Oct 2012 - 30 day raw challenge, join anytime of the month

[Aleesha Sattva]

Welcome welcome welcome!!! :excited:

Welcome to the 30 day challenge and welcome to our new monthly format.

This is our monthly challenge thread. We are choosing to do one (or perhaps split into two) continual threads so we can create a community of support within this challenge. You can join this thread at any time during the month. Don't be shy... we love new posters!!! So if you want to join us... please do!

I welcome people who are already 100% raw to join in the conversation - supporting our challengers in their quest! :cheer:

This thread is specifically for those of you who are eager to commit to 30 consecutive days of eating 100% raw foods and seeing miraculous results!

I will start a new challenge thread on the first of every month. If I forget... send me a quick email and remind me... I'll get the challenge thread online for you quickly.

The focus of the monthly challenge is on staying raw and accountability. Therefore, if you have eaten all raw and then slip up and have something cooked, don't beat yourself up over it or dwell on it - but this is not space to discuss it. You are more than welcome to document it in your journal/blog or ask for help in the discussion area, but it is not necessary (and not allowed) to discuss your slip-up here in the challenge threads, just get right back on track and keep going! This thread is about celebrating what you are eating that IS raw!

I welcome you all to share pics of your dishes, ask questions, share what you are consuming (as long as it's raw). We are here to listen to your emotional and physical challenges. So share share share!!! :hug

OH and the best part of this (not only the support but...) you can subscribe to this thread and get notified every time someone posts to it. This way you will be connected!

So let's get this party started!!!:throwhearts:

[Aleesha Sattva]

Please do not post in this thread until October 1st.

[MysticTree]

Here we are on the first and I was fully intending to be 100% from today onwards and had planned all the fruit I would buy and was feeling really good about it. Late last night I was thinking that I would dig out my juicer and take it to work and make juice there ... can't do it at home due to the lack of power (I nearly said juice!) and by the time we got back from friends last night it was dark and couldn't find the juicer! This morning I woke thinking I will find the juicer after work and that actually I fancy a water fast! Who would have thought it! I've no idea how long this will be for. It may be a few days or just one even or maybe longer and will probably switch to a juice feast and then maybe a smoothie feast. But it's raw at least!

Welcome October :)

[Traceyraw]

Happy 100% ers. I joined the Monday fasting club. I started my day with watermelon juice. lunch is spinach orange. Dinner a zesty tomatoes. I have Kale chips made so yummy. Sprouting wheat for crackers. Im ready.

Mystic enjoy your fast.

[kmik]

I've got my dehydrator working hard, so far flax crackers, with pizza bread and pesto stuffed mushroom in the works... going to make sure I've got plenty of yummy things ready to go, so no excuses!

[robh]

I am in for October. I actually slipped on Saturday. :( To make sure it never happens again, I need to identify why I slipped and develop a plan to prevent it in the future. I think I need to leave the room when my favorite foods are present or if I am craving what everyone else is eating. When that food is gone, I can come back.

Anyway, back on track. :)

MysticTree, I really admire your fasting. I know how good it is for my body, but I chicken out. Congrats.

Traceyraw Kale chips are very yummy. If you are fasting today, that's gotta be pretty torturous.

kimk, Welcome! Reading two posts that reference crackers reminds me that I need to make some!


Yesterday, I made "V8" in my blender: 1 carrot, 1 tomato and 1 stalk of celery. I enjoyed it immensely. I enjoyed it so much I had another one later on.

Lately, my body seems to rejoice when I eat food that is high in water content. When I sit down and eat watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges juicy plums or the V8 I mentioned, it's like I'm watering my body. I drink plenty of water, but it's not the same. I don't know what's up with that. It's a recent development.

What else... I picked up a cheap juicer the other day. It was too cheap. I'm taking it back to the store - horrible design. I really want fresh apple juice. I can make celery salt by dehydrating celery pulp and the grinding it up. I could use apple pulp and carrot pulp for crackers and biscuits. The dehydrator removes water so the juicer can give it a head start! I figure I could make a savory biscuit carrot pulp, celery pulp and a dash of garlic powder. Anyway, I need a juicer for all that.

Take care everyone. good luck

[MysticTree]

a plan is formulating in my mind. If possible I will do it in weekly cycles but that is something I will fine tune. one week water fasting, one week juicing, one week smoothieing, one week simple raw, then reverse the cycle and do one week smoothieing, one week juicing, one week water. That way there is always something to look forward to and each cycle is only 7 days so no time to get bored!

A good plan of yours to work out a strategy for fav foods. I try the "if I really want it then I could wait til tomorrow. If this doesn't satisfy me then i must be craving it and craving isn't rational" strategy.

Water-rich foods are bliss as you say. Kale chips are bliss too but in a much more . . . well I'm not quite sure. In a piggy sort of way I guess.

[ReneeH]

Ok...apparently I was posting on the invitation thread! Thanks to MusticTree for guiding me in the right direction!!! I'll repost the photos I posted:

Breakfast yesterday:

Chia Pudding with Fruit (I almost finished it before I remembered to take a picture!!!!

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/DE22767D-3C2C-410D-936E-A4289D810A65.jpg

My lunch yesterday:

Raw Pizza w/Salad and Onion Bread: *

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/2226E44F-0BFB-45E1-BA5E-9AADEE9D2B4B.jpg

TODAY:

I have sprouted my Buckwheat to make my Hubby's Calzone!!!! So, I decided to dry some of it and have Buckwheaties Cerael for Breakfast:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3432.jpg

I'm also dehydrating some Pineapple for my Car Snack:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9028.jpg

[robh]

ReneeH, pictures look goo enough to eat. yum!


Water-rich foods are bliss as you say. Kale chips are bliss too but in a much more . . . well I'm not quite sure. In a piggy sort of way I guess.

Piggy way - hahaha! yes, that is a great way to put it. In truth, they are opposite ends of the spectrum. It won't stop me, though. :)

[MysticTree]

If I had the means to make them then I would be constantly stuffing my face with them. Soooooo moreish.

[robh]

"moreish" - Causing one to want to have more

I learned a new word. That's cool.

Speaking of snacks and such, I found a great one over the weekend. I went to a raw pot luck. The hostess had carob-sesame treats. I went home and made them because they were so easy and I had the stuff: sesame seeds, carob powder and something sweet and sticky to hold it all together (raw honey or dates). To keep the hands from getting sticky, the hostess rolled them in shredded coconut, but you could probably roll them in sesame seeds too. They give a nice slow flow of energy, they are sweet and chocolaty and they are an awesome source of calcium, iron and zinc. I put them in the freezer - oh yeah! so good

[piccolittle]

I'm in! It's been a very long while. Thankfully my "get my life back on track" mood coincided with the beginning of the monthly challenge ;)

Today is a grazing kind of day. Green smoothie (spinach, banana, blueberries), grapefruit, lemon juice in water, pear, celery - all lovely and keeping me full of energy. Good to be back :)

[ReneeH]

Lunch time! Zucchini Pasta w/Marinata Sauce with Carrots, Mushrooms, and Tomatoes:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1155.jpg

You know...sometimes I eat like a bird and other times I gotta have full meals. Today has definitely been a full meal day!

[momofmany]

Hello :)

My name is Shannon and I'm from Southern Calif. I did 100% raw for almost a year, lost 40 lbs, and had the energy of a 15 year old...I'm not kidding...I felt like I was on drugs. I had clarity of mind that was incredible, and I just felt like I could run circles around my kids. Well....that was a few years ago, I've gained 30 lbs back, had a baby a year ago (I have 7 children), and I now have high blood pressure.

I've been eating a SAD diet with a traditional foods diet, bone broth, organic meat, raw milk etc... BUT I STILL FEEL LIKE crap! The traditional foods diet may be great for some, but not for me. I'm going back to raw starting tomorrow. :) I will do my best to get to know you all, but time is tight here (Oh I wonder why?)

I have Alissa's book and dvd that my teens and I will be looking at again......I have 2 girls and 1 boy who really eat quite well, but they too want to go raw.

I'm here because I really need the support...I will fail if I cannot connect with others who are like minded. :)

Shannon

[MysticTree]

Hi Shannon,

Whatever anyone may say about RFT the one thing they can't fault is the support system. We are here to help others to help themselves :)

[ReneeH]

So glad you're here Shannon and tribe!!!! :excited: That's so great that some of your kids are joining you! Be sure to let them pick recipes from Alissa's book to try! You'll find that they will stay raw longer that way!

You've come to the right place for support and encouragement!!! I know that you're quite busy (I guessed why! :D), but please try to pop in for a minute to keep yourself connected so that you will continue to receive the support you need. Even if it's just to say, "Hey, I'm still here...", that's encouraging to us to know that! I also find it helpful to log in what I eat. It helps me to stay accountable to myself and give others ideas.

I had to pop over to my prof. kitchen this morning to make some pizza crusts and that made me hungry! So, I'm nibbling on 1/2 of a Cantelope!

[robh]

momofmany, I am a dad of 5. :) Welcome back to raw.


Let's see... yesterday, at work, I had a couple bananas, a couple of oranges, a couple of apples, a couple of plums and the sesame-carob balls I mentioned before. For dinner, I had a salad, another raw V8, and an avocado with salt. I also finished up the raw spaghetti and the bbq yams left over from the pot luck. I had a couple more sesame-carob balls. For dessert, I had this coconut thing: shredded coconut, raw coconut nectar and walnuts.

I brought the same stuff to work today. I haven't thought about dinner. I am out of avocados which always makes me sad. I'm sure I can make something fatty with nuts to take it's place.

Good luck all

[MysticTree]

I saw a great recipe for mushroom soup on "raw on $10 a day or less" today. Will try it when I am done fasting. Fasting is going well. Still only water and not really hungry just perhaps a bit empty and a little brain fog/headache. Nothing really painful. Interesting to note that lunch break is a little empty with no meal.

[Traceyraw]

Wow Robh What a handfull. I have two and hard to keep up. Yes it was a bad idea to end a fast Kale Chips. They were so good. I feel bloated and yucky this morning so I am having only water till noon.

Dehydrator troubles. I used wax paper for seasame,honey,flax crisps they stuck to they paper and now they are ruined. My husband keeps throwing away my teflon sheets...

I saw a yummy picture yesterday. Avacado cut in half covered in salsa. It looked so good but yet so simple. thats my dinner tonight.

[Traceyraw]

Wow Shannon welcom and nice family. I am so glad to hear your kids are enthusiastic about a healthy new diet. My daughter is my cheerleader but will turn her back on my for icecream.

I get no support from my husband he only complains about my flax seeds. Thats why I love it here.

Happy Rawing.

[MysticTree]

I'm curious. What is there to complain about flax seeds?

[Traceyraw]

They make a mess, or I just make a mess with them. I love those little seeds. He just complains about whatever I do....

[MysticTree]

He just complains about whatever I do....

This is not good.

[ReneeH]

Hey TraceyRaw... I work with Flax Seeds a lot and have to be careful with them too. When you open the bag, try doing it in a large bowl to collect and seeders who want to scatter. That way they won't be all over your counter...just in the large bowl.

If you don't have Teflex Sheets (the prime choice, of course), use Saran Wrap for the Crackers. It won't stick to that. If you use them then wash them immediately and store them on your dehydrator mesh sheet, he shouldn't throw them away because they will be well hidden!

Hope that helps!

Apple Stuffed Crepes with Blueberries for breakfast with a Grapefruit also:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5286-1.jpg

And a cup of tea in my favorite Tea Cup! I've had it since I was 14:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/AC12DCF0-FDDC-463E-8BD5-1313F380AE47_zpscf12bbf5.jpg

[MysticTree]

Me oh my but that looks good Renee :)

[ReneeH]

Thx!!! They were so easy to make! Take an Apple, hollow it out. Then, make Alissa's recipe for Crepes and stuff the Apple. I add Blueberries to mine and then top with Blueberry Juice (berries w/Agave). Soooooo GOOD!!!! And very filling!

Just made Hubby and kids Green Smoothie: Spinach, Banana, and Apple!

[MysticTree]

Which of her books is it in? I have LOLF but not RFFE. Mind you, I doubt I can find even the one I have at the moment. A lot of my life is still in boxes.

[piccolittle]

Hey all! Second day and everything is lovely :) I have a Vita Mix now (have had for about a year) and it makes my smoothies so perfectly... now I'm starting to scheme about other things I can do. Soup, perhaps? That mushroom soup posted above looks DELICIOUS!!

I've started the day with a smoothie (banana, frozen blueberries, lots of spinach) and a couple of celery stalks. Waiting to get hungry for more but I'm going to carry this delicious pear with me to class... Just in case ;)

[ReneeH]

Snacking on dehydrated Pineapple...YUMMMMMMY!!!! It's SO much better when you do it yourself!

Hey Mystic...it's in LOLF. Book not in front of me, but it's the first recipe in the Entree section.

[MysticTree]

Looks as though we are all off to a good start. I feel better today than I did yesterday. Thought today might be difficult - and it might be yet - but I have woken up strong.

eta: when I got up (earlier posting above was merely pillow talk!) I decided to weigh myself. Partly because my trousers feel so much looser and partly cos I was curious. I don't hold with weighing every few days but I got quite a surprise. I have lost 7lbs since the same time Monday morning.

[Traceyraw]

Wow that crepe looks superb. your makin my mouth water. Im going to intermitant fast till noon. I brought my kale chips, - flax, coconut,seasame, chocolate cookies, a dragon fruit and big green juice made with dandilion, parsley, cucumber and apples. It turned a little bitter this am but Its still good.
Yes my hubby's a real A-- sometimes. Others he is great. I really don't care anymore Im going to do what I want flax mess missing teflex and all. Im going to concentrate on me and my kids. Mostly me. My kids will survive the raw food movement.

[Traceyraw]

Mystic your doing great. Hail to the Aqua.

[MysticTree]

Mystic your doing great. Hail to the Aqua.

I'll second that :)

[ReneeH]

Hey yau'll!!! I feel good too Mystic! Starting off the day with Green Juice (Kale, Cucumber, Apple, Lemon, & Ginger):

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_8661.jpg

I'm making Calzone today! :excited:

[MysticTree]

I am planning on doing that apple and blueberry pud you posted and some mushroom soup when this fasting is over. Might switch to juice tomorrow or maybe not. We'll see what the morrow brings.

[ReneeH]

That's so GREAT!!! I can't wait to hear how it turns out for you!!!

Lunch today is 1/2 of a Cantelope and then an Enchilada w/Marinara Sauce:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4156.jpg

[MysticTree]

That looks good. What's the filling?

[momofmany]

Mystic tree Robb Renee and traceyraw........

So nice to meet you! You know yesterday I forgot my wallet and lunches at home, so I had to ask friends to buy my kids lunch at Carl 's (we have homeschooling classes on Tuesday.)

I was going to eat a burger and then thought, "wait...they (you guys) think I'm really eating raw and I'm getting stronger thinking you are somewhere with the same temptations...also eating raw. So I went to the bag of apples in my van and ate them instead. Thank you all for the encouragement!!!!!!!

I have a garden and fruit trees, so for me I pretty much drink everything. This morning was kale, celery, tomatoes, and figs. Ill have a salad, nuts and lots of avocados (don't read this Robh.....I have a huge tree in my backyard with the tastiest avocados)

My minor problem is my kids say, mom if you want us to go raw were not going to drink your ugly bad tasting (they are pretty bad but I just down them) drinks. They want food. So I thought tonight id make some raw treats and we ' d all watch alissas dvd.

Again....thank you for the warm welcomes and bellow.

Shannon

[ReneeH]

That looks good. What's the filling?

Thx! It WAS!!!! The filling is: Spinach, Red Bell Peppers, Zucchini, and Button Mushrooms. I drizzled with EVOO and added a pinch of Cumin, Sea Salt, and Chili Powder.

TracyRaw: That stinks that your Hubby doesn't support you, perhaps he will someday. Don't give up ok! My Hubby actually had some of my Enchilada today!!!!

[Stash]

Hi all! New here :) I've dabbled in raw off and on for the past few years, but had a hard time with it...mostly because hubby still cooks some of my favorite SAD meals, and the temptation was too much for me. Then I found all of you and read all the encouragement and support you guys/gals give each other. I have been mostly raw for the past few weeks and 100% raw for the past two days and am definitely feeling a positive change already. I am keeping it simple as all the recipes I have completely overwhelm me right now. I pretty much make a green smoothie every morning for breakfast (something I've done for the past two years, so nothing new there). For lunch today I had a kale salad drizzled with a cap full of EVOO and apple cider vinegar (Yummy :) ). Not sure what is on the menu for dinner yet, I'll have to wait for my CSA box to see all the yummy treats inside. I am so glad I found this site!

[MysticTree]

Hello stash, good to see you here :)

[MysticTree]

Another positive note: my food bill has been nil this week. Very helpful as I need to get a laptop soon. I've been looking at apple trees. There is a trio of varieties that will provide fresh apples for several months with one that stores through til January or there abouts. Quite keen to get those as it will save much money especially for juicing and the I initial cost would be covered by a week of fasting! I have already bought some fruit bushes and raspberry canes that give fruits from June til October are all but ordered as is a kiwi plant :)

[Traceyraw]

Hello Stash and mom of many. I too today passed through a big obsticle. I went to a party and was surrounded by the cooked deserts. I took 2 packs of strawberries and survived. I am very proud of myself today.

Momofmany. My daughter will drink juice if she makes it herself. She is ten. her favorite is carrots, celery, apples, and a touch of ginger. its so good. I take my kids and let them pick out there produce. you can get frozen berries for there smoothies. you can freeze ripe banannas for smoothies or make ice cream with it. My kids love it. Frozen bananna's in the food processor. cinnamin, vanilla. It comes out like soft serve and so yummy. My kids aren't raw but they like the juicer. Good luck.

Renee your pictures make me want to move to her house. YUMMY..... I make some things but they never look as pretty as yours.

I am achy from detox im sure. Good night everybody. Deserts were alway my weakness but I did so well tonight.

[MysticTree]

Well done Tracy. Sometimes it's difficult and sometimes it's easy and we don't always know which it's going to be.

[Stash]

Thank you Mystic and Tracy, happy to be here.

All that fruit sounds delicious; reminds me of my parents' old home - two apple trees, an orange tree, plum tree, and strawberry patch. Oh how I wish they still lived there.

I picked up my CSA and decided to grate a zucchini and yellow squash (I don't have a spiralizer) and add in some red onion, tomatoes, and mushroom. It definitely hit the spot.

And, awesome Tracy for going prepared with the strawberries! You have my mouth watering with the banana "soft serve". I am definitely going to have to try that. Not a big fan of desserts/pastries, but soft serve will get me every time LOL.

[MysticTree]

That sounds really good. If you get a chance to get a spiraliser then grab it. A saladacco is good too I understand and apparently both are often available in goodwill stores and craigs list on your side of the pond.

[Stash]

I've been looking at amazon, but goodwill and craigs list never crossed my mind. Thanks for the tips.

[RedCedar]

Stash, try ebay too, i found a spiralizer on there for $25. totally worth it.

I'll be out of town and have limited computer access for the month, so I'll check in as I can. We're helping with a harvest and using a shared kitchen while out there. It's been intimidating; not having my stuff, or access to a market. Also, no one eats vegan, let alone raw out there, so I'm nervous to break out the uber-healthy food while they all sit down to shared SAD grub. I also feel nervous that I'll offend our host if I make our own food. Of course that's a risk I'm going to have to take, it's just deciding that it's worth it ahead of time so I make sure I eat well.

Also, I'm gonna seem a total nerd, but I'm bringing along kitchen gear this time. Have spiralizer, will travel.

I totally don't wanna come off preachy, I'd actually prefer NOT to talk about my food choices, that's why this is hard. Anyone have any experience with short, efficient, non-defensive replies to eating raw vs SAD? I'm thinking, "It just works for me."

[laughalways]

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[MysticTree]

It's an option but is it a good idea to be lying about something? I would tend to go with the phrase "I'm a raw vegan" then if they ask positive questions by all means talk in more detail otherwise just don't enter into a debate. It's good to be prepared but not always helpful to second guess the reaction people will have.

[MysticTree]

Water fasting really does affect my sleeping. Every day of fasting sees me waking earlier and earlier. I want to get to 8am Friday then that counts as 4.5days. I have some challenges to face ref juicing when I get up. Emergency plan is to take juicer to a friends and beg some electricity!

[ReneeH]

I would LOVE to try water fasting, but it really scares me...probably because I have never done it. My life is so busy, I don't know if I would be able to relax enough to focus on it and enjoy it. I've tried juice fasting only to do a few days and not continue on because of my work schedule...and the fact that I love food too much!!!! LOL!!! But, I've always wanted to try water fasting...even if it's just for a day. Well...maybe some day! :)

[MysticTree]

Renee, it will come to you if it's meant. I certainly had no idea when I went to bed on Sunday that I would water fast for 4.5 days. I just juiced 2 small oranges, 2 limes, 3 braeburn apples, 2 pink lady apples. With only a manual juicer to hand it took forever. Juiced the citrus first then grated the apples into the citrus juice then grated the carrot. Tried putting it through the juicer but too time consuming. Resorted to squeezing it with hands then triple filtered. Hell, it's good!

[MysticTree]

Hey Rob, have you seen this site? I was surfing and of course, I thought of you :) http://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipies/breads-wraps/honey-oat-bread-winner/

[MysticTree]

What is everyone doing this weekend? Hope you are all going to be having good times. I feel as though I have re-booted my appetite with this fasting. At the moment I'm waiting til the only place locally that does fresh juice opens then we are going for breakfast :)

[Stash]

So far so good. I think this (simple raw) suits me well since I hate cooking. I am loving this! The hubster is spending the evening and night at a friend's house (he's drinking, and we're both against driving after even one drink), so I'm home alone. Getting all comfy with a book and my dog by my side. :) Hope everyone is doing well!

[momofmany]

Hello

Its shannon

Ive been high raw ( 90%) with the other ten being a slice of piazza and Mexican food. That is due to lack of planning.

Ive been making smoothies which my kids love with bananas, kale, berries, avo, coconut oil, h2 o, and ice and a tad of raw honey. Ive made flax crackers with carrot pulp and veggie flax with different colors of veggies to make it pretty for kids.

Gonna try the Indian dip in alissas book tomorrow.

I enjoy reading everything your all doing that I find after reading all the posts ive been on way too long! :)

Have a great Sunday!

Shannon

[ReneeH]

Hey yau'll! It's just impossible for me to post during my work days! I'm just too busy... But, I have a few days off now and I'm SO excited to show you the Calzone Sandwich I made for my Hubby!!! I did it a little different from the version in LOLF, mainly because the bread didn't get firm enough in the dehydrator. But, I actually REALLY love it this way!!! So, I made up a lot of bread and I'm gonna freeze it so I can whip it out and make fresh Calzone Sandwiches whenever I want! I made the bread thin so that it would firm up faster, too...

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/7FFC3DC1-3EB0-4332-9997-EA3DE321EE81.jpg

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/BDB91120-EEB7-4D04-A018-2221B5314ED4.jpg

YUMMMMMMY!!!!!

[MysticTree]

Lovely looking food as always Renee. I'm still juicing (solid raw next Saturday) and ironically I am cooking a big meal for a friend who came out of hospital at the weekend. Not raw bur home-cooked at least. I won't go into detail but needless to say, the first thing i will be prepping will be juice for me :)

[Lyn]

Renne your food always looks so delicious. You are a huge inspiration for me. When ever I read your posts I feel inspired to get out my raw LOLF book and get making some new yummy recipe.
I find I can stay raw if I have some flaxseed crackers on hand and a batch of raw cookies to dive into when ever tempted. Also enjoy frozen banana and strawberry ' ice cream'
I really want to make some of the sesame carob balls and the apple stuffed crepe. It looks so good it may tempt my kids to have a try.

[Gianni]

Also enjoy frozen banana and strawberry ' ice cream'
I've been making quite a bit of Strawberry & Banana sorbet lately. It's dellicious.

[ReneeH]

Lovely looking food as always Renee.


Renne your food always looks so delicious. You are a huge inspiration for me. When ever I read your posts I feel inspired to get out my raw LOLF book and get making some new yummy recipe.

Thanks so much you guys!!! :). Lyn, I'm SO glad I inspire you!!!! Pls share photos of your food too! I love eye candy!!!!

I was REALLY, REALLY hungry cuz i skipped breakfast today, so Raw Pizza for Lunch w/small Spinach, Banana, and Pineapple Smoothie and nibbled on Nori! Then I had my delicious Apple Cobbler!!!! I'll have to show you that next time...I gobbled it all up!!! LOL!!!

[MysticTree]

Although I am not actually hungry, I have been very creative in my mind with regard to raw food. Next weekend I'm planning the best raw pasta ever and kale salads and raw mushroom soup. The cooking of a very delicious (apparently) meal for my friend went very well. I had carrot, apple, beet and celery juice and was very content. The volume of stuff I took to cover my needs exceeded that for the three conventional eaters! It was lovely but my friend was very tired.

[ReneeH]

Sipping on some delicious fresh Ginger Tea!!!! Enjoying another Calzone Sandwich with a Salad for dinner! (see page 4 for photo). Dessert will be Coconut Fudge:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5615.jpg

[MysticTree]

Another Monday and back at work already. I brought my juicer in and have carrot, apple, cucumber (just a little bit, I can't taste it!), beetroot, celery and ginger. It looks like a very decadent vampire drink on my desk! There's a thought, a vegan vampire (anyone remember Rockula!!!?).

I feel good. I feel pretty happy. Here's to a great week.

[laughalways]

I made two awesome salads for my day today. The first is a potato salad knock-off with jicama...it tastes so good:

http://www.rawmazing.com/jicama-dill-salad/

I must say I used a commercial vegan mayo because I didn't have the ingredients for the one in the recipe.

The second one is an Apple Cabbage and I've been making it for a few days. I did add celery to the recipe and it adds more crunch:

http://www.rawfoodrecipes.com/recipes/red-cabbage-apple-salad.html

Since Apples are in season, I wanted to find a couple of recipes to use them. I bought a bad of organic Galas at TJ's for a great price.

[MysticTree]

sounds delish. I am planning some nice salads for the weekend.

[Traceyraw]

Im still here. Today I am doing a coconut water fast with the Monday Fasting Club. Love coconut water.

I am feeling more alive and energetic each day. Yesterday my lunch was sweet dragon fruit. I ate about 6 of them. They were so good. I need more simple savory dishes besides salads.

mybody shape is changing. My legs don't look so jello-ey. Its like the fat is melting off. I m not weighing myself my clothes are baggier now.

[robh]

Good Morning everyone. I am sorry I haven't posted for a while. Life is so busy.

Today, I am going to fast. I think telling others makes it more real and keeps me from backing out.

Good luck everyone.

[MysticTree]

Hi Rob,

Wondered where you got to. Enjoy the fast. I'm loving it :)

[Traceyraw]

I found great apples at the farmers market this weekend so I made applesauce. That was my breakfast today. My pants are baggier today. Yeah Feeling more awake and alive. I am out of greens so I am craving them.

[MysticTree]

Yeah indeed for baggy pants!

[robh]

Congrats Tracey. Good Job. :)

Georgina, I'm still here. I have been pretty focused at work. I need to get in the habit of turning on my computer at home.


This is the second day on my water fast. I have mixed feelings about it. I got on the scale this morning and was very pleased with what I saw. I do, however, really want to eat some food. I am not hungry, but I miss the idea of food. The hunger is building, though. I'm curious what tomorrow will bring. I read that the 3rd or 4th days are the hardest.

Good luck everyone. Keep up the great work. :)

[MysticTree]

See how it goes Rob. Take it day by day; I think you'll get a lot out of it.

[Traceyraw]

Hail to the water fasters. I haven't ventured there yet.
Use your inner strength Robh. You will do it....
Coconut water was great. Today I am getting the cleansing effects I thought would come yesterday.

[ReneeH]

I SO wish I could join you water fasting Rob!!! My life is waaay too crazy to focus on it!

I had lots of fruit today...and 2 Raw Donut Holes. Raw Chicken Fingers for dinner!

[MysticTree]

My feet lost weight! In just had to do the buckle up one notch on my shoes :)

[ReneeH]

How cool!!! :D. Congrats Mystic!!!!

[MysticTree]

My new spiral cutter arrived :) I ordered one that does angel hair cos the original one I had was just a bit too thick for squash and beetroot. I'll give the old (I only got it a month or so ago!) to my mother to help her with her raw fooding. She's been depressed recently and I noted from her tone that she feels threatened by my fasting ... mothers!

[MysticTree]

oh and I got raw pistachios and raw sundried toms and raw black olives today too. There is a fab recipe for sundried tomato hummus that I am keen to make if only my bullet arrives before I eat all the sundried toms.

[robh]

MT, how do they do raw pistachios? I thought they had to be roasted before the shell would open. Congrats on your new spiral cutter. My mom too is becoming raw. It's actually kind of deepened our relationship.

ReneeH, your food always sounds do good. :)


I am thinking about breaking this water fast. Here on Day 3, I feel zapped of energy. If I had 2 weeks without work and if I didn't have a new baby at home, I could see myself being successful at this. In my current situation, however, I do not think that I can allow myself to be exhausted, tired and sleepy.

[MysticTree]

lots of places sell raw ones. Maybe they dehydrate the shells open? Not sure. i'll have to research :)

You've done really well on your fast. I'm getting near the end of mine. About mid-morning, every morning I think I will break tomorrow but come the afternoon/evening I am content with it again! My magic bullet has not arrived. I need it to be here by friday. I plan raw mushroom soup for the weekend and also that hummus ... did you check out that bread link Rob?

[robh]

I just went back to find it. I missed a couple of posts, it seems.

Honey Oat Bread cool! I have sprouted an dehydrated oat groats that I could make flour with too. I don't have irish moss but it looks like psyllium husk gel can be used as a substitute. I'll have to try this one. I am a sucker for raw bread recipes. :) thanks!

[appifanie]

why has no one asked renee what the recipe for coconut fudge is? come on people! ;D

[MysticTree]

Where is everyone? My magic bullet is being despatched tomorrow apparently which is a shame coz I fancied mushroom soup over the weekend and tomato hummus with my salads. It might arrive Saturday in which case I'll have to fetch it from work where it is being delivered. Oats and seaweed should arrive tomorrow. Need to get nori sheets too.

[ReneeH]

why has no one asked renee what the recipe for coconut fudge is? come on people! ;D

LOL!!!!! Appifanie, are you having an epiphany!!!! LOL!!!

The recipe is in Rawvolution page 164. I changed it up a bit, but the ingredients are Walnuts, Carob Powder, Shreaded Coconut, and Agave. Email me for exact amounts cuz I'm not sure if I can put it here...

Today I had 2 Bananas earlier, and had the Collard Roll Sandwich (LOLF) for Lunch:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1883.jpg

I feel Ike having something sweet, so I'm gonna go with my Apple Cobbler:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4596.jpg

[MysticTree]

Apple cobbler in particular looks good.

[robh]

appifanie, haven't see you around for months. Are you going to do 100% raw again?

MysticTree, may I ask how you are going to use a magic bullet with out any electricity?


I bet coconut fudge has coconut oil in it. :P I bet I could take the cheesecake recipe, swap the lemon juice for water and add coco/cacao/carob powder and come up with a fudge. Maybe toss in walnut pieces if you enjoy that sort of thing.

I've been juicing apples lately. I take the pulp, add chopped dates and pop it in the dehydrator for a snack the next day. I core the apples before I juice them my juicer ejects the seeds and the stems into the pulp. The first batch of dehydrated apple fritters had "interesting bits" in it.

I was bad last night. After the fast, I went nutty and ate some crap I shouldn't have. So today, I'm getting back on the wagon.

MysticTree, that reminds me, I need to buy some oat groats. I'm really hooked on them, but I'm currently out. sucks

[MysticTree]

The bullet is for using at work and to take with me to friends when we go for dinner :) still no electricity here.

[ReneeH]

Raw Pizza for dinner! Hey Rob...NO Coconut oil in the Coconut Fudge. I promise! :-)

[MysticTree]

my raw oats, sea spaghetti and raw seed mix arrived today. Also some onion bread but I think I tried this sort before and it's not very nice :(

fast day 12 here and due to break tomorrow. Lots of yummy things to break the fast with :)

[Traceyraw]

12 days THAT's Awesome. Your food sounds yummy.
I was watching a Dan Mcdonald video "whats for dinner". They had a big plate of greens freshly picked with a homeade dressing. Orange, tomato, and yellow pepper. they sat there and dipped the greens. It looked so simple yet so good. This is my dinner tonight. Dandelion and other greens dipped in dressing. I can't stop thinking about it.

[MysticTree]

sounds yummy. I finally re-found the link to some dressings that sounded interesting. Check out http://vegpeace.org/
I (http://vegpeace.org/)t's a nice site.

[ReneeH]

Donut holes w/fruit 4 brkfst
Lettuce wrap 4 lunch

[MysticTree]

Broke my fast last night actually. I had a tomato. Very nice tomato it was too :)

[ReneeH]

Hey Mystic...do you plan to continue fasting? I feel like starting slowly with just water....midnight to noon tomorrow, an easy 12 hours. Gonna see how I feel at noon, but I really do want to go beyond that...we'll see...

[MysticTree]

I'm going to eat today and tomorrow and I want to do smoothies and soups and try out the tomato hummus recipe I saw etc. I will come back to fasting but I'm not giving up food! :) oh, and for the record, I lost a total of 16 pounds in the past 12 days.

[ReneeH]

My first easy fasting 12 hrs is nearly complete. Just water is too much for me, I think. But, I feel able to do the Master Cleanse again! So, I'm moving on to Lemonade at noon today. Just feel like giving my system a short break.

[MysticTree]

My first easy fasting 12 hrs is nearly complete. Just water is too much for me, I think. But, I feel able to do the Master Cleanse again! So, I'm moving on to Lemonade at noon today. Just feel like giving my system a short break. I hope you enjoy it. I just had a small salad with all the usual suspects plus sea spag. Nice but I didn't finish it. Too much .

[RedCedar]

Stopped back home for a few days, then back outta town for the rest of the month it seems.

I've stuck to raw in the shared workers' housing, and so far no one's asked why/how I eat. which is just fine by me.

Now that the rainy months have arrived, can anyone share their favorite get-warm foods? Someone mentioned liquorice tea (which I'll stock up one before leaving town again).

What about Halloween theme recipes? Um, can one eat pumpkin raw? Raw pumpkin pie anybody?

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/halloween/cute-pumpkin.gif (http://www.sherv.net/cute.pumpkin-emoticon-937.html)

[MysticTree]

Check out some of the raw pages on face book. Raw pumpkin pie there all over the place.

[ReneeH]

Back to food today after a nice break!

Chia Pudding w/fruit for brunch...

[ReneeH]

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/E011BE5F-83A5-457C-8D0D-81780E9719F6.jpg

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/040711D1-EF38-4A8E-B29E-503D96279B23.jpg

This was SOOOOOOO GOOOOOD!!!!!

[MysticTree]

it's been an odd day here. All raw but melancholic.

[ReneeH]

Its raining here.... Time for a Raw Pizza!!!!

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5949.jpg

Yea, I ate 1/2 of it b4 I remembered the photo!!!! LOL!!!

[MysticTree]

Its raining here.... Time for a Raw Pizza!!!!http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5949.jpgYea, I ate 1/2 of it b4 I remembered the photo!!!! LOL!!! looks lovely. I took a picture of my evening meal but I can't post it til I get on a computer tomorrow. My phone allows me to share to either SkyDrive or Facebook but not forums.

[RedCedar]

Hey MysticTree, first of all congrats on the water fast and the weight loss! Which facebook pages do you recommend? I've "liked" raw synergy, raw vegan recipe exchange, and raw food recipes (will check that last one next). So far no luck. Did find a pumpkin pie recipe or two after some googling. One suggested shredding the pumpkin for a smoothie (low budget blender won't handle chunks of squash, that's for sure).

Annoyed I haven't lost weight after some grueling physical work on the farm this last week, but I know my body is under stress living between two places and not really feeling at home in our house (shared). Off to look at an apartment now.

Renee, what can I say? Adopt me? Hire me when your raw kitchen business takes off big time?

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/halloween/toilet-paper-house.gif (http://www.sherv.net/toilet.paper-emoticon-666.html)

[MysticTree]

http://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipies/desserts/ there's a couple pumpkiny recipes on this link. I haven't tried them but the site looks very good and others seem to like the recipes. I haven't looked on fb again yet because transferring pages from there to here needs more patience than a saint when on mobile.

[robh]

I made this pumpkin pie last night:

http://rawfoodswitch.com/raw-food-recipes/festive-raw-pumpkin-pie-recipe/

It's okay. It's not very sweet and the flavors are a bit mellow, but it's pretty close.

How's everyone doing?

I had a collard wrap last night. I tossed sliced tomatoes, onion, and celery in salt, olive oil and lemon juice. On top of that, I put carrot pulp and avocado slices (sprinkled more salt on those). It was really good.

I'm working up to the honey oat bread. I have almond pulp now I need to sprout, dehydrate and grind oat groats in to 2 cups of flour. I have some sprouted oat groats dehydrating now.

Speaking of dehydrated oat groat flour, I made an AWESOME recipe: onion rings!

Rob's "Fried" Onion Rings

1 onion sliced into rings
1/2 cup of sprouted oat flour
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp sea salt
many many grinds of fresh pepper
extra virgin olive oil (used to coat the rings)

Dehydrate the slices of onion at 105 until they are pretty hard but still pliable.
Put the flour, the seasoning, the salt the pepper into a small bowl.
In another small bowl, put enough olive oil that you can coat the rings.
Dredge each ring first through the olive oil and then through the flour mixture.
Dehydrate them again until crispy. This may take a while and there's a good change that they will be gone (ya know, taste testing) before they get crunchy.

They are really really good. I cannot keep the cooked fooders off them. Makes me wonder if I'll actually get to make the oat bread of if this batch of flour will all be consumed making onion rings.

later all

[MysticTree]

I'm joining the Monday fasting again today. Water. Blasted bullet still not turned up! I have mushroom soup ready to make when it does.

[appifanie]

thanks renee! i can probably figure something out just knowing what's in it :)

rob - i'm not saying that i am b/c when I say I am I don't, so I'm just . . . around :D

here are the best looking raw desserts i have seen lately - http://fragrantvanillacake.blogspot.com/

i tried a new smoothie recipe from the boutenko's book but it came out really nasty - i think my tangerine was sour and I don't like to add any kind of sweetener to my smoothies so I just started over with kale/peach/banana.

[robh]

appifanie, nice to see you around again. :)


I'm joining the Monday fasting again today. Water. Blasted bullet still not turned up! I have mushroom soup ready to make when it does.

I wonder what's up with that. Is it engineered for US power (110v)? or maybe are you trying to run it from a power converter in your cigarette lighter socket? I had issues with that in the past. The power converter that I have can be plugged in two ways. I can do the socket and get 100 watts or I can clip it right onto the battery (car running) and get 400 watts.

Good luck with it.

[MysticTree]

appifanie, nice to see you around again. :)



I wonder what's up with that. Is it engineered for US power (110v)? or maybe are you trying to run it from a power converter in your cigarette lighter socket? I had issues with that in the past. The power converter that I have can be plugged in two ways. I can do the socket and get 100 watts or I can clip it right onto the battery (car running) and get 400 watts.

Good luck with it.

The issue is it hasn't arrived yet!!!

[ReneeH]

Chia Pudding w/Apples again! I never get tired of it! Planning to have my Stir Not Fry Veggies for Lunch. How's everyone doing today?




Renee, what can I say? Adopt me? Hire me when your raw kitchen business takes off big time?


Absolutely!!!! You gotta move to TEXAS, though... :dance:

Hey Rob, Alissa has a recipe in RFFE page 219 for Calamari that is FANTASTIC!!!! It uses Oyster Mushrooms in seasoned Almond Flour (RFFE PG 107). You should totally it!!! You'll love it!!! Tastes JUST like fried fish to me!

Appifanie, try this combo: Kale, Banana, Green Apple, dash Lemon Juice, and water. Yummm!!!!

Mystic: wishing you another successful fast! :-)

[robh]

The issue is it hasn't arrived yet!!!

Here I though "hasn't turned up" was some sort of British term for not working. haha. get it now. that sucks. can you get a tracking number?

ReneeH, I'm gonna have to try that one.

[MysticTree]

I love our language barrier :)

[RedCedar]

Cannot figure out how to attach an image (my brain hurts now) of the pumpkin smoothie I made last night. Have some shredded pumpkin leftover and may make another...though I wonder if it's really needed here; could potentially get the same result with a banana-based smoothie and pumpkin spices.

Mystic, that link. OMG that link. YUM.

[MysticTree]

Words. Beyond. Despair. All our hens killed. One of our dogs. Feel so sad. So guilty.

[ReneeH]

Oh NOOOO!!!!! I'm SO sorry to hear that!!!!! Sending MASSIVE (((((HUGGGGGGGGGSSSS))))) your way!!!

So sad....

Here, share my lunch:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2658.jpg

[MysticTree]

Thanks Renee. It just hurts so much. I'll feel better in the morning maybe. Night night everyone.

[RedCedar]

Mystic ((((hugs))))

[MysticTree]

Thank you redcedar. Time to get up and face the new day already.

[MysticTree]

melon for breakfast. Can't say I feel like it much. Said good morning to the dogs who Laurence can't bring himself to even look at after the chicken massacre. Both very subdued and Phoebe who would not have harmed a hen at all if the other dog hadn't got a red mist seemed heart broken. I shall have to give them cuddles this evening and learn to forgive them somehow.

[MysticTree]

elevenses is a pot of kale chips :)

[laughalways]

Mystic Tree...I'm so sorry about your hens...I hope you are doing better this morning.

[robh]

Sorry about your hens MT. :(


I have more oat groats in the dehydrator. I want to make that oat bread and more onion rings.

Lately, I've been eating collard wraps. I don't know how to use up all the collard greens I have. I the place I get my produce always sells in such large quantities. I wonder if I can make collar chips like kale chips. I may try that.

[MysticTree]

Lunch was lots of fruit and I'm eating the remains of a rather disappointing melon now then bed. Feeling a bit better and had a cuddle with the dogs so I am on the road to forgiving them! Very tired so I hope I sleep well.

[MysticTree]

organic grapes for breakfast.

Updated my weight loss ticker at Lilyslim

http://swlf.lilyslim.com/Ef6Hp1.png (http://lilyslim.com)

Anyway. Since May 2011 I have lost 44 lbs which considering I had a 9 month hiatus from raw in the middle is not bad going. Another 61 lbs to go :)
Not sure the bird is in quite the right place but maybe he doesn't move as weight is lost???

[MysticTree]

http://www.sweetlyraw.com/2012/10/vegan-pumpkin-pie-cream-squares.html

L (http://www.sweetlyraw.com/2012/10/vegan-pumpkin-pie-cream-squares.html)ooks interesting. I would use honey instead of either maple syrup or agave as long as you are a rawbie that eats honey of course :)

[MysticTree]

Stopped off at the shop on the way home so bf could get something for supper and lo and behold some reduced produce; 2 avocado and a bag of rocket for 75p :) Bargain. Forgot to add some of my raw olives. Nevermind tomorrow is another day. That fast seems to have given me my raw mojo back :)

[Divine Soul]

OK I seriously need to join in to lose these last 20 pounds by the mid of winter hopefully kicking it into full raw and hopefully going shopping tomorrow for more food! I'll get my weight tomorrow, I let my self slip with cooked dinner meals :(! Scary scale in the morning..

[MysticTree]

Hello DS, come on in :)

My magic bullet arrived. It will be good for smoothies and soups which is what I bought it for but I am dubious about its other claims. It may make almond and oat flours I suppose. We'll see.

[ReneeH]

Chia Pudding with Fruit for me this morning!

I have a Raw Class this weekend, so I'm SO excited!!! I love teaching classes!!!
:dance:

[MysticTree]

feeling a bit queasy this afternoon. Hope that passes soon.
I forgot my kale chips again. I shall have them when I get home.

[robh]

DS, welcome back.

Renee, have fun teaching your class.

MysticTree, you're doing so well. :) You're very inspiring.


I did 60 or so days at 100% raw. Now, I have been eating a little cooked food here and there for the past month or so. I have told myself that Monday is the start of 100% raw again. I am going to start it with a water fast Monday and most of Tuesday. Tuesday night, I'm going to have some raw food. I think it will be some fruit and later a salad. Wednesday will start 100% raw. I will be giving up decaf coffee too. I found a raw coffee substitute which will fill that need for a comforting drink in the mornings.

Good luck everyone.

[MysticTree]

Hello Rob. Let me know how you do with the water fast. I am trying to water fast every week from about Sunday 6pm til Tues 7am. I have grapes or juice as my first "meal" on the Tuesday. Fasting has reset my appetite incredibly. Supper this evening was rocket, avo, toms and dressing plus a tub of kale chips. A tub is 35 grams so not as big as it sounds!

[RedCedar]

hey mystic, which code did you use to add the Lilyslim ticker to your profile? I tried all the ones for forums, and some others with no luck.

[MysticTree]

You need the one that uses the straight sided brackets. I'll check which one it was. Brb. It's the third one under forum sigs. Pseudo html, ubb and bb code or somesuch!

[RedCedar]

Thanks Mystic! I can't seem to get it to work as a signature, but can post it here. Ah well.

Off to the farm for two weeks this time. Eek.

http://swlf.lilyslim.com/u6w2m7.png (http://lilyslim.com)

[MysticTree]

we are not allowed to post images in our sig, just plain text which is why. You can post it on your blog page so that it shows when your blog is viewed.

[robh]

RedCard, congrats on the weight loss (to both of you).

MysticTree, 6pm Sunday sounds like a good time to start. :)



I have been known to make a few raw bread recipes. Off the top of my head, I think I've made 4-5 (a couple of my own making). In that context, let me tell you guys, this is the best raw bread I have ever had:

http://nouveauraw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Honey-Oat-Bread-1.jpg

http://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipies/breads-wraps/honey-oat-bread-winner/

I finally made this Honey Oat Bread last night. I just had some this morning. It's bread. I don't mean "bread" with quotes around it, I mean bread like normal people eat. It's so good that I think I can get my family to switch to it.

We raw fooders do not eat oats. The stuff you buy in the store is not raw. I did not use the stuff from the store. I purchased raw oat groats (seed) from nuts.com. Then I sprouted them (12 hr soak + 12 hr sprout). Then I dehydrated them for 24 hours. Then in small batches, I ground them into a flour using my coffee grinder.

The next note is that I do not have Irish Moss. If you read the comments, there is an alternative. All the local health food stores sell "Psyllium Husk Powder". Mix 1/4 cup water with 1/2 teaspoon of psyllium husk, mix it up and you get a gel that works just fine. The bread came out a little dense on my first go, so I think I will double the psyllium gel to 1/2 cup. Irish moss probably has different properties.

The final note is that I hate flax. Therefore, I did not add the 1/2 cup of ground flax that the recipe called for. If you add the flax and hate it, don't blame me. :D

Anyway, back to my raw journey.

I have been kind of intentionally slipping up the past few weeks. That may sound odd. The last time that I went strict 100% raw, I broke the weight loss plateau that I had. I was stuck at 255 for 6-7 weeks. That all changed when I went strictly 100% raw. I dropped down to 245 and I have stayed there (245.8 this morning). Sadly, though, my weight loss plateaued again despite being 100% raw. Anyway, my silly plan has been to introduce some cooked foods but stay at 245. Once my body was acclimated again (it's been 5-6 weeks on high raw), the plan is to plunge back into 100% raw and maybe break the new weight loss plateau. I haven't been pigging out of cooked food, but I've been have a little here and there.

Sunday night at 6pm, is the start of 100% raw for me. I'm going to kick it off with a 2-day water fast. The plan is to gently break the fast Tuesday evening with some fruit juice and some melon.

I may start fasting weekly - sounds like a good idea in general.

Have a good one everyone.

[MysticTree]

I'm so glad you tried it ... I was going to ask but didn't like to nag. I just need to get a dehydrator and ask a friend if I can use it at their place to make it for bf. I too can buy raw oats which is why I came across that recipe in the first place I think. Then I have to persuade him not to slather it with butter!

[RedCedar]

Thanks Mystic.

Rob, "RedCard"?! How'd ya know I was a commie? :P
By the way, I get what you're trying to do with rebooting your system. Think the body likes some surprises here and there.

Off to the farm for a couple weeks now. My goal is to stay high raw while there...and hopefully this time lose some weight!

Have a happy Halloween everybody!

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/halloween/halloween-owl.gif (http://www.sherv.net/owl-emoticon-951.html)

[MysticTree]

Planning raw sushi. Ok so the nori isn't raw and the wasabi isn't but I'm cool with that. Planning to use sprouted quinoa and raw shelled hemp in place of the rice and will fill with avo, cucumber, marinated kale etc. I will take pictures :)

[robh]

MysticTree, how did the sushi come out? I have all that stuff (except the kale).

RedCedar (copied and pasted the name this time ;P), good luck staying raw on the farm. Happy Halloween to you as well.


Day 1

I'm starting off 100% raw with a water fast. The plan is to drink some juiced fruits and juiced veggies in the evening on Tuesday and then eat a normal 100% raw diet Wednesday and on.

I am thinking about fasting every Monday. We'll see how I the week goes.

Good luck everyone

[MysticTree]

Hi Rob,

the sushi was just okay. Need to work on the texture of the rice replacement. and i didn't put the kale in after all that.

I'm on a water fast day too. I'm feeling very headachy which seems rather unfair as I have been really good the whole of October! Maybe sprouted quinoa doesn't really agree with me. Looking forward to my juice tomorrow morning already!

Does anyone have a method for slowing the weekend down a bit. I feel like it went in the blink of an eye and here I am back in work. Good news is that we seem to have the wood burner sussed out. We managed to keep it in all of last night and actually woke up to a warm caravan. The weather is mild at the moment but I think it is as well to get some practice in for when the weather gets really cold.

[jhaskell]

I have been somewhat raw since september 1st and completely raw since october 11th, when i got Alissa book. I quit coffee the same day as well. My question is when will i start feeling better? I have bad heartburn. It has got better since going raw. It just comes and goes now. Instead of being constant. I am feeling run down, foggy head, cranky. Just wondering if this is going to get better.

[MysticTree]

yes, it will get better. To ease the symptoms you could try eating more than you are at present. I quit diet coke and had withdrawal headaches for almost a week. 3 days were really bad and I think I was fairly crabby during that time. It's hard to remember as it's over a year and a half ago now.

[MysticTree]

I'm easing off my 36 hour water fast today with some rather sumptuous juice. Orange, apple, lemon carrot, beet and celery. I found a raw chilli recipe online the other day so I am planning to make that later on. It's really just a savoury smoothie with a few finely diced veggies in it. I hope it is good :)

I weighed today and find I have broken the 200lb mark. Very pleased - only another 60-ish lbs to go!

[MysticTree]

lunch today - Raw vegan Chilli

9218

Looks a bit watery but tastes very good. Thank goodness the Magic Bullet is good for something :)
Oh and apologies , I forgot to take photo before I started eating!

[robh]

jhaskell, hang in there. you'll feel great when it's done.

MysticTree, congrats on your weight loss. Glad to hear you got your magic bullet. How big is your new caravan? I saw the pics of the wood burner. It looks like a large space. I was just curious what your new digs are like.


Day 2

I will be breaking my water fast here shortly. I think I will have a celery, cucumber, and apple juice. After that, I'll probably have some watermelon.

[MysticTree]

Magic bullet has suffered a slight accident. Not sure if it's ok or not as no electricity to plug it into. Deep sigh. The caravan is 28 feet long and 10 feet wide. The area where the fire is measures about 10 x 10 probably. It has two bedrooms; both of which are rather too small. There is a tiny kitchen and a teeny-tiny bathroom. No water connected though. It's a big improvement on the previous caravan. Enjoy your fast breaking. Mine was nice today and I feel very full even though I haven't eaten all that much.

[robh]

Yeah the room with the fire is rather large compared to everything else. It's a shame that the bathroom takes up room and doesn't work. Along the same topic, having to go out to the bathroom in the cold sounds like a less than idea scenario. I hope your bullet it ok.

I would like to break my fast when I get home, but there are apples and other fruit in the breakroom. All this talk of eating has me thinking hard about grabbing a piece.

[MysticTree]

You could always grab a piece to eat at home maybe. I don't find talking about food makes me hungry at the moment. I feel quite disconnected from food at the moment. I feel hungry in a rather abstract way. I feel that I could just juice for weeks and months if I felt like it but I don't want to give up food from an academic point of view. I feel that there is something vaguely food disorder about feeling that way.

[MysticTree]

sweetcorn and raspberries for breakfast. Not actually in the same mouthful though :)

[MysticTree]

Got a yen for watercress soup this afternoon. Tomorrow I shall make some. I'm planning to use hazelnuts and pistachios as the basis of the soup and then use some mushrooms, watercress and herbs. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

[ReneeH]

Hey yau'll!!!! How's it going everyone? Where yau'll at???

Ok, I'm still going 100MPH!!! I had to work at my raw kitchen last night and I taught a fantastic Class over the weekend, so I'm exhausted!!!! I've been in bed all day today...eating Apples! I think I ate 5 Pink Lady Apples today!!!!

I read an interesting article today that Victoria Boutenko wrote on not being raw.

[MysticTree]

I saw that article before somewhere. It certainly resonates. We can all only do what we can and want to do. I feel though that there is no more or less competition in the raw food world than there is in any food based regime. Just look at any conventional diet - a club or private group - if you want to see judgemental behaviour and superiority complexes. I found it mildly amusing that in that article, Victoria sets herself above those who eat nuts - it came across that way to me anyhow. I also found it amusing that she found those trying to earn a living from raw irksome. Her whole family seems to earn a living from raw - perhaps that has changed now. I don't know. If people set food or lack of food at the heart of their lives then it will become all consuming. Yes it's good to be kind to ourselves. I am raw for as long as I can be and happy doing what I do. Social settings aren't all that problematic. I just bring my own food if it makes things easier for my host/ess. They want my company not to watch me eat what they bring out of their kitchens. 75% is probably as close to 100% as we need to be provided the 25% is not highly processed muck. We are all different and no one way of eating will suit all of us.

[MysticTree]

9233

200g ish organic button mushrooms.
third cup ish of raw hazelnuts and pistachios soaked (overnight would be best and you could use cashews or other nuts)
water as much as needed to get good consistancy
lots of local watercress - about 100g but more would be good!
Juice one small organic lemon
half a celeray stalk
salt and pepper
pinch cayenne


it was going to have a glove of garlic, half an avocado and some parsley but I left them at home! I think it would have been better with these added.

method: Blend, blend, blend.
Bullet coped ok but one of the leading brand blenders would have been better I think.

Sorry about the rubbish picture. the lighting has been changed in our office and it's no brighter outside . . . and my phone camera is rubbish!

[ReneeH]

I found it mildly amusing that in that article, Victoria sets herself above those who eat nuts - it came across that way to me anyhow.

Hummm... I didn't get that impression at all. Especially from what she says here:

"I have noticed that when I was telling other people about myself being a 100% raw foodist, it came across as if I was claiming to be a better, higher, more spiritual person. I felt so uncomfortable that I repeated in every lecture, “I am just a woman in a green dress. Please don’t put me on a pedestal.” Victoria Boutenko (quoted from the article).

Although she does say,

"For example, while I enjoyed gourmet raw food in the beginning of my raw journey, for several years now, I have completely eliminated food prepared with nuts. In recent years I have decided that it can be healthier, to eat a bowl of cooked green vegetables than a whole jar of raw nut butter." Victoria Boutenko (quoted from the article).

I don't see saying that as putting herself above anyone. Guess that's an example of how everyone reads things differently...


I also found it amusing that she found those trying to earn a living from raw irksome. Her whole family seems to earn a living from raw - perhaps that has changed now. I don't know.

Mystic, I didn't see anything mentioning her position on people making a living from Raw...are you sure that you read THIS article?

[MysticTree]

my bad on the second one ... I was reading it on my mobile and in fact it is Mary Duggan in responses who said that.

The first one I still think it comes across that way a bit but mostly I think she comes across as someone who like everyone else is human and fallible and who hasn't coped well with the character assassination she has suffered - there isn't a food guru who hasn't had this level of attack I think.

[robh]

ReneeH, greetings! I know how it is being busy.

MysticTree, that soup might be a good way to try watercress. I've never had it.


I am wired. I feel like my body is bouncing off the walls. I have heard of people having excessive energy on a raw diet, but this is the first time I have felt it. It's either all the exercise (2 hrs of tennie yesterday and 4 hrs the day before) or it's the cacao. I made cacao date sauce yesterday. I finished it last night before bed (it was like pudding - so good). I have heard that cacao is like crack and has been called "crack-cao" by some raw fooders. Whatever it is, I am out of my gord crazy this morning. I woke up at 3:30am, couldn't sleep. So I went to the grocery store and then walmart. Now I'm just buzzin' like I had 10 cups of coffee. You know those crazy raw fooders on youtube that seem twitchy, hyper and a bit crazy? I think I know the reason why!

I started up 100% raw again on Monday with a water fast that lastest until Tuesday night. Yesterday, I had half a watermelon and ground sesame seeds mixed with coconut nectar. After tennis, I had no appetite. I think I had a few nuts and I finished the pudding thing.

Have a good one.

[robh]

Oct still has a day or two left. :)

After some slip ups on Saturday, I was 100% raw yesterday. MysticTree and others on the forum have inspired me to start fasting Mondays and Tuesdays. So just water today.

Have a good day everyone.

[MysticTree]

I'm with you on the water until 7am tomorrow morning :)

I'm feeling really pretty good and my clothes are falling off me a fair bit so I went charity shop shopping on Saturday and bought lots of replacement clothes. I got a couple of pairs of jeans that are too small at the moment so I have some clothes to wear when I lose even more weight!

[RawMomma7]

Starting tomorrow! I know, last day of the month almost, but I have GOT to get going! So, consider it November early! :)

[RawMomma7]

ROBH, I felt like that without cacao on raw food. Just really really good. Yay!

[MysticTree]

The final couple of days of October. The month has sped past and I have lost a lot of weight. really rather too much even . . .maybe 22 pounds! It's no wonder my clothes don't fit any more.

I have discovered fasting and raw soups and that it is possible to do all this whilst working full time and I think October has been one of my favourite raw months.

[robh]

Good job Georgina, I have noticed your efforts this month. You are doing very well. Congrats!

RawMomma7, 7 kids - wow that's a lot. I have 5. My 5 are "hers, mine and ours" and my two boys don't live with us, but it's still very hectic especially when they are all around. I feel your pain. :)


I could be doing better on my raw diet. I ate more crap last night and on the weekend (didn't post that). Yesterday, I was supposed to be fasting - grrrr. I get angry at myself.

Anyway, onward and upward. November will certainly be a new leaf to turn over, but I am getting back on the wagon now. I have some whole sesame seeds that I'm going to grind up. I think I'll make some sesame-date-carob treats in the food processor. Today, I think, I need to wash the salt and the processed sugar out of my system. I'm going to eat watery foods like Honeydew Mellon, oranges, carrot juice, tomato juice, celery juice, cucumber juice, apple juice (not all at the same time, but you see what I'm going for). I'm going to avoid any salty or fatty foods today. There isn't anything wrong with raw fatty or salty foods, but I want to promote hydration today. When I make the sesame-date balls, I will probably have some but that will be it for fats today. (Avocados aren't ripe yet anyway.)

Have a rawsome day everyone.

[MysticTree]

Don't get angry Rob just get back into it!
A few days slippage is not to worry about. It is passed and all you can do is move forward :)

[MysticTree]

watercress and mushroom soup with avocado for lunch. I put too many sundried toms in so it was less than perfect. Still good enough though.