Raw Foods?

[Valerie]

Anybody really familiar with the benefits of raw foods as a permanent lifestyle change? I've recently been given a pretty darn good reason to consider eating just raw foods and I'm looking to research it some more.

So if you know something, it would be great if you'd share it here!

[Jody]

Valerie,
I hear ya there! I know I wouldn't be even this committed if it weren't for my daughters health! But the benefits to me have been so tremendous. When I eat junk (I do slip occasionally) instead of beating myself up, I have learned to say to myself ," I love myself to want the best foods so I can feel great!" It may sound corny, but it's better than self condemnation and it helps me regain my focus. Congrats on your 10 pound weight loss since Thanksgiving! That's terrific. You're doing great. Just keep loving yourself enough to give yourself the very best

[Gabriel]

ahhh so much reading on raw food yet i have nothing to say about it, which is odd sence im going raw in like 3 weeks... val i need you to help me find something to say about it!

[inspiredej]

Wow.. what funny timing the universe has set out for us! I just joined this group a couple of days ago.. and feel HOME!!! lol.

I have been raw for 2 1/2 years. No cooked food. It was something I did because it felt like it was the right thing for ME. I did not know there was a raw community, or books, websites, etc on how to go raw, I started first, then found out all the other stuff later. I am SO glad I went with what my body was telling me first.

Once I started reading about raw foods, I was so confused there was SO much! Rules, everyone seemed to have different ones ( and still do) about what you should eat, when you should eat it, and how. oh boy!

I tend to throw myself into something completely when I do something, so I read everything I could get my hands on, studied, and studied some more. I have discovered, through so much research that it is the best thing to go with what your body is telling you. LISTEN to your OWN body. This takes practice. As we are very often told NOT to listen to ourselves, and listen to the 'experts ' instead. It is just like trusting our kids to know what is best for themselves too. This takes some practice.. letting go.

My suggestions are to ADD raw foods to your living diet, and not subtract other stuff. This way you feel EMPOWERED to eat , and not like you are suffering. You are making good choices for yourself.

I am a cert. raw food personal chef/educator and lifestyle coach, nutrition specialist ( etc etc etc. sheesh I hate labels.. though it clarifies things for people too).

the best thing about eating raw foods is I LOVE it.. it tastes sooo wonderful. I can be really creative, and it is fun. ( ok. that is more than one thing!)

Laura had some good points about hints to eating. Laura, it is awesome you shared that!!
There are so many people who have had amazing results from going raw. I did not start because I was sick. I did not lose weight. I have found that my breathing is much better now than it used to be . I am able to stay around people's houses who have pets and recover faster now than before I went raw. My joints don't hurt anymore, ( I was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at 16 ). I feel more spiritually grounded.

Thanks for the great thread! I am interested to hear the shares of others on this path!!

[Caren]

I have been considering going raw for quite a while, and feel closer to that shift every day. I'm not there, yet! But I know I will be when the time is right - maybe as winter is waning.

I read Steve Pavlina's blog, and he kept a really complete record of a 30-day raw trial that he did, and he stayed raw afterwards, because of how much better he felt. I think because he's still new at it, he really strongly advocates for 100% raw, and calls cooked food addictive. If you can get past that, you'll find tons of info and links:

He starts here: http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/12/raw-foods/ and you can just click the next post to read the next entry. You can also put "raw foods" into his search engine; he's made several follow-up posts.

[Valerie]

You actually may have nothing to say. Surprise. (wicked grin) However, you know I'm always up for a good conversation, so tomorrow or Thursday will work.

[Jody]

I like Steve's blog. He just puts it out there. And, like inspiredj said, you have to listen to your own body. I heard someone say it may help to add enough raw foods to your diet that you are at 50% raw, and then move forward as your body "leads." Glad to know we have raw foods coach on here. I am still learning, and am by no means an expert. I have stumbled more since the weather got colder. Not beating my self up, but am aware that i am not meeting the goals I was shooting for.

[inspiredej]

I have a blog if you are interested in looking at it,, it is http://noshinwithchefej.blogspot.com/
There are some recipes, ramblings and thoughts on being raw on it. I have only had it a month now,,,if there is anything you would like me to address on it, or talk about, feel free to go ahead an ask away!

[Katherine Marion]

What a rawk'n conscious conversation you have started ....

Wow! to the wonderful woman who's daughter is now completely healed and out of the wheelchair she was once so unconsciously confined to! Cant; wait to watch her documentary ....

Check out my website : www.RAWsomeChef.com and let me know how you feel. I promote, inspire and market raw food preparation, ready to go meals, workshops, spiroolis ( check out my online store ) and just recently joined up as a divine distributor of a rawsome new freeze-dried Superfood drink, made from the potent and most healing Acai Berry and white grapes. Fully active, enymatically alive, refreshing, energyzine, and so delicious!

By the bottle ( $49.00 Can in Vancouver, B.C. area ) or case: CAll me: 604-926-5281

[e-mail]

Also, you already probably are aware of the rawstruck Dr. Gabriel Cousens and his new dvd, now causing quite the worldwide stir, as he genuinely proves diabetes can be cured in less than a month ( more like 1/2 a month, along with symptoms ) on a 100% living food lifestyle ( it is a choice, not a "diet", remember ).

You are gonna do it!

Look what reaching out has already created ...

Consciously committed,

Katherine

www.RawsomeChef.com
www.SupernaturalWoman.com

[Jody]

Wow! Great comments! I plan on checking out the blogs/links later, I'm on my way out the door at the moment. (I am planning on showing G.Cousens dvd at a raw foods potluck in January. We are excited about that! )

One of the things we tell people is that she had time to "research" raw foods simply due to our relaxed unschooling lifestyle. In her reading (on subjects of interest to her) she came upon the information and took it upon herself to implement the lifestyle. Her whole life has been reclaimed anew. I have no words to even express the gratefulness and joy this has brought to our whole family!
wishing you all peace and joy,
jody