My hello to you all and introduction

[veggiemom2]

Hi everyone,

I am a mother of 2 a 9yr old and 2 1/2 year old. I work full time outside the home. My husband is currently unemployed (praying this is only temp).

10 years ago I went vegetarian, 5 years ago I went raw in hopes of healing myself of endometriosis. Unfortunately 1 year later I went back to the SAD way of eating. I backslid terribly when I met my husband who is the typical meat and meat eater. He eats NO veggies, just meat and sugar.

Unfortunately my health has once again starting to decline, but this time in a big way. I had to have my gallbladder removed last april, had an MRI testing for Multiple Sclerosis (came out inconclusive), and was diagnosed with a pretty nasty case of fibromyalgia. My neurologist recommended that I return to my rawfoods diet. Just as I started my return, I broke my foot in two locations. 2 weeks after the break I was in the ER due to breathing problems. It was found that the break caused a blood clot in my leg that traveled to both of my lungs. This landed my in the hospital for a week with several weeks of recovery afterwards. Still have my foot in a cast. Unfortunatly, during the CAT scan to find the blood clots, the doctors also found that my lymph nodes in my chest were swollen. They said it could be due to two possible causes, either Lymphoma cancer or Sarcoidosis. However, due to being on blood thinners till April, they cannot run further test to obtain a conclusive diagnosis.

My goal is to go at least 80% raw or more and to cure myself of all the miserable health problems that are stealing the joy from my life. I plan to get healthy so that I can once again play with my kids.

My husband is supporting me 100% as he knows that I need to do this to get healthy and if it is Lymphoma (to save my life).

It is extremely hard though when you are the only one eating this way. My family is still eating baked chicken, hamburgers, fries, (my all time favorite California Roll), chips, cookies, etc. I am so weak in the beginning that it is hard not to give in and have just one chip, etc.

Well this introduction is getting long, so I will say thank you for reading and I look forward to sharing support and ideas with everyone.

[caramba]

Great to see you here Veggiemom2...You'll find lots of support in your Raw journey on these boards. Sending you positive vibes & will power from Down Under!

[Joopie]

Veggiemom2,

Welcome! I'm sorry to hear of all of your health troubles. You are doing the right thing to fix them, though! I hope you heal quickly! This is a great place for support. If you need anything, let us know!

Julie

[sweetgoddess]

Hey- just read your post and wanted to say hello. That's a lot of health challenges you are facing. Raw definitely sounds like a better path!
I too went raw before, and this time, I prepared. I knew that my mental state is what deterred me last time and would be the biggest challenge to face , and so I looked into how to change my thinking and reactions. I checked out Tony Robbins cd's from the library and read some books. I spent a LOT of time online reading sites and journals. I went out and bought a big, beautiful fruit bowl with a fruit design, fruit canisters, a fruit motif rug for in front of the sink, fruit mixing bowls, spoon rest, I painted a shelf/plate holder and spoon caddy with a fruit design and hung the shelf over the sink, decorating it with fruit plates, a mortar and pestle, dried lemon thyme and candles--I always burn one while preparing my food to make it special. I hung a pic of a beautiful goddess on the kitchen wall and printed out a list of benefits derived from a raw food diet over a period of time--and hung that on the fridge. You cannot walk in my kitchen now without thinking and feeling "raw food".
I read from a raw book every single day. With all this focus, I became excited, passionate and even started dreaming about raw food lifestyle. Last night I dreamt of a wheatgrass juicer and knew when I woke up I needed to get one! When I sit down to eat raw foods, I light a candle, make it special. Everyday, when I wake I tell myself--nothing, and I mean nothing today, no feeling, no experience, no thought--will take my focus from my goal. That works! I also have begun daydreaming about the results, or imagining that I'm already cleansed and healed while in interaction with people.
I also have snacks prepared always- and when I'm cooking for family members, I snack on raw food. If you find yourself with a chip in your mouth- spit it out lol. If we approach something already thnking its going to be hard, than naturally it will be. But if we approach it thinking its going to be exciting--huge difference. Want it-- really want it-- focus good thoughts and energy towards it, not negative. And do anything you can think of to get there.
I don't know why I jammered on so, but you touched me and i'm rooting for you with all my heart!
Blessings of love and health to you!

[MaxMarie]

Welcome Veggie Mom. I got a bad case of heart break reading your post. Glad to have you hear and being proactive in your situation.

I have to echo Sweet Goddess. While it might be difficult for you to do given your situation - with my eating "renewal" I renewed a lot of things in my kitchen for inspiration. All my new things aren't exactly new since I'm poor. :) My nice new blender is a juice blender someone dumped at the GoodWill after Christmas. I picked up a beautiful mandoline at an Amazon.com close out. Regularly $70. Now only $17. I got a new lunchbox that holds more than just a sandwich and a whole lot of box sized kitchen gadgets and a tiny cutting board to bring to work with me. Most of all though, the BOOK! Get the book! And when you're feeling down and like it's just too much work - read the book.

[veggiemom2]

I would realy like to thank everyone for their kind words of support and encouragement. This will be a long hard journey but I am feeling confident that I will prevail with great health and a whole new outlook on life and food

Thanks for your support