Raw food and you in the future?

[Alissa]

This is not the same thread as what has been asked a few times already.
Those posts were great about 'why raw' why are you doing this, what do you hope to heal, what do you want the raw food diet to do...
This is a post of a more esoteric question i guess...WHY are you doing raw in terms of this...

WHAT IS THE BIG PICTURE? And HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO STAY RAW?

If you havenÂ’t thought about it this may be a good time since the holidays are here, there is a lot of food and people and excuses we can use to go off raw and if the only reason you have is to lose weight or heal your high blood pressure, thatÂ’s great but, you wont stay on this path.
Maybe you donÂ’t want to stay on it for longer then it takes to create the immediate results but if you do, what is it?

I guess maybe what im really asking is how and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Yeah, lets change it to that, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TERMS OF RAW FOOD AND YOUR LIFESTLYE IN 5 YEARS?

[Rawism]

I often ponder this myself.... within 5 years I visualize that I will have enough sound knowledge and experience in this lifestyle, that I will be living and walking testimony so as I can teach others about the benefits of eating raw.

I would love to be able to prepare meals for others so as they may not feel like they are missing out by not eating meat and other cooked foods.

At this point in my life, I will also have no desire to eat cooked foods (no more french fry cravings) and will be more creative with my dishes and meal choices.

[Rawkinlocs]

I'm with Platinum.

I see myself doing this as a lifestyle. It was never about weight or resolving a health issue for me...but I do believe this is the way I am meant to eat for the rest of my life.

In five years, I see myself and my husband very experienced and knowledgable about this way of life and having a healing facility for people to come to and learn about raw eating, fasting, etc. as well as speaking at churches because the Black American church is often known for EATING (church functions, selling dinners for fundraisers, after church fellowships, etc.) so I see teaching raw food and natural health in general as a ministry of sorts. I also see myself doing something with raw food preparation and/or a few books/ebooks dealing with some specific types of raw food cuisine!

But this isn't a quick fix for me...I plan to do this for the rest of my life!

[tglasco4]

Great post Alissa!

I believe I will begin to eat simpler and simpler raw food. For example I made a raw apple pie for Thanksgiving and then did not want to eat it. My wife loved it, my neighbor gladly ate what my wife didn't, but I felt it was too rich. I am getting past the stage where I need cooked "substitutes". I can see that one day (I am not sure how long from now but I don't believe it will be that long) I will be eating just whole fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds without any processing or blending of any kind. My body will be cleaner and much more efficient in terms of processing the nutrients from the food I consume. My mind will be clear and my perceptions deeper. I will be more in tune with my body than I am now and be able to reach for that food that it is asking for in terms of nutrient type. I believe I will be much less consumed with eating in general, as I will eat more for strength then for pleasure, although simple foods will give me pleasure. I believe I will be much stronger than I am now as my body develops from what it is being fed over the years. I expect my near-sightedness to improve and eventually be healed. I don't expect to ever have a vascular disease and in fact to build my immune system so that I can help others without fear of infections.


Peace.

Todd

[blueberry]

In 5 years, I see myself getting to the next spiritual plane and closer to God because I will be extracting all of the things in my body that interfere with that connection. Whenever we eat something that is poison for our bodies, it lodges itself deep in our core and our focus gets distorted because our mind's are in constant thought about our "slip".
Of course I see myself having gotten rid of my own health problems but on this journey I have also become interested in teaching others about the alternative ways of healing themselves which includes diet, sunlight, exercise, fresh air and relaxation and producing something that makes you feel alive, that gives you a purpose.
There are a couple of different paths I can take to achieve my goal to be a messenger of this lifestyle but since I am not clear as to what that will be yet I cannot say prematurely. All that I know is that I want to help others achieve optimal health mainly through raw foods. Once you have been given a gift, it is nice to give back.

[Sweet lips]

Greetings All,

In five years, I see myself still alive and actually living. I never imagined that I would live to see 45 and yet I have bypassed that. I never imagine that I would ever feel the true Sonshine in my life and each day I am receiving blessings upon blessings - even when things do not go as I have imagine so with that -

I too Platinum will be a living testimony, and as with Rawkinlocs, a healing place with food, meditaiton, stress management classes and speciality class -with some of you as instructors, offer period fasting session for persons to come to learn to Celebrate their lives with joy, peace and patience in what God can do for them. I plan to write a book - not about the lifestyle but because of the life style, and as Todd eat to live and not live to eat. This is part of my journey to heal, and as somone as said, I have the top three Highs and they will be but a distance memory.

I also have plans for a television show and a radio show. Thanks for asking Alissa as I have so much joy in my life, and as I have said before, I never felt this before I began this journy. :)

[Rawmommie]

In 5 years I see this as something that is just part of my life. I don't think that I will have intrest in cooked foods anymore. Eating this way will be a natural part of my life. I don't think I'll have to think about it as much, I think I'll know how to prepare different recipes for variety, and I think I will be healthy and happy enjoying my life with my family. I also hope that they will learn from me and be eating more raw foods.

I'll also be skinny. ;)

[rawvegirl]

In 5 years I will also be a living testimony. Eating raw will be so natural I won't ever think about cooked food. And I won't think about food in general as much as I do now. I will eat less (not constantly), not out of restriction, but because I'll listen to my body better. I see myself spreading the message of raw foods in the midwest, and the vegetarian group we've started here, which has only a few people who are interested in raw, will blossom to huge numbers. There will be lectures, potlucks, and demonstrations in my area, and I will be an active part of that. People will see my health and be inspired and actually listen to my message. My niece, who's fed junk and is always sick, will be 8 and will see her energetic, happy, radiant aunt as an example of what true health is. She will look forward to visiting me and eating fresh fruits and green smoothies with me.

For me, it was never just about curing an illness or losing weight - it encompasses all aspects of my life, bringing me closer to nature and giving me the ability to live and love life to the fullest. Eating raw is a way of worshipping Life. Each raw meal is a holy act. There is nothing temporary about it.

[Allison]

This is such an interesting question, because in January I will have been 85% raw for five years. So I can look back and remember when I began...I was 100 lbs. overweight, had no energy, never exercised, didn't even get on the floor to play with my children.

Now, five years later, 105 lbs. lighter, I enjoy playing soccer with my seven children; I'm training for a half-marathon, and thanks to Helen, we all started karate. I guess the main difference between then and now is that now I actually live life, whereas before I didn't do a lot of things because of my weight.

The way we eat just comes naturally now. No, we're not perfect, but 85% raw is our "normal" way of eating. Five years from now, I hope to be continuing our raw food journey. It has helped me in so many areas of my life. Oh, and five years from now, I hope to have run a full marathon...hold me to it!

Allison

[solchile76]

Raw will be a way of life for me. My main reason is to be healthy and to set a good example for others so they can be healthy as well. I donÂ’t want to experience what my mother, aunts and grandmother experience with age on the SAD. I will admit loosing weight is a high priority for me. I do believe I am a compulsive eater and I want to get my eating habits under control so I can reach a healthy weight (whatever that is).

[Rawmommie]

Allison! What an inspiration you are! Congrats on your 5 years coming up! :)
Karen

[smasty]

Great questions! Great responses!

After worrying about my weight for every day of 37+ years, I'm finally starting to relax and trust that raw works! I know this is where I'm supposed to be, why else would it be the easiest thing I've ever done in my life!

So...5 years from now, my small bone structure is highlighted to it's max (meaning my weight at 6'0" is around 150)...however I no longer worry about weight. Like Todd...I also see myself eating in a simpler manner. I'm just now beginning to understand the shift that happens after a certain amount of time to mono and simple eating.

5 years from now I've also enjoyed a long juice fast at least once a year (at least 21 days).

I've found time in my hectic life to enjoy the other aspects of the lifestyle: getting sunshine everyday, fresh air, relaxation, vigorous exercise. I'd also like to be growing a little food of my own every summer....something I've NEVER done!

Finally...in 5 years I'll be happy to say that I've met up with Alissa once each of those years at one of her functions.

[Alissa]

Its the dreaming and creating what you want in the future that inspires us now.
i always check in with my future self and she always has amazing surprises about my future that are always changing!
thatÂ’s so great to hear what all of you are striving towards!

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Where will we be 5 years from now ?..........ah to dream.......

I'll be here in Connecticut tending to my vineyard.

Alissa will be voted by People Magazine as a top 50 personality of the decade.

Smasty will be appearing in GAP ads showing us all how to look so good in a pair of jeans.

Rawkinlocs will be teaching at a university and collecting a peace prize.

Kristi will own a Chrysler car dealership...Ms. P.T. Cruiser!!!!!

Curtis will finally make it to Blockbuster to rent "Super Size Me"

Tglasco will be on the cover of G.Q. and wil have his own line of tee shirts and under garments.


All in Fun,

Peace,

M.B.

[glad_2beme]

laughter is GREAT you crack me up!!! but then again, you never know

[Alissa]

Oh my god, monkeyboy, i had tears rolling reading this, so true, all of it! HA!
Actually im not sure about my part, but the rest... your too much!

[myluckystarz]

I'm definitely trying to stay focused and centered in the now...I dont have all kinds of fancy expectations, thank goddess!, about life in the future. So if things go well then yay!, and if not theres no loss. Yeah, I'm not into projecting into the future. It's kind of watseful. But I am very glad to be where I am in life Now, and I say that with the deepest and utmost sincerity. I wholly accept myself and my process through life :)

[Curtis]

rofl Monkeyboy!

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Please read the post by Rawkinlocs again. I too have expressed this many times. Being raw is a lifestyle, not a diet. You do it because you want to. The weight lose and energy boost is just a part of it. Feeling better is what raw means to me.

My relationship with my family and friends is deeper and my love for people in general has increased because I now have a better understanding of who I am. The raw way of life agrees with me.Raw has helped me physically, but has really done wonders for me on the mental side.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I wish you all the best.

Peace,

M.B.

[Veganmama]

In 5 years i too want to be knowledgable enough to be sharing the Raw food diet with others. I will be a qualified nutritionist by then. I also want ot have my own home and use all the land for growing food in a permiculture style setting. **SIGH***

[Tanja_swe]

well... in 5 years time.... I will still eat raw food of course as it is a lifestyle choice for me (even though one of my main goals is to loose weight).

other than that.... we will have a place of our own back in Sweden where we run our company (we're trying to get it started as we speak... it's a computer games company). Anyway, the company will by then be able to support both of us full time and make it possible for us to have a good life. Hopefully we'll be able to travel a lot around the world.

Thanks to raw food I will be fit enough to do all the things I want to do... ie diving, trekking... adventures of all kinds are waiting round the corner :D

[Curtis]

Had to give some thought to this one. :) Five years from now will be living in the country prolly in Oregon. Would like to be involved in sharing the raw food lifestyle by web site, working in a raw food resturant or working at a health resort/retreat type of place. Also have an interest to be an organic grower for vegetarian, vegan, raw food resturants. I learned how to grow things from my dad many years ago and long to get back to the earth by growing things. Would be so sweet to make a living growing organic fruits and vegetables.
And last but not the least would love in five years to have met all you wonderful people in person. :)

[Melissa]

Love this thread, fun to dream ahead. I see this first year raw as a time to change physically so that I can experience life in a fit and healthy body. Without the pain/symptoms I've had to cope with, I'll then be able to gain more and more emotional and spiritual clarity and peace with each passing year. As to my more mundane and immediate goals: I'd like to learn how to turn cartwheels by the time I'm 40 (next year...never learned as a kid and really want to do them.) And I'd love to fit into the gorgeous little black cocktail dress I bought ten years ago but never ever wore, way too small. I hold it up to me and dream about wearing it...When I do, you'll definitely see the photo posted ;)