I have questions about the Raw lifestyle

[Giaya]

:confused: Hi!

Im new to this web site and somewhat new to the idea of Raw. I am vegan and have been raised in a vegan lifestyle and my parents are on a prodominate raw diet, its more of a cleansing diet, and when I came upon this website I got so excited. I dont know everything about a raw lifestyle but I am very interested. I love fresh fruits and vegetables and Im not too crazy about processed foods but I cant seem to get on the right track.
I was hoping that maybe someone could help me get on the Raw track, and not just for a couple of week but for a lifestyle change. If someone could write to me, Id appreciate it.

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Giaya and welcome to our forum!

That's wonderful that you're interested in this as a lifestyle change. Do you happen to have any books at all on the subject of raw foods?

Did you have any specific things you'd like to know about this way of eating?

What problems are you facing when it comes to staying on track?

[kmik]

Welcome Giaya!

Rawkinlocs has some great questions to help you pinpoint your motivation for going raw.

I also wanted to mention that I found Alissa Cohen's book Living on Live Food and her DVDs to be a tremendous inspiration. She makes it all so obvious, it just seems silly to consider anything else!

Best of luck to you!

[Giaya]

Thanks for the responses.

I do not have any books on Raw eating. I have many books on being vegan but thats all. I went to a book store today but I wasnt sure what book to buy or if there was a certain one that would be right for me.

I do want to say that I know that could go completely raw and it wouldnt be hard for me seeing as I prefer raw to processed foods but I am also in a relationship with a non vegetarian man who at this point I do not believe would be interested in joining me on this journey but I believe he would support me. I wanted to ask about that too if any one had any suggestions on how to maintain a home with someone who is not eating only Raw.

Thanks again

[SamuelWilson]

Giaya, you did the right thing coming here. That was the best first step you could have ever made in becoming raw. The first thing I recommend is that you purchase Alissa's Living On Live Food Book and DVDs at the following link...

http://www.alissacohen.com/books.html

The book and dvds more than pay for themselves with all the recipes and time saving tips.

An important part of any goal is to have a road map to reach it and Alissa's book and dvds are that road map.

[twinyoga]

Lots of us have families with non-raw members. It takes a little creativity, but not much. I have "theme" nights. For example if I have an asian night I might make raw sushi and miso soup for myself and my family will have a stir fry and also eat the sushi and soup. If I have an Italian night, my family will have pasta (whole wheat of course!) and I'll make a huge salad and maybe some marinated mushrooms or a raw gazpacho or minestrone soup.

I suggest going to your library and taking out the raw books. That way you can find the one's best for you without spending money.

[Giaya]

Hey just one more question,

If a person is only eating a raw vegan diet, what do they eat for protein and other than soy if possible.

[Rawkinlocs]

Greens! Plus your raw fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds will give you plenty of USABLE protein.

Take a look at the forum called, "Need to know more about raw" and there is a section on protein there that will assist in answering your questions. In fact, here is the direct link to it for ease of reference: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3708

Here is one statement from that source I just gave you that I want you to always keep in mind for yourself and anyone who may ask of you, where do you get your protein from:

"Protein does not create protein in your body. Amino acids create protein in your body. And the best source of amino acids are leafy green vegetables."

[swiddweas]

hi


What I did to get started is eat fruit in the morning and then salads and more salads and more fruit and nuts and seeds throughout the day. I began creating a library of Raw Food cookbooks. Read and learn all you can about it. You can go to the library, too.

[ReneeSC]

What I did to get started is eat fruit in the morning and then salads and more salads and more fruit and nuts and seeds throughout the day. I began creating a library of Raw Food cookbooks. Read and learn all you can about it. You can go to the library, too.
______ From PattE

Oh, so did I!

I can UNDERSTAND them now BECAUSE I read Alissa's - and I've watched her do the food prep on her CDs ( honestly, if you're totally clueless as I was, GET THE DVD'S - it'll clear up a bunch; pictures are worth a thousand words )

I figure I have about.. oh... 40 more books to purchase. :)
I USED to be a COOKbook collector. Usta.

[Jamie]

Hi Giaya~

Welcome to the board,, and like everyone else said, this is a great place to start your new raw journey.. You'll get lots of info here!!

Another great place to find info is internet. YOu can just type in raw foods or something like that and you'll get a ton of great sites to go to.

Best of luck to you :)
Jamie

[Revvell]

..... my parents are on a prodominate raw diet, its more of a cleansing diet....


Hi Giaya,

You say your parents are on a predominantly raw "cleansing" diet? Well, what most find here is that when changing their food program, their bodies do detox ~ from cooked and processed foods. Many people come here saying they've been vegetarian and/or vegan yet, that does not make their bodies clean especially of their food program consists of lots of fried foods, alcohol, sugar, caffeinated products, etc. (yes, french fries "may" be vegan ~ depending on what the oil they've been fried in has also been frying ~ chicken perhaps?)

Although switching to a raw food program causes many to detox because it is so different from what they are use to eating, fruit is mainly used for cleansing and vegetables for health building. Combine the two along with some seeds and nuts (which are also considered fruits) and one has the perfect food program.

R.

[Essensual]

I'd have to agree with swiddweas that this is the best and most simple way to go raw. I'm so glad you found us...you will love it here! I know I do! Being here is like having an extended family.Welcome! :D



hi


What I did to get started is eat fruit in the morning and then salads and more salads and more fruit and nuts and seeds throughout the day. I began creating a library of Raw Food cookbooks. Read and learn all you can about it. You can go to the library, too.


Eventually you will notice that making something as simple as onion bread is fun and delicious by using a food processor. You will learn more as you read this site and don't forget to get Alissa's Book. It is so refreshing and brimming with life.



Welcome!
PattyE

[Giaya]

Well for the last two days Ive been about 85% raw, just because Im waiting for some money to come in and theres not that much variety in the kitchen at the moment, but what I wanted to know is Ive had this feeling in my stomach like an extremely empty hollow feeling. Im not hungry at all, but I just feel empty and uncomfortable and at first I was upset with myself for feeling this way, like come on its just your second day but this feeling makes me get a headache and feel weazy. Does this sound insane or normal. Id appreciate it if someone could help me stay focused and give me some understanding of what Im feeling. :confused:

[sweetgoddess]

This is normal for some people Giaya. Living food creates an entirely different sensation that we are not used to. It wont be long at all until you are used to it, and its that heavy, bloated, soild feeling cooked food gives that you wont be able to stand.

New sensations and dietary changes can be uncomfortable and even agitating for some people. Fill up on raw food and work your way through the new sensations and your responses to them. Incredible things await you on the other side. You will be amazed.

Keep us posted on how you are doing! You can do this!

Warmly~
Carmel

[rawgrrl]

...but what I wanted to know is Ive had this feeling in my stomach like an extremely empty hollow feeling. Im not hungry at all, but I just feel empty and uncomfortable and at first I was upset with myself for feeling this way, like come on its just your second day but this feeling makes me get a headache and feel weazy. Does this sound insane or normal.I called that feeling the unbearable lightness of being. It's as if my physical body was making spiritual (for lack of a better word) changes too quickly for me to process comfortably. I grounded myself with more dehydrated foods, more fatty foods (avocados, nuts, bananas, etc) and soaked grains during the first phase of transitioning to raw and that seemed to help immensely.

[Giaya]

Thank you. I needed a little push to be honest, even though its the beginning. I appreciate the advice and the explanations. Im excited about whats to come and all that my body will experience.

Giaya