I need to be reinspired.......

[janine]

My life is crazy right now and I could really benefit off of RAW food. I'm living on microwaved crap and whatever takes less than 10 minutes to make. I have zero time to shop for food (which makes the pre-packaged foods sooo easy). No time to read either.... I feel so tired all the time and cranky! My body seems to be more crackly and stiff. I look like s!$t too. :( I just need some words of inspiration. Something to make me get back on the right track..... Thank you!!

[sport]

It seems like you are in a catch 22 situation. The more tired and cranky you feel, the more sad you are going to eat and the more sad you eat the more tired and cranky you are going to feel. You are going to have to make one supreme effort to break that link. Raw food need not take any more effort and time than cooked foods. Try this. Trow a good fist full of macadamia nuts in the blender and blend to a cream with some water. Place in a bowl with a little chopped onion and then add lots of chopped raw veg. There are lots of things that you can prepare in a hurry.
You have got to start seeing food differently. I picked up a stick of celery yesterday and actually felt a vibration of energy from it. Look at your food before you eat it and ask yourself "do I feel that I am going to get that life force that I need fron this or is it bringing me down further". If you are sinking you should reach for the lifebelt and not for the stones. Your lifebelt is there waiting for you to reach for it.

[Rawma]

Janine,
It really takes no more time to shop or prepare raw food than it takes to prepare or shop for sad. Fruit and salads are the easiest to have handy and take no time at all to prep and eat.
I would take one day at a time. Each morning remind yourself that for today I am going to eat as much raw food as I can, just for today. And the next day do the same and before you know it you will have conquered a week and all of your "tired, cranky, crackly and stiff feelings" will be diminshed if not gone.
Eating Raw is a choice that we make everytime we put something in our mouth. Evertime you choose to eat something raw you are giving your body living enzymes that will help heal you. Just the opposite with cooked food.
Make a choice, just for today, to eat raw. Grab some oranges, apples, pears and salad with lemon and olive oil and some nuts and go about your busy day knowing that you have made a choice to be raw for today. You will go to bed feeling so good about what you accomplished today that when you wake up tomorrow it will be that much easier to choose to eat raw for that day.
Don't put so much pressure on yourself, it only causes more stress and that leads to poor food choices.
At the beginning of your thread you wrote that your life is so crazy right now that you could benefit from eating not raw. I believe that the opposite is true. When your life is crazy and stressed you SHOULD eat more raw to help your body cope.
I know you can do this and I am pulling for you! One day at a time turns into one week at a time, turns into one month at a time and so on! Go for it girl and keep me posted as to how you are doing!
Prayers and well whishes,
Lisa

[rawpriestess]

Well, the bottom line is this

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

You see, I am the master of excuses, so I know them all.

I am so busy, that I don't have time to prepare meals. -- sounds logical
I am so bored, because I am not busy at all, all I do is sit around the house and eat. -- also sounds logical

I have no money, so I can't buy the right kind of foods.
I have a lot of money, so I feel I need to treat myself to a big fancy dinner out with friends, (and not a raw one)

I have kids at home, and I need to make them all kinds of treats, not raw.
I live alone, and it's no fun to make elaborate meals for one person. so much food goes to waste (waist LOL)

My hubby eats meat every day, and so I HAVE to cook for him, and it's such a pain to make two meal.
I live alone, and I hate to go to all of that trouble just for me (as If I"M NOT important enough to go to trouble for)

I have no raw cookbooks, and don't know any recipes.
I have so many raw cookbooks, I can never make up my mind what to make.

I Live in the city, with all the great fast food restaurants so close by, that and I walk by them on my way to my car, and just pop in to eat.
I live in the country, and it is so far to go to buy food, so I never have any on hand.

I never know what I'm going to want to eat at night, and raw food takes so much time to prepare.
I make my menus a week in advance, I like to stick to a schedual of my menus, and raw food is such a grab and eat type of thing, with all the fresh fruits and veggies.

Raw food is so complicated to make, it takes so much prep time.
Raw food isn't fun to make, and prepare, I love to spend hours in the kitchen, playing with foods, and baking.

I like to make all kinds of fancy recipes, and with raw, there's just not enough variety.
Raw food has so many recipes, its' hard to know which one to start with.

I'm confused about how to eat raw food, don't I need to know alot about nutrition?
I have read a hundred books on raw food, and I know so much about nutrition, that it's hard eat everything my body needs.

I don't have any of the equipment to make the foods, all I have is a knife, and no dehydrator, food processor, etc. how will I ever make raw foods?
I have ever kitchen gadget known to man, and I love playing with them, making all kinds of stuff, with raw food, it is so easy to just eat an apple, that I feel like I've wasted my money so I need to make cooked foods to pay for my gadgets.

Trust me, I've made up thousands more excuses.

Raw food is this simple

1. Go to the grocery store, produce department
2. pick out one or two of all of the fruits and veggies you like
3. take them home
4 eat them

It IS REALLY that simple, it does not have to be more complicated than that.

All you need to do is eat what you like, until you don't want any more. it's that easy.

yes, you may have cravings. -- be happy that you can go through that, and release then

Yes, you may have detox symptoms, -- be happy that your body works so quickly and so well to clean out all of that stuff, after all you don't want it in your body do you?

Yes, you may be edgy, it's detox

Yes, you may be cranky, it's detox

Yes, you may be tired, or headachy, or have any number of symptoms, be happy that you are going through it now, and simply thank your body for working so well for you, and then let it go

You will have questions, we are here

You will have issues, we are here

You may have emotions come up, we are here

You may have friends, and family try to sabotage you, we are here.

We are all going through this together, it isn't the easiest thing you will ever do, but it IS THE BEST THING YOU WILL EVER DO.

[deedub]

Excellent post Mz RP. I concur it is not the easiest thing but it is the best thing. Also I believe everything starts in mind. And IMO your post demonstrated so well that what we tell ourselves creates our experience.

How about, "I am so busy I only have time to eat things I don't have to cook, like fruit and raw veggies."

[rawpriestess]

Deedub,

What a great mantra that is.

I NOW say.

"I ONLY have time to feed my body natural foods."

Which to me, means RAW, ripe, fresh, organic produce. YES!!!

WE RAWK!!!

[janine]

Oh my God....I actually have tears welling up in my eyes. Wow. You all said something that just struck me. Raw Priestess, I'm printing your first one out and carrying it with me because it is sooo true. We are an excuse prone society. And you can customize them to fit your every need :)

I cannot believe all the negative energy that wants to be released right now (thus, the silly girl tears). I'm going back reading all your posts right now as I type. Thank you so much. I need to break out Alissa's book again and make a few things. Luckily her book is easy to use.

[Kris]

Wow, what a great post RP! You are always so insightful. :)

Janine!! Don't be a crazy woman! You can do this -- it's easy and fun and delicious and life-altering. And are you in Seattle? I am so jealous! I live in Victoria, and I'm just waiting until I can make a trip to Seattle to go here: http://www.chacocanyoncafe.com/

We are all here to help and support you. Ask for help when you need it, as we have all helped and been helped before. We're rooting for you! :D

[Sharon in Colorado]

Janine for sure you have to break that vicious cycle you are in, I agree with Sport that you are in a catch 22 thing - you need to break yourself free from that and recommit or you'll be living out of the microwave forever.

RP I really like what you wrote. I would love to print it out and use it as an example to bring to my raw support group next week. May I?

[rawpriestess]

Janine, you can do this. I am so glad that my words were heard the way I meant them. :o)

Kris, thank you, you are always so sweet.

Sharon in Colorado, Oh, how sweet of you to ask, YES, please do. And make up a bunch of your own too. In fact, it might be fun at your raw food support group for people to come up with their own, and then counter-act them. LOL

could get very interesting :o)

Trust me, I've use all of these myself, that is why it was so easy to come up with them. I am the Queen of excuses --- well I WAS, not any more.

Now, I am the RAW Queen, well, maybe Raw Priestess.

WE ALL RAWK!!!!

Sharon, was it YOU that said we were Rawk stars? I like that alot!!!

[janine]

Wow, what a great post RP! You are always so insightful. :)

Janine!! Don't be a crazy woman! You can do this -- it's easy and fun and delicious and life-altering. And are you in Seattle? I am so jealous! I live in Victoria, and I'm just waiting until I can make a trip to Seattle to go here: http://www.chacocanyoncafe.com/

We are all here to help and support you. Ask for help when you need it, as we have all helped and been helped before. We're rooting for you! :D
Kris, I've been there and it's wonderful. Very small, Univeristy style cafe. Limited menu but good enough! It's funny because you have a Raw restaurant in Vancouver that I'm dying to go to!

I made some caramel/coconut cookies and hummus today. I will snack on that and fruits/veggies for at least 24 hours....working back up to more.

I have a 50+ hour work weekend starting in 3 hours. I'm in a profession that is extremely taxing on your life energy so this is a great time to get back in the saddle.

You all are so inspiring. I cannot explain the major release of stress that I was able to purge when I read everyone's replies. Very odd to go from stressed out depression to seeing the ray of the sun peeking through the clouds.

Thank you Thank you Thank you.....

[Revvell]

Hiya Janine,

Just came back from 3 days away from the 'puter; saw your post about soy candles ~ now this!!!! :eek: Guess this answered my question in the other post.

Sorry to hear that. Seems you've gotten some good advice soooo, don't need to say anymore. Is the house finally done?

Welcome home hun. Good to "see" you here.

Rev

[janine]

Thanks Revvell,
It's just gotten crazier. Bearing it all day by day. I'm trying to pull myself back on track. I started making candles as "therapy". I think I'm making myself sick with the toxins emmitted from the fragrance oils too...nice huh? LOL!

[Revvell]

Well, stop with the fragrance oils as they are petroleum based. You "should not" be experiencing that if using essentials though, are you? Sometimes the fragrance can be overwhelming though.

Also, I'm wondering if maybe new stuff in your home is outgassing ~ carpets, anything made of pressed board, stuff like that. Pressed board contains formaldehyde. Are you using old/re-cycled wood in your home or new stuff?

I think you still have my email addy. If not, pm me here and I'll get back to ya.

Rev

[swingbolder]

Take some an hour or two off from your busy schedule and go buy a ton of raw food, nuts, veggies, fruits.

Now, the following will sound silly, but here's my number one motivational tool for trying to get a routine going or meeting a goal:

Get a roll of toilet paper and tear off eight squares (or whatever number of days you are going to challenge yourself to stay raw or mostly raw).

Hang it on the side of the fridge or some other conspicuous place in the kitchen.

Draw a number seven on the bottom square, draw a number six on the square above that, continue this way until you've drawn a number one on the second to last square.

On the top square write "you did it!!" "one week raw, good for you" "congratulations super raw lady" or some other congratulatory note.

This is your "toilet paper countdown banner." :D

On the first day that you go raw (or eat 50% raw or whatever other goal you set for yourself), before you go to bed that night, tear off the bottom square.
Give yourself major props for staying raw that day. It's quite an achievement.

Each night, tear off a new square as you've met your goal for that day. As the tp banner gets shorter and shorter each night, it becomes a powerful visual reminder of your progress.

At the end of the week, you will have reached your goal and you'll feel great. :p

Just knowing that in order to earn the right to tear off a new square each night, you must not cheat. This is a poweful motivator.

I did this for my 30 day challenges and it really, really works.

[janine]

LOL! I'll give that (TP idea) a try. It's funny, you feel good doing it but then life gets in the way. Just last night I had to go to a b-day dinner. I cringed at what was served (especially the biscuits made with a parmesian cheese crust top). I'm a vegetarian, have been for 20+ years. So I didn't eat any flesh but what I did eat made me crash about 1 hour later. I just find it so fascinating what food and your environment do to you.

I just bought "Raw Foods for Busy People". I have so many Raw cookbooks...sheesh. This forum is great though. So many good ideas, great recipes, and just good energy.

Revvell, I'm PM you. I wish we could've built an ECO house. Our loss so far from the contractor stealing our $$$ and damages is about $170,000 and counting....

[beauty4ashes]

very inspirational. So I thought I'd bump it up again in case anyone needs it now. Thanks everyone who posted!

[Salsify]

I know you have no time to read and research, so I copied something into this answer as an example.

One thing that makes it really easy for me to choose the right food is researching what is really in the food they claim is so good for us. E.G. when I first saw the little video clip on the Peta website, called 'Meet your Meat', that was it for me with eating meat. It is plain disgusting and inhumane how they treat the animals. If you become aware what they do to food, what is actually in there, what each ingredient really does to your body, especially the non-food ingredients, there is no other choice than raw organic. When I look at food that used to be tempting, the facts I learned about that particular food go through my head and my reaction goes automatically from 'yummy' to 'ewwww'. The more I know about it, the more natural comes that reaction. Just today I found a website that really makes me understand what genetic engineering really is.

Here are some articals from some websites about it, just to open the curtain to your fridge one inch.

Please remember that this is only one thing that happens to food. It don't even cover the topics of pestizides, radiation or any of the other procedures that make SAD so undesireble. I wish they would teach all that in school, every year, over and over and over again.

From http://www.safe-food.org

What is genetic engineering?


Genetic engineering (GE) in agriculture is a new process used by scientists to insert genes from various organisms (human, plant, animal, bacteria or virus) into crop plants. This technology, which has been present in the food we are eating for less than 10 years, differs fundamentally from traditional plant breeding in that it forces the exchange of genes across species barriers – a process that does not occur in nature. For example, genetic engineers have inserted viral and fish genes into tomatoes, spider genes into goats, jellyfish and chicken genes into potatoes, and even human genes into rice. Currently, the two most commonly engineered traits on the market are (1) resistance to herbicides that would normally kill a crop, and (2) the ability to produce an insecticide that kills a wide spectrum of insects, including the target pest. Currently, GE corn, soy, canola and cotton are grown on a large scale, and hundreds of other GE crops are being developed. A new branch of GE research called “pharming” creates plants that produce pharmaceutical drugs and industrial chemicals.



CONCERNS ABOUT GENETICAL ENGINEERING


Though only four GE crops have been produced on a large commercial scale in only three countries ( the Midwestern US, Canada and Argentina) for less than a decade, many problems are already apparent, including:



Ø The introduction of new food allergens and toxins into the food supply

Ø Ecological damage, such as toxicity to Monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects

Ø The increased use of pesticides in food production

Ø The development of “super weeds” and “super bugs”

Ø The loss of export markets in countries opposed to GE foods

Ø The contamination of organic and non-GE crops

Ø Legal vulnerabilities for farmers arising from patent infringement and contamination incidents



To Learn MORE & TAKE ACTION



Read “Seeds of Deception” by Jeffrey Smith

Reject the planting of GE crops

Educate farmers about the risks of this technology

Voiced your opposition publicly to the media, consumers, and producers

As a consumer, refuse to purchase GE products by avoiding non-organic foods that currently contain GE corn, soy, cotton and canola

Voice your opposition to GE wherever you buy food – to store managers, restaurant owners, farmers and others



For more information or to get involved, contact the following hardworking organizations:



Californians for GE-Free Agriculture (www.calgefree.org)

Center for Food Safety (www.centerforfoodsafety.org)

Genetic Engineering Action Network (geaction.org)

Northeast Resistance Against Genetic Engineering (www.nerage.org)

Organic Consumers Association (www.organicconsumers.org)

Union of concerned Scientists (www.usc.org)




Primary Suspects: Ingredients and Products to Check

Soybeans: Soy flour, soy oil, lecithin, soy protein isolates and concentrates. Products that may contain genetically engineered soy derivatives: vitamin E, tofu dogs, cereals, veggie burgers and sausages, tamari, soy sauce, chips, ice cream, frozen yogurt, infant formula, sauces, protein powder, margarine, soy cheeses, crackers, breads, cookies, chocolates, candies, fried foods, shampoo, bubble bath, cosmetics, enriched flours and pastas.

Corn: Corn flour, corn starch, corn oil, corn sweeteners, syrups. Products that may contain genetically engineered corn derivatives: vitamin C, tofu dogs, chips, candies, ice cream, infant formula, salad dressings, tomato sauces, breads, cookies, cereals, baking powder, alcohol, vanilla, margarine, soy sauce, tamari, soda, fried foods, powdered sugar, enriched flours and pastas.

Canola: Oil. Products that may contain genetically engineered canola derivatives: chips, salad dressings, cookies, margarine, soaps, detergents, soy cheeses, fried foods.

Cotton: Oil, fabric. Products that may contain genetically engineered cotton or its derivatives: clothes, linens, chips, peanut butter, crackers, cookies.

Potatoes: Right now the only potato that has been genetically engineered is the Burbank Russet, but you still have to look out for potato starch and flour. Products that may contain genetically engineered potatoes or derivatives: unspecified processed or restaurant potato products (fries, mashed, baked, mixes, etc.), chips, Passover products, vegetable pies, soups. Fast-food chains appear to have responded to consumer concerns and requested genetically natural potatoes.

Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, butter, buttermilk, sour cream, yogurt, whey. You have to ask several questions when you are looking at dairy products. Have the cows been treated with rBGH? What kind of feed have they been given? If they are not being fed organic grains, chances are quite likely that they will be eating genetically engineered animal feed. What does this do to their milk products? No one knows.

Animal Products: Because animal feed often contains genetically engineered organisms, all animal products, or by-products may be affected.

Papaya.
Please note that a food may contain some of these items and yet be free from genetically engineered organisms, but we have no way of knowing without tracking down every brand, every product and every ingredient. Even reading labels is no guarantee that you will be able to avoid genetically engineered ingredients, because manufacturers are not required to list every little ingredient, enzyme or organism used in the manufacturing process. The following products may also be genetically altered, contain or originate from genetically engineered organisms: candies, cookies, breads, cereals, corn syrups, oils, juices, detergents, dough conditioners, yeast, sugar, animal feed, vitamins and enzymes used in the processing of cheese.



Genetically Engineered Enzymes
Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that speed up biochemical processes. They're used to produce everything from wine and cheese to corn syrup and baked goods. Enzymes allow the manufacturer to produce more of a particular product in a shorter amount of time, thus increasing profit.

Generally, the use of enzymes is beneficial. In some cases, they can replace harmful chemicals and reduce water and energy consumption in food production. However, enzymes produced by genetically engineered organisms are cause for concern. Not enough is known about the long-term effects of these enzymes on humans and the ecosystem for them to be used across the board.

FDA regulations on enzyme use is a gray area. Enzymes used in the processing of foods do not have to be listed on product labels because they are not considered foods. Also, when enzymes are genetically engineered, the manufacturer is not required to notify the FDA that the enzymes have been modified. The lists of GE enzymes known by the FDA is, by their own admission, "probably incomplete."

Worldwide, the enzyme market is a $1.3 billion industry. One of the largest enzyme manufacturers are Novo Nordisk, which manufactures GE and non-GE enzymes. You can contact Novo Nordisk (U.S.) at enzymesna@novo.dk and let them know your views on genetic engineering.

The FDA provided us with this partial list of genetically engineered enzymes:

Chymosin—used in the production of cheese

Novamyl(TM)—used in baked goods to help preserve freshness

Alpha amylase—used in the production of white sugar, maltodextrins and nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners (corn syrup)

Aspartic (proteinase enzyme from R. miehei)—used in the production of cheese

Pullulanase—used in the production of high fructose corn syrup
If you want to absolutely avoid genetically engineered enzymes you will have two choices: avoid foods in the following categories, or call the food manufacturers directly and ask them if their enzymes are genetically engineered. They will probably have no idea. Ask them to check and call them back again. Let us know if you get written confirmation.

Beers, wines and fruit juices—(Enzymes used: Cereflo, Ceremix, Neutrase, Ultraflo, Termamyl, Fungamyl, AMG, Promozyme, Viscozyme, Finizym, Maturex, Pectinex, Pectinex Ultra SP-L, Pectinex BE-3L, Pectinex AR, Ultrazym, Vinozym, Citrozym, Novoclairzym, Movoferm 12, Glucanex, Bio-Cip Membrane, Peelzym, Olivex/Zietex)

Sugar—Enzymes used: Termamyl, Dextranase, Invertase, Alpha Amylase

Oils—Enzymes used: Lipozyme IM, Novozym 435, Lecitase, Lipozyme, Novozym 398, Olivex, Zeitex

Dairy products—Enzymes used: Lactozym, Palatase, Alcalase, Pancreatic Trypsin Novo (PTN), Flavourzyme, Catazyme, Chymosin

Baked goods—Enzymes used: Fungamyl, AMG, Pentopan, Novomyl, Glutenase, Gluzyme
In many cases the enzymes named above are brand names. They may appear under other names as well. Enzymes are usually found in minuscule quantities in the final food product. The toxin found in genetically engineered tryptophan was less than 0.1 percent of the total weight of the product, yet it was enough to kill people. The use of enzymes is pervasive in the food industry. Nothing is known about the long-term effects of genetically engineered enzymes. We include this information so you can make an informed choice about whether you want to eat them or not.

I really hope that helps.

[karenisraw]

Inspiring you to eat raw becuase I WASTED 40 years of my life being tired, unhappy, constipated (spending everyday wondering when I was going to BM), confused, (I kept trying to eat veggies and fruits, but the US FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID had me convinced I was going to harm myself if I didn't eat from every group three times a day and all it did was make me fat and unhappy and clogged up).

Raw vegan is like being on another planet that I feel is like a special place if you can figure it out how to get there.

Your're special because you figured it out (how to make yourself happy)

I'll bet you can't wait to scrape and scrub that fried food off the frying pan can you???? Huh?? That takes time.....

[exurb]

how long does it take to make an apple?!

I think rawpriestess hit the nail on the head about excuses.

There was a business saying I heard a while ago, not really my type of quote, but the principle sort of applies: "you can make excuses and you can make money, but you can't make both".

I also heard someone talking about time management who said he came across a book - Thirty Second Bedtime Stories, for busy people to read to their kids, and he asked, what the hell are we saving time for? What's it come to if we cant spend a few minutes on things that are important. I'm not talking spending hours on end, but get yourself some bags of mini carrots, apples, whatever "fast" foods you can, nuts, bag of ready organic greens, etc.

If it helps, my way of coping is to do a big uncook Saturday morning, I get up early. Then that's all my cooking/dehydrating for the week, the rest is salads, fruit, veggies, etc. I usually make one cracker or pizza crust, some cookies/bars, one batch of nut cheese, and maybe burgers/neatballs/something like that. When I do it all at once like that it doesn't take long. I get it all into the dehydrator in a little over an hour.

I read on here that the guy who invented the microwave was shocked at the idea of using it for food. Also Dr Weil has said that when you microwave in plastic or those food containers, the microwaves actually grab the plastic molecules and import them into your food.

So eat up all that stuff.

IMO if you really want to make time, lengthen your life by eating healthy. Please take care of yourself.

It is precisely in the times that we are in a busy, demanding lifestyle that we need to support ourselves with healthy foods.

[Rawkinlocs]

You guys do realize this post is 3 months or so old...I believe Janine (the original poster) has gotten past this...in fact, she just came back from training at Alissa's in Laguna Beach! :D After that experience I KNOW she's pumped and raring to go!

Just FYI! But the responses, I'm sure, will help others who read this thread who may be going through the same thing so...

[RawTruth]

Cherie! I was just going to post that, too.

For those that may feel frustrated and hopeless right now, like Janine did 3 months ago, you should know that she's now a Living on Live Food certified teacher. I met her in Laguna and she's enthusiastic, glowing, and fantastic. Truly a rock-solid raw woman.

She definitely got reinspired!

[kitchenfairy]

This old post was a great read. So many of us in the same crossroads.
For Janine, building a house (or remodel) is sooo stressfull plus the life draining job. Reading from the outside you can say just eat an apple but old habits are hard to break. It's amazing how just make a quick salad and grab a banana or apple and go to work doesn't pop into your brain. Instead you blast out the door and pull in somewhere and grab cooked sandwich, coffee or danish thing which takes longer and costs money. You do all this because you "don't have time." Your moving alon one step further- 20 steps back.

It's very inspirational to learn where Janine is after few months. Despite all that, the universe made it happen for her to attend Laguna Beach.
Magical!