New to Raw - Variety of questions

[rainstorm]

Okay, so Thanks to RawTruth for already explaining to me that potatoes aren't really a veggie that's eaten raw other than perhaps chips (I think I saw a post here about potato chips earlier).

So I still have a few more questions before I continue to dive deeper into my hopes of becoming 100% raw.

Does 100% raw for the rest of you mean no perscription meds as well? Because I know I've seen a few posts about how antibiotics aren't good for you and aren't a part of the raw lifestyle. But for me I sadly don't see how I can get off of my one perscription medication. I'm a completely different person (in a good way) with my meds vs. without them.

Does raw always mean organic raw? I've been an organic vegetarian to the extent that I could afford it for years now. Though after awhile my budget gets too tight and I'm back to eating non-organic foods again. Organic costs way more than non-organic around here it seems.

Will detoxing help me with my chocolate cravings? Please tell me it will! lol I love my chocolate. I'm going to have to get off of it cold turkey because my body is acting like it's dependent upon it lately which isn't good.



Thanks!
~Rain

[Nenyath]

Hi Rain..

As antibiotics, it is induvidual, I have heard of many in here whom, as they increased their intake on raw, could decrease the intake of meds, but that will be all up to you as everything else.

As for the organic, I prefer to eat organic when I can, but as you say, sometimes budget becomes too tight, we are all basically just doing the best we can. And the book, I haven't got it, but I'd buy it if I could afford it, no doubt!

Good luck on your journey!

Fly forever free..

[sport]

One of the things that you will be detoxing is prescription meds so it would be better if you could eventually get off them but do not do so untill you are ready.
Raw does not mean organic. Organic is better but where I live it would reduce my variety so I buy other things non organic. I sometimes even have to buy greens non organic and soak them in vegewash before eating them. Do the best that you can but do not get obsessive about it or your diet may not be varied enough and that will not help you to suceed.
It does seem as if you have a problem with the chocolate. You should try and make some of the raw alternatives to wean you off. As long as you keep eating it your body will have the memory of it and will continue to crave it. Don'd give it up untill you have an alternative to fall back on when you feel the need or else you will just head to the store and get it.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Rain,

As you travel on your raw journey, you will find you will feel better and better (minus the detox periods) and you will find that whatever prescription drugs you are on or have taken, you'll depend on them or need them less and less until they are gone.

I can't tell you how many drugs I was on for fibromyalgia, headaches, depression, thyroid, etc. I'm still on 1 medication, Armour Thyroid, but they have been cut back 5 times. I don't cut these back myself, but my doctor cuts them back after blood tests. I am high raw, with now a lot more 100% raw days. I know the more 100% raw days I have, the more my meds will be cut back and one day I'll be off this last med!!!!! Yea!!!!!!

I wouldn't be too concerned about the meds you are on or what you think you might have to take. Just concentrate on eating raw and everything else will naturally be taken care of.

I use to like chocolate and would always get M&M's or a candy bar when I stop at the gas station. It was almost a daily thing. I would also get those bags of small chochole hersey's bars and suck on them throughout the day. Now I may get 1 candy bar a month. I'll eat it and wonder why I got it. I think they are basically out of my life. I no longer get the bags of little chocolate bars. It's probably been 9 or 10 months since I've had one of them. So eating raw will eventually wean you off of chocolate. If you find it doesn't, there is always raw coco. You can make your own raw chocolate treats

[Raw_Medic]

Hi Rainstorm!

I agree with what the others have said about everything! You will find some people who look at being raw and a raw lifestyle as a religion... Some will tell you that if you eat gum you aren't truly raw or that you must 100% to consider yourself a raw foodist...I disagree. For most people being raw is a continually transitioning lifestyle. Starting with being high raw to being 100% raw to becoming more simple raw. This generally takes people many years on the raw food path. If you've read Alissa's, or pretty much any other raw food guru's works you'll realize that all of them had to find their way. Most raw foodists I know or have spoken with who at one time was on meds didn't just stop them when they became raw, but like Helen was able to come off them gradually.

As far as organic goes...of course it's best...but also remember that if you aren't in an area that organic is widely offered it's best to go with fresh and local if you can. I'd love to eat 100% organic diet, but it's just not practical for me. Like Sport said it's hard to find a lot of things organically grown in some places...like for me I can't find organic avocado's...but my grocery store is getting a bigger organic section. For me finances if a big factor...I shop at a local produce stand and pay substantially less for my produce which is relatively locally grown (about 3hrs away). This food tastes so much better. Because it's locally grown they don't put waxes and such on the produce...this in itself is so much better! I use an inexpensive fruit and veggie wash (although I'm sure if you do a search you can find some homeade suggestions on this site) which I use on a good percentage of my produce...especially if I get it at the grocery store.

Chocolate...have you tried carob or cacao? I just recently tried cacao for the first time...it tastes like unsweetened bakers chocolate...bitter, but ok when mixed with a sweetener like agave. I would suggest switching to an alternative like one of these...this will help wean you off. I don't have chocolate cravings near as bad as before...every now and then I'll have a craving for some and I'll make up my own and it's great!

Hope I helped!

Ursula

[rawpriestess]

raw is a lifestyle, and it can be YOUR lifestyle YOUR way.

you can eat organic or not, whatever works for you, not everyone can afford all organic or can even find it where they live.

I love chocolate too, but I use carob instead now, it isnt' exactly the same, but after no chocolate, carob tastes great, and I don't do meds, but I didn't when I was cooked either, you need to take whatever medication you think you need to take, but eventually, you may find that you dont NEED to take them, or not so much of them, but again, it is all up to you.