New to raw...need some help please!

[hjdesignz]

Greetings from Australia! I am new to raw and just started yesterday on my 100% commitment to raw food. I have read Alissa's book along with a few others and really do feel strongly and believe all that I read and that eating a raw diet is the best way to feel your best and achieve optimal health.

I woke up yesterday all excited and had a great breakfast with a huge bowl of strawberries, mango, and blueberries. Then I was out and about doing errands (as one does on one's day off) and ending up not really eating anything other than a few nuts I had packed. I was quite hungry when I got home but the fruit that I was eating just wasn't doing it. I made the Fettucine Alfredo recipe and although it was quite tasty, I couldn't eat more than a few bites without feeling sick and heavy afterwards. I don't know if it's because there are so many nuts and that is why it gave me the same feeling as cooked foods do after I eat them! :confused: I did make a blueberry pie though that was a hit with my boyfriend and helped to fill me up so that at least was an encouraging end to my night. Although I keep reading all these things about not putting fruit and nuts together...but surely we cannot be perfect 100% of the time and have to have fun at times...?!?

I have a really busy schedule and work 6 days a week. :eek: It's much harder in Australia to get access to raw support and products and I am struggling big time on just my second day. I had wanted this to be something I could do always but I am doubting it now and even being able to last a week! I am sooo hungry and my tummy is not very happy with me right now!

I guess I just didn't think that it would be this difficult and I feel as though I don't have time to prepare all the foods that I should have on hand to make my transition easier and keep me from being hungry. :(

There is so many different books and opinions out there about what to eat and how to go raw and I am just finding myself overwhelmed with everything right now. If any of you are reading this, and have any words of wisdom, or tips to make this any easier, I would love to hear from you. I know I shouldn't expect results right away, but I am still quite sleepy as before and frustrated. Maybe that's because I am not eating enough and getting enough food to put in my fridge and pantry.

Thanks again for reading this and hope to hear from you soon...

hillary

[earthmama]

Hi Hillary, I'm not very experienced at raw yet, but I can tell you that pate's, dressings etc made with nuts fill me up very quickly. Since you are just getting started, you may need for fruits and veggies to fill you up. I'm sure some more experienced folks will add more to help than I can, but wanted to say Hi, and don't give up. Keep playing around with different combinations and see what your body says. Good luck and keep posting, folks here are very supportive and helpful. Blessings Earthmama

[Sunshine9]

Hey Hillary! Nut-heavy recipes are often popular because they mimic the heavyness of cooked foods, and they can make me feel just as bad! That said, it is important to figure out what foods work for you. There is not one perfect raw diet, so the key is to see what works for you.

You have raw support right here, and what products do you need besides some great fruits and veggies! It sounds to me like you perhaps didnt eat enough on your first day. It is very helpful to plan ahead if you're going out and take some fruit, nuts, and snacks so you won't be stuck! Lots of prepared food can be tasty, but it can also be just as addictive as its cooked counterparts so don't worry about that! Stick with the simpler recipes and make delicious dressings, smoothies, pates, and when you shop make a point to try lots of new fruits and veggies. Greens are the most alkalizing food you can eat, as well as nutrient dense- essential, and make the transition easier.

In most of the books you will read, the author will lay out every reason why their method is the easiest and the best. Frederic, Gabriel, Alissa, Victoria, etc. all have THE way.. no need to become overwhelmed! Look at who has the results you want to achieve, and go from there... everyone has something valid to say, and none of them are right, because thousands of people have succeeded with each method.

[kmik]

Hi Hillary!

Congratulations on your decision to go raw!

Unfortunately I don't know what it's like in Australia, but I'm sure with time you'll find your connections to get everything you need to stay raw.

In the meantime, I wanted to tell you that THE book that made this all clear and easy for me was Alissa Cohen's book "Living on Live Food." I had been struggling with raw for three months, but after reading her book it all became very obvious to me.

Good luck to you!

[squidly]

Hi Hillary and congratulations on finding raw. This is a quick one as I am about to go to work but I too am in Australia - Albury on the Victorian / NSW border. I have been on and off raw for about 6 months not because I don;t agree with raw but because I struggle to stay raw - I am high raw though.

If one recipe does not agree try another. I love apple pie, rasberry banana pue, stuffed mushies, pad thai - the list goes on. Just keep on working with them and see what works for you. Plenty of fruit and veg if you are not keen on the nuts. Also avocado and coconut I find good for filling foods.

As for who has the best 'way' I have to agree that I too have been overwhelmed but I say have a go and see what works for you at this moment in time but whichever you chose really do it properly so you know. What I mean is if you choe 100% then do 100% and make a decision - not 80% and say it does not work. If you want to incorporate steamed veggies at Fredrick does then try that and see how you feel - it is about what works for you.

Anyway I have to run but happy to talk more later.

[Gosia]

I am in Australia too!!! Greetings from Hobart (my family moved here in February, from Adelaide). Where in Australia are you? I think that keeping raw in Australia is so much easier than in other, cooler parts of the world. There is such an abundance of yummy fruit and other foods here. And now, mangoes, which I simply adore, are coming in season!

Hillary, do not worry about the conflicting information, and do not make the transition any harder than it is already (those cooked food addictions...). Eat foods you love, and enjoy your journey. If you are hungry, eat! Eventually, as you go, your eating patterns will evolve. But, there is no need to push for a change when you are not ready for it.

I am a busy person too. When I started raw, I could not spend time on preparing foods, so what I did, was simply taking bags of whole fruit and vegies to work, and ate them like that (plus salads, which are easy to make). These days, I take bags of fruit to work, and eat fruit all day. In the evenings, I eat salads. Sometimes I make some recipes. Did you try rawguru's website? He has many yummy recipes (tropical cake, for example, mmm mmm mmm). I tried many of his recipes, and none of them failed me. There are lots of online recipes (I listed them under links on my website). Also, Alissa's DVD is great (very inspiring).

As far as results, I was amazed at the results I was experiencing after only 2-3 weeks of being raw!

All the best,
Gosia.

[Douglas]

This kind of food is very portable. Easy to take with you. Just put a cooler bag in your car, and store some good things to take with you when you get hungry. Just come to this board for your support. We are all here doing the same as you. You will lose weight if your body needs too. You will get healthy and if you have any problems they will go away soon. Rawfood is what your body needs to heal itself. Best of all you will feel very good. Sure you might have some detox, but that will pass and you will fell better each time. You can do this really you can, welcome to the board too. Doug in Calif........ :) :D :eek: