Tired by 2 pm

[JackieH]

I usually have a lemon ginger blast in the morning with some herbs. I also have a green smoothie by 12. By 2 pm I am feeling tired and unmotivated. Any suggestions on what to eat for energy? I am getting bored with my routine, but I know going back to junk foods is not the answer. I started adding hemp seeds and chia seeds to see how that would help. The first day on chia was great, but it seems like my body adjusted to that pretty quickly and I am back to tired. Maybe I am low on iron?

[MysticTree]

I'm not surprised you feel tired by 2pm. Eat plenty of raw foods and you will feel much better. Have you got Alissa's first book? It's. Very helpful and the second book has even more recipes in. Well worth buying.

[JackieH]

I will get the book. I saw more than one for sale. Which one?

[JackieH]

The raw food for everyone i can get on amazon for a little over 6.00.

[JackieH]

Also, I am not into making a lot of dehydrated foods. I do not own a dehydrator. My idea of raw foods is simple. I would like to just eat the foods in their original form and get what I need from them, but how do I not get bored with that. Anyway, I am sure there are people out there that do it everyday without it getting complicated.

[Juicerguy]

Yeah sounds like you need to eat some more. I don't know for sure though of course. I have been told by others though that have done raw. One thing to realize is that you can eat more raw foods because you will still be healthy and maintain a good weight. A good variety of raw foods might be a good thing. :) When I have done only juices in the morning.(Even really big juices). In the morning I feel awesome! Yet I notice by a little later in the day I feel a bit more tired than usual. I have been told that I simply need to eat more raw foods and to not worry about the amount I am taking in as I will still lose or be at a healthy weight.

There are plenty of others here who have a lot more experience than me, but that is what I have heard and have found for myself so far. Good luck finding what works for you! :)

[JackieH]

Thanks. I am going to try to add more food to my mornings. I guess I could just eat some raw veges and see how that goes. I am currently sprouting some garbonzo beans to make a raw hummus with. I'm excited. They are starting to get little tails.

[JackieH]

I will still make the juices and smoothies too, and see how that goes. Any other ideas of what I could have? I seems kind of silly but I am not used to eating this way and I get dumbfounded about what to eat next. I don't mind buying books to help out either.

[MysticTree]

I don't use a dehydrator and at the moment I don't even have electricity so if i juicer then i have to use a hand-powered one. I don't understand that you think you might get bored. There is nothing more monotonous than cooked food. I could eat fruit and veg and sprouts and nuts til the cows come home.

[JackieH]

It is certainly less work. I have lost 30 lbs. by eating raw foods.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I usually have a lemon ginger blast in the morning with some herbs. I also have a green smoothie by 12. By 2 pm I am feeling tired and unmotivated. Any suggestions on what to eat for energy? I am getting bored with my routine, but I know going back to junk foods is not the answer. I started adding hemp seeds and chia seeds to see how that would help. The first day on chia was great, but it seems like my body adjusted to that pretty quickly and I am back to tired. Maybe I am low on iron?

You are detoxing, this is a great sign that what you are doing is working. Unless you are hungry, just go sleep if you can or as much as possible.

All the best

[JackieH]

Thanks.:heart

[Traceyraw]

Try some grapes or oranges in the afternoon. I love juicy fruit snacks in the afternoon for a good pick me up. Grapes are my favorite.

[fastfreedom]

I've noticed that fats make me sleepy. I try to eat any fats later in the evening specifically for this reason. And for me eating more fruits gives me more energy.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

I usually have a lemon ginger blast in the morning with some herbs. I also have a green smoothie by 12. By 2 pm I am feeling tired and unmotivated. Any suggestions on what to eat for energy? I am getting bored with my routine, but I know going back to junk foods is not the answer. I started adding hemp seeds and chia seeds to see how that would help. The first day on chia was great, but it seems like my body adjusted to that pretty quickly and I am back to tired. Maybe I am low on iron?

You could be B12, zinc, iron or protein deficient, that's why you may lack energy. lf you are blending store bought greens, that is often not the answer to getting B12, enough zinc, enough iron nor enough protein. Green smoothies made from vegetables lack sooo much nutrition. Hard to get enough protein, zinc, iron and B12 and a host of many other things from such drinks. No wonder you are tired. Many vegans get the same way because they believe all the dogma on youtube from our raw food leaders promoting green smoothies. Pthhh.

The chia seeds are an excellent idea, but you really need to boost up the diet with proper foods. Include the following things (real food..the best nutrition and power foods possible) in your diet and learn to like them:

* raw kelp powder (have it everyday)
* chlorella (have it everyday)
* sprouted chia grass (have it everyday)
* wheatgrass juice (grow yourself..have it 5 days a week))
* sprouted sesame seeds (have it 4 - 5 days a week)
* sprouted lentil smoothie
* a soil based bacterial B12 supplement. (have it everyday)

This should solve most if not all your problems over a period of 2 - 3 months.

lt also won't hurt to start drinking highly potent weed juice on weekends. Drink it and drink it, and drink it some more.

Folks often blame low calories (not eating enough) on low energy, but that's not exactly the ultimate truth! lt is malnutrition that causes low energy. lf you eat highly potent food (like l mentioned), you can be under the rda for calories and still have high energy. lf you eat fruit and vegies, calories count because you aren't getting nutritious sources of food, but if you live on sprouts, grasses, weeds and algaes and sea vegies...calories no longer count. Calorie theory is only a half truth that applies to low grade foods, but it is not ultimate truth.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

I am currently sprouting some garbonzo beans to make a raw hummus with. I'm excited. They are starting to get little tails.

Good move!

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

I usually have a lemon ginger blast in the morning with some herbs. I also have a green smoothie by 12. By 2 pm I am feeling tired and unmotivated. Any suggestions on what to eat for energy? I am getting bored with my routine, but I know going back to junk foods is not the answer. I started adding hemp seeds and chia seeds to see how that would help. The first day on chia was great, but it seems like my body adjusted to that pretty quickly and I am back to tired. Maybe I am low on iron?

Oh yeah, you could also be vitamin D deficient. Even if you are out in the sun, this may not make much difference if you are showering everyday. Make sure you get D2 by daily use of sunflower green sprouts. This is soooo important; you'll get plenty of zinc, iron, pre-digested protein (most balanced land protein on Earth), vitamin D, magnesium, manganese and a heap of other nutrients. Sunflower green sprouts are a miracle food of the highest order. Drink it to it comes out of your ears.

[MysticTree]

What recipe are you using for your raw hummus? I just never like it made with uncooked chickpeas :( Hummus made from zucchini is better but I find it difficult to find raw tahini.

[walnutty]

Hummus made from zucchini is better but I find it difficult to find raw tahini.


I agree, zucchini hummus is better! So yummy and easy to digest!


MysticTree, once you have electricity again could you make your own?

[walnutty]

I just found this:

http://rawfoodrenewal.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/homemade-raw-tahini/


I can get it very easy, but making it fresh sounds so good that I think I will use this recipe too!

[MysticTree]

Thanks walnutty. When get electricity again that sounds like a good idea.

[lynch]

well I think you are lack of exercise and you nee to eat healthy foods like vegetables and aside from that eat some fruits and drink 8 glasses a day. If you are in a diet I suggest you must go to the gym or have some exercises in your home.

[rawconvenience]

find a good raw food replacement...easy for those "on the run"

[Raw Angel Mom]

What recipe are you using for your raw hummus? I just never like it made with uncooked chickpeas :( Hummus made from zucchini is better but I find it difficult to find raw tahini.

I use the one from "Live Raw" from Mimi Kirk, she could have a youtube showing how to make it but i took it from her book. I find it has been the best recipe that i tasted and it does taste better then the cook version. She does it with soaked cashew (4 hours but i wait 5 hours). I now make it with only soaked sesame instead (i soak the sesame in the morning by placing them in a nut bag first, then at night, while preparing the rest of the ingredient, i rinse them and let them dry hanging from the handle of my kitchen panel door) and it is so good (I avoid nut). Just soaked sesame and i add the other ingredient such cumin/coriander seed, garlic, Celtic sea salt lemon juice and a little drop of sweetener such raw honey.

[MysticTree]

I will check it out when on proper net connection. No electricity at the moment so difficult to make things that require food processor. Walnutty did give me a link for hand cranked blender which I will investigate.

[JackieH]

You could be B12, zinc, iron or protein deficient, that's why you may lack energy. lf you are blending store bought greens, that is often not the answer to getting B12, enough zinc, enough iron nor enough protein. Green smoothies made from vegetables lack sooo much nutrition. Hard to get enough protein, zinc, iron and B12 and a host of many other things from such drinks. No wonder you are tired. Many vegans get the same way because they believe all the dogma on youtube from our raw food leaders promoting green smoothies. Pthhh.

The chia seeds are an excellent idea, but you really need to boost up the diet with proper foods. Include the following things (real food..the best nutrition and power foods possible) in your diet and learn to like them:

* raw kelp powder (have it everyday)
* chlorella (have it everyday)
* sprouted chia grass (have it everyday)
* wheatgrass juice (grow yourself..have it 5 days a week))
* sprouted sesame seeds (have it 4 - 5 days a week)
* sprouted lentil smoothie
* a soil based bacterial B12 supplement. (have it everyday)

This should solve most if not all your problems over a period of 2 - 3 months.

lt also won't hurt to start drinking highly potent weed juice on weekends. Drink it and drink it, and drink it some more.

Folks often blame low calories (not eating enough) on low energy, but that's not exactly the ultimate truth! lt is malnutrition that causes low energy. lf you eat highly potent food (like l mentioned), you can be under the rda for calories and still have high energy. lf you eat fruit and vegies, calories count because you aren't getting nutritious sources of food, but if you live on sprouts, grasses, weeds and algaes and sea vegies...calories no longer count. Calorie theory is only a half truth that applies to low grade foods, but it is not ultimate truth.

Hey and thanks for the info. Only I have so many questions about this way of supplying nutrition to my body. I'm not against it at all and want to get started asap except I have been having trouble with sprouting. I sprouted some garbonzo beans the other day, and they went bad. So I tried again and the second batch worked out just fine with long tails and so crunchy (good for raw hummus?).

The only thing is now that I need sesame seeds sprouted and I didn't sprout any because I didn't have sesame seeds. My wheat that I sprouted is growing in the tray with furry white stuff at the base near the soil. I am a little frustrated. I want good quality products to work with and I am afraid of mold because my daughter has anaphalactic reactions to foods.

Also another question about kelp and iodine? Aren't we supposed to take a break from kelp instead of have it everyday due to the iodine content? Where to get chlorella?

I bet all of these nutrients would definitely brighten me up and can't wait to get started, so please point me in the direction to buy the products in the USA. Also, any sprouting suggestions would be great. I will try the Azure website to see if I can purchase these things there.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

Also another question about kelp and iodine? Aren't we supposed to take a break from kelp instead of have it everyday due to the iodine content?
That's a good question. l always thought that the upper limit of sea vegetable consumption was about 2 tablespoons of compact sea vegies, with an average being about a tablespoon. But according to Dr Brian Clement, a normal person can tolerate quite a lot of sea vegetables if they don't suffer from any iodine sensitive problems such as glandular or thyroid issues, then it would be highly unlikely that you could have too much. And if a person is very selenium deficient and has destroyed their thyroid or has destroyed the thyroid through chemical overload, then they can also have an iodine sensitivity, but most people with selenium deficiencies and chemical overload can still tolerate good amounts of sea vegetables exept for those people who have destroyed virtually all thyroid function. So in effect Dr Brian says that most people without iodine sensitive problems will not have problems consuming good amounts of kelp, and he should know, having treated over 100,000 people on a sea vegetable diet and having the most clinical research done on such a diet out of anyone in the world living today. Dr Brian has checked periodic blood results for over 100,000 people over 40 years, so he does know what he is talking about. And naturally no-one is going to be eating huge amounts of sea vegetables everyday, so l don't see the harm with having 2 or 3 tablespoons of kelp etc for most people.

Dr Brian on Sea vegetables and iodine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=own_T140oLc


Where to get chlorella?
The best place is here (2.5 times cheaper than other places. lt's the best most digestable chlorella on the market).
http://www.hippocratesstore.org/root/supplements/lifegive/lifegive-chlorella-lg.htm




Also, any sprouting suggestions would be great.
Plenty of places to buy organic sprouting seeds in U.S.A. Try sprouting:

* alfalfa
* mung beans
* lentils
* wheatgrass
* fenugreek
* sunflower seed greens
* sesame seeds
* amaranth
* buckwheat
* green pea shoots

Read the sprouting topic here. lt's about 16 pages long in this forum.

Those foods WILL brighten you up, they are amazing!!!

[robh]

JackieH, I'm not sure how long you have been raw or "how raw" you are. If you're just starting out like me or if you're not as raw as you could be, it is detox. The same thing happened to me a couple months ago. I felt tired and run down in the afternoon. I found eating lessen those detox symptoms.

If you have been raw for many years, I suggest you take a look at Mr. Raw's post. Raw foodists have issues getting enough B12 and Vitamin D. I read most adults have about a 2 year supply of B12 built up in their bodies. After years of being raw without addressing these deficiencies, we raw foodists can have issues. I eat nutritional yeast for B12. I try to go in the Sun so my body can generate vitamin D, but I am an inside person (I keep meaning to order a Vitamin D supplement).

[teachingking]

I think Mr. Raw is right on. Sounds like your body needs protein.

[kbfit1]

I had found myself having the same problem, dozing off at work in the mid-afternoon. I thought I was anemic at first but after a visit with my doctor, I found just making simple changes in your daily routine can really make a difference.

-I started sleeping exactly 8 hours, no less, and no more - to avoid feeling sluggish.
-I made it a point to always have a nutritious breakfast. I really enjoy mixing in fruits with my oatmeal, and yogurt with granola.
- Moderate caffeine use; get to know your personal tolerance level and don’t solely rely on caffeine to stay energized!
- I used to only eat 3 meals a day, now I've been trying to eat every 4-5 hours to avoid any dips in blood sugar.
- And just making sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day!!

Make it a focus to start incorporating these simple habits into your day-to-day routine and you'll feel more awake and attentive!! I promise!

Good luck! :)

[ahweak]

I had also combined hemp powder with chia seeds in my fruit smoothies in the morning. I have been on raw foods for a couple of months. I read somewhere that Chia seeds can cause a bit of drowsiness. Just to experiment, I skipped both hemp and chia and didn't feel drowsy in the afternoon.