Cooked and raw vegan, goal is 100% raw

[Aasyah]

I have been struggling with cooked and raw foods ( i have consumed 50% cooked and 50% raw) and the effects on my sytem have been very unpleseant such as slight to migraine headaches, every other day an upset stomach, skin breakouts, not sleeping soundly (there are times i can not sleep, and other times i want to sleep all day or for the whole week), cravings for sweets, and salty, fried foods
my system is starting to get out of control. I assumed that if i eat cooked and raw (evenly) that i could gradualy go 100% raw, the struggle continues on. HELP!!!!!

I am currently fasting for 30 days during "Ramadan" (in the Islamic calender year which would be in October 4-November 4) for my religious purposes.
I eat a light breakfast before sunrise and stop eating for the remainder of the day, and resume eating by breaking my fast at sunset.

I feel this is also a great opportunity for me to completely detox, and eliminate cooked foods and transition to 100% raw. Any suggestions, and more information on detoxing, and quick raw eats for on the go, and limited on time. Recipes are welcome too.

I would also welcome raw buddie(s) to help me with my transition

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Aasyah,

Hmmm...well, one thing I've discovered is that not everyone can do the part raw/part cooked thing...it's all or nothing lest they end up eating more cooked than raw.

Perhaps you are one of those who needs to go all for it (?). Also, fasting into a raw foods lifestyle doesn't work for everyone either. For some it's the perfect jumpstart and for others, it leads to ending up breaking the fast incorrectly and binging on cooked foods as to not feel deprived.

I'm not sure which category you fall into, but you probably know and must act accordingly. If you feel you can eat a simple raw diet and not feel deprived or bored, etc. then that is what you should do. If not, then you may want to do the raw dishes...doesn't have to be the elaborate ones...simple stuff like pate's, collard leaf rolls, flax crackers in various savory flavors, dessert treats, etc.

Just keep in mind that detox isn't always about physical feelings of discomfort, etc. but can also be strong cravings (which most times are all in our minds) for cooked favorites...and you REALLY know it's detox when you start thinking about or craving things you haven't eaten in years!

[sweetgoddess]

Hi Aasyah. If you committed to 100 % raw, for 30 days, you would notice a tremendous difference. When you eat any cooked food, it completely slows down detoxifying your system and drags it out way longer. You would be through it so much quicker if you eliminated cooked food.
You wont do a lot of detoxifying on 50% cooked food. And it may be the cooked food alone causing you the skin breakouts, upset stomach etc, not detox.
Just a thought for you.

I dont know what kind of cooked food you eat of course, but mixing cooked and raw will be a digestive challenge in a lot of instances.

A specific goal, a commitment, and then jumping in with all your being may help move you out of the struggling stage.

Let us know what you figure out and I send you my very best!

Warmly~
Carmel

[rawpriestess]

When you want to really do something, you will find a way,
When you don't really want to do something, you will find an excuse.

This may seem harsh, but is so very true.

When you make a commitment to eat ONLY 100% raw and living foods, you will feel so free, because then, there is no option, there is no "one bite" of cooked food, there is no "just this once", there is only raw and living foods.

It is always easier to eat 100% raw foods then to eat some raw and some cooked.

So, right this minute, today, not tomorrow, not in the morning, but right now, make that commitment to eat only 100% raw and living foods, and not to eat anything else.

[jaurequi]

Hi, Aasyah,

I think it's GREAT your goal is 100%! :)
I also agree with you that right now is a great time to transition.
Doing 50% is *tough.* Especially if it is not mono eating! All that mixing would wreak havoc on your bod!

If you must transition, then do it slowly. This doesn't mean eat a large percentage of cooked; it just means don't stress. Putting the stress on yourself is just adding more pressure and making it more difficult than it already is. Eating a bit of cooked food isn't the end of the world, so just acknowledge it, analyze it to find out why you did it and what brought it on, and why you gave in, etc. and move on immediately. It's important to do this so to avoid it or try something different next time you're faced with that situation again. This is why I always say to take note (written or mental) of what you're doing. There are no "failures" only learning experiences. And you must learn from them and apply the info to change your future!

If you find you're having "successful" days you should look back and analyze why you were successful...what were you doing? What was your state of mind? What foods were you eating? How did those foods make you feel? Was it they that made you successful? Or was it not the food at all, but your mood/emotional state during this "successful" time? This is why taking note of what's going on is important. Journal your daily diet; it only takes a second to write down what you eat! Then you can look back on it. If you want to do a daily journal of thoughts/ emotions do that too; but definitely write down your food intake. It could be trigger foods...it could be trigger situations...toxic people in your life (that's a biggie!)...it could also be certain elements in foods (even raw healthy foods) such as gluten or tannins.

You could try something like eating raw all week and give yourself day 7 as a cooked-food day. You may find you don't want anything cooked; if so, don't and rejoice. Then start all over and do the next week raw and allow for the next day 7, etc.
there are various ways people find to reach their goal; each person is different and some ways just don't work for certain people. The example I gave you above has worked for some people; yet, for others, it didn't: it made cooked food a "reward," thus reinforcing (in their minds) that cooked food is a forbidden luxury of which they have to be deprived. This leads, eventually, to rebellion or resentment, cravings, mind dwelling on these foods, which leads to "cheating," or bingeing, etc. You must find *your* way; find what works for you and don't let anyone make you feel you're not "raw" enough or not doing right. Just remember the raw police don't patrol your area ;)

So, try to find out why ...why a strong person like yourself is having trouble. Because, truly, if you can do a 30-day fast for Ramadan, why can't you commit to this for yourself? The truth is you *can*! You can, Aasyah! I honestly don't think I could go all day without food, Lol! so you're at an advantage the way I see it :D You are strong. Even though you may have been doing this for years, you still had to learn it: same with this goal. You have to learn it, go through it (tough it out, babe!) and then it will become habit...normal.

Also consider, could your reasons be something other than "cravings"? Cravings, in my opinion, are false signals. Your body truly doesn't want fried/junk/bad foods. The poor thing is crying out for nutrition but only knows the language of what it has learned. When you feed it properly (and learning what is proper for *your body* does take time to learn so don't beat yourself up over it!), you no longer get those signals/"cravings." Hunger and "cravings" are two entirely different things; yet we interchange them all the time in our language and, worse, in our minds, which is where "cravings" begin. "Hunger" is physical and never in the mind.

We learned to eat poorly, we can learn to eat well.

You must do what you have to, to make this real. The discomfort you feel can be overcome, you know that :). Maybe for you, treating this as a 6-day raw, 1-day cooked will work; if not, try something else. But don't give up! You are worth it; you deserve to be healthy. Maybe thinking through a situation is all you need (when you have a craving, stop and self talk to get you through); I find that very helpful to me in other areas of life too. May take some time, but it works. Create those fissures of positive think in your brain :). Repetition and habit creates your reality.

Hope this ramble makes sense and you find at least some thing helpful.

Best,

[Aasyah]

Thanks everyone for the words of advise and encouragement. Your words of kindness and experience will be very helpful to me through my raw transition :-)

Jaurequi, Your were not ramblin on, :) you are very kind, and generous with your opinions, advise and wonderful words of inspiration. Thank you look I forward to my raw journey. Today i made the first step 90% raw.

Note: What i meant by 50% cooked and 50% raw, I am vegan and a majority of my food is cooked such as rice, beans, veggie entrees,pasta salads and dishes, (soy milk, cheese),etc... and for raw i eat freshesh mixed veggie salads, fresh fruits, nuts/seeds, fresh veggie and fruit juices. :D

[yeahbethany]

Hi Aasyah,
If you are considering a slower transition, the Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose may prove helpful! Good luck!
-Bethany

[Sasha1200]

hey aasyah! i totally relate to your situation. i didn't think it was even physically possible for me to go raw a month ago! (really! :p ) i was doing any where between 50%-75% raw for 4 month and was feeling good when I was "good." however, i would often lapse at least 2-3 month for no apparent reason and binge. i would feel lousy and icky.

then i found this website :D ! and read everyone's post, everyone was so supportive and i had a paradigm shift. one day it just hit me. i can do this! so i've been 100% raw since early October (though my 30 day challenge started on the 10th!). and this is the most important part, it's so much more easier to do 100% raw physically and psychologically than it is to do 90%. not sure why but i don't have any craving for cooked foods and fatty foods like i did before...starting a raw regimen is great after a fast (or in your case during ramadan). but regardless what you decide, going more raw will make you feel awesome! good luck!