"Experienced" needs help, ideas!

[yeahbethany]

Hi everyone,
I know I don't post very frequently, but I read all of your posts several times a day and your energy and enthusiasm is so inspiring! This is such a supportive board and I am so proud of all your accomplishments, thoughts and ideas...

Anyway, I would like to ask for some thoughts and ideas from you all...I've been raw for about 10 months now (you may recognize me from Alissa's Raw in Process board!). Lately, I've been going through some very rough changes...and while I've been able to "fight off" the emotions for a while...eventually my energy subsided... I've just moved to a new city, with all the culture shock and homesickness that comes with it, graduated from college, need to figure out what to do with myself, etc. Its been a rough time.

I've started seeing a therapist, and I've read Gabriel Cousen's Depression-Free for Life. In his books, I really find that the fast-oxidizer/slow-oxidizer thing speaks to me well. I feel like I've been eating the wrong type of diet for the past few months (high fruit, a bit of veggies, very little fat), and it has been aggravating the hypoglycemia I had before going raw. Aparently, for my type (fast-oxidizer), I need more veggies, fats, proteins and less high-glycemic carbs. However, I'm having trouble eating this way...I feel like I'm eating too much fat! Does anyone have ideas for meals that might help (high in leafy-greens is good!).

Alissa, do you have a menu plan you might suggest for someone in my place? I've also started taking the supplements Cousens recommends (aminos, vitamins, etc).

Anyway, you guys provide really fresh voices, and I was wondering if you might have some ideas or thougths for me! Thanks!
-Bethany

[smasty]

Flax seed crackers (Alissa's pepper/lime---they're loaded w/ veggies), soups with an almond-milk base (like Alissa's broccoli soup). Celery with almond butter, Avocados with lime and sea salt. I've always believed that EFA's are SO important to brain health...if you haven't been getting adequate quantities of good fats it can definitely cause issues. Let us know how you do!

[yeahbethany]

Those are great ideas, smasty, especially the flax crackers! The problem I've been having eating this way has been: I feel like I'm eating WAY too much fat and not enough protein/veggies. I e-mailed the Tree of Life to ask what Dr. Cousens might recommend, and his secretary said that while he is too busy to answer e-mails at this time, she knows what he would recommend.

"There are several lean sources of protein that you should
look into such as spirulina (60% protein), chlorella, hemp protein powder,
and green powders such as Pure Synergy. Bee pollen also contains high
qualitiy amino acids. Eating these types of foods should help you greatly."

Does anybody have any experience with these foods (esp. Pure Synergy)? What about the shapeshift that Alissa sells? What are your favorite ways to eat these foods?

Anyway, I just made a smoothie with hemp protein...bottoms up! =)

[Wrecked Spark]

Hi yeahbethany,

I sure do!

I LOVE my hemp protein powder... I use this in my smoothies all the time. I work out quite a bit so I find I need to supplement with extra protein otherwise my workouts suffer.

I have also taken the spirulina supplement in both powder and tablet form (I must warn you they smell absolutely disgusting) but I have also had luck with that. I've heard research indicating it's the purest source of protein available in the world. Bit lofty, but the research makes sense to me. The hemp protein powder does a much better job of keeping my appetite in check for a longer period of time so if I had to choose between the two, I'd take the hemp.

I also take the Pure Synergy twice a day. I used to take the Greens+ supplement but my raw-food nutritionist found this last year and I've been taking it ever since... much the same but it's raw and of a finer quality. Good for energy, clarity, and does a great job keeping my skin free of blemishes (unless I were to indulge in junk of course).

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark

[yeahbethany]

Thanks, Wrecked Spark!

As for the Pure Synergy, do you find it costly? How much does it cost per serving? (or, how much does it cost per x-ounce bottle and how many servings are there)?

Just made the second hemp smoothie of the afternoon...I'm really needing protein... In my quest to get more protein over the past week or so, I think I have really overdone the fats...now just thinking about eating nuts or oil seems really gross to me. Its like Alissa says in her book about the three raw food groups (fats, fruits, veggies). I've overdone the fats, and now I just want to eat anything but!

[tglasco4]

How do you feel about nuts and seeds? Almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds...etc. They can be used in a variety of ways. Would they take care of the protein needs for you? I eat them in smoothies, pates, and sprinkle sunflower seeds on my salads. I don't really think about protein but I believe I am getting all I need. You may be concerned with the fat content though. Although, I have been raw for 6 months and my body fat keeps going down but there may be other factors involved. I guess I am just a nut fan!!

Todd

[Kristi]

I received the book by Cousens "Depression Free for Life" in today's mail. I'm looking for answers, too.

[Melissa]

I can relate to your situation. I tend to overload on sweets and have found that fruit and especially dried fruit (dates etc) can trigger that compulsive eating feeling and can pick me up and slam me down energetically and emotionally like sugar can (though of course not quite as drastically.) I like greens a lot but have to remind myself to eat them/juice them. I think of greens as clean "anti-addiction" foods and, as such, I seem to mentally reject them when my cravings are tugging towards the raw versions of my binge foods (fats, nuts, dried fruit, fruit, raw honey, etc). You know -- the "comfort" foods we lean on psychologically. I can always tell my motivation by the way I'm eating...If I'm shoving the sunflower seeds in my mouth quickly, like I'm starving, or using tense jaw action to chomp almonds or sneaking another few dates even though nobody's keeping score. That's the type of eating I'm trying to grow beyond. It takes strong will to push through and go for the greens. Once I do, I enjoy them. As for needing more healthy fats, are you eating avocados? I find that I feel good with some avo in my diet--though, for me right now I have to use them a little sparingly (half a day? still trying to find the right level). I hope something in this post is helpful to you. I remember that time after college (14 years ago, unbelievable), a very stressful time of great changes for me too. I had an angel card with the word TRANSFORMATION on it and focused on the image of my own positive evolution and destiny unfolding, and that helped when I felt adrift. Good luck!!

[yeahbethany]

Hi Todd,
to answer your question, I really like nuts and seeds! I just feel like I've been overdoing them, so maybe I don't do so well with HUGE quantities...but I sure do like them =). I think I would ideally like a balance between nuts and seeds, and leaner protein sources.

Kristi,

Its good to hear from you! I hope you had a nice weekend!

Melissa,
I know what you mean about the greens! Thank you so much for your good wishes! I'm trying...

-Bethany =)

[yeahbethany]

Got so caught up in all this, I forgot the simple wisdom that is "Listen to your body!" I "broke down" and had a lot of fruit this evening, and it was just what I needed! Mmmm, so good!

[rawvegirl]

I'd have to say "Listen to your body" is the best advice a rawfooder can follow.

[Kristi]

I think my body tricks me.

[Wrecked Spark]

LOL Kristi!!!

Here's a link for you to check out the benefits of the Pure Synergy yeahbethany:

http://www.rawfood.com/cgi-bin/order/index.cgi?id=481983879376&d=single&item_id=0504&c=Supplements&sc=Green_Super_Foods&tc=

Hope that answers any of your questions.

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark