Raw Gourmet

[ShelShel]

Good Morning, fellow raw fooders. :)
I finally got my dehydrator last week. I'm in love and have made something gourmet every day last week. At first, realized that my tummy was very full upon eating this food. (It was wonderful by the way. I love Alissa's recipes.) I was afraid after everything I read, about too much gourmet adding weight. So, I weighed myself everyday this week. Nothing and then this morning...I lost a pound! Just curious...does anyone else find that as long as they stay 100% raw...even if it's gourmet...their weight is ok? It made me very hesitant to try the gourmet stuff because I was afraid I would gain some of my weight loss back...and now I'm wondering why I'm still losing, while enjoying some really great food like lasagna and potato chips? (let's not forget rp's brownies! LOL) Is this normal for some? Why would Alissa offer all these wonderful living food recipes if they made us gain? Or is it that I chose the all veggie recipes...or maybe I eat smaller portions?
Basically, I'm wondering this....LOL I babble...sorry...ok...When I was 100% raw and no raw gourmet...I ate and felt guiltless...never checked the scale, was just thrilled. I want to feel that way about gourmet too, but I have heard some things about gourmet...then there are some where too many fats...and nuts affect them and that makes me afraid to just let loose and let raw. You know what I mean? Can anyone hear share their experiences with raw foods...gourmet and otherwise to add some genuine perspective to this issue of raw gourmet for me. Thanks you guys!

[Sharon in Colorado]

Just guessing but I believe the reason behind it is giving the SAD folks something that they are familiar with. Most people coming from the SAD are not at all interested in eating simple fresh foods, like plain fruits, veggies, greens and the like. they don't find them satisfying enough as they are not used to eating this way. They want a lot of combinations, heavy and filling food and what Alissa offers fit the bill. They are more able to stay on the diet this way.

Also just to add, many people are not going to gain on this type of food coming off the SAD, because it is a more natural alternative. And leaving out animal products and cooked grains will improve one's health even if they aren't raw, because those foods are more detrimental to a body. I spoke with someone who helped heal someone from cancer on a macrobiotic diet and that is the opposite of raw, but what they share in common is the lack of animal products.

[Revvell]

When I was 100% raw and no raw gourmet...I ate and felt guiltless...never checked the scale, was just thrilled. I want to feel that way about gourmet too, but I have heard some things about gourmet...then there are some where too many fats...and nuts affect them and that makes me afraid to just let loose and let raw. You know what I mean? Can anyone hear share their experiences with raw foods...gourmet and otherwise to add some genuine perspective to this issue of raw gourmet for me. Thanks you guys!

That's why I don't read newspapers, watch t.v. or listen to the radio. Too much crap. Same here. There is so much fear. People create their own realities and most times I prefer not to live in them soooo, go about my own business eating as Alissa says. Worked for her and her numerous clients ~ works for me. Seems to be working for you as well, eh? Enjoy! and remember, always, play with your food.

Revvell

[ShelShel]

Ok...I think the issue is, I've done this backwards. I went right for 100% raw fresh stuff to lose my excess weight quicker and now that I've reached goal for myself, I added the gourmet to help maintain this weight and not lose a whole lot more. Does that make any sense? I read that it slowed weight loss...so, I stayed away from it. Now I've tried it and feel like...woohoo...I could be raw forever! Which before I really struggled on the weekends because my family would order pizza and stuff. Now I have my own version and this is no issue.
I guess we all do what works huh!?!?! Even if it is backwards.

[Sharon in Colorado]

ShelShel to be honest with you, I think your way was the better way (in my own opinion)...I started off with a lot of Ann Wigmore style stuff (tons of fermenting, sprouting, etc.) and was pretty turned off by it all. Then I got Juliano's book and was ovewhelmed by the complicated, overseasoned recipes.

Alissa's book makes things a lot easier, most of the recipes are fairly basic with a few more extensive ones. I've made more recipes out of her book than any other. I also enjoy Raw Food Real World and Rawvolution, these are excellent books.

That said, I think it can be a bit of a challenge to go simpler after you are introduced to some great, rich gourmet recipes. Some people see fantastic results even with the recipes, but I still see others who kick their healing up several notches when they eat more simply. It really is a matter of where you are and what you can do to improve your health while maintaining the enjoyment of eating.

To some, eating whole fruit alone can be just as pleasurable as eating a raw pizza is to others, so it really is an individual thing.

[wildfae]

You know, weight wise, I lost more weight more quickly when doing the gourmet raw... when I tried to cut way back and do mono eating and only eating about 700 calories a day, I only lost tiny bits of weight...

so I'm done restricting and back to enjoying my food a bit more rather than obsessing about how many calories there are in an apple, and maybe I should just eat carrots and not apples anymore ~sheesh~

[ShelShel]

I guess that's the way I was feeling, like I want to just eat raw. Knowing gourmet or not, if it's raw, it's healthy. I don't want to worry like I used to eating SAD food...oh...I need to work this off. I find I eat less with the gourmet because it is so filling. Instead of snacking all day...I eat two, three meals tops! I'm done. And the gourmet stuff I make is mostly veggies where strictly fresh produce was mostly fruits. So, perhaps they balance out for me? Who knows? I feel like it's working though...and I guess I will stick with what I'm doing until it shows signs of some how not feeling right...then my journey will take a new course. For now, I'm enjoying this new food. ;) I just had to ask those of you who eat raw gourmet what affects you feel it had on your raw journey, for some more insight. Thanks you guys.

[Trinity]

Hi ShelShel,
Congrats on the dehydrator!! I make the most wonderful, healthy, satisfying dishes that I myself actually crave!! AND my family at least tastes them:). I myself do not worry about calories and fat. As long as it's raw and vegan, no sweat. I find the more complex my flavours are, the more satisfiedI am. Your body will tell you what you need. I always have had gourmet dishes and simple combined. Sometimes a salad with lemon dressing fits the bill and others, it's those gorgeous jalapeno poppers, nut cheese or stuffed peppers with refried beans all made in my rinky-dink ronco that has served me well. I am about 100lbs and as long as I stay raw, I either loose a little bit slowly like a pound a month or I stay the same.......happy and healthy, I wish the same for you.

[ShelShel]

Thank you Trinity! :) I too love my dehydrated creations. My children try everything that comes out of it. ;) The curiousity and smells get to them. LOL I have to admit, it's fun to "uncook" too. I loved to bake, before going raw and even while raw, but then I would be tempted. This way I satisfy that baking side and still get to eat the finished product. My husband calls it my Easy Bake Oven. LOL I loved that! (Had one as a kid.)