Just What I Need . . .

I've heard about RawFu for the past few weeks, but I assumed it was a 100% 100 day challenge. Considering I was struggling with 30 days, 100 days seemed out of the question. But I checked out the site a couple of days ago, and was happy to see that it was for all levels of raw. Hooray! And it's an awesome site - really friendly and positive - and motivating. :) It starts August 1st and goes for 100 days (duh). Bunny even has mini challenges and prizes. I'm really excited for this challenge - I think it's exactly what I need.

This may seem crazy, but even knowing that I don't "have" to be 100% raw every day will reduce my stress about the whole thing - and I think it will be easier to be high raw. It's amazing the mind games we can play, huh?

My goal by the end of this challenge is to be quite a few pounds lighter and much, much healthier. It may be difficult at times - during the next 100 days, I have my daughter's birthday, hubby's birthday, my Mom's birthday, and Halloween. Oh, and at least one work event. But I will just have to plan around those days - after all, the idea is to make raw part of my life, right? :)

Getting Over It

OK, so I failed at my 30 day 100% raw challenge. Boo hoo, woe is me - my life is over. Waaaaah. Wow, have I been feeling sorry for myself. Who freaking cares? It doesn't mean I still can't be high raw. Of course I can. I know raw is best - I feel the best, I actually lose weight, I have energy. If I can't be 100% raw right now, then so be it. Even being 50% raw is a million times better than how I was eating before I discovered raw.

So let's start from the beginning - when I first started eating raw, I drank green smoothies for breakfast and made sure I ate at least one big salad every day. I can do that now - today. I can also stop eating processed crap - or at least a lot less of it. I know it's bad for me, and I know it doesn't even taste that good. Easy.

I just got a dehydrator. A lot of raw foodies don't have one and are still living the high raw life. So why don't I actually use it? Yes, great idea. I will find recipes that look good (kale chips for one) and actually make them.

I will stop feeling sorry for myself. I will stop looking at all the people at work drinking coffee and soda all day long and wanting to go back to that life. Why would I? That's just stupid. I will stop saying how hard it is to be raw at work. It's NOT hard. If I go out to lunch, I can eat salad. Or I can at least order the most healthy choice. Better yet, I can bring food to work. If people comment on how I eat fruit and veggies all day, then fine - it will be a great opportunity to explain raw. Or I can just say I'm eating healthfully.

So I'm going to stop whining, and starting living raw again. Even if it's not 100% raw - so be it. If the time comes when being all raw works for me, then great. Until then, I will do the best I can.

So it's not going so well . . .

The good news is that my job is going really well. There is a lot to learn and a lot to get used to, but so far, so good.

The bad news is that it seems raw is a distant, lovely memory. I even got a dehydrator several days ago which I haven't used once. I was lusting after it for so long, and now it's just sitting there taking up space. I know a new job is stressful and busy and life-consuming, but this is NOT GOOD. What is wrong with me????

I'm not taking the time to make green smoothies in the morning, I'm not making salads for lunch, I'm not snacking on fruit . . . I have practically reverted back to the way I used to eat before raw. The cravings for not only cooked food, but BAD cooked food are totally out of control. This is really, really bad. I feel like I'm falling off the edge of a cliff and am desperately grasping for a branch to save me.

OK, try to think positively - I am still not drinking coffee or soda. I did have a salad and a green smoothie today. I am still checking GI2MR, etc on almost a daily basis.

But I feel like a failure - I was so psyched to be 100% raw for July, and failed miserably. When I fall off the wagon, I fall HARD. The current question: "WHAT DO I DO NOW????"

HELP

Hanging in there . . .

My job is going pretty well - there is a pretty steep learning curve, so I feel overwhelmed at times. Yesterday I fell kinda hard off the raw wagon. I was starving at dinner and didn't make good choices. But I'm back at it today - the key for me is to just get right back on the horse. The worst thing I can do is say "Well, Tuesday sucked, so the rest of the week is shot too" - that is just pointless. I think part of my problem is that my weight loss has not been as impressive as I thought it would be 100% raw. I'm not sure why that is. But I have to keep plugging away - I know this is the healthiest way to live.

Anyway, today I ate:

B: one banana (I know - not nearly enough)

L: one apple, lara bar

S: two apples, lara bar

D: GS with 2 bananas, peaches, kale

I really needed to add at least a big salad (and minus one lara bar), but I desperately have to go shopping.

First Day of the Rest of my Life

OK, I know that may seem overly dramatic when referring to the first day of a new job, but that is really how I feel. My last job was nothing less than toxic - I was unhappy most of the time - not due necessarily to the job duties, but the management style and ummm, personality issues. In the 6 weeks I had between jobs, I focused on spending more time with my daughter and concentrating on what I can do to ensure a more pleasant job experience. After all, as an attorney, most of my waking hours are spent at work. I might as well enjoy what I'm doing, right?

Today was my first day, and I can already tell this place is different. I am so excited about showing them what I am capable of, and being appreciated for my hard work.

People say that when you go raw, everything changes - not merely what you put in your mouth. I completely agree. In the last few months, I have quit an unhealthy job, greatly improved my health, and have made enormous headway in de-cluttering my house and my life. Once you go raw, you will never, ever, be the same.

Speaking of raw, I fell off the 100% wagon today. Lunch was ordered in, and my choices were limited. I had a veggie calzone - fortunately, it was heavy on the veggies, and low on the cheese. I don't even feel that terrible after indulging. I thought I would feel sick, but I don't. I wonder what that means. Anyway, instead of beating myself up over it, I am treating it as a learning experience. I will not have complete control over what I eat at every meal, so I will just do the best I can.

I will also admit that I didn't want to make a fuss, or "stick out" by being the one person who had to be different. Maybe that is a personality fault - I don't know. Maybe one day I will not have a problem bringing my funky green smoothie to lunch while everyone else munches on pizza. I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but I do - at least now, being the first day on the job. :) But I'm sure it won't be too long before I'm known as the "crazy raw chick." :)

Pure Food and Wine

I am simply dying to go to Pure Food and Wine in NYC (photo is from their website). My sister lives in NYC and has been there with my Mom. I was sooooo jealous that I couldn't go. I promised myself that I would go there once I got a new job - now I just have to plan the date. I will be going to NYC the first weekend of August, but I won't be there long enough to go. :( :(

I am especially excited to try the desserts - I heard the raw ice cream is out of this world. Sigh.

I will take lots of photos when I finally get the chance to go there and post them here. :)

Ouch again

Owwwweeeee, my back hurts AGAIN. My chiro wants me to get updated x-rays and an MRI. Sigh. And this is terrible timing considering I start a new job on Monday. I've been icing it and taking ibuprofen and flexeril. And hubby just gave me a nice massage - so I'm feeling much better now. I just hope it keeps getting better, or next week will be really rough!!

Check it out: just enjoyed this recipe for dinner (see above). I got it from Gone Raw http://www.goneraw.com/recipes/3813-Decadent-Chocolate-Orange-Smoothie

It was very tasty, but I'm still trying to get used to the taste of "real" chocolate - it's just so bitter. But it was still a very nice treat. :)

Let's see - what else did I have today?

B: GS with 2 frozen bananas, pineapple, almond milk, spinach
S: lara bar, handful of cashews
L: salad with greens, carrots, red pepper, tomato, walnuts
D: choco orange smoothie

Last night I binged on cashews - ughhhh, bad idea. I don't think I'll be doing that again any time soon - way too much fat! And I felt like total crap afterwards.

Tomorrow I will be busy planning what I'll bring for lunch to my new job - I really want to stay 100% raw if at all possible. The more I plan, the better chance I'll have. :)

1/3 of the way there . . .

Yesterday and today went pretty well. I ran out of food earlier than expected today, so I was hungry most of the day. But I'm proud that I didn't cave and eat SAD food. Boy, was I tempted! But I didn't give in - yay me. :)

Today I ate:

B: 2 plums
S: raw revolution bar
S: banana
D: salad with romaine, spring mix, tomato, red pepper, walnuts
S: lara bar

I'm starting a new job on Monday - I'm excited, but a little nervous about being able to stay 100% raw. I will just do the best I can - planning on making green smoothies and bringing raw snacks to work. We'll see what happens. I wonder how long it will take until I'm known as "the crazy raw food chick." LOL

Days 7 & 8

Not that I'm counting - LOL

They went pretty well - I haven't been all that hungry, actually. Yesterday and today I've basically lived on a GS for breakfast/lunch and a salad for dinner.

I did make Alissa's carob fudge sauce last night - I didn't have honey, so I used agave nectar instead. It tasted too carob-y for me, which makes me think I'm just not crazy about carob. Oh well - you live, you learn.

At a local health food store today, I found a raw brownie made by someone in Maine. I've only had a small bite so far, but looking forward to the rest tonight and tomorrow (if it lasts that long) :)

The last few days, I've felt really low on energy - like I could sleep all day. Well, I finally experienced the raw "high" today - just full of energy - despite 90 degree weather and running around all day. I am thrilled!!

Woohooo Raw! Loving it!! :)

July 4th Weekend in the Raw

Well, days 4-6 were difficult at times, but I did it! Fortunately, there was no 4th barbecue or party to worry about. Plus, my Mom was here and is in the midst of a 7-day 100% raw detox. So we were able to help each other resist temptation - particulary on the beach last night for fireworks - pizza, fried dough, ice cream . . . ughhhh. But we did it!

My back is getting better day by day, which is great. We did a lot of cleaning and organizing this weekend. Not much relaxation for us! But it was worth it - the house is looking really great.

Let's see - today I had:

B: GS with bananas, 2 kiwis, spinach, ice
S: lemon lara bar - OMG, amazing!!
L/D: celery stalks with Ani Phyo's taco nut meat; salad with romaine, spinach, spring mix, cukes, tomatoes, carrots
S: orange, grapes

I wasn't feeling hungry for most of the day, so I didn't eat as much as usual. I've been a little bloated/constipated, so eating less is a good thing.

My weight loss is not as impressive as I had expected - but I think my body is going through an adjustment right now. Hopefully the scale will bring a smile to my face soon. :)

Day Three - Ouch

Ughhhhh, my back is killing me today. I have a looooong history of back pain (degenerative disc disease, arthritis), and every once in a while, it really acts up. I'm going to the doctor this afternoon. I really don't want to re-tox my system with medication, but I can barely walk right now. :(

As far as raw goes, so far today I've had a GS with bananas, pineapple, and kale - also had a lara bar. I'm feeling hungry today, but I need more food and I don't know if Ican manage going to the store. Poor Rhiannon - she is so bored today. Day number 2 of no fun. I feel bad, but at least my Mom is coming up tonight - and Frank will be here. So hopefully they can take her to fireworks tonight while I lie in bed blissed out with meds coursing through my body. :(

Day Two

Mmmm, I wish I had more of this smoothie now - bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, almond milk.

What I ate today:
- B: 2 bananas, 2 apples
- S: lara bar
- L: green smoothie (see pic)- then added romaine/spinach
- S: raw revolution bar- choc/coconut
- D: green smoothie with bananas, pineapple, and kale
- S: lara bar

Ughhh, too many raw bars again - I've just been really hungry. I also need to get some more variety. I wish I at least had a food processor - I want to try uncooking. :)

Day One, Continued

First, found this picture on GI2MR - thanks to Susan Laing - isn't it gorgeous??

OK, I have decided to ONLY frequent raw restaurants for the rest of my life (with the help of a Powerball win of course). Hubby came home early today and had some errands to do - decided R and I would just go with him, and that we would go out to dinner. So instead of having the second smoothie for dinner, I ordered a salad at a local restaurant. The best option seemed to be the cobb salad (b/c it had more veggies, including avocado, and sunflower seeds). I ordered it without meat and cheese.

So it comes to the table - WITH chicken. Grrrr. And the avo was brown - ewwwww. I just picked the chicken and avo off. I was so pissed. The salad I made for lunch was much better. Who serves brown avocado - I mean, seriously? I hate restaurants.

Funny thing was - hubby ordered steak tips and garlic mashed potatoes. R had chicken and french fries. The only thing I was really lusting after were hubby's steamed veggies. LOL

Came home and had watermelon as a snack - mmmmm.

100% Raw - Day One

Ok, so far so good - I am using some non-raw salad dressing, but give a girl a break, will ya? ;)

So far today I've had:
- green smoothie with 2 frozen bananas, frozen raspberries, fresh strawberries, and as much baby spinach as I could stuff in the blender
- Raw Revolution bar (spirulina/cashew)
- salad with lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, 1/2 avocado, hemp seeds, oil/vinegar salad dressing

I already made another smoothie using the other 1/2 avocado, 1 banana, 1 apple, lettuce/spinach, and watermelon (you can't really taste the watermelon-oh well). I will most likely have that for dinner tonight. :)

Edited to add: I had WAY too much fat today! The biggest problem is that it is virtually impossible to store part of an avocado- it gets all brown and nasty. One whole avocado, plus the raw bar, hemp seeds, and the salad dressing resulted in fat overload. Oh well, you live, you learn. :)