RAW input

[LaTricia E. Morris]

Ok, I thought I had posted something on this topic not too long ago but since cannot find it and have recieved no notice of responses so I'm thinking something might have gone wrong there.  Not sure but am giving this another try.

 

I am, today, completing my own 11 week initiative and because of all I've been learning, I've been asked to teach a class on Raw (we're  calling it "Exploring Raw Cuisine") at the local health food store June 16th.  Perfect timing as I just came to find that the next Cleanse America 10 day cleanse will be the 20th-29th.  Needless to say, will be promoting that!

 

Anyhow, in preparation for this class, I thought I would seek some input from the raw food community so I may adequately address some of the major issues hindering people from going raw.  So, if you don't mind sharing...

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in going RAW? 

 

What has helped you to overcome these obstacles?

 

I know not everyone is going to have the will or the discipline to go through with it but I would like to encourage the addition of as much raw as possible to family's diets.  If you have any favorite resources you would like to share, please, feel free to pass those on here too!

 

Thank you all so much in advance for your input!

 

 

[Tami B]

When people hear about me eating high raw they usually say " I could never do that". I agree I think that adding is better than subtracting all the stuff they can't have. I think people would be more likely to drink half their weight in smoothies, or do 2 smoothies a day with a salad, etc, than be faced with the guilt of trying to be 100% raw and not being successful and going back to SAD. Of course as we all know the more raw you have the more you want. For me it has and still is a gradual process but once the mind is opened to the raw lifestyle, it will always be at least in the back of your mind that this is the healthiest way to live.

[Wendy Geesey]

I want raw overnight- I went raw for one day and felt so amazing the next day I knew I had found what I was looking for! What helped me the most was cleaning out and organizing my new RAW kitchen. I took a cabinet all to myself (left the others for the rest of the family). I took food and some cooking utensils down to the basement. I ended up giving the food away- out of sight out of mind. It's been a year now and I have found my way to the fruitarian lifestyle- so simple! I hate spending time in the kitchen preparing. Cut fruit, eat fruit, peel fruit, eat fruit, leafy green salads or green smoothies- voila! :)

[Jodi is Purely Nourished]

I agree with Mary Ann. Jumping in all or nothing just sends you flying out like a boomerrang. Best to start with adding one thing you can commit to daily like adding a green smoothie for breakfast or a fruit snack in the afternoon. Start there and let the rest transition naturally. Don't judge yourself for not being perfect!

[Mary Ann]

The biggest thing that helped me was focusing on ADDING more raw to my diet - not "taking away" non raw food. Starting each day with a green smoothie - slowly adding more greens as I got used to them - and just focusing on the healthy things I was putting in to my body. Slowly, you start to have so much energy and "good feelings" that when you do go back and have some SAD food, you quickly realize what it does to your body, mind and spirit and the less you want it. And I agree with Maureen - KEEP IT REALLY SIMPLE and rid your house of the SAD food as much as you are able :)

[Maureen Griffin]

I would advocate - keeping it really simple. Say, establish that everyone eats some kind of raw food everyday (we imagine) like a banana, some tomato, fresh orange juice, alfalfa sprouts -so perhaps make a group list of what everyone is already eating and so also work out what qualifies as  not raw eg roasted nuts. Then maybe using that list you could suggest snacks, drinks etc using things they are already familiar with but doing it a bit differently.

Also perhaps do some substitution - apple and nut butter instead of corn chips and dips and so on

Introduce some new yummy stuff -cacao nut balls, frozen banana pudding, coconut water.

Last thought -in order to give some good reasons to try this way of eating -some RFR clips off youtube could be used.

Hope this helps.

 

[LaTricia E. Morris]

Mae - Thank you so much for this input!  You are so right about overcoming the "comparison" trap.  I know many will need to personalize their RAW experience to fit the demands of their lifestyles and bodies.  As much as I am sure we could all benefit from eating 100% raw, I know this isn't a very realistic goal for some.  My hope in teaching this class is to really encourage and empower people to incorporate as much RAW as they are comfortable with and maybe gradually increase their proportions of raw to cooked as their palates are being retrained. 

I would much rather them even just be doing a 50-50 than to just fall off the wagon and find themselves in a binge. 

I really want to be able to address many of the challenges to show them they're not alone in their struggle to find freedom through good eating!  :)

 

Anyhow, I am so sleepy I'm about going cross-eyed at the moment.  Was working on my notes for the class and got carried away.  So, before I start making no sense whatsoever...  Thank you!

[Mae Jardine]

Hello LaTricia:
As I see it or even experienced it myself, when transitioning into the high raw life style; people tend to feel good about themselves until they compare their progress or percentage of high raw to others. I view this as a major issue hindering people from going raw or maintaining as high a raw lifestyle as possible for them or within the family structure.
I do now maintain a very high daily percentage raw lifestyle but I sincerely had to overcome feeling bad about myself and train myself not to get caught in the comparison trap. Many of us encounter physical challenges we are trying to heal with raw foods that another may not encounter. Hence, as we transition it is necessary to learn as we go, experimenting with what works . . . or not as we make our choices on a day to day basis while listening to our body talk and teach us. Keeping a written report of my challenges and experiments was important for me.
My best to you and your desire to educate, help others and your promotion of Cleanse America.