need some enouragment/advice/or tips please!

[salsababy]

I used to be high raw for a few years (although I still ate things like bread and meat). This past year I've been eating literally everything I wanted. Now, I have been trying to do the 30 day challenge yet find myself struggling.

I so badly want to eat raw living foods because I understand how healthy it is for me and I've always believe eating foods fresh from the earth is the best. However, as much as I like fruits and veggies, by the late afternoon I feel like my stomach has had all the water it can handle (because the fruits and veggies contain so much water). I really want something heavier but the few recipes I tried out didn't turn out so well and I have no clue what to do and end up eating a few slices of naughty pizza or a burrito at Taco Bell (which is horrible, I know). I just want that concentrated-starch-full feeling. I have tons of raw cookbooks and have the time to "uncook" but I am discouraged because the few things I have made havn't really turned out (besides for smoothies, juices, and sweets).

Does anybody have any advice/tips/enouragment for a newbie? Thanks!!!

[Rawkinlocs]

Salsababy,

I know what you're going through. I was going through the same thing myself and now I'm doing the 30-day challenge and honestly, it's STILL rough on me, especially in the evenings and I think it's mainly because I have non-raw foods in my house that my family eats. But now, it's not so much as wanting that full feeling as it is just cravings/withdrawals 'cause I'm only wanting certain things (mainly chips )

What about something like soaked oatgroats blended with agave, cinnamon, raisins, etc. and then slightly warmed in the dehydrator (or on the stove) for a heavier, starchy meal? I know it can be difficult especially when you don't have good experiences with recipes - but maybe make the things you have tried that you DO like and indulge in those.

Also, are there any flax crackers you like? Onion bread? Those "just like ritz crackers" posted in the recipe section are GOOD...maybe make some crackers and a nice dip, pate', salsa, guac, hummus or "cheese" to eat them with. I'm going to make some "cheese" tonight to have with those "ritz" crackers!

[salsababy]

Salsababy,

I know what you're going through. I was going through the same thing myself and now I'm doing the 30-day challenge and honestly, it's STILL rough on me, especially in the evenings and I think it's mainly because I have non-raw foods in my house that my family eats. But now, it's not so much as wanting that full feeling as it is just cravings/withdrawals 'cause I'm only wanting certain things (mainly chips )

What about something like soaked oatgroats blended with agave, cinnamon, raisins, etc. and then slightly warmed in the dehydrator (or on the stove) for a heavier, starchy meal? I know it can be difficult especially when you don't have good experiences with recipes - but maybe make the things you have tried that you DO like and indulge in those.

Also, are there any flax crackers you like? Onion bread? Those "just like ritz crackers" posted in the recipe section are GOOD...maybe make some crackers and a nice dip, pate', salsa, guac, hummus or "cheese" to eat them with. I'm going to make some "cheese" tonight to have with those "ritz" crackers!

I have been looking at the conversations about the oatgroat (oatmeal) but am not sure what oatgroats are called in the store (they maybe more than one kind) and how to soak them. Hmm..I will look up those other ideas. Thanks!

[yeahbethany]

This may seem simplistic....but eat fruit fruit fruit fruit fruit! As much as you think you want, and more! This will probably help take care of the starch cravings.

[Raw Magwene]

Have you tried grawnola for breakfast? You can also make it into bars or chunks for snacks.

Also, fresh raw corn on the cob is an effective starch satisfier for me.

Sometimes I am very bad and have a banana-nut mylk shake for breakfast with hemp seeds and coconut oil and cardamom which is very satisfying, bananas being so sweet and not watery. Often, it seems that a little extra high-quality fat will satisfy my cravings for cooked food.

How about building a pizza on your onion bread? Even my picky sad BF LOVES this.

Also, make some Nut burgers...there's a great, simple recipe in Boutenko's 12 steps to raw.

I know what you mean about being bummed out by recipes. I, too have LOADS of raw books, but it often seems that things turn out kinda gross. Alisa's book is the consistent exception to this rule. But, also, my experience has been that eating cooked and raw food together makes the raw food taste awful. When i first went raw, I tried making all these breads with flax a peee-ew!! They were awful, but then I realized....I just don't like the flavor of regular flax seed! I gave everything to my neighbor.

If all else fails, try Manna bread, which is made from sprouted grains, but is not raw. It is in the freezer section of the whole foods market. Personally, I consider 2-3 pieces per month of this a perfectly acceptable compromise. I have not found a home recipe for raw bread that is really bread-like, yet.

[RawTruth]

Make the Onion Bread (made famous on this forum and now used at Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco!) 1/2 inch thick and a bit moist. Then use this as bread for avocado, tomato, sprout sandwiches - very "starchy" and heavy-ish. Also, make a deviled egg egg-less salad and heap that on top.

Make the Chili (also made famous on this forum) which is satisfying and, again, heavy-ish (new word, folks!).

Make a couple of pizzas and eat them in the evenings instead of the junk-food pizza. I've had at least a dozen different pizza recipes (restaurant and home made) and Alissa's is the closest to "real" pizza. Oh, wait. It IS real pizza.

Look through the archives for the threads where people listed their favorite recipes from Alissa's book. There are some universally-liked ones that you may like also.

If you're not already doing so, start your day with a big green Boutenko smoothie. Or, at least, have one during the day. This can help take away your cravings.

Read the journals of long-time successful raw fooders. If they can do 30 days, you can do 30 days. After a few months, this feeling will leave you and your eating will be much less effort. Trust me on this.

[DavidZaneMason]

The above suggestions are great. It's not about all-or-nothing. Somewhere between Taco Bell and an Orange.....there are heavier, mixed, dehydrated, or semi-processed....healthier foods (raw & cooked) that you CAN incorporate into your path. Do what is right for YOU. Set small goals and keep them.

-Just my suggestions / opinions.

-David Z. Mason