Raw in Oakland, California

[GS06]

Hi Everyone,

I am really excited to find this website !! I have actually been making raw food dishes/desserts on and off for about 1 year but went 100% raw on December 1, 2005. I am looking forward to seeing changes in my body both physically and mentally. I am interested in knowing how long its taken for other raw foodist to notice the differences - skin, health etc?

I have been to a few raw food cafes and have enjoyed them .......... for those times that I don't have the slightest idea what to make for myself, those cafes have kept me motivated.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Good for you. You are on your way to a marvelous health journey!

What are you eating right now?

See how simply you can eat before delving into the recipes. Simple fruits, smoothies, salads, etc. You might want to save the complex recipes for a special occasion or when cravings hit.

That said, www.fromsadtoraw.com has a ton of raw recipes. You can even check the recipe threads here and get some awesome ideas.

[GS06]

Hi Sharon,

Right now I am eating flax chips with guacamole, salsa, and cashew sour cream with mixed greens a pear and water. Sounds impressive, but this is what I bought home from the raw food cafe that I went to today. I've found that preparing meals is challenging......... I really have to think in advance. I haven't purchased a dehydrator yet, so I basically eat lots of salads and make smoothies in the morning.

You are correct in suggesting to save the complex recipes for special occasions .... I most recently purchased a book called "Raw Food Real World" by Matthew Kenney & Sarma Melngailis - the book is great, but some of the entrees take alot of time. I couldn't image that anyone was eating this way everyday. What a workout. I really need to simplify things a bit ............... I will definitely check out the website that you've suggested.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Ooh, I really want that book for my collection!

Your diet sounds a lot like mine. I eat a lot of flax crackers, guac & salsa. I find it satisfying for my 'salt' tooth.

I'm sorry I misread your question. You weren't really asking about recipes, were you? :o

As for your question, my changes have been gradual, probably because I didn't have any huge, noticeable problems beforehand. I'm dealing with genetic high cholesterol, as opposed to weight, skin problems, etc. So I haven't noticed a lot, however when I was raw 3 months straight I did notice a dramatic drop in my cholesterol levels.

A few things I do notice is less lethargy, more energy. I don't have a horrible taste in my mouth when I wake up. They are small things, and I noticed them within the 1st week of being raw.

[GS06]

Thanks so much for the website information, I found a few recipes that I am going to try soon!!!

[shakalover]

hi gso6!

right now i'm in dc, but often i'm also in the bay area :)

[GS06]

Hi Shakalover !

I really love the bay area ....... i've been here for six years now. I'm finding that living here has been an asset especially in my transition to raw food. I've found a few raw food restaurants/cafes that I really like that are primarily located in San Francisco.

How long have you been a raw foodist?

[Aasyah]

Hi Gso6

I am a native Californian (Vallejo), i now reside in the midwest (Ohio/Michigan). I have been vegan for over a year before finding Alissa and her wonderful forum. I am currently 3 days 100% raw.
I wish you the best in health and longevity with your raw journey, you are in good hands here Alissa and the other ladies who oversee the forum are really great and warm with helping and support :D
Enjoy.

Aasyah

[GS06]

Hi Aasyah,

Thank you for your kind words. It has now been five days that I have been 100% raw. I had somewhat of a stressful day today, but managed not to fall into eating things that would "temporarily" ease the stress (cookies, chocolates etc) :D Once I purchase my dehydrator I will eat raw cookies instead ;) . Much happiness in your journey as well.

[sweetgoddess]

A warm welcome to the forum :)
I wish you many blessings on your raw journey.

Warmly~
Carmel

[deedub]

Hey. Do you know that there is a small raw food secgtion in Whole Foods? Its in the front in the first aisle after the produce section. Anyway they have these cookies made by Blessing. I have tasted them at the Tuesday Berkeley Farmers Market where she has a booth. When I went raw I noticed changes right away and am more and more amazed by the way I feel and look. I went from really SAD to Raw and my new thing is my heavily coated tongue is getting pink. Anyway best wishes to you.

[GS06]

Sweet Goddess,

Thank you for the welcome ! I have really enjoyed this forum, I have now been 100% raw for 8 days and counting. This site has been so helpful. :)

[GS06]

Hi Deedub,

I was in the raw food section of Whole Foods last night ..... I don't have a dehydrator yet, so whenever I'm in the market I try a new cookie - !! What time does the Berkeley market open? I have been to the Jack London Market on Sunday's and the Oakland -Lakeshore on Saturday's. The markets have been a great resource !

By the way, how long have you been raw? In a short time, I've noticed a few changes in myself as well - my energy level being most noticeable !! :D

[deedub]

The Berkeley Farmers Markets are on
Tuesdays 2-7pm., on Derby between Martin Luther King and Milvia. This one is my favorite. During the winter they close at 6pm.

Thursdays on Shattuck near Rose. 2-7pm (6pm in winter months)

Saturday on Center or Central (I'm not sure which) between MLK and Milvia.
10-3pm.
----------

Saturday 10-2pm, Pier 1, San Francisco.
I have seen it posted that this one is also on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday but I have only been to the one on Saturday and it is very nice you know if going to San Francisco is not too big of a deal. I make this one about once a month.

I have been raw for 7 months now and I just love it.

Peace, Blessings and Good Wishes

[RawTruth]

Hi GS06 and Welcome!

May I suggest something obvious -- that you get Alissa's book (and DVD, hopefully). It is the easiest way to go (and stay!) raw. She has a month-long plan wherein she lists the staples to keep in your cupboard and all ingredients for each week's worth of menus. You don't need a dehydrator until the 4th week. The recipes are so easy -- most don't have more than 5 main ingredients -- and, by the end of the month, you are so skilled at the basics of preparing raw dishes that you can wing it yourself and naturally create your own dishes.

I've been completely raw for about a year now, and I used this method myself. As you can see, I'm so sold on it that I became one of her first teachers so that I could help spread this magic to others in an organized, do-able way.

I live in Southern California myself, but my daughter lives in Sunnyvale (I've considered offering some chef classes when I'm up there visiting since there's currently no Living on Live Food Teachers in the Bay Area).

By the way, Cafe Gratitude is one of my favorite raw restaurants, bar none. You've very lucky to live so close to them!!

Congratulations on a week+ of being raw. It's THE way to go!