May 14th Day 14

[LaVitaLauren]

Day 5! I'm so happy!!

I'm in a rush this morning, but one question ~ what's the deal with fat grams. I never normally cared about this, since being vegan meant I naturally consumed less trans fats and obviously no animal fats...

However now, do I need to be concerned with the amount of fat I'm eating relative to weight loss?

Just curious...

Thanks all =)

[A New Me]

Hi Lauren. There's certainly a lot of mention of that, here on the board, if you search for a while. Various arguments made about what it takes to lose fat--eating less sugar, or less fat?

On the other hand, a lot of the advice I've read and heed is to just give your body what it needs. If you are craving certain nuts, eat them. Avocados, various raw oils, coconut oil, etc. as well. If you are like me, you may find your desire for some of these things wane after a while. I do eat about an avocado a day, but not as many nut-based meals as I wanted in the first few weeks. ...In one of her books, Victoria Boutenko wrote that when she first went raw she ate like a case of avocados, because she was craving them. She still went on to lose like 70 pounds (Don't quote that figure, but it was a lot.). Also, you can see reading back over the posts in the challenge, that many people are enjoying nut-based recipes, and not gaining weight. But they also eat a lot of fruits and veggies.

Some people on the challenge here have lost lots of weight so far, such as KGarrett, and Basenjimama. I lost a pound a day, the first week of April; however, I tend to agree with the idea that this is often initially water weight being shed, as you are typically consuming far less salt on a raw diet. Now my weight is stagnant; however, I haven't been completely raw by far lately! Many long timers will tell you to just hang in there, that the weight comes off over time.

Regarding green smoothies, that you asked about earlier, just type it in a web search. So much info nowadays. If you want to get 'technical' about your smoothies, here is a link to Boutenko's blog on green smoothies:

http://greensmoothiesblog.com/category/green-smoothie-questions/

Boutenko suggests 60% fruit and 40% greens in a smoothie. Some long-time raw fooders here seem to be able to enjoy less fruit, i.e. less sweet. Also suggested is to rotate greens occasionally.

Go to the Raw Recipes and Raw Food Preparation section of this board, and there is a sticky thread: 70 Green Smoothies

B: My usual: Smoothie: ~3 c. spinach, 1 1/2 banana, 1 c. pineapple, 1 c. water; added a bit of spirulina
L: Another smoothie: spinach, banana, strawberry, spirulina
D: Salad: baby spinach, avocado, red onion, walnuts, dried fruit, o/v

[Ms_Catherine]

Hey folks, I have the day off so I'm doing some food prep.

I made a batch of Mock Salmon Pate, Marinara Sauce, and cleaned a bunch of veggies for "dipping". I've found I really like daikon radish to scoop stuff up.

Breakfast was a big glass of fresh carrot/apple/ginger juice, followed by a green smoothie of spinach, banana and cantaloupe.

Planning on having fruit salad, and a collard leaf wrapped around taco "meat" at some point later in the day. Think I'll thumb through LoLF's and see if anything else jumps out at me. Have a great day!

[Gooberdog69]

Brekkie – grapes, banana, frozen strawberries, hemp oil, greens
Snack - raw bar
Lunch - macadamias, a few pistachios, lettuce, spinach, baby plum toms,
Snack - mouthful sultanas
Dinner - real toast, nut butter, lettuce, spinach, baby plum toms
Snack - raw chocolate and raw cannoli

xxx

[Bagalamukhi]

B: small green smoothie with parsley and mango
L: Salad of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives and avocado
D: Mock tuna in romaine sandwiches...delicious and very filling.

Today I also made my first raw chocolate.. YUMMIIII Cashew nuts, coconut oil, agave and of course cacao. So easy but so amazing.

[Katie P]

However now, do I need to be concerned with the amount of fat I'm eating relative to weight loss?

Just curious...

Thanks all =)

Nope! Give your body what it craves! When I first went raw I ate alot of fat from nuts/ coconut oil. I agree that you will find that your body will end up wanting simpler foods as time goes by. I also have about an avacado a day. My body digests that better than nuts & I used to never eat avacodos. It's amazing what the body will tell you it wants. So don't worry about ANYTHING when your raw :)

So far:
Banana smoothie w/ all my greens
grapes & mango
carrots/ tomatoes
salad with spinach/ sprouts/ lentil sprouts/ mushrooms/ & guac
grapes

[Basenjimamma]

Lauren..
I don't care about fat gram counting, some days more fruits, others very nut heavy, I have noticed when I eat sprouted grains to feel not so good so I stay away from them..the other days are really green..
Today, so far I have eaten fruit, fruit and more fruit and some nuts..feeling great, making a carrot cake in a little while..you've got to try one of those if you haven't.
Will probably have a wedge salad for dinner..and some cake.

I have lost a total 15.9 lbs since I got on this back 87 days ago, almost all (12 lbs) of that was lost the first 30 days..for me that is a lot of weight, I now weigh in at 136 lbs and I am 6 feet tall, but hey I am not complaining, I feel great, my mood is better and I am happier then I have ever been..come to find out foods do so much for you, or not, if it is the wrong kind of foods.
Eat what you crave, desire and want, if you feel bloated take note for next time and continue on with your day. If you eat a lot of fat and notice weight loss is diminishing or pants are getting tighter, slow down, add more greens and see how it goes.

For me part of this life style is the knowledge of life is not about counting calories, fat carbs and all that..life is about living and enjoying what nature gives you..

Bottom line is this..do what works for you... you are doing great..

[LaVitaLauren]

You're all SO kind! thanks for all of the support. Looking forward to day six =)

[lodestar]

here, happy, at peace... i love this food and way of living. happy weekend all.

[revdrcyn]

Bananas x 3
Green Smoothie
Fax Crackers
Chocolate Macaroon
Mango
Curry Rice
Blackberries
Hemp Shake
Green Salad