Got to be honest

[JMD]

Hi,

I guess I want to share some truths....I feel sort of dishonest because I share on this site often but am not 100% raw. I feel like I should be before I respond to many threads.

My only non-raw items are ginger tea and about 10 oz of steamed veggies daily. I do not eat any processed foods or dairy, breads /grains, caffeine, nuts, nothing like that etc.....so I have an amazing level of clarity.

My body works best on light water filled fruits & veggies and flax oil for fat. I can handle soaked almonds on a rare occasion and pumpkin seeds.

I just wanted to share my truths and tell you all--whom I treasure--my truth and my continuing journey to eat as clean as possible.

As for my steaming --well most of my surrenders have been a process so I am sure they will dwindle down too!

I am at a goal weight but could lose some flab?? around my waist and hips I wonder if the veggies could be holding me back??

Thanks for letting me come "clean" inside and out!!

Blessings to all,
Jen
Jen

[edie]

You sound like your doing great! I am 100% raw but it took me 12 years to get here and I only do it because it works for me. I believe this path is all about health which doesn't mean you have to be 100%. My belief is that this forum is for those who have an interest in raw foods but I don't think that means you have to be 100%. I honor your honesty but I hope that your not being too hard on yourself...if you are...like I said your doing great!!! :D EDIE

[Autumn]

Jen,
You don't have to be 100% raw to contribute to this board, nor to be a positive influence, or a source of information and inspiration! You're doing wonderfully and please don't ever feel that you have to be *perfect* to join in the fun! :D There is a huge amount of people here who are still searching, trying, aspiring (I'm one of them)...you are certainly not alone! RAW for most, doesn't happen overnight.

As for being at goal weight but still have a bit excess 'flab', I think some weight bearing or resistance exercise would be more beneficial than cutting back on the veggies.

[tglasco4]

Hi Jen,

If everyone in America ate like you do, there wouldn't be any obesity problems, people would be less aggressive and uptight, no animals would be slaughtered for commercial purposes.....i.e. the world would be a better place.

You're doing wonderfully. :)

btw, I think Autumn's advice is excellent. Some resistance training with some cardio would get rid of the excess for sure!

Peace.

Todd

[misslinda]

your contribution to these boards are priceless Jen. sound like you are exploring the possiblity of trying 100% raw? have you tired lesseing your steaming like steaming less or only half the quantity and then leaving the rest raw? Can I ask what is it about the steaming of your veggies that keep you there?

it just reminded me of when I left rawfoods for awhile and I would go to the local health food market and always or steam veggies with brown rice---everyday! I realized I got emotionally connected to the idea and feel of it. I was scared to give up the habit b/c of the change ---may feel not as I imagined---what would it be like--results????

Then I slowly told them to steam less..........it finally lessened to 20 seconds of steaming and THEN i requested the veggies left fresh. LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............ordering steam veggies and rice and asking them not to steam them?!@#*($&#_)_ the gals use to laugh :p

[karotw]

Hi Jen - thanks for your honestly and for your contributions to this board. From my own perspective, I am grateful that people from all phases of raw are here and are sharing their experiences - I grow from it all!

I have bit of my own guilt about sharing when I'm not 100% raw or when I'm struggling with trying to be raw, but I often remind myself that I am where I am and as long as I'm sharing at that level, that's the best I can do.

I'm glad you are here and are sharing yourself with us!

Many Blessings,
Karen

[LNdolls]

I am glad you posted. I have been feeling really guilty for not being 100% and as a result have strayed further and for longer than my body likes. It is really nice to be reminded that eating well is not one or a set of rules... I am trash binning my guilt right now.
Best,
LN

[JMD]

Thanks everyone...I give everyone a group hug.....for a few nights I may just eat fruit at night...and keep it simple.

MissL...good point..... i think the steamed veggies give me the full feeling I like esp in winter....

and i will do more weights @ the gym...I just poop out now during winter too early since I am working fulltime with kids. Having the summer off is PRICELESS for my energy and sleep!! I will step it up at least once a week!!

Thanks ladies and gentlemen :)

[Colin]

[QUOTE=JMD]Hi,

I guess I want to share some truths....I feel sort of dishonest because I share on this site often but am not 100% raw. I feel like I should be before I respond to many threads....Jen

Great responses to this thread. I will add that I used to be so guilty and would sometimes give up if I wasn't eating "perfectly."
This time around, 9 days on green smoothies, salads, simple fare I have been able to be easy on myself, aware that if the avo or celery isn't organic or if I have some maple syrup for sweetener in my smoothe or some honey in my green tea or chamomile or chai tea which is not considered raw than that is a tremendous improvement in my eating.
I might waver off topic a little but here goes...
When I was obsessed with food and running around trying to get all organic and fresh ingredients it was a set-up for failure for me and I also complicated it all by having too much variety of food and not being able to do recipes very well, and also not knowing how to handle social eating out situations well.
Last night I was at a meeting where everyone brought SAD food and I was able to eat my salad before going out and at the meeting no one noticed that I hadn't eaten anything there! That was so freeing!
I am trying to be caring, nourishing, nuturing, loving, sensible, sane, consistent, and resourceful this time around. I even pray a little for help to eat sanely and try to get in a walk daily for now.
This group is a tremendous blessing. My longtime girlfriend who I hope to marry one day is committing to 2 raw meals a day with one cooked for now. So it's nice to have someone who wants to do this as well.
But this group has been a big support whether through helpful information, or sane suggestions, encouragement, non--judgemental attitude, and even great humor.
I find that I can look here instead of being bombarded with TV ads, fast food chains everywhere, coffee joints, parties--eat,eat,eat messages.....This support for me is a very important safeguard and I see it's value.
Taken me a long, long time to get to the point in my life of being my own ally in the eating/exercise healthy lifestyle. I am tired of the swings, cycles, and guilt. I am starting to love me and as a result I am finding that eating is startinf to take its rightful sane place in my life. I used to actually abuse or abandon myself when stressed or bored or angry and that is changing.
Just eating 'perfect' didn't fix the core in me that was hurting myself by abusing food and not getting exercise, etc. I used food and strict 'control' to deal with the unhealed parts of me.
So here we go again. We'll see if I can do it one day at a time. I see others in here doing it, so that is a powerful testimony that "we" can.
Colin

[Sharon in Colorado]

Not 100%??? NOT 100%?!?!?

Get outta here RIGHT NOW! ;)

Off with her head!

Let me tell you, I've been back and forth on this ride over 5 years now - I hope I'm allowed to post here!

LOL!

Seriously, it is a process...I know Alissa says that in order to get FULL benefits you should really be 100% raw minus condiments but last I checked you don't have to be 100% to post here.

I eat chocolate too, so there! :eek: (Oh - uh, now my secret's out too!)

[monkeyboy]

Yo Yo Yo JMD,

Chill baby Chill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do what you feel best.

No pressure.

Drink a little wine and relax.

I've been raw now for 2 years. You will have your peaks and valleys. Only you can determine what is best for you.

The Monkeyboy speaks.

Stay active.

Keep posting.

Be like the Monkey.

Soon it will be a part of your life.

I don't even call it raw anymore.

It's just what I do everday.

veggie, fruit, nut, wine, veggie, fruit nut, more wine.



Peace,

M.B.

[GS06]

JMD,

Thank you so much for your post, I had been 100% raw for 19 days and just yesterday I ate a few things that normally I wouldn't touch. Yes, the golden arches were calling me, it didn't really help that I drove by at least three McDonalds locations while running errands - I was sitting in the drive-thru line thinking, "this is really wrong", but, I indulged in the fries, and then in an effort to redeem myself - went home to find a raw recipe for potato chips - so I'm going to dehydrate the potatoes sometime tomorrow.

During my escapade, I realized that my intentions are to be completely raw, but that this is a journey - ultimately the stress that I could put myself through (when I've deviated from my raw food path), could be just as harmful. So, I'm taking it one day at a time and finding joy in the transition. .

Your post as well as the responses from other members has really helped to make this journey a truly positive experience. :o

[ReneeSC]

I HAVE ONLY BEEN DOING THIS A FEW MONTHS - AND THE ONLY DAYS I'VE BEEN ALL RAW WERE THE DAYS I ONLY ATE FRUIT OR VEGGIES WITH NO CONDIMENTS OR SAUCES. I'm glad that I had such enthusiasm in the beginning that I didn't even COUNT the condiments/spices.. or.. hey.. I might have not continued as long as I did. I still experienced huge leaps in my health, though, so I'm trying to envisualize what ALL raw would be ....sustained. Could i handle that/ lol

[Rawma]

Hey Jen,
You are doing so great. We all need to stop being so hard on ourselves. This IS a journey and I am reminded of that when I read Alissa's book and see that it took her a number of years to be 100%. It's so much easier to enjoy the process then it is to kick yourself for eating something not raw. Be proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished. You deserve it!

On a even more personal note...I am so SORRY that I have not called you back! This is a crazy time for me and I do promise I will call you after the Holidays. I can't wait to get together! And when we do, I will help you put together a workout to get rid of that "extra flab" you discussed in your thread. I am a Personal Trainer too!
Happy Holidays,
Lisa

[twinee1]

Not 100%??? NOT 100%?!?!?

Get outta here RIGHT NOW! ;)

Off with her head!

Let me tell you, I've been back and forth on this ride over 5 years now - I hope I'm allowed to post here!

LOL!

Seriously, it is a process...I know Alissa says that in order to get FULL benefits you should really be 100% raw minus condiments but last I checked you don't have to be 100% to post here.

I eat chocolate too, so there! :eek: (Oh - uh, now my secret's out too!)


Well, unless that is a raw chocolate bar...off with your head !! lol....

I on occassion will eat some Terra Norstra Choc Bar 70% least processed I can find.

If you follow the Raw Detox Diet, which is about fast exit foods as much as raw, she says chocolate (70% Cocoa) is "neutral". I still wish someone would come up with a raw REAL chocolate bar but shelf life would be a problem I think !!

[JMD]

Thanks for all your support RAW FAMILY:) I did get some great news yesterday...My 6month visit to the dentist was like 15 minutes. She told me I had nothing to clean and scrape off my teeth--she did not even floss for me!!! I know it is b/c I have been high raw for over 9 months!! It is the little encouraging things that come right when I am at a low point that keeps this engine chugging along:).

Lisa--I look forward to getting together and I am open to suggestions! to flatten my belly.
MBoy__Ahh yes my hubby would love me to loosen up and drink some wine---:) for more reasons than one ;)

Happy Rawolidays-- to the best of your ability --of eveyone here!!

:)Jen