A New Year Raw Lifestyle
Posted by January Harshe on January 1, 2008
Last night, my husband and I sat down and had a talk. This is not what you think. It was actually wonderful. These moments are few and far between with three small children and we cherish them (the moments…OK, the children too). We talked about a few things, but I’m going to discuss what is relevant here.
At dinner last night, we were eating home made fried rice. My husband and children love a good cooked meal. Well heck, so do I. We started talking a little bit about how I feel when I eat raw vs. cooked. He said if it’s what I feel like I should be doing, then do it! That’s as far as we got, because our four year old daughter was sitting in a box acting like a dog and wanting us to watch her eat her eggs. My son was standing on the table in his superman underwear asking us for another egg and the baby was sitting there watching it all unfold. We laughed and rolled our eyes. What could we do?
After the kids were in bed, we actually got into a conversation. My wonderful "self development guru" of a husband is very into visualization. As he should be. If you can see it, then it can be true. He wanted to know if I can visualize myself a hot sexy mama! I told him when I think about eating raw vegan, then yes I can. We discussed other reasons I wanted to do this as well. There are things in my life and goals that I have that are dependent on my mental, physical and spiritual growth. I’ll have to indulge you with the details later as they are personal and need their own time to reveal themselves.
Even in the raw world, raw foodists all eat different. The lifestyle itself is as original as each individual. Why some will consider raw nuts raw, other don’t think they are truly raw because of how they are processed. Some people think eating Bragg’s dressing or the like is OK, while others shy away from anything that is not in its true raw form. There are many raw foodists who own a dehydrator. With this, they can make meals that remind them of their SAD days (Standard American Diet…isn’t that interesting how that acronym works out?). If you "cook" something below 118 degrees (some say 116, 108, 105…just depends on the person again) that it will hold onto all of it’s nutrient and enzyme properties. I do not own a dehydrator yet, so will remain simple right now. I think making these meals helps people with their cravings from their SAD days.
I do own a Vitamix and a Jack La Lanne juicer. With these I can make fresh juices, smoothies and even warm soups. Also, nut milks, raw guacamole, raw nut butters, etc. There’s nothing like fruit and greens blended up in a Vitamix. Green smoothies are refreshing, energizing and nutritious.
What I Will Eat:
-I plan on eating mostly fruits, especially in the morning. As I am coming off a fast from the previous nights sleep, I want to eat simple nutritious fruit. This way my body can digest and heal.
-Salads and cut up fresh vegetables with Bragg’s dressing will be another staple. I plan on making my own dressing, but for now Bragg’s will suffice.
-I am going to go easy on nuts and seeds. When I lost 60 lbs eating a high raw diet, I hit a plateau. I realized it was the huge bowl of nuts I was eating every day. I calculated it and realized it was about a 1000 calorie snack. I cut that out and started losing again. I think with a raw diet, your caloric intake is low, so having some nuts and seeds for calories and good fats is fine. I’m just not going to eat a huge bowl of them. I have a bag of organic sprouted raw sunflower seed and pumpkin seeds. Right now almonds are pasteurized and not available raw.
-When I have a craving I will probably eat some raw crackers or make a treat with raw nut butter and raw cocoa. For me, this is necessary right now. I have too many cravings and need to kick my sugar addiction. These "treats" will help. You can buy raw crackers at your local Whole Foods. I also will eat sprouts when I am in the mood. I have been looking into sprouting my own. I think this would be fun for the kids.
As far as my husband and children are concerned, that will unfold on it’s own. Just a few minutes ago, my husband said, "Wait, I don’t want you to be healthier than me!" With all joking aside, he is very supportive of all my adventures, this one included. He is deciding if he wants to eat all raw or just high raw. My children will be high raw, but they will have raw cheese and Ezekiel bread products, etc. At least for now.
I am very excited about this journey. I am looking forward to 2008 being a RAW year and all the health and clarity I will receive. I have many goals and am finally going to take charge of my life. No more blame, no more excuses. It is time to live and love living!
I will be posting pictures from today and my health goals in posts to come. I can not wait to see how my body changes. I also am looking forward to the changes I will have in other areas of my life from this change. Eating an all raw diet is not just about the food you put into your mouth, but also the thoughts you put in your head, the words that come out of your mouth and the actions you take in life!
