Raw Rules

[kirk]

How many of you have raw dietary rules that you adhere to? And what is the reason behind your adherence to them? For instance, I've heard it said that if you eat melons, eat them alone or not at all.(Don't mix melons with other foods.) Or, don't drink liquids with your meals because it dilutes digestive fluids. Or chew your foods whether its liquid or not to start digestion in the mouth. Well you get the idea...
I've been lurking on raw forums for seven years, trying to get a good logical understanding of the right way to approach the raw lifestyle, and to be honest I still need educating.

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

I just let it fly. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I just had a big plate of greens, 2 avocados, followed by some raw almonds, a few strawberries, and a banana. I'm full now. I washed it all down with my green drink.


I just try not to think so much about my food. Raw has become such a part of my life I just go with the flow.

Somebody pass me a glazed donut.....just kidding.


Peace,

M.B.

[ConsciousCuisine]

Well, I practice proper food combining. I keep melons separate from any other foods, Acid and Sub Acid Fruits are kept separate. I do not mix fruits and vegetables, I make sure to "eat what I drink and drink what I eat" by thouroghly chewing and thus mixing the saliva and enzymes in my mouth with the food prior to swallowing. Digestion begins in the mouth.

I do not consume cold beverages or foods without properly warming the food by chewing so as to not shock and slow down digestion. I do not drink 30 minutes before and 2 hours after eating complex meals to enable my digestive fires to work optimally.

My suggestion is to read anything you can about the digestive process, study the anatomy of the human body, Ann Wigmore's literature, and other Food Combining information to acquaint yourself with the guidelines for maximizing health and vitality through proper, conscious eating.

[thunderdancer]

Hiya Kirk and CC

I never had any 'rules' at the start of raw, if I had I know I wouldn't have carried on, I would have rebelled too much, that was just the way I was. Being able to eat how I wanted kept me on the track.
HOWEVER
As I progressed my body started making the rules LOL
If I eat melon its alone, yes, or else I get a tummyahce.
I don't mix fruit and veg (except some lemon/oj in my dressings) - that doesn't include 'salad' fruit of course (they're nuteral) - becuase the fruit digests very fast and the veg slower - if I mix them (like when I eat bananas after dinner) the fruit ferments with the veg as it passes through and I smell..
I don't drink just before a meal, or during, or for about an hour after - i'm not sure how much this really helps but I started it for my digestion and it makes sense to me, it also helps distunguish between thirst and hunger which can get confused sometimes.

I guess that's all my rules, ohhh and not eating 3 hours before bed...

I try as well to bless my food, prepare it consciously and chew it lots - being present as I eat, it makes a difference.

[Curtis]

Hi everyone. :)
Thanks for some great advice here. I kind of wonder like other things in life if one can get to caught up in details and miss the important stuff? ;)

[flutterfly]

Hi Curtis,
I am new to this site by only a few days and have found it very interesting.
I never drink while I eat. The melon I eat is always eaten alone but I think they are the only rules I follow. I mix nuts with fruit in smoothies and feel fine doing that. When my body tells me not to mix I will stop. Could be that my body is so mixed up at this point that the brain just isn't listening very well

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

I sound so radical. I can eat a melon and a tomato and a pound of walnuts all in one shot. All my best to you.


Peace,
M.B.

[thunderdancer]

Curtis you're right - it's important not to lose sight of the wood for the trees - I am always being reminded of this ;)

Flutterfly - welcome :)
When I started raw I could eat anything anyhow - my body was so happy to be raw it said YEAH eat it all and mix it up as it got cleaner it got simpler, and it healed and it realised what kept it healed, don't worry - you are doing just right xx

[flutterfly]

I was raw for 6-8 moths at one time and I still didn't seem to matter if I made my smoothies with nuts. Please tell me how do I fine where people keep their journals? I can't seem to find them. I am not very good at the computer!

[thunderdancer]

flutterfly

click on 30 day raw challenge gallery - at the bottom of the board.
then click on someone's picture to go to thier album.
then click on their picture and scroll down - if they have a journal there will be entries under the picture.
Try mine - click on the pic of me with the tree then scroll down to see my journal.
good luck!

[lil]

I'm much like Thunderdancer - I try and follow what my body says, although I'm just learning! I never mix veggies and fruits and eat bananas and melons separate from other foods.
I find I don't desire liquids (I only drink water) when I'm eating, so I don't worry about the should I/shouldn't I?.

[mwjeepster]

Hi everyone! Hi Kirk - I'm just a baby in this - and in being a baby, I like Thunderdancer, can't have rules... I would break them in a blink, I think that's why this is working so beautifully - maybe someday I'll be ready for them, but right now I eat what I want, when I want. I keep it VERY simple... and I'm doing really well. As per your instructions, Kirk (& Thunderdander!) I am drinking 50% decaf and 50% reg coffee to kick this nasty addiction... so far, so good.

I ventured on Sunday evening to tell my dh what I'm doing - he just rolled his eyes to heaven... it's ok, I think if everyone who's testimony I've read was telling the truth, then the proof is in the um, not pudding (!), mirror - I will lose weight (I've already lost some - I will get a picture up soon), I will start to transform into a healthy vibrant person and I will regain my energy, and my dh can rollllllllll those eyes as much as he wants!!!

My love to all,
Melissa

[magnolia]

Melissa - my boyfriend rolled his eyes at me too but that's because he's one of those crazy freaks that can live on ice cream, oreo cookies, and m&m's and still have a six-pack. Not me! He has a hard time understanding how hard it is to lose or maintain weight because he's never had a problem with it... oh well...

As far as the eating... without even trying, I guess I've become a mono-eater. Except breakfast... I love my smoothie (banana, strawberry, orange, and I added a kiwi this morning)! Everything else I eat all day long is just one thing at a time, about every hour to hour-and-a-half. I guess it's just because of work, sitting at my desk eating... but it works good for me. I also try to drink a glass of water in between each little meal. Weird, huh?

I'm guessing that my body is getting used to the extra fiber that I'm eating...

[Curtis]

Magnolia haven't tried smoothies for breakfast but can imagine they are good. :) Do you just put fruit or other things to in yours?

[magnolia]

So far, just fruit...I'm not much of an adventure-person

This morning it was 1 banana, 1 orange (squeezed), 1 kiwi, and 1 cup of strawberries. It ends up being about 16 ounces and it is just heavenly Keeps me feeling full for a while!