Newbie - need to take it 1 step at a time...

[mida]

Hello, I put Annie Phyo's book on my wish list and got it for Christmas! I really like her book, a great read, can't believe I read it cover to cover. I'm 43 and feel more like 63, have trouble getting out of a chair, aches & pains, no sex drive to speak of - help!

Anyhow, eating raw is a HUGE stretch for me. I used to be a vegetarian back in my youth 19-21 or so.. but it wasn't even close to this raw food lifestyle. I mean, I didn't eat meat, and found myself especially in winter eating cheese on tortillas or tons of peanut butter with very little raw food. I can't jump into a raw diet for several reasons including being surrounded by regular American food because my family will barely tolerate me buying Whole Grain Goldfish crackers instead of the "Ultra Cheese" flavor. All I can manage for them is to encourage them to eat a piece of fruit on a daily basis, maybe a salad with dinner. They are "anti-health" and stubborn about their junk food enjoyment - sigh.

So, anyhow, I have been adding 2-3 raw foods to my diet per day. I'm wondering about coffee and alcohol. I know lots of vegans who drink wine and coffee so I'm not sure how the raw food community feels about it. I mean Whole Foods sells it, maybe it's not on the top of the list of things to eliminate? Annie doesn't speak of it so not sure where I should stand on this. Perhaps I should pick a lower hanging fruit like eliminating all red meat (good bye yummy pot roast!) I have made some changes a while back like substituting turkey for most of our meals (turkey burgers, tacos, spaghetti), we rarely eat red meat. Buying nonfat milk instead of 2%, nonfat yogurts, but, I know even these things are not on the raw food list- they are just a few steps towards better health.

Just had a breakfast of whole grain sprouted bread (I know, not raw) with RAW cashew butter - I can stick with this, like it! Made a smoothie with nonfat Greek yogurt, frozen berries and Maca powder (found this on the web from Magic Maca - seemed like a good way to jump start some nutrition). Next, will eat an organic apple for snack. After that, not sure, probably more standard foods.

Whew, I went long, sorry. Any suggestions? Do any of you eat raw while being surrounded with junk? Bacon frying in the morning while you eat raw fruit??

[MysticTree]

Get a copy of Alissa's first book Living on Live Food

http://www.alissacohen.com/shop/livingonlivefood.html

It's a really simple and easy to follow book which is a great starting point for anyone wanting to follow a raw-vegan lifestyle.

[MysticTree]

Do any of you eat raw while being surrounded with junk? Bacon frying in the morning while you eat raw fruit??

yes

If you want to follow a raw-vegan diet then there is nothing that gets you doing it quicker than by choosing raw-vegan foods. There isn't a magic wand really, you just have to choose to eat this way.

[mida]

Thanks Mystic Tree, love your screen name! I see you are in England, I always thought living in a colder climate (I'm on S. California) would make raw living even tougher because the body craves warmer food - or so I thought. I spent a few years in Flagstaff, AZ (a ski town, contrary to popular belief it does get very cold on N. AZ) and that's what did me in. I couldn't get close to cold food during the winter and was living off of cheese and peanut butter - finally fell off the wagon with fast food and never got back on :-(

[MysticTree]

Thanks Mystic Tree, love your screen name! I see you are in England, I always thought living in a colder climate (I'm on S. California) would make raw living even tougher because the body craves warmer food - or so I thought. I spent a few years in Flagstaff, AZ (a ski town, contrary to popular belief it does get very cold on N. AZ) and that's what did me in. I couldn't get close to cold food during the winter and was living off of cheese and peanut butter - finally fell off the wagon with fast food and never got back on :-(

Maybe it's because it is cold that we don't mind. We are used to the cold.

Anyway you might want to check out the forum guidelines cos we aren't supposed to discuss cooked or non-raw vegan foods. The forum is here to support people in their decision to eat raw vegan rather than to discuss how impossible it is - which it isn't btw.

[Traceyraw]

Coffee might be a hard one to give up. I would concentrate on getting as much live food into your system as possible. I drink a little wine Organic sulfite free wine Frey is my favorite.

I dip celery into almond butter mixed with honey. SOOOgood. Try to have veggies cut up and always on hand. Banannas are good n filling. Don't forget yummy yummy dates.

[mida]

Thanks Tracey, I've managed to incorporate at least one raw food into each meal and using them for snacks, and after a few days, already feel better. I've got raw cashew butter and it's already pretty sweet, will try dipping veggies into it. I've cut back on coffee to mostly decaf, not sure I can give up that comfort yet but maybe getting rid of caffeine will add to my health. Trying to see how long I can go without alcohol. The benefits of feeling better are worth it, I have to remember that. Dates - great idea! I remember my mom going to a local date farm and drinking smoothies. As a kid I thought that was crazy but now it sounds good! I will see if I can find dates at our local "fresh" market, dumb question - are they in the produce section or somewhere else? I'm going to the farmers market this weekend but not sure I've ever seen dates, will give it another look.

[Traceyraw]

Dates are really good with an almond stuffed in the middle. I have to have that warm drink in the morning. Sometimes Ihave applecider vinager/honey with warm water. Teas are good also. Take one step at a time. One thing will lead to another. You will start to feel better.
But watch the alcholol it might let your inhibitions down too much to keep your eating on track. (just from experience)

[Aleesha Sattva]

Thanks Mystic.

She's right. Please read the guidelines for posting as we don't post about what we have consumed that is not raw (or non-vegan). Rather we focus on the raw portion of your diet and lifestyle.

Welcome!
Aleesha
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