"Why I Say I Am 95% Raw"

[steveoregon]

Since this topic has created such a 'spirited' discussion recently.

From Victoria Boutenko's newsletter (Jan 9th)

This is just an FYI, I have no strong feelings about this either way.

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Why I Say I Am 95% Raw

By Victoria Boutenko
January 9th, 2010


Victoria Boutenko

This month my family celebrates our 16th birthday as a Raw Family. Raw food saved our lives and I love every aspect of my raw life except for one. It becomes increasingly uncomfortable to feel the separation of us "purists," (100% raw foodists) from anyone who is "below" that standard.
I first experienced this unease four years ago. I visited my relatives who eat a standard American diet, when suddenly my 9 year old nephew confided to me that he decided to become a vegetarian. He asked me if I would teach him to cook a vegetable soup. I froze, thinking. "How can I do that? I am a 100% raw fooder!" Yet, after looking into Sasha’s excited eyes, I went ahead and helped him cook a soup, which he loved.

Soon after this episode, I participated in a weekend workshop with Byron Katie about self-realization, along with 500 other attendees. That was the very first non-raw food event that I had been to in more than ten years. I remember feeling different, weird, and completely out of place. In addition, and contrary to my expectation, those people did not look particularly unhealthy. I did a lot of thinking at this workshop about why I felt separated and the importance of happiness in one’s life.

Since then I noticed feeling progressively more sensitive when talking to people who were struggling to stick to a 60%, 70%, 80%, or whatever % raw diet. All of a sudden, I realized that my book 12 Steps to Raw Foods (first edition) contained fanaticism about 100% raw foodism. Soon I completely revised this book and published the second edition, which I find to be a much kinder book, and perhaps more useful because of that. I shredded and recycled the left over copies of the old edition.

I have noticed that when I was telling other people about myself being a 100% raw foodist, it came across as if I was claiming to be a better, higher, more spiritual person. I felt so uncomfortable that I repeated in every lecture, "I am just a woman in a green dress. Please don’t put me on a pedestal."

We are all pioneers, still in the beginning of our research of the human diet. Nothing is set in stone and our bodies continually change. For example, while I enjoyed gourmet raw food in the beginning of my raw journey, for several years now, I have completely eliminated food prepared with nuts. In recent years I have decided that it can be healthier, to eat a bowl of cooked green vegetables than a whole jar of raw nut butter.

While I believe with my whole heart that, when done correctly, a raw food diet is the optimal way of eating for humans, and my present diet is almost exclusively raw, I prefer to resign from a "100% raw" position.

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[DebB]

I loved this! A lot of what she said really resonated with me.

I'd love to go on that retreat to Thailand too! (At the end of her newsletter). *Ü*

[steveoregon]

In recent years I have decided that it can be healthier, to eat a bowl of cooked green vegetables than a whole jar of raw nut butter.

I got a good chuckle out of that.

Haven't done that in a long time, but I went through that "whole jar of nut butter" in one/two days back when I started raw.

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[Stina]

I love Victoria Boutenko!

She said in another interview that the extent of her non-rawness is about 2x a month with steamed vegetables. Don't hold that against her folks.

[RawKnitster]

Right on, I love her. She is a charming, sweet person. That said, I see no reason why I should have to chose between steamed vegetables and a whole jar of nut butter.

[Raw Joy]

Just some background on my raw journey. I've only been "100%" raw a few interval months when I was gave myself a challenge. Aside from that, I've never been into the Pure Complete Raw thang. Over the years, I been high raw, barely raw, pretty raw, 50%, 75%, 90%, etc.

I've pretty much settled into the 85-90% bracket over the last few years without really thinking about it. The fact that this is what I'm doing without thinking about it is what makes it feel about right for me.

I was never vegetarian or vegan before I happened onto raw, and even when high raw, I would occasionally have meat or eggs or dairy.

I think what resonated to me was her statement about the importance of happiness in one's life. Do I really have to forego my most favorite potato salad that everyone raves about for the rest of my life? Am I going to fall into a deep decline because I make it once or twice a year, eat a bowl, and am happy? Never again to make a big, huge pot of vegetable soup on a wintry Friday night and eat it all weekend?

I get more happiness out of the satisfaction of the actual cooking and making almost than the eating. I'm the "pie-maker" in my family. My pie crust rocks!!!! Nothing made me happier than to spend the day before Thanksgiving making a dozen pies or more. Do I give up that day that I looked forward to, end a family tradition that's been going on since I rolled my first pie dough at age 17, something my entire family looks forward to both eating and taking home pies?

I've continued my pie-making over the years, throwing in a couple of raw ones. But I don't think I'm any less healthier because I've occasionally eaten a piece of pumpkin pie (with an even rarer small dollop of whipped cream ).

I guess my point is, in a very long-winded way, is the happiness and satisfaction I get from occasionally preparing and eating my favorites, both food and memory-wise, is worth the little bit of "poison" I put in my body at times.

And is it healhier to deprive yourself of something that deeply satisfies you, than to feel deprived but know you haven't eaten something cooked?

(I'll dodge the flames now; hope I haven't offended) :)

[freespirit]

I read that newsletter and felt liberated. I love raw food, I eat it most of the time, but I also cook vegetables and make soups from time to time. Sauteed mushrooms are one of the ways I keep my hubby from Maine away from meat. I would rather cook mushrooms ( and other veggies) for my family, and keep them satisfied, then try to force them to eat all raw and have them escaping to a hamburger joint every chance they get.

[ReneeH]

What I love and appreciate about Alissa is that she lets you know the benefits of being 100% RAW...she HASN'T changed. She's still the same Alissa with the same philosophy. Rather you stick to it for 30 days and beyond is totally YOUR decision. There are no RAW Police. Alissa's not gonna come and beat you down with a carrot or wack you with a Zucchini Noodle if you don't stick to her plan!!! (NOT that Victoria would either...)

I love Victoria....but, Victoria's plan is Victoria's. Alissa's plan is Alissa's. For me, I just enjoy being RAW. If I decide to have a cup of hot herbal tea, I don't beat myself up for that. I enjoy my tea and move on...

[Green_Woman]

What I love and appreciate about Alissa is that she lets you know the benefits of being 100% RAW...she HASN'T changed. She's still the same Alissa with the same philosophy. Rather you stick to it for 30 days and beyond is totally YOUR decision. There are no RAW Police. Alissa's not gonna come and beat you down with a carrot or wack you with a Zucchini Noodle if you don't stick to her plan!!! (NOT that Victoria would either...)

I love Victoria....but, Victoria's plan is Victoria's. Alissa's plan is Alissa's. For me, I just enjoy being RAW. If I decide to have a cup of hot herbal tea, I don't beat myself up for that. I enjoy my tea and move on...

Agreed!!! Love this! Alissa's plan is the easiest, and based on the debates HERE versus the debates on various other Raw Boards I frequent, her plan definitely works more consistently than others... because it's so EASY! And most of us appreciate EASY when we're transitioning!

[Raw Joy]

Just wanted to add that I have the utmost respect for Alissa and her way. I went to her training in 2006 and it was one of the most wonderful 4-day periods I've evern experienced. Even though I sometimes post a little rebellious thought, I never want anyone to think I'm dumping on her. She's one of the few "gurus" that I really respect and feel has real integrity.