brief introduction!

[Alice O'Malley]

Hi Everyone,

As you can probably see, my name is Alice and I think I'm about to join the raw food revolution! Here are my reasons why:

1. I've done enough research to be convinced that by converting to atleast 75% I can make significant differences to my phsyical and emotional health.  According to my doctors I am overweight (although this is based on BMI, which I regard as B/S, I do actually agree with them).  Alongside this I have significant health concerns which I want to try to iron out once and for all. Emotionally, I am very explosive and therefore I drain easily. I am working on healing myself spritually and psychologically, however, the more research in to holistic treatments I did, the more I came to realise that you really cannot detach the mind from the body - a lot of the illnesses that I suffer from are the direct effect of my psychological wellbeing - I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and have done for some years now. This, in my belief, is due to my past traumas and the effect that they still have on my energy levels (but this is a different story altogether). I started to think, 'if my mind can effect my body physically, then surely the body can also affect the mind'.  Further evidence can be seen in my emotional state for days after a night on the town drinking - it is not only my body that takes the battering from this blatant self abuse, it is my mind too.

2. I realised I wouldnt feed my dog the food I feed myself. Literally. My dog is on a raw food diet and I didnt even consider it for myself until a few days ago. So, with that in mind, it is an issue of self respect and self love. I respect and love my dog too much to put anything in to her body that will cause her direct harm and shorten her life expectancy. I have now vowed to treat myself with the same level of love and nurturing.

However, I have some concerns, which I wouldnt mind a little feedback on, if people have the time. Basically, for whatever reason, I'm PETRIFIED. I'm not a huge fan of change - it could be as simple as this. But aside from that, I'm panicking about being ostracised. My boyfriend (who i live with) is really interested in changing his lifestyle too, and is more than up for "trying out this raw food thing". But, what if he finds it too hard to peel his fingers away from the sausage sarnie? what if I end up alone in this? I'm a hugely sociable person, and I dont want to end up not able to attend meals or dinner parties, unable to go to the pub for a drink with friends (where does alcohol even stand with this issue?) or focusing all of my time and attention of finding and preparing food. My only real concerns are that my social life is going to be turned or on its head. Or, in worst case scenario, completely obliterated. Does anyone have experiences of this?

Also - how do you guys get through winter?! HOT soup! Tea! ROOOAAAASSSTSS!!!

I'm working myself up in to thinking that I'm going to find it amazing eating raw, go 100% and be unable to turn back... you're probably wondering why this is a concern for me... let me explain something to you. my favourite food ever is potato. in any form. except raw, because I'm pretty sure thats inedible.

So. after that "brief introduction" which actually turned out to be a freak out, would be really nice to hear back from some people, let me know some words of advice - maybe hear some stories, if people went through similar freak outs.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Alice xxx

[djd]

Raw does not have to be complicated.  Fruit, fruit and salad.  It can be that simple.  And you'll get all your vitamins.  Don't worry about winter yet.  Just start eating more raw food and see how you feel. After you get established in that good feeling, you will want to maintain it.  Sweaters.  :-)

There are usually choices that can be made in social situations, such as other things to drink than alcohol or some kind of veggie of fruit.  There is no obligation to be 100% raw all the time.  It's what you usually do that adds up the most.

[Maureen Griffin]

Welcome to a great experience! All the very best.

[Alice O'Malley]

i have seen that - its one of my favourite disney movies :-) you mean thomas o'malley.  kinda cool that my brother is called tom! thanks for the welcome :-)  x

[Alessandra]

Alice O'Malley......you ever watch the Disney movie (the original) The Aristocats?  One of them was an O'Malley..........anyhoo..........welcome here!  I look forward to seeing you around.

 

Warm regards

Alessandra

[Alice O'Malley]

thank you for your response and sound advice alessandra :-) I think I definitely do need to start taking some suppliments. And I know there are some pretty basic ways around the social aspect to things. I think fear is pretty much me first reaction to everything new/ change in general!! But I'm hoping that this online community will be able to make everything much easier for me when I do make the transition. thanks again :-) x

[Alessandra]

If you are going out someplace where you know the food choices are not healthy, then eat a good bit before you go...so that you aren't hungry...and if you want/must...have a bit of the best choice....and bring along a snack bag, some raw nuts, an apple, anything to munch on to keep the bad choices out of your mouth, out of your body.  You can do it!  It all boils down to how badly do you want to feel better? 

[Alessandra]

And as for the social aspect.......don't talk about what you are eating...just eat it.  If people question your choices just say you've been feeling poorly and this is what you are craving now...and don't let them give you crap about it.  If they don't get it....give you too much flack....stand your ground and tell them to seriously drop it.  That you've are trying to eat better so that you feel better and that you could really use their support.  Not their flack....but mostly, the less said, the better.    Say you'd already eaten at home...that this was all you were wanting for now.....anything...you don't have to lie, but you also don't have to explain...unless they sincerely care and want to know.

[Alessandra]

it wouldn't hurt to take some Vit C (sorry....typo)

[Alessandra]

Hi Alice.......the drinking will make you feel down and depressed, as alcohol metabolizes as a sugar, and what you are experiencing is also know as "the sugar blues".  To combat this, (besides the obvious of not drinking), you need to start taking a good B-Vitamin complex.  Daily.  I am certain you (like most people, including myself) are low on B-vits.  It would hurt to take some Vit C as well...in my opinion, the Vit C does not have to be expensive, just a good quality one.  If you tolerate it well, I would work up to large therapeutic doses.....I personally when feeling the need (and I brought myself out of a serious physical state in which I was a) in a fragile emotional state..would cry easily, would get angry at the drop of a hat (hyperirritable) and b) physically exhausted to the point where I had to drop out of school and quit my job.  It took long months of lying around at home, having no social life (as I did not have the energy for one) but I did get better.  How?  For me it was loads of Vit C and loads of B Vits and good food.  This was over 30 yrs ago and no doctor had a diagnosis for me and I wasn't about to make the rounds and let them re-invent the wheel trying to figure it out....I just started reading books on health and healing (Paavo Airola, Adele Davis) and doing what I could.   Years later I realized what had happened to my body and my health, and more years later I realized the trigger that had started it all....which I won't go into now...but you might try these things...and eat loads and loads of good greens...arugula (rocket), kale, lettuces....green smoothies.....and also take loads of probiotics...as I am sure you need them.   And if your food can't be always raw (and don't force yourself to do it when you just can't) do make it as high raw and as close to vegan and whole and healthy as possible.  Eating 100% raw isn't for everyone...and even if you want to do it....it is a process...there is a lot to get used to.....it takes time, patience and perserverence........but the rewards of achieving a good diet....be it just 50-75% raw....are tremendous.