Struggling

[yoru]

Hi all,

i've been trying to start doing this for well over a year now, and everytime i start, i'd say, "oh i can't really start till i get this." something like raw nori or something. and then i keep doing that, and i have yet to start. i just realized today how saddened it made me that i thought i could do this so easily.

I was raised as a vegetarian and have been my whole life, but i just don't know how to easy my way into this. I've read several of boutenko's books, a few others, and i also have some recipe books. I think the key ingredient is a dehydrator. There is one in the house, but there's some confusion concerning its use, not on my part. But it's not my house or my dehydrator so i just don't use it.

Can anyone shed some light for me?

Thanks

[michigan roman]

this book by norman walker is what convinced me raw plant foods are best

http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Vegetable-Juices-Norman-Walker/dp/B001D0BLW2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1333422732&sr=8-2

[PansyLo]

You don't NEED very much at all to go raw.

All I started with were a set of cheap kitchen knives and a blender than cost about £10.

I now (42days in) have just acquired a juicer too which is a great help.

I'm doing just fine :) If you have a blender then smoothies are your instant stable. If you don't have a blender get a cheap on as that's one thing I think really is essential.

[fastfreedom]

One thing I learned was to quit feeling so guilty and beating myself up for not going 100% raw overnight and sticking to it. I came to the point to where I would add in a raw meal everyday. And I would also juice consistently. This led to me eating more and more raw until I eventually was at 100%.

Some people can go 100% overnight and just deal with the withdrawls. Others have to consistently increase their raw meals until they are able to fully let go of cooked/processed.

Just something that helped me.......

[PansyLo]

I couldn't just cut down slowly. I'd find it impossible. Where do you draw the line? It's so vague. There's nothing to stick to.

I'm very all or nothing when it comes to diet changes. I can't have a little leeway because the whole thing just feels pointless if I do and falls apart. That's a personal thing though. Everyone works differently. I find it really odd that so many people opt to cut down rather than just go raw over night though.

[yoru]

I've always tried to increase my raw food ratio, but it seems like when i allow some in, i lose control. Maybe i just need to be a little more persistent, or just do it over night.

Well i'll try today, and see how it works out.

Thanks so much everyone, i really appreciate it

wish me luck :)

[qwerty988]

I've always tried to increase my raw food ratio, but it seems like when i allow some in, i lose control. Maybe i just need to be a little more persistent, or just do it over night.

Well i'll try today, and see how it works out.

Thanks so much everyone, i really appreciate it

wish me luck :)

Good luck! :heart:

I jumped in and did it overnight because I have no self-control when it comes to food -- if I allow myself any cooked, I'm eating it all the time! So I have to be super-strict with myself.

I also didn't get a dehydrator until I had been raw for many months. I had a juicer, a blender and a food processor and it was fine!

Feel free to join us over at the April Raw Challenge thread if you'd like daily support on your journey! :heart

[Raw Angel Mom]

Just a suggestion, you need to look into the fears that you may not be aware. They control you if you don't acknowledge them. It could be a feeling of overwhelming, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of giving up something, etc.... Take deep breath and ask to yourself. What do you want to tell me? What are my fears? You may be impress of what you can come. Once you know, you can do something about it. Most the time, we make a big mountain over something so simple.

You can do raw food with just raw carrot and celery juice. Just go simple. In the mid time, learn recipes and keep it simple. You are worthy to be beautiful, radiant of health and feeling good about yourself. Give yourself permission to do this. If you gives what your body truly need to accomplish this task, you will experience magic and miracle. Believe in raw food and take the plunge. I did 100% raw food with a cheep food processor ($30) and a cheep blender for 60 days. It made me so fertile that i got pregnant at age 40, lol....It is never too late.

Start with a knife and cutting board. You can make simple dressing salad with tomato/orange (add anything you want after).

You are worthy and raw food is for you.

All the best!

[CaraS]

I'm on my third go around on a raw food diet. Both of the other times I was 'all or nothing' and I found it didn't serve me. This time I'm more lenient with myself - that doesn't mean I eat a ton of cooked food but it means that if I have some, I haven't fallen back into the 'nothing' camp. I found that having a green smoothie every morning, fruit during the day and a salad at night was a great way to do it... for me. This is the longest I've gone thus far - my 1 year rawniversary is may 22 - and doing it this way has allowed me to stay 90-95% raw that whole time without going insane and feeling restricted.

[yoru]

Just a suggestion, you need to look into the fears that you may not be aware. They control you if you don't acknowledge them. It could be a feeling of overwhelming, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of giving up something, etc.... Take deep breath and ask to yourself. What do you want to tell me? What are my fears? You may be impress of what you can come. Once you know, you can do something about it. Most the time, we make a big mountain over something so simple.

You can do raw food with just raw carrot and celery juice. Just go simple. In the mid time, learn recipes and keep it simple. You are worthy to be beautiful, radiant of health and feeling good about yourself. Give yourself permission to do this. If you gives what your body truly need to accomplish this task, you will experience magic and miracle. Believe in raw food and take the plunge. I did 100% raw food with a cheep food processor ($30) and a cheep blender for 60 days. It made me so fertile that i got pregnant at age 40, lol....It is never too late.

Start with a knife and cutting board. You can make simple dressing salad with tomato/orange (add anything you want after).

You are worthy and raw food is for you.

All the best!

oh thanks so much, you're exactly right, i'll need to sit with myself and do that. although i keep i may already have the answer. thank you!!


I'm on my third go around on a raw food diet. Both of the other times I was 'all or nothing' and I found it didn't serve me. This time I'm more lenient with myself - that doesn't mean I eat a ton of cooked food but it means that if I have some, I haven't fallen back into the 'nothing' camp. I found that having a green smoothie every morning, fruit during the day and a salad at night was a great way to do it... for me. This is the longest I've gone thus far - my 1 year rawniversary is may 22 - and doing it this way has allowed me to stay 90-95% raw that whole time without going insane and feeling restricted.

having the green smoothies definitely help. what kind of salad dressings do you make?

thanks again everyone, i'm really feeling empowered

[rawconvenience]

Be easy on yourself and ease into it. Rome wasn't....stuff. You know what you want to be and that is step one. Map out a plan that includes a variety of raw options. I found that a raw food replacement was a great way to let me have a raw food meal daily.

[yoru]

Be easy on yourself and ease into it. Rome wasn't....stuff. You know what you want to be and that is step one. Map out a plan that includes a variety of raw options. I found that a raw food replacement was a great way to let me have a raw food meal daily.

thanks a lot! although i feel like i can plan out a lot of things once i get my own dehydrator, i feel like it's extremely difficult now, but i'm trying my best

[ShelShel]

I began raw years ago with nothing but regular kitchen knives and a grater. LOL I learned and added things, removed foods I later discovered weren't raw after all. It is a journey of successes. You will need to look for inspiration on rough days, and smile when you sail through. Doing what is best for our bodies is a work in progress. Live abundantly!

[yoru]

I began raw years ago with nothing but regular kitchen knives and a grater. LOL I learned and added things, removed foods I later discovered weren't raw after all. It is a journey of successes. You will need to look for inspiration on rough days, and smile when you sail through. Doing what is best for our bodies is a work in progress. Live abundantly!

So what kind of things did you eat?

[Joanna.K]

Like a previous poster mentioned, being lenient is better than just thinking "Ive eaten non raw, im a failure, may as well give it all up!"
Im new to raw, started January, so about 3months total now. I see it as a normal eating plan now, not a "diet" or temporary. I also only have a chopping board, knives and a VERY cheapy old blender! You dont need expensive fancy stuff to stick with it.

For breakfast and lunch I fill up on lots of my fav fruits and some nuts and seeds etc. If you feel hungry, eat something!
For my evening meal I have a salad. I fill up a huuuge bowl full of veggies and lots of leafy greens. In order to make it extra tastey the key is to add loads of strong flavoursome ingredients, I add sun dried tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, lots of herbs and spices, dried currents, garlic, ginger, seeds, cashews etc!
My dressing is usually the above mentioned, lemon juice, garlic plus herbs/spices and sometimes with some decent oil. OR if im struggling a little ill add a dollop of my favourite dip, houmous! That does ofc make me not 100% raw but meh?! I dont beat myself up over or worry about that minor thing. Could always make urself an awesome raw guacamole or salsa to add to your salad.

Evenings i have a bit more fruit if still hungry and enjoy a cuppa tea and a handful of dates <3 (Dates really are my weakness, love em!)

So yeah, have a few non raw treats if it helps you stick to a mainly raw diet and just take it from there. even 70% raw is awesome. Do what you can.

[ShelShel]

Yoru, Good morning. Ok, I don't have a dehydrator right now. If that helps. :D What do I eat.
Breakfast: of mixed fruit salad. (my favs...this could be yours)
yellow delicious apple sprinkled with cinnamon topped with crushed bits of raw pecan and drizzled in agave nectar
or perhaps mixed berries in a bowl with raw almond mylk.

Lunch: Leafy green lettuce wraps, stuffed with mixed veggies and dipped in raw soy sauce
Large green salad with walnuts and fruit, raw tangy dressing
mixed veggie plater with avocado/ spinach dip

Dinner: raw carrot cake (I made my own recipe...requires nothing but a grater and mixing bowl. sets up in fridge)
mixed veggies marinated in raw soy (raw stir fry)
raw flax pancakes with agave nectar and blueberries

The ideas just begin to come to you, if you let them. If you start small and get creative when the time comes and you can get those bigger specialty items, it will open up even more options!

Hope this helps some.

[yoru]

first of all, sorry to everyone for not being on, i was being unsuccessful, so i really wanted to take everyone's advice and think. and i did. a lot. and i've been raw for the past two days!! with no cravings for anything cooked!! it has been smooth sailing!! thanks so much everyone!!


Like a previous poster mentioned, being lenient is better than just thinking "Ive eaten non raw, im a failure, may as well give it all up!"
Im new to raw, started January, so about 3months total now. I see it as a normal eating plan now, not a "diet" or temporary. I also only have a chopping board, knives and a VERY cheapy old blender! You dont need expensive fancy stuff to stick with it.

For breakfast and lunch I fill up on lots of my fav fruits and some nuts and seeds etc. If you feel hungry, eat something!
For my evening meal I have a salad. I fill up a huuuge bowl full of veggies and lots of leafy greens. In order to make it extra tastey the key is to add loads of strong flavoursome ingredients, I add sun dried tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, lots of herbs and spices, dried currents, garlic, ginger, seeds, cashews etc!
My dressing is usually the above mentioned, lemon juice, garlic plus herbs/spices and sometimes with some decent oil. OR if im struggling a little ill add a dollop of my favourite dip, houmous! That does ofc make me not 100% raw but meh?! I dont beat myself up over or worry about that minor thing. Could always make urself an awesome raw guacamole or salsa to add to your salad.

Evenings i have a bit more fruit if still hungry and enjoy a cuppa tea and a handful of dates <3 (Dates really are my weakness, love em!)

So yeah, have a few non raw treats if it helps you stick to a mainly raw diet and just take it from there. even 70% raw is awesome. Do what you can.

yes! thank you so much! after reading this a few weeks ago (and sorry again for not posting) i decided you, along with everyone else on here were absolutely right. so i did exactly what you said! took me a few weeks, but i got it! and i stopped beating myself up like you said, i think that was the main thing i really need help with :D


Yoru, Good morning. Ok, I don't have a dehydrator right now. If that helps. :D What do I eat.
Breakfast: of mixed fruit salad. (my favs...this could be yours)
yellow delicious apple sprinkled with cinnamon topped with crushed bits of raw pecan and drizzled in agave nectar
or perhaps mixed berries in a bowl with raw almond mylk.

Lunch: Leafy green lettuce wraps, stuffed with mixed veggies and dipped in raw soy sauce
Large green salad with walnuts and fruit, raw tangy dressing
mixed veggie plater with avocado/ spinach dip

Dinner: raw carrot cake (I made my own recipe...requires nothing but a grater and mixing bowl. sets up in fridge)
mixed veggies marinated in raw soy (raw stir fry)
raw flax pancakes with agave nectar and blueberries

The ideas just begin to come to you, if you let them. If you start small and get creative when the time comes and you can get those bigger specialty items, it will open up even more options!

Hope this helps some.

yes!! what you said really helped me, that's how i came up with the idea for my salads!! and i have some other ideas in my head i've been working on. but here's what i've been eating so far

a salad of spinach, cranberries, and tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and some garlic powder, black peppercorns, herbamare and sea salt w/sea veggies

a fruit salad of mangoes, and ill add some other fruits starting today

fresh juice i make, as well as some store bought pineapple juice, it's from trader's joe's, not the best thing, but i mix it with my fresh juice (it's just that pineapples are so expensive, so i mix it with equal or greater parts of fresh juice)

and occasionally a smoothie

once again, thanks everyone!! i think i am officially set up and on my way :D

:dance: haha these smilies are so funny

[Bobbo]

I started eating raw by having one meal a day that was raw. I found after some time that my body wanted the raw food more and more. I have a meal replacement that is raw and it's been great as I am a busy person and don't always have the time. Keep at it as it has been the best decision I have made for my health.

[JoyceHollis]

Awesome yoru! So happy that you're getting on so well! It really is tough to get started and stick with it, and you're doing an amazing job.

The way I got started was to plan out my meals for the next 3 days. Made all of my meals in the morning so I had them ready when I was hungry. It was tough to get started so I just had to jump in. Having the pre-made meals really helped too, because I often don't feel like I have time to prepare food when my tummy's rumblin.

[yoru]

what's the meal replacement you use, bobbo?

and wow joyce, that sounds like an excellent idea! instead of spending an hour or so each day cutting this, juicing that, i could do it all on one day! thanks for that idea!

[walnutty]

When I "found" raw, over a decade ago, I didn't have any kitchen equipment either. At that time, I had never even heard of green smoothies!

What did I eat?

-Fresh fruit
-Fresh veggies
-Fresh juices
-Raw nuts straight from their shells
-Raw seeds
-Cacao beans straight from their skins
-Salads
-Raw Tacos (romaine lettuce leaves, guacamole, pico de gallo and shredded carrots on top)
-Fruit Smoothies (in cheapo blender)
-Celery w/ almond butter
-Apples, sliced, w/almond butter


WOW! My food choices seem so limited compared to now! The raw food WORLD sure has changed (for the better) over the past decade!

[yoru]

wow that's amazing! what was your favorite salad dressing?

[walnutty]

wow that's amazing! what was your favorite salad dressing?


Is this question for me?

[walnutty]

If so, I used olive oil or fresh lemon juice. Very simple.

[CaraS]

To get back to you about the salad dressings, I make a variety... mostly oil and vinegar with a variety of oils (olive, hemp, sunflower) and vinegars (faves are acv, white balsamic, and coconut). I found a recipe for 'crack' dressing that is so insanely addictive. Not everyone is ok with eating nutritional yeast on a raw diet but I am... here's the recipe: http://blog.wsworkshop.org/?p=81

Sometimes I'll use citrus instead of vinegar - lemons, limes, oranges. I've also made creamy dressings with avocado or blended soaked nuts and various seasonings. Google is great for finding great recipes for dressings.

[yoru]

If so, I used olive oil or fresh lemon juice. Very simple.

thanks!
[QUOTE=CaraS;692174]To get back to you about the salad dressings, I make a variety... mostly oil and vinegar with a variety of oils (olive, hemp, sunflower) and vinegars (faves are acv, white balsamic, and coconut). I found a recipe for 'crack' dressing that is so insanely addictive. Not everyone is ok with eating nutritional yeast on a raw diet but I am... here's the recipe: http://blog.wsworkshop.org/?p=81

oh thanks, i had seen the coconut aminos on a website the other day and was thinking about trying it, is it slightly sweet? or tart? how does it taste?

[ilakassaa]

I think that's right!