Greetings from Manchester

[Lukychrm42]

Hello,
My name is Megan, and I'm a graduate student in Manchester. I was first made aware of the concept of raw food about a year ago when I was volunteering in a co-op, and we served raw food specials and things like that.
I've been mostly vegan since 1999, and I love learning!
At first the idea of raw sounded strange- I mean, I was on a whole food vegan diet...now what would my family say?! But the more I learned about it, the more intrigued I became, and a few months ago I decided that it was something I wanted to do. I waited because I knew that the time wasn't right for transitioning (moving from Colorado to Virginia, and then Virginia to England), and now I've been here 6 weeks and am settled in!! I'm starting what I guess you'd call high raw? For one thing I hate wasting food (especially when I don't have much money and it's organic/free-trade, etc!!), and so I've got some whole wheat pasta, cabbage (right now I prefer it steamed) and so on that I'll finish off at some point.

My main interests are health concerns. I have a genetic disease with neuro/cardiological complications, so while I don't expect to be "cured," I do think that I could be a lot better. Right now I'm on 7 prescription medicines, and I would love to see that number go down!! On top of this, medications I have been on left me with excess weight (including super chipmunk cheeks!), and as I cannot perform much exercise, I haven't had much luck with dieting.
But I'm not on this for a quick diet fix- when it starts to help, that's me set for life! (By the way, yes it does bother me when people say that we ONLY get sick when our bodies are toxic. I think not only can illness be real, but I know it- I was born that way. And yes, I love my mother! ;) )

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome to RFT! So glad you have joined us! I loved your post. Especially what you said about being born with your health issues -- that it wasn't the result of a 'toxic' body.

I think it's so important for us to remember that - DIS-ease and health ailments are not always the result of our DIE'it... that there are many sides to this mountain of life... and all too often - we only see it from the side that we happen to be standing on.

I do believe (on a personal note) that this lifestyle of raw vibrant foods will help anyone ... and that it will help with any ailment that is out there. We just have to give it time to heal our bodies, to rebuild our bodies... and if not completely heal -- then at least greatly improve our quality of life.

Alissas book and DVD - are excellent sources of information and wonderful recipes if you don't already have them...!! blessings on your journey.

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW.......Welcome to MY World.