Raw grad school

[annabella]

I know there are several of us here.. I am starting grad school in less than two months and am pretty much brand new to the raw food lifestyle. I am fully committed to maintaining my health throughout this next chapter in my life, but I am also a bit nervous!

Mostly what I am concerned about is staying off the caffeine. I quit around a week ago, but am finding it difficult to concentrate now and such.. I'm hoping this will subside with time and my new and improved brain and nervous system will step up to the plate one day soon. I am just worried about falling into the crazy stress, all-nighter lifestyle (I am studying architecture which is particularly high-stress//super workaholic lifestyle), consuming a ton of caffeine, and just not being able to live the way that I want to. I tend to associate being in "work" or "production" mode with a lot of stress and need for caffeine/sometimes cigarettes, as more of a nostalgia from my undergrad days maybe more than anything at this point. Anyone else changing their work habits along with their diet?

If anyone has similar concerns/struggles, please share them here and also if you have tips for late-night raw pick me ups or energizing drinks or anything that would be awesome!

[Stella Green]

I am a grad student too (wave). I briefly told my story in a last post, but I just wanted to reiterate my fears about the coffee thing, too. Next year is my last year which means my thesis is due, and I'm really worried about creating my best work. It's just going to be so tough, because I am also teaching two classes (college freshman English!) and with a social life, I covet those late night hours with my computer screen, but how will I stay awake? I already took the route of energy drinks and caffeine and what-was-I-thinking snacks, and let me tell you, Red Bull does NOT give you wings. The only think it gave me was a rash of gross blemishes on my cheeks--pretty embarrassing when you are standing in front of a bunch of eighteen-year-olds, trying to engage them in a rousing discussion about comma splices.

I really and sincerely hope we can keep this thread going to help each other stay strong and healthy through this crazy hectic time of grad school! Yes, let's trade tips in regards to healthy ways to energize and de-stress while at the same getting the work done. I am especially looking for:
1. healthy tips on what to reach for during late night homework sessions. Yes, sleep is key, but when you've got to get it done, you've got to get it done. I haven't tried it yet, but I heard maca powder is a great energizer. Also, chia seeds.
2. What is good for brain power? I believe Omega-3s, which is found in hemp hearts and flax seed is key. What else?

Also, in regards to a social life...
1. Here's something I would sometimes do even before I became a full-on vegetarian: when I was trying to quit smoking, I would carry those cutie oranges around with me. I always carried around at least two. Then when the smokers would be outside enjoying their world, I would join them and peel my cutie. It gave me something to do with my hands and made a good conversation starter. Plus smoking never goes well with a cutie. And sometimes (not every time) somebody would take me up on my offer to share.

2. One thing I plan on doing when I get back to grad school with friends is having a young coconut party! I'm going to get a bunch of straws, then take a trip to the store and we each get a young coconut. Then we have a little party as we try to crack the suckers open and drink up. Way better than a keg party.

Okay! Can't wait to hear from you all. -love-

[annabella]

One things that I have really noticed when I live a more pure lifestyle (not just with my diet, but also doing regular yoga, etc) is that my efforts and mental capacity is more concentrated and efficient. When I am eating a bunch of horrible food and stimulants, I feel like I can spend hours "working" without really getting much done at all!

Whereas if I am clear in mind and body, an hour of concentrated work can be transcendent and magical and powerful, so maybe the amount of time we really need to spend working, if doubled in quality, could potentially be cut in half.

Right now I am working on an architecture competition, and like I mentioned I quit coffee about a week ago. However I had some yesterday, and was able to power through my day, being the first time that I was really able to concentrate and commit to this project. I guess going through "detox" during a crucial time maybe isn't the best thing for me to do. I put my heart and soul into my work and so my commitment to doing my best is super important to me. I am going to do a 10-day juice fast before school starts so hopefully this will be like a kick-start into a healthier way of living and I'll be able to let go of some of this stuff.

[annabella]

I think maybe one of my issues is that I feel I want to be perfect before starting grad school. This is a lot of pressure and maybe I should just allow myself more time to transition, as long as my health is going UPWARDS steadily and not spiraling downwards. I know it is a slippery slope though.

I just had some chia seed pudding for breakfast and OMG! I feel like I could rocket to the moon!

Bought a juicer yesterday and so am gonna get on to the green juices as well and see what this does for my energy.

[AllergyGirl]

I'll be starting my second year of a Master's program in Mathematics in September. I waited until school was out in June before diving into raw, because I wanted to have the time to give to it so that I could be successful. It was my hope that I would be well established by the time school starts up again in September so that I would be able to stick with it easily when life gets crazy again. So far that seems to be going well, and I think it will work out as planned.

I have a lot more energy now, and although I was never a coffee drinker before, I did drink a lot of caffeine in the form of diet soda. I haven't had any for 6 weeks now, since I went raw, and I feel amazing. Yes I've had crappy days that I'm certain were due to detox, but overall I feel great and have a ton of energy. With that said, when I first started back in June, I did not go 100% raw right away, and I think that was partly due to fear and partly due to this irrational need for protein (even though I didn't need more), so I kept hummus and non-raw vegan crackers in my diet for about 2 weeks. I felt good eating like that, but not spectacular. Then the first of July, I did 4.5 days of fasting and ever since then I've been 100% raw, and honestly I feel amazing. There is no need for caffeine or other stimulants in my life now. I sleep really well for the most part (haven't the last 3 days, not sure why), and I can stay up much later than I ever could before, then just fall right to sleep when I do go to bed. I can also think much more clearly than ever before, and I am more efficient now when it comes to homework and studying.

I hope the rest of you have as much luck as I'm having, and I hope that we can be of some support to each other in the months to come as well.

[Stella Green]

You found chia seeds! That's awesome. I can't wait to try them. I went to Sprouts, my health food store, and they have a whole shelf of seeds and herbs and things, and there was a label that said "Chia seeds" but it was empty I'm going to go next week and hopefully they'll have some this time. I can't wait to try them. I've been reading this awesome book called Born to Run, about an Indian tribe that call themselves The Running People, who fuel themselves on chia.

I also want to remember to keep my diet simple. Sometimes when I read all the fun raw diet books, I get caught up in making all kinds of crazy stuff, but then I want to remember my budget (ha ha, how could I forget!?) and I remind myself that I am just as happy with a salad dressing that is three ingredients. It's a little tough for me because I opted not to get a car, so I have to rely on the bus, which takes twice as long and I can't get a lot at one trip. But! I DO know that there is a farmer's market right near my apartment, yes!

Annabella, I agree with you about being mindful when eating healthy as opposed to how I feel when I eat junk food. I definitely feel more grounded when I eat what's good for the senses and good for the body.

I'm so glad you got a got a juicer! What kind did you get? I got a Jack Lalanne, not the best but it does the job for me. Sometimes I'll put some ginger juice in it, because it helps with digestion. Also, beet juice is so good for you, and it's such a beautiful color. And I love the taste of juiced grapes. A juicer is the best thing ever. A book I wanted to try is a 14-day juice feast/fast by Jason Vale. It looks like a sound program, I just don't think I'm ready to try it.

What I'm on the look out is brain food. Not only what keeps me awake, but what keeps the mind sharp? I'm going to do some research and I'll share what I learn.

Oh, and here's one thing to remember: remind yourself to get plenty of water. Especially when it gets cold outside, oftentimes we forget to drink water. Did you know that sometimes we confuse dehydration with sleepiness? Remember to drink water (I like mine with a slice of lemon) and it'll help you go with the flow.

[Stella Green]

Hooray! I'm glad you joined us, Allergy Girl!

[annabella]

I got an Omega 8003. Did a ton of research and this seems like the best option for me.

Brain food: so far I've been finding that mushrooms, chia seeds, and hemp seeds (both omega 3 potent) have been great for focus/clarity.

I think this forum and website will also be great resources for keeping on the raw food track.. it is just great to have a support network!

Chia seeds are the funniest things ever. You will see what happens when you add water.

I have this gorgeous vision of my lifestyle in grad school: wake up, do oil pulling while I make my morning green juice, do a short yoga practice, get my food and everything together before heading off to school....sounds like a great morning routine eh?? I REALLY REALLY hope I can keep this up!

[StuntGirl]

Hi! I'm just about to start my postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice...It's scary to think that in a year I'll be a lawyer!

I'm hoping that the energy and focus I've gained whilst being raw is something I can keep up throughout what is going to be one seriously tough year! through both my undergrad and law school, I've was a monster for coffee, ciggies and chocolate, so much so that at one point (after finishing law school last year) I had gained 20lbs since starting university. Crazy!

I think I really need to check out these chia seeds though...they sound like rocket fuel! Maybe with a bit of forward planning, a little organisation (which I sadly lack!), then I'll be able to keep on trucking.

[drolemil]

I wish you all the best of luck!! I'm not yet in college, but I'm in a high school that requires me at my bus stop at 5:30 and home by 3:30, so I know what it's like to be really pressed for time and to stay up late to finish work. Bananas and other fruit are my power-food. Quick acting sugars! If you ever feel pressed for time at breakfast (or any meal, really), try this: Take a kale leaf (preferably dino) and stick a banana on it. Sprinkle on cinnamon and eat it like a sub. A green smoothie unblended, pretty much. ;D Bananas are a great medium for any instant meal: mashing some with cacao or lucuma and some stevia, banana ice cream, green smoothies, etc. My favorite banana-based smoothie is about 3 frozen bananas, 1-2 tsp of tahini or any nut butter (opt), cacao to taste, and a date. For a green smoothie just throw in a handful of baby spinach or another green. MMMmmm! If you take a banana and slice it into half-inch rounds or thinner and dehydrate, they also make a wonderful portable candy. :) Or just blending/processing the bananas into a batter and dehydrating is great for a fruit leather that tastes like banana bread. Hope this helps! I'm a banana lovin' girl. ;)

[Stella Green]

I'm in such a good mood today--I think it's because I upped my intake on fruit. I'll have to remember to eat my oranges when I'm sad in the wintertime. I think blueberries are my brain food, which makes me a tad nervous because they are a little on the expensive side.

A banana leafy green burrito--sounds adventurous! I'll have to work up a little courage and try it. Maybe if I doused the kale in orange juice first, it would be tastier.

I finally found chia seeds! Oh my, they are the coolest things ever, it amazes me that they are natural. I put them in water with lemon juice. They expanded and soaked up the lemon flavor and gave me some energy--yes! For those of you interested in a good story that features chia seeds, I highly recommend Born to Run.

Annabella, I love your idea of doing yoga in the morning. You inspire me! In the morning I'm so lazy, and I don't want to do anything, much less drag out my yoga mat and pop in a DVD. But I did it anyway and it was so great. Do you practice yoga with a DVD? I like the Rodney Yee 20 minute one. Also Baron Baptiste when I'm in the mood for a longer practice.

I'm really hoping there's a local mom-and-pop grocery store near my school. I've fallen in love with the Asian market and the Turkish grocery store near where I live in Phoenix. Fingers crossed!

[revdrcyn]

Mostly what I am concerned about is staying off the caffeine.

When I started grad school, I had been off caffeine for almost 12 years. Once the heavy research got underway, I started drinking coffee again with a vengeance!

Now, if I had those years to do over again, I would drink Green Smoothies and Green Juice instead.

In a way, my career is a continuation of grad school in that I am always doing research and writing. I work long hours and need to sustain my focus. Green Smoothies and Green Juice keep me going!

[annabella]

Drolemil-You are so awesome for being raw in highschool! That's just incredible to me. Thanks for the banana tips!

My juicer, acquired just a few days ago, has become my best friend and green juice my drug of choice! Now that I'm at home all the time I drink juice more than actual food, just because I am craving it more and more and it gives me the best shoot of energy! I think this is honestly what will get me through grad school and the late nights.

Stella-Glad you found chia seeds! I know when I first tried them I was like "WHAT??? what are these things??" haha. Will have to try them with lemon, that sounds good. I have been making them with fresh hemp seed milk, dates, and a bit of vanilla.

And yoga-I use myyogaonline.com- it's like $80 for an entire year, you get 24 hour access to hundreds of wonderful yoga/pilates videos which you can just stream on your computer, which is nice for me because I don't have to trek to a studio, don't have a tv, and can do it whenever I want, and I have a great variety to choose from. It's very convenient for me, I really highly recommend it. It's also nice cause they have a lot of 20- and 30-minute practices which is good for time.

So yea, finding the green juices has given me TONS more confidence about being able to stay raw throughout school.. I feel like honestly I won't even want caffeine because I have way more and better quality energy from raw foods and juices now than I ever have before.

ALSO, if you guys have a juicer try making frozen banana ice cream! I just had some and not only is it incredibly delicious and seriously tastes like real ice cream (I totally fooled my mom), it's really easy to make AND gives you a great boost of energy. Think I will be indulging in this quite a bit as well.. after all why not? All it is is a banana!

[annabella]

Also, Stella I have been eating a lot of fruit the past couple of days and have really noticed a difference as well! I think grapefruits, oranges, apples, and bananas will be really great staples for me in the winter. I like to just cut up oranges in slices and suck out the juice :)

[StuntGirl]

You know, I've really noticed a difference to my energy levels when I just drink more water! i know it sounds absolutely basic and obvious, but I am terrible for remembering to drink enough water, but every time I do, I feel energetic, refreshed and don't even touch coffee!

(Can you tell I'm currently sipping my way through my second litre of ice water today, haha!)