Confession

[rawlight]

I'll be honest here, while I am usually pretty raw, I'm not totally and some days are lower on the raw scale than others. I've ever only made it 7 days 100% raw. And in those 6 or 7 days, positive physical and emotional changes began to happen. So soon! And even knowing that, my mind sabotages me....

The problem I'm finding now is that cooked food really does look dead and it's not easy to eat it like it used to be. Yet raw is hard to maintain emotionally.

What a weird struggle. Can I ask for advice and tips for those who have combated the emotional pull that cooked food has and how you overcame it?

Many thanks!

[klomasius]

I honestly really didn't have much of a struggle, but I'm certain it's to do with the way I approached the transition.

I never 'failed' as the entire time I was 'transitioning', so eating more cooked was only a setback, not a tragedy, and I never dwelt on it or felt guilty about it. It's just not in my nature.

Sure I felt irritated at myself, and gave myself a bit of a mental smack upside the head saying 'what are you doing you doofus!' if I'd eaten lots of cooked and felt like crap. But I knew tomorrow was another day and it was all part of the evolution.

I do know from my own experience in this time and the experiences of others that there are things to take note of:

personal troubles = raw troubles - when we have personal issues, it's harder to keep up raw in the transition phase for so many reasons.

community support - people around you have a big impact on your life, and that also means on what type of food you eat. Try to surround yourself with as many healthy/raw eaters as you can and if you don't know many/any, come to forums like this for support.

change your attitude - to me raw is a wealth of variety, tastes, textures, colours and eating experiences. My perceptions of it are positive, freeing, health giving, life promoting. I don't feel like I'm missing out on things, I don't feel limited. It's really important to be aware of our attidues and how these might be putting obstacles in front of us.

relax! - STOP STRESSING/OBSESSING! It's food, it's usually not life or death, it's something that can be improved upon and it shouldn't rule your life.

These are just some things, I'm sure others will chime in with additional opinions that might be helpful to you. :)

[ReneeH]

Rawlight... HUGS!!!!!

You know my story, I'm sure... I have had my own non-Raw moments, I know how you feel. When you put yourself out there like I have you expect that people are gonna judge you to a certain degree... Hey, you judge yourself worse than anyone could...especially if you make a non-raw choice.

Really, it's ok! There are NO Raw Police. Please don't beat yourself up... HUGS!!!!!!

I think of this as a journey. MY journey. And, MY journey is different from yours. It's different from someone who discovered Raw and stuck with it 100%....100% of the time... For people like us, it takes a while before you "get it". I'm happy to say I've finally "gotten it"...just recently!!! I've reached the point where I don't WANT anything cooked. You will too! You'll get there! Be patient with yourself!

The struggle I've had with cooked food is because I had to cook for my family. Also, when I pass by my former favorite restaurant and remember former favorite dish...it's tough at moments...

Honestly, what's helped me is releasing the pressure to measure up to some perfect 100% Rawness. I am as Raw as I can be for ME. If I choose to eat Maple Syrup or Honey, then that's MY choice. I don't expect perfection in an imperfect world. I make the best choices I can with what I have, the rest I let go. I like Renee...so, I'm gonna be kind to her, even when she's weak.

So, be patient. Be kind to yourself when you have rough moments. Eventually you will have less and less until you look up one day and you won't have any!!!! HUGS!!!!

[Eatrawordie]

I'll be honest here, while I am usually pretty raw, I'm not totally and some days are lower on the raw scale than others. I've ever only made it 7 days 100% raw. And in those 6 or 7 days, positive physical and emotional changes began to happen. So soon! And even knowing that, my mind sabotages me....

The problem I'm finding now is that cooked food really does look dead and it's not easy to eat it like it used to be. Yet raw is hard to maintain emotionally.

What a weird struggle. Can I ask for advice and tips for those who have combated the emotional pull that cooked food has and how you overcame it?

Many thanks!

Have you learnt how to make raw cookies, cheesecakes, burgers and pasta? Now I know all these easy recipes raw has become a lot easier for me.

[PammieTaj]

I'm never 100% raw. I used to be so hard on myself about it. I really don't find that most people are, though. Now my focus is on two meals a day, plus snacks raw, and allow myself one meal a day cooked (although, these days I'm always vegan). For some reason, allowing myself the leeway to eat a cooked vegan meal has resulted in me being more raw than not. Go figure.

[JamesR]

Yes, I've also found that it is almost impossible to be 100% of anything. It is called life. But by doing the best we can however, and appreciating that we are doing our best while meeting other obligations in life, gives a satisfied feeling. Additionally it relieves us of stressing out over our faults. In the larger issue of health, what is more healthy, to eat healthy and occasionally eat a cooked meal, or be 100% raw and so wound up about maintaining that status, that you put yourself through mental and physical anguish?

My .02

[rawlight]

Man, you guys are great! Such kindness here.

I think what I'm understanding about myself is that although I want to be raw and am not *perfect* at it, I therefore focus more on the cooked I eat than the large amount of raw I eat. And that is a grrreat revelation to me! I've turned myself into a 'Debbie Downer' when I am really doing pretty well.

A good way to start out a Monday!

[klomasius]

Good attitude rawlight!

Congratulate yourself on the great food you eat, don't beat yourself up about the not so great food. :)

This sort of attitude helps immensely with angling for a calmer, more positive raw lifestyle. And as pammietaj said, maybe allowing yourself the option of cooked means you eat more raw. This was the case with me, and i ended up being 100%.

Too many people obsess and end up not enjoying their food because they are too worried about it (is it enough of XYZ nutrient, calories, am I eating enough greens, I'm eating crap etc.). Just relax.

I ADORE food! :)

[blizzardfrisbee]

I've received the same encouragement here that you have. I've been 100% raw for 3 months. I did have a day or two that I ate cooked food but found it didn't really appeal to me and the raw tasted better. I was told on this forum the same as you-- don't beat yourself up. I like the idea of never failing. I might, but haven't yet, eat a sandwich at this nice restaurant that is an all veggie sandwich(but on bread), I have in my brain that I will allow myself liberties--and since I'll told myself that --I haven't been off of raw!!