Another newbie!

[deb]

Hi Everyone!

This is my first post in my journal so I'll just post it here too. :)

My name is Deb Parker and I'm from NC. I'm married to Terry and we have 3 fur babies.

I have been trying to eat raw for about 4 years. At one point, I was doing pretty good with it but let life get in the way. Over the last year or so I have gained a LOT of weight. I am talking a lot!!! The worst part about the weight is not the way I look but the way I feel about myself. I have retreated into myself and almost become a recluse. This isn't me. I refuse to live this way any longer.

Since trying raw, it has always been in the back of my mind as the best... no the ONLY way to eat. I've tried a number of diets over the last few months, always fairly healthy (Fuhrman, McDougall, etc.) but knew in my heart of hearts I had to go raw. I really think once you try raw and know what it will do for your life, you can never get away from it.

So, I am going raw. Not for 30 days, not for a couple of months but for life. I'm sure there will be some blunders along the way but I have no other option. Cooked food reminds me of being in a horrible relationship with an abusive man. You feel trapped but you keep going back. He beats the pudding out of you, destroys your self worth but for some reason, you keep going back. (I've never been in a bad relationship... my husband is awesome! But I am familiar with the patterns.) Well, I am divorcing the bad relationship with cooked food. It is so charming and conniving but deadly.

Over the last 2 months I have been revving myself up for this step. I've done a ton of reading, watched numerous videos and prepared my kitchen. The last "straw" was my Christmas gift from Terry... Alissa's dvds and book. We watched the vids Sunday night and went 100% raw Monday morning. Sunday night, we also threw out everything in the house that even resembles cooked food. (I still have some things in the freezer to give my MIL.)

There was something about Alissa's approach to raw that made me believe that I COULD do this for life. I think I have had this idea that I had to do it perfect. Her approach is just go raw and make it enjoyable! Don't worry for now whether you're combining right or eating the right amount of fats/proteins, etc. Just go raw!!! So, that's what I am going to do, by George!! And with the help of God.
I know this is what I am meant to do. I know it. I know the time is right. Some things you just know, ya know?

I guess this is getting long enough. Thanks Alissa for your generous heart. Thank you for offering this space for people. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to help others. That is my ultimate goal too. THANK YOU!!

I look forward to getting to know all of you!

Deb

[Joopie]

WOOHOOOO Deb, you rock! No more recluse, no more yucky food. We are in the same boat with the not feeling like ourselves thing, so I congratulate you for getting so sick of it that you want your life to be different. I wish the best to you with your rawness! :)

I'm glad you are here, welcome!

Julie

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Deb!!!!!

{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}

I'm so glad to see/hear from you again!!!! I've been so worried about you, but I should have known . . . when the time was right you would come back. Don't you always??

I met Barbara a couple of days ago, when I was down in Florida and we both talked about you . . . how much we missed you and what an inspiration you have been to us. We enjoy your posts so much; you seem to always find a subject that seems to be something that one or a number of us needed at the time.

I'm going over and check your journal out. I hope you'll drop into our other board. A few of the ladies there only post on that board and don't want to go to any others. Edda, AJ, Mary & I post over here. I want to say I think Yaffa posted over here, but it was a while ago.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[AJ Bodine]

I don't post over here too often, but to say welcome back Deb, I came right over this morning! I'm so happy to see that you are getting back to raw eating and taking control of your health.

I said this on the other board, but I'll say it here too...

Judge yourself not by the amount of times you've fallen down, but rather by the amount of times you've gotten back up.

Somebody really smart said that, and I'm just borrowing their quote! I can't remember who it was now as I've read too many books, etc... I bet somebody here knows though.

AJ :)

[Curtis]

Welcome Deb!

[deb]

Thanks everyone! I'm on day 5 and doing fine... aside from a major headache but it seems to be easing off.

Julie, I was talking with AJ this morning about this very thing... not feeling ourselves... false body, false emotions, false brain! Pretty soon we'll be feeling all better. I look so forward to it, don't you??

[Joopie]

Deb, I can't wait. I absolutely cannot wait. I feel like I'm swimming in a body that isn't mine.

Happy New Year!

Julie

[penny]

Hi Deb hope you are still raw and feeling better about yourself.Ive had a problem with food for years but feel so better on the raw.Ive been interested in raw food for a while but only now feel ready to commit 100%.I think Alissas book is fab Im getting the dvd soon.Best wishes penny.