-FREE DIVA!!!!!)
Diva had just finished 8 hrs. of Yoga and spirituality classes that day!
Wearing hypo-allergenic, cruelty-free mineral makeup...
Sporting vintage collection from various second-hand retailers...
Holding a rose from the dozen red roses that had literally been handed to her a moment before by her Lover. ;)

[Jstmee46]

This has been so great.. I have no cravings for the sad diet..I went with my sister to get her family some KFC .. when i walk in there with her the smell made me want to vomit..:(

Just blogging and thinking about it makes me feel sick. she asked me if i wanted any thing and i wanted to reply out of here.. I kindly reminded her i was raw and she said they have grill chicken :confused:... I just smiled ans said no thank you I have my green smoothie waiting for me back in the frige ..I then had to sit in the car with this bucket of hot chicken on my lap.. Oh so bad ... in so many ways.. When we got back to house , i could not bring myself to even drink my smoothie.. I do not mis the S.A.D diet at all:D
Jstmee46

[Green_Woman]

Oh honey! That story made me sympathy-ill with you! :D

Fast Food (especially meat products) made me seriously ill even when I was in the height of my SAD splendor. *laughing*

[GoodCat]

Happy Monday Everyone..

Greenie.... you look absolutely beautiful!!!! I love your picture!!

A funny story. Yesterday my children and I took my husband a Valentine to work (He works in restaurants as a general manager and was working all day yesterday). Anyway, when he got home he said that we made his day and then told me a few of the staff said how cute the kids were and that his wife was hot :eek:. He said.. "Why do you think we have 6 kids"? ;) I couldn't believe people would say that of me (I will be 40 next month) and I really don't feel "hot" after having 6 children. But I really believe this lifestyle is to blame :p:)

Blessings to you all,
Cathy

[beauty.aroundme]

Love your story, Goodcat :-).
BTW, my mom is 62 this March and she has been eating very very consciously for the last 15 years because she has severe asthma. Whenever I show people photos of my mom they have spontaneous responses like "she's cute" or "she's attractive," which is not your typical response when you show photos of your retired mom... She ate vegan for 5 years and what we do with raw she did with excluding toxins, etc. Any way, this was a long story with a short point: I totally believe the compliments you were getting and hurray to all of us! :-)