New to Raw - Help!
Tiffico
Posts: 5 Member
Ok, a little about myself, I am a 31-year old working, mother of four boys who is about 100lbs. overweight. I'm 5'3" and currently weigh in around 235. I'm not a huge eater (quantity), but my busy schedule means my meal choices are typically all about convenience. I never sit down to eat. This past year I have seen some significant health changes, and not for the better. Of all the woes I could list, my knees were the most troublesome. They were sore to the touch (even when sitting) and very swollen and inflamed.
Our family has a vacation coming up in a couple months, and this was the desperation that motivated me to (once again) try to make some progress. I know it sounds corny, but my body told me that I needed to go raw, so this past Saturday, I challenged myself to 30 days of Raw Vegan eating. I am a firm believer that our bodies know much more than than do, so I went with it.
Let me just say, after only four days I noticed that my knees were not inflamed at all - there was no swelling. It still is pretty shocking to feel them, as I really didn't notice how significant the swelling was. It was a no-brainer that losing weight would help with my knee pain, but this was so much more healing than I could have ever anticipated.
I am only a week in, and doing well, much better than I had imagined, but I really need some support. I need some Raw Food Coaches to keep me from reinventing the wheel. I really want to stick with this and make raw food a permanat lifestyle, but I know I need some help.
There is an overwhelming amount of information online, and I've tried looking for recipes, but am discouraged by the fact that they often involve things that I have never even heard of, or ingredients that are realistically out of my budget (not to mention difficult to find here). I want to find good recipes for things like raw falafel, burger and chips (do they even have that?!), foods that will be familiar and delicous, but don't require a ton of preparation or the purchase of $10/lb nuts or grains for one serving.
Also, I want answers to my burning questions, such as, "Can I eat rice? How will it impact my progress thus far?", "Is there any foods I need to be avoiding", or "What are some of the more budget-friendly raw food recipes that are both easy to prepare and budget-friendly?"
At this point, I would live to incorporate something that would satisfy my cravings for "main course" type of meals, bring on the faux-meats and chips. Thankfully I'm not really having any sweet cravings that aren't easily satisfied by fruits, but I'm just not acheiving that 'I ate dinner' feeling taste-wise (if that makes any sense). I always just feel like I ate the appetizer. I know these are cravings, and are different than hunger, but there has to be some solutions out there.
Also, if there is anything that I should know (but don't know to ask), please do share. I believe my friends and family think I've gone off my rocker, but honestly, my body feels better than it has in a long time, and I know it is 100% diet - please help me stick to this!
Our family has a vacation coming up in a couple months, and this was the desperation that motivated me to (once again) try to make some progress. I know it sounds corny, but my body told me that I needed to go raw, so this past Saturday, I challenged myself to 30 days of Raw Vegan eating. I am a firm believer that our bodies know much more than than do, so I went with it.
Let me just say, after only four days I noticed that my knees were not inflamed at all - there was no swelling. It still is pretty shocking to feel them, as I really didn't notice how significant the swelling was. It was a no-brainer that losing weight would help with my knee pain, but this was so much more healing than I could have ever anticipated.
I am only a week in, and doing well, much better than I had imagined, but I really need some support. I need some Raw Food Coaches to keep me from reinventing the wheel. I really want to stick with this and make raw food a permanat lifestyle, but I know I need some help.
There is an overwhelming amount of information online, and I've tried looking for recipes, but am discouraged by the fact that they often involve things that I have never even heard of, or ingredients that are realistically out of my budget (not to mention difficult to find here). I want to find good recipes for things like raw falafel, burger and chips (do they even have that?!), foods that will be familiar and delicous, but don't require a ton of preparation or the purchase of $10/lb nuts or grains for one serving.
Also, I want answers to my burning questions, such as, "Can I eat rice? How will it impact my progress thus far?", "Is there any foods I need to be avoiding", or "What are some of the more budget-friendly raw food recipes that are both easy to prepare and budget-friendly?"
At this point, I would live to incorporate something that would satisfy my cravings for "main course" type of meals, bring on the faux-meats and chips. Thankfully I'm not really having any sweet cravings that aren't easily satisfied by fruits, but I'm just not acheiving that 'I ate dinner' feeling taste-wise (if that makes any sense). I always just feel like I ate the appetizer. I know these are cravings, and are different than hunger, but there has to be some solutions out there.
Also, if there is anything that I should know (but don't know to ask), please do share. I believe my friends and family think I've gone off my rocker, but honestly, my body feels better than it has in a long time, and I know it is 100% diet - please help me stick to this!
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Replies
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I think you may want to start out Raw till 4. It's a great program. Basically you eat 95% fruits, 5% veggies, and 5% nuts, seeds from the time you wake up until 4 or basically dinner time. After 4 or dinner time, you can have a cooked vegan dinner. I used to eat tons of baked potatoes, rice, pasta. I did this for 3 weeks, lost 5 pounds and felt amazing. Then I was stupid and started eating meat again and felt terrible almost immediately. I am now slowly progressing back into it. Have been off meat for two weeks while still eating dairy & eggs. I feel a little better, but ultimately I want to be 100% vegan or close to it as possible.
I typically have a smoothie for lunch. tons of bananas, berries, pineapple, etc. Then for a snack I would have like 2 cups of grapes, or 2 oranges. Then for lunch another smoothie. I'm thinking about getting a juicer and making some fruit/veggie juices as well. For dinner, like I mentioned I would have some spaghetti noodles with 100% tomato sauce mixed with some herbs and stuff. Or I would have baked potatoes with vegan butter, green onions, and some fake bacon bits. Here are some resources:
Raw Till 4 facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rawtill4/?ref=br_tf
Banana Girl, who doesn't eat just bananas, but other veggies and fruits: http://thebananagirl.com/
A Veggie/Fruit combining chart for maximum digestion: http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb06rzxp5M1r73e46o1_500.jpg
Vegan Smoothies and Other recipes: http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/
Raw: http://www.lovingitraw.com/
I think for me, it was bad MENTALLY from going to high meat/dairy to completely raw vegan. I think you should probably cut things out gradually. Maybe for one week, just cut out meat. Then the next week, cut out the dairy, but still eggs. Then following doing the raw till 4. And see how you feel.
Feel free to friend request me. Just make sure you put in your message about this post
Hope this helps! 0 -
Greetings!
Yes, eating raw can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Yes, things like nuts and flax seeds are pricey, but they go a long way. C'mon- how much is a trip through the drive thru? $10 worth of nuts or seeds will make a batch of cheese dip, a batch of ranch dressing, and a caramel apple dip
Raw foodists do not generally eat rice- unless it's sprouted. But it's up to you. It is also helpful to keep in mind that one is considered a raw foodist if they consume 75% or more of their food raw. This leaves plenty of wiggle room for the occasional cup of herb tea, or a veggie burger.
The best books to start with are "Raw Food Made Easy" by Jennifer Cornbleet, and "The Complete Book of Raw Food" by Lori Baird and Julie Rodwell. Both have good recipes that don't require specialty equipment, and "The Complete Book of Raw Food" is packed with information and resources.
Most raw food preparation is fairly time consuming, and many raw recipes are both high calorie and high fat- nuts are practically a food group! However, it can be done- check out my food logs if you like- my diary is open.
If you decide that raw food is for you, and you want to try more adventurous recipes, you will probably want a dehydrator, a juicer, and a spiral slicer.
Some good websites:
http://www.rawfoods.com/
http://sunfood.com/
http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/
Sending you a friend request-0 -
Hello. I feel just as you do. I have a very demanding life and, like you, my life had become about what was convenient to eat. However, that has recently changed. I have been transitioning to a 100% raw diet. I feel fantastic when I am on a raw diet but finding recipes started off as a challenge. I have tried recipe after recipe and have landed some very good ones. Since cost and time is a factor for me as well, I have shaved my recipes down to include those recipes that are healthy, raw, cost effective, and delicious. Let's face it. Finding delicious alternatives to replace those "comfort foods" we once enjoyed is a must to keeping raw foods as a lifestyle and not just a diet choice.
I have a significant amount of weight to lose too. I would love to have a motivating friend to help with recipes, weight loss, and just general support, so if you are interested feel free to add me. Have a good night.0 -
So tomorrow makes 14 days, and I'm still alive, lol. A few things I've noticed is that this week, everything has become much easier. I don't feel like I'm on a diet as much as it's just not how I eat. I don't have anything against eating meat particularly, I'm just very much interested in the health benefits of being raw.
My iniital challenge was for 30 days, I'm not sure what I plan for after that, but I know that I will never go back to packaged junk or processed food again - I have seen too many improvements to go back to feeling like that. And guess what, I can drink water!
My eat habits are still primarily about convenience, and unless I'm really craving something w/flavor, it is much eaiser for me to eat a whole fruit or veggie than to prepare anything. Yesterday, however, a friend shared a recipe for Mostly Raw Pad Thai with me. I modified that a bit for items that I had on hand, and produce that needed to be used right away. The recipe called for any nut butter, I used Tahini. That salad was more flavor than I've had in the past two week and I devoured it!
I would like to learn more about sprouting. I've tried garbanzo beans several time, and each time am left wondering if I am doing it right. I would love to be able to make my own hummus and falafel, but the results are alway inedible.
Sprouting rice? Tell me more?0
