Errr ... help on getting my body functioning properly again?

[Apples'nAvos]

WARNING: This is also going to be a LONG post, so prepare yourselves (gather the raw trail mix/sweet potato chips or whatever you snack on and get comfy) :)

I have a confession to make. I was 100% raw for 3 straight months, and I battled cooked cravings until 2 weeks ago when a different feeling hit. It wasn't a familiar craving feeling, and as much as I tried to subside it for a good week or so, it wouldn't relent. My body was hankering after grilled shrimp, steamed rice and steamed veggies. So after fighting it for a while, I gave in and ate it. I felt fine, the craving went away, and I happily returend to raw food. I wasn't pining for more cooked food, nor was I fighting the endless cooked food demons that people say that they face once slipping up.

Then 2 days later, we went over to a friends house, and the idea of "Well, just this once I'll experiment. I felt fine after the shrimp a few days ago". And this time, we weren't talking grilled shrimo with steamed rice and veggies. No sir, THIS time it was (i feel SO bad even listing it out) shrimp, salmon, devilled eggs, macaroni salad, lentil and sweet potato salad (i made it, so it was vegan, but still cooked), french bread grilled with olive oil, and salad. And I ATE and ATE and ATE. 2 hours later I was realizing just how smart my moves HADN'T been.

I wasn't in pain, and I didn't vomit or even feel nauseous, but I definitely felt weighed down and all I could do was apologise silentlyto my body for putting it through such a thing. Until then, I hadn't realised the difference between feeling full on cooked and being full on raw. Now I know.

Fast forward to 3 days later, and once again, I'm back on raw (quite happily) with no cooked food cravings. I've been eating like a horse, but strangely enough, none of it has come out. Not even the cooked food binge food. So I start to get worried. Where is all the food GOING (well, it's obvious it wasn't going anywhere, but where on earth,and HOW, was my body stortng it all)? I drank warm water with lemon and it helped to get things moving.

My problem is that that was 10 days ago and I'm still feeling bloated and weighed down in the abdominal region. Like I saiy, I'm back being 100% raw, but my body is sluggish and not doing what it it meant to. However, I am also due to get my period on Friday, so I'm not sure what the bloatedness can be accounted to? Maybe some of both?

I did notice that since going raw, the week before my period had become less and less noticelable (in that my body wasn't PMS'ing as much at all) but I think I might be in for a bad one this time around.

I guess what I'm wondering is: can cooked food DO this to someone for so long? I mean, I was raw for 3 months complared to 1 or 2 cooked meals - why is my body not bouncing back quickly? Is there anything I can do to help my poor body through this?

Thanks for reading my novel! ;) And for any advice :)

[ShelShel]

I guess if my body were doing what yours is...I would work the most on getting everything flowing again. Have you tried some laxative tea? Or extra fruit. Or maybe some fruits and veggies that add in your digestion...like pineapple, pears, or celery. I'm not really sure what to tell you...except that it will probably help you to feel better if you were able to rid your body of all this excess food that isn't leaving your system. Remember to not be too upset with yourself...but never to forget how this feels. It's a good reminder when you feel like eating something cooked. We have all done this...don't feel alone. ;)

[rawpriestess]

I think drinking water is the most important part of digestion, when people are constipated, it is because they don't have enough liquid in their system, so I would drink alot of water, and eat lots of fruits, with fiber and then allow your body to do what it does.

[veggie]

I've been there before A-n-A. Since your body probably had some time to get clean when you were raw before, just that little bit of cooked food probably toxified it. I echo the other posts of trying to get it moving out of your system. Flax is great for that. I will sometimes eat some flax and chase it with some lemon water and follow with some dates or juicy fruit.
Also, another thing that helps my gut is drinking Kombucha throughout the day. It's amazing how that clears my thinking and helps my digestive system.
Also, juicing will probably help. Good luck--it will just take some time... :) and I'm so glad to hear you don't have cooked cravings!

[jaurequi]

So sorry for you, Apples'n Avos! But it's going to be fine, you know that :)


I agree with the pineapple recommendation; I'd make a nice big smoothie with pineapple (use the skin!) and that will really get things moving.

Also agree with veggie about kombucha; it works very well.

If you don't want to do either of the above, some apple cider vinegar (about a tablespoon) before each meal is good for digestion (and alleviating bingeing, supposedly).

Another option is raw kim chee/chi,(site also has a recipe) you can purchase it in the fridge section; or you can make your own.

Some ginger tea is also very good :)

Best,

[tvillemom]

What is kombucha?? This is new to me! And I didn't know you could digest the skin of the pineapple?? You mean the prickly part??
Wendi

[jaurequi]

Here is a thread with some links, therein, about kombucha.

Yes, :) The skin of the pineapple is edible (excellent fiber), but please use a VitaMix/K-tec/etc. or strong blender! Like many fruits and vegetables, a lot of nutrients are in the skins. It is extremely good for digestion and for constipation or slow bowel movements.

Best,

[pdx kris]

First of all, congrats on getting back on raw. It's hard to do after a big gorge fest!

It sounds like it's probably a combo of period and your pipes being clogged up. I would guess especially the macaroni salad is the culprit, processed wheat products and dairy act like glue in the intestines! Like RP said, lots of fruit and water and it will move through. If you have a juicer, doing a lot of juicing would help too.

Here's also a great home remedy: a castor oil pack. Rub a liberal amount of castor oil ALL over your belly, put an old towel (that you're not worried about staining) over it, and put a hot water bottle on top. Watch tv, listen to music, read a book, etc for about an hour. I don't know how it works, but it really loosens everything up inside!

[JMD]

A n A....

So glad to see you are hanging in there....

Just my opinion from my experiences here:

First when I am due for my cycle--raw or not--i am constipated as can be...with tons of water exercise etc..It is the hormonal surges and then once i get it I am fine. So part of it can be your period.

Second, I have a sluggish system ANYWAYS so I do an enema on occasions liek this. I know many are opposed to htem , but they help me a lot immediately.

Third, If you are under any stressors that can effect the intestines too.

All the above suggestions have been great. I am wishing you a speedy detox and lots of mental acceptance and self-love.

:)JMD

[faith4u]

Have you ever used charcoal before? It is great for bloating/gas etc... I know that it probably isn't raw but it is great for getting toxic stuff out of your body quickly.

The best way to take it is as a slurry. Break the capsule open and stir it into some water. It doesn't have a flavor but it is gritty. My kids all drink it straight too.

It is the only way I have been able to get things out of my system in a hurry. Plus it is cheap.

[Apples'nAvos]

Wow! Thanks for your responses guys.
The sad thing is that just before I ate cooked the second time, I had a feeling of complete contentment with my body for the first time in I don't know how long, and now that has gone out of the window. I guess I'm disappointed that it isn't bouncing back fast than it is ...

On an upnote, I HAVE been wanting tremendous amount of just fruit, nuts and water (i've been eating some salads as well though from being afraid of not getting enough greens and veggies). I thought there was something strange about it, but now i realise that it's simply my body doing what it's meant to do - telling me what it wants/needs to be a happily functioning body. So at least i'm on the right track there.

I thought about an enema, but i'm scared of it ... lol ... and the charcoal sounds a little frightening as well

Is it really possible that just ONE bad cooked meal (that's an oxymoron in itself) can send my body for such a loop? even after 3 whole months of raw?

I have been under a tremendous amount of stress since the day rigt after i ate the cooked foods, and have had a constant stream of mind overload. maybe thats it ...?

On a sidenote - when does cherry season start?

[fiddler]

On a sidenote - when does cherry season start?

Here's some info on cherry seasons -->
http://www.nwcherries.com/stonecherry.php

[honeybee joy]

When I fell off a little bit ago I had the same probs. I couldn't get things moving. I think enemas are good and pineapple really works for me. Smoothies are good. Salads are good, I think due to the fiber. It seemed to push stuff out with the bulk. I noticed when I ate cooked, that my body stopped healing things as fast, and things seemed to slow down, all over my body.

Good luck getting thru this. :)