Very Serious No "JOKE"

[misslinda]

Greetings my good friends,

I am writing to you all at this time becuase I've noticed there are some (maybe even many), including myself, that are experiencing difficulty in staying raw or sticking with a juice fast. Arising from these challenges, we're experiencing alot of emotions before/after an attempt and dealing with issues that are relative to them. Perhaps even experiences or memories that replay in our thoughts over and over that keep us from remaining pure to our health. Whatever the challenges, I wanted to share this wonderful message that Jay (Joke) left me in my journal. It couldn't have come at a better time than my first day of juicing (I only had 2 1/2 pices of chocolate this early morning shhhhhh.) I felt "ready" this time and then this message was discovered in my journal. It made me cry and I hope it serves as a comforting "voice" in your head to help you in your processs to RAWNESS.

Excerpt from my journal from Jay to Misslinda 12/15/2004
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *
It looks like we are on the same path... let this be another lesson for us...our bodies have become very very sensitive to some of those non raw foods...it's time we said farewell to them, maybe it's almost like saying goodbye to a good friend, a friend that was always there for us, that comforted us when we were down, a friend that made us feel better, if only for a little while... I think it's time to say goodbye, not see ya later, no, farewell!
I'm probably losing it here, but I think I need closure, we had a period where we had the 'good' company of our cooked friend, well no more! Farewell cooked friend, hello raw friend!!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *


I'm officially signing this post with my initials to commit to RAWNESS

L.C.S

**If you too would like to sign please leave you initials**

[Rawism]

Thanks for the pledge!

H.D.G.

[Jay]

Dear sweet Linda,

I saw this post and in the title there was my name so I HAD to read it, of course ;)
I'm so glad my message spoke to you, I went back to your journal a couple of times already after I wrote that post, and I kept thinking that 'that's it!' we have to say goodbye, and not to sound corny but...it's the end of an era, so to speak...

I've learned my lesson after last sunday and the effects it had on me for the last 3 full days... I'm going raw as well!

J.S.

[ksabe98]

Oh yeh this is really true. If I even eat one small amount of any cooked food now I get sick for 4 days. The last cheat I had was some croutons on my salad and cooked olives. NOT a good idea. I was down for 4 days. My mood sucked my head hurt. I had no energy and almost immediately after eating it I felt like I had cotton in my head. Good advice, eating the cooked for is like poison and I will tell you what else, it doesn't even tasted as good as I remember it to taste. So not worth it. Good Bye!
Lisa

[JourneyToRaw]

I began my raw journey October 1st with a 17 day juice fast....I tell you what it has been the most excited and yet challenging thing I have undertaken...it is such a battle sometimes to want to eat cooked food....but you are so right...YOU have to say GOODBYE....it does sound crazy but it is true....I also make the commitment....I need the support as well...

My new years resolution....I will stick to it....

SLJ

MERRY Christmas :)

[Jay]

Hi JourneyToRaw,

welcome to this board,
I'm glad you are joining us to make a commitment to stay raw! Yeah!!!!!

Common, who else is in?

Joke :D

[misslinda]

Come on....are you chicken??? Oh, I mean are you mock-chicken?

hee hee.

being silly,
linda

p.s. does a dose of radiation from my MRI today count as RAW? :eek:

[twinyoga]

You all have a great attitude. Jay's comment was well written. Thank you.

I am enjoying being raw. Even though I had a non-raw lunch with my Mom, both before that and afterwards I was completely raw and moving ahead. No beating myself up or regrets. My wheat grass shot and carrot/orange juice was a delicious dinner and my bed time snack was a banana/tahini smoothie.

Let's enjoy this together.

Debbie

[Rawkinlocs]

Okay Okay!! Yes, I was being (mock)chicken! I toyed with and fought with this ever since misslinda posted it and now...*sigh...I think I'm finally ready to fully commit as you all have done. I think this is great and I'm counting on all of you to kick me in the pants or whatever when I come here with something in my hand that shouldn't be!

Twinyoga, all I have to say to you is...YOU GO GIRL!! I really like how you are just coming along so nicely! Keep it up! ;)

cmk

[chilove]

i think supporting each other on the emotional eating/withdrawal issue is a great idea. i had no idea how much i relied on food for comfort and entertainment still (i used to have major food issues years ago) until i started raw. all those demons reared their ugly heads again. i really need to do some exploring in this area. today i had the first of a series of three hypnotherapy sessions to deal with this issue. i really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. the hypnotherapist was even totally supportive of raw! he has friends who are raw and he and his girlfriend are very holistic oriented. it was great. i'm looking forward to the other two sessions and to seeing if it will help me fight my cravings and stay raw. we focused on me seeing raw foods as every bit as comforting and satisfying as all my previous favorite comfort foods and on me seeing raw as totally abundant and joyful rather than restrictive. next week we are going to talk to my sub-conscious about why it still wants to hang on to cooked foods when they make me so sick.

[misslinda]

Good morning everyone,

Well I REALLY did it (!!!!)--100% juice fast yesterday (lost 3 lb.)! Anyway, I spent alot of "reflective inwardness time" thinking about what Jay said........."jay I'm sorry if I'm dragging this out but I'm stoked on it (!!!!) :eek:

She nailed it on the spot--it truly is a relationship and if I can say it this way, I was afraid of this new "raw food relationship," fear I would like it, become better at it, hate it, benefit form it, maybe "not" benenfit from it and simply COMMITMENT PHOBIC about the whole thing. I believed that if I started this juice fasting or being 100% raw, I should have no reason to end it or mess up--I was afraid of not having choices and being trapped like I made myself feel for a long time. Ironically, it's ONE of MANY choices I have. A kind of intimacy I'm learning of my mind, body and spirit. Creating my own "limitless space."

Free to be Raw,
linda :p

[Jay]

Don't worry Linda,
I'm glad that what I wrote spoke to you as well :) It sure did to me, and apparantly to some others as well!

I'm so happy for you staying all juiced, way to go!! Wahey!! :D :D

Lots of inner strenght,
Joke

[Sweet lips]

joining - JDR

[Stargazer2]

Congratulations, Linda! Mind, body, spirit, it all goes together. Wishing you well!

Peace, Valerie

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Okay, I need to have a cooked food funeral... I will dig a hole and bury my cheatin' stock...

Thanks Linda for your post... it brought reality to my situation and I think to many others.

M.M.S.

[Rawmommie]

K.A.O. :)

Karen

[misslinda]

************************************************** *******
"As the RAW anthem is ((((sung)))) in the background............LQQKING for more RAWbies !!!"

************************************************** *******

:p :) :p ;) :p :rolleyes:

[Jay]

Isn't it weird that only 13 people have signed up until now, yet this post has been viewed over 230 times! Now I know there are a couple of views from you, Linda, and myself, checking up, but common people, show us a little love ;) and sign up as well, together we are strong in this, Yeah!! :)

Joke (still going raw!) :cool:

[Melissa]

For now I can't even think about going off 100% raw because of the fibromyalgia and fatigue that slam me hard when I mess with cooked food. (To be fair, I also "hear" complaints from my body when I eat too much salt, shoyu, Braggs, or miso or too much oil or nuts.) In general, though, I feel that this is a healing diet for me and I'm sticking with it for a year before I re-evaluate. I feel good about this exploration and suspect it will become a long term lifestyle for me, if I see my fibro really fade into the background.

I believe that caring for our health can be a deeply intuitive process of listening, trying, and fine-tuning on a daily basis. Some other beliefs:
1. Our needs can change over time.
2. There is no single "perfect" diet for everyone.
3. 100% raw may not be optimal for every body at every point in their lives.
4. There's more to creating well-being than diet.
5. Eating raw doesn't guarantee longevity, happiness, absence of all disease, beauty, etc. Fruits and veggies are terrific for us, but being raw doesn't fix everything or remove us for the essential uncertainties of being alive.
6. "Staying 100% raw" is not a moral achievement and "eating cooked food" is not a moral failure.

I really am supportive of the wonderful people on this board in our mutual interest in raw foods...but I just want to be clear, too, that I don't judge anybody around their food choices and don't want anyone feeling badly about themselves for "lacking discipline" if they eat something cooked. Health is way more complex than that and self-love is a big part of the equation. I put my initials here to say I'm behind everyone's efforts to take loving care of themselves w/out blame. --MBM ;)

[Ptrish In Tennessee]

i will sign with my initials.... i am ready to face detox (been there, done that so suspect it will happen again lol ) i'm just a bit apprehensive of making a commitment and not being obedient... but i guess it's one day at a time and we do the best we can with what we have where we are, no?

so here goes.... (and i'm gonna go make some flax crackers :D )

c.p.w.

[misslinda]

Hi everyone,

I hope noone feels like they have to be "perfect" with the raw commitment--like another member said, there are going to be challenging times and maybe even a slip or two. In a sense, this "Pledge" gives us something to be hopeful for and know that we are all sisters and brothers in RAW land.

"Murphy's Law does not discriminate. :eek: "

day4 :) juice fast pending,
linda

[Jay]

Melissa,

I just wanted to say that you said it so beautifully, what you said it true, and I agree with you on that 100%!

Joke

[misslinda]

Pardon moi Melissa,

I could not remember who said what Jay was talking about and let alone where I had seen it. I have this problem of going into "reply" and forgetting who is who and where is where. Thank goddness Jay is my other brain half (!!!!)

I'm glad you made that clear to us melissa--I had to slices of cheescake subsequent to an ER visit this morning so I'm "close to home with slips."

one day at a time,
linda :(

[rawdreaming]

I "thought about" going raw for the first year, knowing that i would, but wanting to make the transition easy, by "psychic" preparation so to speak. This included being aware sometimes while eating that, when raw, i would no longer be eating such foods, and so really tasting it meditatively (sounds like a quit smoking technique i heard of). But of course, it also importantly included trying to imagine what living a 100% raw diet would be like, and doing research on the subject thru reading and talking to people. when the time came i was ready.
)
~ r

[MaxMarie]

I'll try to be very very good. :o m.m.g.

[Elizabeth]

Today is my fifth day at 100%, and I intend to keep going with it. If I start making allowances it seems to open the floodgates and who knows what will get in. :-(

[RawGranny]

Wow! This post brings on some deep thinking and inward searching for me. I want to thank everyone for all the insightful words.

[misslinda]

GOOD TIMES !



~L

[SedonaSun]

When talking about SAD food as an old friend, it makes me think of it as a bad relationship we keep making excuses to stay in. We know it's not healthy, and we know we should get out, but it's scary to break off the relationship, move out, find a new home, and find the new you, the one without the baggage of an abusive (in whatever form) or otherwise unhealthy partner. We wonder how we'll ever make it on our own, what will happen with the mutual friends, will I ever find love again, etc, etc.

In order to survive, you have to get out of the relationship. And once you do, there's a transisition period where you stop missing the old and start looking forward to the new. You see that you CAN survive without the bad relationship and before you know it, better things are coming your way.

[golfngardennut]

I have been on the raw challenge since the 17th of January. I like what was said about trying this for a year and then reevaluate. Maybe I will do that as well... hmmm...

pas

[levamssg]

When I started 100% raw last August, I had a 'food funeral' ... got rid of everything that didn't fit my food plan. Well, had to keep some things as my partner isn't raw ...but that is a whole other issue.

In my 6th raw month now, and most of the time am not tempted by cooked food. I say Most of the time. If I'm tired & really hungry, the convenience of SAD food is appealing. But so far, I've stayed raw.

Tis a journey that has been fun and for the most part enjoyable. Have found lots of new things to eat and am loving it! Of course the added bonus of feeling great and dropping a few sizes is great too!

cheers
terry

[SamL]

This is a great thread Linda. I love what everyone has contributed.

I hope it's ok if I sign my initials if I've already parted ways with cooked food.
I'm on day 7, 100% but I'm also right in the centre of detox symptoms and a parting of my ugly old relationship with cooked food.



I'd never thought of this toxic relationship with cooked food before, I'm grateful to Jay for sharing her thoughts of it this way. It's so true.


In order to survive, you have to get out of the relationship. And once you do, there's a transisition period where you stop missing the old and start looking forward to the new. You see that you CAN survive without the bad relationship and before you know it, better things are coming your way.

and leaving the bad relationship behind is just as meaningful.

S.L.J

[misslinda]

GOOD TIMES !



~L


I better get on the ball with this! Who invented Mondays? :rolleyes:


;) picking up and moving on past the "old lover"

[Alba]

What a great idea, I'm in! C.A.M

[misslinda]

Oh Alba,

Hi there!

I forgot my initials.

M.L.

:)

[tinystrawberry]

I am commiting because my body deserves it.
M.D.B.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Earlier this month I was 100% raw for 3 1/2 days. I am now on day 2 of being all raw.

Signing with my initials,

H.L.B.

[PDMagnusen]

I'm in! Starting a juice fast tomorrow. Thanks misslinda!

P.D.M.

[veeg]

I'm happy to re-committ to a 100% raw lifestyle. Like many others I've had some really great raw experiences, but also some slip ups. I realize that, for me, this has to be 100%. "cheating" leads to more "cheating".

I am committing to improved health, more energy, and a more "nature-centric" diet. !00% RAW.

AJF

PEACE & LOVE

[JennaBoBenna]

I was ravenous today...I stuffed all sorts of stuff in my mouth! Ugh! I have heartburn now.
I am longing for the figs in the fridge...but my stomach is so upset with me! :o

My dearest Body,
I know I've eaten horrible things in the past, but you made it so easy! I'm talking to youuu, Brain(and Tongue!!)! Stop thinking about the bad food, start thinking about the good food! And in order to help this happen, I swear I will not open Jeff's cabinet with his naughty food in it! You can think about it alllll you want, but it's not gonna happen! If you want the Emergen-C from there, I will ask Jeff to get it for me, and I will not watch, so HAH! When I smell the good smells of cooked food, I will think about how it tasted the last time I had it. I will not put in it my mouth! The memory is a nice one, but Stomach will be hurting if that food is eaten! Poor Stomach has been through so much these past 19 years! Be nice to her! She does so much for us, let's give her what she deserves!

J.L.P.

[blesshisname]

L.R.J

I'm all about this!

[Lay-Lay]

L.C.S. raw all the way!

[misslinda]

WOWSERS, we're really LIVING it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:) ;) :p :cool: :rolleyes:


can't live without drama :D

[codajess]

For the past 2 weeks, it's been cooked food (including dairy!) daily. And it's showing. *sigh*


Jessica

[Rainbow]

Misslinda,

I am in! I would like to do extend fast but I failed 3 times and never extended more than 2 weeks. I still stick to raw but feel my will is not that strong to do long fast. I will prepare a bit and start again.

I say goodbye to cooked food and I pray to committe to develop a new lifestyle.

I wish you be happy and always accept yourself who you are.
You are very beautiful inside and outside.
With peace and love,

[honeybee joy]

I will second that!

M.J.L.

[veeg]

I'm ready to re-committ every day!

The support from this site is great. I work in NYC and it seems like I can't walk an inch without a barrage of fast food, pizza, etc. But there are also plenty of stands selling fresh fruit and juice! It's all a matter of where you look!

I'm doin' it!

AJF

:D :D :D :D :D :D

[NuttyRawMom]

I am in! I have already made the commitment, but wanted to join! It is day 58 of my "30 Day Challenge" and I am not turning back! I have had 1 pre-planned cooked meal (although healthy vegan) and was sick with a horrible head cold for 4 days afterward! Amazing! After feeling so good for so long. I was worried when the time came to eat this meal after such a long time on raw that I would be sucked back into the cooked world. So, when I got this terrible cold, I was practically singing and dancing (if only I could with the way I felt!), "THANK YOU" because I certainly didn't get tempted to eat more cooked!!!

So, here I am, still hanging in on raw!

skm

[Eveleaf]

I'm in and no joke! Raw food is who I am!
VRL

[misslinda]

I'm ready to re-committ every day!

:D :D :D :D :D :D


Yur a GENIUS, I like your style!!!!


Sealed and Stamped,
;)

[livingatthetop]

OK I am in
:) SPC :)

[misslinda]

* Cracks the whip *

[veeg]

I am re-committing again today!
There is no such thing as "harmlessly cheating".
E Pluribus Avocado! :cool:

AJF

[maraw]

In two years, I've not seen this thead - amazing. Anyway, thank you ML for posting this excerpt from your journal. I have become lazy as of late and have been kicking myself for it. I wake up feeling puffy and tired, and then struggle with small "cheats" here and there. And yet, there's no purpose to it - nothing to gain - no long, or even short-term statisfaction. 100% clean, raw fuel makes me feel clean and regenerated.

This is as serious a committment as I've ever made. I'll sign with pride.

I'm in, for life! Here's to it...

A.S.T.

[jiujitsugirl]

oo oo todays my 21st day raw i wanna pledge for sure, this has been the best thing to happen to me and in a few weeks im fighting brazilian jiu jitsu again and im gonna kick some meaty butt
-A.T.

[misslinda]

, and then struggle with small "cheats" here and there. And yet, there's no purpose to it - nothing to gain - no long, or even short-term statisfaction.
.


Maraw, your presence was greatly missed ! :)


"EVERYDAY IS A FIRST IMPRESSION TO OURSELVES."

ALL THE STRENGTH,LOVE & MIRACLES TO US ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:) ;) :)

[Jen Rose]

How OLD is this thread?!? Wow!

Anyways, I'm glad I saw it. Jay's words really spoke to me. Food has been so emotional and nastalgic. I feels like when I start to get really clean and clear...really buzzing off raw foods something small makes me have to "start the whole process over again"...why is this? Am I scared to be the Raw Queen I'm meant to be? It's so hard because when you put down the food that hides and dulls your emotions your left with dealing with those emotions. And it doesn't STOP on Raw! Even when you deal with them and heal them...they just keep coming up and coming up...it's amazing and insane all rolled into one nori wrap.

I'm glad I have very stong will though, when I really put my mind to something I will not budge. I'll hold it like a Yoga pose! Let us say good bye to our old SAD selves, and hello to our new RAW selves....why would we want to hurt our new shining raw selves by dipping into past habits that just want to keep us down! Let's FIGHT our ADDICTIONS! And start saying YES to the RIGHT things and HELL NO! to the wrong ones!!!

Love you guys!!
J.R.U.

[misslinda]

Food has been so emotional and nastalgic.



That's a interesting way of stating that Jen!!!!!


MissLinda will Recommit each day. :)

[veeg]

I need to re-commit again !!!

This morning/afternoon was a challenge and I fell off course. I won't get into the details of what foods etc. but I feel terrible and am ashamed to that I took it out on my wonderful children. I was just plane lousy to them.

I am a much nicer person when I'm raw...

I'm back on track and this is just a reminder to myself that everyday is new and there will always be challenges along the way.

Peace

AJF

[mcasburn]

- I commit to being high raw for the rest of my life, and 100% raw as much as I can.
- I committed long ago to eat organic and local to the highest degree possible, and I will do so again today.
- I commit to caring for my pets' bodies with as much reverence and respect as I do my own, and feeding them species-appropriate diets.
- I commit to sharing the knowledge I have gained with the people I love in a non-judgmental way, and expanding that knowledge at every possible opportunity.

Viva La Raw!

MMC

[misslinda]

I am a much nicer person when I'm raw...


Peace

AJF


Ha! Me too...my sis can't stand me right now.............oh god, she used the word psychotic :rolleyes:


* HIGH 5 TO EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *

[Miranda]

i've been struggling since january on the raw food diet....many ups and downs..but i'm in the process of getting my bulimia and drinking under control [FINALLY] and am ready to commit to this.

m.c.