Need help from the experts! Why cant I do this??? [Archive]

erialicia

03-20-2011, 05:08 PM

Aleesha Sattva

03-20-2011, 05:13 PM

ReneeH

03-20-2011, 05:15 PM

erialicia

03-20-2011, 05:18 PM

Ohhhhh!!!! Woo, woo, woo.... :hug ...there, there.... You'll be ok!!! Do you have Alissa's book? If not, please get it! Honestly, try going 100%!!! Alissa is so right when she says that even eating 1% cooked will keep those cravings alive!!! Follow her 30 day plan in Living on Live Food!!! Trust me, it works!!!!

I wish you success in your journey!!!!

Yes, I do have her book. Guess i'll break it out again. I don't have a dehydrator though only a juicer and vitamixer. I am so sad and mad at myself. I WANT this so bad, so why cant I just do it???

I think I really need ideas of what to eat not using all the fancy ingrediants, low budget and no dehydrator. Can a person live on bananas and apples??? LOL

Got2B.Raw

03-20-2011, 07:02 PM

skinnyme

03-20-2011, 09:23 PM

I agree with the 100%. You can easily live on raw only. I'm an all or nothing kind of girl! I'd never make it with license to eat *any cooked.

The vitamix makes it ever easier for me. Think not only bananas and apples but grape, banana, kale smoothies....basil, cilantro, avocado pesto over zuchinni (or kelp) noodles....corn and avocado chowder....and so on. There are tons of recipes online. Can't wait to try some butternut soup or a collard wrap.

I'm SO not a cook...and need to keep it simple.

If you're needing to lose weight like me...avoid the nuts. They make my loss stall.

At the insistence of my dear friend, I took my blood pressure on Feb 22, 2011 and it was horrible!! Another dear friend had just started raw and I jumped in with both feet immediately. Been 100% since 2/23/11.

I honestly have not felt deprived in any way! If I want something sweet, I make it (easy for me...I have an amazing sweet food imagination). If I want something savory, I figure out how to make it. I, too, just have a vitamix. Been coveting a dehydrator... It'll come.

I wish you the best...jump in!! The water's fine:)

kaleboy

03-20-2011, 10:57 PM

you are making major changes, and what you've done is a big step so I wouldn't stress too much if you are having 1 cooked meal a day in your first year or so. Especially as you body is taking time to adjust and transition...

reina80

03-21-2011, 07:21 AM

I do agree 100% is easier as I've done the 85-90 before and it didn't last. I also don't have a dehydrator and its ok - simple foods really are the way to go. I know for me my cravings are more intense

1) when I allow myself any refined sugar - its like a switch flips and I can no longer control myself
2)when my thyroid levels are off - makes a huge difference in my cravings and ability to exercise willpower
3) when I am not drinking green smoothies - somethign about the smoothie really controls the cravings
4) when I am not exercising - even a 30 minute walk helps me to think healthy and control the cravings.

Good luck and congrats in taking that first step! :heart

Raw Angel Mom

03-21-2011, 10:27 AM

Without question 100% would be far more easy for you. Some people cans do that, but i am not one of them and i have to do 100% raw.

If you aren't ready just yet to do the 100%, here is what i suggest to you.

1)Do green smoothie everyday. (It heals addiction and balance your body in so many ways)

2)Focus on your accomplishment. Every positive steps that you do for your body counts. Let go the guilt about the rest BE proud of you for making room for the good stuff.

3)Pick healthy cook food that you will allow yourself to have, if you are going to make exception. For me, it was rice and steam vegetable (Organic).

4)Have a plan to commit to 100% raw, you can even consider to do a detox program first. This will reset those cravings to 0 and get your body all fresh up. The one that i recommend is from simplyraw.ca It is gently for your body and highly effective. Not easy but the positive change for your body are amazing, after you can continue with 100% raw and just enjoy life.

Mrs. Papaya

03-21-2011, 10:27 AM

I just wanted to add this bit of support: I don't have a dehydrator, and I'm doing fine! I really don't think dehydrators are necessary at all. If you have a Vitamix and juicer, you're doing great -- better than me, in fact, because I just have a juicer and super cheap blender. I used the blender like 4 times yesterday to make a variety of food (almond milk, a pudding, green smoothie, and raw milkshake). You can do it with the equipment you have!!

Overall, you need to find what works for you. If 85% raw makes you still crave stuff, then try 100% like other suggest. Here's what I do: When I'm raw, I'm 100% raw. But occasionally, say ever two weeks, I will eat cooked food. But if I eat cooked food for dinner one night, the next day I'm immediately back on 100% raw. I haven't had problems with this so far. Good luck!

RawLibrarian

03-21-2011, 11:16 AM

. I have been drinking carrot/apple juice in the AM and a large green smoothie for lunch and PM. but my cravings are so intense i am now binging on a daily basis.

One thing I would point out is that it doesn't sound like you are eating enough. Everyone is different, but there is NO WAY I could get thru the morning only on juice.

The green smoothies are great, but you might want to add some actual meals.

Try things like big salads, nut pates, wraps (use collards or lettuce for the wrap part), zucchini 'pasta' with marinara sauce, portabella mushroom burgers, raw hummous (I use zucchini instead of chickpeas), raw tabouli (I substitute hemp seeds or ground raw almonds for the bulghur wheat), etc. etc. All of these are filling and do not require a dehydrator. I don't have one and I've been raw a few years now.

Or if it is sweets you crave, there are a slew of raw desserts in Alissa's books and online.

Keep snacks with you--fruit, cut up veggies, nuts, etc.

Raw doesn't have to be complex recipes (although those are very fun). Just make sure you are taking in enough food. You might be binging because you are simply hungry.

Gossy

03-21-2011, 12:56 PM

One thing I would point out is that it doesn't sound like you are eating enough. Everyone is different, but there is NO WAY I could get thru the morning only on juice.

This isn't necessarily true. I just got finished with a juice fast for a few days and I was constantly drinking - juice and water - and I was so full, and full of energy!

However, I'd learned from my first go-round with raw that I needed to consume way more raw stuff than I thought. I had no idea how much, and was essentially starving myself for a few weeks when I started. I was low on energy, cranky, crying, craving naps and SAD foods like mad. Finally one day I put my foods for the day into a nutrition counter and was shocked at how low on everything I was. Calories, carbs, protein, you name it!

Carly - I too agree with others, being 85% is too hard. It leaves that space in your brain for "Oh gee I can have this awful sugar packed SAD food because it's part of my 15%!", and that will just snowball. It's like any other addiction, or bad habit, you're trying to break. If you give yourself permission to continue indulging, you will indulge, and likely, over indulge!

Going 100% seems pretty hard at first, like quitting smoking, or trying to stop biting your nails off . . . it will be uncomfortable, and you will have an emotional reaction to it. But the bad reaction will go away. Eventually you'll stop craving SAD and start craving raw. And if you do slip (because slips happen - how you react to it is way more important) you'll fully see the effects of the SAD, and hopefully that will spur your raw desires even more!

I too am transitioning myself back from a SAD slip to raw. I'm super happy to be doing this and using my transition time to really pay attention to my body, my cravings, when I get them, why I get them, how I feel after I eat certain things, and trying to discover all the wonderful raw stuff I can eat, instead of thinking about all the SAD stuff I can't.

You can do this! You have to find the way that works for you, and definitely make sure you're eating/drinking enough to keep yourself nourished. That really helps fight cravings.

:throwhearts::excited::dance: <------ That's me cheering for you!!

Got2B.Raw

03-21-2011, 04:20 PM

How many of you have supportive spouses & children (i.e. the whole family is eating raw)? Or do you have to constantly be cooking, shopping and thinking of SAD and RAW?

This time around my husband said "I'll eat whatever you feed me." I have found it very freeing, but I still do want to make the foods that he likes. I guess I should change my attitude and hope that he'll be a RAW convert!

I did go buy a bunch of fresh fruit and veggies. I put together a salad box. That is where you cut up all your veggies for your salads for the week and store them in small containers that fit into one large plastic container. You can also add nuts, raisins, beans in the small containers. Then you only need to take out one container and your greens. Everything is cut up and ready to go. It definitely removes my excuse that it's too much work.

Gossy

03-21-2011, 05:38 PM

I put together a salad box. That is where you cut up all your veggies for your salads for the week and store them in small containers that fit into one large plastic container. You can also add nuts, raisins, beans in the small containers. Then you only need to take out one container and your greens. Everything is cut up and ready to go. It definitely removes my excuse that it's too much work.

Okay, I must know more about this! One of my big roadblocks on raw has been food prep/storage. I'm currently living in a place with several people too, a tiny kitchen, and tiny fridge. It would make my raw life a ton easier if I had salad/veggies prepped and one container for them all. Did you just get Tupperware type containers? Or is there some already configurated "salad box" container out there somewhere? This tip sounds like it would be so helpful for me, and others!!

reina80

03-21-2011, 07:49 PM

How many of you have supportive spouses & children (i.e. the whole family is eating raw)? Or do you have to constantly be cooking, shopping and thinking of SAD and RAW?

I cook SAD (healthy) food for my husband and kids every night - definitely tests my willpower even though my husband is super supportive. He will not make me go out to eat and we don't have alot of SAD snack foods in the house so there is that at least. My husband will never go raw (even though he's constantly stealing my fudge balls), my oldest son loves raw food and wants drinks or bites of whatever I'm having, my baby loves green smoothies. Its still worth it, even if it is a little more difficult. I do find sometimes that I need heartier food though just to feel like I am eating meals with them.

To the OP, I agree- eat more. The transition is the hardest and so just listen to your body and binge on raw food if you feel like binging. :)

Lady Green Jeans

03-21-2011, 08:17 PM

Food preparation has always been an outlet for my creative energy so it easily transferred to the raw vegan arena. Being on my own I don't face the challenges of dealing with prepping SAD and staying the course against temptation. I have been supremely impressed that this go-around I have not had cravings that raw didn't immediately take care of.

My earlier attempts at 100% were done with much heavier fare than I seem to be enjoying now. I was much more nut-heavy but really didn't make the cakes, etc. Mostly puddings or occasionally macroons if fresh fruit wasn't cutting it. I always followed Alissa's advice and ate until satisfied.

Maybe write out a list of your favorite meals/dishes or fruits and veggies and try to prepare as many as you can in the raw arena.

Many recipes can be found here for heavy substantial dishes like chili or stuffed eggs; ethnic like Thai, pasta of all kinds and curries that are to live for. Alissa's book LOLF is awsome with everything from simple to complex. Like anything, take it a step at a time. It's a worthwhile journey.

erialicia

03-21-2011, 10:31 PM

Thanks for all of your replies and suggestions! I do think I was not eating enough. I am gonna drink green smoothies first thing in the AM instead of the juice. We'll see how that goes. And more avocados!

changeisgood

03-21-2011, 10:55 PM

My GS in the morning are aatleast 16 - 24 oz, if not more and I thicken them with chia seeds - so it is very filling. If I am having a stressful morning (which can be a trigger for reaching for something) I'll cut up an apple in thin slices so it keeps my mouth going !

Many say the dehydrator is a stepping stone from SAD to raw. I think differently. It can create tempting dishes that can lead someone to then want what they may think of - as the real thing' in their mind. especially some of the desserts.

Keep it simple. In the beginning I ate tons of food to satisfy the urges and then over time it naturally happened that I wanted less and less.

Think of this as having had a convincer. Start posting your menu plan for the day on the 30-day challenge and then stick to it as a commitment. I used to write on an 8 X 10 sheet and post it in the kitchen so I didn't have to think. I knew ahead of time what I was planning to eat.
And take notice of your emotions, stress, etc to stay on the ball!
Best wishes !

appifanie

03-22-2011, 08:50 AM

why not try 100% raw and join our monthly challenge? you can join at anytime, any day...

you can achieve anything you want to... (((hugs)))

(that's 15% is a slippery slope... hence why most of us go 100%)

SO TRUE, says I. I'm not close to 100% right now and that's why. Because when I do it, I keep other stuff around (family not raw, but vegan and I'm currently living somewhere where good produce is found an hour away) and I'll let myself have one cooked meal a day or whatever, and then from there it just gets less and less raw. When you let some in, you let more in, I know this from experience.

RighteousYogini

03-22-2011, 12:31 PM

Hi Guys
This thread has been useful for me to read. I have been struggling a bit with the detox of 100%. Im on Day 4. But I think my 2 smoothies with a bananan isn't enough greens. I've also let myself eat TONNES of raw desserts....like... an insane amount....Im eating tonnes of raw vegan cheesecake, JUST so that I can maintain 100% while I feel my way around, otherwise, as I have done before, I just give up. And from then... I think after this latest cheesecake is done, Ill start to be a more clean raw eater, ya know? But for now..just to DO IT, this is where Im at. In terms of what "normal" people eat, it's still crazy!!

Lesla

03-22-2011, 02:01 PM

I've been raw for a month now. I've had a couple of slips, but still have managed to lose almost 7 lbs. I'm good with that. I am not eating all cooked meals (except for one very bad Friday night when I had 2 slices of cheese pizza, but that was my biggest boo boo) but a couple of things I know are not raw that I incorporate into my raw meals. For example, until I have the time to make some bread in the dehydrator, (getting used to the long prep times with raw has been a little challenging), I'm using manna bread topped with avocado, grape tomatoes and lettuce. I know the mannna bread is not raw, but feel like I'm transitioning to raw and it doesn't feel so "cooked" when I eat it. I also don't think balsamic vinegar is raw, but I love it on my salads. Those are the two main "not raw" foods I can think of that I've eaten. Since they aren't "cooked" foods from the SAD diet, I don't think they are tempting me to eat cooked food. In fact, last night I made a chicken and rice casserole for my family, and did just fine.

Quit being so hard on yourself. You are moving in the right direction. You know you WANT to be raw, and you will get there. Just take it one meal at a time. Plan ahead some meals and have snacks available. It's really easy to slip if there is SAD food in the frig and you have nothing raw prepared. That's how I wound up eating the pizza. I made a wonderful raw lasagna last week and it lasted me almost 4 days. It was really good, and I didn't need a dehydrator.

You can do it, and we are here to cheer you along. Keep your chin up. It will be okay. :cheer:

AutumnBreezColordLeavz

03-22-2011, 02:42 PM

Erialicia I am with you. I just logged on to ask the very same question. My health is so bad and I've really Got 2 B Raw (thus the name I use). So why am I finding it so hard! It makes so much sense. I was to be healthy & feel good.
I also have been trying to be 85%raw/15% cooked. And it makes sense to me that 100% raw might be easier.

I must admit I have not read Alissa's book.
I can probably just afford one, which would be the best one to purchase?

Any more words of wisdom....please give them.

Slippery slope to NOT be 100% - so true!
However, a slip is a slip and forgiving yourself is the best solution.

Vitamix is the best investment if you are trying to decide between a juicer or a blender.
Why?
You can always use a nut bag, cheese cloth, new paint strainer bag, to strain your juice if you don't want the pulp in it.
OR when...
making and straining your Almond mylk...which is a huge staple in raw food.

Preparing foods for outings...either dishes or having fast fruits and veggies available is great. Apples and celery with almond butter is a great filler snack.

YOU ARE WORTH MORE TO GOD THAN WHAT YOU WEIGH...YOUR BODY WAS DESIGNED FOR THE FOOD HE PREPARED BEFORE YOU (see Gensis)....MOSTLY...YOU WERE DESIGNED TO CRAVE HIM OVER ALL THINGS!!!

green goddess

03-22-2011, 02:44 PM

I do find planning meals to be very helpful. The more of a plan there is, the easier it is to do. It can be something simple, like, "ok, today I'll have a melon smoothie, then a green smoothie, then savoury lettuce wraps, then a fruit pudding, then a green soup, and if I'm still wanting something else, I'll snack on oranges." Or it can be more complex with writing out a week's meal plan with recipes.

I've found one of my stumbling blocks has been the lack of a plan. If I take the effort to plan my meals out, it takes some pressure off me. There, the brain work is done; I don't have to deliberate over what I'm going to eat next!

Also, being held accountable has been helpful, too. I'll keep a food journal, and everything I eat gets written down. This way I can see what's working and what's not - if I didn't feel so well at some point, I can refer to what I've eaten and say, oh, I didn't eat enough, or, oh, I probably shouldn't combine honeydew and cashews. And if I write everything down, I'll be less inclined to 'cheat', because I wouldn't want to record that!

laura-jane

03-23-2011, 05:23 AM

(that's 15% is a slippery slope... hence why most of us go 100%)

I agree. I have to go 100%. I am an all or nothing person. Sounds like you might be one, too.

FloridaMuscleGirl

03-23-2011, 07:16 AM

I recommited to eating 85%raw on Feb 1st. I did great the first part of the month and lost 8 pounds quickly. Since then I have fallen off and I cannot get back on. My cravings are intense! I really want to be a raw/vegan for health purposes. that is why I allowed myself one cooked veg. meal at dinner per night. I have been drinking carrot/apple juice in the AM and a large green smoothie for lunch and PM. but my cravings are so intense i am now binging on a daily basis. I need help and advice. I do not want to resort to a low carb diet again. I have done tons of research and truly believe raw/vegan is the way to go. I have been taking tons of vitamins also..

Please help me, I am in tears!

Sometimes with my past clients I found that when your body is CRAVING something physically it is because there is an imbalance somewhere. You might want to go in and have a blood workup done to see what you are lacking in. If you can get past the first 2-3 days of cravings and just do juice and raw 100% for at least a week, you will probably start to stabilize. But I would recommend the blood workup just to be safe. :)

Raw Angel Mom

03-23-2011, 07:48 AM

KPetro

03-23-2011, 10:04 PM

I have bad cravings for chocolate in the evenings. I make my own with coconut or olive oil, cacao powder, & a little honey or maple syrup. I also seem to gravitate toward the nuts (snacking) instead of fruit, and sometimes I eat b/c I'm sitting on the couch not doing anything (at night). I have gained 5lb., give or take a few. I have trouble figuring out how to do her plan for a week, especially since there would be 4 of us doing this. Two are kids, 11 & 9, which my son seems to get really tired during the day on only raw. If I add meat to his, he doesn't have this problem. Also, my husband seems to have the metabolism of 4 people, so he needs a LOT to even keep weight on, and he's borderline thin now.
Hopefully this makes sense, but any suggestions???
Thanks.